Re: ~~ Imran Series ~~
Unfortunately, due to virtually non existent copy right laws in Pakistan, Ali Imran got abducted by a host of writers during the life of Ibn-e-Safi. Some of them were so shameless that they even used names similar to Ibn-e-Safi though Ibn-e-Safi declined any relation with them. Anyway, no other author even came close to the portrayal of Ali Imran as it was done by Ibn-e-Safi. Most of them turned him into an action packed Steven Segal or Arnold Schwarzenneger, or others made him into a sex-hungry James Bond.
Anyway, Ibn-e-Safi himself wrote over 100 of Imran series novels. These novels are still available but now there are lots of other means of entertainment (cable, internet, video games etc.) that people seldom read this stuff. Ibn-e-Safi is perhaps not recognized as a legitimate author by the “thaykaydaars” of urdu literature but this does not matter. He was one of the most popular of his times and was loved by a huge number of fans who were addicted to Jasoosi dunya, Imran series, and Col. Hameed/Fareedi.
Also, about four or five years ago I visited a website, which contained some great info about Ibn-e-Safi and his work. It was that website’s description of Ali Imran which made me buy Ibn-e-Safi’s novels. But now if you enter this URL in your browser, you end up with some web-hosting services provider. Any word on that?