Kulsaazistan

Khayal-e-Juda'gaana

2012-02-10T12:29:00.002+05:00

Main hun,
Tum ho.
Per ab,
Hum nahi.

Kulsoom B.
February 10, 2012
12:51 am

Wash Away Those Years .......

2012-02-09T17:09:00.004+05:00

We were smiling in different direction; the moment our eyes met we stopped smiling.

Expressions changed and eyes left wandering on floor. Learning has never been so easy, just like any instant recipe. A bit took out from strength mixed with heaps of willingness, coated in rock solid pieces of heart and then keep frying your soul with unmet desires, till you are burnt.

Remember the walk we took under drizzling sky and above soaked pavement?

I remember. Each step we took, each look we had while holding on to your shoulder; the most serene and may be the most secure moment of life so far. We built a world within world right then and there.
And then you broke it, broke our world altogether.

The equilibrium of life was lost somewhere in the middle of Sweet November.

21 January, 2012

2012-01-23T13:44:00.005+05:00

Kaghaz koray hogaye hain.
Saath jo hum ne likha tha,
Wo tau ab mit chuka,

Meri jaan,
Lo qalam uthao,

Aur likh daalo

“Khatam Shudd”

A Futile Attempt

2011-12-17T00:06:00.000+05:00

God is definitely the best artist I have ever known.

There are hundreds of faces I can see at this moment on Dubai Airport and all of them own different features and expressions. Every face is telling a different story from heading back home to going on honeymoon. Promises in making, kisses being sealed on them, everyone is equally hopeless and hopeful.

It just surprises me to find myself looking out for that one face, which is impossible to be found. Yet you are all over the place.

Or maybe I am stuck in one place for life.

While the fountains danced, I wrote.

2011-12-15T23:50:00.003+05:00

Sometimes you just need a hit, a hit strong enough to break you into tiny pieces.

This hit can be emotional, financial or even physical but it must break your personified shell so your true strength can come out and shine. One may be broken through worst of worst means, either he give up or look for means to gather himself and be a diamond. Why I say diamond? Because it’s a found amongst darkest and most uneven curves; once it is rigorously polished, and shaped, it picks its worth.

We humans are more or less the same, we discover ourselves in dark and down times. That’s the only time when we literally shake ourselves to core and surprise ourselves with a silver lining inside.

Once it’s over, nothing more can hit you or either you don’t let it hit you.

You become shockproof !!!

Frostbite

2011-12-11T01:24:00.003+05:00

Insaan se ziada khubsurat aur uski fitraat se ziada badsurat cheez dunya main nahi.

Khubsurat yun kay wo Khuda ki takhleeq hai, ek kamil haqeeqat. Jab kay uski fitrat main muhabbat daali gayi hai jo hazaar badsurtiyon ki wajah hai. Muhabbat kam ho tau insaan na-mukammal ehsaas liye phirta hai aur agar ziada hojaye tau………paani per tairti laash ki surat hota hai jo na kay ubharti hai na doobti hai.

Zindagi jumm jati hai…… K-2 ki choti per jami baraf kay jaisi jis k pighalne ka mausam jitna jaldi ata hai utna hi tezi se palat jata hai. Pighlane wale mausam tau guzar kar agay nikal jatay hain per zindagi behte bethte phir se jamne lagti hai.

Abb k palatna tau iss jami hui zindagi per peir rakh kar guzar jana…….yun guzarna kay koi nishaan baqi na rahay………uss doobay hue adh’maray jism ko bhi mat choona…….. iss baar hara’rat jala degi.

Freezing Past

2011-11-23T16:28:00.004+05:00

While reading “One Day”, I looked at time on my iPhone to decide whether I should sleep, and the change of date told me it’s going to be a sleepless night. Getting up on my elbows, I looked closely at calendar date counting years passed by; years spent well.

Fears repaired.

Inspirations instilled.

Aspirations achieved.

Smiles played.

Heart healed.

The night turned cold, hinting on upcoming winters and the warmth of my bed cover put me through a good night sleep.
I signature my past to ashes; it doesn’t worth more.

Epilogue

2011-11-01T11:34:00.001+05:00

ہر کہانی کا اختتام لازم و ملزوم ہے. مگر کچھ کہانیاں ایسی بھی ہیں جو اپنے آغاز پر ہی انجام کو جان لیتی ہیں.

اس کے باوجود ان کہانیوں کو شروع ہونے سے کوئی نہیں روک سکتا ....... ان کے کرداروں کے نصیبوں کو ملنے سے روک نہیں سکتا....... ایسی کہانیاں اپنے آپ میں عجیب بدصورت سی خوبصورتی کی حامل ہوتی ہیں.

ہم بھی اسی خوبصورتی کے پیچھے ہیں...... جو وقت کی قید سے آزاد لامکانی کی صورت ہمارے بھاگ سے جوڑ دی گئی ہے.

ایک خوبصورت آغاز سے بدصورت انجام کی جانب جاتے ہوئے ................ خواہشوں میں لپٹے، تمنناؤں کا رنگ اوڑھے ہمیں گم ہوجانا ہے وقت کی دھول اور دنیا کے گرد و غبار میں ........

ہم سے میں اور تم میں بدل جانا ہے.

Post - Confession

2011-10-31T15:52:00.002+05:00

You: I wonder how I will spend my rest of days & nights without you beside me.

Me: Trust me…… time will make it easier for you. I will become a part of your day & night but not your day & night as of now.

You: How can you say that?

Me: I have experienced that with you. I am your feeling of luxury love…….. A luxury that is going nowhere; courtesy a promise.

You: I respect your opinion but with a disagreement.

Me: I know you are there for me, and I am here for you. Yet it’s not enough.

You: How?

Me: I want my breathing to smell of this relationship ………. I want this relationship to be the currents of my mind that creates a spark between us……I want my eyes to hold on to this relationship as never ending dream……. My hands should reach out for this dream more often…… This relationship should sink into my soul.
I want our relationship to be anything …….

But a routine!!!

Khwab Kahani

2011-10-14T17:33:00.002+05:00

Hum ek khwab ki soorat zindagi guzarne ki koshish main hain. Iss beech main humein bahar se haqeeqat kay kankar aur zamane kay pathar aa kar lagte rehte hain. Hum apni si koshish kar kay apni dunya ko sath sath uthaye chalte hain. Sath chalne main takleef kam aur qurbat ziada hoti hai.

Hum ne sath chalne ki bunyaad hi apni umeedon ko paray kar k rakhi thee. Lekin ye kya kay ab hum umeedon aur mohabbaton kay chungal main phans gaye hain?

Wo dekho…..dekho…..humari dunya main darrar par rahi hai. Hum khuwahishon ki daldal aur aarzo’on kay bhanwar main ghoom rahe hain.

Hum kal nahi jaante per main doobne ki aur kho jane kay andhere jaanti hun. Aur hum jante hain k hum doobna nahi chahte…….. doobna tau marna hai.

Zindagi kay ander hum ne zindagi dhoondi hai.

Dunya main ek dunya banai hai.

Dukhon kay darya se khushi ka chashma phoota hai.

Naseeb ki raat se qismat ki subah-e-nau hui hai.

Hum wapis sath sath chalte hain, pass pass rehte hain.
--------------------------main geet koi kaise gaaon, mere honton per tum hanste ho!!!!

Indulgence

2011-10-04T11:59:00.005+05:00

"I want to bury my head in your chest. Just so you don't hide yourself from me, instead I will hide myself in you."

--- Kookee-ness :)

Obedience Overrated

2011-09-19T12:44:00.000+05:00

Today, when I opened my eyes I didn’t roll down the chicks. Instead I looked out at the sky with thickest clouds and a shining sun playing peek-a-boo. My lips curved into a smile while thinking about the changes. Nothing is permanent but for once I want to go with the flow, to follow, with no guilt around.

For a change, I feel like breaking rules and being disobedient. For once I want to be “free”.

Obedience is such a deceiving term in my part of world. Here it is interpreted as sign of being good and respected whereas to me it is slavery; because it curbs my right to question. Obedience is to just bend down and give into other’s will without mentioning your willingness or knowing a rationale.

It is very common around just that not many of us has noticed, that questioning any authority falls under disobedience. Whenever my parents used to scold me over something or try to force “because I said so” situations on me, I used to open my mouth and asked for logic. Hence never been a obedient daughter to them because I always dare to ask for logic behind any practice. Obedience doesn’t mean that mental slavery comes into being. We have a matter of 8oz which definitely wants to be used often than expected.

In this part of world, being obedient means stay shut up and close your mind. In short, the connection between your mind and tongue should be disconnected.

Reasons, logics, questions will not be entertained because “we know better” is unbeatable.

Mulaqaat

2011-08-01T17:37:00.004+05:00

Tum se alag hone kay baad, mujhe laga ab hum kabhi nahi milen gay na hi humare raaste takrayen gay. Lekin main apne dil aur dimagh dono se bekhabar iss khush fehmi ko galay lagaye chalay jarahi thee.......... Aur tab hi...........

Shehar kay shadeed shor main, sarak ki dhool kay paar dekhte hue, janay kahan se tum bijlee ki tarha zehan main koond jatay ho. Roz ek hi raaste se guzarte hue, janay kaise tum barabar main aa kar beth jatay ho aur mujhe aatish geer ankhon se dekhte ho.

Kaam kay bojh talay, mislay nimta’te tum samne aa kharay hote ho ye yaad dilane kay hum aamne samne nahi rahay. Notebook kay safhay palat’te koi tareekh tumhe mere zehan per raqam kar jaati hai. Coffee ka karwa pan, tumhari yaadon kay azaab se kam karwa lagne laga hai.

Shayad main khud ko bhi waisa hi dhoka deti hun, jaisa tum ne diya. Ek khwab main zindagi saath guzar kar ab koi khwaab dekhne ki himmat nahi rahi. Uss khwaab se andhi aankhein sirf tumhe dekh sakti hain.

Main ghalat thee.

Tum se judaa ho kar bhi tum se milnaa mushkil tau nahi.

Written by,

Baat se Baat - III

2011-07-14T15:57:00.003+05:00

“Ab kaisa lagta hai?”

“Takleef hoti hai”

“Kisi aur ka hone per?”

“Wo mera kab tha? Jo hota tau sach hota.”

“Tumne ussay sach hi tau jana tha?”

“Jan’ne aur hone main farq hota hai. Dil kay raaste andhe hote hain, mujhe maloom hi nahi hua kab main andhi gehrai main girti chali gayi.”

“Kitna waqt guzar dia tumne andheron main.”

“Kuch andhere aisi roshni se behtar hain, jo aankhon ko andha karde.”

“Aur ab kya karogi?”

“Dafan kardun gi iss muhabbat ko, jo meri qabar ban rahi hai.”

“Aur usko?”

“Us kay liye mujhe khud dafan hona pare ga.”

Dove called Love

2011-07-06T11:42:00.003+05:00

Few years back, a friend asked me in a random conversation, what is love? I replied back, wo jo lamhe bhar main umar bhar kay liye hojaye (it happens to you in a moment for lifetime).

Till today, when people are losing faith in this dove, my faith is still unshaken. Day by day, when world is getting darker in its deeds, love is only emotion which brings in some enlightenment. The idea may sound out dated but truth is once you put on specs of love, first thing you get to see is optimism. So, yes, love is definitely not blind, dumb or deaf.

If I look around me, people after one bad experience start generalizing people and their emotions. Love used to be one of the integral part of one’s life, but now it seems to be moth eaten. Older generation still holds it dear but those in 20s and 30s are wary of it. They can listen to love songs, watch films about it but dread the idea of falling for it. May be we want the return of everything, be it an emotion even. What we need to understand is that emotions are not commodity where we can barter.

God made us with so much fondness that I am sure we have element of love running in our blood. No wonder, that when one’s element gets activated, he doesn’t bother about the boundaries of religion, ethnicity, sect etc.

It’s a free will.

Every aspect of life becomes positive and the goodness of humanity becomes apparent once you become aware of self- love and then selfless love. It is the only emotion which has the power to obsolete man-made differences and set you free.

Ye baatein, Wo baatein,
Kab humari batein ban gayi
Soch kay ab karna kya?
Dorahay se raah nikal gayi,
Palat kar peeche dekhna kya?

Kis ne dekha, Kis ne jaana,
Yun zindagi karwat badal gayi
Soch kay ab karna kya?
Hum ek dusre main kho jayen,
Dunya dhoond kay karna kya?

Written by,
K.

Honestly Speaking

2011-06-28T00:10:00.000+05:00

Some people wear their smile like a disguise. Those people who smile a lot, watch their eyes. I know 'cause I'm like that a lot. You think everything's ok, and it is . . . 'till it's not.

--- Ani Difranco

Danger called Rangers

2011-06-20T15:24:00.003+05:00

Back in 1992, I was introduced to the word Rangers with much remorse and hatred. The reason was beginning of Operation Clean-Up. The locality where I grew up is a strong hold of Urdu speaking and that’s where it all began on a morning of June 19th, 1992.

I saw things from eyes of an 8 year old, who was waiting for a school bus at 6:20 am. I clearly remember shots of gunfire when my mother was helping me in getting dressed. Gun shots were not so common then and people could not comprehend the sound so we took it as any normal sound of tyre burst. I and mother used to wait for my school bus with another older student. We got on our bus, waved good bye, and took my favorite window seat. Around 5-7 minutes later my school bus entered hill side of North Nazimabad and since it was a summer morning, everyone and everything was clearly visible.

My school bus was stopped in the middle of main road and asked to turn back as MQM was having it first ever public encounter with Rangers. The stoppers were some young guys who showed us a safe way to exit. Rangers were least bothered to spare a school bus. I didn’t see any one’s face then as it was covered with red checkered scarf but I certainly developed an emotion of gratitude. We went to our school anyways, and came back home. I was full of stories for my father who was worried with the news of operation. Those guys were hero.

I spent 4 years in the middle of operation where hundreds of boys were arrested, tortured, and killed for being Mahajir. Several were innocent, and some were guilty, but all were buried same way. Mothers stopped their sons from attending morning prayers, sent them to other cities, or restrict their movements. Still many succumbed to Rangers with no choice.

Blackouts, days’ long strikes, shortage of food supplies, hiding in neighborhoods, were common incidences then. Living in apartments I had a better and closer look into all this. My mind is still bearing the memory of heavy boots running on the roof to chase and shoot young men, barging into houses, misbehaving with women. We never knew which night could be raid night. Next morning, every kid has a horror story to tell, specially the girl who lived next to TTC, North Nazimabad, this teachers training centre was chosen as Rangers torture cell. My worst memory includes a man of early 20s who was going to offer Morning Prayer. He was stopped by Rangers, little harassed, asked to turn around and run. He was shot dead with in range of 3 feet probably

Everyone who has lived and experienced this operation first hand has his memory revived after Sarafarz Shah killing. Fortunately, this boy got killed under independent media. Operation Clean Up had approx 15,000 killings which went unreported and unseen.

This is not the first time; an innocent lost his life at the hands of Rangers.

21 Days

2011-05-30T14:24:00.004+05:00

Dawn breaks.

It has been sometime he has not seen broad daylight but today he is anticipating sunrays. This day he will be meeting his fate which will take away his license to life.

He wakes up, loosely hanging his legs from cemented slab while staring away, thinking what went wrong, where he stepped mistakenly or may be he was destined. Every morning he misses his children jumping over him to drop them to school. It’s been days he is away from them and everyone else.

While washing his face and shaving almost a week’s beard, he ached for his wife’s reflection in the mirror. But he is not home. After dressing in crisp shalwar kamiz, he looks at himself with a familiarity he knew sometime back. Slipping on his leather sandals reminded him that he promised new joggers to his little one; a promise which will take time to be fulfilled. He is interrupted when a monotonous voice asked him,

“Sahab chai piyen gay?”

He nods with assent.

Coming out of cemented walls, heading towards the van, he keeps dodging the harsh sun. It takes sometime to settle in and move ahead. His eyes move around and he catches a glimpse familiar and loved faces.

Hearing the several footsteps and surrounded by black & white souls, he enters with his head hanging down, looking at the mosaic floor. He is unable to find the answers except for saying, that it is not him. It seemed to him that he went unheard. Indeed, he was.

When coming down from the aisle, his eyes meet his brothers’ and he step up to them. After purporting for a while, as if nothing has changed, they embrace each other and the salt can be picked and tasted from the corner of their eyes.

Life has collapsed from his hands while innocent and guilty walk hand in hand.

SOS

2011-05-23T17:36:00.004+05:00

Last night, when my brother called me to inquire about the attack on PNS Mehran, I was least bothered. I told myself probably it is some minor attack etc. and will be dealt easily. Soon enough, a friend from Islamabad messaged that what the hell is happening in Karachi. That message put me on alert and thought may be it’s another stroke on our forces capability after operation Geronimo.

Obviously, like majority of the Pakistanis I too was furious on Pakistan Navy and its lack of surveillance and response to terrorism. My eyes were fixed on news channels till 2:30 a.m. while remarking how lame our forces can be. Despite that we got our SSG commandos on ground, we failed to save the base and aircrafts from mere 15 terrorists. Probably they were far more dedicated to their cause and faithful to their promises of terror as compared to our supreme forces.

Somehow as a nation, we have blind faith in our military capabilities and assume that they are the savior. In recent months, our faith is being tried and tested and probably we are on the verge of losing it. I so don’t want to lose it.
Being a Pakistani, am proud of various things and one of them is our Pakistan Armed Forces. They have made us proud on various occasions, either its Battle of Mogadishu or a War against Terrorism. We have buried over 3000 soldiers and continue to do so. In return of our blood and sweat, we have got increased insecurity and orphaned generations.

It is high time, Pakistan Armed Forced buck up to their promised passion and stand for the national sovereignty. We have always believed in you and have given you our fathers, brothers, sons, and husbands. We expect you to protect us from unseen as you are one of us but above us.

We wish you a long life with the hope that it will not be wasted in barracks while planning your retirement plots in DHA or NORE.

D for Divorce

2011-05-06T16:25:00.003+05:00

Though it’s been a while now I sought divorced, I still keep coming across amusing social norms. Interestingly, they are found not only at home but even west have its ways to address it.

My first ever amusement was seeing that children after divorce are either considered “issues” or casually called “excess baggage”. I clearly remember how many of those looking-concern aunties told me that am lucky for not having excess baggage with me. I was astonished to know that socially we torment the innocent existence. Wikipedia endorsed my astonishment when I read that Prince William and Prince Harry are not children but “issues” between Diana and Charles.

Almost 3 years ago, when I filed my case I knew am one of those few brave and bold women who dare to initiate this taboo factor. Brave because we know the consequences, and bold because ready to face the world with stigmata. In recent years, Pakistan has seen a high jump in divorce rate after a move made by Muslim Family Courts Amendment Ordinance. Despite, every year the numbers are increasing, we still consider it a taboo and keep hush hush tones.

In Pakistan, society is above religion and it doesn’t really matter that divorce is allowed by religion. If society considers it a taboo, it is a taboo and you better not challenge it. Though divorces are no more an unusual hearing but still outlawed.

Few days back over the weekend, during a late night family gossip session, my sister told me that whenever she has to mention the word “divorce” in front of her 9 year old, she instead use “doctor”. I told her that by now, your son must have known what it is. But her opinion is that “aise alfaaz khule aam istemaal karengay, tau khulay aam hogi” (if we use the word openly, it will happen openly). In short, the word should maintain its forbiddenness.

I fail to understand the shame in being divorced until unless it happened out of a shameful reason. We need to realize that God allows divorce, under severe condition, because He knew that such conditions will be born out of mankind. Unfortunately, this mankind is not accepting as we own small hearts and minds.

Our society tends to ignore the root causes of divorce, instead try to curb it by remaining it a social stigma; a stigma which has different set of rules for male and female. For this, I need one lengthy post.

I will make sure I teach my children the difference of right and wrong so they know D is Divorce and Doctor both.

Over Heard at Nando's

2011-04-23T02:04:00.003+05:00

Lady to the Waiter, on choosing the flavor:

“Mild aur Hot kay beech main kya hota hai?”

(What’s between the mild and hot?)

Next, I knew, I and other 4 friends couldn’t stop laughing over this suggestive query. We started discussing what could be the answer and also asked some of our guy friends. Here are the cheesy replies:

Main Hoon Na

Depending what’s the capability of handler

Average

Aap jo kahein ;)

Dear Khurram,

2011-04-21T15:55:00.000+05:00

Today it’s been 9 years; we buried you 6 feet under.

If I say that life has changed since then, would be overly dramatic and sentimental. But yes, would you have been alive and smiling, I could say my friend is there for me. Usually time fade memories, but somehow my elephant’s memory has made a movie of that time. I keep reminiscing about you often.

You are stamped in my brain; probably you were the first loved one I ever lost. We didn’t learn or unlearn anything from you but once you left we found that you were much more than what you showed to the world.

Death is definite and I want to admit that yours came quite blunt. If you had been racing, it was easier to console ourselves but your death was other’s mistake.

A mistake that could not be undone.

I miss you :(

Khurram Ayub
8th May 1983 – 21st April 2002

Revisiting

2011-04-08T23:24:00.007+05:00

We keep hearing that time changes, but it’s only side of coin. I managed to flip and found the better side. Time does change but it is dependent on people and circumstances. It can be good, in fact so good that you want to hold on to it tightly.

I too tried holding it or may be stopping it but clock kept ticking.

When the first time I saw Nile, I felt so much home sick that I broke twice. But that was when I knew none and the time turned on to its ugly side of coin. Then a good soul walked up, turned the coin and I smiled. Soon I had my comfort zone build up around me. Time was the same just that I had people around me who were interested in making me happy.

I guess I was lucky for quite some time and will be indebted to those people for life. Throughout our lives, we, or at least I, get to know people on the basis of our families, schooling, college, peers, and status etc. sort of recommended relations. It was strange to know that I am taken for who I am without biasness or any prior judgment.

Then one day, I had to get over with it by my own consent.

But time spent well is a memory that’s speed up your heart beat, and rejuvenate your brain cells. Time and place never mattered, it’s the people.

One day I want to experience this freedom again where I can be me.

Confessions of a Chocoholic

2011-03-22T15:22:00.004+05:00

I am on a chocolate overdose for last two days; some how I just cannot control my brain to stop responding to it. People around have start saying if am in love or a relationship and I tell them a big NO.

I can go and ask anyone to make a chocolate charity for me so I can proceed with my day happily and free. I even smuggle into my bag without Mommy noticing, or keep munching it without colleagues seeing and asking for their share. Most shamelessly, I can baffle a 3 year old for a chocolate saying, “awwww birdie took it away”. Someday, I plan to tell him that the birdie was his very own Aunt K.

Chocolate actually keeps me away from the crap called, love. Why I call it crap? It’s because I saw the ugly picture. If I had seen the non-existent side of love, which is oh-so-beautiful, then may be my opinion could have changed. But for now, I declare chocolate to be my most faithful and life long partner. You know what? I won’t even get scandalized for having an affair with chocolate. It is unbelievably safe.

I am exceptionally high on chocolate, eating it like any staple food.

It’s better than you.

Qubool Hai?

2011-03-19T00:34:00.001+05:00

Nahi,

Haan.

Joining the Dots

2011-03-16T23:17:00.006+05:00

NOTE:

I don't think my post needs explanation. But yes, this is purely my opinion and my theory.

Epitome

2011-03-08T12:28:00.003+05:00

Baat se Baat - II

2011-03-06T19:25:00.004+05:00

“Ye baat se baat kaise hoti hai?”

“Wo baatein jo tumhare samne nahi ho pati.”

‘Kuon? Meri maujudgi tumhe rokti hai?”

“Nahi. Bus haawee hojati hai.”

“Samjha nahi.”

“Tum samne hote ho tau mere khayalat aur alfaz aapas main jhagarne lagte hain.”

“Main tumhe pareshan karta hun?”

“Hargiz nahi. Bus haawee hojate ho.”

“Mujhe kuon is main se ilzam ki boo aati hai?

“Ilzam nahi haqeeqat hai. Tumne muhabbat main logon ko apna aap, apni zindagi waar’te dekha hai. Main’e apni infiradi’yat tum per waar di hai.”

“Tum mujh main gum ho?”

“Nahi, main tum main shamil hun. Gum tau wo hote hain jin ki manzil nahi. Tum se tau mera safar shuru hota hai.”

“Phir ye baatein mujh se alag kuon?”

“Alag hain tau kya? Hain tau tumhari baatein……… Bus soch humari se meri hojati hai.”

Break - Up

2011-02-21T16:57:00.003+05:00

Chalo phir se muhabbat karte hain,
Chalo phir se waaday nibhate hain,
Phir dunya ko jalate hain,
Martay aur mit jatay hain.

Chalo phir se peimaan bandhte hain,
Ek dusre main kho jatay hain.

Chalo phir se saath chalte hain,
Qadmon kay nishaan chorte hue,
Apni manzil ko paatay hain.

Chalo phir se muhabbat karte hain,
Aur,
Phir se judaa hojate hain.

Kulsoom B.

February 21, 2011

3:30 p.m.

Jaagte Rahooooooooo

2011-02-18T10:12:00.004+05:00

Today, my inbox welcomed a morning humor sent by a team mate. Enjoy :)

Pakistan (Egypt) Un(Changed)

2011-02-03T17:52:00.004+05:00

For the last 8 days, my routine is to go home and stick to BBC to watch uprising in Egypt. It is the country in which I spent good 4 months i.e. July – November in 2010 only.

When I was leaving Cairo two months back, I had all the plans to re-visit the city. Not only for the people I have befriended there but the place itself is lovely. Cairo is indeed one of the best combinations where you have the civilization meeting modernization. It is hard to believe that Cairo, the city that never sleeps, now doesn’t stop burning.

During my stay there, I had to come in terms that any Egyptian I meet will not be happy with Mubarak’s regime and want to leave the country soonest. Also, I learned that do not discuss politics or be opinionated in public places. You may discuss anything but do not touch politics as you don’t know where and who is Mubarak’s man.

A very close Egyptian friend used to curse the dictatorship and had various stories from here and there that how this regime is eating his country. In response, all I used to tell him that not all the dictators are like that. To which he always agreed and said, ‘Pakistan may be the only country that flourished in every mean after 1999 military takeover’.

Egypt’s uprising has also rise a concern in Pakistan if we ever going to witness such change. I plainly say, no. Change comes to those who feel the need for it and ready to accept it.

Pakistan is the nation which is divided in the name of sects, language, ethnicity and what not. A divided nation can never witness a revolution or change; we always witness a take over. On the streets of Cairo, people from all class and background are claiming their rights. Moreover, Egyptians living abroad are also supporting their people.

Do Pakistanis have the courage to leave their comfort zone and come on streets?

Every day, there are not less than 2 rape or abuse cases are reported in media. Food and health necessities are either missing from the sight or being sold at the highest price. Thousands of employees are getting sacked and industries shut down for months now. To all this the nation reciprocate by becoming criminals.

Frustration of all the above is either taken out by raping a 2 year old or by killing your own family.

We are definitely heading towards a change; a change in morals and values. We all literate people can do only yap, yap on talk shows, curse politicians, blame feudalism, abuse government, but we will never step out of our houses.

Pakistanis cannot bring the change, let alone be the change.

P.S. I too am a Pakistani.

Welcome to Client Services

2011-02-01T12:39:00.000+05:00

While talking to a friend in office, I enlightened her with one of my mid-day philosophy. These philosophies occur to me usually when am consumed by client. I think people who are in the same industry will be in agreement to this.

They don’t have a choice :)

“Keeping a client happy is like keeping your in-laws happy.”

Taliban in Closet

2011-01-26T12:28:00.001+05:00

Veena Malik’s appearance on Frontline show has created a storm not only in print media but even at office desks. Holding a morning cup of coffee, I got myself into this raging argument when my colleague said,

“Veena tau wajib-ul-qatal hain. Is ne mulk ka naam badnaam kia hai Hindustan ja kar.”

I snapped him by asking who gave you the right to announce her death penalty and just in case you are thinking that she is bringing down the country then you better re-think. I reminded him to be thankful to 9/11 and Afghan Talibans for reminding west that where does Pakistan exists on the globe.

It was extremely irresponsible on channel’s part to present such a show with least relevance to Islam. Entertainment industry has nothing in common with Islam or cannot be brought in victim box for violating it. Then why a Mufti had to raise finger on Veena or describe her beauty as if drooling for it.

After all, Islam doesn’t start or finish at a woman only. But the fundamentalist are keen on proving that all the evils of this country belong to women from Fashion or Entertainment. Islam goes under pile when it comes to providing justice to a rape victim, condemning terrorism or punishing a Molvi for sodomy. These are the same so-called Islamists who take bribes for providing safe harbors to Un-Islamic business.

Pakistan is definitely increasing with the numbers of closeted Talibans. Clean shaved, university graduates can be found favoring Mumtaz Qadri, or denouncing Veena Malik while letching around. The idea of being religious has taken a new turn. To be religious is to be an extremist. Unless you don’t carry violent thoughts and shout out your religious values, you are not considered a good Muslim.

Why we Pakistani Muslims find it so easy to kill anyone in the name of religion. Is Islam all about it?
We have changed the bases of our religion ourselves. Instead of peace, brotherhood, and compassion, we are laying Islam with blood, racism, and intolerance.

Baat se Baat

2010-11-23T16:21:00.001+05:00

“Phir?”

“Phir kya?”

“Phir kuch nahi. Tum apni zindagi main apni jaga bana lo. Us kay baad meri jaga nahi rahegi.”

“Tumhe lagta hai kay main tumhe kabhi yad nahi karun ga?”

“Karogay na, bilkul karogay. Akele bethe cigarette peete hue, meri yaad ubhre gi jo us dhuwein k sath hi hawa main tehleel hojaye gi. Ya phir sardion ki kisi raat main koyle jalate hue, kisi chingari ki tarha jis tezi se bharkay gi, usi tezi se bujh bhi jayegi. Kabhi Tarrar ki koi kitaab parhte hue kisi lafz per meri yaad main gum ho kar chonk jao gay.”

“Aur tum nahi yaad karogi?”

“Karoon gi.”

“Kab?”

“Jab tumhe bhoolne lagoon gi.”

Capturing Cairo

2010-10-26T02:52:00.004+05:00

Ishq kisi ki zaat nahi.........

2010-10-13T00:56:00.001+05:00

Lesson of the Day

2010-10-05T04:17:00.000+05:00

Shit happens. Live with it.

Photo Courtesy: Deviantart

Lesson Courtesy: S.G

Akhri Pehar ki Pehli Soch

2010-10-02T22:10:00.002+05:00

Tamam umer jis ishq ki talaash main rahay,
Mila tau akhri saans ban kar mila.

Hum lafzon main uljhe rahay iqrar kay liye,
Uska fasana raddi kay kuch kaghazon main mila.

Ishq main nakaam hue kay hua kuch yun,
Kabhi wo na mila, kabhi waqt na mila.

K.
September 10, 3:10 a.m.
Sharm al Sheikh

I say......

2010-10-01T02:20:00.002+05:00

Love was never about logic.

-----------It’s about a random Romeo and jovial Juliet.

Anesthesia

2010-09-30T17:29:00.003+05:00

Thousands miles away from home, I learn a new lesson each day. Life has never taught me at this speed like it does now.

Embodying myself with experiences has made me a bit lost in my own life. I made new relations, lost old ones under 6-feet while being away in desert.

I want to lose my mind in a different alley for sometime.

My Weekend Night's Companion :)

2010-09-24T00:57:00.000+05:00

Sheharbano ka Yousuf

2010-09-07T01:13:00.003+05:00

"I always tell people that it's eyes in the human body that decides my communication and connection with other person. It's true. Nobody knows, how I keep falling in love again and again only because the way you look at me."

Tum dekhte ho tau yun lagta hai, is kainaat main mujh sa koi haseen nahi.
Mere naseeb, tumhari nazron ki peimaish sirf aur sirf mere liye hai......bhala kahan se koi aisi nazar laaye jo neend main bhi mere hon'ton ko cher jaaye.

Ye ankhein, meri zindagi per waise hi saaya karti hain, jaise baadal kisi samandar per.......hadd-e-nigah tak.

--- Yousuf ki Sheharbano

In the name of blood

2010-09-05T03:25:00.001+05:00

"Peace can never be bought. We have to fight for it."

Thought strike at 12:22 a.m.

I like to move it, move it

2010-09-03T05:40:00.000+05:00

Only because.....

2010-09-02T17:29:00.002+05:00

Dear Express Tribune,

Nation doesn’t need to know what’s cooking in PM Gilani’s kitchen. So you better keep rubbish aside and don’t let it be the decoration of your newspaper. Fizza Batool is PM Yusuf Raza Gilani's daughter, doesn't mean Pakistani Press has right to bring her personal life in light. Who knew her till Express Tribune published this.

Media lost it long ago, and Express Tribune is no exception. This is ridiculous and highly irresponsible on Editor’s part to get a story published like hers. After all, floods and ethnical and sectarian clashes are enough to fill in the web or newspaper space.

This is the same media which condemn Sialkot lynching and Mukhtaran Mai’s gang rape and bring the public on roads to protest for securing the youth and respect of a woman. But on the other hand, same media doesn’t think twice before ripping off a woman publicly only because her father happens to be Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Mola Ali ibn e Abi Talib A.S.

2010-08-31T17:58:00.003+05:00

The zeal and virtue of Ali were never outstripped by any recent proselyte. He united the qualifications of a poet, a soldier, and a saint; his wisdom still breathes in a collection of moral and religious sayings; and every antagonist, in the combats of the tongue or of the sword, was subdued by his eloquence and valour. From the first hour of his mission to the last rites of his funeral, the apostle was never forsaken by a generous friend, whom he delighted to name his brother, his vicegerent, and the faithful Aaron of a second Moses."

--- English historian Edward Gibbon

"In my view, ʿAlī was the first Arab to have contact with and converse with the universal soul. He died a martyr of his greatness, he died while prayer was between his two lips. The Arabs did not realise his value until appeared among their Persian neighbors some who knew the difference between gems and gravels"

--- Khalil Gibran

Image Courtesy: Here

"O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a message from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, (would bid good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah(Qur'an) in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said: The second are the members of my household I remind you (of your duties) to the members of my family."

--- Hadith at Pond of Khumm, Sahih Bukhari, Vol 3, P 5920

Sayings of Mola Ali A.S.

“People's hearts are like wild animals. They attach their selves to those that love and train them.”
“You [humans] think that you an insignificant, while there is a great universe contained in you.”
“Associate with people in such a manner, that they weep for you when you die and long for you if you are alive.”
"He who is deserted by friends and relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers."
"One who does not realize his own value is condemned to utter failure. (Every kind of complex, superiority or inferiority is harmful to man)."

21st Ramadan, 1431 Hijri

“With him perished the truest hearted and best Muslim of whom Mohammadan history had preserved the remembrance.”

---Robert Durey Osborn (1835-1889) Major of the Bengal Staff Corps.

[Islam Under the Arabs, 1876, p. 120]

Spilling Beans

2010-08-29T14:42:00.001+05:00

Coffee, which was my once a week ritual, has become a deadly addiction.

I always avoided addictions; for me it’s too much of dependency. But on this trip, it seems whatever I have avoided in past is unavoidable.

I avoided past, but it rose randomly.
I avoided strangers; they catch me accidently.
I avoided clashes with core; it costs me deadly.
I avoided face behind a face; I now, know them surprisingly.
I avoided you, but you are getting closer to me.

Above all, I avoided life.
Its happening to me daily !!!

Cairo is not (may be) my cup of coffee :)

Innocence

2010-08-19T17:44:00.002+05:00

I asked Ash if she would like to come along with me to get a match-box from my place. We both started talking about that why her father comes late from work and how she detests it.

Me: Jab papa late hote hain office se tau aap unka intezar karti ho?
Ash: Ye intezar kya hota hai?

I looked at her in awe and realized it’s not a Hindi word. While I felt envious for a moment, I also considered how lucky she is, not to know what “intezar” (to wait) is. She is innocent and oblivious to the perils of growing up and falling into the trap of own deeds; the traps and the deeds, which leads us to “intezar”.
At least, some people can wait in anticipation of it to come to an end. But not all are lucky enough. They wait like a hopeless romantic, with no aim and no charm of future. The wait is just endless. Life abides by the past and procrastinate the future.

I realized that in the age of innocence we demand explanation for everything and want to know the unknowns. Today, when I know everything (almost), I want to become unknown to all of it again.

I want to return to the age of innocence to shed the burden of knowledge.

Hazaron Khuwahishen Aisi .....

2010-08-14T19:42:00.000+05:00

Janay anjanay,

Waqt humein pehchane,

Tum guzr bhi jao tau,

Dunya tere naam se pukare.

Ramadan Kareem

2010-08-11T22:14:00.000+05:00

This Ramadan, am thankful that GOD has given me the liberty to choose and criticize

Photo Courtesy: Jeddah Photo Journal

Caught in Catastrophe

2010-08-09T18:27:00.000+05:00

I am not heartless or empathetic nor am I saying that Pakistan Army isn’t doing enough for flood victims. It is a mega disaster of history.

But looking at this picture, made me think how one can catch a food bag thrown from such a height?
Chances are that bag will burst and float in the flood water, making it inedible for the people who are there waiting for it to arrive, but properly. Am sure there are better ways such as repellent technique etc.

A Pakistani army soldier drops food bags for

flooded survivors in Kot Addu, in the

southern province of Punjab on August 8, 2010. – AFP

At another point, they are doing more than their capacity. May be our government, keeping up with the tradition is only begging for aid but failing to provide sufficient survival aid to victims. Hence, Pakistan Army cannot do much but to manage within the available resources.

Pakistani soldiers pass a baby across a watercourse

as part of an effort to help homeless people in

Taunsa, near Multan, move to safe location - BBC

Long live Pakistan Army
And
May GOD be with you and the flood victims !!

Sponsoring Suicide

2010-08-03T17:37:00.001+05:00

If you have any intentions of committing suicide, let Pakistan sponsor you.

The whole country is hit by natural and un-natural disasters. First it was only Talibans and their jackets, which can blow you into pieces. In return, you family gets meager amount of compensation and that too after struggling through red tape policies.

But that’s old. The nation got used to it so much that hearing only 30-40 people died in a blast is a thankful situation. One may hear, “Chalo shukar karo buhat ziada log nahi maray” or “Abhi to dekho, hospital jakar kitne maren gay”. We Pakistanis have become immune to terrorism.

So, now if we don’t get killed in a blast, we have other sources. You may flying in a plane, anticipating the landing and guess what? You are murdered at Margalla Hills (Islamabad) leaving others never to look at the hills in a way they used to.
It’s ok if you don’t like being burned down like this. We have floods to offer as well.

Millions displaced and thousands killed by the floods in northern and southern Pakistan. There was a time when we were crying for water shortage and bad crops due to no rains. When it came, it came like cats and dogs. I prefer to call it bitchy rains.

You are also most welcome to Karachi or Quetta. Both are the hubs of ethnical clashes. There are various choices such as target killing, torched buses and cars.

If not by this, than by that but options are infinite. Choose at your ease.

Lakki Marwat Blast, January 2010

Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Flood and Rains, July 2010

Karachi, burned down after ethnical target killing, Aug 2010

General Knowledge

2010-08-03T02:06:00.000+05:00

"Main janti hun tumhe aur mujhe ek dusray k baray main ziada janne ki zarurat tau nahi hai magar phir bhi yun hi aksir ye khayal aata hai kay ab tum kaise ho?

Kya tum aaj bhi Lata k ganay sun kar wo raaten yaad karte ho jab main gaati thee aur tum hans kar kehte they, Lata ki taang torna band karo. Jaante ho us k baad kitne hi roz maine ainay k samne khare ho kar wo gaana gaaya hai. Ab tau aisi aadat pari hai k na chahte hue bhi fursat main wohi gungunati hun.

Tumhe wo nazm yaad hai jo tumne mujh per, mere liye hi likhi thee? wo lafz aaj bhi naye k naye hain aur kal se ziada haseen. Uss kaaghaz ka reshmi-pun kuch alag sa hai, shayad tumhari unglion se aisa hua hoga.

Wo shabnam se bhi ziada saaf shaffaf chehra yaad hai tum ko? Kitne hi din hogaye tumhari nazr nahi pari uss per. Yun lagta hai waqt ki dhool jam gayi ho. Maloom hai wo pankhar’ian bhi sookh gayi hain apni hi zuban ka namak chakh chakh kar.

Kya tum aaj bhi poori poori raat ye soch kar jaagte ho k humare sirhanay khali hain? Aaj tak nahi jaan paayi k aglee subha tum kaise jaan lete they. Ye ek muamma hi reh gaya jo tum se khud bhi na hal ho saka.

Wo lambay lambay khutt yaad hain jinhe dekh kar tum pareshan hote they aur poochte they kaise likh leti ho? Main aaj bhi tumko tumhare hi lafzon main dhoondti hun. Jane wo likhne wala kahan gum gaya.

Yaad hai wo meri pink flowers ki shirt? Unka rung urr chuka hai.

Mujhe ye sub zaroor batana.

Ho sakay tau wapis aajana.

Al - Hussain Mosque

2010-07-28T02:16:00.001+05:00

Al-Hussain Mosque, Cairo. It is situated right in the center of ancient Khan Bazaar dated back to 1154.

It is believed that head of Imam Hussain A.S. was brought here after the martyrdom but returned by Fatamid Caliphs. Much later, it was found out that Fatamid Caliphs are also buried here. Government has closed down the museum which has a large range of Relics of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H and Bibi Fatima Zehra A.S.

Also, the oldest complete manuscript of Quran is present at this site.

Courtesy: Me :)

36 Things Every Single Girl Must Do Before She Settles Down

2010-07-26T17:05:00.000+05:00

2 years back, I made myself a wish list of things/tasks which I want to do before I die. I checked out few of them. Recently I found a single woman list, which is pretty interesting. I am hoping to check out most of them soon, since I have no intentions of staying single for long. I have colored the ones I am done with :)

To Build Your Confidence…
1. Go to a movie alone.
2. Lift weights. When I bench-press 45 lbs., I feel like the bomb.
3. Try surfing, water-skiing, or some activity you don't already know how to do. Could be riding a bicycle.
4. Take out the trash, set a mousetrap, do your taxes, build a bookcase. I have been taking out trash now, daily and built myself a bed side table out of cartons.
5. Live alone, or at least move apartments in NYC without the help of family.
6. Train for (and finish) a huge physical test like a half-marathon.
7. Go to a scary doctor's appointment by yourself. I once dragged myself to a CAT Scan in the dead of winter, all the way over on 1st Ave., post-break-up. I felt like I was made of steel.
8. Quit your job. It feels so good to take a job and shove it (and not be affecting anyone else's livelihood).
9. Fly to a foreign country by yourself. I was nervous on my first solo trip to Europe, even though I almost always have to travel alone.
10. Learn to stand up for yourself. (If you're not naturally assertive, may I recommend moving to New York City? It did wonders for me.)

To Be Able to Look Back and Say "I Had Fun"…
11. Witness something once-in-a-lifetime, like Jokulsarlon, a lake next to a melting glacier in Iceland (see photo). Few days back, I witnessed dolphins jumping in Red Sea. It may last as once-in-a-lifetime.
12. Revel in being able to watch all the reality TV you want. I'm pretty sure no man will be able to stand as much Bravo TV as my roommate Erica.
13. Get drunk during the day, just because you can. Attend Santacon, the convention for Santas, or something similar.
14. Go on a date with someone who actually makes you nervous.
15. Go out with an older man who takes you somewhere nice and makes you feel like a million bucks.
16. Go out with a guy who makes you laugh ‘til it hurts.

To Get Perspective…
17. Be a good wingwoman. It's not always about you. I was a wingwoman but not in total terms, partially.
18. Chill with your widowed and single grandma. She knows "alone"! I don't have a grandma, but I definitely enjoy conversations with my old aunt.
19. Volunteer.

To Make You Appreciate the Next Guy…
20. Do at least one Valentine's Day alone. Did many
21. Attend a wedding (or 15) alone.
22. Date the creeps. You'll really value the nice guys afterward.

To Make You Feel Sexy and Attractive…
23. Buy yourself some flowers.
24. Invest in a LBD (little black dress) and some sexy stilettos.
25. Sit at a bar by yourself and drink a martini. Cool. Lemonade
26. Buy something frivolous and expensive that you LOVE wearing.

To Make the Most of Your Free Time…
27. Finish all your schooling if you can. Not that it was ever my goal to go to grad school, but I did, and it would've been tough dragging a guy up to isolated New Hampshire and making him sit there in the cold for two years while I studied (and partied).
28. Throw yourself into something time-consuming, like learning a foreign language. You may not have time to do this again until you retire and the kids are off to college.

To Make Yourself a Better Partner in the Future…
29. Make a list of all your faults.
30. Learn to cook well. I'm still working on this.
31. Get some hobbies. Something's gotta keep you occupied—plus it'll make you seem interesting.
32. Let your married friends edit your online dating profile. My dear friend Cheryl has caught a few doozies.
33. Get your finances in order.

To Appreciate Being Single…
34. Babysit someone's baby for an hour.
35. Help a friend through her divorce or a bad break-up.
36. Host a girls-only night. I think some coupled-up women forget how much we need each other.

Ein Al Sokhna, Cairo

2010-07-25T22:13:00.000+05:00

Porto Sokhna

Lets make our way to serenity

Point-Break

Guide Point for Suez Ships

Jhilmilati Huee Shaam Kay Dorahay Per...........

C.A.K.

2010-07-21T01:55:00.000+05:00

“People think soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank GOD for it.”

--- Richard from Texas in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love

It was you and will always be you !!!

Shukria........

2010-07-21T01:35:00.002+05:00

Mujhe zinda rehna ata hai, aur buhat ache se ata hai. Main muskurati bhi hun, hansti bhi, pasand ka khati, peeti aur pehanti bhi hun. Siyasat se le kar dhaniye podinay ki khareedari tak main barh charh kar hissa leti hun.

Magar main sirf zinda hun. Zinda rehne aur jeenay main farq hai.

Zindagi phir se mere muskurane per muskuraye to mere ander jeenay ka ehsaas jagay. Lekin, zindagi muskura nahi rahi han albatta hans rahi hai mujh per, ek bar nahi baar baar. Mujhe iss kay hansne per koi khaas aitraaz nahi kuon kay ab main kaafi dheet hochuki hun. Pehle mujhe zindagi kay yun hansne per rona aata tha, ab main muskura kar chehra palat leti hun.

Kabhi kabhi lagta hai, main dukhon se guzar kar, guzar jaoon gi.

Bahar se dekhne wale mujhe dekhte hain, mera aap nahi jaantay. Mujhe wo sub mila jiski maine shiddat se kabhi khuwahish nahi ki, aur wo sub cheen liya gaya jo maine raaton ko uth uth kar maanga.

Maine jab saath chaha, uss nay haath kheench lia. Jab muhabbat se dekha, tab chehra palat lia. Dostee main darguzr ka kaha tau damaan maila kardia. Tumne mujhe akela rehna sikha dia, khud main gum hona bata dia. Tumne mujhe nafrat karna sikha dia.

Tumne mujhe marr kar zinda rehna sikha dia.

Karwa Sach

2010-07-16T04:26:00.001+05:00

Woh muhabbat kay fasanay,
Sub tere jhootay bahane.
Waqt per to waqt tha,
Ab ap ko kya hua janay?

Written by Kulsoom B.

July 17, 2:18 a.m.

Soccer can be sour !!!

2010-07-13T14:20:00.000+05:00

Countries have border conflicts, political conflicts, military conflicts, resource conflicts but who can have a soccer conflict?

Egypt has it.

Before coming to Cairo, I thought country is at cross with Israel only. But I was so wrong. They are extremely sour when it comes to Algeria after facing bloody defeat at FIFA 2010 qualifying matches. The best soccer team of Africa kicked out by Algeria in one of the most combative matches.

Algeria played simple to get even with Egypt after 20 years. Algerians had their taste of defeat from Egypt, when they were left behind in FIFA 1990.

Egyptians took it very seriously. Let’s say to their hearts that it’s still bleeding.

Algerians are not very welcomed here and gets racist remarks openly, be it at work or at a mall. The minute a person says he is an Algerian; you got to look at others’ face expression or reaction. Egyptian put them aside like aliens while Algerians play it pretty cool. After all, they got what they wanted; a victory.

Few days back, I asked an Egyptian colleague that why fuss over such small matter. To which she replied, “You know, we helped Algeria in gaining independence. They shouldn’t have been so rude to us.” Now this obviously doesn’t make sense to me. I mean what the heck?

Afterwards, I asked an Algerian what he thinks about the comment made above. I also added that Egypt, indeed, helped Algeria. But he thinks, Algeria has been helping too, for instance it is providing Gas to them. With an annoying look, he claimed “You know the burner on which you cook? We provide the gas for it.” For a minute I was thankful to Algeria because I certainly don’t want to deprive myself from Pakistani food in Cairo.

Anyways, I guess we Pakistanis and Indians have bigger hearts. After 3 wars and various cricket defeats, we still manage to eat and laugh together. In an alien land, we cherish each other.

Aren’t we great?

Advocating Fadlallah

2010-07-12T11:42:00.000+05:00

Many a times, when people are alive, we don’t get the chance to tell them how do we perceive them or what influence do they have on our lives. So when they pass away, the emotional insurgency takes place, compelling us to let the world know how we feel.

That is what exactly happened when Ayatollah Fadlallah passed away on July 4, 2010.
During his life, Ayatollah Fadlallah considered harbouring Hezbollah and being one of its pioneers. Though, never acknowledged by either of them, any wise man can judge the importance of connection after Ayatollah Fadlallah came under CIA car bomb attack in 1985 which killed around 80 people. A decade later, he was labelled as terrorist by USA.

Modern media claims to be liberal and is permitted with freedom of speech but one of its own Octavia Nasr, who had been with CNN for decades, got fired for paying a tweet homage to Ayatollah. If a person is in media or government, doesn’t mean that they hold no personal opinions. May be they had far different experience than CIA with the labelled terrorist.

Ayatollah Fadlallah has been portrayed more of as an American enemy rather than on his stance against Iran and support on women’s right. His practices were pretty much easier to adopt in common life and speak logic.

A human holds different roles and personalities in one life which defines his character. I am not an authority to judge Ayatollah but am sure he must have had some charm which made CNN’s Octavia Nasr and British Ambassador to Lebanon, Frances Guy to eulogize him.

May you rest in peace.

Dear John

2010-07-12T01:54:00.002+05:00

Saying that, you won't go to the extent where you can hurt me isn't enough. You have already hurt me in a manner, which was never invented.

Or may be you were right, am too fragile. Sadly, nobody yet has come to know how to handle me with care. For once I thought, it's you who might do but then again am bad with judgment and too quick to decide.

Thank you for teaching me a lesson. From now onwards, I will try to be a listener but not by heart, by mind my dear.

Secretly yours!!!

Short on thought !!

2010-07-08T15:12:00.001+05:00

Every morning, the last dab of lip color remind her of the tasteless touch she had with him but still no harm to look good. While putting up her lip color and making a peach outline, she suddenly remembered that it’s her turn today for the cab. After finishing the only make up she does, she checked her wallet and found that she carries no change. She hushed the thought by deciding to give the larger note to cabby, hence, nothing to worry.

It is hardly a 5 minute walk from their houses to meet at the intersection and get a cab to work. Without fail, after morning greetings, they have been telling each other how sleepless they have become after moving to this new place. He avoids looking at her completely, not in ignorance, but in an order to resist the temptation of keep looking at her long beautiful hair. This gives her an absolute chance to admire his cuteness. Things and time doesn’t seem to support the idea, still she wishes to tell him someday the curves she makes on his face, put her into century long commitments. She has not gathered the courage yet to admire any of his things. The fear of encouragement on his part impedes her need to admire him in words.

Waving at a cab, he ensures to stop the one she prefers to sit, metered one and sits only after she has made her place at the seat on his back.

She whispered in his ear, “I don’t happen to have change. So will give 20 bucks and I will get the change too”. He nodded his head in negative and said, “No need, I am carrying it”. She ignored him by taking out the note and passing it beside his freshly shaved cheek. Only she knows how hard it was not to feel them.
He asked her firmly to keep it back and put an end to whispering bickering. It was offending for her since he has paid 2 days in a row. Today, for a change, he asked the cabby to take the left turn and stopped at the corner instead of making her cross the road. Earlier, she used to wonder why does he make the cab stop much before office, but now that wondering is wandering else where. She flips over the small walks they make together.

Coming out of the cab, she folded her hands on her chest and made an expression of disapproval. He turned around her saying, “It’s all right” and both started walking. She made a comment in her fastest speaking manner, “You always do what you want to do and then listen to me. It is so hard to convince you”. He smiled and replied, “It’s early in the morning, and we both know no cabby keeps the change this time”. He made sense but she didn’t say it, instead she said “We could have tried.” He continued, while making a way for her between puddles and leaves laden trees, “I always think well before doing anything. I plan beforehand and look at every aspect properly”.

His statement made her slow down her pace and looked at him over his shoulder. Few nights back, what was he thinking when making the move? Back then he told her, that it is an unplanned desire, but now? She so wanted him to stop and answer her, only if she could merge her imagination and words together to ask him all this.

Standing at the crossroads of her thoughts, she is again losing the faith in her judgment and fate. Being a woman, she masters the art of imagination and has dived into it with him, without his knowledge, many a times since that tasteless touch.

Climbing up the stairs, she told herself, that only time and intentions will clarify the fog in her mind, to decide if it was a moment or a mistake. Till then, she has decided to keep change money always.

The Missing List

2010-07-06T14:56:00.001+05:00

I miss home……..I miss Unzi……….I miss Karachi………I miss Urdu………I miss gossiping……..I miss Unzi’s random calls……..I miss food…….I miss kids……..I miss driving…….I miss my Cuore……..I miss my Mama & Jaloo………..I miss rain…….I miss Warid…….I miss Tauseef………I miss mangoes………..I miss Singaporean Rice……….I miss shopping………I miss GEO………I miss DAWN newspaper………I miss my recycled bed-side table……….I miss weekends……….I miss people……..I miss cravings……….I miss sharing………I miss being scolded……….I miss being a chatterbox………I MISS BEING ME

Comedy of Errors

2010-06-29T19:45:00.003+05:00

There are times when one thing can have dual meanings and its makes the whole situation hilarious.
One fine my morning, my colleague opened her inbox and found a business email from Nigerian counter part, which opened like below:

Good Morning,

How was your night?

My colleague got confused and thought that other person might have done it by mistake. But, no, it was written in all good spirits.
Actually, this is how Nigerian asks about your well being. Though for us Pakistanis it’s little awkward, and we may feel offended. Our night spends are pretty personal and who asks about your night anyways; at least not in my part of the world.

Later sometime, I and few team mates were having after-lunch chat and discussing my Egyptian assignment and the Mummies. In between, my team mate popped up a statement saying “You will return becoming Mummy from there”. I was embarrassed and laughing hard at the same time and told her I hold no such plans.

Thankfully, my elders don’t get to know such comical conversations.

(FUN) Fact Sheet --- > Cairo, Egypt

2010-06-28T22:09:00.008+05:00

With in 24 hours of my landing in Egyptian capital, I learned that……

1. Egyptian women doesn’t really know how to handle kids. Leave them to cry so others can have free headache.

2. They are super-busted.

3. Extremes are found among women. From knee-length skirt to full head scarf. Just at the breakfast today, I saw a woman with her whole face covered with thick black veil. She was eating her breakfast as per the instructions of her husband. I pity her.

4. Egyptians have no sense of queuing. I literally fought for my turn at immigration counter.

5. Egyptian men love crew cut or stay bald. It suits them in my opinion. Cool.

6. Small girls can be found tying various ponytails(Note: ponytails not braids). Its done very neatly. I have to admit african reagion is too good at hair styling.

7. They love wasting time.

8. One is required to smile and ask for their well being even if you meet 5 times a day.

9. Women know beautiful ways of wearing headscarves.

10. It doesn’t really matter if it’s a Muslim country, one has to survive on toilet roll.

Speak to me

2010-06-22T17:29:00.002+05:00

There are few people I know, in this world, who can make me sleep while speaking.
Its not because they are boring, but the sweetest. The kind of tone they hold in their voice boxes is serene and works like a lullaby. Such voices should never hold meetings with me as I get hypnotized by their wonder voice.
I either start yawning, which is obviously offending, or start looking at them with dreamy expression, which again is dangerous for my own sake. Men might get wrong signals you know.

Anyways, such voices should be recorded and given to insomniacs.

Might help.

25 +

2010-06-18T11:46:00.003+05:00

Its not like that today is my birthday; just that I am realizing that how does it feel to be a little over your silver jubilee of life. Recently, a colleague celebrated her 25th birthday in festive manner. The festival started 2 days before and remained there for 4 days. My take out was that becoming 25 is a big deal so why didn’t I celebrate. May be for me it was just another year and couldn’t be stopped.

When I turned 25, my mother gave me a surprise look saying “Tum 25 ki hogayi?” I gave her a reality bite by replying “Yes, and still with you”. Her remark gave me a reality bite too that turning 25 for a girl isn’t very congratulatory but may raise eyebrows. As if turning 25 is a sin or controllable factor.

People start questioning your relationship status and its reasons, in case you are a single like me. Not only that, I also realized that girls, who are a little behind to leap the silver mark, consider themselves younger or lets say junior to me. Now, obviously I don’t expect myself to take out my ID card and show them that am 25+ and not 40+ so take a chill pill please. I think this has something to do with our social setup and culture where a girl less than 25 is supposedly still in demand and can fling away with responsibilities. On the other hand, women like me should act MORE mature, responsible, cultured and preferably married with kids. Why am emphasizing on word more; because socially speaking, girls should have all the said qualities by birth.

Being 25+ gives me an air of freedom and I consider myself on confusion-less path. The only thing freaks me most that at 25, I was all settled in life, whereas I know tons of souls who are still studying and planning future. God, I still can’t figure out why was I in a hurry?

My plans for after 25 were just like making sand castles ruined by tyrant waves of time and circumstances. Still I don’t make fuss of it. In west, people start taking life seriously and make aims much after hitting silver line. Here, in my part of world, we are done with all the seriousness by the time we reach our silver mark.

Life has its own course to teach us itself, so I guess I had my silver medal. For a while, let’s take some advance courses before life awards me a gold medal.

Au revoir

2010-05-28T17:06:00.002+05:00

Last year, for a week or so, my boss asked me to time-in at 9 which means to wake up much earlier than usual. I saluted those people who wake up early and embrace the polluted air, honking buses, side-hitting bikes, and long queues at signal. I spent that week cursing drivers, pedestrians and many other things and sighed thankfully when it ended.

For two consecutive years, I enjoyed the luxury of coming to work at 10 am. It’s the kind of time people wish for but to me, it knocked on my door itself. Waking up at 9 and snoozing alarm thrice has almost become a ritual which will no longer be followed.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, only time will tell.

Coming to office when everyone else has already reached is a privilege in a hustling bustling metro. I hardly had to face traffic jams or wait in long queues for signal to go green. The best part is I never felt like waking up at the same time like I did in academic days. There was an ease and laziness both that prevailed.

But that is not all.

I will have to leave my comfort zone of alarm snoozing, social networking, news watching, boss bugging, team talking, and most importantly bullying. A lot of stuff happened but I escaped all only by wearing ID. I write this while getting info on renewing my driving license which I never bothered before. And yes, I will also miss the untimely buzz on my phone.

Things are always sweet & sour at work but it’s the sweetness that keeps us sane.

So I am hoping that when I bid my farewell, my tenure here forms into sugar cubes to keep me strong and going.

So long, I-Division.

Ban Book

2010-05-19T17:49:00.005+05:00

And finally the Facebook is banned in Pakistan till May 31st, 2010.

The order came from legislative level nationwide after much hype of created from Pakistani facebookers against "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day". Since morning the news was making rounds and now finally at 5:15 pm, I captured the image on my work desk.

Hmph, I say we should have ignored these stupid people who are plain attention seekers. But then of all the countries, we pretend to be Muslim's Mecca (Sheikh do you hear me or busy at harem?)

According to my boss, this is a clear conspiracy to keep us away from technology, instead Pakistanis should have created an application or some event where we could draw these Dutch or cartoonists.

On my end, I think its cruel to me. First Pak. govt. put ban till month end and from June 1st, I will have it ban in my new office.

Poor me :(

Update May 20: Wikipedia too is restricted and Facebook banned for indefinite period.

Cast, Creed, and Men

2010-05-07T16:07:00.002+05:00

Few nights back, during a discussion about men, I realized some use-your-common-sense facts and defended my ideology. The conversation included my mother, sister, paternal aunt and me.

Inter - ethnic unions can ensue in lifelong rivalries and expulsion from family which makes life harder for the girl specially. With all the enlightened moderation Pakistan owns, the people are still not out of the mindsets which compel them to follow culture not religion.

Argument kicked off when my aunty said that she thinks Punjabi men are not respectful towards women and cannot be good husbands, my mother followed her. Her conviction is based on what she or many of us Urdu-speaking are instilled with since childhood against the Punjabi, Pathan, Sindhi, and Balochi. And I personally don’t blame them for this because the situation is vice-versa all over Pakistan.

According to my mother, men from tribal or feudal background don’t consider women human and mistreat them. I countered her by citing examples of so-called sophisticated Mahajir men who have beaten their wives, abused them, and womanize. Both of the women were quite.

I think that even after knowing the truth, we are not courageous enough to defy system. Men or a woman must not b stereotyped on ethnical basis. Men are mostly what their mothers make of them.

I have met people from various backgrounds who consider Mahajir men to be more sophisticated than any other ethnicity present in the country. I tend to disagree with them because humans should remain humans instead of being identified from their cast or creed. Baloch man can be as good as any Urdu speaking.

If a man had to be identified by his ethnicity, then am sure, the finest men should be Arabs for Muslims.

Muslims are just too good at denominating themselves into sects and Pakistanis master the division of a nation.

Status Struck

2010-04-28T18:00:00.000+05:00

Me: Past is a baggage which keeps hindering my way forward.

Keens: Koi nahin past is the baggage u pack for your future trips... so you are well prepared :P

Window Shopping

2010-04-27T12:54:00.003+05:00

Long ago, I asked my mother, what fun she gets from window shopping. She replied by implying, arey chaltay phirte aksar kuch acha mil hi jata hai. Aur phir burai kya hai dekhte rehne main?

I recently discovered that window shopping is not only restricted to malls and markets but invaded our houses ages ago.

This is called

Aunties, mothers, sisters, and all the not-so-necessary females form this group and march into houses offering an eligible girl for marriage. These ladies have no idea what they or the man is looking for in a bride-to-be but they hop onto the bandwagon and visit infinite number of houses. The rejection from this band of brutality has no basis since all they have to do is to eat, visit, and reject.

What surprise me most is being a female themselves, they let a woman go through agony of screening and sometimes rejection afterwards.

In my small span of experience, I listened to some of the interesting rejections from guy’s relatives:

Great Nostradamus sister: “Ummm well, I think she will become fat after having babies”
Dettol Sisters on their 2^nd visit to the girl’s house: “House wasn’t clean enough. Her mom must have not taught her.” (me thinks they wanted a maid cum bride)
Baby Bride hunters: “Girl is old enough for our brother. She must not exceed 24” (heheheheh the brother is 40+)
Material mothers: “Drawing Room tells, family isn’t modern enough” (me thinks they wanted the girl to do strip tease on their visit)

But winner rejection yet to come readers.

Someone I know went for her trolley session and sat beside the guy’s mother who was some palmist. They rejected her because her hand lines were not good enough as per the palmy-mommy.

Imagine!!!

I mean do these women think even once before saying stupidest of statements to the parents.

It’s exactly like when you are sitting at a shop, having a look at silk, chattering about its texture, print, and price. While the salesman tries to convince you to buy, you throw away the silk and leave the shop saying let us have a look in the market and decide.

And why only blame women? Its men too.

Few days back, I asked a class fellow, why he isn’t married yet since he was complaining how everyone he knows has babies now. He shot back saying he hasn’t found the one. I inquired if he has seen any girl for marriage purpose. Rest of the conversation is,

K: So what exactly are you looking in a girl?

B: Nothing much, I have seen many girls but something is missing.

K: Ohh so you have done your window shopping?

B: Well yes.

K: Still on hunt? Why?

B: Just looking for someone decent and pretty

K: So you mean your family made you see an indecent and ugly girl

Let’s finish it here everyone.

May GOD give you strength to be an item-for-sale and sense to the window shoppers.

Amen.

Am no punner but a ruler !!!

2010-04-24T16:23:00.001+05:00

Note: This post is from Feb 2010 but due to some editing mistake of mine, it has changed its date to recent.

For last few days, news scene is hilariously happening. First we had, our MPA Ms. Samina Khawar Hayat who supported polygamy for a greater cause in Pakistan. According to her, Punjab government to amend the existing laws to allow men to marry for a second, third and fourth time without the consent of their first wife.

Mrs. Hayat thinks tendency of being infidel exists in men only?

But that’s not enough. Our jet black haired PM Yusuf Raza Gilani, gave an award winning statement after a woman gave birth in rickshaw (a three wheeler public transport) in Quetta city. The woman was on her way to hospital on an auto rickshaw when she faced VIP Movement of President Zardari. Mr. President was visiting the city for launching of some development projects, while leaving a common woman in labor pain because of VIP motorcade to pass.

PM Gilani thinks it’s no big deal if a woman is delivering a baby in rickshaw. While addressing in Islamabad a day later, said

“Bachay Too Jahaz Mai Bhee Paida Hotay Hain Rikshaw Main Ho Gaya To Kiya Howa?”

(We have seen many times babies born in Air Bus, now if it happens in Rikshaw what’s the big deal)

I got to save some screen shots to add flavor.

Somebody should give a wake-up call to Mr. Gilani that Quetta is a conservative city and it is certainly not ego boosting for a man to watch sister giving birth in a traffic jam. Neither it’s safe health wise, almost risking a life while giving out a life.

I think our rulers need to come out of their comfy zones to watch how their huge protocols add up to sufferings of commoners.

After the incident, every camera flash came over the new born and every mic directed to his relatives who went through public agony. But a senior columnist Mr. Hasan Nisar made a wise crack by advising the new mother to name his son Protocol Khan or Choudhry Protocol.

Go with GOD, warriors !!!

2010-04-17T10:54:00.005+05:00

"Kya zaruri tha kay main Fauj main ata? Meri umer kay buhat say larkay college aur universities main parh rahay hongay aur main 22 saal ki umer main aglay kuch dino main apna haath katwa kar tarraqi ko daud se bahar ho jaoon ga.

Kis kay liye?

Un logon kay liye jo Ghaazion kay bajaye singers ko ahemiyat dete hain?

Jo ye tak nahi sun sakte kay hum ne maut ko kahan jakar dekha. Sirf is liye kay in logo kay aish-o-ishrat per koi harf na ayay"

Excerpt from the diary of Captain Ali Ahmed (Shaheed), North Waziristan Operation

Garbage is a Type of Men.....easy to find

2010-04-16T17:07:00.005+05:00

Thoughts on garbage while dropping the two missies at their office:

A: Sometimes you just have to ignore these types of men because you are working together for so long

K: I tell you what type is this?

U: What?

K: These are the type of men who don’t have sickness in mind or heart but they are made of filth. These are the men who think if a woman is stepping out of her house; it makes her a public property. With due to respect to their mothers but these men are nothing but garbage and that is because of their fathers. Fathers who never respected their children’s mother so how can you expect such sons to respect any woman, be it their wife or mother.

A: You are so correct. Uhhh you spoke like an editor.

K: Thanks.

U: You drive fast.

A: (back door closed properly)

U: (closed the front door as slow as ever to do it again)

K: (sped off)

Yaadasht....

2010-04-13T12:37:00.006+05:00

Saal kay kuch din aur unki tareekhein bari ahem hoti hain. Wo zehan kay kisi konay main posheeda hoti hain aur fursaat kay lamhon main ubharti hain.

Guzarte waqt, badalte zamane, palat’tee tehrir’ein, in tareekhon per gard daal deti hain.

Aur wo gard ya to un tareekhon se pehle chhat’ti hai ya baad main, waqt per nahi.

Main ye nahi kehti kay shiddat nahi, bus ab fursat nahi !!!

Fathers to remember !!!

2010-04-01T14:45:00.006+05:00

Few fathers can leave an impact on you in the most unknown and humble way. You don’t belong to them by blood but by care and concern. They can be your unintentional teachers of life.

Today on this day, two most influential fathers who are resting in heaven, share something common. S. Azhar Zaidi arrived in this world whereas S.Ahmad Razvi left this world today. I am not writing this to pay any tribute or speak too high of them. For that their children are good enough examples.

I got to know Azhar uncle because his son and my brother are two inseparable friends. He was known to me as a very placid person. A tall and bearded man with tendered expression to put you at ease right at the time of greeting; he never got me nervous. It was not till he came to stay at our place in his last days before flying to USA, I observed him closely.

Azhar uncle as usual stayed quiet but sweet. He was at a loss of his memory but still he managed to remember me as I was a regular face to him after lunch or at dinner. He used to get his things done from his son while I keep listening to his childhood memories and home town stories. He taught me to be a patient listener with keen interest in conversation. Uncle was living in a flashback which made me realize that man remembers only what he enjoyed most when his conscience is unknown, the time of carelessness and being free.

He made me feel important for himself by asking where she is while eating his meal. Watching him going through the ordeal and still at peace was a lesson itself. He made me an accomplished being when I used to bring a smile on his face by consistently listening to him and getting inquisitive.

While he was drifting away, his family hold onto him, I consider him fortunate and well paid for his deeds in this life.

Friendly, humorous, informative, palmist, accomplished naval officer and a businessman, that was Baba, as we all knew him since day one.

Have you ever seen a father who carried an aura around him? I have seen Ahmad uncle. We could easily share a laugh with him about his son or tease her daughter along with him. I befriended Razvis from the beginning of university time and I don’t regret it. They represented the genuine arrogance to teach you a lesson for life. Later, they transform and lift you up to the best because that’s what has been instilled in them by their father.

Ahmad uncle was an exemplary father for every daughter present on earth. He made me experience the respect, love, fulfillment, togetherness and enrichment of the most sacred relationship, marriage.

Do I need to say more?

I am writing this down to remind myself of the time when I learned how to be a parent to remember. You both are treasured and remembered by person you least expected.

See you in heaven!!!

Knowing your Mr.Right

2010-03-30T11:08:00.007+05:00

I don’t believe much in Mr. Right, since most of them happen to become wrong at some point of life. Since am an announced single and much naïve in knowing men, a friend keep sharing dating advice with me. The recent one really makes some sense to me so I thought I must distribute it to everyone who is about to fall in a trap or already fallen.

The 5 traits to look for, are essentials indeed.

None of the advice belongs to me or my friend. It’s by dating expert Lisa Steadman.

Dating Trait #1: He listens to you

The best way to know if Mr. Next is interested in (and worthy of) being a candidate for Mr. Right? He listens to you. You'll know he's listening when he shows genuine concern, consistently remembers things you've told him (your birthday, favorite food, best friend's name, etc.), and offers emotional support in honest and thoughtful ways.

Dating Trait #2: He connects with you easily

We've all been in those relationships that take W-O-R-K (and suck the life force out of us in the process). When a relationship works on its own, it feels effortless, easy, and fluid. You don't have to force anything, forgive anyone, or turn a blind eye to red flags or gut-twisters. Instead, you communicate and collaborate with comfort, compatibility, and undeniable chemistry. If and when you experience this kind of interaction, you are on to something really special.

Dating Trait #3: He wants the real you

So often, women feel the need to sacrifice some part of themselves to make a relationship work. In the right relationship, there's no need. You don't have to hide, tone down, or apologize for any aspect of you or your fabulous life. With the right partner, you're not only able to be yourself, but you're better able to be the best version of your most authentic self -- no compromises needed.

Dating Trait #4: He's trustworthy

A relationship without trust is doomed from the start. But a relationship with abundant trust? A fabulous foundation for real and lasting love! Built over time, trust is based on the simple belief system that your partner has your best interests at heart and will never intentionally hurt you (and vice versa). If and when you discover that Mr. Next is 100 percent trustworthy, you'll have no trouble giving your heart to him. In return, he'll most likely give you his heart and pave the way for a lasting, loving relationship to unfold.

Dating Trait #5: He enriches your life

In the wrong relationship, your partner tears you to emotional shreds, brings you down, and in general drains your energy. In the right relationship, he enriches your life, inspires you to be your best self, and brings a sense of peace and possibility to you. You'll know Mr. Next is enriching your life if and when he encourages and supports you professionally, personally, and spiritually. And when he does, he may just be Mr. Right!

I value myself !!!

2010-03-18T17:49:00.003+05:00

Lately, I have been trying to freeze the world to avoid interruptions. Sadly, these interruptions don’t let me imagine the frozen world, let alone make it a reality.

Interruptions have variable meaning to everyone. For me the most annoying disruption is from people who don’t put themselves in other shoes, yet not refrain from passing judgments. These people can be anyone from your family to friends to foes. They step on your feet and tell you it’s not painful at all and you must believe them.

During last two years, I have learned my lesson hard way about dealing with social pressures and how to cope up without taking any oral help. From left, right and center I witnessed people putting subliminal force on me for their own interest and in the end leaving it on me to choose. To their surprise, I chose what I wanted instead of giving into theirs.

One thing is for sure, no one can access your worth except your own self. Be it your parents, siblings, spouse, children, friends, etc, they all see your through their own eyes and mind. People sometime look up to me for strength and inspiration because am few of the females who stand up and fight for a right granted to them. I make some people jealous too. Am sure, I make them think that they are more miserable because they could not find the courage to come out of that misery.

I tell them it’s you who has to decide and take charge of your life. When all is good in your life, the social circle takes the credit by saying “US” and if it goes other way round, it simply becomes “YOU”. So if in the end it’s always about you, be it you with whatever you choose not others.

Yesterday, I read a couplet behind a bus saying

Hoti jo muhabbat khoon kay rishton main,

Bikte na Yusuf, Misr kay bazaaron main.

(If there was any love in blood relation,

Prophet Yusuf would not have been sold

in markets of Egypt)

GOD must have sent us to this world to understand our being and value it.

So as long as we are alive, don’t be at others’ mercy, or you will be sold cheap. We cannot get as lucky as Hazrat Yusuf A.S. hence only our strength can lead us to our liberty from society and its unseen/unborn interests.

Whenever I start feeling low and question myself, I remind myself that am HIS creation, hence worth a lot more than anyone else could access.

Sissy Brothers

2010-03-17T16:37:00.004+05:00

MPA Nighat Orakzai offers her duappata (veil) to Shahbaz Sharif after his statement for Taliban.

Speaking at a seminar on Sunday Shahbaz had said,

“Gen Musharraf planned a bloodbath of innocent Muslims at the behest of others only to prolong his rule, but we in the PML-N opposed his policies and rejected dictation from abroad and if the Taliban are also fighting for the same cause then they should not carry out acts of terror in Punjab (where the PML-N is ruling).”

The above statement came after Lahore rocked by Taliban attacks on March 12.

When the time calls for unity on all terms, Mian Shahbaz Sharif igniting people in the name of dictator and provincial difference.

According to SATP, in 2010, Pakistan had 90 bomb blasts incidents out of which only 5 were in Punjab. I think CM Punjab needs to be reminded that Pakistan is not only Punjab but has other provinces and territories as well, which needs security from Taliban. We cannot afford killings in any city, town, or village of Pakistan, let alone Punjab.

Entitled to No Title

2010-03-16T12:55:00.005+05:00

“Alcoholic is better than workaholic, because he is ruining his life at his own will.”
--Kulsoom B.

Before I start writing down my opinions on corporate life, I have few questions in mind:

-- Who do we work for?
-- What do we work for?
-- Why do we lose priorities we have set earlier before entering work life?
-- How can we let others be owner of our time or life?

There is a man whose attitude towards work compelled me to put my thoughts in black & white. That man is ZAZ, my present boss with whom I sit beside for straight 8 working hours but he stays on that chair for 25 hours (that additional hour is his wish).

No matter if its day or night, rainy or sunny, Sunday or a holiday, festival or mourning, his thoughts about work keep running at the highest pace. ZAZ’s life starts with work and likely to end on his tablet PC soon if he doesn’t help himself. I get annoyed sometimes the way he sees and deal work, he in fact worships it for no good reason and end up with illness which most of us contract with at old age. I think his brain is used to only one kind of signals i.e. office signals.

When I entered in corporate sector, I promised myself never to let it take over me and so far I have kept the promise. I own a very simple theory for not working extra hours or giving out more than the firm deserves and it says “Do they pay me extra or do I own the company?” Even if they pay me extra or lend some shares, I will have a look at my priorities after all money can’t buy all.

People like us who get their bread and butter from corporate, need to think who do we get that for? Family and ourselves, right. While we are running the race we forget about family, friends, and most important ourselves. We forget that we have a life too which needs break from the vicious circle of earn, save and build. Workaholics set their life on Blackberry and get bound on the ticking clocks and yet they call themselves free.

Freedom is more about breathing the air the way you want to, looking in a direction where your eyes sets you to, walk the path where nobody running the race, embrace life like you do with your loved one after a long day at work.

Office is a part of my life, not my life.

Pyar Aitebaar

2010-03-02T12:31:00.003+05:00

To the paths,
We never walked on,
together.

To the destiny,
We never came across,
forever.

To the trust,
we lost,
we gained in, each other.

To the love,
we found nowhere,
but
everywhere.

--Kulsoom B.

Aids Protection Bill 2010

2010-02-16T17:17:00.003+05:00

Last year, Sindh Assembly passed a resolution urging the government to make tests for Thalassemia, HIV and other diseases “mandatory” for couples before marriage, and we surely heading towards it. Earlier this morning, I received a tweet related to Aids Protection Bill in Pakistan, which also suggests including pre-marital HIV test. A sigh of relief came out of me that finally our National Assembly is presenting and passing some of the sensible bills. Recent example is Bill on Sexual Harassment which has dignified the strength of working women.

By 2006, Pakistan Government accepted 4,000 cases nationwide where as UN figures are much higher. Latest UNICEF figures present higher estimate of infected Pakistani as 150,000 nationwide, out of which 27,000 are the infected mothers. Interesting but alarming fact is that only 0.1% of young people practice prevention from the disease. There are 3% of female who prevent from the disease having comprehensive knowledge where zero% male does that.

I am really looking forward for the acceptance and implementation of Aids Protection, for the sake of saving future generations. Every other day, I see/read reports, stats, and news describing people infected from Aids from their spouses. Women are the direct victims since they have fulfill the sexual needs of a drug addict husband or a husband who slept with another infected women on a foreign trip. Some cases occur from blood transfusion as well. Many times, men marry despite they know the infection runs in their blood, but they prefer to ruin others rather than surpassing the ego of respect they hold socially.

An infected spouse can endanger many lives without realizing the social damage he/she is causing. Aids patients are not seen with much of interest or sympathy in a Pakistani society and are deprived of their basic rights. Despite, NGOs and individuals taking responsibility to promote awareness, they are far behind in compelling people. Our society is yet to build responsible enough for their action and reciprocate. Such bills if implemented can save many of us from entering into a relation known, but disease unknown.

Today, where a country like Nigeria has made pre-marital HIV Test as mandatory, countries like India are still struggling and Pakistan has taken the first step. Anyways, it’s never too late.

P.S. I have suggestion for our NA to pass a bill for checking male fertility before marriage. That too will save many from being thrown out of house or blamed for being infertile, because we still live with a myth that woman is solely liable to bear children, not man.

Its not just Coffee !!!

2010-02-15T12:02:00.002+05:00

Coffee offers gateway to the soul, says book

Coffee snobs can find more than froth and sugar at the bottom of their cups - personality lives there as well.

While strolling out of a cafe on the way to work, that cup of coffee in your hand is actually emitting hidden meanings to passers-by.

In their book The You Code, body language experts Judi James and James Moore decipher what our caffeine preferences reveal about our self esteem, stress levels and even sex life.

THE ESPRESSO DRINKER

James and Moore describe the espresso as "the unfiltered cigarette of the coffee drinking world". Espresso drinkers tend to be moody, hard-bitten and hard working. They are into leadership and fast goals. They don't suffer fools but are hard living and prone to "night-time shenanigans, followed by a rather louche attempt at day time repair". The espresso drinker can be an experienced, exciting and consummate lover but is not known for reliability or unswerving loyalty.

THE BLACK COFFEE DRINKER

This type is all about minimalism and takes a no-frills, direct approach to life.

The black coffee drinker can be quiet and moody but prone to brief bursts of extroversion. "A difficult but potentially rewarding friend, colleague or partner," James and Moore conclude.

THE LATTE DRINKER

Typically metrosexuals or cuddly-toy collectors, latte drinkers are pleasers with an overwhelming compulsion to be liked. A latte drinking boss will use a baby voice to tell you off. By taking a dark and dangerous drink and turning it into a comforting milky bedtime beverage, James and Moore say, latte drinkers reveal that while they may want to come across as hot shot contenders, they have an immature side.

THE CAPPUCCINO DRINKER

What's not to like about the extroverted, optimistic cappuccino drinker? Like their drink, cappuccino drinkers are all froth and bubble, bored by detail and liking - but not obsessed with - material objects. "Freud would have a field day here," write James and Moore. "Cappuccino froth gives the tongue the mother of all workouts and is all to do with the physicality of the experience rather than the basic consumption of the beverage." The cappuccino drinker enjoys sex but is easily bored by an unimaginative partner.

THE INSTANT COFFEE DRINKER

These are cheerful, straight forward types, who like a laugh and live by the maxim "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". But instant coffee drinkers can be unadventurous in their careers and need to let others see the hidden depths in their personality. The no-nonsense instant coffee drinker is allergic to pretentious behaviour, say James and Moore, and likely to keep their socks on during sex.

THE DECAF SOY MILK DRINKER

A self-righteous eco-worrier and attention seeker with a tendency to be picky, fussy - and squeamish in the bedroom. What's more, this faux choice implies a pretentious, high-maintenance type who wants what they can't have and is disguising their true personality. "If caffeine gives palpitations and cow's milk brings you out in spots there's little hope for you in the cockroach society that is city dwelling," James and Moore conclude.

THE FRAPPUCINO DRINKER

Flighty and shallow, the frappucino drinker will try anything once - especially if a celebrity has done it first. They fancy themselves trendsetters but send out the message that they are someone who favours style over substance. The frappucino drinker's relationships often last as long as their drink choice, according to James and Moore.

THE NON-COFFEE DRINKER

Unfortunately, the verdict isn't good. Frightened of coffee equals frightened of life, say James and Moore. If the taste of coffee puts you off you really are a child, they say, and it's time to join the world of grown-ups.

But there's hope. "Twenty one days is all it will take to break your cycle of disgust and then you'll be back in the real world."