Bhaitak, Dhorr, Nawab Shah

Bhaitak, Dhorr, Nawab Shah
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Bhaitak is a traditional shelter built by the Sindhis and Baloch people of Sindh province, Pakistan, for their guests. Many Sindhis and Baloch even accept people as guests they don't know. Their culture demands them to feed and house anyone wandering around in need of food or shelter. Hence, we found this shelter of Haji Hashim, a Baloch, living at Dhorr and an expert in Scrap business as well as in goats.

This is the scene right after we had a sumptous nashta (breakfast in Urdu) of pure Honey, roti, desi makhan (butter), lassi and chai (tea).

Golden Beach, Karachi

Beaches of Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

When someone talks about beaches of Karachi there is a chance that you will hear the words Sea View or Hawksbay (where there are no hawks left to boot). And there is a chance, one in 50, that you will hear the name 'paradise point'. But there is certainly no chance that you will ever hear the name golden beach. Because no one bothers to either go there or name it.

This beach is the last place in Sindh province where a civilian can go. After that only army men are allowed in. So much for democracy. But this beach is a beauty but beware of Sunday goers.

DIRECTIONS:

Go to Mauripur road. Turn right for Hawksbay. Drive straight till you see a certain gate where it says, COASTAL GUARDS / NAVY. Stop dead. Turn left and viola.

Hand pump, Cholistan

Hand pump, Cholistan
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Using the old, iron hand pump on your trip break is not only a very useful activity but also a very healthy one. For most of the water is ground water and very refreshing, especially for those who've been travelling and require some water. Modern day water bottles - water packed in plastic - has eroded the necessity of this very important source of water. But its beauty - and class - remains unchanged. For one, we were impressed with this fresh water on a pit stop in 2008. This road eventually led us to Derawar Fort, Cholistan's most magnificent fortification walls.

Making jalebis, Lahore

Making jalebis, Lahore
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

There is something about eating from the stalls situated just outside the Tombs / Shrines of Saints in Pakistan. There is a certain aroma suffused with mysticism and religion a combination, which has been acceptable to majority of Muslims since its inception. Today, however, this form of Islam is under direct threat from Saud-Wahabi-Salafi funded terrorists - not Jihadis, mind you - in the form of suicide bombings and killings. First it was Rehman Baba in Peshawar, the Bari Imam near Islamabad, then Data Darbar, the most revered Saint in Pak-Hind region. Now, they have blown up the gates of Abdullah Shah Ghazi (RA) in Karachi and Baba Fareed Gunj Shakar (RA) in Pak Pattan, a place I so love.

The place photographed above is just outside the Tomb of Shah Hussain and Madho Lal in Lahore.

Photograph shot during a road trip from Karachi to Jhelum in 2008.

Electricity thieves, Karachi

Electricity thieves, Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

You've been thinking why, after paying all the electric bills and taxes on time, still you are left with shortfall of electricity. Well, you know why!

It is estimated that some 35-40% of our electricity is wasted - stolen, lost due to old, creaking, broken wires, etc - and yet government, instead of handling the thieves, allow for the increased surcharge on bills. They also bring in rental energy plants which costs us millions of dollars.

Punj Tan ka Bagh, Sehwan Sharif

Punj Tan ka Bagh, Sehwan Sharif
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

That night I slept like a king - or someone who almost passed away! This is a place to be, if you wish to see a Pakistan mired in all sorts of traditions, religions and iconography. It is a place which offers fresh water to drink, some miracles, an open air sleep free of cost, and education in Rural area Shia religious themes and myths. I love this place.

Pan walla, Karachi

Pan walla, Karachi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Just got back home after shooting this shot of a pan walla, which is just next to Alamgir Welfare Trust, Karachi. I think this came nicely.