Pakistani author Saniya Chughtai debuts magical pre-teen fantasy series in Sharjah

Pakistani novelist Saniya Chughtai unveiled her pre-teen fantasy novel Marni Khan and the Ancient Silk Route, the first book in her new series The Rise of the Energy Warriors in Sharjah .

The book was officially launched at the Sharjah International Book Fair.

“Marni Khan is about finding strength where you least expect it — inside yourself,” Saniya said.

“I wanted to give Pakistan its own fantasy legend, something as powerful and imaginative as the worlds of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, but deeply rooted in our own heritage.”

H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, attended the launch ceremony and appreciated the author for showcasing the creativity, imagination, and strength of the Pakistani people.

He said that the book inspires unity and confidence among young readers.

The book highlights Pakistan’s diverse regions and natural wonders, while also presenting a positive image of Pakistan to international audiences through imaginative fiction, he added.

The series blends mythology, adventure, and emotional intelligence to create an engaging experience for readers aged 9 to 13.

The Rise of the Energy Warriors celebrates Pakistan’s landscapes, languages, and legends while promoting values of courage, empathy, and resilience.

Chughtai is also Chief Marketing Officer at Internet of Aviation (IOA), a unified ecosystem driving innovation through AI and decentralization in aviation technology.

With over 11 years as Founder of The Wadi Tribe, she has integrated storytelling with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to nurture emotional intelligence in children.

She has also written seven successful children’s books under the series “The Adventures of Chee & Dae ”.

The first book has been translated into Arabic and Urdu.

Her short documentary titled “The Story of the Storyteller” won the best short documentary at the German University of Technology in Oman short film category.