October 9, 2020
4:00 pm-5:30 pm | London

Author: Ms Victoria Schofield

Panellists:

–Mr Aitzaz Ahsan

–Prof Salima Hashmi

Moderator:

–Prof Stephen Lyon

About this Event

Live Facebook – www.facebook.com/bloomsburypakistan 

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Book Introduction

Victoria Schofield’s memoir of Benazir Bhutto provides first-hand insights into Bhutto’s transformation from Oxford undergraduate to political activist, prisoner and politician against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent region. Drawing on diaries and letters, Schofield narrates with affection and emotional honesty the trajectory of her close and enduring bond with one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in South Asian politics – and a woman whose life and career were defined by tragedy. 

Ms VictoriaSchofield is an historian and commentator on international affairs, with specialist knowledge and love of South Asia, having travelled widely in the region; her interest has been sustained by her long-standing friendship with the late Benazir Bhutto, dating from their time together at Oxford University. Schofield and Bhutto were both President of the Oxford Union in 1977. The Fragrance of Tears, my friendship with Benazir Bhutto is testimony to that friendship. She is the author of number of books on Kashmir, Afghan frontier, biography of Field Marshal Earl Wavell. 

Prof Stephen Lyon is Professor of Anthropology at the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London. Professor Lyon was the Head of Anthropology at Durham University and was Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Professor there from 2002-2018. He is the author of a number of books, including recently published book, ‘Political Kinship in Pakistan: Descent, Marriage, and Government Stability (2019)’ 

Mr Aitzaz Ahsan is a Pakistani politician, a lawyer and an author. He served as the Federal Minister and twice Leader of the House in the Senate of Pakistan. He lead the lawyers movement and a prominent leader for the restoration of democracy. He is the author of major books, including ‘The Indus Saga and the Making of Pakistan’ and ‘Divided by Democracy’, which he co-authored with Meghnad Desai. 

Prof Salima Hashmi is an artist, curator, art educator and human rights activist. She taught at the National College of Arts Lahore for thirty years and was the Principal. She was the founding Dean of the Art School of Beaconhouse National University. She has written extensively on the arts and among her many publications is the seminal work on women artists, ‘Unveiling the Visible-Lives and Works of Women Artists of Pakistan’ and ‘The Eye Still Seeks -Contemporary Art of Pakistan’. She is a council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

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Image credit: Bloomsbury Pakistan