Dawn Images

The intimate atmosphere of Biblio Cafe on Tuesday evening was filled with meaningful dialogue as it hosted the launch ceremony of Healing in the Shadow of Loss, a deeply personal self-help book authored by debut writer Saira Sheikh.

Sheikh, a Pakistani expatriate who earned her MBA from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, has successfully balanced multiple roles as an entrepreneur running a home-based soy scented candles business, a devoted mother of two, and now, a published author.

Her transition into the literary world represents a courageous exploration of personal transformation, where she channeled her experiences of loss and recovery into a comprehensive guide for others navigating similar journeys.

Her work transcends traditional self-help boundaries by weaving emotional insights, cultural sensitivity, and practical wisdom from her lived experience.

The evening’s proceedings were moderated by Mona Raza, whose credentials as a literary community builder speak volumes about her dedication to promoting reading culture in Pakistan. As an avid reader and the visionary founder of Readers Lounge, Mona Raza brought over seven years of experience in fostering literary discussions and book club activities.

The gathering drew an impressive cross-section of Islamabad’s intellectual and literary landscape. The diverse attendance reflected the book’s broad appeal and the growing interest in indigenous self-help literature that addresses uniquely Pakistani experiences of grief and healing.

The heart of the evening centered around an extensive and deeply engaging session that revealed both the author’s vulnerability and expertise. Raza initiated the discussion by asking Sheikh about the catalyst that transformed her personal healing journey into a published work accessible to others.

“Writing became my sanctuary when traditional forms of processing grief felt insufficient,” Sheikh responded thoughtfully. “I realised that many of us in Pakistani society are expected to move through loss quietly, without acknowledgment of the complex emotions involved. This book emerged from my desire to create space for that acknowledgment.”

An audience member inquired about the cultural challenges of discussing grief openly in Pakistani society. Sheikh’s response was particularly poignant: “We often hear phrases like ‘time heals everything’ or ‘be strong,’ but rarely do we create space for people to actually feel their emotions fully. My work challenges the notion that healing must happen in isolation or within predetermined timeframes.

“My hope is that this book will help normalise conversations about grief in our society. We need to move beyond the expectation that people should heal quietly and quickly. Real healing requires community, understanding, and the courage to sit with difficult emotions rather than rushing through them,” the author said.

The launch of Healing in the Shadow of Loss, published by respected local publisher Tanzeela K Hassan, from Thazbook, represented an important step in expanding the landscape of indigenous self-help literature.

Early reviews from literary critics and mental health professionals nationwide have praised Sheikh’s work for its cultural sensitivity and accessible writing style.

In her comments about the book, Dr Rubia Usman, Consultant Physician, said, “Grief is such a private, messy affair, and sadly we Asians have never been taught how to deal with or navigate it. This book is raw emotions in its purest form and navigates through this emotional journey.”

Originally published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025

Cover photo by White Star