White Bengal Tiger, Karachi

White Bengal Tiger, Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

I cannot remember ever seeing White Bengal Tiger live. That was the first time I saw it and instantly loved it. I have seen countless National Geographic documentaries on this wonderful creature. Few of them now remain in the wild, thanks to excessive poaching and killing by British colonial rulers of British India.

Directions for visiting this place:

Drive on Sohrab Goth from Karachi. Turn left after Al-Habib restaurant. Turn right on the first cut. Go straight on the road and after 5 minutes of driving ask for directions. This place is approx. 27 KM from the city. This park timings are: 10 AM to 5 PM daily. No prior bookings are required. Rs.150 / person is the fee for entrance.

(Family trip today with my family, Ateeq bhai's family and Sobia Apa's family minus her husband.)

Chaman railway station

Traveller: Chaman railway station
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Yup. That's the last railway station this side of the border. And in good times or in any other country this would have been THE station. Unfortunately, disintegrating neighbour, Afghanistan, and some bad political situation within the country has caused this station to be static and very slow. That's unfortunate but till now it still retains its old colonial outlook. And I simply love the timeless posture of this man.

Destroying heritage in Karachi

Destroying heritage in Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Yet another building of pre-partition era (before 1947) is destroyed to make way for the new structure. And the government of Pakistan has failed yet again to do anything about it. For more details on historical quarters of Karachi read the following book published by Oxford Press of Pakistan and written by Yasmin Cheema:

http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Quarters-Karachi-Yasmin-Cheema/dp/0195979761/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292214966&sr=1-1

Makli: Locked to preserve

Makli: Locked to preserve
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Makli is a large necropolis near the modern day Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan. It covers approx. 8 Km and is perhaps one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. Oldest tombs belong to Muslim rulers and Saints date back to 14 century. Over a million people are said to be burried here. Unfortunately, like other historical sites across Pakistan, Makli too has faced ravages of time and people. Its stones have been stolen and taken abroad for sale; its walls defaced; its bricks used in newer construction; and the ever presence of vandals around the site have damaged it tremendously. So much so that on my visit here in 2007 I found one of the tombs locked by the authorities to prevent more loot.

On Assignment: Injection for bee sting

On Assignment: Injection for bee sting
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Sometimes while photographing you get nasty hits or accidents or nasty bees out to get you down. I got, along with all my family members, a honey bee sting for which I am seen here getting immediate medical attention. No one got seriously hurt that day at New Jatoi village and we are glad we drove home safely.

Actually we were passing mango and peepal trees when the attack came. It was sudden and sharp and almost within seconds bees were everywhere making us run for our life. Before that day I never have had any experience of a bee attack. It was classic attack and we later had a hearty laugh.

Photograph by Sehreen Faraz.

New Jatoi forest area, Sindh

New Jatoi forest area, Sindh
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

I love woodlands, forest areas and trees. More shade more I love them. No wonder than that this walk among the trees at New Jatoi got me such a classy, wallpaper type image.

Tire smuggling, Chaman

Tire smuggling, Chaman
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Smuggling is the best option in Chaman if you want to survive the cut throat competition from various Pathans out there. And for smuggling you need to have guts, some hard cash for the officials, and a sincere single-minded approach towards life and work. Your children should also be great little-smugglers. And indeed there are, if they work on Pak-Afghan border, second in importance to Torkham border near Peshawar, which connects two troubled countries.

I photographed this man carrying loads of tires from across Afghanistan. He was heading towards Customs Office nearby. No wonder Pakistan needs so much International Aid despite so much business. No one pays the taxes. Not these Pathans driving across from Afghanistan. Certainly not the ministers in our cabinet. And surely not our Prime Minister, who did not pay a single Paisa this financial year. Goodness me.