Category Archives: Letters

Dear Latif,

I was greatly surprised to/ hear surprised to hear yesterday that you had been in hospital for the last seven days and no news leaked out to me from any source whatsoever. At first I was given to understand that you had a minor throat operation for tonsils, but later I was told that you simply wanted a medical check-up. I don’t know much about hospitals, but if anyone can find them amusing, I am sure you are just that one. You have always seen the funny side of a situation, and this hospitalization is really funny because you went there willingly. Do you think it will be just wasting my time if I pay a visit?

Yours sincerely,

Khalid.

Dear Khalid,

You are right. Life here is very funny and I just came here to escape the tortuous domestic duties. If your children bore you, illness is a safety device. They feel they have been bored—- a tilt for tat. Do come along for a nice chat. What use is your time? Better burn your boats burdened with brass! If you have any doubts, read Stevenson’s An Apology for idlers:

I offer no apologies for being here. And you can visit me without apologies.

Yours sincerely,

Latif.

Dear Mrs. Inayatullah Chaudhary,

I regret I was unable to attend the At-Home function on March 15, as I was at Gujranwala and received you invitation Card only yesterday on return. Thanks for your kind remembrance.

Yours sincerely,

Begum Vali.

Dear Shad,

I regret very much by inability to meet you due to my illness. However, my blessings are always with you.

Yours sincerely,

Nadeem.

Address.

Date.

Dear Safdar,

It is a grand idea of yours to have a picnic in the Zoo. Perhaps you want the animal-like children to share company with the childlike animals in the cage. We will certainly join you.

Yours,

Dilbar.

72, Roshan Ara Road,

Karachi-29.

January 19,1994.

Dear Zafar,

Much water has flowed under the bridges of the Jhelum and the Sind since I last heard from you. A snow wave is here, snow must be there in Murree also. Why not spend a month with us here in the plains? Write, when are you coming?

Yours sincerely,

Mohammad Mian.

Dear Mohammad Mian,

Thanks for your mind remembrance. While it is snowing outside I am here as snug as a rose in my blanket beside a golden fire. I wish you were here to write some poetry on Sawat in winter. Want to come! Can’t come! Life has its demands even under the blanket of snow! Hope you are all O.K.

Yours lovingly,

Zafar.

9_ Jinnah Road,

Murree.

February 7,1994.

Dear Shahid Khan,

As you know, all my liquid funds have been frozen in the Habib Bank owing to the liquidation proceedings being undertaken by the Government. I shall gladly extend any loan to your friend as soon as the Government refund of money to the bank’s creditors.

Yours sincerely,

Sohail.

Dear Arif,

I wonder whether you are serious when you are serious when you say that I should arrange hotel accommodation for you. My personal flat on Clifton is big enough to accommodate both of our families for a month or even for a longer period. Walk straight in! Inform us of your arrival and my car will be at the station to pick you up!

Yours sincerely,

Jamal.

Dear Bhatti,

You will hardly believe that I am going to absent myself from work on the 20th March on account of a marriage. I have never before absented myself from work in order to attend a marriage but this time I just can’t help it, because it’s my own marriage that I have to attend. As we have always lived and worked like twins, you will also have to absent yourself from your office and be my bottle-holder in this great boxing bout of life! More when he meet.

Yours sincerely,

Sarfraz.