New book unearths forgotten chapters of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A memoir by former civil servant Muhammad Saeed Mehdi was presented at a book review event organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute on Monday, where speakers described it as an important addition to Pakistan’s historical record for its insider account of political developments, governance issues and official decision-making over several decades.

The book, titled The Eyewitness: Standing in the Shadows of Pakistan's History, was discussed as a work that combines personal recollections with major historical events. Participants at the event said it offered material of value for researchers, students, policymakers and future generations. The memoir covers national developments that Mehdi witnessed during his civil service career, ranging from the period of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to the 1999 military takeover.

Speakers outline significance of memoir

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said the book went beyond the scope of a personal life story and should be seen as a historical account by a career bureaucrat who observed some of the country’s most important political moments from close range. He said sustainability should not be viewed only through environmental and economic lenses, but also through an understanding of the political economy behind historical and political events.

According to Dr Suleri, the memoir provides social scientists and researchers with an insider perspective on major national developments. He also noted that the book follows Mehdi’s life from his family’s migration during the 1947 Partition to his education, his entry into the civil service and his experiences during some of Pakistan’s most eventful political eras.

Author says memoir aims to preserve institutional memory

Speaking at the event, Mehdi, who served as principal secretary to the prime minister and as chief secretary of Sindh, said he wrote the memoir to preserve history as seen from within the state system.

He said many civil servants do not record their experiences, which leads to the loss of valuable institutional memory. Mehdi added that during his career he had seen both the use and misuse of power, and that he documented events as he understood them.

He also described Bhutto’s last meeting with Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto as one of the most unforgettable episodes of his career.