Bhag, Bhag, Bhag!

Nawaz Sharif is a core supporter of Wahabi form of terrorism (also called fundamentalist Islam by the likes of TIME / CNN / New York Times, etc). His younger brother, more red blooded than the big brother, is another rash Punjabi terrorist complete with zero beard and lots of mun'ch to his credit.

Recently, just in case you have forgotten it, Mian Shahbaz Sharif had requested [brother] Taliban to please kindly spare Punjab, a statement which has not gone down well with lots of Pakistanis including (surprisingly) many Punjabis. And Dawn letters to the editor section has shown us that no more hard core Punjabiat would be tolerated anymore in this country. (I am eternally thankful to ALLAH that the great Dawn newspaper does not belong to a Punjabi man from Lahore).

Today's wonderfully composed column by Mr. Irfan Hussain by the title of Teflon Tiger (http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/columnists/14-irfan-husain-teflon-tiger-030-zj-14) is immensely readable and must act as an eye opener for all. For instance, Mr. Hussain states about Sharif,

'In his two stints in power, Nawaz Sharif has been responsible for follies that the country has had to pay hundreds of billions for. The expensive motorway project and the yellow cab scheme spring to mind. And while Sharif is now known for his pious advocacy of a free and independent judiciary, let us not forget that it was his goons who stormed the Supreme Court while he was prime minister.'

He also points out quite clearly that if Mr. Zardari (who is not of a terrorist Wahabi streak) had said the same thing about Sindh ('spare Sindh my overlord', for instance) things would have been quite different. Without mentioning the term 'Punjabiat' he clearly points out the Pakistan Army, full of Punjabi baboons, would have taken strong action against him including, a fully public rebuke of the President. Some would have asked for his immediate impeachment.

But we see no such thing happening to Mr. Shahbaz Sharif. Unfortunately, our public, much of which comes from his home base Punjab, are blind to all this despite repeated terrorist attacks in the heart of the province. His big brother, a strong ally of people who fund terrorist activities in Pakistan (read Saudi regime run by the fat, monstrous king) very clearly supports Wahabization of the entire country.

If one good thing our president can do for us, it is the immediate kicking of Sharif brothers on their thick, desi-ghee induced butts. He must, anyhow, pull them to the court for embezzlement of billions of dollars by building a very luxurious and very un-necessary M-2, which connects Islamabad to Lahore, their home town. They can also be charged for running away with billions of rupees of mainly poor Pakistanis in the name of 'Qarz Utaro, Mulk Sawaro' scheme.

Thank you Mr. Hussain for writing such a wonderful article. Just like you, we hope that Nawaz Sharif and his brother are made prisoners before they have a chance to regain their power seats.

Dog and men, Rehri Goth

Dog and men, Rehri Goth
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

This is Rehri Goth, a fishing village, now part of Karachi suburbs, where Baluch and Sindhi families have lived for centuries. Today, their major earning comes from tourists who hire boats for fishing or picnic on the mangroves.

This is one of the most memorable photographs of my early life as a self-described photojournalist. The style may not be unique but it captures the daily life as well as the style of clothing - which gives sense of place and time to the frame - of the locals. It also has a dog, who is always a sidelined animal in our country. And off course the concrete huts, which are neither beautiful nor ugly.

Mehndi: Hand design patterns

Mehndi: Hand design patterns
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

This is my most viewed photograph at Flickr.com. As of today it has views over 37,000.

Window to history

Window to history
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Like this window, Karachi's history is left in piecemeal. Some broken, some dead, and some fuzzy. A single, long file of historical buildings are now rare to find. And on daily basis, some mysterious fire destroys yet another historical heritage of our city. We all know who is behind these mystery burnings of our buildings. You can easily count Ashura burnings of these buildings on M.A Jinnah road among the incidents which have become all too common.

And why not? Big money is to made out of these precious little stones.

This shot was secretly taken from a building which is now on a list of 'dangerous buildings of Karachi'. From here, early Sunday morning view of D.J Science college is fantastic.

Flower Show, Sea View

Cactus flower
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

A flower show, brilliantly organized by the ever corrupt CBC and super-duper corrupt, DHA, is being held from 4th to 7th March, 2010 [today till 10pm].

I went there along with my wife. I also requested PPA members to come along. And some of my MAJU friends were also there. It was brilliantly organized and the collection was simply fantastic. The prices of the garden items, however, were very high. I left as the rush was becoming unbearable. Rangers was posted there to help control situation, if anything went nasty.

American dress to mock Quran

American dress to mock Quran
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Mansura [also spelled as Mansoora], a town dedicated by Jamat-e-Islami to teach Quran and Jihad to its students in one of the largest seminary of the country also houses a fascinating museum having very rare items on its dusty tables. Among the most prized possessions of this museum is this American dress made by hater of Islam, who printed Ayats [verses] from Quran Sharif on this woman dress. As the museum keeper informed me, it was to mock Quran.

Chowkandi, 18Km off Karachi

Tourist at Chowkandi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Some places force you to sit and wait. Others get the best out from you. Chowkandi does both to a photographer. It is an Islamic site where Muslim rulers and their subjects used to bury their dead. More precious the body, more elaborate its stones and more intricate its carvings.

This wonderful graveyard, one of 51 Chowkandi sites spread in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, is a classic example of itself. You will be mesmerized by the lengths at which man can and decorate their dead. The workmanship is superb. And details are just too much for a newcomer.

Unfortunately, some of the precious stones have been stolen from the site and smuggled abroad. One may also find these carved bricks / stones in the drawing rooms of various politicians and officers. Such are the ways of the living. They steal the stones from the dead!