Engr'sLog#2.0 // Betrayal
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT..!!
This is the famous line from Mission Impossible series, a blockbuster filled with suspense, thrill and actions of the spy world. However, unlike the protagonist Ethan Hunt, climbing the world's tallest skyscraper or changing identities in blink of an eye; world has seen living embodiments like Anthony Blunt, who carried espionage against the Crown¹ or Eli Cohen, who almost single handedly sold Syrian empire to its enemy².
In this novel, Omer Shahid Hamid* takes the reader into the Machiavellian world surrounded by tangled webs of spycraft, politics and power struggle. The author has portrayed the notorious game of shadows between two countries, at war, since their inception; and how powerful, cunning and cutthroat players on both sides are keeping this game afoot, without paying any heed to collateral damage.
The story begins with capture of an Indian spy on foreign territory by Pakistani agencies, leaving political ruling party and military establishment at crossroads. The involvement of non-state actors and foreign entities adds fuel to the fire.
The story puts into limelight the lead character, the National Security Advisor; the one awarded with highest medal of honor for cleansing Balochistan of terrorists, which he had achieved by paying a very high price, by losing his own family in a terrorist attack; a man with sophisticated personality, mature mind and foresight; juggling several fragile glass balls namely the civil servants, political mongers, military masterminds, foreign enemies and the most important, his own relationships, specially the one which includes his one true love, the woman he cared and thought for years.
The story gets spiced-up when captured Indian spy hints the presence of a mole within top ranks of Pakistan government, and a rusty but hardworking investigator from police investigation department, hand picked by National Security Advisor; begins the mole hunt through the thorny path of internal politics and power, which pushes him beyond moral and ethical limits to hunt down the traitor, even if it meant putting his own life on the line.
In this novel, the author gives center-stage to passionate and honest law enforcement officers working with their utmost zeal and patriotism; no matter how many mace heads are thrown at them by superiors, foes and peers or how many sacrifices they have to make for this country.
Through this journey of chaos, suspense and thrill; reader may disagree with author's view of different lifestyles and ideologies of our countrymen, being too harsh, immoral, anti-religion and unacceptable.
The author takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride filled with sensation and thrill with fast paced story enclosed in suspense and romance, which keeps reader attached to the book till the end.
In conclusion, this book reflects the saying of poet John Lyly³,
" All is fair in love and war. "
*Author: Omar Shahid Hamid
Omar has served as a police officer for 17 years, also served in Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau and in the Sindh Police's Counter terrorism Department. He subsequently took a leave of absence from the police for five years. While on sabbatical, Omar wrote novels, one of which was longlisted for the DSC South Asia Literature Prize, and is being adapted for a feature film. He is the son of the assassinated Malik Shahid Hamid, Managing Director of the country's top-most utility company.
3. Author of "Euphes: The Anatomy of Wit" - novel
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