Arundhati Roy, the booker prize winner and activist is in Karachi to show solidarity with Pakistani women in these difficult times and to be a part of “Women to Reclaim Public Spaces”. This programme is a protest against Talibanisation in general and especially to women, artists, and minorities and is being organized by Women’s Action Forum, Karachi Chapter. They are having a protest/meeting in Karachi Press Club right now. Tehrik-e-Niswan will be presenting a presentation there along with other expressions from various personalities.

There was a time not long ago when almost every street in Karachi was hosting its own game of cricket every evening. Young and old alike, would use rocks as makeshift wickets and would draw a line for the crease. Street cricket had its own set of rules.

But as Pakistan’s cricket team surrounded itself in controversy, the youth of Karachi discovered a new passion. Soccer! The rocks now mark the goal. Football fever has taken Karachi by surprise. What started as a cult like following of European clubs, has now actually pervaded all stratas of society. Universitites may or may not have a cricket team anymore but all universities now have a football team, and regular inter mural competitions continue to keep these teams competitive.

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Well its all over the news, Imran Khan has not been allowed to board the Lahore to Karachi flight as per the instructions of the Sindh Government.

Which ever political party you may belong to – the question that must be asked as to why should citizens of Pakistan NOT be allowed to come to Karachi?

Rightly then it has been asked – Is this city run by a government or a mafia

Go Figure – let the comment circus begin :)

Today while driving home I was practically bulldozed by these two vehicles rushing down Shahrai Faisal with absolute no regard for traffic or people crossing the roads. We here in Pakistan are quite accustomed to being shoved off the streets by these VVIP [or VVuIP very very Unimportant people] convoys. But what surprised me was that this Toyota surf was practically unmarked and the guard car trailing hot on its tail providing thug coverage to this menace on the street was also unmarked.

The lead car sported a large stencilized VII on its back, while the blue guard car trailing hot on its wheels had no markings at all. The guard car was a Toyota Hilux painted blue to mimic a usual police escort vehicles but apparently the car neither carried any policemen nor had any visible markings to be an official police car. The guards in the back carried some hefty weapons and were visibly furious at the surrounding traffic ‘for not providing them the right of passage’ [??], one of the guards was in a casual white shalwar kameez while the other sticking his gun out the side was in a plainclothes grey shalwar kameez uniform

Im sure it wont be too difficult to find out who actually operates this illegal convoy – without doubt it is the work of the powerful and mighty who ‘can get away with it’

Every saturday I and my friend end up at Sea View for a walk minus everything else but clothes and shoes. No watches, no mobile and no other luxuries. But the presence of raw sewerage going into the beach makes us sad. Sadder still that not many people take note of it until they can actually smell it. Even then the registration of their protest is mild at best.

We, the Karachi wallas, have gotten used to the atrocities committed in our city in our name. Yet, as citizens, we do nothing and try nothing.

Plastic bags, excrete and people peeking pan are some other issues which need urgent attention. Otherwise, this beach would soon resemble Lyari naddi.

Iqbal Academy Pakistan is offering a series of weekly workshops about concepts related to the works of Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal. Participation has been kept free this month too, 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)4392949

Timings (for all workshops): 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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

Pakistan: past, present, future – Saturday, April 4

This is an introduction to the history of Pakistan through concepts derived from the writings of Iqbal. The workshop takes you through the story of Pakistan through activities and discussions in order to explore how the founding fathers foresaw the destiny of Pakistan and what opportunities can be found through our shared experience.

Consensus literature – Saturday, April 11

Art and literature is usually categorized as “high” and “popular”. This workshop introduces a third option: “consensus literature”. How is it different from our common perception of literature, what can we learn about ourselves through it and how far does it go in showing us new options for our future? These are some of the issues which are being addressed here.

Collective ego in popular media – Saturday, April 18

“Achieve a real collective ego,” said Iqbal in the Presidential Address after outlining his concept of Pakistan. In what ways has our collective ego unfolded itself through popular media? The answers might surprise you.

The Valley of Wonderment – Saturday, April 25

The recent history of Pakistan seems candidly similar to “the Valley of Wonderment”, the sixth valley in the journey of the birds towards Simorgh in the classic tale by the thirteenth century Sufi poet Sheikh Fariduddin Attar. Can a better understanding of the sixth valley help us discover new perspectives about our present situation and find innovative solutions? Find out in this advanced workshop especially designed for those who have attended any of the first three.

It seems that CDGK has been started Mosquito Control Spray campaign. This picture was taken yesterday near Paradise Bakery where a motorbike busy in spraying anti mosquito medicines. I don’t know whether this was pre-announced or not but I found there was no precaution made by any food shop in the area.

To what GLORIOUS event do we owe the pleasure of the ABSENCE of electricity problems in the city?  I HOPE this is a sign of what is yet to come.  It’s been wonderful..

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!

Same thing but for different purposes

Image Credit: Daily Jang