In the vibrant tapestry of young literary talent emerging from Pakistan, Alishba Khan Barech stands out as a remarkable figure. Hailing from Nushki, Balochistan, Alishba’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. At just 21 years old, she has already achieved what many might only dream of in a lifetime. As Pakistan’s youngest novelist, memoirist, and self-published author, Alishba’s early works have set a precedent in the literary world. Learn more in our exciting interview:
SD: Can you share what inspired you to write your first novel at the age of 11?
Alishba: The inspiration to pen my first novel at such a tender age stemmed from a profound love for storytelling and thirst for self-expression. Initially, I grappled with summarizing my ideas, yearning instead to delve into the minutiae and elaborate on every detail. My impatience during English classes at school only fueled this desire. It was through writing that I discovered a sanctuary, a space where my imagination could flourish in absence of guidelines or word limits and how the writing in general provided me with solace.
SD: What challenges did you face as a young author from Balochistan, and how did you overcome them?
Alishba: Emerging as a young author from Balochistan presented a myriad of formidable challenges, from societal expectations to a lack of resources and support. The path of a young female writer in such a context was indeed arduous. Despite residing in Pakistan’s least developed province, the grassroots challenges would have persisted regardless of my location. When I endeavored to write my debut novel at 11 and later became Pakistan’s youngest self-published author at 16, no schooling taught me or would’ve how to write and publish a book. I was an outlier, with no one to have relatable discussions with. As the only pre-teen, and later teen, in the country to achieve this honor, I often felt like the only—perhaps ‘lonely’—one venturing into such activities. Self-publishing, which should take a few weeks, took me a whole year due to the absence of mentorship and logistical support in Balochistan.
SD: How did it feel to be honored as the ‘Trailblazer Author’ during UNICEF’s ‘Day of the Girl’ campaign?
Alishba: Great! I was among 4 or 5 girls chosen from Pakistan to be celebrated on UN’s Global Day of the Girl Campaign; and then being bestowed with the title of ‘Trailblazer Author’ by UNICEF was a moment of profound pride and affirmation. This recognition was not solely a testament to my work but also to the resilience and spirit of every girl who dares to dream against the odds. It reinforced my conviction in the power of literature to effectuate social change and underscored the importance of amplifying marginalized voices.
SD: Despite your achievements, you mentioned that the media hasn’t celebrated your efforts as much as you’d hoped. How has this impacted you, and what changes would you like to see in media coverage?
Alishba: Firstly, regarding the media’s negligence in celebrating my efforts or acknowledging the creative talent in Balochistan, I was initially very disappointed and discouraged. I mean, what else can you expect from an 11-year-old who has done something so different, trying to juggle school and family life with hopes of making a good headline for their community, province, and country, only to be met with silence? Reflecting back on it now, a decade later, and seeing that national media still hasn’t picked up on it, I feel ever grateful to Allah. Through my journey, I’ve come to understand that it shouldn’t be the entitlement and celebration I seek, but rather a focus on my craft to make a positive impact on society. As for changes in media coverage, I envision a media culture that focuses not on sensationalism, but rather focusing on covering stories that inspire and elevate. The media landscape should be inclusive, promote diversity, and refrain from neglecting marginalized voices.
SD: Can you give us an overview of your debut novel and subsequent books? What themes and messages do you focus on in your writing?
Alishba: My debut novel, “Life of a Millionaire Girl,” explores human emotions and societal values from a new lens, challenging conventional notions of wealth and fulfillment. Subsequent works have continued to delve into themes of identity, social justice and climate change. Through my writings, I aspire to inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them, cultivating a culture of compassion and connection.
SD: How do your personal experiences influence your storytelling?
Alishba: Growing up in Balochistan, navigating societal expectations, and confronting the intricacies of a patriarchal society have profoundly shaped my worldview. These experiences have endowed me with a unique perspective, one that is attuned to the subtleties of human emotion. My writing is a reflection of my journey, infused with the lessons learned and challenges overcome. For instance, experiencing misrepresentation or non-representation remains the crux of my memoir. It is through this lens that I strive to craft stories that resonate with many.
SD: How do you plan to integrate your experiences as an author into your studies in Liberal Arts?
Alishba: The interdisciplinary nature of Liberal Arts offers a union of diverse ideas and perspectives, allowing us to study untold stories of history and understand exactly what went wrong. Instead of discussing conventional theories on how the world is run, we ponder on ways on how to bring about change. I absolutely love to research and write my own take on historical or contemporary issues, and I feel incredibly fortunate when I get to do the same thing as an assignment. Liberal Arts provides a different lens on life and stirs up the intellectual wiring of the brain. As an author, I can pen what I learn and become a better-informed person, able to comment on practices that I find troublesome.
SD: As a female author from Balochistan, how do you see your role in representing and empowering other young women from your region?
Alishba: I am no one, I am ordinary. However, I chose to go differently, and if anything I wish to provide this courage to women in Balochistan to think big and different. My journey is about the importance of pursuing one’s passion, so by sharing my story, I hope to inspire other young women to chase their dreams, irrespective of the obstacles they encounter.
SD: What initiatives or projects are you passionate about that aim to support and uplift female writers in Pakistan?
Alishba: It is imperative to create platforms that nurture dissenting and unheard voices and foster a more inclusive literary landscape, so I believe we need to recalibrate the assigned spaces and make room for female writers to express their take. Ranging from publishing an article to books, I look forward to a change in attitude of publishing houses to give opportunities to female writers by keeping equity in mind.
SD: At 21, you have already achieved so much. What are your goals for the next decade?
Alishba: The forthcoming decade brims with exhilarating possibilities, but I don’t think that far, and I don’t especially like to be vocal about on what’s a roadmap in my brain right now that I have to work towards. Let’s see what the future holds.
SD: Are there any new genres or subjects you’re interested in exploring in your future books?
Alishba: Indeed. I am always eager to venture into new genres and subjects that stretch the boundaries of my creativity. I grew up watching documentaries, interviews or period dramas/movies. I love history, fiction and as a result developed love for historical fiction and recently Historiographic metafiction. The prospect of intertwining elements of fiction, fantasy with historical events to craft stories that are both inventive and thought-provoking is particularly intriguing, though will I ever endeavor to work on such a project, not sure! 
