Seaview Karachi by Abro on Flikr

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A short interview about the daily life of this ordinary man. Gulam Nabi sells bubble-water at Seaview.
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I read a piece in the City section of The News today. It was titled “Habitual invasions of Seaview drive residents up the wall.” Why have I decided to write about this piece? Because almost every bit of the article stank of “class hatred” — contempt for those who do not enjoy the same “privileges” as others (using the word “privilege” strictly in the conventional, capitalist sense).

And who defines “privilege” anyways? I believe a person who is capable of enjoying a beautiful day on the beach is more “privileged” than a person who prefers to sit within the confines of her house and then whines about it.

The article in question is quoted below (comments outside blockQuotes):
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The City of Lights (or rather UPS’s and Generators as my friend Ghafoor put it) has been in the news quite frequently for the past couple of months. Unfortunately most of the coverage has been negative, and I don’t think the saying “Any publicity is good publicity” applies in this case.

Other than the countless protests by the lawyers, PPP, PPPP, MQM, MMA…. (and the list goes on and on), the city has also been lashed with the tail-end of a tropical cyclone. The overflowing gutters, uprooted electricity poles and strewn billboards suggest that the city is just not suited for rain. Add to that the fact that an extremely popular shopping mall in the vicinity of the teen talwaar (Continental Trade Centre-CTC) suffered from a horrible fire and is all but finished, and you feel the city is going through a rough patch.
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Shrek 3 takes to cinema screens in Karachi and Lahore tomorrow, Friday, May 25, 2007. The release of Shrek 3, marks a new age in the movie import business in Pakistan. This is the first time a major international movie is being released so close to its international release date.

Shrek 3 launched in the US on the 18th of May, and has not yet been released in major parts of Asia, including India.

Karachi - Universe Cineplex, Seaview, Call (021) 584-0996/584-0997
Lahore: Sozo World, Fortress Stadium, Call (042) 667-6870/667-4271

Its been 11 months since I arrived in Pakistan, and the best phrase I had to describe what I call the ‘Pakistani way’ is just this: “Thats just the way things are…”

It all started with bowling. Area 51, as many who go there will recognize it for its music, sheesha and bowling lanes rather than their impeccable service (which leaves MUCH to be desired) regardless, bad service is not criminal, however, inability to make decisions without consent of the ‘Man in charge’, to me is. I asked for an order of fries, now I like my fries with Masala, and since I picked up the European habit of eating fries with Mayo, I asked for Masala fries and Mayo.
“Well, im sorry sir, that’s not on the menu”
“Yes it is, here, masala fries, and here, mayo fries” I informed the waiter.
“Yes, but sir, which one do you like?”
“Masala and mayo fries please”
“That cannot be done sir, it’s not on the menu” he, now a bit more stern, replied.
What ensued was a brief conversation with the management who then tussled over the ordeal for awhile, and then finally came to apologies that I would have to order two fries.
Now I may be culturally insensitive to asking for such flexibility. The fries meant nothing to me, it was the dialog that I will never forget. Customized orders are a no go, and area 51 isn’t the only place to deny me my masala and mayo fries…
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The beach is one place, the under privileged of our city and their children can visit and enjoy to escape the summer heat. They visit beaches to vent out the tension and stress caused by the week long hard work and their economic conditions which keep them under constant pressure but the beach which too is soon to run short on them, and whatever the little beach there will be left for them to enjoy or the stretch they are currently enjoying is far from healthy.
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Ive been celebrated quite a few peoples birthdays in the past year now and I wanted to comment on some of the experiences.

Here is the list, in no particular order

1. Pizza Hut party deal, makes you feel like a kid again, for fun you could always compete for who can pack the most salad on the included salad bar deal.
2. Afreedi Inn, sitting on charpai’s and eating karhai is loads of fun.
3. Masooms/ Latte lounge has a great environment for sheesha, and celebrate get togethers.
4. Boat Basin never disappoints, and you can usually get a snake charmer to entertain, and order a large array of foods.
5. BBQ Tonight roof top or party room is a great place for meat lovers to rejoice. The food is delicious as well.
6. Sea view is great fun, get some pani puri, camel rides, roasted corn and then run around on the beach
7. House parties, invite Dhol wala’s to play and make/order the best desi treats like; chaat, pani puri, bun kebabs, gulab jamun, samosas etc.
8. Crab boating at the docks, is such a great and relaxing place to enjoy the rocking of the boat, eat some delicious crab and fish, and enjoy the company of your friends/family, no taking pictures though!
9. Beach hut gives you all the fun of seaview with the privacy of your friends/family, just be sure to bring out the rung to colour the earth! (and each other)
10. Deja Vu is great venue for events good food and a chance to crack jokes about someones age (if they are old enough to remember everyone on the walls.)

I realize most of these places are in the Clifton/Defense part of town. It would be great to hear about some other places or little places that one can have a great time at.

Where do you go to celebrate?

Well it seems not many souls, not officials definitely, are interested in city’s art, whatever left. May be its not as lucrative as other options so that’s why it seems these pieces are at the mercy of either Karachiites themselves or nature, maybe. So Abro & DAWN reported another sculpture been stolen/ disappeared from Seaview. Abro suspects Kinara restaurant may be the culprit with a sarcastic comment “everyone is free in this country to do whatever he wants ” . With no news regarding previous similar incident Karachiites especially artist must be concerned, if not worried.

Poor Anjum Ayaz. He blew it out too: “It is absurd to see President Pervez Musharraf inaugurating a great park (Bagh Ibne Qasim) himself while in the same vicinity art which is the nation’s property is being stolen and no one takes notice.” Poor president too. I feel sorry for him. Looks like we cannot walk one more inch without him being involved in everything.
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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