LAHORE: A proud moment indeed! Speaking highly and fondly of Pakistan, writer and Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Lahore, Rebula Bubb-Abderhalden, wife of former Swiss ambassador of Pakistan, launched her book High-Life In Pakistan, an event attended by leading dignitaries and media personalities, hosted by Dr Suleman Khan.

The book gives an insight into the social and political life of Pakistan as seen by a foreigner during her stay here from 2010 to 2014.

Dr Suleman Khan, during his speech, stressed that the book was more about Pakistan than about Rebula’s second posting, which was in Afghanistan. He said that High-Life In Pakistan was based on the nature of Rebula’s relationship and the quality of her deep memoir about Pakistan.

Rebula thanked Dr Suleman for his “beautiful summary” of her book, when taking the mic for a short read of her book.

“I remember when I first got down to writing the book. I went to various bookstores and libraries in my country, wanting to find out more about Pakistan, but unfortunately and much to my surprise, all I could find were travelogues, tour guides and books on Taliban and politics but nothing really about the normal and regular lives of the countrymen. So I thought, I have to do that myself,” Regula recalled.

High-Life In Pakistan narrates a spell-binding account of Regula’s observation of the country, its cultures, arts, ethics and mentions the Polo Lounge, metro buses, “majestic halls of the Pearl Continental Hotel”, Imran Khan, Sania Maskatiya, Salmaan Taseer, Malala Yousafzai and Fatima Bhutto among others.

The book speaks about the everyday lives of normal citizens, riding buses, in their cars, on their way to their offices, meetings and other engagements, going about their busy schedules. She mentions the lives of the urbanites and the villagers with utmost depth and sincerity.

When asked what moved her the most during her stay in Pakistan, one that prompted her to write more affectively and with emotions, Rebula said that there was nothing particular but the countrymen and Pakistan itself moved her a great deal, making her write on the beauty of it.

“I met young ladies, who had never crossed the borders of the country, but spoke fluent English and were modernised in an impressive way. These were ladies living in villages and that made me realise how aware the young women of Pakistan were and how incredibly impressive,” Rebula said. “I wanted to highlight what the country was really about and not just a victim of terrorism.”

Available in leading bookstores, High-Life In Pakistan is a thorough and a sincere account of Rebula’s journey and stay in Pakistan and undoubtedly gives a positive and a beautiful image of the country.