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.”