Notes on a Scandal

Latest Episodes:

Society Girl - the book! ft. Sanam Maher Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

Announcing: Society Girl -- A Tale of Sex, Lies and Scandal, the new book by Saba Imtiaz & Tooba Masood-Khan (Roli Books, 2024). The book explores the circumstances around the death of the poet and former civil servant Mustafa Zaidi in October 1970, and the ensuing scandal that became a fixture in Pakistani newspapers. This new investigation into a story of twisted motives and murderous intentions, of it-girls and playboys, of class and culture, and a press out for blood and salaciousness, tells a far more complex tale than anyone could have possibly imagined.
On this special episode of Notes on a Scandal, Saba and Tooba are interviewed by Sanam Maher, the author of The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch, about their book Society Girl: A Tale of Sex, Lies and Scandal.
Buy Society Girl now:
Kindle Edition: [US] - [UK] - [India]
India: [CMYK] - [Amazon]- All major bookstores in India!
Pakistan edition: Coming this month!
For more about the book & bonus content: societygirlbook.com

Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter:
Instagram: @murdermystery70
Tooba Masood-Khan
Twitter: @tabahitooba
Instagram: @tabahitooba
Saba Imtiaz
Twitter: @sabaimtiaz
Instagram: @sabaimtiaz

Announcing our new book SOCIETY GIRL and a very special conversation! Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Announcing: Society Girl - A Tale of Sex, Lies, and Scandal, the new book by Saba Imtiaz & Tooba Masood-Khan (Roli Books, 2024). The book explores the circumstances around the death of the poet and former civil servant Mustafa Zaidi in October 1970, and the ensuing scandal that became a fixture in Pakistani newspapers. This new investigation into a story of twisted motives and murderous intentions, of it-girls and playboys, of class and culture, and a press out for blood and salaciousness, tells a far more complex tale than anyone could have possibly imagined.
On an upcoming episode of Notes on a Scandal, Saba and Tooba are interviewed by Sanam Maher, the author of The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch, about their book Society Girl: A Tale of Sex, Lies and Scandal.
Buy Society Girl now:
Kindle Edition: [US] - [UK] - [India]
India: [CMYK] - [Amazon]- All major bookstores in India!
For more about the book & bonus content: societygirlbook.com

S02E08: Finale Dec 11, 2022

Show notes

In the finale episode of Notes on a Scandal, Saba and Tooba look at what happened to Shahnaz Gul after she was cleared of the charge of killing Mustafa Zaidi, the sightings of Shahnaz in Karachi over the years, and how people viewed her in the years since she captured the country's imagination. Later on in the episode, we answer questions and discuss theories sent to us by listeners.

S2E07: Verdict Nov 20, 2022

Show notes

On the penultimate episode of this season — and the podcast — Saba and Tooba continue tracking the proceedings against Shahnaz Gul in a district court in Karachi, taking place while the country was engulfed in war. In 1972, a verdict is announced in the case of the State vs Shahnaz Gul. For the finale, we invite questions and thoughts about the season and its themes. If there’s anything you’d like to share about your knowledge of the case or if you just have a conspiracy theory — send in your questions and thoughts on Twitter and Instagram.
Photo: Star newspaper, October 9, 1971. Courtesy Dawn Library

S02E06: Romeo and Juliet go to Court Nov 05, 2022

Show notes

As legal proceedings against Shahnaz Gul get underway, her lawyer and the prosecution battle it out in court in a bail hearing. Shakespeare is invoked. Shahnaz is held in a police lockup, and then sent to Karachi's Central Jail, where details of her detention are being leaked to reporters. We take a look at the court proceedings of the State vs Shahnaz Gul - from the day Shahnaz Gul is presented before a magistrate to when she gets out on bail.
Photo: Published in Star, February 1971. Courtesy Dawn Library.

S02E05: Body of Lies Oct 22, 2022

Show notes

ADVISORY: This episode contains mentions of suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
How do you connect the dots of a story where so much is missing? Why is there blood at the crime scene? And why did Shahnaz remain unconscious all night -- and is that even possible? Saba and Tooba attempt to understand the forensic investigation into Mustafa Zaidi's death with Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq, the Additional Police Surgeon at Karachi's Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Hospital and a forensic consultant.
This episode features condensed quotes from an interview with Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq.
Photo: Afkar, Mustafa Zaidi edition. From the Bedil Library archive in Karachi.

S02E04: Bringing up the Bodies Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

ADVISORY: This episode contains scenes of a distressing nature. Listener discretion is advised.
In November 1970, nearly a month after Mustafa Zaidi died, his body was exhumed for a second medical examination, all in a quest for doctors and police officials to figure out: how did Mustafa Zaidi die? What could they find that could help them build a case against their suspect in custody, Shahnaz Gul? Saba and Tooba discuss the dramatic and surreal events of the exhumation, and recall their quest to find Mustafa's grave in Karachi in 2019.
The images described in the episode can be viewed on Instagram @murdermystery70

S02E03: Drama at Drigh Road Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

We take a look at the frenzied hours after the arrest of Shahnaz Gul, and how the police in Karachi, Pakistan handled the initial investigation. Later in the episode, we talk to the academic Dr Zoha Waseem, the author of Insecure Guardians: Enforcement, Encounters and Everyday Policing in Postcolonial Karachi, about perceptions of the Karachi police, how they handle cases involving the elite, and the social dynamics at play in a complex investigation like the Mustafa Zaidi case.

About Dr Waseem:

Dr Zoha Waseem is an Assistant Professor in Criminology at the University of Warwick, UK. She is also co-coordinator for the Urban Violence Research Network. Her book Insecure Guardians critically explores how security policies, and the interests of insecure states and elites, influence the culture of policing in postcolonial contexts.
Photo: 'The Many Faces of Shahnaz -- in court yesterday' published in Star newspaper, January 1, 1971. Courtesy: Dawn archives

S02E02: Trial by Fire Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

On November 5, 1970, Shahnaz Gul was arrested by the Karachi police on charges of killing Mustafa Zaidi. She was represented by S S Shaikh, one of Karachi's most well-known lawyers. The trial was a media circus -- Shahnaz was hounded by press photographers. Dozens of members of the public went to the hearings, hanging around court to catch a glimpse of Shahnaz, whose legendary beauty is still spoken of with reverence in Karachi. Shahnaz's lawyers maintained that she was innocent. Lawyer Sara Malkani joins the episode to talk about the trial, and how women are treated by the criminal justice system in Pakistan, and what has changed for women in the past fifty years.
About Sara Malkani:
Sara Malkani is an advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan with over 10 years of experience practicing law. She has extensive experience in criminal litigation, family law, labor and employment law, constitutional litigation and international human rights law. Sara has a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School at Ann Arbor and a B.A. with high honours from Princeton University, where her thesis was awarded the Class of 1869 Prize in Ethics. Sara actively pursues human rights cases and has an extensive pro bono practice. She is a co-founder and Chairperson of the Women Lawyers’ Association, an organization that works to promote gender equality and continuing legal education in the legal profession.
Credits:
Image of Shahnaz Gul from Mashriq newspaper, published December 5, 1970. Courtesy the Liaquat National Library archive.

S02E01: The Christine Keeler of Pakistan Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

Notes on a Scandal's Season 2 "The State vs Shahnaz Gul" premieres with a recounting of the 1960s saga that led to Mustafa Zaidi printing flyers calling Shahnaz a Pakistani Christine Keeler. It's the title that would stick with her forever.
Newspaper headlines voiced by Mina Malik
Ayub Khan's portrait is courtesy archives of The Mirror (1968 Anniversary Issue)
Mentioned on the episode:
Netflix - The Crown
Season 2 Episode 10 "Mystery Man"
https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80025678
BBC One - The Trial of Christine Keeler
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ct7b

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