Happenings
Book Launch of Zafar Masud
Seat 1C – A Survivor’s Tale of Hope
The Lahore Literary Festival witnessed the much-anticipated launch of Seat 1C: A Survivor’s Tale of Hope, Resilience, and Renewal,’ a memoir by Zafar Masud, one of the two survivors of the 2020 PIA plane crash in Karachi. Written in collaboration with Syeda Amna Hasan, the book captures Masud’s reflections on survival, faith, and life’s true priorities.
During the session, moderated by journalist Tooba Masood, Zafar Masud shared his motivations for writing the book, emphasizing the invaluable life lessons he learned post-crash. “I wanted to share my experiences so that people could understand what it feels like to come so close to death and how it changes one’s perspective on life,” he stated.
Masud rejected the notion that his survival was purely due to his seat location, attributing it instead to divine will. However, recognizing the significance of Seat 1C as a powerful symbol, the publisher chose it as the book’s title. The memoir also explores the crucial role of his loved ones in his recovery and how their support helped him overcome trauma.
Syeda Amna Hasan provided insights into the writing process, explaining that the book was built from Masud’s memories, supplemented by interviews with eyewitnesses, the other crash survivor, rescue workers, and aviation authorities. “Our challenge was to tell the story in a way that was respectful to those who suffered while ensuring it remained engaging and informative,” she said.
Masud hopes the book will inspire readers to reflect on their own life priorities and make choices that contribute positively to their communities. Concluding the session, he urged audiences to read the book, stating, “Seat 1C offers lessons that can help others reshape their perspectives on resilience and renewal.”
An evening of poetry and celebration was presented by Mishal Khan recently. As a tribute to two cherished figures of Urdu literature: the birthday celebration of senior poet Anwar Shaoor, and a special honouring of Ambreen Haseeb Amber for receiving the prestigious Pride of Performance Award
The event was presided over by Anwar Shaoor himself, whose presence was an inspiration for the audience present on the occasion. A select group of poets and poetesses shared their work, adding colour and emotion to the night. The poetic session flowed unhindered under the skilled moderation of Khalilullah Farooqui, a well-known voice from radio and media. The star of the evening, poet Anwar Shaoor’s poetry was the highlight of the literary event.
Mehreen Ilahi curator of Majmua The Art Gallery organized a calligraphic exhibition titled Nafs, showcasing the works of emerging artists. Participating artists included Erum Hameed, Iffah Sheikh, Zahir Shah, Huma Tajdar, Umaima Masood, Fatima Arzoo Hassan, Syed Ali Sheikh and Mian Asif.
The calligraphy featured in the exhibition was done in both traditional Nastaleeq and modern, contemporary styles. The artists depicted Allah’s name and verses from the Quran in their works, in their own styles. Fatima Arzoo Hassan’s abstract calligraphy was a standout piece—her textured canvas, featuring Allah impeccably written in white against interplay of blue and white hues, was visually captivating.
Karachi Gymkhana hosted the 38th A.O. Hospital & A.O. Clinic-South Ramazan Cricket Festival 2025, continuing the legacy of a premier T20 tournament. This anticipated event brought together top teams, thrilling matches and cricket enthusiasts on the occasion.
A.O. Hospital sponsored this edition, carrying forward the vision of Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, who first introduced the T20 format in 1996. Under the Asghar Ali Shah Sports Foundation, the Dr. M.A. Shah Cricket Trophy continues to inspire, with many players delivering record-breaking performances.
Sports Convener Muhammad Hussain expressed gratitude to all participants, sponsors, media, and fans who contributed to the tournament’s success. Karachi Gymkhana, hosting the event, remained committed to promoting sports and fostering a strong cricketing culture through this prestigious event.
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