Liberty Books, hosted a thought-provoking literary evening yesterday at Habitt City, as part of the ongoing book tour of Home, Its Complicated — a compelling anthology that explores the layered and often conflicted relationship Pakistanis have with the idea of “home.”
Edited by Saba Karim Khan, the book brings together powerful narratives that confront the joys and sorrows of belonging, migration, and memory. The event, which drew a vibrant audience of readers, writers, and cultural commentators, underscored the anthology’s central theme: “To be Pakistani is to carry love and heartbreak in the same breath.”
The evening featured an engaging panel discussion with contributors of the book Nadeem Farooq Paracha, Omar Shahid Hamid, Ruby Haider, Khaled Aman and Saba Karim Khan. Together, they reflected on the personal and political dimensions of home, sharing intimate insights into their essays and inviting the audience into their journeys of finding, leaving, and carrying home.
Talking about the timing of the book, Nadeem Farooq Paracha said; “The importance and timing of this book cannot be overstated. Pakistan as a nation-state is evolving rather rapidly now, and exploring the many ways that it is understood by its diverse groups and individuals is an excellent way to understand what Pakistan was, is and can be.”
A key highlight of the evening was the live excerpt readings that brought to life the poignancy and complexity of the anthology’s essays, drawing the audience into the deeply personal and political narratives woven through the book.
“To my mind Home is a space that, even with its shortcomings, gives one a sense of both ‘being’ and of ‘belonging’. Home roots one. A discussion around what home signifies to diverse people, such as contained in this anthology, is vital for all of us to discover mutual connections and share the pains and joys of the place that is our home.” – contributed Ruby Haider.
The event resonated deeply with those present, offering a space for honest dialogue about identity’s contradictions, nostalgia’s comfort, and displacement’s ache.
Khaled Anam further added; “Home #itscomplicated takes you on a journey, exposes you to a multitude of lives and experiences lived by Pakistanis and celebrates the versatility and internal diversity present within our beloved homeland. Today’s event offers an invitation for Pakistanis to not just listen but to join and co-create the conversation about home and their relationship with it. Without downsizing the problems, it opens up dialogue that is honest, relatable and too often ignored.”
The event also featured an interactive session, where attendees shared their own reflections on identity, belonging, and the idea of home, creating a space for meaningful dialogue and connection. In the wake of the recent Pak-India conflict, Pakistan’s repositioning on the global stage, signals a strategic shift towards diplomacy, dialogue, and constructive engagement. This renewed focus on fostering international partnerships and projecting Pakistan as a responsible, peace-seeking nation has not only reshaped its global image but also instilled a sense of pride and optimism among Pakistanis, both at home and abroad.
“Home #itscomplicated is an anthology that attempts to speak back to the clumsy, cookie cutter headlines through which Pakistan is most often represented. It’s high time that we start telling our own stories about Pakistan, not just the ones we are brainwashed to believe. Literary safe spaces that rekindle all-too important conversations about home — embracing all its complexities, vulnerabilities and challenges — have always formed part of the subcontinent’s rich tradition. Today’s event is to try and keep that torch of humanity, connection, kindness and empathy alive.” – highlighted Saba Karim Khan.
The evening concluded with a book signing, giving participants the chance to engage with the writers one-on-one and further explore the themes that had resonated so strongly throughout the event.
Home, #ItsComplicated is available at Liberty Books stores nationwide and online.
