Faiz Ahmad Faiz (1911 - 1984)

Faiz Ahmad Faiz is an inspiration to millions who admire him for his revolutionary poetry and literature. Considering the depth, vision and universal relevance of his writings, Faiz is undoubtedly considered the greatest Urdu poet after Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Lahore Metblogs misses Faiz and remembers him by quoting some of his famous verses:

Koi Nahi Hai...

More on Faiz Ahmad Faiz:

- Pakistaniat
- Wikipedia

Elite Police Celebrating Win - Source: BBC News - Suggested by Shakeel Ahmad

In Lahore this morning, three different police facilities were attacked by well-trained and well-equipped terrorists. The incidents at FIA building, Manawan Police Academy and Bedian Elite Force Training Facility left at least 30 people dead including all the attackers, policemen and some civilians. Two of the targets, the FIA building and Manawan Police Training Academy have been hit by terrorists earlier as well. Although the new wave of attacks was serious, however, the response of security agencies and the police has shown an upgraded level of strike-back action.

Police force moving for action against attackers in Lahore - Source: BBC News

Yes, we are living in insecure times and when a full-fledged war is being raged against these mug-heads, they are sure to strike back. What makes all Pakistanis proud is the sacrifice of life that our soldiers and policemen are making to fight terrorism and to protect common citizens like you and me.

We should pray for these brave sons of the soil and help them by providing any information that we are able to gather against terrorists or suspicious activities around our cities and neighborhoods.

To all the policemen who lost their life today in Lahore and Kohat; every Lahori and Pakistani salutes you!

DELL Eid Gala at Hyperstar

For all you computer enthusiasts out there, Dell Pakistan is celebrating Eid at Hyperstar on the 12th and 13th of September. They are offering amazing discounts plus lots and lots of prizes for participants and visitors. So if you want some free juice (techy type), hop in to their stalls at Hyperstar with friends or family or both.

Further details of the event can be seen on their Facebook Event page: Dell Pakistan Eid Gala 2009.

We are again looking for authors at LMB who:

- are based in Lahore

- are willing to contribute actively (2-3 times a week)

- and have something to say about Lahore

If you wish to become an author at LMB; drop an email with a short profile to:

hasanmubarak@metblogs.com

Happy Metblogging! :)

In addition to a brand new outlook, the admin has finally decided to pay head to the opposition’s call of allowing comments without registration. So, it’s just like the old times again. Only a few things to keep in mind though:

- Offensive language and personal attacks should be seriously avoided

- Criticism is a good thing but it should be done gracefully and accepted positively

- Differences of opinion make discussions unique and healthy; hence, they should be encouraged

The rest, we all are sane human intellectual beings… :)

Happy commenting at LMB,

Kaptaan

The canal that runs through Lahore represents much that is good about the city. The shrubs, bushes and tall trees that line it give the provincial capital the greenery that its residents have cherished for centuries. The waterway – even today when pollution has tarnished its beauty – offers a kind of calm oasis in the heart of the urban jungle, where families picnic and fitness-lovers jog. It is these factors that have led a group of earnest citizens to renew their campaign against a plan to broaden the road along the canal which would result in hundreds of trees being chopped down. While the Punjab government argues this is necessary to maintain smooth traffic flow, the ‘Save Lahore Movement’ argues the massacre of greenery would inflict great environmental damage and indeed erode the very nature of Lahore. Trees marked for chopping have been chalked and placards put up demanding they be saved. The action by citizens including many women and children has caught public interest, with passers by stopping to find out more.

Such civic involvement in the affairs of our cities is vital. More people must get involved. Not only in Lahore but also in other cities such as Karachi, urban planners need to realize that preserving what has taken years to create is vital. Development is not only about building bigger roads or bridges. Putting in place better public transport and enforcing traffic discipline could play a still bigger role in keeping vehicles moving, while also helping to cut pollution and keep intact the trees that give life to our cities and to the people who live in them.

The News Editorial

Here is to our beloved homeland: PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!! :D

Happy Independence Day!!

iss parchap kay sayay talay – hum aik hain hum aik hain

(Under this flag we all are united as one; we are united as one)

**Happy 62nd Independence Day !!**

Everyone Singing to a Different Tune

Now that military operation has apparently come close to a conclusion in Swat; most people agree it was a step taken in the right direction despite differences in how brutally it destroyed infrastructure & caused incalculable collateral damage. Our political leadership was also as divided on the issue, though for their own interests, as depicted in this cover by Sabir Nazar for The Friday Times.

Now the Government’s success only depends on full restoration of peace; relocation of millions of IDPs back to their homes and prevention of insurgency from taking roots again in the affected areas. If our Government is to be believed; the current pause in terrorism related incidents in major cities including Lahore might be a result of this operation. We only hope the Government is telling the truth and that this operation has, in actuality, weakened the network of terrorists instead of providing them with a breeding ground for future recruits in the form of refugees.

And we sincerely pray this pause is not short-lived and that we truly will eradicate radicalism and terrorism from our society; not only in Malakand Division but also in every major city, town and village of Pakistan.

The press conference will be used to convey the points stressed upon at Lahore Bachao Tehreek’s session on 15th of July. We will update you on the things shared at the press conference afterwards.