Story of Survival

Billed by the Guardian as “one of the highest-profile kidnappings in Pakistan,” Shahbaz Taseer’s hostage ordeal grabbed headlines for many years. On the one hand, the incident is a glaring testament to the pervasiveness of militant networks in the region, and, on the other, it is a remarkable story of survival.

Any attempt to chronicle this critical event in Pakistan’s history must, therefore, be fuelled by a mix of despair and optimism. Shahbaz Taseer’s memoir -- titled Lost to the World: A Memoir of Faith, Family and Five Years in Terrorist Captivity -- strikes a fine balance between these conflicting extremes by offering a poignant yet uplifting account of his captivity.

In August 2011, Taseer was en route to his office when he was held at gunpoint and kidnapped by a group of militants affiliated with the Taliban. For the next five years, he was ferried deep into the “lawless Hindu Kush” and found himself at the mercy of his wily, violent captors.

At first glance, this story can only be told responsibly through a strict adherence to facts. Taseer’s memoir doesn’t just rely on objective truth but also delves into the emotional dimensions of the dilemmas he faced. Through its emphasis on subjective experiences, Lost to the World goes beyond the rigor of journalistic accounts and examines the fear, ambiguity, and pain associated with the author’s confinement.

Instead of opting for a linear account, Taseer begins his memoir by describing the foul stench pervading the mud-walled room where he was held captive. With troubled nostalgia, the author recalls the immeasurable loneliness he experienced during those chaotic years. This can be evidenced through his willingness to befriend a “spider weaving a web on the ceiling” or seek comfort in prayer. At the same time, the memoir also reveals how a traumatic incident can provide doorways for contemplation. Taseer delineates his complex relationship with his captor, Muhammad Ali, and explores how their interactions influence his psyche. Page after iridescent page, readers will be astounded to learn how the author’s struggles inspired a spiritual and emotional reawakening in him. All these cannot be obtained through fact-driven news reports and are likely to enrich historical accounts about this chapter of the country’s history.