Is it asli? : Eating ‘Karachi’s mashoor Peshawari Ice-cream’…in Peshawar
Rather go to Lahore than trek to Nazimabad for Hardee’s? Rather wait for the rush of people to subside than wait for 50 minutes in the line outside? Not a problem — the best feeling of watching the golden star installed on the top of restaurant is that somewhere, somehow, a knock off golden star is being constructed. And there’s nothing the real Hardee’s can do about it. Welcome to the barely there-copyright land. “Hamari sirf eik branch hai” is about the best you can say to stop it. Actually, it’s about the only thing that people end up saying. It’s printed on every ...
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Why I ceased contact with the Hizb ut-Tahrir
Have you ever wondered how organizations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir operate? Their activities are shrouded in secrecy and our all-powerful agencies say that they have had little success in dismantling the network. While agencies might be doing their best, it looks like they have not penetrated the actual methods of communications between the leaders, activists and low ranking associates of the group. The history of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s activities in Pakistan is relatively new. The UK based group surfaced in different varsities of Pakistan right after Musharraf agreed to join the war against terrorism. They targeted educated young Pakistanis in different colleges ...
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What my 5-month-old taught me
Usually, what goes on in the labor room, stays in the labor room. While some progressive hospitals allows dads to enjoy the whole birthing experience, more often than not, us dads and the couple’s close relatives sit in the waiting area, praying for the health of the mother and the baby. Just like in the movies, the father-to-be can clearly be distinguished from the lot as he paces the length of dimly-lit corridors, biting his nails, waiting for the nurse to come out with some good news – it’s just like a scene straight out of a movie. It could take hours, ...
Read Full PostFor summer interns, a crash course in becoming a daakter saab
‘You have many career options. They all end in medicine.’ This is a joke from a viral Facebook group called Desitips, which as the name suggests imparts advice to ‘Desis’. The joke is not far off the mark: the ‘Daakter’ [doctor] is a goal coveted by many ambitious parents, borne by their unsuspecting children. The Daakter is also my medical student of a cousin, who once visited straight from university to throw a bone at me. “It’s called the Humerus bone!” she yelled excitedly, while I searched for disinfectant. No one lives and breathes medical science more than her. Then ...
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What does my hair have to do with my kick?
News that Fifa has banned the Iranian women’s football team from participating in the Olympics on account of their headscarves has been met with much criticism, but the real issues are not being addressed. Sport has reared it’s ugly bigoted head yet again. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Whether it’s sexuality, gender, religion or race, sport seems to be the perpetually re-offending schoolyard bully. Headscarves have been banned under the old hackneyed excuse of health and safety. Fifa’s ruling vaguely stipulates: “Players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player.” This is an embarrassingly flaccid argument that is ...
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Yes, my name is Romeo Armani
When I wrote my first story, I was hesitant to show it to anyone. The main reason was my name. I was hesitant to associate my real name with the story. Eight years passed and the story got buried under a pile of papers on my desk. When I was leaving for England, I emptied my drawers and came across the same little story. For some reason I decided to put it in my suitcase and take it with me. In England, I redesigned many of my dreams and reinvented myself in order to achieve my goals. After I completed my ...
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Basant is banned for the right reasons
I have vivid memories of Basant. Everyone would be caught up in the spirit and festivities of the season. Maybe it’s because all one really needed to celebrate was a long string and a kite. And if you still couldn’t afford that, you could snatch one that’s drifting awayin the sky. But alas, the festival which once attracted tourists from far and wide to Lahore is now a thing of the past. Anger at the government’s ban The Punjab government’s decision to ban Basant sparked a hot debate on Twitter. Pro-Basant activists believe the onus is on the government to provide ...
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Investment totkas: Finance in the drawing room
In our society there exist a few enlightened ladies who are never short on offering a few nuggets of advice to those they deem unfortunate enough. They may tell one exactly what food may render one’s complexion fair, what occupation is the secret to a lifetime of happiness and what qualities one should look for in a spouse. It would seem that these omnipotent ladies have discovered the instruction manual for life. For the rest of us, that manual seems to be in Chinese. I was pleasantly surprised when, having completed a degree in finance, I received a few pearls ...
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You Like me, you Like me not
“Man kills sister on court premises.” 9 people like this. “Explosion in Peshawar mosque, 3 dead.” 28 people like this. “Twin suicide attacks at Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine.” 230 people like this Doesn’t this appear disconcerting to you? It was alright if you ‘liked’ my pictures or comments. But must you like everything? Is that the only form of reaction left online? Yes,I know you don’t really like it, in the true sense of the word’s meaning. You hit the only button available for appreciation (besides the one for tweets). But that’s how it appears to readers. Am I the only one ...
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All Kayani’s men: Who is the real enemy?
Pakistan was born in horrendous bloodshed between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims; and within two months of its birth, fighting had broken out with India over the fate of the Muslim-majority state of Kashmir. This fighting has continued on and off ever since. Two out of Pakistan’s three wars with India have been fought over Kashmir, as have several smaller campaigns. These include the bitter, 25-year-long struggle for the Siachen Glacier (possibly the most strategically pointless fight in the entire history of human conflict) initiated by India in 1984. The vast majority of Pakistani soldiers have served in Kashmir at ...
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