Blog Directory
I run a private school in Islamabad, and here’s the truth behind summer school fees
During this summer, I have to pay: salaries to 36 teachers, 12 support staff members, rent, utility bills, repairs.
Re-wear that jeans and stay away from those burgers – Saving Pakistan’s water is on you now!
The amount of water that goes in a pair of jeans is roughly 10,800 litres. That’s equal to 43,200 glasses of water!
To eat or not to eat: If you support the ban on eating publically in Ramazan, your faith is weak
Is one's faith so weak that they’re afraid watching someone practice the basic act of eating will affect their...
Why do Pakistanis think Asad Umar’s claim of 10 million jobs is impossible and impractical?
How is it impractical to produce 10 million jobs for a population of 220 million, which mostly comprises of youth?
“But he called me a thief” – should PTI’s opposition also assault Imran Khan for calling them worse?
If the roles were reversed and a member of his party was slapped on live TV, would Imran still remain silent?
Married to an “alien”
The implication that they're 'alien' is offensive and disregards the martyrs, their sacrifices and their families.
Why Karachi’s Burns Road will always be the pioneer food street of Pakistan
No big food chain has been able to make inroads into the area, despite the large crowds the street manages to attract.
Imran Khan is right, Pakistan should have more than four provinces
Having four provinces made sense in 1947. Switzerland has a population of 8 million, yet it's divided into 26 parts.
“Mr Clean” caught with his hands dirty?
If he is clean and there is no forbidden source of funding, then why is he reluctant to disclose the source publicly?
Miscarriage of justice: For Khadija Siddiqui, justice was delayed and denied
A legal system which finds procedural injustice to trump substantive justice does not inspire public confidence
Can the 2018 General Elections be rigged?
The caretaker government setup for the elections will not be able to influence the results the way it did back in 2013
“Either the cement plants go, or we do”: The dry lands of Punjab’s future breadbasket
The cement plants have just bought themselves time, hoping that the CJP will retire and they can go back to business.
18th amendment: Teaching Pakistan’s children the importance of their vote
ECP can only encourage the voters to vote; it can't inculcate a intrinsic spirit of people wanting to vote...
Pakistan’s insecurity, India’s leverage, and the most generous Indus Waters Treaty
Voices in Pakistan that want to do discard or alter it because it allows India to build dams, may want to reconsider.
PTI’s 100-day agenda: No change without exchange
No party is powerful enough to implement everything it wants. If such a party exists, it would be called dictatorship.
Is China making Pakistan a client-state with its ‘debt-book diplomacy’?
If things go along the current trajectory, “cooperation” with China will become much less voluntary in the near...
Gwadar: From ghost town to gold rush town
“The dream of a new Dubai is downloading at the moment – we are just having connectivity problems” joked a...
In a country of abysmal women rights, will the Transgender Protection Act prove to be fruitful?
While the bill is both broad and inclusive, there are no fines or penalties in case any of its provisions are violated
FIFA World Cup 2018: These 4 formidable teams do not need Ronaldo or Messi to go the distance
Given their power & potential, it'll require something special from Portugal & Argentina to drag their sides through.
#ThankYouZidane: Our legend, miracle worker and saviour
Zidane came in with no experience of managing a top-tier team and came in mid-season. This was no piece of cake.
French Open 2018: Can anyone dethrone the mighty Spaniard Rafael Nadal on his own turf?
The rest will need to play out of their skin to topple the Spaniard, if they are to prevent him from winning the 11th.
Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian King and Liverpool’s mind-boggling, record-breaking miracle
He might not be the best on the planet in absolute terms, but before his injury, nobody was performing better than him
How the men in green fared in the memorable #PakvsEng
Pakistan did to England what it does best – surprise! It wasn’t just a win; it was a stamp of authority from...
#UCLFinal: If Real Madrid have ice in their veins, then Liverpool have fire in their bellies
Real will enter the arena as favourites tomorrow, but while they have experience, the Reds can boast relentless energy
Why Fakhar Zaman could be Pakistan’s wild card in #PakvsEng
The match against Leicestershire instils more belief in this wild suggestion; he scored 71 off 98 balls as an opener
Today’s Mohammad Amir is a shadow of his own past
The name has returned but the 18-year-old kid that could rip through the best batting line-ups in the world, has not.
Why limiting players’ league participation is an essential move by the PCB
When players choose to participate in every tom, dick and harry league, it brings injuries, fading fitness and fatigue
‘Lost in Space’ will make you want to fly into outer space to reconnect with your family
The latest reincarnation is one of the rare shows in this era that can be fulsome entertainment for the whole family.
The Breadwinner: A story unafraid of uncomfortable truths
Its ability to capture an intimate story against a backdrop of history and war makes the film all the more beautiful
Fry, bake or freeze: These iftar recipes will give delicious and easy a whole new meaning!
The fasts are so long and the weather so hot that the best thing is to have these goodies all prepared for frying.
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ feels like two films in one, and neither fares well
It feels as if Solo has a checklist to complete; of Star Wars references that feel unnecessarily forced into the story
The Alienist might not be the greatest show ever, but it is definitely worth a watch!
Packed with so much design detailing, the gruesome murder mystery makes you feel like you're in 19th century New York.
With these easy and yummy sehri recipes, Ramazan will go by like a breeze
Since the fast is long & the day hot, this Aloo Bhujiya & healthy smoothie will keep you fresh & satisfied till iftar.
13 Reasons Why S2: A season of secrets, guilt and the power of kindness
Season 2 focuses on everyone’s story and has a complete storyline, revealing seemingly missing parts from season 1.
With humour and humility, ‘The Perils of Being Moderately Famous’ brings literal royalty back down to earth
As the book ends, we're reminded that be it a superstar or an unknown, we are all navigating the journey of our dreams
Deadpool 2: One of the best sequels that outshines the original
It has everything; from offensive and insensitive jokes to great action scenes and visuals, along with a poignant plot
After all, killings of Kashmiri youth do not make it to primetime shows
This entire video fiasco has once again reinforced the jingoistic image of the Indian media when it comes to Kashmir.
“Failing state”? Even Indians think Swara Bhaskar should stop confusing Pakistan with her career!
A relatively unknown actress like Swara Bhaskar has many reasons to resort to such low tactics for cheap publicity
Is #ZayaNaKaro enough to bring Pakistan’s conscience back to life and end wastage?
While countless go to bed on empty stomachs or rely on food from dumpsters, the privileged take part in a food frenzy.
Hypocrisy 101: Veere Di Wedding is vulgar, but Jawani Phir Nai Ani or Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety weren’t?
Whatever appeals to the male gaze and shows women as nothing more than sex symbols is approved – legally and...
Why didn’t Adnan Sarwar stick to Zenith Irfan’s original story for ‘Motorcycle Girl’?
He keeps chipping away at the life of the real Zenith Irfan, until nothing remains but a heavily fictionalised account
8 ways ‘13 Reasons Why’ throws you into pits of darkness and leaves you there
She is kissing Alex and then having sex with Justin a moment later. Where's the sensitivity towards rape victims?
Farah Khan’s #WheelchairDiaries are proof of her privileged class and ignorant mindset
It is disrespectful to many people who find it hard to battle life with a disability and are actually wheelchair bound
Does Sonam Kapoor’s name change make her any less of a feminist?
Those who have a problem with the ‘Ahuja’ added to her name should also feel uncomfortable with the ‘Kapoor’...
In Pakistan, does #MeToo come with a desi tarka?
I am a woman. We lie. Especially when it suits us. And if we think we can play dirty and win, we cannot.
“Are you a Muslim of Ramazan?”
I immediately asked him, “Do you like Muslims?” He smiled at me and said, “Yes, but the Muslims of Ramazan only!”
In Pakistan, restaurants only care if you fast, but not if you pray
The reverse discrimination against people who attempt at being practicing Muslims in the Islamic Republic is real.
“Apna ghar khud sambhalo” – When parents throw their married daughters under the bus
If a girl is physically or emotionally abused by her spouse & tells her parents, they shouldn't tell her to...
How controversial is ‘The Spy Chronicles’?
Nothing revealed has come as a shock; the only shocking aspect of it all is the seniority of the person revealing it.
#PunishSadatBashir: Are 80 voices not proof enough?
We should be ashamed that she had to clarify what she was wearing for society to think her accusation is...
Since when is PTI’s right turn a U-turn?
Given the allegations being made, how is it not vital to reevaluate the decision of nominating Khosa for caretaker PM?
“Look at his arms, they’re huge”: The naked truth of how men have body image issues too
The lack of conversation around this has left many men exactly how you’d expect: alone and insecure.
The downfall of Bahria University: From a prestigious institute to the “six-inch university”
Six-inch rule is the product of rigid, narrow-minded individuals who have no experience but opted to run an institute.
I am a Muslim, but I fake fasting in Ramazan
Either we just admit we don’t fast and face whatever backlash, or we continue to live a lie for one month every...
If Pakistan follows Saudi Arabia’s footsteps, why not take a leaf from its sexual harassment law also?
We follow suit without a second thought. So what’s holding us back given our number of cases in this year alone?
Lesvos: From a tourist heaven to the ‘refugee island’ of drowned boats and lifejackets
“If this camp was full of 7,000 animals, there would be an outcry globally, because you can't keep animals like...
South Korea is my home away from home, but not during Ramazan
When Ramazan arrived, my husband and I felt unfulfilled, nostalgic, isolated and like fish out of water.
When the gun is the law, how far are you willing to go to save your children?
"Her country trusted ours to take care of her, and we sent her back in a coffin. How hypocritical are we for...
A new dawn for the monarchy: Will Meghan Markle follow Princess Diana’s footsteps?
Where Diana was keen on instigating rebellion throughout her marriage, Meghan exhibits a practically appealing picture
If US foreign policy were consistent, America would be bombing Israel right now
This is the real hypocrisy at play here: If Bashar al Assad is a vile war criminal, so is the Israeli government.
I was not just a Pakistani visiting India; I was travelling back in history
It was rare for a Pakistani to be here, as it was the historic turning point for pluralism turning into divisiveness.
Is Donald Trump even worthy of receiving a Nobel Peace Prize?
75% of his time is spent on legal battles with porn stars and firing people. Peace in Korea is an afterthought for him
Does removing Jinnah’s portrait prove that India is still bitter about the Partition?
Why should we make space for Jinnah’s portrait when he (and Muslims)did not want to live together in a united...
Blake Lively, infidelities, mysteries: Is ‘A Simple Favour’ the ‘Gone Girl’ of 2018?
The first vibe you get is that ‘here is another Gone Girl’. However, it's not only about a missing wife but much more.
Can Mowgli surpass The Jungle Book’s success?
Mowgli is darker than Disney’s version and tries to stay closer to source material.But did we need another adaptation?
Robin Hood’s trailer is shooting arrows but missing the target
No matter how good the action choreography and visuals are, if the story isn't engaging, the audience won’t be pleased
Wajood’s trailer fails at its one job – attraction
Instead of pulling audiences to the theatre, the unimpressive and amateurish trailer ensures they stay far, far away.
Move over, Marvel! Mission Impossible may be the most original, entertaining action movie franchise
It outdoes its predecessors in terms of its signature set pieces and the high wire, edge-of-your seat action sequences
Can Bohemian Rhapsody do justice to a band as legendary as Queen?
Judging by the trailer, it seems filmmakers were reluctant to discuss Mercury’s sexuality and his death from AIDS.
‘Terminal’ fails to grab our attention, but will Margot Robbie save the day?
With a rookie director, confusing plot-line and unknown cast (barring Robbie and Pegg), it’s impossible to get excited
Breaking In: Move over ‘Taken’ and ‘Die Hard’, there’s a new parent in town!
Reminiscent of Panic Room and Taken, it focuses on the mother’s quest to save her children from an impenetrable house.
Will ‘Azaadi’ be able to aptly capture the dream of a free Kashmir?
Considering the sensitivity of the issue, one wonders if it'll be able to rightly show their struggle post occupation.
“Allah Mian, thank you for not making me a rich person”
Imagine not being able to enjoy Eid. Rich people must have such sorrowful and gloomy Eids, she thought sadly
Mehrbano’s dreams, Saleem’s desires
Mehrbano was an unimportant person, a burden they wanted to rid of. They only cared about fulfilling Saleem’s desires.
A soldier, lost in translation
Twitching and rolled up, suffocating and remembering glimmers of the lost honeymoon
It was time for Laila to go home
When he turned around, Laila thought he was leaving. But instead, he locked the door, turned off the lamp and stayed.
The woman with hands of gold
Her hands are as magical as an elixir; her hands are what have changed my fate
We don’t talk anymore...
It had been a while since he touched her compassionately. Even when in bed, it was more of a check on their to-do list
She was a precious little flower, wilted and withered
She was a girl who believed in fairy tales. She was a girl not yet exposed to betrayal and disloyalty.
Pixie Palace was her jail, and she was carrying a new prisoner
Her successor would live in the palace & call herself a pixie, for the pixie & the palace were tied together forever.
I do not deserve to be a mother
I'm responsible for how my son lives today.I'm to be blamed for his loss, for shattering his dreams, for his condition


