The English Department at Kinnaird College for Women successfully organized a prestigious book launch ceremony titled “Building Bridges Beyond Borders: The Brilliance of Pakistan,” authored by Christophe de Contenson and Abdul Karim. The event celebrated Pakistan’s rich human capital by documenting inspiring stories of resilience, brilliance, and shared humanity.

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome note by Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, Principal of Kinnaird College for Women, who emphasized the importance of literary platforms in fostering intercultural understanding and projecting Pakistan’s positive image globally. She highlighted the college’s commitment to intellectual exchange, inclusivity, and academic excellence. The audience was then addressed by the chief guest Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minority Affairs, Punjab, who appreciated the authors’ efforts in portraying Pakistan as a nation rich in diversity, tolerance, and human values. He stressed the role of such literary contributions in strengthening harmony and building bridges beyond borders.

The authors, Christophe De Contenson and Abdul Karim, shared thoughts about the book. A thought-provoking panel discussion followed, moderated by Dr. Waseem, Professor of English and Director of the International Center for Pakistani Writing in English at Kinnaird College for Women. The panel included the book’s authors along with Ms. Satwant Kaur, Secretary General of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Lecturer in Punjabi at Kinnaird College, and Dr. Anum Hayat, Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. Panelists shared diverse insights, making the discussion intellectually enriching and deeply engaging for the audience.

The event also featured a compelling address by Ms. Mary James Gill, a renowned social innovator, minority rights activist, lawyer, policy researcher, and former Member of the Punjab Assembly. She highlighted the significance of inclusive narratives. The book launch concluded with closing remarks by Bishop Emeritus Dr. Alexander John Malik, who applauded the

initiative and emphasized the importance of dialogue, empathy, and literature in building mutual respect among communities.