BOOKS IN BRIEF: ISSUES AND IMPACTS

Resilient Pakistan: Sociocultural Impact
By Haya Fatima Sehgal
Le Topical
ISBN: 978-969-712-087-1
398pp. 
Resilient Pakistan: Sociocultural Impact by Haya Fatima Sehgal is a compilation of her articles published in various newspapers during the years 2019–23. Comprising more than 100 articles, the book is divided into three volumes or parts: ‘Through rose-coloured glasses’, ‘Towards middle ground’, and ‘Acceptance of realities.’ Volume three also includes sub-sections on ‘The pandemic years’ and ‘Interviews of notable personalities’ and ‘Young corporate leaders.’
Sehgal looks at different issues that Pakistan is faced with through a socio-cultural lens. The diversity of her interests is evident in the wide range of topics that comprise this collection, such as gender equality, gender-based violence, cyberbullying, fake news, the rise of social media, economic disparities, climate change and environmental challenges, extremism, war on terror, geo-politics, etc.
While women’s empowerment and gender equality are recurring themes, Sehgal also delves into the challenges in the education sector and the importance of investing in quality education for all and highlights the need for educational reforms.
Exploring the impact of these issues on Pakistan’s socio-cultural fabric, she provides a critical analysis of these societal challenges as well as insightful solutions and recommendations to address these issues.
Explaining her use of the word ‘Resilient’ in the title, Sehgal writes: “There is no better descriptor for the people of this nation. … If there is anything that has become interwoven into our system to identify ourselves as… it would be this particular description.”
The writer believes that Pakistanis’ resilience comes from the social and cultural values that have a profound effect in all spheres of their lives.
The reviewer is a freelance journalist. X: @naqviriz
Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, August 18th, 2024