The other day whilst leaving my house to buy bread and juice from the corner store, I walked past this beggar boy who always stands near the house, yet unlike most of the boys who run up to someone like they are a celebrity demanding that you “do not break their heart”, this boy never out stretches his hand, never harasses, never pushes, he just wanders on the outskirts of groups with his bobbles, (which appear to be earrings or danglers of sorts). So this time I decided to pick up a sandwhich on my way back home, when I saw him playing byhimself with stones and bottles, I approached him and showed him the sandwhich, then I motioned for him to sit with me to eat. I was quite shocked at his response as he politely thanked me for my offer, said he is only looking for some money. He then shook my hand, touched his chest and walked off.

I was rather stunned at what just transpired. The only thing I can think of was that he fears someone is watching him taking food and not money, or else perhaps he wasn’t malnourished at all. Either way, we know money will keep them on the streets, likely organized peddler’s rings as I’ve heard exist.

The streets are no place for them, the august floods claimed over 17 childrens lives. Where can these children go for an education and a chance?

Any idea where this picture is taken from?

Credit: Salmay

Bird’s Eye View, Clifton Road
Photograph with a view looking along Clifton Road in Karachi.

(more…)

Shopping at Gulf shopping center, I was approached by a cameraman and another guy with mic in their hand, :’Can you please say a few words for ARY TV Channel?”
“What words?”
“Just say that the Bhamboor Festival organised by ARY is very good.”
“What? How can I say that I don’t even know what this bhamboor festival is. ”
“Please we need some comments.”
“Im sorry. ”

But the next girl they approach says what they wanted her to say. I went to her and asked if she knew anything about this Bhamboor festival and discovered it was only that she wanted to be on the TV.

Are people really that crazy about being on TV that they would say just anything? Are TV channels that unethical to do publicity of events by showing false testimonials?

Citizen Journalism or more commonly known as blogging is a phenomenon that has engulfed the information age in the recent few years, it is, as we all know a unique concept which allows even a person at home the ability to discuss and report an issue or news item immediately far sooner then the early morning paper produced by the main stream media. Pakistan is not far behind as blogging is slowly becoming popular and a well-known concept with blogs like KMB becoming popular by the day, there is no doubt that a time will come when bloggers would be in a position to give the classic paper based journalist a run for their money.

One such incident appeared just recently when Jamash reported on the Sculptures Along Seaview End Up Stolen on the morning of January 24th and the very next day on the 25th Urooj Zia of Daily Times covers the story accompanied by a picture which ‘appears’ to be a photoshopped version of the image taken by Jamash, since they don’t attribute credit to the KMB as a source we assume (and also claimed by Urooj Zia in her email exchange with Mansoor) that it was taken by a Daily Times photographer. But a closer side-by-side comparison does reveal some remarkable similarities, the same shot taken from the same angle with the exact same light source can only lead to suspicion. All said, its no use arguing over an image but we take this in a positive light and stand proud to have become an important source where the main stream media journalists look to us for news stories to be later reported within the pages of a filthy-rich main stream media, while we on the other hand continue to do voluntary work purely for the sake of having a good time (*snicker*)

Update: I feel it is important to share the image taken by Dawn published on 26th Jan 2006 Metropolitan Section Page 3. It shows another image of the sculptures maybe not the exact same statue but one of the few placed by the artist

“The three-day health exhibition, World Health Updates, began at the Expo Centre on Friday. However, despite the tall claims by the organisers, the exhibition does not come up to the expectations of the general public and the medical community too hold varying views about the holding of events of this nature” said The News today. (Read complete article here)

I’ve been seeing billboards of this event at quite a few places too, and the only thing they’re doing is thanking the city nazim for his vision. Anyone been there? and if so, what were your views on the event?

From the article..

Majority of families came there expecting to get free medical check-up, but most of the stalls advertising these denied the visitors any service, saying that they would start tomorrow. (Question: will tomorrow ever come?)

“Certain senior doctors are of the opinion that such exhibition have no effect whatsoever on improving the general public health situation.” (Question: since when are senior doctors an effect on it either? They dont treat patients, they let their trainees mess it up for them.)

“Even India has modernised her health structure after the Almaata Conference in 1976, which actually brought the turning point for the medical community everywhere” (India this, India that…. isn’t that akin to comparing apples and oranges?)

“They have just set up another market place for certain multinational companies to carry out their business in the peace and calm of the Expo Centre,” (Now here’s the real reason for this event i believe, i wonder how many pockets got lined this time?)

Source: The News

First it was Islamabad, then it was Peshawar, now will it be Karachi?
The state of security in our country is pathetic. Or maybe pathetic is just a euphemism that I could be using here. A hotel gets rocked, and an Imambargah explodes and there are so many security officals deployed nation wide. This shows nothing. We do NOT have the power. I am dejected. I can only write about how disgusted I am with the current state of affairs. Sadly, this is all I can do.
Question) Moharram is the beginning of Islamic new year, and how do we mark that?
Answer) By killing a bunch of Muslims.
What a wonderful, wonderful nation we are. To all those people who live here in this city, in this country, inspite of everything like this, I respect the courage. Yet sometimes, the word courage is interchangeable with insanity. Am I entirely wrong to have been doubting?

Over 400 police officers and men staged a flag march Friday in various parts of the city on the directives of IG Sindh Jahangir Mirza to develop a sense of security among citizens under a security plan for Muharramul Haram. The contingents included 100 motorcycles, 20 police mobiles, 2 police vans and 3 trucks that started the flag march from Police Headquarters Hassan Square.

Source: Dailytimes

Update: 3rd Episode video

Image credit: GEO, Program link

Not many including me notice a few lines story in any Urdu daily’s backside page. But when a credible friend emailed me this piece I knew he must have done his homework before asking me for a post. Then it started. I saw the first episode & had to agree the man put his life in great danger trying to show us our society’s ugly face which we don’t want to see, discuss trying to be ostriches & satisfy ourselves with things like traffic, cricket & movies & parties. Personally, this guy looked to be a run away insider who had either decided to cancel the evil path or had entered into the black list of his own higher ups so he decided he is taking along everyone if he is going down. GOD knows.

I missed the 2nd one but the third one yesterday was a real shock. A fake peer fakeer raping innocent women (by deception or by force its simple rape if anyone thought it was sex considering the mental capacities of resistance of those innocent women) thanks to families, those believed in him, destroying their lives forever. There was definitely a lot of sound & video cut required yet it was clear on what’s going on. It’s ironic that women have to go to these fake fakeers as a hope to avoid our social & cultural evils. Later they end up destroying everything. The woman in first video was alone. Her family was bent upon having a second marriage for her husband if she couldn’t have a child.

(more…)

Before i begin, Newspapers really like to use attention grabbing headlines dont they? Unveiled? seriously??!

Get the details of the procession from here.

The good points this time around are atleast ambulances would be allowed to pass through, so a couple less deaths this time around.

As for diversions..

During the procession hours all vehicular traffic coming from the city would be diverted to Soldier Bazaar Road from the junction of MA Jinnah Road/Dr Dawood Pota Road.

All buses, minibuses, and trucks coming from Nazimabad side would be diverted to Nishtar Road towards Zoological Garden to reach their destinations and those from Liaquatabad side would be diverted to Martin Road towards Jail Road.

Happy Commuting! Personally, i’d rather stay home.