Karachi: Karachi Gymkhana Library and Literary Committee organized a special literary event at Sapphire Hall to discuss the new book “Journey Through Chaos” by renowned journalist, analyst, columnist, and author Mazhar Abbas.
The discussion featured prominent figures, including President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, senior journalists Owais Tohid, and Fazil Jamili. The session was moderated by journalist Amber Shamsi.
During the event, Muhammad Ahmed Shah praised Mazhar Abbas, stating, “I have been friends with Mazhar Abbas for 45 years. He has always upheld journalistic integrity, even during General Zia-ul-Haq’s martial law when he would visit me with a photographer. Regardless of the circumstances, Mazhar always raised his voice and showed the other side of the picture. He was trained under exceptional guidance and comes from a well-respected family. His father played a key role in the upright upbringing of all five sons.”
Senior journalist Owais Tohid shared personal anecdotes from his journalistic journey with Mazhar Abbas, describing him as a humble and sincere man. “Mazhar is not materialistic—he is like a dervish. What you see is what you get. He is a true leader for journalists. His writings present a vivid picture of Pakistan’s political landscape. He made a mark as a print journalist before transitioning to television as a respected analyst.”
Fazil Jamili, another senior journalist, remarked, “If you want to see real and honest journalism in Pakistan, look at Mazhar Abbas. Even if you haven’t read his book yet, there is no need to feel regret. His book captures everything we’ve been through as a nation, from the founding of Pakistan to the present day. Had Mazhar been a poet, he would have found company among Habib Jalib and Ahmed Faraz.”
He noted that Mazhar began reporting during a dark era of Zia’s martial law, marked by censorship, political crackdowns, and the MRD movement. “He reported on operations, city sieges, strikes, and the tragic phenomenon of bodies found in gunny bags. From a reporter to a columnist, and now a calm, balanced voice in loud television talk shows—Mazhar Abbas has lived an austere, contented life.”
Speaking at the event, Mazhar Abbas shared insights into his journey: “My love for writing turned me into a columnist, and my interest in speaking led me to become an analyst. Previously, journalists were known for their stories—now they’re recognized by their faces. I’ve been reading newspapers since seventh grade, and political discussions with my father shaped my worldview. During my student union days, I even wrote a popular anthem.”
He revealed that his first published piece was on hockey in Nawa-i-Waqt. “This book is dedicated to two giants of journalism—Idrees Bakhtiar and Iqbal Jafri. What’s in the book is only 30% of my full experience. I’ve had the opportunity to closely interact with many political figures, including Benazir Bhutto, Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, and Altaf Hussain.”
“I once told Imran Khan that supporting Musharraf was a mistake, which he later admitted. I also had a relationship with Hakim Ali Zardari, and once, Asif Ali Zardari offered to sponsor a newspaper for me. I told him I could work in a newspaper, but I couldn’t run one. I first encountered Benazir in 1986, when she was at the peak of her popularity. I was a young reporter then and admired her patience. I was also on friendly terms with Altaf Hussain and had an engaging interview with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
