Found this work of art at Progressive Plaza.
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The play “Ismat ki Do Kahaniyaan” based on Ismat Chugtai’s short stories Kaafir and Amarbel was performed by Tehrik-e-Niswan on March 13th, 2009 in its theatre festival TLISM, marking 30 years of its works. The direction was superb and therefore all performances of the cast(comprising of Sheema Kermani, Asma Mundrawala, Mahvesh Faruqi, Saleem Mairaj and Saife Hasan) really stood out . Both the acts got laughters, appluases and standing ovations. The first was about the inter-religion marriage and second was about marriage of an older man to a younger girl. The adaptation was carried out in a very sensitive manner so kudos to Anwer Jafri for that.

Today: Us Bewafa Shehar Main at 8 pm sharp
For more: http://tehrik-e-niswan.org.pk/

 In this country innocents get murdered every day, may they be the victims of a bomb blast, a pedestrian trying to cross a road, a collage student waiting for a bus, a person resisting a robbery bid, or pet dog sitting calmly outside his house.

Here is just another one of the heartbreaking narrative: http://dhaliving.org/murder-innocence/

So Mr. Nawaz was right. Musharraf ki rooh shayd waqai mai Zardari mai ghus gai hai (and here) although he was enough himself). I have just been informed by few friends from different areas that GEO is blocked on their side and seems like we may see a repetition of 2007 when the dictator turned it into hell. We were already saying that Feb 17 elections will result in more corrupt gov. since how can be a child legal when the marriage is illegal (NRO).

Its pathetic that our governments never learn from history. And this will just be the beginning I guess. Media is under threat as earlier it was mentioned in recent newspapers. After loosing media battle at an early stage and since GHQ is in full support to the civilian dictator, I hope that Zardari continue to make mistakes like these so his exit come as fast as his spiritual mentor came.

[Image : Buzzvines]

Long march begins today from Karachi as section 144 is in place. The so called democratic setup has decided to crack down any attempt by people to use their DEMOCRATIC RIGHT. While criminals and gangs can roam around freely people cant protest and the infamous pretext is same, to safeguard the life and property of the ordinary man, who is no where in gov. priorities that remained busy distributing ministries for an year now. Our predictions regarding a corrupt setup after elections last year came very much true. The NROrified leadership is heading good way to sink whatever left while a militant group is in coalition to support it in Sindh. No law bears anyone from peaceful protest but the fact that current leadership is a den of corrupt, incompetent, selfish and opportunist gangs proves that RULE OF LAW and JUSTICE are a far cry here. JC in his recent article hinted that REHMAN DAKAIT from Liyari may be ZARDARi’s man to disrupt lawyers movement and with our ever capable police i hardly see anything peaceful coming in lawyers way especially when establishment is itself CORRUPTED while Washington also says that “current democratic setup should continue” signaling that they are also with ZARDARi as he is doing well to beat Musharraf in Puppet competition. While gov shakes hands with MILITANTs from swat, its afraid of few thousand unarmed lawyers, proving my point that Mr. Musharraf had laid the foundation of politics of gun (remember May 12 ??) that dictates that peaceful movements will be crushed and those who take up arms will be negotiated. [Image: PKpolitics].

Iqbal Academy Pakistan is offering a series of weekly workshops about the basic ideas of Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal and related subjects. Participation is free for the first three weeks but due to limited space, please register yourself in advance and be there in time (seats will be given on a “first come first” basis).

Resource Person:
Khurram Ali Shafique, author of The Republic of Rumi: A Novel of Reality

Venue: Teachers’ Development Center , 129-G, P.E.C.H. Society, Block 2, Karachi . Phone: (021) 4312017

Timings: 3 to 6 PM

Contact for further information: Dr. Hena Jawaid : henajawaid000@hotmail.com

PROGRAM:
1. The Garden of Mystery – Saturday, March 14

This is an introduction to Iqbal, offered in an easy manner for the beginners. In Persian Psalms (1927), Iqbal offered a set of nine questions and answers to serve as an introduction to his system of thought. Those questions are now being explained with the help of simple stories from the popular culture of modern-day Pakistan .

2. The Mysteries of Simorgh – Saturday, March 21

All birds of the world set out to seek their king, Simorgh, whom no one had ever seen. Traversing seven valleys on the way, they finally arrived at their destination – and the surprise was more than the sum of its parts. The classic tale from the thirteenth century Sufi poet Sheikh Fariduddin Attar, who was among the major influences on Rumi, is being explained in the light of Iqbal’s philosophy for newcomers.

3. In Search of Layla – Saturday, March 28

Everyone has heard about the story of Layla and Majnun, but few know that it was written by one of the greatest Sufi poets of all times, Nizami Ganjevi, who lived in the thirteenth century. Iqbal interpreted the story differently, and following the legend of the star-crossed lovers with the clues given by Iqbal could lead to some unexpected conclusions. Find out more through this interactive explanation.

PS: This will help to look Pakistan, Sufism and Iqbal’s works in an uniquely new perspective!

 Last Friday, on the 6th of March 2009, A small Meetup of around 30(+) bloggers from Karachi took place at the Royal Rodale. Organized by CIO Pakistan and Badar Khushnood and sponsored by Wateen, the meetup was themed around online activism which produced quite in a vibrant discussion full of ideas, issues, solutions and in the end of it all, concluding on resolutions.  

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Hamara Karachi festival ended with some fireworks and a musical concert last night. Thousands of Karachiites from different backgrounds came at seaview to enjoy a much needed entertainment, thanks to CDGK and all the people who organized it. It was even better last year but this one didnt disappoint as well. Apologies for not being able to get some snaps for fireworks as i had to rush but here are few to tease those who missed it :). Related
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This paper market fire incident pic is more than just another pic.I wanted to highlight it because at times we are also the culprits as we tend to gather around at place of incident. Whats wrong here?
[Image: Daily JANG]