Is Pakistani English fiction overshadowed by the sheer number of Indian writers?
Pakistani English fiction is a different category … Indian fiction is very well established. Pakistani writers may have said they feel a connection with Indian writers, but Indian writing is far ahead. Also, Indian writing has a strong publishing industry to back it, while it is pretty bad here in Pakistan. We have the OUP and Al Hamra, two established publishing houses. An indigenous publishing industry has to be established. Till then, there will be a stumbling block. What are the feminist concerns in Pakistani English fiction … Sofia Shafquat is one. And poetry? … Attiya Dawood as the voice of rural Sindh? There is also Fameeda Riaz. In Urdu poetry, there is a wonderful tradition. It also took off in opposition to Gen. Zia-ul-Huq. In the English language, most of the Pakistani women would consider themselves to be feminists, and there are portrayals of very strong female characters or fighting against expectations. Your third novel Kartography is an exploration of love and pol
