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While Pakistan stands out for its extraordinary military panache and prowess; ironically for the past two decades has been caught up in the midst of terror and turmoil. Where, a lion's share of the budget goes to the Defence of the country and the other pies that needless to mention don't emulate anything close to human development or science and technology or for that matter arts and entertainment. So it may make sense to even a lazy mind why the country finds itself heavily dependent on the funds from other countries for cultural restoration. Country like Pakistan that is supposed to boast a rich culture and history, finds itself in terrible straits because of the poorest form of preservation. Almost all the historical monuments and archaeological sites in Pakistan bespeak the least amount of interest of the Authorities and the State which are apparently responsible to uphold them. Underwhelming maintenance or protection of a historical place is exasperating to anyon...

'I feel like I got up on the wrong side of the bed today'! She cursed under her breath at the signal that lit yellow and in a jiff, turned red. Running late for work could still not be as worse as dropping her kids off way beyond their teachers acceptance. Al and Gia stare silently out of their windows, choosing to avoid to come in way of their mom's ill temper. Both of them have also chosen to completely shun the idea of discussing the bitter conversation about something he couldn't understand well because of his parents hushed tones but these arguments take place every now and then with the words usually echoing in his head days after those hard talks. Money, your responsibility, your turn, I'm sick of it! 'Be good. Have your lunch. I will see you guys in the evening'. She said hurriedly as the car came to a screeching halt right in the parking lot. Both of them kissed their mom bye and made their way to the main ground that led to the lobby snaking ...

I n this day and age, advertising has become a greater part of our life in terms of defining our decision making and influencing our mindset. Watching your favorite sitcom or that much anticipated game, even if you mute down your TV, advertisements when take the screen space, your brain never ceases to process the images and messages being sent across to it. Along with that, billboards, magazines and anything our eyes are set on that captures our short or long run attention, revolves around advertising. Being a graduate in Marketing and then having been associated to Marketing all along my career, I have been involved in shaping people's thoughts for a certain product and its image. I assure the reader, most of the time, its all about beating the competition and standing out by representing your product(s) as the best the customers can ever have. It is not wrong to believe that where advertisements can pivot the entire mindset of an individual and eventually that of the soc...

Shareefs are known for a rich political background that sprawls over three decades. The ups and downs in their career graph should let us assume that the downs may have left them learning from the mistakes and the ups may have increased their motivation to keep doing more. However, here is the thing with Shareefs - their sense of entitlement ironically with no blue-blood running in their veins, is funny; if not appalling. In the press conference held yesterday, Shahbaz took a jab at NAB, primarily because he could not even in his wildest imagination think of presenting himself to NAB for accountability purpose. Where his brother's rallying cry is 'Mujhe Kyun Nikala'; his seemed to purport 'Mujhe Kyun Bulaya'. Laced with the comments was Shareefs typical arrogance that suggests can do anything to anyone who dares question them on any account.  This was not the first time we saw one of the Shareefs lashing out on the institutions that attempt to functio...

Imran Khan, with his usual and latest abrasive demeanor and speech at Chairing Cross has once again teased his opponents across the board. Not sharing the stage with Mr. Zardari and then slandering the Parliament for its redundancy does not sit well with the flag-bearers of democracy hailing the slogans of political correctness. It will not be wrong to believe that PML-N and PPP, who have always been subjugated by their own vested interests questioning Khan's heckling is one of their ways to seek safe haven from the storms of accountability. Nawaz adamantly refusing the allegations despite being presented with the myriad of evidences; when faces the very first blow of the plan of action, steps down from his position but slides up all his efforts into proving the whole decision a part of conspiracy. He not only blatantly defies the sanctity of the decision by the highest Court of the country but also bravely challenges anyone who dares question him.  For anyone who thi...

Any untoward circumstance comes with indefinite number of fingers pointing towards each other while a very limited number of eyes tend to peep what lies within. Lying within may be utter darkness or a vastness of oblivion and nothingness and that is why it seems to welcome less and less visits by us. The year began with the horrendous tale of a girl-child being sent to her final destination in the most barbaric manner. Followed by that was a mighty outcry by the people all across the country. Zainab occupied almost everyone's mind at-least for whatever little time. Opinions carrying a varied degree of emotions from anger to disgust were spilled across the media of all forms. Presenting solutions and coming forward with who should have done what and what should be done by who is the core of all the hullabaloo. Politicians ensure to not to miss on point scoring and the media, at times, raucous could not really fathom the dynamics of the overall situation. It goes without saying ...

A country of over 200 Million of population, over a period of 70 years, have been able to produce a meager amount of athletes and a very limited range of sports. Pakistan also has terribly failed to engineer a diverse sports culture. Cricket is the only sport that has seemed to dominate people's minds regardless of its severe crisis on different levels, from time to time. Stats that Pakistan have generated on the Olympics is enough to make us crawl under the nearest rock. To date, only two athletes could bring home individual medals. Both were bronze. Since 1960, which was the most successful year for Pakistan, with two medals and a healthy participation, the country managed to rank on the 20th which is the highest it could achieve by far. After that, a series of appalling numbers with only 7 athletes to present Pakistan in 2016 clearly amplify the setback at a national level.  Pakistan sure is a developing country but as a matter of fact is doing extremely well than...

I am from a country which bears a name that literally means 'Clean Land'. Mounting the irony would be going deeper into the history and seeing that the foundation on which it was founded deems cleanliness as half of the faith. It is indeed needless to mention that we often forget to delve into details when chanting 'Pakistan Ka Matlab Kya?'  'What Does Pakistan Mean' on the adrenaline pumping occasions. Ironically, cleanliness is a distant reality for the dwellers of 'Land of Pure' and the citizens of the 'Clean Land.' I have several times stopped to analyse the very basic thought that triggers an educated and apparently sensible person's action who rolls down his car's window and drop the can of Coke which he has just finished and moves on with his life. Just Like That. Insomuch, I have several times come across the limited-to-my-house-approach of someone who keeps her house spick-and-span and scrubs her kids morning and night bu...

I f you were born anywhere between early 80s to mid 90s, we belong to the same cohort. We may not agree on everything here but I will make sure you will nod at the least once as you scan through this. I try not to beat ourselves up - will do my best! Lets begin from seguing into adult life after passing those teen years when from all sides of our existence we hear only one voice - you have got to be successful. Its like if you fail, that is going to be an end of all of it. Failure is just never appreciated which obviously may not be a learning process in that case. Whilst having all those varied array of options; we are under a constant pressure to be 'the best'. Competitiveness and ambitiousness are instilled right from the beginning; which is not a bad thing after all - if its coming from a place embodying some meaning to it. Else you are just a yuppie who will die one day without being remembered at all - let alone in good or bad words. Will come to this later in here!...

A lmost everyone working know how important it is to excel and keep moving forward with everyone by your side. I revise, by your side. Will further shed light on this later. Who does not want to be appreciated for all the hard work each day – five days a week; round the year. Some of us win that and some of us keep wondering what went wrong during the annual appraisal – usually. Well, the truth strikes only around evaluations and appraisals because to be honest that’s absolutely how it always has been. No matter how self-aware we are, we just don’t see ourselves with the lens of our higher-up.

I f you watch Game of Thrones you most definitely have recalled the scene where Littlefinger describes how capitalizing on a situation can help you seize the power.  Ongoing political scenario, world over, suggests that anyone having no compunction and an insatiable desire to rule can most of the times get away with doing almost anything they desire and that serve their vested interests. If we call North Korea as the craziest country in the world we often end up blurring the background that has a history that dates back to the Korean War in 1950 which resulted in a huge number of war crimes as well; mostly committed by the US that elicited the response(s) from North Korea time and again. All we are seeing is a retaliation that is wrapped with anger and bitterness which to make things worse and is naively being returned by more sanctions.  May it be Cuban Missile Crisis or Vietnam War or Iraq War or now a potential war with North Korea indicated by...

I am a movie buff and keeping in touch with some art in one way or the other is sure some sort of respite from my tight schedule. Reading Vogue and following Entertainment & Arts section in the newspapers keep me well acquainted with whats going on in the Tinseltown and subsequently helps keeping me a tab on the celebs and famous people.  However, entertainment got a bit too sour a few days ago when the New York Times published something that led to the onward painting of disturbing and can-make-you-flinch type of stories. Multiple accusations from having a background sprawled over three decades makes the film mogul no more than a pervert in my eyes.  Its like all those contrived stories revolving around drama rather intense drama that appear on screen for our entertainment have been actually going behind the scenes. Being completely honest I am not surprised with this and what we usually term as 'sensational scandal'. However, I do feel super bad on how th...

I t was around 7 o’clock in the evening when I along with my family reached at D-Chowk to mark our attendance on 63 rd day at the dharna . Like usual, loud upbeat music was heard from the park area. “Bane Ga Naya Pakistan” undoubtedly is that wonderfully optimistic expression which has always helped in leaving a smile on my face. With the thought of being a part of Naya Pakistan and a hope in my heart I paved my way towards the place where I would hear and see Mr. Khan deliver his nightly speech. Worth mentioning here, this time around for the first time I was accompanied with my grandmother who returned to her homeland after her routine 06 months of stay in the USA.  It won’t be wrong to say that even at 76, she gives me a tough competition on level of passion and energy, which amuses and inspires me both. It was the same vigor and liveliness that made her scamper through a creek of wet mud and dirt that was present there as a result of last night’s downpour i...

Eldest, youngest or in the middle, whichever category you fall into - if you are a sister or have one you know where I am going to go within next few moments. A joy ride of a life that is filled with fun, humor, stupidity, picking up on each other, coded language (that no one can decipher except you), endless drama and lastly best friendship that brings you all the joy in the world. Let's walk through you one of the wildest, craziest and most adorable ventures called - sisterhood. 1. L et's Be Super Goof: Topping the charts on my idea of 'fun' is being goofy and lame to almost an unlimited extent. No judgement. No looking down upon you. No pretense at all. With your parents or even your friends you can not be completely all what you want to but with your sister you can literally be anything - like literally anything! 2. Barely Mind 24/7/365: You don't care if she is having her down time and she doesn't care if you want to hang out with ...

Ever been in multiple situations where you have to compromise on your own self to prove someone that you love them? If you have found yourself cringing after thinking on this or admitting that you have been stupid enough, then accept my congratulations since you have learned the importance of self-love. People often confuse sacrificing with bending over backwards for someone. Sharp contrast between the two is in one situation, sacrifice is ultimately reciprocated with regard and respect whereas compromising on yourself is returned with humiliation and an inordinate amount of indifference. Let me explain it in the following two scenarios: Scenario A: Someone who you love has requested you to buy them a watch they are longing for two years but is pretty heavy on your pocket. But since they have requested it and you love them, so you have started working more hours just to save enough for their birthday present. You have put yourself in some tough routine just to give them what ...

Word 'Feminist' still has not been able to enjoy the acceptance at all levels. Ambiguity pertinent to the phenomenon is so huge that one finds the gist of it as entangled web of reinforcement of a specific gender or someone who hates men. Worse-still, some relate it to superiority of women and others think one has to be a woman to be a feminist. However, in the recent past, leaders around the world such as Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau have publicly supported the whole concept and that has certainly made a positive impact. As per the simplest of definitions anyone who supports feminism is a feminist. Seems like 80% of the population of the whole world supports feminism but the whole thing gets fractured when supporters don't turn out to be the followers. While you may support a woman for running the whole show, you may not feel comfortable getting out of your intrinsic role which clearly does not entail anything that falls outside your domain. A supporter saying ou...