‘Beyond the Files’ unveiled at NIPA Islamabad

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) held the second unveiling of its book Beyond the Files: Conversations with Pakistani Civil Servants at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Islamabad, on Tuesday, September 15.

The event was organized for participants of an ongoing course at NIPA and provided an opportunity for them to engage with the book and learn about the experiences and reflections of Pakistani civil servants documented through the IPS initiative, The Living Scripts.

Syed Abu Ahmad Akif hosted the event, while Amb (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, Vice Chairman, IPS, presented the book to the audience. The speakers highlighted the significance of documenting the experiences of public servants and preserving their institutional knowledge and reflections for future generations.

Beyond the Files: Conversations with Pakistani Civil Servants is based on The Living Scripts project of IPS, an initiative aimed at recording and preserving the firsthand experiences of Pakistani civil servants. Through conversations with members of the civil service, the book brings together personal accounts and reflections on public administration, governance and service in Pakistan.

The NIPA audience comprised participants of the ongoing training course, providing a relevant setting for the presentation of a book centered on the experiences of those who have served in Pakistan’s public institutions. The interaction also offered course participants an opportunity to explore perspectives on public service beyond formal institutional records.

As part of the event, the participants present were offered the book at a special price, enabling them to obtain copies at a reduced price.

The unveiling at NIPA marked the book’s second public presentation. The event further extended the reach of Beyond the Files to an audience directly engaged in professional training and public administration.

Through The Living Scripts and Beyond the Files, IPS continues to document firsthand narratives that contribute to preserving Pakistan’s institutional memory and providing researchers, students and practitioners with insights into the experiences of public service.