Correct Answer:
A. Mukhtar Masood
The correct answer is Mukhtar Masood. "Awaz-e-Dost" (Voice of a Friend) is a celebrated Urdu book by Mukhtar Masood, a distinguished Pakistani bureaucrat, writer, and intellectual. The book is a poignant account of his visit to East Pakistan during the 1971 conflict.
About Mukhtar Masood and "Awaz-e-Dost"
- A Personal Narrative of 1971: The book is a deeply moving, first-person narrative of Masood's journey to East Pakistan shortly before its separation. It captures the human tragedy, the breakdown of social bonds, and the personal anguish of a nation's partition.
- Author's Background: Mukhtar Masood (1926β2017) was a senior civil servant who held important positions, including Secretary to the President. Despite his bureaucratic career, he was a prolific writer known for his elegant prose style.
- Literary Significance: "Awaz-e-Dost" was first published in 1973 and is considered a classic of modern Urdu literature. It is widely read for its honest, compassionate, and reflective tone on the events surrounding the creation of Bangladesh.
- Distinction from Other Writers: Bano Qudsia wrote "Raja Gidh," Ashfaq Ahmed wrote "Zavia," and Quratulain Hyder wrote "Aag Ka Darya." "Awaz-e-Dost" is uniquely associated with Mukhtar Masood.
Hence, "Awaz-e-Dost" was written by Mukhtar Masood.