Ali Furqan launches book “9 May to 8 February” in Barcelona, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attends
Barcelona — A grand launch ceremony of the book “9 May to 8 February” by senior journalist Ali Furqan of Voice of America was held in Barcelona, attended by a large number of overseas Pakistanis and senior journalists. The chief guest of the event was Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi.
The book documents key political events in Pakistan between May 9, 2023, and February 8, 2024, sparking detailed discussion at the event. Senior journalist Waseem Razzaq, in his welcome note, praised Furqan for conducting interviews that made national headlines, saying, “Extracting news during such a difficult time was no easy task, but Ali Furqan did it. Now this book has become part of history.”
Speakers including Shahid Ahmad Shahid, Mohsin Raza Khan, and Brussels Kashmir Council Chairman Ali Raza Syed highlighted the importance of unbiased analysis, stressing that books preserve history while guiding the future. They praised Furqan’s contribution to documenting events that should never be forgotten.
Author Ali Furqan, in his address, thanked the community for the warm reception, saying that the book preserves facts and voices of key political figures of that turbulent period. He noted that the interviews, including those of former President Arif Alvi and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, cannot be denied regardless of changing political alignments.
Consul General of Pakistan in Barcelona described the book’s title as unique and emphasized that true journalism, if done with integrity, becomes a form of service.
Chief Guest Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who attended such a launch for the second time, appreciated Ali Furqan’s work and acknowledged the challenges of both writing and reading books in the digital age. He spoke about the resilience of Pakistan’s democratic institutions, saying that despite political disagreements, no one should ever stand against the state. He called for a new “Charter of Prosperity” to strengthen democracy and urged overseas Pakistanis to remain engaged with local politics to highlight Pakistan’s challenges internationally.
Kundi also addressed security issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing peace with neighboring Afghanistan and dismissing claims that terrorism is linked to resource control. “A handful of terrorists cannot defeat Pakistan,” he said. He urged unity similar to that shown during the Pakistan-India wars.
The event concluded with an appeal to the overseas community to focus on educating their children and actively participate in local politics. A large number of Pakistanis attended the ceremony, marking it as a significant cultural and political gathering in Barcelona.