About the Book: Waiting in the Wings is the deeply personal and richly detailed memoir of Salima Hashmi, daughter of legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, chronicling her early life in post-Partition Pakistan. From witnessing political unrest at age four to navigating her father’s imprisonment and exile, Salima shares an intimate view of a young nation finding its identity. Set against a backdrop of literary salons, political discourse, and artistic awakening, her story captures the cultural and emotional heartbeat of Pakistan’s formative years. As she discovers her passion for art, Salima reflects on family, resilience, and the complex legacy of her upbringing. This first volume is both a coming-of-age memoir and a rare inside look at Pakistan’s early socio-political landscape.