Faisal Qureshi the host of Ankahi talk show on Samaa TV has initiated a a day long cleanliness drive in Karachi on Sunday 12th October 2008 in collaboration with Loose Ends Pakistan, Ankahi, CDGK and Samaa TV

The objective of the day long campaign is to bring conscientious people together to take ownership of Karachi and play a part in letting it breath again. The project is to clean the clutter created by excessive advertising messages in the form of graffiti painted all over the city. We will begin this project by taking on a section of such an area and completely repainting it.

Loose Ends Pakistan would like to invite all citizens of this city to come together to take a stand and play a part in making Karachi a better place.

For details of the event, watch Samaa TV. For security reasons the venue will be announced through: facebook, Samaa TV, and Chopaal. Please register yourself with Chopaal and add tag “lepkarachi” for live broadcasts of the event.

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Dr Awab is currently live on Samaa TV in Faisal Qureshi’s “Ankahi” ( a ver good program for all especially youth). Topic for today’s discussion is Voice of Pakistan. The program will discuss issues currently we are facing in political context. It would be great if someone could record it since many (including myself) are not able to watch it. It would also be great to know the views exchanged in the program. The other guest would be Mina Kidwai. Here is one link to watch it live if you are in office and not able to watch in normal way.

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I happened to observe this motorbike cruising down Shahrah-e-Fasial a few days back, somehow the two additional wheels on the side did catch my attention. Observing the motorbike make its way down the road it was interesting to observe him casually shifting his weight from one wheel to the other with such ease that at first it seemed uncomfortable for me [simply observing him] as I felt he might just tip over and crash, but as I continued following I realized it was quite a fun ride. Literally no issues of balance to worry about granted it might increase the drag but it must be a god-send for handicapped individuals.

For those who have driven / ridden a motorbike might be able to relate the awkward sensation of ‘not’ balancing yourself, the two additional wheels on the side slightly elevated off the ground does only engage when the balance shifts to the other side. Best off all, I somehow enjoyed watching the passenger perched on the back enjoying the ride.

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On the first day of Ramadan it’s 3:30, although more then four hours before one opens the fast with a soft, sweet date still everyone on the road is impatient. Switching lanes, blaring horns, and motorcyclists rushing as if they are on a mad race in a virtual dimension where they have several lives before it’s game over. And cars Screech-halting on every signal and a few even running through the red light. Read more

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Just heard confirmed news that a bomb blast has happened near the Saddar Police Lines. People driving through there, be careful and call in your homes if you are out and have taken the same route today.

Stay safe!

Update: Dawn adds, the explosion occurred on Sharah-e-faisal, one of Karachi’s busiest main roads at approximately 11:35AM. CCPO Wasim Ahmed confirmed that the device was a remote controlled bomb planted on a bicycle. However, it has not been confirmed if the bomb was specifically targeting the official.

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I have heard of turbo charging your car, but this somehow takes the cake, super charging your Suzuki pickup with a 30KVa (?) Diesel generator strapped to the back. Quite sure this is well beyond the load carrying capacity of this ‘Bicahri‘ Suzuki pickup as I noticed it moving at a snails pace down Shahrah-e-Faisal, with the massive load strapped to the back as if ready to blast the vehicle into orbit, moments after ignition

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I noticed this truck plying on Shahrai Faisal during peak rush hour which carried a MEDEQUIPS shipping label affixed to each wooden crate. I wonder if the rope is sturdy enough to prevent an accidental shift in the load and maybe avoid an accident. These irresponsible means of cargo transportation must be condemned and an attempt must also be made to monitor the huge 20 foot and 40 foot cargo containers that are shuttled around the city with only a flimsy rope to tie it down to the frame of the truck. All such hazards have contributed to some loss of life accident in the past and hence as concerned citizens must make a conscious effort to keep a check on this practice

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The 13th of August brought rain and some relief from the heat Karachi had been suffering for a while. As I made my way back from office thinking the usual thoughts of “god how to find less traffic” and “man are they  ever gonna fix anything in the KESC for the rest of us who do not know anyone in the government” I saw an accident on Shahra E Faisal.  A couple riding a motorbike slipped in the rain and got hurt as it skidded across the road.

Perhaps this was a rare occurrence but in that instant the entire line of cars braked and stopped. People ran out  and gave them water, someone called an ambulance and helped them in when it arrived, the guards outside Avari wheeled their motorbike to the side and promised to keep it safe for them in the parking till they came back. In about five minutes the traffic started again but my mind stopped back there.

We often tend to blame our country, we often tend to scream and cuss at our leaders but do we ever look into our ownselves and ask what we have ever done for this land? Do we even realize what our ancestors gave up when they arrived in Karachi?  Or how the people who lived here opened their arms to them.  My own family was sheltered by a Hindu one in the old saddar area of Karachi. My own parents traveled first to Bombay by train and after that horrifying journey boarded a steamer to come here with nothing but hope.

This accident showed me something, it showed the good of the common Pakistani, it gave me hope for this land. For even if our politicians leave no stone unturned to take us as far back as possible the people of this land are hard working, hearty and good folk and one day god willing we will make it somewhere.

So let us today make an oath, let us try till the next 14th of August to forget that we are Mohajirs or Pathans or Sindhis or Baluchis or Punjabis. Let us first try to make ourselves worthy of the freedom that so many died for! Let us first call ourselves Pakistanis and be proud of it. This world may heap it all on us, and land every blame at our doorstep but do not forget who we are, we are the flag bearers of a rich country, we carry the wealth of freedom!!

Long Live Pakistan & Happy Independence Day!!

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This is the latest picture of last nights fire at Progressive Center, last night when I was crossing this area around 1:30am or so the fire was generally under control, a snorkel had apparently doused the flames and I only saw smoke spewing through the burnt windows.
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SF as we all know is quite busy these days now that the school/colleges have opened after Summer. How many of you prefer to park anywhere in desperation and how many quit the plan altogether. This photo shows people parking/waiting on main road.

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