Introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a writer, public speaker, model, social entrepreneur and a stage actor. I have spent the past four years writing for leading national and international publications. My core focus has been on international security, domestic politics, education, technology and sports. In 2016, I authored And the Candles Blew, a book on post-modern poetry and in March last-year, co-founded Barkat – a social-welfare initiative that caters to the disadvantaged communities of Islamabad through quality food supply. I have given speeches and talks on politics, sustainable development, technology and education across numerous platforms, including the Harvard Project for Asian & International Relations (HPAIR), the 5th World Peace Forum in Beijing and the Read Education Foundation Pakistan. I have also appeared as a youth activist and political analyst on Pakistan Television Network and Saach Network’s ‘Youth Notes’. In terms of modelling and acting, I’m leading the formal and casual menswear range of Pakistan’s first ever jumpsuit clothing brand Jumpstreet and have starred in the web-short film ‘Life of an Extra’ as well as ‘Dastaan-e-Khabt’, which is the National University of Sciences & Technology’s psychological thriller drama.
How did you get into writing?
I began contributing freelance blogs and op-eds at the age of 16. The idea was to translate my passion for reading and creative writing into something original and concrete. I spent the first two years touching on Pakistan’s drama industry, domestic militancy challenges, school and education culture, as well as war-coalitions in the Middle East. After getting some grip on these issues, I moved to other leading publications as a sports and political commentator. I produced a feature piece on the Iran nuclear deal and covered Pakistan’s One-Day Internationals and Test tours against India, New Zealand and England. In the years that followed, I invested more in op-eds, columns and interviews for national and international press. I started writing for one of Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious publications – covering sectarian violence, the rise of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, Pakistan’s Kalabagh water crisis, Venezuela’s experience with the World Bank and also an exclusive interview with political activist Jibran Nasir on press freedom and Indo-Pak ties. I was also fortunate to become one of the youngest political contributors to the London School of Economics South Asia Centre and continue to commit monthly columns.
You are the author of And the Candles Blew, a cross between fiction and non-fiction. Why did you choose poetry for self-expression?
Poetry lies at the heart of introspection, of self-exploration. That is crucial to inspire creative thought, self-acceptance and action within others. Having read the likes of Hafiz, Shamsur Rehman Faruqi, Rumi and Ghalib along with celebrated fiction from Daphne Du Maurier, Eric Van Lustbader and Arthur Golden, I felt it was time to make my humble contribution to the vast world of literature. There are poems that touch on themes of romance, culture, youthfulness, compromise and undivided love, as well as critical verses on gender discrimination, societal violence, women rights and the 2014 Army Public School attack. The world needs diversity and it is important to capture a multitude of genres to ensure liberated thought in the readers’ minds. If my perspective on life, love and liberty can restore promising sentiments in another, that is progress in the making.
Is another book in the making?
Golden question. Yes, there is a project in the pipelines, tentatively titled Changing Tides. It is an even more contemporary take on poetry than And the Candles Blew, featuring a wider range of genres. You will get to hear more soon in the coming years.
What are you currently working on?
I’m leading the menswear shoot for Jumpstreet, Pakistan’s first exclusive jumpsuit collection, and write on security issues for national and international publications. I am also in the process of applying to graduate school to the United States, as I look to end my final year of Public Policy at NUST.
You were the only Pakistani speaker at the HPAIR-TEDx, Harvard Asia Conference, 2018. How was that experience like?
The experience was overwhelming. I was the only speaker from Pakistan, chosen out of a pool of 600 individuals from more than 40 countries to speak at the platform. My talk centred on The Role of Compromise in Sustainable Change. It underlined the role of philosophy and writing in establishing concrete perspectives and how these very perspectives can be channelled towards broader sustainable goals, through technology and diplomacy.
What is your ethos towards life?
Always remain humble and demonstrate gratitude in the face of adversity.
What is your secret to early success?
It’s difficult to say, as I don’t think I have achieved all the success in the world yet. There is always much to learn from and to grow into. With that said, the success behind much of these achievements has been content. If you are content with what you have and invest your energy, wealth and support by lifting those around you, you never hit the ground.
What has been the best phase in your life?
The best phase in my life was shortly after the release of my book. I was appointed as youth ambassador to the Silicon-based tech-firm UnitedWe REACH and was invited to California to spearhead their international fundraisers for Artificial Intelligence-powered schools in Kenya and Pakistan. It was an honour and responsibility I always valued and frankly, I continue to.
The worst?
None actually. Every adversity has transpired into a lesson, so the worst is never there to stay. I thank God for such a lovely transitioning opportunity, for every living being.
Who is that one person you can talk to about just anything?
My mother, without doubt. Her untiring love and extremely frank friendship, reflects in countless nights and days sacrificed to see me through my struggles and victories. I doubt many children are fortunate to have that motherly friendship.
What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful to have witnessed five countries, with distinct cultural and economic orientations at the age of 24. The US, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, United Kingdom and China – all occupy a unique place in my heart, which is ready to embrace a globalised world.
What is your idea of a perfect vacation?
I love the oceans and a cool breeze, so I guess you have an idea already. Quality seafood, good company and a glistening oceanside is pretty much the perfection.
What calms you down?
The knowledge that if it isn’t victory, it’s a lesson.
Published in Daily Times, January 20th 2019.