As the title of this post suggests “don’t eat “Luddoos”, SPECIALLY from any “khokha” during a long drive, you must have been surprised that where these Luddoos came from? Actually, its all about Zibahkhana. Yes, finally I made it to FiLUMS festival’s third and last day. They said it will start at SHARP 7:30 PM, but it took a little while to get seated “on stairs” and it started around 8 o’clock. Expectedly, there was a huge crowd, mostly were the students, and I saw a very few outsiders there. First, Shanu Taxi was played on, it was a short film by Vasant, a director from India. Shanu Taxi was about 15-20 minutes’ duration and was based on a random thought about a twist in a taxi driver’s life after receiving a gift of mobile as a reward of his honesty, no doubt it was a thought-provoking piece of celluloid, and after that came Zibahkhana.
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As opposition & lawyers are marching on The Mall – city is again stuck with the common problem of traffic jam … Commuters are advised not to take route of Campus bridge, The Mall (starting from Cheering Cross) till GPO – Jail Road, Ferozepure Road and Davis Road are the best possible paths to reach this part of the city besides all roads are still full with traffic – hope this situation clears peacefully.

When I saw this monkey, having an ice-cream at 00:30hrs at Liberty market, I was amazed to see it ‘coz I never saw a monkey enjoying an ice-cream, before. No one passed from there without stopping for a while to see this unusual act. The “madaari” was sitting contended; as he didn’t have to show any feat because; a monkey eating an ice-cream cone was not less than a feat itself.

That amused me for a while and I couldn’t stop myself from capturing the scene in my mobile. The monkey was really enjoying it as it was (may be) the unusual treat for him. But another angel of the whole scenario came in to my mind.

Was the monkey happy at getting the ice-cream or was just thanking the GOD for at least getting it…?

How would it feel to you when, you have a collar in your neck and some other individual is having the chain and is commanding you… When you can’t enjoy the liberation, can’t enjoy the trees, can’t enjoy the bananas (he may have forgotten even the taste of bananas), can’t speak, can’t argue, can’t have your own will and are just dancing at the fingers (may be sticks) of someone else..!

And even after the showcase of your effort, your sincerity, your submission, your silence, your hard work, your talent, your creativity, your capability and even killing of your own dignity, self respect, and desires you are not rewarded with what you deserves.

That’s the condition of our nation. A person having our chain in his hand has given us the treat of the development, enlightened moderation, democracy, press freedumb (freedom), and a right to speak just on yourself.

So finding no other solution, we are in a hurry to eat it because we all want to have (at least) what ever is available. May be that’s the phenomena on which our ‘elites’ including our politicians are acting upon and are looting this nation by both hands.
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As every one is aware of the current situation in our brother city “Karachi”, everyone is in despair, feeling helpless, unable to do anything for his country; for his city, for anyone and even unable to do anything (at least) to save himself.

There’s mourning every where especially in Karachi. Everyone is talking about it but actually no one has the courage to speak up for his country, for his city or at least for himself.

No one is able to find the solution or I must say; no one lets to find the solution.

But what the problems and solutions are, the hurting thing is that every time it is Karachi; who has to pay for it. Now the question arises “WHY?”

Is that because it’s the biggest city or it is the financial hub or it is the home of some notoriously innocent people…?

Does it shows, how “weaker” our government is or does it shows how “powerful” our government is..?

Whatever the problem is; the solution is needed urgently.

On our part, we Lahoris pay tribute to you people (karachi’ites), you are really strong and may Allah give you more strength and solve all your problems. (Aameen!)

warddi ki sidaarat mein,

khambon ki wizaarat mein,

chaar soo andhera hai,

“roshniyon ke sheher” mein,

khauf ka baseraa hai…!

Live long Karachi!
Lahore is with you..!

We do observe cows or goats etc. mostly in a truck, transfering from one place to another. Its a rare occasion, if a Camal is being transported in Lahore, kabhi kabhi inn ko bhi lift chahyey hoti hai (sometimes Camals do need a lift), interesting sight for you guys.

Karachi, one of the few largest cities in the world. Metropolis. Multicultural. Akkhh. Dozens dead. Our own people. No reason, definitly no rhymes. Only excuses. Only the lust for power, only the deviations of our own selves. But who did it? Who are you, o hidden one, tearing at our country, infesting our values and forever staining our moral fabrics, who are you?

MQM. Altaf Hussain. His party started the rally. They are very, very – nay, EXTREMELY – notorious for their activities in KHE. They were the ones on TV claiming Karachi to be their own! Altaf Saab chills in London, his goons spread terror and unrest all over the city, snatch cell phones and create chaos since early 70′s.

Musharaf. For seven years, not a single institution has been set up. Not even a single! He is known for his tact, his alliance is still undecided. Singlehandedly almost uplifted the economy, piggybacking on the overall Asian boom and has known to call it his own doings. The economy’s uplift is easily, and unfortunately, diluted with rich-poor disparity and civilian unrest over at Wana, Islamabad and now KHE.

Agencies. Like the Jins of our world, when you do not find any other plausable culprit, ‘it must be the agencies’. But smoke probably does have some fire underneath it; their baiseness come election days, their ‘state-less’ existence, implications in almost every crime attributed to Pakistan, may it be Kargil, may it be Talibans, may it be Wana, may it be elections rigging.

Dare to pick, my friends?

Every season has some memories and some little pleasures in it. Most of us enjoy the significance of almost, every season. You definitely recall something in your mind when you think about any season, whether its your favorite or not.

That something can be a good or may be a bad reminder but now, in Pakistan, summer has attached that “something” as just only a bad reminder to all…

Now when ever we think about summer, we think about the load shedding instead of those cool sleeps at noon and the outings with the family at midnight.

There is no one who is not aware of the energy crisis of Pakistan. Everyone is affected by this but practically; no one acts to overcome this problem…

The government is responsible but we are equally responsible for this situation. (Basically I m pointing towards the domestic use of electricity.)

But that’s not all…

We have something which is not visible to common people but it is costing us a lot!

A few days back I saw a billboard in front of the main gate of “Model Town Central Park” that its lights were on at about 08:30am. I stopped for a while to have a look and found that the lights of the second bill board were also on. Then I made a trip to observe the others and was really amazed that none of the lights were turned off even at the day time. (see the lights in all the pictures)

And even that’s not all…
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Of course, its not the name of my directorial debut for FiLUMS ;), not Ajoka’s new stage play, and even not some famous personalities around me, but they are the “words” that are full of affection, care, warmth and friendliness. Most of the Lahoris use nicknames to call a person whether he is a neighbor or a passerby, just to show friendliness and frankness. Other than our rural areas, it only happens in a big city like Lahore that Fazal is called as Phajja, Mahmood is known as Mooda, Ghulam as Gaamaa and many others are known by other famous nicknames like Guddu, Munni, Nanhi, Pappu, Chota, Munnu and Chunno and lot more. Moreover, its not only the name but its the eccentric way these names are called with, a special tone with a tinge of interwoven musical notes, a Khalis Lahori Style (a true Lahori style). I still remember a kid Abid from Lahore, who was known as Abud :)

O ChoooouuuutttTayyyyyYYY :)

Media used to portray such phenomenon and Lahori style is always loved by people, when we were kids we used to copy Lahore Television’s most celebrated characters, specially the way they talk and their “takya kalams”, …….Pachanaaa, Nai Pachana?

Now unfortunately, these names have become extinct or may be the integral warmth related to these names has just vanished. Most of the new generation of Lahore has now turned into Sunny, Bunty, Micki , Jef etc. etc. Even the people from walled city now prefer to be called with their real first names, not with caricatured nicks.

I think we are going to lose “Gaamaa” and “Phajja” and associated friendliness, in fact our true style somehow, and as well, we failed to keep the essence of our style of communication so far, which we are famous for.

Dead bodies, blocked roads, burnt vehicles, bullet marks on buildings, gun-shots; This was what we all witnessed happening in Karachi throughout the day, real and live on TV.

Source: BBC News

With the arrival of CJP in Karachi, rival political parties turned the city streets into a raging battle front. Bloody massacre of innocent people and un-interrupted firing resulted in scores of people badly injured, helpless, un-rescued lying in burning buses.

The same CJP rallied in Lahore too. Throughout his 25 hours rally journey from Islamabad to Lahore, not a single person was hurt and only a few unpleasant minor clashes with the police were recorded. Then, what happened in Karachi?

We saw; we saw with heavy hearts, Edhi ambulances being attacked by thugs, frightened street children escaping the battle ground, Media under attack and people shot and wounded, lying helpless on the streets praying someone may brave these constant rounds of AK-17s and come for their help.

MAY GOD SAVE US; OUR CITIES; OUR COUNTRY; OUR HOME!

While, I wish I never see in my city what I have seen happening in Karachi today on TV, I must say this to the people of Karachi, ‘We, Lahoris, are with you; we share your grief, and we pray for your safety and well being.”

And, I stand up in honor and salute that Edhi driver who lost his life while saving two. May God bless souls of the deceased. Amen!

Read more on: Karachi Metblog

Attention all movie buffs out there, its popcorn and soda time again! Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is bringing you the second annual amateur short film festival – FiLUMS ’07. Featuring entries from all over Pakistan, this time the event promises to be even bigger and BETTER.
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