The launch of
Muhammad Saeed Mehdi’s much-anticipated memoir, The Eyewitness: Standing in the
Shadows of Pakistan’s History, was held at a well-attended event in Lahore.
Hosted by Lightstone Publishers, the launch brought together an audience of
over 600 including diplomats, senior journalists, legal experts, academics, and
literary figures, marking the unveiling of a work that contributes
significantly to Pakistan’s political and journalistic record.
Opening the ceremony,
Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director of Lightstone Pub-lishers, highlighted the
historical importance of the memoir, stating, “This bookis not merely a
collection of memoirs; it is a mesmerising and eyewitness account of events
that shaped Pakistan.
The eras Muhammad Saeed
Mehdi closely observed are in-valuable historical documentation for future
generations.” She further noted Lightstone Publishers’ longstanding commitment
to education and cultural de-velopment through its Adab Festival. She said that
the school textbooks published by Lightstone are culturally grounded and
nurture critical thinking, inquiry and imagination.
In his opening remarks,
Muhammad Saeed Mehdi, the author, spoke candidly about his motivation for
writing the book, sharing, “I wrote this book to preserve the truth. I have
written exactly what I saw, nothing more, nothing less.” The discussion then
transitioned into a thoughtful exchange among senior panelists, focusing on the
political, judicial, and journalistic dimensions of the memoir.
Aitzaz Ahsan, Senior
Lawyer and Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of firsthand accounts,
noting, “To understand Pakistan’s history, eyewitness accounts are
indispensable. The judicial aspects of the Bhutto case documented in this book
are an important part of our legal history.” He further remarked, “Writing a
book is a form of jihad. In our society, a single sentence can provoke backlash,
yet Saeed Mehdi has written fearlessly and truthfully.” Reflecting on the
broader political environment, he added, “Oppression created an environment
where journalists were picked up, and political identities were reshaped by
force rather than consent.”
Dr. Amjad Saqib
highlighted the book’s role in preserving national consciousness, stating,
“Nations are built on their collective memory, and this book is a serious
effort to preserve that national memory,” while stressing that “the younger
generation must learn from such honest and courageous writings.”
Adding a senior bureaucrat
perspective, Farhan Khawaja remarked, “Young journalists and bureaucrats must
read this book to understand what professional integrity truly means in difficult
circumstances.” The conversation, moderated by Raheela Baqai,
further explored the ethical and historical weight of the memoir.
Veteran journalist Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Chief Editor of Roznama Pakistan, praised Mehdi’s lifelong commitment to truth, stating, “Muhammad Saeed Mehdi is among those rare individuals who never abandoned the truth, even in the most difficult times.” He added, “From Assistant Commissioner to Principal Secretary, he served at the highest levels and endured imprisonment under martial law and NAB without ever compromising.”
Emphasizing the book’s academic
value, he remarked, “This book should be part of the curriculum for students of
journalism, politics, and history,” concluding that “he never became a state
witness; he remained a witness of the people.” Highlighting the narrative
strength of the book,
Sohail Warraich observed,
“The style of the book is simple yet deeply impactful, taking the reader
through defining moments of our history.” He added, “This is not just
reporting; it is the story of an era.” Commenting on the public response, he
noted, “The large public turnout today is proof that people still stand as
witnesses to truth.”
Following the talks, the
audience was deeply moved by a special musical tribute as Shayma Saiyid
performed the patriotic song “Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai,” adding an emotional and
reflective close to the formal proceedings.
The event concluded with
an active book-signing session, where attendees engaged directly with the
author, reflecting on the revelations and historical insights presented in The
Eyewitness: Standing in the Shadows of Pakistan’s History.