It was just another day, nothing different, the sun rose to the skies, the weather warming up by the hour, everything going on as usual. Less did anyone know at LUMS that there is a grave happening to unfold before the sun sets on this day.

Hashir Munawer class of 2007, due to graduate a year later than his batch mates was seperated from the program apparently because of an abrupt change in policy. (minimum CGPA increased to 2.8 from an initial 2.2). He killed himself by hanging himself to the fan by an iron wire. Another file closed from the craziness of this world. Period.

What caused this to happen? A happy go lucky kid, who was good at volley ball, done his A levels from a prestigious school in Karachi, who was known for caring for all that came his way, a smiling face. A few things his friends had to say about him. Why didn’t anyone talk to him about it? Who broke the news to him? Why didn’t they sit him down and talk about other options in life? There were a million and one things that could’ve been done, this was NOT inevitable! Where was Nashi Khan (Student Counsellor/ Psychiatrist)? Where were his faculty advisors? Who will answer these questions? Who will finally brush all of this under the carpet?

There have been 4 suicide attempts at LUMS in 2007 (Unconfirmed sources). Changing policies at the drop of a hat and then implementing them on graduating classes and not the next new intake, the insensitivities of a “perfect” world. Does this not happen everywhere? Students get kicked out of schools in their final years for O and A levels only because they are not performing “up to the mark”? Who defines success? Who defines this mark? Have we lost our values and basic regard for humans around us in this vicious cycle? a fourth grader taking as many tuitions as there are subjects. Is “winning” everything and “living” does not measure up?

 How Many Hashirs will it take for the blind, inefficient, cold blooded, policy makers at such universities and those that drive the society? Let’s just get it over with!

 May Allah forgive Hashir’s sins and give the bereaved all the courage in the world to live through this ordeal. Aamiin

Sialkot, situated almost half the way to Islamabad from Lahore, is a city famous for exporting world class sports goods (read footballs), utensils and surgical instruments. Despite of its high industrial and economic status, the city pathetically lacks decent accomodation or hotels, and good logistics links with the rest of the country. But everything is going to change for the good now.

With a new Rs.40 billion Motorway link between Lahore and Sialkot in the planning stages, the city already has an international airport now.

Last year, the people of Sialkot made history by building the first privately owned airport in the country. SIAL by every mean and measure is the largest privately sponsored infrastructure project in Pakistan and speaks for the marvels industry investments into society can bring.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) started its first scheduled service off Sialkot on November 30, 2007 and from February 15, 2008, Sialkot has been brought online on PIA’s international service with weekly flights to Kuwait. Plans for a regular international cargo service are in the final stages too.

This indeed is great news for the people of Sialkot while for Lahoris, it gives us access to the facility of Pakistan’s longest runway (welcoming prospective arrival of the A380 in Pakistan) just on a two hours drive.

LMB congratulates the people of Sialkot for showing us all how citizens can make real difference and benefit from unity of economic and social strength.

Lahore U-16 cricket team bet Karachi by a hefty 72 runs in the first semi-final of Intra Region Under-16 Cricket Tournament this Thursday. Way to go boys!

~: Match Details :~

It’s been eighteen years since I last visited this place. And even though it was only half an hour’s drive away, I just never felt like driving through all those (usually) jam-packed roads to reach this part of Lahore - but ever since I saw this photograph, I’m yearning to visit it one more (/final?) time!

The credit for this picture goes to Michael Foley. Do check out his flickr for some more of his amazing photographs of Lahore.

UPDATES:

9:00 - Nawaz Sharif addressing masses of his jubilant supporters at Saddar Main Chowk in Lahore Cantt. According to a fellow blogger, Sohaib Athar, Mr.Sharif is to speak at four different stages set up around in the Saddar area.

8:45 - Son Hussain Nawaz and Begum Kulsoom Nawaz arrive at Jatti Umrah

7:45 - Supporters start to arrive at Jatti Umrah, Sharifs’ final destination. Two Hilux vans bring 50-60 people. Security presence still remains thin.
Metroblogger, Usman Latif says Sharifs are expected to arrive at their farm house at about 2:00 - 3:00 am.

7:40 - The Sharifs leave for Data Darbar in a procession from the airport.

7:30 - Nawaz gets emotional and has tears in his eyes. People carry him on shoulders to his car. Nawaz and Shahbaz standing on top of the car, waving to their supporters.

7:26 - Nawaz to reach Data Darbar in the form of a rally while travelling through Saddar, Garrhi Shahu, Dharampura, Shimla Pahari, Gawalmandi, and Bhaati Gate.

7:16 - Massive display of fireworks close to the airport premises.

7:13 - Hussain Nawaz, Kulsoom Nawaz and other members of the family use the ‘Domestic Lounge’ to come out of the airport.

7:08 - Nawaz and Shahbaz come out of the lounge.

Image Source: BBC News

“I’m here to play my role and also to make my own efforts to rid the country of the dictatorship,” Nawaz tells the BBC upon his landing.

7:00 - At least 2,000 PML-N workers including Hamza Shahbaz, Makhdom Javed Hashmi, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Zulifqar Khosa, Zafar Jhagrra, former President Rafiq Tarrar, MMA’s Liaqat Baloch reach the ‘International Arrivals’ gate of the airport.

6:55 - Passengers in the Airport’s arrival lounge now. ASF and the police baton-charge supporters of PML-N.

6:35 - Nawaz Sharif’s plane lands at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. The special Boeing 777 was carrying 26 members of the Sharif family.

————————————————————

Supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group) leaders have flocked to Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to receive the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, his brother, former Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif and their families.

Television coverage shows policemen beating up supporters while preventing them from entering the airport building. The political celebrities are soon expected to land in Lahore through a chartered Saudi royal plane and are to ride two gifted bulletproof Mercedes’. According to insiders, the Saudi King has even lent them a helicopter to be used in their upcoming election campaigns.

The plane is expected to land at 6:30 pm PST.

Sharifs’ return is significant, however, the overall rise in political temperature of the nation has largely remained insignificant. One of our fellow Metrobloggers, Usman Latif, who is on scene at the family farm-house of the Sharifs at Jatti Umrah, describes the reception as missing any fervor. This may largely be attributed to the fact that many party workers have been arrested and the provincial government, despite giving the Sharifs a free-hand to return, has asked them not to take out a rally on return.

According to Usman there are no security arrangements by the Government and almost the entire complex lacks the presence of any proper Muslim League figure. Absence of the common man and media at Jatti Umrah resonates a feeling that Sharifs might not be able to regain what they have lost and have been missing during the last seven years…

Last seven minutes of Geo News transmission:

A live recording from Geo Radio with people’s comments, salutes; a report on Lahorites showing solidarity with Geo News by placing flowers at the Lahore Bureau; an emotional tribute of a woman; and a few more news stories:

Due to security concerns expressed by the South African team after a suicide attack on the ex-PM Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, the final clash between Pakistan and South Africa has been shifted from Karachi’s National Stadium to Lahore.

Pakistan team-mates celebrate the fall of Herchelle Gibbs on Oct.23 in the 3rd ODI played at Faisalabad - Image Source: AFP through Cricinfo

“The fifth ODI will now be played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on 29th October,” read a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The venue was changed on the request of the South African team management.”

“On the request of the PCB, the South African team management sent one of their security officers to Karachi yesterday who held meetings with various offices of the government of Sindh. Despite all assurances given to the security officer, he felt that playing in Karachi was not feasible for the moment.”

South Africa avoided playing in Karachi on their previous tour in 2003, but played a warm-up game and a Test this time, staying in the city for over ten days. But the twin suicide bombs targeted at Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister, that killed 140 people and injured hundreds more last Thursday made the situation uncomfortable for South Africa.

Osman Samiuddin at Cricinfo writes in detail: Final ODI shifted to Lahore

Lahoris get another chance to witness an exciting match between the two teams, out of which Pakistan leads the ODI series with two wins over South Africa’s single success.

Last night (which was a fairly chilled, calm and serene October night… with just the right temperature and a unique soothing fragrance in the air) I happened to visit LUMS… Now I wasn’t planning to visit LUMS per say… let’s say… till Iftaar time; but a generous invitation from Bilal Rashid (from jbnjaws), comprising the statement “LUMS main bohat scene on hai iss waqat” and a direct query from the captain (of LMB) whether anyone would be there to discover and then cover whatever scene sheen is on at LUMS, found me at my alma mater… last night at 11:00 pm.

It was one of those nights when a bunch of celebrities… I think around 22 of them… had ended up at LUMS. There was Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, even Abrar ul Haq… none of them was playing music however; instead they were playing cricket… Yes sir, pure, unadulterated, tape ball, 20Twenty cricket. When I reached there the flood lights were on, commentators were rambling about similarities between Abrar ul Haq and Misbah ul Haq, and an intense match was on in the middle, between Rock Stars eleven and Pop Stars eleven. Atif Aslam was bowling his heart out, a pretty impressive crowd of students as well as outsiders (even some families) was shouting its lungs out, Ali Zafar took an impressive catch, and someone standing near me almost fainted.
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I saw the billboard today and thought to share, it sounds quite healthy activity.

“The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a global non-profit organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship. Established in 1992 by executives from Silicon Valley, TiE has grown into a vibrant and professional voluntary organization dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship. Today, the TiE network spans forty four regional chapters across nine countries. TiE membership comprises of highly successful individuals from a variety of business and academic backgrounds, uniting in their effort to provide a dynamic and vibrant environment in which entrepreneurs can share their experiences and draw from a common pool of knowledge. By facilitating the germination of ideas into actual businesses, TiE has created wealth and helped boost economy of the geography in which it operates. It is estimated that over $200 billion of economic wealth creation has resulted from TiE’s initiatives.

TiE’s Lahore Chapter was established in 2002 by Syed Babar Ali and is housed at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). TiE’s Karachi Chapter was launched in 2001 with Zakir Mehmood, President of Habib Bank Ltd., as its founding president. TiE’s Pakistan chapters comprise of over forty of the countries pre-eminent business leaders and CEO’s as Charter Members.”

“Beleive in your dreams Eligibility Criteria

Team size: min 3 and max 5 members.
At least one member must be Pakistani.
Team must be multi-disciplinary.
Participant’s minimum age: 21 years.

Awards and Prices

1st Prize: Rs. 500,000/-
2nd Prize: Rs. 300,000/-
3rd Prize: Rs. 200,000/-

Conditioning Workshop

One week-long workshop to prepare the selected teams for the final competition.”

Above details are from http://www.businessplan.pk/

Prayer for the Day:
“Ay Allah, bayshuk tu maaf karnay wala hay, maaf karnay ko pasand karta hay, pus hamain maaf farma.”

Today’s To-do:
Buy good quality prepared food that you like and everyone would like and drop that in mosque near by you that has madrisah and lots of students. Kam ya ziada, mahnga ya sasta, JUST DO IT.

Thought for the Day:
Value your blood relations, they come first. Feel the importance of your presence around them. Talk to them, admire them, appreciate them, be around and be available and observe how this little conscious effort will affect you and them.

Recipe of the Day: Pizza Toast

Ingredients:
4 slices of bread
Chicken chunks as many as you like (preferably K&N or homemade)
Tomato ketchup/Pizza sauce
Mozzarella cheese: ½ cup, grated
Cheddar cheese: ½ cup, grated
(mix both Mozzarella and Cheddar)
Vegetables of your choice

Directions:
Place bread slices in a greased baking tray. Spread a little cheese, then chicken chunks and then ketchup. Add veges of your choice, if you want to. Make final topping of cheese and allow tomato ketchup to show up a little. Bake for 5-10 minutes. Grill if you want a golden color of cheese.

Nazreen o Hazreen, ab pizza toasts nosh farmanay kai liye bilkul tayar hain.

*You can spread butter on the slices to get a full crust.

Have a nice day! :)