The Area Study Centre (Central Asia), University of Peshawar is an autonomous body that was founded under an Act of Parliament No. XVL, in 1975. I happen to be the Director of the Centre and Secretary of the Board of Governors of which the Vice Chancellor is the Chairman.

What we do here is that we teach and conduct research on Central Asia which includes, five former Soviet Republics now countries, Sinkiang of China, Afghanistan and other adjoining areas. Anything happening in these areas that may affect KP, FATA or Pakistan is our subject of research. We not only write articles and bring out biannual journals, we write books, produce PhDs; our job is to promote knowledge, write and discuss books. We have produced more than seventy PhDs and dozens of MPhils, dissertations.

We planned to launch Malala Yousufzai’s memoirs I am Malala, since it has plenty of information and seems a relevant book written in the backdrop of war in Afghanistan and war on terror and how they have been impacting Pakistan and its young people and education. Area Study Centre partnered with two civil society organisations Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and Bacha Khan Educational Foundation to launch the book. We invited people from civil society, professors, intellectuals, notable citizens and students. It took at least ten days of preparation; everything was ready a day ahead including the banner, hall and food arrangements etc.

In the evening, I received a call from minister of local government KP. This was followed by another call from somebody who introduced himself as Shah Farman, Minister of Information of KP government. He initially inquired if we were launching this book of Malala at the Area Study Centre and then asked if we had sought permission from the [provincial] government. The conversation was in Pushto. I said I don’t think we need any permission; it’s like me going to take a class or writing an article, or holding a workshop or launching a book. It’s my job simply. We are an autonomous body and it works under the federal government. He did not understand what I was saying. It seemed that he was misled by someone. Then he hung up.

It was evening time. I was leaving my office. Everything was prepared for the next morning when the programme was supposed to start at 10am. When I reached home, the Vice Chancellor called me who happens to be the Chairman Board of Governors. Originally he was to be the chief guest the next morning but on 28th January he had to attend a Senate meeting in the governor house. So he had authorised me to represent him. He said that somehow the government wants that this function should not be held. When I explained that everything is ready and it will be difficult and the government should not stop us, he said that he’ll call me later.

After about half an hour, I received a call from the VC again saying that we should postpone it. I said that all the preparations were done, people had been invited, it was too difficult to postpone.

After some time, I received a call from the Registrar Peshawar University. He too said the government wanted us to cancel this launch. He told me the government was not too happy and it might create a problem for me as an individual and as director of the Centre. I told him it was too late and if he has to say something he should send it in writing, I had had enough of the telephone calls.

At home in the late evening, I received a call from Superintendent Police (SP) who is director Campus Peace Corps. When he told me to stop holding the function, I asked him what the real problem was. The SP said his high-ups had given the orders that he was supposed to follow. I told him he was a government functionary like me and our Constitution commands us to only obey legal orders and not unlawful orders of our superiors. But he said that if we went ahead with the programme he would not be providing us security (We had requested for security as per the standard procedure).

After about half an hour, the SHO of the Police along with his ASI came over to my place. They too tried to persuade me to cancel the function. I offered them tea and asked them why should I cancel it. They said they had received orders from the government. Incidentally, the SHO was from Shangla area of Swat. I told him that Malala is from Shangla and so are you and I am from Swat. I have a daughter whose name is Malala and my extended family became IDPs to which he also said that his family became an IDP during the Swat operation after it was captured by Taliban. He told me his family is still here as IDP. I asked him if he was suggesting that we should abandon Malala and my Malala who is at my home and his Malala who is at his home or should we keep talking about her.

He said probably we should keep quiet.

They stayed with me for over an hour. This was about 10pm at night. They left at 11pm after having tried to talk me out of it. I offered them tea and while talking I sometimes laughed and sometimes cried. My day which had started at 8.30 in the morning was just not coming to an end.

When they left I tried to sleep. Then I received a call from my chowkidar at the office. This was about 11:15pm or so. He said that some written papers were handed over to him. I told him I’ll see them in the morning but I could guess that these would be orders from the administration about the banning of the function.

Finally, I was able to sleep somehow. I woke up early. While sleeping, half of my head ached. When I woke up it was still aching. I thought I should have a warm water bath. But while taking bath, my neck stiffened and I had problem breathing. I called my wife who is a doctor, to the washroom. She brought me out and helped me change. But my pain increased and my breathing also got worse. She immediately took me to the hospital which is nearby, about four minutes drive from my house.

The doctor who checked me in the emergency ward said my blood pressure had shot up to 180 (systolic). They just put me on the bed and started giving me injections, and told me I had to be under observation for the next few hours at least.

Meanwhile, the chowkidar at my office had received orders for the banning of the launch. Our partners as well as the media which was invited, had reached the site of the function. The function could not be held because one, it was banned, two, no security was provided and three, I was at the hospital.

Right now I have been advised bed rest by the doctors. But I will try to hold this book launch again after talking to the partner organisations. We also incurred some financial losses by not holding the function so we will have to ask someone to sponsor it.

I have received a lot of support from people I don’t even know -- civil society, media, and practically all political parties, including PTI leadership. Many people called me including Malala Yousafzai. I have received a message from Imran Khan through someone that whatever happened should not have happened.

I am overwhelmed by this support and think that Pakistan has reached a stage where education and academic freedom have become a category which is valued by many people. Only those who are less literate do not understand this value. I hope we will be able to educate them."