Perhaps, no voice amongst Pakistani journalists is more synonymous with establishing freedom of speech and upholding democratic ideals in Pakistan than Mazhar Abbas. Iconoclastic, yet pragmatic, the contribution of Abbas as a journalist unions activist, and journalist of consciousness continues to reverberate across journalists and public circles. However, Abbas's writings on Pakistani power politics, personalities, society, and freedom of speech point to a different understanding of state apparatus than dominant popular-rhetoric interpretations suggest. Abbas’s book titled Journey Through Chaos (2025) offers a set of rare information on the historical trajectories of Pakistani politics and social fabric.
The book is the first volume of Mazhar Abbas’ sequel of his articles collection or English essays that he has rendered for Daily The News International and Geo News Digital on politics, society, and media-related issues in the years between 2015 and 2022. As Mr. Abbas has regularly been writing for national and international Papers since the mid-eighties, this volume also includes the articles he has written for The Star, Daily Dawn, Herald, Express Tribune, The Friday Times, Outlook, and AFP, a French international news agency. The author mentions in its foreword that he intends to come up with another edition of his articles collections that are published in aforementioned in publication in the near future.
When it comes to the subject matter of this book, it widely explains the political development in Pakistani. Nonetheless, it emphasises particularly some events of historical importance such as the tragic execution of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the assassination of former Premier Benazir Bhutto, the episode of 9/11 and its socio-political and economic aftermaths on Pakistani society and politics, the rise of populist leader Imran Khan and payoffs of Nawaz-Zardari political coalitions to counter the rhetoric based narratives of former PTI-establishment coalition and post-PTI regime developments regarding the state of media, economy and power dynamics in contemporary Pakistan.
Among others, it also includes the author’s interviews with Pakistani political leaders and beyond including Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, the incumbent President of Pakistan, Imran Khan, former Prime Minster of Pakistan, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Emir of Jammat-i-Islami Pakistan, General Hameed Gul, former Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence Pakistan, Hillary Clinton, former United States Secretary of State and Richard Holbrook, an American diplomat and renowned author.
Mazhar Abbas illuminates the complex inter-dynamics between democratic governance and political governance, educating readers by compelling us to share in the struggles of and relate to the tensions felt by each character in a way that no political treatise or journalist compilation can
The articles included in this volume are divided into five broader themes: the first section deals with a range of pieces on issues of national security and terrorism in Pakistan; the second set of essays covers the subjects related to socio-political and economic issues of Karachi city; the third section explores the varied aspects of society and culture of Pakistan with special mention of Pakistani cricket, one of the areas of interests of Mr. Abbas; fourth section highlights the issues of freedom of speech, expression and journalism in Pakistan; and, last section sheds light on political matters of Pakistan and include a fair deal of interviews with Pakistani political elite.
Methodologically speaking, interpretation of historical trajectories by Mazhar Abbas provides the readers with anthropological and sociological perspectives on power politics and unknown or less-studied aspects of Pakistani society. Abbas pointedly argues that this unknown perspective fittingly aligns with historical and contemporary projects of weak democracy in Pakistan, stressing the need for constant inquiry, reconciliation and dialogue.
Abbas’ essays explore a staggering range of political topics, from the nature of democracy to the practical effects of religious extremism and terrorism on politics and society, to the meaning and practice of the rule of law and freedom of the press. From great political-democratic leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto to the Pakistani military dictators from Ayub Khan, Zia ul-Haq, Yahya Khan, and Pervez Musharraf to sitting rustic fire undemocratic forces, those are wrestling with the human nature of freedom of will and freedom of expression and their confrontation with a puzzling world of national and international political peril and dwindling social fabric and destabilising economy of Pakistan. Abbas’ emphasise on upholding the banner of freedom of expression has qualified these essays as a source of political wisdom for policy-makers and students of the history and politics of Pakistan.
The essays in this volume support and illuminate this connection between Mazhar Abbas’ deep understating of socio-political issues of Karachi particularly, the politics of ethnicity and regionalism in Sindh and beyond, and the psyche of men of power and politics on the political past and contemporary politico-economic issues of Pakistan. By examining a matter of central concern how to promote democratic governance and politics of all in the country, he suggests upholding constitutional supremacy combined with learning from history as a way out for strengthening Pakistani democracy.
By depicting a bewildering variety of characters as they crafted economic and political policies in the context of differing political regimes, ranging from family or dynastic politics, religious bigotry, friendships, feuds between the civil and military elites, Mazhar Abbas illuminates the complex inter-dynamics between democratic governance and political governance, educating readers by compelling us to share in the struggles of and relate to the tensions felt by each character in a way that no political treatise or journalist compilation can.
The author of this volume, drawing upon his expertise in fields such as political economy, Pakistani government, and society, deeply dives into the rich historical resources available for exploring the perennial questions about Pakistani politics, social fabric, and professional and non-partisan journalism, demonstrating that reading his essays as works of political literature enhances our understanding of political life and provides a source of advice and inspiration for the citizens and men of power of today and tomorrow.
In a period, fraught with political division, hate-speeches and hyper-partisanship, this timely, innovative reading of Mazhar Abbas invites a reappraisal of how we understand the political leadership, power politics policy-making processes and socio-economic fabric of, at least in theory, Pakistani republic and what is at stake in the battle to save Pakistani democracy.