The Nine Lives of Pakistan

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Winner of the 2021 Overseas Press Club of America Cornelius Ryan Award, this work presents an intimate portrait of a fractured Pakistan through the lens of Declan Walsh, a distinguished former New York Times correspondent. Over a tumultuous decade, Walsh captures the essence of this complex nation by exploring the lives of nine remarkable individuals. His assignments take him from the bustling port of Karachi to the cultural salons of Lahore, and from Baluchistan to the mountains of Waziristan. Among the extraordinary Pakistanis he encounters are a chieftain preparing for war, a retired spy navigating borderlands, and a crusading lawyer risking her life for justice. These narratives reveal a country teetering on the edge—marked by creeping extremism and political turmoil, yet also filled with personal courage and unwavering idealism that challenge conventional stereotypes. Unbeknownst to Walsh, he was under surveillance by an intelligence agent, and the story culminates with a startling encounter that sheds light on Pakistan’s powerful security apparatus. This account offers a nuanced understanding of life in a precarious yet vital country, reflecting the intricate interplay of history, identity, and faith.