IN Pakistan, those who write and publish should be celebrated, espe cially women, butthe lack ofinstitutionalsupportis staggering. Bookstores rarely market self-published works, and a social media post from a major retailer something that could greatly boost independent writers is almost unheard of. Literary festivals exhibit a similar exclusivity, repeatedly featuring the same established figures, old literary elites, or even politicians, while fresh voices struggle to be heard. Literary awards also lack diversity.

Fiction spans multiple subgenres historical fiction, legal thrillers, horror, mystery, science fiction, and romance but Pakistani awards fail to reflect this creative spectrum.

As a barrister from Lincoln`s Inn, I have dedicated my career to addressing human rights violations, but my true passion lies in writing Victorian Gothic fiction. As a self-published author, I recently launched my fifth book, Tainted Whispers of Eden, a legal thriller set in colonial India and Victorian London.

Storytelling has been my lifelong dream. My debut novel, The Rose Within, won a Silver Award at the Global eBook Awards 2017, Vernon Hall & Other Stories was a finalist at the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019, and The Raven`s Call was nominated for the UBL Best English Fiction Award 2024. None of this would have been possible without resilience, and the encouragement of my mentors inPakistan and abroad.Isay this out of personal experience that the challenges for self-published writers in Pakistan remain immense, and demand urgent attention.

What pains me the most is the media`s approach to books and authors. When invited to cover a book launch, media houses are more concerned with the `guest of honour` than with the authors and their work.

This is as frustrating asit is disgraceful.Pakistani television channels continue to be saturated with cooking shows, fashion segments, and endless dramas, but books and authors are seldom given a platform by those managing the channels.

Ironically, I have found greater support abroad. British and American writers and lawyers many whom I have never met in person have read, appreciated and even reviewed my work without charging a penny. This is the literary culture Pakistan desperately needs one of encouragement rather than exclusion.

I once had faith in Pakistan`s literary community, but its exclusionary, politicised system has eroded that trust.

If literature is meant to elevate thought and enrich society, we must fundamentally change how we support and promote writers. Pakistan`s literary world must evolve. And, it need to do so right now.

Sana Sharif`uddin Pirzada Karachi