KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: A deaf Pakistani man from the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, who has published 120 books on various religious and historical subjects since the late 1970s, said on Sunday he was hoping to be recognized as the author of 300 works by the end of the next year.
Born and raised in the scenic Khaplu valley, 67-year-old Ghulam Hassan Hassanu launched his latest publication during a ceremony in September which was also attended by the chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters.
He was also nominated for the Presidential Pride of Performance award in August for contributing to national literature.
Speaking to Arab News, Hassanu said he did not experience any hearing impairment as a student and “was brilliant during childhood.” He added that his passion for knowledge convinced his family to send him to a seminary in Lahore after finishing eighth grade to secure religious education.
“When I was in Lahore, I started writing essays and news stories for different publications which were printed with my name,” he recalled. “The process encouraged me to start writing books.”
Ghulam Hassan Hassanu’s books of are displayed at a ceremony in Khaplu, Pakistan, to launch his latest publication on September 23, 2022. (AN Photo)
Hassanu said his first book was published in 1978 while pointing out that the process was still continuing.
“So far, I have written 270 books out of which 120 have been published. The rest of them are at different stages of publication,” he informed, adding he was optimistic about completing 300 books by the end of 2023.
“At least 29 of my books were published in 2022,” he continued, “and 50 more will be published in 2023.”
Hassanu said he was happy the government had chosen him for the presidential award.
“This government’s measures have encouraged writers belonging to underprivileged areas of the country,” he maintained. “This will also yield fruitful results [in future].”
The 67-year-old author said he was deeply inspired by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, Dr. Ghulam Jilani and Syed Ali Sharfuddin.
He added a majority of his works were Urdu translations of Arabic and Persian books, though he had also written extensively on the history of Baltistan.
Asked if he had any advice to give to the young generation, he said they should patiently work toward their chosen objectives in life.
“If you are interested in any work, go to any extent to fulfil it,” he said. “Nothing can stop you. Everything is possible.”
