Imagining Lyari Through Akhtar Soomro

By Maniza Naqvi “I’ve lived all my life in my old neighborhood of Lyari. My father was a mason and he died of lung-cancer when I was six years old. I still feel his presence and remember his gestures and his appearance with his beard and a black and white checkered scarf on his head—…

Losing the Plot: Habits of the Heart (Complete Novel)

by Maniza Naqvi Chapter One: The Little Coffee Shop Chapter Two: The Hotel Chapter Three: Dreaming Dulles Chapter Four: Civil War Chapter Five: Stanley’s Girl Chapter Six: Hope “We are just props for validating and furthering their policy! We say no to them and they punch us hard and prove their point with another explosion!…

Losing the Plot (Stanley’s Girl)

By Maniza Naqvi Chapter One: The Little Coffee Shop Chapter Two: The Hotel Chapter Three: Dreaming Dulles Chapter Four: Sovereign Debt or Civil War The terminal entered, Pakistan left behind she adjusted for the gained time. Younger by an hour—she smiled, fiddling with her watch. One of the perks of the job: eternal youth and…

Losing the Plot: (Civil War)

Maniza Naqvi Chapter One: The Little Coffee Shop Chapter Two: The Hotel Chapter 3: Dreaming Dulles Stanley knew—Eileen would have him murdered. It was understandable. At another time he would have done the same. And the hours left to save her—someone who was life itself to him–were but a few. Madness—to have made so much…

X-Epsilon

By Maniza Naqvi Just as the frigid February evening air is stirred by the imams calling out the azan from all over the valley on Monday evening —Hiya al salah—hiya al falah— “come towards worship—come towards salvation”— Rahima pulls a cigarette out from her pack of Drinas; sticks it between her lips; lights it; dials…

The DMV

By Maniza Naqvi “You should write an American story.” “'Don’t think I can.” “Of course you can. You just haven’t tried.” “What would I write about?” “I don’t know. You tell me. In fact, go ahead. Try telling me an American story.' '”Now?” “Yeah! Now! What better place then this, sitting here at your favorite…