Faisalabad- Fond Memories and a Reality Check on January 22, 2023My heart skips a beat or two every time I enter Lyallpur, which is incorrectly named Faisalabad for a very good reason; I have tons of fond childhood and youthful memories associated with this city. Be it the rising dust from our grandfather’s car on a dirt road being chased by village kids and stray […]
Nation Needs a Break on January 15, 2023“Lalchee nu jhuta marda aiy” a Punjabi saying, translates as “greedy’s undoing is a liar.” Rustic wisdom that has been passed down through generations now has a new twist. “Lalchee” and “Jhuta” have teamed up as PDM, an unholy alliance harming Pakistan’s future. The nation is on the brink of financial disintegration, yet their top […]
Youth is our hope on January 8, 2023Pakistanis are creative and enterprising. They find ways of coping, whether surviving in abject poverty or developing their future, if given an opportunity. Few nations are blessed with these traits. Having lived abroad and being exposed to different peoples, this entrepreneurial spirit is quite rare. Generally folks seek regularity and routine that provides security. Living […]
In Loving Memory of Javed Randhawa on January 4, 2023Living in Riyadh in the eighties had its challenges. The workplace was fulfilling and challenging; however, there was a void in home entertainment. There was one TV channel in Arabic. This vacuum was filled by enterprising businessmen; Indian movies and Pakistani dramas on VHS tapes appeared for rental. They were surreptitiously distributed from concealed counters, […]
Hypocrisy Peaks in the Season of Giving on December 25, 2022It is the season of giving amongst those practising the Christian faith around the world. Many go above and beyond their means to buy gifts for their loved ones. It is an expression of affection, care and gratitude shared with family and friends. This holiday season celebrates Christmas and ushers in New Year. There is […]
Good Faith Negotiations Only Way Out of a Quagmire on December 18, 2022We have to draw inspiration from our centuries-old heritage of dispute resolution. It is “Pariya” or “Panchayat” in Sind and Punjab and “Jirga” in KP and Baluchistan. It is equivalent to a Council of Elders. Historically conflicts have ended only two ways. Either one’s foe is entirely vanquished into submission, or a compromise is reached […]
A Nation Adrift with No Moral Compass on December 11, 2022I was passing through the stringent security check at Toronto Airport. It was crowded; fear of travel is gone as Covid restrictions ease. While emptying my pockets and pulling the laptop out of its bag, I dropped my boarding pass and computer mouse. Unaware, I moved ahead for a physical check. The passenger behind me […]
A NEW DAWN? on November 27, 2022“Amavas” or “Amavasya” is a Hindi word for a moonless night. It is a dark night as the moon overlaps the sun. As the planets move in their orbit, it is also known as a new moon night. It has a major significance for Hindus. For verification, I spoke to my close Indian friends Arjun […]
Bankruptcy Looms Large -A Wakeup Call on November 20, 2022“Har pasay bhan taroor” a Punjabi phrase that describes destruction and chaos prevailing all around. Governance is adrift; it is difficult to determine who is in charge. Suppression and brutality is the order of the day to muzzle dissenting voices. People are being crushed by unprecedented inflation with no end in sight and nothing is […]
Crime Syndicate Relies On Brute Force, Deceit on November 13, 2022I couldn’t sleep after seeing the gory details broadcast by Kamran Shahid about Arshad Sharif’s mutilated hands and body. I am seventy-plus and have been around the block many times. If I feel that way, how will Arshad’s young kids react? This callous game of thrones by our rulers will permanently scar these innocent minds […]