Archive for June, 2010
What is Blasphemy?
Blasphemy, in its literal meanings, is defined as a behaviour or language expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred The issue of blasphemy, highlighted again by the recent banning of certain websites in Pakistan, has caught the attention of everyone again, through debates on media. I also read and heard different versions of thought [...]
Hunger knows No Friend but its Feeder
While a minority, born with a silver spoon living in their palatial havelis, luxurious farm houses and bungalows, can talk about the problems being faced by the country such as fake degrees, terrorism, the presidency and target killings on their dinner tables, with generators on standby and water tankers at their disposal, there are millions [...]
British Foriegn Secretary to answer Pak/UK Questions on Twitter
Today at 10:30pm (Pakistan Time) British Foreign Secretary William J Hague on his trip to Pakistan is going to come on twitter [@WilliamJHague] to answer questions. I believe this is a great initiative by the UK govt to engage with the general public on a one-on-one basis, I fully support the effort. You are welcome [...]
Guantanamo like Prisons of Sindh
Cries of shutting down the Guantanamo prison have been around for some time now. reason being the inhuman conditions at the prison which rather than reforming the prisoners is forcing them to become hardcore terrorists once they are released. Numerous examples could be quoted in this context. Such huge global outcry in this regard had [...]
Happy Birthday Benazir
The city wears a festive look. Thousands of banners costing millions of rupees have suddenly appeared all over the town. Pictures of ZAB, BB, AtoZ and the three kids. Sponsored by ministers of Sindh Government at the tax payers’ expense, the colourful facade does nothing to lessen the pain, sorrow and militancy that the city [...]
Talibanisation of Clifton and DHA
If Talibanisation stands for militancy, weapons, lawlessness and uncivilized behavior, the Pakistan Army may as well forget the Waziristan operation and begin its charity from home – the DHA and Clifton areas of Karachi. These areas are now in control of urban Talibans who roam around in obscene heavy duty vehicles, which are invariably official, [...]
Who is The Terrorist?
She crouches in a corner of her humble abode Fear writ large in her light brown eyes In her heart she cries out to the world, “How much more will we be terrorized?” There has to be something about the term ‘Terrorism’ which makes it the most misused term in recent history in my opinion. [...]
Stand by Samar & play your role today at 6:00 PM Darakshan Police station
HOT NEWS: Samar Khan is free, al charges have been dropped he is going home Samar Ali Khan, An Architect by profession was arrested because he protested against the blockade on Khayaban-e-Shamsheer in front of provincial minister Sindh, Zulfiqar Mirza’s house. The police have arrested him; he is in Darakshan police station at the moment. [...]
Proud of Samar Ali Khan for standing up against VIP Movement of Zulfiqar Mirza
HOT NEWS: Samar Khan is free, al charges have been dropped he is going home PROTEST For Release of Samar Ali Khan who was standing up against VIP movement of Zulfiqar Mirza – Darakshan Police Station [map] 6pm TODAY Last night at 11:30pm Architect Samar Ali Khan was arrested on Khy-e-Shamsheer for standing up against [...]
Liberating Women in Pakistan – The Sane Chronicle
While browsing the Pakistani blogosphere, I found out that writing, grumbling & debating about women issues is in vogue in Pakistan’s literary circle, not considering the fact that it only adds up to an already bad impression created about the country abroad. Well, I want to rest this argument once for good! -My lame attempt [...]
Zardari, an American National but Straight & Depressed
The National Names Database has some interesting facts about our President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. It appears that he may have US Citizenship / Nationality? I wonder if dual citizenship is permissible while holding office of the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as the issue of the OATH is important, when you take Oath [...]
VOTE NOW! – For Pakistani filmmaker finalist in YouTube Democracy Challenge
Pakistani filmmaker Faraz Siddiqui is among the 18 contestants who has made it to the final round of the Democracy video challenge on YouTube. His video ‘Democracy is the message by people’ has made its way to the final list of 18 where six shall be chosen as winners from each region of the world [...]
Op-Ed: A Global Ideas Bank
Just published in The Express Tribune my Op-ed on “A Global Ideas Bank” talking about TEDxKarachi and the power of positive energy, I wrap up the discussion with “We have to start believing in our own selves to bring this country on the road to progress. We should no longer tolerate mediocrity; our own ideas [...]
How To Make Karachi The Worst City In The World
The recent report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) revealed that Karachi came 5th in the list of worst cities of the world sandwiched between Lagos, Nigeria and Douala Cameroon. The Sindh High Density Development Board Bill 2010 passed as Bill No.14 of 2010 has changed its shape three times. It was first Bill No.11 of [...]
What Pakistan Needs Now: Sanity
The past weekend saw the arrival of TEDx to Karachi. And it would be no understatement to say that the truly spectacular event took the local TED enthusiasts by storm (no pun intended to the tropical storm ‘Phet’, which despite its best efforts was unable to dampen the spirits of our organizers). The event was [...]
