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We, the people... We, the people of Pakistan, have yearned for democracy ever since the country came into being. We fell into despair every time democracy failed, and celebrated whenever elections were held, mistaking them for democracy....		Lady Liberty sheds tears Recently, I had the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York. She had tears in her stony eyes. Why do you cry, I asked? “I am French by origin, but since I have come here...
The joys of junk mail The people that are behind junk mail are the people who really care for your health and wellbeing. Imagine such people agonizing over your problems while you read a newspaper, sitting...		In the name of charity There has been a striking increase in the number of merry charity balls in the city. Is it the result of a thirst for fun in these tense times or a...
A changing world In the late autumn of 1964, when the days are sultry and the evenings are cool in Karachi, Rene Burri, the Swiss photographer and I left for China. My intention was...		The gender divide In theory, modern society brooks no discrimination between males and females. In reality, it is there everywhere; in homes, education, laws and the economy. Many an apologist for status quo whitewash...
A night at the hostel A night in varsity hostel When I got admission in the University of Karachi, my parents were migrating to the United States for good. I asked them...		The chopping block Looking back, one comes across little joy in the years of military rule or military-civil partnership except in one area: cleanliness. The men dressed in khaki made sure that civilian urban...
A trip in nostalgia Much has been written about Murree; once a beautiful and serene small hill station of the British Raj and troops, and also the summer residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the...		An endangered site It may be hard to believe but Pattan Minara, an ancient historical site about 15 kilometres east of Rahim Yar Khan has been sold out to influential land owners and may...
Pop music on its way out No art form ever remains static. By its very nature, it continues to absorb political, social, economic and even scientific influences spawned by the latest developments. The emergence of pop music...		Glitz, glitter and greed Fairylights twinkle in the soft, grey light of a winter evening. Fragrant steam billows out from kebab joints along ‘The Mall.’ Beggars whine with outstretched hands and music blasts out of...
Finding a way to control traffic hazards “Reckless driving costs three lives”, “Two motorcyclists crushed to death by a speeding water tanker”, or such other headlines appear almost every day in all newspapers. This is a reflection of...		Sachal Sarmast: a versatile mystic Sachal Sarmast, whose Urs ceremony is held at Daraza Sharif in Khairpur district on every 14th of Ramazan, is regarded as one of the most prominent mystic poets of Sindh. He...
CHAPTERS FROM HISTORY: Sindhi culture through history There are two important factors that caused nations to suffer in the past: internal crises that led to civil wars and rebellions in which powerful groups or individuals tried to dominate...		Human spatial behaviour As human being, we behave in physical settings. The point is an obvious one. What is not so obvious are the ways in which the nature, organization, and meaning of various...
POINT OF VIEW: All in the family A SON manages to finish off what had been left unfinished by his father. Such is an old proverb in Persian. But in our modern times, so often daughters and wives...		Hockey talent on display AS curtains came down on the Golden Jubilee National Hockey Championship, the improved performance of players provided a silver lining on the dark clouds of Pakistan hockey lying ditched to the qualifying rounds of major world competitions....
The commercial side of World Cup Along with the competition of teams during World Cup at the cricket grounds we watch the competition of brands in advertisements just popping up from time to time during the game...		THROUGH THE COVERS: Weather making a mess of things WHAT a World Cup we are having! It is still in its second week as I write these lines, and elimination of South Africa, the hosts, is already a distinct possibility....
Of family disputes PAWLA’s legal aid service for the needy and distressed women started in the mid-eighties. It has grown over the years — the number of aggrieved women approaching the centre has doubled every year...		NEWSMAKER IN the name of the people, we have found the accused, Mounir El Motassadeq, guilty of the...charges,” said the presiding judge, Albrecht Mentz, before reading out the verdict on Wednesday, Feb 19....