Cricketers from punjab harm Pakistan's image

Yes, you heard it right: Punjab born cricketers including Salman Butt, the Test captain for 2010 summer Test series against England, has taken the bribe and destroyed image of Pakistan yet again. These bastard Punjabis continue to defame Pakistanis at all levels. No wonder then the main culprit besides Salman Butt also appears to be a full blooded Punajbi Mazhar Majeed, the bookie par excellence. Please also recall infamous match fixing scandals of other Pakistani greats, Wasim Akram and Waqar Yonus. They also belonged to Punjab province of Pakistan.

I have just read reports in Guardian paper that investigations are underway and that test match will continue. We hope PCB, headed by Ijaz Butt will take strong action against the proven madness of our players. And that it will come clean on this issue. Thanks to God that finally we have proof of involvement of our players in match-fixing.

Free Iftar @ Memon Masjid

Free Iftar @ Memon Masjid 1 of 3
Originally uploaded by Raja Islam

My flickr friend, Raja Islam, took these beautiful shots at Memon Masjid, Boultan Market, Karachi, Pakistan. These illustrate not only the general concept of eating much more than required during the Holy month of Ramazan Sharif, but these photographs also illustrate the remarkable level of generosity of Memons towards other Muslims. For sure, this masjid has the best free menu among all the masjids of this city. You may have as much biryani, fruits, chaat and sherbat as you like. People out there even offer dinner galas at masjids during bari raats and much more. No wonder then every year people especially from Punjab (Punjabis and Seraikis) throng this city for a free lunch, as it were. Thanks to ALLAH that due to ravaging floods we are seeing little of these Punjabis this year!

Enjoy your iftari.

Why kill Abid Shirazee?

KARACHI: With reference to a news item in your newspaper about the death of Abid Shirazee, I would say that his murder is a tragedy for hundreds of people who knew him. He was a name among the waterproofing contractors and consultants of Karachi. Who killed him and why no one can be sure. This target killing has been a scourge of this unfortunate city for long. And those who have been targeted have been Pashtuns or Shias. Abid Shirazee may have been a Shia but he had nothing to do with any sectarian outfit or group. It is then doubly tragic that a non-sectarian, non-political person is killed.
As a junior waterproofing contractor still learning the trade of waterproofing I, was really impressed with the skills of Shirazee sahib. He was prudent and would often win many prized waterproofing projects. On a personal level, he was very fond of good food and would invariably offer you some if you happened to be around – even if you were his biggest competitor.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2010.

Mitre peak from Vigne glacier

Mitre
Originally uploaded by Asif Saeed (LUDUS)

I was viewing the gallery of this gentleman by the name of Asif Saeed, a member of our Pakistani community who is at flickr.com, and was amazed to see such an arresting sight. This mountain is called Mitre peak and is perhaps a known site to lots of trekkers going to K-2 base camp. Evidently it is also one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Wikipedia lists its height as 6,010 m (19,718 ft).

This expedition survived a snow storm sort of a scare. But that's another story and as more photographs are uploaded by the various trekker friends of mine, I will surely share them with you all.

The Trekkerz at Concordia (Karakoram)

The Trekkerz at Concordia (Karakoram)
Originally uploaded by -DarkSide-

The Pakistani group known as The Trekkerz is based on some very energetic and knowledgeable persons, who manage various treks across Norther Pakistan from time to time. This time they managed to pull a wonderfully organized trip to that ultimate masterpiece of nature, the base camp of K-2, second Highest mountain on the face of Earth.

I take this opportunity to congratulate my friends, Raja Islam, Zagham, and ZAK bhai for making it through, despite much troubling weather.

Flood of the Century?

Not sure if the headline is true but I just read it on BBC website. And I am not particularly shocked after viewing the gory details and the images of what has come to pass. And just now, while I was having my late breakfast (as today is yet another strike by MQM in Karachi) I watched BBC anchorperson discuss with someone from HSBC about Pakistan's economic growth. She asked her how in the world Pakistan can progress if such menacing devastations continue to hamper its growth and wash away its agricultural land (as in this flooding)? Well, HSBC person had no answer to that. And here we are asking for more aid and our good President is out in Paris to discuss bilateral trade and security concerns. How sick is that!

Well, as of now, floods across Frontier and Punjab have killed over 1400 people and made homeless countless others. Every second footage on TV is now showing angry people blocking roads, destroying government properties and shouting in front of foreign media that 'our' government is helpless and useless. And really with no food and shelter that's the case indeed in most parts of Swat (Kalam is one of the worst hit areas), Nowshera and Peshawar, which is cut off from rest of the country.

Pakistan Army has dedicated over 30,000 of its troops for relief operations across the affected areas but people still feel that nothing is being done. That's mostly due to the vastness and remoteness of most of the areas affected by flooding. just imagine a rainfall of over 312mm within a span of 36 hours. And put in one of the largest catchment areas in the world and you have water spilling everwhere, breaking bunds and barrages and bridges and all. But atleast decomcratically elected government should have shown some sense and visited the areas affected by rains and flash floods. No, not at all. Only Army is supposed to do all that. Why, I am not sure.

USA has pledged 10 million USD as aid package to the country and has allowed the use of 4 of its helicopters for aid dropping. But it is the jawans of Pakistan Army and members of Edhi and UNO which have done the bulk of the aid work and it is to them that we salute.

p.s Pakistan Met Office has reported more monsoonal rainfalls across lower Sindh, Punjab and KP proinves. Well, we are in for a bit more hell here.