Journey Through Chaos

It is difficult to imagine journalism in this country without Mazhar Abbas. A hard-core, old-school journalist, he made the transition to electronic media without breaking his ties with print. He understands the significance of print in documenting the country’s history as well as the fact that the 24/7 news cycle is short-lived. He has the added advantage of being trained as a reporter in the volatile and violent city of Karachi that adds incredible depth to his analyses in both mediums.

Importantly, Mazhar has been a chronicler of journalism’s highs and lows. His commitment with the cause of journalists’ trade unions has remained unshaken. He has boldly and consistently articulated issues like curbs on press freedom and wages as well as the unending violence against journalists. A keen observer of the international media scene, his commentary on Pakistan is exceptionally insightful. We should consider ourselves fortunate that one of the most credible and courageous voices in journalism has decided to put together his writings from the last ten years in a book called Journey Through Chaos. The scheme of the book, neatly divided into five sections, intelligently covers his entire oeuvre and specializations (who understands Karachi and MQM better than Mazhar Abbas?). These are incredibly perceptive essays that record the state of the country and enhance our understanding of the present times.

Farah Zia

Former Editor, The News on Sunday, TNS, presently working with HRCP