Unusual location: Salik’s book launched at sit-in site

The book is a compilation of writings about the minority leader.

ISLAMABAD: Dr Tahirul Qadri on Friday launched a book — Pakistan Ki Pahchan (The identity of Pakistan) — at the Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) sit-in site at D-Chowk in Islamabad. The book is a combination of columns written on the life and struggle of former minorities minister Julius Salik.

At the book-launch ceremony, Dr Qadri said that Salik was one of the many ‘heroes’ of the Inqilab march as he had attended the PAT rallies every single day since they started. “Salik is a symbol of peace in Pakistan,” Dr Qadri said while lauding his efforts and struggle for change.

Salik arrived at the sit-in venue along with his supporters, all holding crucifixes, and released 500 sparrows brought from Lahore following the book launch. The book is designed by Jabbar Mirza and includes 177 columns and articles by different writers.

The authors include Mother Teresa, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Munnu Bhai, Attaul Haq Qasmi, and Iftikhar Arif.

“What better platform is there than the PAT sit-in for launching this book,” Salik said while talking to The Express Tribune. He added that he decided to utilse the platform because it was a public parliament and Qadri was the only one representing the peoples’ voice in a decent way. “The message has been spread to the masses,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2014.