Mashal’s books focus on issues of contemporary relevance; education and modern thought, the environment, women’s issues, health, issues of governance, popular science and society, and human rights. Analytical and informative works, as well as works of fiction have been published. Barring a few exceptions, most of the books are in Urdu – the medium of choice, given our target group of students, teachers, development workers and the general public.

Mashal incorporated as a registered society in 1988, is an NGO and was set up by OBOR: The International Book Institute Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA which had helped set up other such organizations in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Morocco. The goal was to aid book-poor nations through the development of indigenous book publishing enterprises that would enter and participate in the modern world of ideas. Through its books Mashal makes available to all, the best analyses of contemporary problems at low subsidized prices within reach of students and the general reader.

Mashal is composed of a voluntary Managing Committee which governs the organization and a small editorial office in Lahore which looks after the careful work of translation and original writings. Accounts are regularly audited and financial transparency is a working principle. While Mashal works for the widest dissemination of its publications, it is a non-commercial, non-profit enterprise. Mashal therefore seeks the support of individuals and aid giving agencies world wide which consider the foregoing objectives worthy of promotion.