Acknowledgements
The most remarkable thing to me about this book is that I was, somehow, asked to write it. For that I have to thank Andrew Harding, who nurtured the belief that I could in fact complete such a vast project.
To him and Rosalind Dixon who generously read repeat drafts and offered nudges and suggestions along the way, many thanks. Maria Skrzypiec read and edited the whole draft; John Hort and Anne Flegel at Hart Publishing guaranteed a smooth production process; and Ali Ahmad helpfully offered guidance on a few chapters.In the completion of this project, no labours were more indispensable than those provided by Anoshay Fazal and Umair Ahmad Kundi. At different moments, they made themselves and their diligence and support seamlessly available. I’ve also been lucky to have a pool of former students who I have called upon for help—Madiha, Aisha, Summaiya, Shmyla, Ali J, Maimana, Ghazanfar, Umer G, Sana and others who were undoubtedly shortchanged in these exchanges. They have nonetheless maintained the bonds of loyalty and friendship and I am grateful.
The longer intellectual debts I owe are to old and new teachers of mine. Radhika Desai may not see herself in this book, but the patterns of her thought stay with me always. Sundhya Pahuja and her whole family have provided immeasurable support in ways that belie my utter neglect in this period of that which I owe her. Shaun McVeigh rightly noted that ideas have travelled between projects and I gratefully acknowledge that his and Sundhya’s contributions were instrumental to that transfer.
In Lahore, an amazing array of friends and colleagues from Lums have offered me so much: Sikander Shah and Moeen Cheema’s infectious enthusiasm for legal teaching; Sarah Suhail and Asad Farooqs compassionate dedication to people and causes. May you live a long and beautiful life Sarah.
Spenta Kakalia and Amber Riaz have always kept their doors open to me. Azeem and Sara, Kamal and Humeira have extended their friendship and fed me throughout with further work and life possibilities. Imran Sb, Khalid Sb and Shahnawaz are a welcome presence when I return to my office home.In the time I spent in Islamabad, I have been extended the favour of being able to occupy space in the chambers of Barrister Shehzad Akbar and Barrister Kamran Sheikh. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar has also been a great help in many ways.
The writing of this book overlapped with the early years of my daughter Rosa’s life and I thank her for tipping the balance away from order and in favour of irrepressible love. For joining in her care and in the sustenance of our lives in this period I would, as the cliche goes, have to thank a small village. Irum, Saba, Bashir, Irfan and Zaman have, however, been instrumental to keeping our various households running in these last few years. The circle of friends who’ve helped in so many ways include Saima S, Huma, Bani, Arshi, Sahr, Saima K, Claire and a great many others. Adding further abundance, my brother Saqib, his wife Sahar and their beautiful daughters Ayla and Sophia have thankfully been close in these years.
To my parents, Arman and Tabassum, I dedicate this book. For their self-sacrificing love and the prayers that they say for me daily, no gratitude can be enough. I won’t ever do justice to the opportunities they have provided but can only be glad that I have the breadth of their wisdom and the depth of their care as my sacred sites of sanctuary in the world.