Dr Akbar Ahmed Demands Apology from Farahnaz Ispahani
Washington , DC : US-based Pakistani scholar Akbar S. Ahmad has clarified that he has never said the Quaid-i-Azam did not have a degree.
“I was dismayed to read a news item in which Farahnaz Ispahani, speaking on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, referred to a book of mine in the context of the controversial remarks made by the president about the Quaid-i-Azam’s degrees,” said Prof Akbar.
In a statement issued in Washington, the eminent scholar said that Ms Ispahani was incorrect in her citation of his work as he had never mentioned the Quaid’s degrees in any of his books.
“In my work on the Jinnah Quartet, which included a documentary, a feature length film, a book and a graphic novel, I have highlighted his integrity, vision and brilliance,” he added.
“That a man of such character and integrity like the Quaid — acknowledged even by his enemies — would pass himself off without a degree, and in the time of the British, is absurd.”
Prof Akbar said he was saddened to see that the Quaid was being dragged into this controversy, which had exposed so many so-called leaders.
He implored the Pakistani leaders to at least leave the reputation of the founding father untarnished.
“It would have been a simple matter of courtesy and decency if Ms Ispahani had bothered to first confirm with me whether her statement regarding my work was correct or not,” he said.
“I therefore take exception to this scurrilous attack on my work and reputation and demand a public apology by Farahnaz Ispahani.”
