LAHORE: Maintaining optimism and focus on Pakistan’s achievements while learning from the challenges of the past seven decades is crucial for progress, says former Senator and author Javed Jabbar.

Speaking at the launch of his two books the other day, he shared the inspiration behind both anthologies, expressing how Streams embodied an exploration of knowledge and media in a rapidly changing world, while Shade and Light addressed pivotal historical events that continued shaping Pakistan.

With essays like ‘Saving the Quaid’, Mr Jabbar explained how the work aimed at offering fresh perspectives on the well-trodden paths in Pakistani history.

Hosted and arranged by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), the event featured dynamic discussions surrounding the themes of both books, highlighting Jabbar’s intellectual contributions to Pakistan’s literary and cultural discourse.

The event began with a welcome note by Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of Pildat, who spoke about his longstanding relationship with Mr Jabbar.

Navid Shahzad, the professor emeritus and head of LGS Resource Centre, introduced Streams as a vital offering. She referred to it as an “intellectual history of our times” that probed new dimensions of media, content and culture, focusing on essays like ‘Knowledge and Nowledge,’ highlighting how Javed Jabbar stated that ‘in today’s fast paced world everything is NOW’. She praised the book’s ability to navigate contemporary complexities with clarity and depth.

Dr Sikandar Hayat, dean at Forman Christian College University, introduced Shade and Light by reflecting on its treatment of historical figures such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“The anthology delves into critical moments of Pakistan’s history, including lesser-explored narratives of East Pakistan and Bangladesh, while also analyzing the nation’s evolving relations with India and the USA.”

Dr Hayat noted that the anthology presented not just history but lived experiences and personal insights that challenge traditional accounts.

The event featured a Q&A session and discussions touched upon censorship and bans in the media, the gig economy and its impact on youth, the evolving sense of ‘Pakistaniat’ and much more.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2024