The book launch of Dr. Munazza Yaqoob’s A Lament for the Peach Orchards was held on Thursday, 12 December, in the Seminar Room of Fatima Block, IIUI. Moderated by Dr. Sofia Hussain and chaired by Dr. Fauzia Janjua (Dean, FLL), the session featured panelists Dr. Asma Mansoor and Dr. Farrukh Nadeem, with a large attendance of faculty and students.
Dr. Sofia Hussain opened the session, welcoming guests and discussing Dr. Yaqoob’s inspiration, which stemmed from the reflective period of the Covid lockdown and a year-long work leave. Dr. Yaqoob shared how this time allowed her to reconnect with herself and inspired the book.
Dr. Farrukh Nadeem praised the book’s rhythm, musicality, and natural, unfiltered writing style, detached from Western imperialistic influences. He highlighted its romantic undertones, urging readers to reconnect with nature and their inner selves, and recited verses from Hasan Koozagar to illustrate the book’s lyrical flow.
Dr. Asma Mansoor focused on the book’s spiritual depth, emphasizing its call for self-awareness and reconnection with neglected aspects of the self. She explained the metaphorical interplay of “I” and “You” in the book, reflecting the unity of the self and the other, rooted in Eastern mystical traditions.
Dr. Fauzia Janjua praised the book’s engaging narrative and environmental themes, reading excerpts like A Lament for the Peach Orchards, which evoked memories of Islamabad’s lost natural beauty due to urbanization.
Dr. Yaqoob then read passages such as When I Write Letters to You, captivating the audience with her expressive delivery. A Q&A session followed, with faculty and students engaging the author on various aspects of the book.
The session concluded with Dr. Sofia and Dr. Asma reciting excerpts from the book, after which students had their copies signed by the author.