Novelist Nadeem Aslam. – Photo by Alisia Pek Xue Ning/Dawn.com

LAHORE, Feb 15: Award-winning British Pakistani novelist Nadeem Aslam will launch his much-awaited fourth novel, The Blind Man’s Garden, at the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) in collaboration with the British Council.

The festival is taking place at the Alhamra Arts Complex on Feb 23 and 24.

Set in post-9/11 Pakistan and Afghanistan, ‘The Blind Man’s Garden’ tells the tale of the war on terror through the experiences of one family, says a press release.

“We are delighted to host the launch of Aslam’s new novel,” says Razi Ahmed, founder of the LLF, “the buzz it has already generated is very promising.”

Born in Gujranwala, Aslam, 46, published his first Urdu short story in a Pakistani newspaper at the age of 13. When he was 14, his family moved to England to flee Gen Ziaul Haq’s martial law administration and Aslam has lived in England ever since.

His 2004 novel ‘Maps for Lost Lovers’ was long listed for the Booker Prize. It was also shortlisted for the IMPAC Prize, and won the Encore Award as well as the Kiriyama Prize.

“The Blind Man’s Garden will resonate strongly with audiences because of the relevance of its subject matter,” says LLF’s Ahmed.

The LLF has been supported by the Punjab government, the city administration and The Alhamra Arts Council.

The debut 2013 LLF kicks off Feb 23. The event is free of cost and open to public. Some 50 authors from Pakistan and abroad are scheduled to speak in the two-day program. Lahore’s Rohtas II Gallery will host a special art exhibition starting on Feb 22 to commemorate the festival with works featured by David Alesworth, Faiza Butt and Salman Toor.