Thank you…
Mustafa, for your unwavering belief in this work from the time that it was just the sense of a possible story. For never losing sight of how I hoped to tell that story even when I seemed to forget.
My sisters Mahim, Emma, Zairah and Shehrezad, for your encouragement, for your understanding when I could only think and talk about one woman for months on end.
Niaz Lashari, for working so hard to help me land all the interviews I needed at breakneck speed, for doing more than you signed on to do because you are the best kind of reporter: curious, diligent and comfortable getting into trouble.
Ramzaan, for being a wonderful travel companion and guide across Punjab. I’m very grateful to Dr Farzana Firoz for introducing us.
The team at the Daily Ibrat, particularly Mukhtiar Burfat and editor Jai Prakash, for their assistance in Jamshoro and Hyderabad.
Sadaf Sultan Khan and Tooba Masood, for listening to all my stories, for helping me sift through them and for always cheering on this project.
Fatima Bhutto, for being a kind, thoughtful first reader and for your generous spirit.
While I was on the road, I was lucky to find a home to go to at the end of every day. I’m particularly grateful to Dr Bilal and Sarah Ahsan and their daughters for making me a part of their family in Multan. In Lahore I’m thankful to Najma Rahman, Faizan and Fauzia. In Islamabad, my thanks to Sabah and Rahim for being such gracious hosts.
Simar Puneet, for carrying Qandeel with you as I did for all this time, for your friendship and your patience.
Athena Bryan, for your guidance, for steering the work in the right direction. I’m grateful that this book has found a home with Melville House Publishing.
I’m so glad this book made its way to John Ash at Pew Literary. Thank you for keeping it real and telling me true, terrible things.