National Institute of Public Policy invited Anam Zakaria to talk on her book, 1971: A People’s History of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The event featured a talk by the author followed by Q&A session and book signing. Anam has given a poignant and deeply researched account of the events that shaped the history of Pakistan. She has explored the complex and turbulent events of 1971, delving into the lives of ordinary people who were caught in the crossfire of war, politics, and independence. With a focus on the human stories behind the historical headlines, Anam, offers a fresh and often overlooked perspective on the events of 1971 and the dismemberment of one arm of Pakistan.
Drawing from extensive interviews, archival research, and personal narratives, Anam Zakaria has reconstructed the events of 1971 from the viewpoint of those who lived through it – farmers, soldiers, students, and refugees – giving voice to the marginalized and silenced populations of that era.
Intellectuals, renowned journalists like Mujib ur Rehman Shami, retired bureaucrats like Ambassador Mansour, former Secretary Tariq Mahmood, Kamran Lashari, and many others were present on the occasion. Dr Naveed Elahi, Dean NIPP shed light on the life and work of Anam. Rector NSPP Dr Ijaz Munir in his concluding remarks emphasized on the need to recall the incident and to learn lessons from history.
