Khaleej Times staffer launches his debut novel

The book launch ceremony of ‘I Dream of Rain’ by Muhammad Ali Bandial was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Pakistan to UAE, Faisal Tirmizi, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The Pakistani author is a Khaleej Times reporter and a former civil servant. His debut novel has been selected for Emirates Literature Festival 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, Tirmizi appreciated the author for his creative writing and said that Pakistani authors have contributed to rich literature in their own language, as well as other languages.

“It is heartening to note that English literature is also being produced by Pakistani authors and is being appreciated all over the world. While we are strong in our national and regional language literature, English language ensures a wider reach” he said.

The book is Bandial’s debut novel and an ode to his father. The story captures the meaningful but complex relationship between two generations deriving much sentiment from the author’s own life growing up in Pakistan.

Speaking during the occasion, Bandial said, “We’re all obviously close to our mothers, and being a father myself, we get the short end of the stick… we're almost always sort of ignored. I just wanted to let my dad know that this is for him.”

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