“Stories are what hold things in place. Our fragmented lives, with pieces that often seem to have no place to go, are all part of our stories, the ones we live and the ones we invent. For me, that is the beauty and the magic of writing...” Anne Ostby is a Norwegian journalist and author. Her twelve published books for adults, young adults and children have been sold in 18 countries. Having spent most of her adult life as a UN nomad, living in ten different countries, her novels frequently explore questions of identity in an International setting, and depict women’s lives in various cultures. She has lived in Pakistan several times, eight years altogether, this time around from January 2020. She will share with us her writing process and discuss some of her books...

Pieces of Happiness (2016): “A novel of friendship, hope, and chocolate”, placing it solidly within the feel good genre, whereas Town of Love (2012) explores the darker themes of human trafficking and inter-generational prostitution. The former set in Fiji, with the ambience of sea, sand, and cocoa contrasts starkly with the latter- set in India- that tells the story of some of the most underprivileged and vulnerable women in the world ...

'The ASG is proud to launch another issue of this remarkable publication and window on Pakistan’s vivid cultural life with Mehvash Amin, the Editor, and Ilona Yusuf, artist, poetess and Associate Editor.

They will present the awaited 2021 volume of 'The Aleph Review' featuring a stunning selection of poems, essays, travel reports, interviews and outstanding artwork and photographs. It also includes a moving short story about a Sufi Ustad (Teacher), originally written in Urdu by Jean Columeau, a French university professor and frequent visitor to Pakistan. Other specially invited guests will read poems and excerpts.

Copies will be available for sale and signature.

I was intrigued by the name Charsi Nama and because I had been reading Wajahats posts on social media,I expected irreverance, jabs and sarcasm...but I did not expect this! The collection is strung together with verses containing delightful surreal imagery,metaphor, and really, much more...

Bilal Minto ( Writer/lawyer)

Either you are the only and last vestige of the beat generationin Pakistan or Mira Jee of our times or both!

Julaian Columeau ( French & Urdu Novelist)

There is a cetain playfulness & ease in his verse which makes him distinct among his contemporaries ... Malik's diction and idiom makes the most complex emotions accessible to the reader.Some shorter poems read like sweet spells...an absolute delight to read!

Harris khalique (Poet- Presidential Pride of Performance Award)

The poet jolts the reader out of deep slumber...and sings a lullaby to the fears and insecurities that restrain us from breaking our invisible shackles...

Mazhar Niaz (Author; The Mahogony Junction- Tamgha-I- Imtiaz)

Wajahat Malik is a well known TV travel show host and has produced numerous documentary series for local and foreign TV channels. He has lived in Seattle USA for many years. While there he wrote and performed for several fringe and commercial theatre productions. His poems and short stories have been published and highly appreciated in different American publicatrions. Presently he lives in Islamabad.

 An opportunity not to be missed!

The ASG is proud to launch another issue of this remarkable publication and window on Pakistan’s vivid cultural life with Mehvash Amin, the Editor, and Ilona Yusuf, artist, poetess and Associate Editor.

They will present the much awaited 2021 volume of 'The Aleph Review' featuring a stunning selection of poems, essays, travel reports, interviews and outstanding artwork and photographs.

It also includes a moving short story about a Sufi Ustad, originally written in Urdu by Jean Columeau, a French university professor and frequent visitor to Pakistan.

Other invited guests will read poems and excerpts.

Copies will be available for sale and signature!

An Evening with Kishwar Naheed

Kishwar Naheed is a well-known feminist Urdu poet and writer. She has been bestowed the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan,and many other awards for her works including the Nelson Mandela Prize and the prestigious UNESCO award for Children Literature.

A prominent activist engaged in women and children rights, she has also headed several important institutions such as the PNCA in Islamabad. In 2016, she published her autobiography, “A Bad Woman’s Story”, which was been very well received nationally and internationally.

Her poetry has been translated into several languages .

Fifty years ago, Pakistan held its first ever general election as the country transitioned from military to civilian rule, 23 years after its birth. The refusal to honour the results, however, ultimately led to civil war and the country’s breakup, as East Pakistan seceded to form Bangladesh.

Published ten years ago, Shehryar Fazli’s first novel, 'INVITATION' was runner-up for the 2011 Edinburgh International Festival's ‘First Book Award’. The book uses those events as the backdrop to a haunting story about identity, belonging, and betrayal...

Shehryar Fazli is an author, political analyst, essayist and independent consultant. Much of his career has been spent with the Brussels-based research and advocacy organization, International Crisis Group. He divides his time between Pakistan and Canada. He will share his motivations as a writer and explore how the experience of that era still resonates today....

Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s Pioneering First Lady

An illustrated talk

Since the early 1920’s Liaquat Ali Khan had been a central figure in the political landscape of the Subcontinent. When Ra’ana met and married him in 1932, she threw in her lot with his mission to free India from the clutches of colonial rule and the struggle for a just settlement for the 25% of Muslims in South Asia. As soon as partition appeared to be inevitable, she knew she was to remain by his side and say farewell to all her friends and family forever…

Hospitality meets marine conservation- the presentation promises to be entertaining as well as informative!

Charles Barker will discuss his latest novel: The Maritime Betrayal, the story of one woman’s fight to protect the oceans’ most endangered species from the predations of organised crime in Southeast Asia. The subject is compelling and Charles reveals many hard truths about the plundering of our oceans. The problem is leading many species towards extinction…

‘Rawul Pindee: The Raj Years’- a voyage through the mists of time… - Ali Khan

A multimedia Presentation

A sense of nostalgia prevails throughout the presentation for a bygone era as it evokes the Colonial period through a treasure trove of vintage photographs, long forgotten historical facts and figures that have shaped the history of Rawalpindi and its surroundings…..

‘Cultural Expressions’: A Journey into the Sufi Realm of South Punjab: ‘- Sajida Vandal 

Multi- media presentation/ Book Launch, Craft Exhibition