KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted the launch of civil servant and author Aziz Ahmed Zai’s memoir, Somewhere in Between—A Memoir, at Haseena Moin Hall, bringing together prominent figures from literary, academic and professional circles.
The ceremony was presided over by Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, while Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi President Muhammad Ahmed Shah delivered the welcome address. Chief guest Rizwan Siddiqui, along with Ghufran Ahmed, Dr Asim Jafri, Masroor Ahmed Zai, Syed Bilal Mehdi, Dr Syed Rashid Ali Jafri, Shiraz Siddiqui and Aimen Siddiqui, shared their views on the book and its author. Saadia Rashid also read an excerpt from the memoir.
A large number of literary and academic figures, as well as members of Aziz Ahmed Zai’s family, attended the launch.
Family, memories and personal identity
Speaking at the event, Muhammad Ahmed Shah said Aziz Ahmed Zai was deeply valued by the Arts Council community and recalled his long association with Aziz’s father, Anwar Zai.
He said the memoir reflected Aziz’s connection with his family’s traditions and values while also showing how he had developed an identity of his own. According to Shah, Aziz had presented his experiences, memories and observations with simplicity and spontaneity.
He congratulated Aziz Ahmed Zai, his family and friends on the publication of the memoir.
Mehtab Akbar Rashdi said she decided to attend the launch after reading the book. She noted that while she initially wondered why the memoir had been written in English, the language became understandable in light of Aziz’s educational and professional experience in English-speaking environments.
Rashdi said one of the book’s strengths was the way it naturally draws readers into the author’s experiences. She also described its cover as symbolic of family, upbringing, affection and the transmission of values between generations.
She emphasised that parenting involves more than education, arguing that children also need confidence, cultural connection and an understanding of their language and family values. Parents, she said, should recognise their children’s abilities and interests rather than impose their own ambitions on them.
Speakers highlight the role of Anwar Zai
Chief guest Rizwan Siddiqui said family had always held a central place in Anwar Zai’s household and that this tradition had continued through Aziz Ahmed Zai and his brother, Dr Masroor Ahmed.
He praised the role of Aziz’s parents in his upbringing and said Anwar Zai had placed particular emphasis on identifying and nurturing children’s abilities. Siddiqui said Aziz had incorporated elements of his family’s intellectual, literary and cultural environment into the memoir.
He also suggested that significant events in the book could be accompanied by dates or references to the relevant period, which he said would increase its documentary value for future researchers.
Ghufran Ahmed, reflecting on his experience of working with Aziz in the civil service, praised his patience, consistency and sense of responsibility. He described Aziz as a committed colleague dating back to their time at the Civil Services Academy and said he had approached his professional responsibilities with dedication and a strong sense of duty.
Ahmed also highlighted Aziz’s interest in painting and expressed hope that he would hold an exhibition of his artwork.
Dr Asim Jafri said the book’s cover conveyed themes of love, guidance, values and courage passed from one generation to another. He said its imagery brought together the grandfather, the child and, symbolically, the author himself, adding meaning to the title Somewhere in Between.
Shiraz Siddiqui, who said his friendship with Aziz dates back more than two decades, described him as courteous, helpful and even-tempered. He said Aziz’s family had always treated him with warmth and affection, adding that he regarded Aziz as a brother.
A memoir shaped by family
Masroor Ahmed Zai said nurturing the person who eventually writes a book can be more challenging than writing the book itself. He recalled how their father encouraged the family to record their dreams, journeys and encounters and to learn from their experiences.
He said Aziz’s memoir represented a continuation of the family’s intellectual and literary tradition and expressed satisfaction that the younger generation was carrying that tradition forward.
Speaking at the launch, Aziz Ahmed Zai said he had not deliberately set out to write a memoir centred on his father, Anwar Zai. Yet, he said, his father became a recurring presence throughout the book.
Aziz said the memoir begins with his father’s name and ends with a reference to him, with Anwar Zai appearing throughout the narrative both directly and indirectly.
He also spoke about his mother’s influence, saying that it was impossible to discuss his father without acknowledging the role she played in shaping his personality. According to Aziz, his mother helped cultivate his father’s love of books and contributed to the establishment of a library at home.
Aziz Ahmed Zai said the love, upbringing and values provided by his parents played a defining role in shaping his personality.
He thanked the guests, family members and friends who attended the launch and shared their reflections, saying their presence and words of appreciation had made the occasion deeply meaningful.