Lahore Metblogs » Hasan Mubarak

Lahore Bloggers Meetup 2008

Hasan Mubarak — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:32:13 +0000

One sleepy Sunday afternoon in late November (23rd to be more precise) gathered all post dot com breed of citizen journalists (lately to be labelled as Bloggers) to discuss what is so special about what they do.

Audience at the Lahore Bloggers Meet-up

Google Pakistan and CIO Magazine hosted a meet-up of Lahori Bloggers and wanna-bees to discuss everything related to the phenomenon of ‘Blogging’ in Pakistan. LUMS proved to be an excellent venue (Internet connection apart) for the event providing all of us with the space and opportunity to interact, network and personally meet people that we usually know only through their blogs. Suprisingly, more than a hundred people turned up without any formal invitation still the response and the attendence was impressive.

Badar Khushnood, Country Consultant, Google Pakistan

The three-hour session started at 3:00 pm with Badar Khushnood, Country Consultant for Google in Pakistan as well as the main host of the afternoon, talked about Blog basics and provided a beginner’s guide to effective and profitable ways to share your mind through Blogosphere.

Saad Hamid (Sizlopedia) sharing his success story

It was followed by Saad Hamid (Sizlopedia) and Maryam Nasim (Pinkwool) taking the stage sharing their personal success stories in this field. Maryam, although does not calls herself a blogger, provided an excellent insight into the wonders networking through Internet can bring in terms of work-from-home kind of profitable business models. A dedicated housewife, she designs electronic greeting cards and free printable graphics to sell through her website while earning very lucrative returns in the process. The person that we really missed was Haris Nadeem (Sizzledcore), a very young and dedicated tech. blogger who actually couldn’t attend because of his exams.

The Professionals

Although the main theme of the event was networking, discussion easily moved towards more advanced topics of original content creation, revenue generation models, cash collection channels (many bloggers cursed Paypal’s absence in Pakistan), search engine optimization techniques, Adsense mechanics, and Internet security to mention a few.

Just before the end of the session, some of the main professional bloggers stepped on-stage to introduce themselves, share their insights and answer all kind of questions from the audience. In addition to Saad and Maryam, these included Touseef Ikram (Stop.pk), Ahmed Bilal (Soccer Lens), Abdullah Saad (WCCF Tech), Mr. Shirazi (Light Within), Aamir Attaa (Propakistani), Mohammad Khan (Life etc.), Adeel Ahmed (freelancer), and Tajdar Chaudhry (PR Specialist).

Khurram Amin did an excellent job of giving Google giveaways to all the right people in addition to successfully taking care of the audience as host throughout the event. All in short, the credit for bringing us together goes to the organizers and we really hope such events keep up coming more often.

Three minor explosions at Qaddafi Stadium

Hasan Mubarak — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:46:44 +0000

Panic has spread among people of the city after three consecutive explosions rocked the Punjab Institute of Languages and Alhamra Cultural Complex located within the Qaddafi Stadium Complex. Fortunately, there were no casualties and only about three people are reported to have received minor injuries.

This time, target of terrorism is Lahore’s premier cultural event, the World Performing Arts Festival which was taking place at Alhamra and was to conclude tomorrow. The iconic festival is one major attraction of the city’s arts & culture scene and brings hundreds of international artistes, singers, musicians and performers to the delight of entertainment-starved Lahoris.

Although cafeteria of the Punjab Institute of Languages showed some signs of shattering, the damage done by the miscreants is far more iconic and psychological than physical or material. But, we are neither moved nor afraid of these cowardly acts. We will surely fight back and continue doing so till each one of these elements is eliminated from our society.

QoS: Catch Bond before it’s late

Hasan Mubarak — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:47:02 +0000

DHA Cinema has been playing the latest 007 flick, Quantum of Solace, since 14th of November with only a few cinegoers buying a seat at the cinemas. Today, I finally got a chance of rushing to catch a show before it is taken down under other Bollywood heavy weight releases this winter.

Quantum of Solace at DHA Cinema

Well, QoS has everything a Bond movie should have in addition to the increasingly human element and emotional aspect that Daniel Craig brought back to the agent’s character earlier with Casino Royale and now in QoS. There is a deadly car chase right in the beginning, hard hitting fight scenes, killings, Bond’s revenge of his dead love, a Bolivian co-agent and stunning international locales.

So before the corporates decide to stop sponsoring the 3/4 empty house shows; do not listen to any negative reviews, just go and watch it with your family and friends. Believe me, on the big screen, you won’t be disappointed with Daniel Craig as Bond at all.

Upcoming releases

Other movies ’now being shown’ include Abhishek, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra starrer, Dostana and Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor’s fun-flick Golmaal Returns while the new ones lined up for releasees include Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Hellboy’s latest sequel and Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif starrer Yuvraaj.

The screen is set on fire for the winter!

Climate Change event at LUMS

Hasan Mubarak — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:07:36 +0000

Law & Policy Department at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is arranging a talk by Mr. Toufiq A. Siddiqi on Asia’s changing role in Global Climate Change. Mr. Siddiqi is a Senior Fellow of the East-West Institute in Honolulu, Hawai and has worked in the fields of energy, environment and climate change for over thirty years. He will be talking specifically about how countries in South Asia with huge challenges like poverty and fast-paced industrial development (in India’s case) should respond to the growing crisis of climate change.

Venue: PICIC Auditorium at LUMS

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008

Time: 11:00 AM

You are more than welcome to attend the event and get some insight yourself.

Kung Fu Happiness

Hasan Mubarak — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:33:56 +0000

: SKMH’s Cinema Trip for Patient Children

Charity well spent speaks for itself and Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khannum Memorial Cancer Hospital is one place where you get to experience this at its best. There have been several instances where one has had a chance of interacting with people who paid only for the transporation from their native town or village to the hospital and rest of the expenses are being taken care of by the hospital management.

Only a few days back I had an opportunity of visiting their laboratory for some regular tests. There I met this charming young boy of not more than 12 years of age who was preparing for his surgery the very next day. Of what small chat we had, he appeared to be more worried about my blood tests instead of his own procedure. I sincerely hope and pray for his treatment being successful…

I wish I had known his name…

Gadhon ki Baraat

Hasan Mubarak — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:50:38 +0000

Donkey Road Trip!

Balochistan Earthquake Relief Efforts at LUMS

Hasan Mubarak — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:39:37 +0000

Students at the Lahore University of Management Sciences have initiated a funds-collection drive for victims of earthquake in Balochistan. So far, some goods including blankets have been purchased and are being despatched to the affected areas through reliable channels.

Further contributions can be made to the fund by:

1. Contacting members of LUMS Student Council at any one of these numbers:

0333-4421930
0300-9135798
0300-2102098
0333-4497950
0333-5327102
0344-4078116

2. Depositing amounts to LUMS designated banks using the regular deposit slips and clearly stating the purpose as “Donation for Earthquake Victims”. The cheques, DD’s and pay orders issued in the name of “Lahore University of Management Sciences” will also be accepted.

3. Online donations can be made through the following URL: http://pay.lums.edu.pk/default.asp

Please help and donate to any of your local or national charities, organizations or individuals who are actively involved in the relief efforts. Thanks!

Nature’s wrath taints an October in blood again

Hasan Mubarak — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:51:13 +0000

Severe economic crunch; continuing political instability; rapidly deteriorating security situation; crisis after crisis and now, the nature does not seem to be forgiving of Pakistan’s plight as well. A powerful earthquake of 6.4 magnitude has stricken parts of Baluchistan province killing about 200 people and injuring thousands across the region according to GEO TV.

Devastating after-effects - Image Source: BBC News

Rescue efforts have been initiated to save as many people trapped under the debris and landslides as possible with Pakistan Army taking the lead. Powerful aftershocks are being felt around Quetta, and the epicentre in Ziarat Valley, which also happens to be the most picturesque of all places in the province.

Epicentre of Baluchistan Earthquake - Source: BBC News

All this reminds me of the same month four years back, in 2005 when Kashmir was devastated by an even stronger earthquake. Again, it is time for us to hold hands in solidarity and extend support, help and relief to our already deprived Balochi brethren.

Please try to reach out to organizations planning or working to get some relief goods to the affected region. We’ll update you with any details that we can possibly collect on rescue efforts.

Further Updates: IMB, Pakistaniat

Not-so-Little Red Riding Hood

Hasan Mubarak — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:06:56 +0000

This old time classic beauty was spotted at the Fortress Stadium and appeared to be in excellent condition. Most likely, the owner had to go to great extent in renovating and refurbishing this American History lesson. Can you guess the make and the model??

AIIA recently upgraded

Hasan Mubarak — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:56:17 +0000

According to a news post on the Helicopters Association International, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport has most recently installed the latest Runway Visual Range (RVR) system by Belfort Instrument Company for better visibility and safe aircraft landings during harsh weather conditions. All this makes landings in Lahore a bit more safer if you just exclude some other kind of ‘threats’ elsewhere in the city.

Apron at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore

We seriously hope security situation in the country keeps improving so that airlines that had previous plans of starting operations to or from Lahore and other cities in Pakistan and those who have discontinued their operations after a turbulent year are made welcome here again.