Get your copy today

HOLD ON

By Dr. Naveed Iftikhar

Some stories entertain you.

Some stories stay with you.

Hold On is a story of love, family, ambition, identity, loss, and finding your own voice.

BUY NOW
Read Reviews

THE STORY

A Journey of Love, Loss & Self-Discovery

Meet Hira Gul, a young woman growing up in Pakistan, carrying dreams of her own while navigating family expectations, relationships, social pressures, and the challenges of becoming independent.

Her journey takes her through love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, loss, and personal change.

But Hira’s story is about more than one woman. It is about anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world.

WHY READ HOLD ON?

Because You May
See Yourself in Hira.

  • Family Expectations
  • Love & Relationships
  • Friendship & Betrayal
  • Identity & Belonging
  • Finding Your Voice
  • Social & Cultural Pressures
  • Loss & Emotional Struggles
  • Ambition & Career
  • Knowing When to Hold On and When to Let Go

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Naveed Iftikhar

An academic, entrepreneur, and writer with a deep interest in society, development, and the lived experiences of people in Pakistan.

He has taught at leading institutions and holds a doctorate from the University of Delaware.

Hold On is his debut novel.

BOOK DETAILS

Genre

Literary Fiction

Language

English

Pages

349

WHAT MAKES THIS STORY SPECIAL?

More Than a Novel

Hold On offers a close look at contemporary Pakistani society through the life of Hira Gul.

It explores questions we all face:

  • Who am I?
  • Where do I belong?
  • How much of my life is shaped by others’ expectations?
  • What should I hold on to?
  • And what should I let go?

FOR READERS WHO...

Hold On is for readers who enjoy stories about:

Stories about complicated human connections.

The expectations, pressures, and relationships that shape us.

Hope, disappointment, loss, resilience, and healing.

A story rooted in familiar cultural realities and social dynamics.

The journey of becoming comfortable with who you are.

Hear From The Readers Community

"I finished reading Hold On by Dr Naveed Iftikhar, and it stayed with me long after I turned the last page. What I appreciated most was its authenticity. The story embraces Pakistani culture, relationships, and everyday realities without trying to sensationalize them. It feels honest, familiar, and refreshingly genuine. The characters are imperfect in the best possible way. They make difficult choices, carry unspoken emotions, and navigate situations that feel incredibly real. That authenticity makes it easy to connect with them and become invested in their journey. Beyond the engaging plot, Hold On offers something that many stories strive for, but few achieve: it feels personal. It reminds us that the most compelling stories are often the ones that reflect ordinary lives with honesty and depth. Congratulations, Dr Naveed Iftikhar, on writing a novel that is both impactful and genuinely relatable."
Shahzadi EmanAI Engineer @ atomcamp | RPA & Process Automation
"I'm so happy to share my signed copy of Hold On by author Naveed Iftikhar! I had the opportunity to illustrate the novel cover, and it was such a wonderful experience working with Naveed. The collaboration was smooth from start to finish, with a great understanding of each other's vision and requirements. I'm especially glad that he loved the final cover! Seeing my artwork published and now sitting in libraries and in readers' hands is such a rewarding feeling."
Moazzma ShafiqChildren's book illustrator and character designer
"Some books entertain you. Others quietly become a part of you. I just finished reading Hold On by Dr. Naveed Iftikhar, and I'm still trying to process everything I felt while reading the final chapters. The last few chapters left me genuinely emotional. I never expected a story to make me so attached to its characters, but Hira's journey did exactly that. Living in Peshawar, I found myself relating to Hira in so many ways. The environment, the emotions, the societal expectations, and the silent struggles felt incredibly familiar. There were moments where I wasn't just reading her story, I was feeling it with her. What I appreciated most about Hold On is how authentic it feels. It doesn't rely on unrealistic drama to make an impact. Instead, it reflects real emotions, real relationships, and the realities many of us quietly experience. That's what makes this book special. Dr. Naveed Iftikhar has written a story that isn't just read, it is felt. The characters stay with you, and the emotions linger long after you close the book."
Urooj AkbarTransforming ideas into visuals, videos & digital experiences
"It might come across as frustrating at times, but Hira's story can easily be that of most young women in Pakistan growing up in households with social anxiety and pressures of marriage, culture and honour coupled with appearance that does not fit the standards of beauty that can brighten prospects of finding suitors. How mothers navigate this pressure, how it can fuel bullying in school, how it can make a person shrink into a shell is all very real. To find hands that help you out from such darkness, like a father supporting his daughter, a friend who listens without judgement or a mentor who shows you light when you hit ground zero, are the kind of connections we may all need in different times of our lives, BUT..."
My review of Naveed Iftikhar's Debut Novel 'Hold On' published in The Friday Times today
Nida Usman ChaudharyFounder at Women in Law Initiative Pakistan, Justitia Laureate
"Just finished debut novel by Sir Naveed Iftikhar. It was such an amazing read. I held on to it until I finished it in two days. Being a story of holding on and moving on, Hira Gul, the protagonist of the Novel, experiences many a situations where she should have moved on but she kept on holding on and at the end of the day, paid the price. So beautifully, the author has put the theme of Holding on that one cannot keep himself from enjoying and appreciating the story. A must read for anyone holding on to his/her dreams." #HOLDON
Farrukh JadoonGovernance Sector Reforms, Land Acquisition, Administration
"In a world that relentlessly teaches us to move on, Naveed Iftikhar Sir taught us something far more profound: to hold on. Hold on, not to the weight of the past, but to the truths that shape you. Hold on to the people who become home, to the dreams that refuse to fade, to the values that anchor your soul when the world grows restless. Hold on to whatever keeps your heart awake and your spirit alive. Perhaps life is not measured by how quickly we let go, but by how deeply we cherish what is worth keeping. Congratulations on the launch of Hold On. May it become a gentle reminder that hope is not found in forgetting, but in remaining connected, to love, to purpose, to one another, and to the quiet light within ourselves."
Faryal kehkashanInternational Civil Servant | PUAN & YSALI Alumna

Get Your Copy of

HOLD ON

PKR 1,470

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hold On follows Hira Gul's journey through family, relationships, ambition, social expectations, loss, and self discovery.

Love and relationships are an important part of the story, but the novel goes beyond romance to explore
identity, family, society, and personal change.

Click BUY NOW, complete the payment, and follow the instructions provided after checkout.

Anyone who enjoys engaging stories about relationships, identity, family, society, and personal growth.

The book is written in English.

THE STORY

A Journey of Love, Loss & Self-Discovery

Meet Hira Gul, a young woman growing up in Pakistan, carrying dreams of her own while navigating family expectations, relationships, social pressures, and the challenges of becoming independent.

Her journey takes her through love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, loss, and personal change.

But Hira’s story is about more than one woman. It is about anyone who has ever struggled to find their placein the world.

WHY READ HOLD ON?

Because You May See Yourself in Hira.

Hold On explores experiences and emotions that shape our lives:

LANGUAGE

Standard English (USA & UK)

HOLD ON

Dr. Naveed Iftikhar

Some stories entertain you. Some stories stay with you.
Hold On is a story of love, family, ambition, identity, loss, and finding your own voice.

BUY NOW

Get your copy today

THE STORY

A Journey of Love, Loss & Self-Discovery
Meet Hira Gul, a young woman growing up in Pakistan, carrying dreams of her own while navigating family expectations, relationships, social pressures, and the challenges of becoming independent.

Her journey takes her through love, friendship, betrayal, ambition, loss, and personal change.
But Hira’s story is about more than one woman. It is about anyone who has ever struggled to find their place
in the world.

BOOK DETAILS

Author: Dr. Naveed Iftikhar
Genre: Literary Fiction
Language: English
Pages: 349

Dr. Naveed Iftikhar

Author

WHY READ HOLD ON?

Because You May See Yourself in Hira.

Hold On explores experiences and emotions that shape our lives:

•  Family expectations
•  Love and relationships
•  Friendship and betrayal
•  Ambition and career
•  Identity and belonging
•  Social and cultural pressures
•  Loss and emotional struggles
•  Finding your voice
•  Knowing when to hold on and when to let go

LANGUAGE

Standard English (USA & UK)

WHY READ HOLD ON?

Because You May See Yourself in Hira.

Family
Expectations

Love &
Relationships

Friendship &
Betrayal

Identity &
Belonging

Finding Your
Voice

Social & Cultural
Pressures

Loss & Emotional
Struggles

Ambition &
Career

Knowing when to hold on
and when to let go

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Naveed Iftikhar is an academic, entrepreneur, and writer with a deep interest in society, development,
and the lived experiences of people in Pakistan.
He has taught at leading institutions and holds a doctorate from the University of Delaware.
Hold On is his debut novel, bringing together his observations of society with an engaging story about a
young woman’s journey.

FOR READERS WHO...

Hold On is for readers who enjoy stories about:
Love & Relationships — Stories about complicated human connections.
Family & Society — The expectations, pressures, and relationships that shape us.
Growth & Self-Discovery — The journey of becoming comfortable with who you are.
Real Human Emotions — Hope, disappointment, loss, resilience, and healing.
Pakistani & South Asian Experiences — A story rooted in familiar cultural realities and social dynamics.

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