The official website of writer

Victoria Schofield
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Lectures

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The Fragrance of Tears, my friendship with Benazir Bhutto
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A boat and sunset
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A boat and sunset
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A boat and sunset
 
 

2024

  • 5th Asma Jahangir Conference - The People's Mandate, 'Kashmir: Scrapping Article 370', panellist with Tariq Naqash, moderated by Nasim Zehra, Lahore, 27 April.

2023

  • ‘Is there a viable Solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue?’ National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, 6 November.
  • A Life lived with Passion select writings by Dawn columnist, Irfan Husain, panel discussion with Agha Imran Hamid, Khawar Mumtaz moderated by Umber Khairi, with video messages from Abbas Nasir and Carmen Conzalez, Islamabad Literature Festival, 5 November.
  • ‘Harmony between Borders’, panel discussion with Zahid Hussain, Ikram Segal moderated by Khalid Banuri, Islamabad Literature Festival, 5 November.
  • ‘Education, Books, Understanding’, keynote speech, Islamabad Literature Festival, 3 November.
  • 'Writing Military History,' Military History Group, Oxford & Cambridge Club, 11 May
  • 'Knowing Benazir Bhutto', The New Club, Edinburgh, 30 March
  • In conversation with Jung Chang discussing her best-selling books, Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China; Mao, The Untold Story; Empress Dowager Cixi and Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister, in aid of the Clement James Centre, 30 January.

2022

  • 4th Asma Jahangir Memorial Conference: Moderator, panel on Kashmir & religious intolerance in India in conversation with ,Christine Chung, Aakar Patel (virtual), ;Muzzammil Thakkur, President World Kashmir Freedom Movement, Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Tapan K. Bose (virtual), 20 October.
  • The Black Watch and the Great War, moderator in conversation with Derek Patrick and Fraser Brown, Words of War Literary Festival, Balhousie Castle, Perth, 2 October.
  • ‘A Very Brief War’, in conversation with Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, Words of War Literary Festival, Balhousie Castle, Perth, 1 October.
  • 'Conversations with my father,' in conversation with Moneeza Hashmi, discussing her memoir of her father, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Royal Society for Asian Affairs, 21 September.
  • Inside Story: in conversation with Humphrey Hawksley, Goldster Book Club, 17 June; https://youtu.be/qZIwT_qqhHw
  • Wavell re-visited, Friends of the Black Watch Museum, Balhousie Castile, Perth, 10 May.
  • ‘Wavell, Soldier and Statesman’, Library talk, The New Club, Edinburgh, 12 May.
  • ‘Why Wavell?’ Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea library talk on Wavell’s role as Viceroy of India 1943-47 and the negotiations for the independence and partition of India, 22 March.
  • Old Roads, New Highways & The Fragrance of Tears, in conversation with Najam Sethi, Karachi Literature Festival, Karachi, 6 March.
  • ‘Separation, Belonging and Beyond: 75 years of Pakistan’, keynote speech, Karachi Literature Festival, Karachi, 4 March.
  • ‘Kashmir: a way forward?’ Institute of Regional Studies & Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, Islamabad, in conversation with moderator, Dr Shabana Fayyaz, 1 March.
  • ‘Kashmir: a way forward’, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad, 26 February.
  • ‘Kashmir: Is there a way forward?’, National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 24 February.

2021

  • In conversation with Marina Wheeler, QC, discussing The Lost Homestead: my mother, partition and the Punjab, London History Festival, 25 November.
  • Kashmir symposium: virtual presentation ‘The China factor in Jammu and Kashmir,’ Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and Asian Studies Centre, University of Oxford, 23 November.
  • Kashmir Conference, Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution, 29 October.
  • Historical Literary lunch, panel discussion with Trevor Royale and Rosemary Goring, chaired by Jackie McGlone, Royal Scots Club, 21 October.
  • In conversation with Marina Wheeler, QC, ‘The legacy of Partition,’ Cheltenham Literature Festival, 8 October.
  • ‘My Pakistan’, in virtual conversation with Sanam Agha, Sindh chapter, alumnai, National Defence University, 7 October.
  • In virtual conversation with Fakir Aijazuddin discussing Imperial Curiosity, Early views of Pakistan 1845-1906, Lahore Literary Festival, 18 September,
  • ‘An Unending reign of Indian terror,' : panellist together with Dr Ghulam Mir, Ather Zua, Mona Bhan, World Kashmir Awareness Forum, webinar, 8 August.
  • ‘Two years of unprecedented lockdown,’ panellist together with Abdul Jabbar Memon, Dr Asif Mahmood, Dr Imtiaz Khan, webinar, Consulate General of Pakistan, Los Angeles, 5 August.
  • In conversation with Javed Jabbar, discussing The Fragrance of Tears: my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, First Digital Khuswant Singh Litfest London, 26 June.
  • Kashmir in Conflict, launch of the 5th updated edition, The Pakistan Society, 19 May.
  • ‘Kashmir in Conflict- a way forward?’, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea book talks, 15 April.
  • In conversation with Farah Durrani, discussing The Fragrance of Tears: my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, 12th Karachi Literature Festival, virtual book launch of the Pakistani edition published by Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP), 26 March.
  • In conversation with Najam Sethi, discussing The Fragrance of Tears: my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, Afkar e Taza Thinkfest online, 14 March. https:///www.facebook.com/ThinkFestPakistan/videos489076772089449/
  • ‘Pakistan: the outlook for stability’, panellist together with Dr Farzana Sheikh and Arif Rafiq, Asia Scotland Institute, 11 March.
  • ‘International Women’s Day’, Shaheed Bhutto Foundation, Islamabad, panellist, 10 March.
  • Virtual conversation with Marina Wheeler, QC, discussing The Lost Homestead: my mother, partition and the Punjab, in aid of the Clement James Centre, 3 March.
  • ‘Kashmir We Stand’, International Zoom Conference for Kashmir, Pakistan Peoples Party-International Conferences & Seminars Forum) PPP-ICSF, 6 February.
  • ‘Kashmir: Solidarity & Self-Determination in a new chapter of geopolitics’, World Kashmir Awareness Forum, webinar, 5 February.
  • ‘The right of Kashmiris to self-determination in the light of UNCIP resolution of 5 January 1949’, webinar, Kashmir American Council, 8 January.

2020

  • Tushita Talks ...to the World no.8, ‘Reflections on Kashmir and a Friendship with Benazir Bhutto’, in conversation with Christopher Snedden, 17 December. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTTn5UF-cLQ&t=1s
  • ‘Human rights and the new USA administration – impact on South Asia (with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir)’, virtual conference, Organisation of Kashmir Coalition (OKC), 10 December.
  • The London History Festival, discussing The Fragrance of Tears, my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, 18 November.
  • In conversation with Nasreen Rehman, virtual book launch, The Fragrance of Tears, my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, Lahore Literary Festival, 11 October.
  • In conversation with Professor Salima Hashmi and Aitzaz Ahsan, moderated by Professor Stephen Lyon, virtual book launch, The Fragrance of Tears, my friendship with Benazir Bhutto, Bloomsbury Pakistan, 9 October.
  • In conversation with Dr David Taylor and David Kemmis Betty, moderated by Michael Ryder, 'Benazir Bhutto and my enduring relationship with Pakistan,' Royal Society for Asian Affairs, webinar, 7 October.
  • Virtual conversation with Carrie Gracie, in aid of the Clement James Centre, 9 September .
  • Webinar, 'Independence Day and Kashmir's Freedom Struggle', organised by the Muslim Institute, Islamabad,13 August.
  • Webinar:  'Human Rights Violations in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir', organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan, Los Angeles, 6 August.
  • Webinar:  'Kashmir a year after India's August 5 decision to change the status of the territory', organised by Dawn, Lahore, 5 August
  • Webinar: 'Kashmir: Land without law, people without rights,' organised by the Kashmir Campaign Global, 5 August.
  • Webinar: 'Kashmir' World Kashmir Awareness Forum, Washington DC, 4 August.
  • Virtual conversation with Christina Lamb, OBE, in aid of the Clement James Centre, 1 June.
  • History of Kashmir, Oxford Pakistan Society/Oxford Alumni Kashmir Society, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, 12 March.
  • 'Kashmir: The Paradise Lost?' panel discussion with President Sardoor Masood, Mushaal Malik, Athar Abbas, moderated by Khalid Banuri, Karachi Literature Festival, Karachi, 1 March.
  • In conversation with Harriet Sandys, moderated by Shaheen Salahuddin, book launch, Beyond That Last Blue Mountain, Karachi Literature Festival, Karachi, 1 March.
  • 'Women of substance, Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir', in conversation with Sheema Kermani, Karamat Ali, moderated by Fauzia Saeed, Karachi Literature Festival, Karachi, 28 February.
  • In conversation with Nitasha Kaul, book launch, Future Tense, Lahore Literary Festival, Lahore, 23 February.
  • 'Bigotry Brigade: Where is India Headed?, Kashmir, moderator of panel discussion with Nitasha Kaul, Audrey Truschke and Vali Nisr, Lahore Literary Festival, Lahore, 22 February.
  • In conversation with Dr Nitasha Kaul, book launch, Future Tense, University of Westminster, 12 February.
  • In conversation with Ashvin Kumar, film preview, 'No Fathers in Kashmir', Genesis cinema, London, 6 February.
  • In conversation with Ashvin Kumar, film preview, 'No Fathers in Kashmir', Rich Mix cinema, London, 5 February.
  • Panel discussion with Ashvin Kumar, Mirza Saaib Beg, moderated by Leone Lakhani, film preview, 'No Fathers in Kashmir', 1 February.
  • 'Kashmir after 5 August 2019', Third World Solidarity, panel discussion, House of Commons Committee room, 28 January.

2019

  • Across the Generations: Putting Resistance in Context, Art Contemporary Culture Conflict in Kashmir, UN HQ New York, 13 December.
  • Gaining Kashmir - Harming India? How is Modi’s Annexation of Kashmir Hurting Democracy in South Asia? World Council Forum, Inland Southern California, 25 November.
  • Kashmir History, 'Kashmir Turmoil: Threat to Peace and Role of International Community', Lahore Center for Peace Research (LCPR) & Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE), Ankara, 20 November.
  • How dangerous is Kashmir?, in conversation with David Loyn, Roddy Scott Foundation, Yorkshire, 4 November.
  • 'An introduction to Pakistan after independence', King's College, London/ FCO South Asia Course, 28 October.
  • 'Curtains up Kashmir', discussion with Mirza Waheed, moderated by Sonia Faleiro, Lahore Literary Festival London, 26 October.
  • 'Human rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir', panel discussion moderated by Nasim Zehra, Asma Jahangir Conference, Roadmap to Human Rights, Lahore, 19 October.
  • 'Why Kashmir matters', panel briefing prior to Congress hearing on human rights in South Asia, Washington, DC, 8 October.
  • 'Writing Biography', after dinner speech, White Hart Dining club, Uppingham, 4 October.
  • 'Military Biography - The Generation that fought two World Wars,' in conversation with Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, Book Festival, 'War of Words', The Black Watch Castle and Museum, 20 September.
  • 'Kashmir 2019: what does the future hold?' panel discussion chaired by John Elliott, including other panellists Lord Desai, Muzzamil Thakur, Tahir Aziz, Andrew Whitehead, Nitasha Kaul, Commonwealth Journalists Association, London, 17 September.
  • 'Kashmir,' panel discussion, parallel event at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva, 10 September.
  • 'Kashmir,' IHRAAM parallel event at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva, 28 June.
  • 'International Opportunities for Talented Students', Green Valley Educational Institute, Srinagar, 14 May.
  • 'Future opportunities', Human Sciences Department, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 13 May.
  • Editing With the Royal Navy in War and Peace, O'er the Dark Blue Sea, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, 22 March.
  • 'The Kashmir Issue', King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 7 March.
  • 'India-Pakistan', moderator of panel discussion including Rahul Roy-Chaudhry, Adil Sultan, Farooq Bajwa, SOAS Pakistan Society, 6 March.
  • Travels in a Dervish Cloak, in conversation with the author, Isambard Wilkinson, Harriet Sandys and T.J. Jahangir, Lahore Literary Festival, Lahore, 24 February.
  • 'Kashmir Scars', in conversation with Ayesha Jalal and Anam Zakaria, Lahore Literary Festival, Lahore, 23 February.
  • 'Celebrating Asma Jahangir's Life', in conversation with Sulema Jahangir, Saqlain Imam, Professor Amin Mughal, Hamid Mir, Ahmed Hussain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, SOAS, 15 February.

2018

  • From Kargil to the Coup, in conversation with the author, Nasim Zehra, Farooq Bajwa and Aitzaz Ahsan, SOAS, 23 October.
  • Divided Democracy: in conversation with Aitzaz Ahsan and Lord Desai, Lahore Literary Festival, London, 20 October.
  • In conversation with Victoria Hislop, in aid of the Clement James centre, London, 10 October.
  • ‘Kashmir Conflict and the Prospects of Conflict Resolution’, Center for International Peace and Stability, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, 8 October
  • ‘A Life of Writing’, Roddy Scott Memorial Lecture, Repton School, 7 September
  • ‘Writing The Black Watch’, in conversation with Trevor Royle, Edinburgh Book Festival, 16 August.
  • ‘Reconsidering the Raj’, moderator for panel discussion with Professor Joya Chatterji, Dr Farzana Shaikh and Professor Ian Talbot, Institute of Historical Research, University of London, 10 April.
  • Kashmir panel discussion with  Raja Sikander Khan and Pradyumna Jairam, Kashmir Solidarity Movement, King’s College, London, 29 March.
  • ‘Does the valley have any hope?’ Pakistan Students Association at SOAS, University of London, 14 March.
  • ‘The Kashmir Issue’, King’s College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 8 March.
  • Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, in conversation with Fakir Aijazuddin for the launch of the South Asian edition, Lahore Literature Festival, 24 February.
  • Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, briefing,Information Technology University (ITU), Lahore, 22 February.
  • Kashmir Analysis, panel discussion, Conciliation Resources, London, 16 February.
  • ‘The Tangle of Issues hindering a solution of the Jammu & Kashmir issue’,paper presented at the Three-day Conference on ‘Kashmir: past, present and future’, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, 27 February.
  • Travels in a Dervish Cloak, in conversation with the author, Isambard Wilkinson, Harriet Sandys and T.J. Jahangir Karachi Literature Festival, 12 February.
  • Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, panel discussion with Fakir Aijazuddin and Isambard Wilkinson, moderated by  for the launch of the South Asian edition, Karachi Literature Festival,  11 February.

 

2017

  • 'Making Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts Around the Globe Possible including Kashmir', ICHR/SACFPHR, roundtable discussion, Westminster Hall, London, 7 December
  • Kashmir at 70, keynote speaker,  Consulate General of Pakistan's residence, Los Angeles, 16 November
  • 'Kashmir Through My Lens', panel discussion, India/Pakistan Societies, King's College, London, 28 October
  • 'Pakistan at 70', panel discussion with Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Christina Lamb, chaired by Owen Bennett-Jones, Lahore Literary Festival London, British Library, 28 October
  • Indo-Pak Cooperation: The keystone to peace in South Asia, panel discussion, India/Pakistan Societies, Worcester College, Oxford, 27 October
  • 'In search of a peaceful and just solution to the Kashmir issue', panel discussion, JKLF, Westminster Hall, London, 21 October
  • Kashmir after 70 Years, Royal Geographical Society, South Region, University of Southampton, 10 October.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia course, 25 September 
  • International Media Conference, ICHR/SACFPHR, Baden Powell Hpuse, London, 21 September
  • Writing a Regimental History, Officers' and Sergeants' Mess, 3 SCOTS, Fort George, Inverness, 13 September.
  • Writing The Black Watch, The Friends of The Black Watch, Balhousie Castle, Perth, 12 September.
  • Disaster: the Common Enemy,  film screening  and panel discussion with filmmakers, Muhammad Arif Urfi, Pawan Bali, Mohammed Irfan Dar, Dr Mohsin Shakil,  Conciliation Resources' South Asia Programme, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Journalists Association, Frontline Club, London, 30 August.
  • The Black Watch, Fighting in the Front Line 1899-2006, launch event, Daunt Books, Holland Park Avenue, London, 13 July.
  • With the Black Watch, launch event in conversation with Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, Topping & Company Booksellers, St Andrews, 11 July
  • Right to Self-determination, World Muslim Congress, Palais des Nations, Geneva, 9 June.
  • 'Against all odds, the price of prosperity in Pakistan today', panel with Shuja Nawaz, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Ishrat Husain, moderated by Mukulika Banerjee, Karachi Literature Festival-London 2017, Southbank Centre, London, 20 May.
  • No peace in Kashmir, IT University of the Punjab, Lahore, 19 April.
  • Recollections of April 1979, Benazir Literary Festival, Lahore, 17 April.
  • The Commonwealth & Challenges to Media Freedom, Panel: Journalists, Bloggers & Social Media in Conflict Zones - Kashmir: perpetual 'unpeace', chaired by Dr William Crawley, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, 5 April.
  • Working in Afghanistan & South Asia, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 17 March.
  • The Kashmir Issue, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 15 March.
  • Business & Economy in Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 15 March.
  • Radicalisation among women and children, panel discussion with Yalda Hakim, Tamina Mir, Nikita Malik, Edna Fernandes, chaired by Hazel Blears, Pan-Asian Women's Association (PAWA), 8 March.
  • Victoria and Abdul, in conversation with Shrabani Basu, Karachi Literature Festival, 12 February.

2016

  • Pakistan, India, and Kashmir Nexus in context of world politics and impact on people's rights in Kashmir, The Justice Foundation/ World Kashmir Freedom Movement, London, 10 December.
  • Kashmir: history of the state, Kashmir Solidarity Movement Society, King's College, London, 8 December.
  • 70 years of the Kashmir issue: Is there a way forward? World Affairs Council Inland SoCal & UCR Global Issues Forum, University of California, Riverside, 21 November.
  • Kashmir: what is to be done? in conversation with Chris Snedden, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, 15 November.
  • Wheeler-Bennett: writing Military History, School of Humanities and Social Sciences at University of New South  Wales/ Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, 2 November
  • Kashmir and challenges to regional stability, Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia, Perth, 27 October.
  • My Journey with Benazir Bhutto and the Kashmir Challenge, Oxford & Cambridge Society, Singapore, 24 October.
  • Kashmir, its current relevance, Westminster Strategic Studies Group, 20 May.
  • India-Pakistan Dialogue: Lessons from History, Hope for the Future?  Round Table Discussion Conciliation Resources South Asia Programme, London, 14 March.
  • The Kashmir Issue, discussion with Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Cambridge University Kashmir Society, 12 March.
  • The future of South Asia, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 11 March.
  • Working in South Asia, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 11 March.
  • King  of Kings: The Triumph and Tragedy of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia,  in conversation with Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, Waterstones, Piccadilly, London, 10 March.
  • Economies, trade and aid, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 10 March.
  • International Women's Day (Role of Women in Politics in Asia), All Party Parliamentary Group on Third World Solidarity , 8 March.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course,  7 March.
  • Chevening South Asian Journalists, round table discussion with David Loyn, Kerry Brown and Rahul Roy-Chaudhury on Regional Strategic Challenges, University of Westminster, 16 February.
  • Seminar on Kashmir, All Party Parliamentary Group on Third World Solidarity, Portcullis House, House of Commons, 9 February.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 8 February.

2015

  • Kashmir Peace Conference, International Educational Development, New York, 7 December.
  • Kashmir and Afghan Frontiers, Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies, University of California,  Santa Barbara, 1 December.
  • The Future of South Asia, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 13  November.
  • Working in South Asia,King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course,13  November.
  • Economies, trade and aid, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 12 November.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 9 November.
  • Pakistan Security Conference 2015:  Pakistan's Security Perspective in a Regional Context, RUSI, London, 1 October.
  • King of Kings: The Triumph and Tragedy of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, In conversation with Prince Asfa-Wossen AsserateBlenheim  Palace Festival of Literature, Film & Music, 25 September.
  • Working in South Asia & Afghanistan, London/South Asia Course, 11 September
  • Economies, Trade and International Aid, Afghanistan, London/South Asia Course, 10 September.
  • The 'City' in India, Pakistan & Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 9 September.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 7 September.
  • Power Failure, The Political Odyssey of a Pakistani Woman, in conversation with Syeda Abida Hussain, Asia House, London, 7 July.
  • Modern Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 29  June.
  • Writing the life of Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, Malvern College, 15 June.
  • Kashmir, panel with Muzzamil Thakur, Safoora Teli and Open Societies Foundation, London, 19 May
  • What is the Kashmir issue, In conversation with Andrew Whitehead, Dilip Hiro and Fahad Shah, Bradford Literature Festival, 17 May.
  • Afghan briefing,'Afghanistan: ethnic divisions and the challenges for a lasting peace,' GCHQ, 27 April.
  • Women's Resistance in Kashmir: a historical and contextual narrative, SOAS, 23 March.
  • Demographic change in Jammu Kashmir: Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), United Nations Building, Geneva, 12 March.
  • Political Islam in India (Kashmir), FCO South Asia Programme, 9 March.
  • Working in South Asia/Afghanistan, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 6 March.
  • Mega-cities, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 4 March.
  • Afghanistan since Daoud, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 2 March.
  • Afghanistan since Daoud, King's College, London/FCO South Asia Course, 11 February.
  • Benazir Bhutto - A Multidimensional Portrait, in conversation  with Anna Suvorova, Hussain Haroon, Syeda Abida Hussain and Zafar Hilaly, Karachi Literature Festival, 8 February.
  • In  a Time of Tragedy: A Season for Martyrs, in conversation with Bina Shah, Karachi Literature Festival, 7 February.
  • The Black Watch, Then and Now,  Fort George, Inverness, 20 January.

 

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