My book shelf

My book shelf
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Book shelf designed for my wedding by Kalamkaar (http://www.kalamkaar.com/), a furniture specialist based in Lahore & Karachi. They are a tad too expensive but the outcome is fantastic and much to my liking.

Muneeb ki shaadi

Muneeb ki shaadi
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Muneeb, my school life friend (although we studied in different schools) is now ACCA qualified and working to complete his CA this year. We have spent many days playing cricket and football together. I shall never forget evening tea with biscuits and samoosas at his home near China Ground, Kashmir Road, Karachi. A childhood spent nicely and with great friends.

There was this arrangement for special lighting during the entrance of bride and groom. So it provided great opportunity to shoot. And the presence of 10-20mm wide angle was helpful.

Published: Toyota 2011 diary (Pakistan)

Published: Toyota 2011 diary (Pakistan)
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

I received today this diary from Toyota (Indus Motors) made for the year 2011. My photograph, shot at Shah Hussain / Madho Lal Tomb during my car trip to Lahore in 2008. The theme of this diary is: Celebrating the genuine spirit of Pakistan.

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.