Sipahi Maqbool Hussain (Urdu: سپاہی مقبول حسین, lit.'Private Maqbool Hussain') co-produced by Brig Syed Mujtaba Tirmizi from ISPR and Interflow Communications Limited[1][2] is a Pakistani miniseries, aired during the month of April 2008, simultaneously on TV One and PTV, that narrates the true story of a Pakistani soldier, Maqbool Hussain, who was injured and taken prisoner by the Indian Army in the 1965 war and spent 40 years in Indian jails. He was released as a civilian prisoner in 2005. During his imprisonment, Hussain was said to be subjected to terrible human rights abuses. The drama pays tribute to Sepoy Maqbool Hussain as an icon of resilience and steadfastness.[1][2] It is directed by Brigadier Syed Mujtaba Tirmizi and Haider Imam Rizvi.
As the story unfolds, Maqbool Hussain, bearing army No 335139, is shown being hit by enemy fire on the Line of Control at the start of the 1965 war.[1] Subsequently, he is taken prisoner by the Indian army, who deny him Prisoner of War status.[1] Trained in the traditions of the Pakistan Army, Maqbool Hussain faces great suffering and refuses to share any information about his country with his captors — so much so that when they cut out his tongue, he writes Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan) in his own blood. Maqbool Hussain also beaten into becoming mentally ill during his four decades of incarceration.[1][2][3]
Director Haider Imam Rizvi, who has dozens of popular television and movies and plays and serials to his credit, told the gathering he and his team had been reduced to tears several times during the filming of the poignant scenes in the drama serial. "In my opinion, the production of 'Sipahi Maqbool Hussain' is more significant than all the 40 serials that I have produced in my entire career," Rizvi said.[4]
