Aboard the Democracy Train

A Journey through Pakistan's Last Decade of Democracy

Nafisa Hoodbhoy author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Anthem Press

Published:1st Apr '11

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Aboard the Democracy Train cover

A gripping front-line account of Pakistan's decade of turbulent democracy (1988-1999), as told through the eyes of the only woman reporter for the nation's leading newspaper.

'Aboard the Democracy Train' is a gripping front-line account of Pakistan's decade of turbulent democracy (1988-1999), as told through the eyes of the only woman reporter working during the Zia era for the nation's leading English language newspaper.

‘Aboard the Democracy Train’ is about politics and journalism in Pakistan. It is a gripping front-line account of the country’s decade of turbulent democracy (1988-1999), as told through the eyes of the only woman reporter working during the Zia era at ‘Dawn’, Pakistan’s leading English language newspaper. In this volume, the author reveals her unique experiences and coverage of ethnic violence, women’s rights and media freedoms. The narrative provides an insight into the politics of the Pak-Afghan region in the post 9-11 era, and exposes how the absence of rule of law claimed the life of its only woman prime minister.

‘…A remarkably readable and anecdotal account of events in Pakistan. […]Hoodbhoy provides an excellent perspective to a foreign reader of life in Pakistan when, in spite of many dichotomies and contradictions, people co-existed in relative harmony. […] The forte of ‘Aboard the Democracy Train’ is its rich repertoire of anecdotes and quotable quotes. […] Told in Hoodbhoy’s racy style, politics assumes an exciting dimension.’ —‘Dawn’


‘Hoodbhoy’s lively, and at times daring, eye-witness account provides many insights into Pakistan during her sixteen years at Dawn [and] reveals complex political machinations as well as the many shortcomings of the Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif governments, including flagrant corruption… Her harrowing and riveting tale [draws its value from] the events that she reported and witnessed and which provide the key to the discordant forces battling for control in Pakistan today.’ — Muneeza Shamsie, ‘Journal of Postcolonial Writing’

ISBN: 9780857289674

Dimensions: 216mm x 140mm x 26mm

Weight: 454g

268 pages