KARACHI

Karachi Literature Festival 2012

2012-02-09T12:02:00.002+05:00

Karachi Literature Festival 2012 will be held on February 11 and 12 at the Carlton Hotel, announced by the founder of the festival, Ameena Saiyid at a press conference with Asif Farrukhi and the British Council’s Martin Fryer and Shreela Ghosh.

She added that this time. the festival would be more bigger as people will not only get to hear and meet writers, but will also be able to see films at the 3rd Karachi Literature Festival.

Ms Saiyid said the 2012 edition of the festival would be more exciting and diverse as some new things were added to the list of programmes. She said there was a big lineup of writers. In one-on-one sessions, they would talk about their books and other subjects. Alongside the book-related events and sessions arranged for children, films would be screened, including two from Bangladesh (Meherjaan and A Certain Liberation) and one from India (Harun Arun). Clips from the Oscar-nominated documentary, Saving Face, made by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, too, would be shown.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

9:30 – 10:00 am	Main Garden	Arrival of Guests and Tea

10:00 am – 11:00 am	Main Garden	Inauguration Speeches by David Martin, Ameena Saiyid, Asif Aslam Farrukhi, Marilyn Wyatt Keynote Speaker: William Dalrymple Performance by Nritaal

"Batain aur Mulaqaatain" throughout the Festival: Author signings, Book fair, Food court. For Children: Puppet Shows by Rafi Peer, Muppets and walk-about theatre outdoors all day...

11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Ball Room	SUPERSTAR WRITER Shobhaa De Moderator: Asif Noorani

	Maharani	CHANGING PARADIGMS OF LITERATURE: Urdu and beyond Noman ul Haq Moderator: Bilal Tanweer

	Maharaja	ART HISTORY Taimur Suri, Rizwanullah Khan, Amin Gulgee, Asma Ibrahim Moderator: Niilofur Farrukh

	Sehr	Megacities Arif Hasan, Roland deSouza, H.M. Naqvi Moderator: Nausheen Anwar

	Scillinas	MANTO AND PARTITION STORIES Ayesha Jalal Moderator: M R Kazimi

	3rd Floor	Creative Writing Masterclass Robin Yassin-Kassab

	Theatre	Charles Dickens: The Uncommercial Traveler A Theatrical Session. Owen Calvert-Lyons & Peter Higgin Arcola and Punch Drunk Theatre

12:00 pm noon – 1:00 pm	Main Garden	In Conversation with Hanif Kureishi Moderator: Muneeza Shamsie

	Maharani	Shairi aur Afsana Poetry, Fiction & Translation Fahmida Riaz Moderator: Harris Khalique

	Maharaja	Women Writing Women: A Conversation with A Conversation with Maniza Naqvi, Bina Shah and Nafisa Haji. Moderator: Marilyn Wyatt

	Sehr	Book Launch Scent in the Islamic Garden by Ali Akbar Husain William Dalrymple Moderator: Raza Rumi

	Scillinas	PEN AS SWORD: Expressing the New Pakistani Narrative through Fiction Talk by Ahmed Rashid Moderator: Khaled Ahmed

	3rd Floor	Masterclass continued...

	Theatre	Film Screening A Certain Freedom Duration 38 min Q & A with Firdous Azim, Shaheen Akhtar

1:00 pm noon – 2:00 pm		Lunch and signing of books by authors

"Batain aur Mulaqaatain" throughout the Festival: Author signings,Book fair, Food court. For Children: Puppet Shows by Rafi Peer, Muppets and walk-about theatre outdoors all day.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Ball Room	In conversation with Anatol Lieven Moderator: Ayesha Siddiqa

	Maharani	Afsaney Ki Batain Readings and Conversation with Urdu Fiction Writers Intizar Husain and Zaheda Hina Moderator: Asif Farrukhi

	Maharaja	Pakistani Contemporary Fiction Writings Mohsin Hamid H M Naqvi, Shehryar Fazli, Ayesha Salman Moderator: Maniza Naqvi

	Scillinas	Book Launch & Conversation with Michel Boivin (Artefacts of God) and Jurgen Frembgen (Nocturnal Music) Moderators: Samina Quraeshi, Raza Rumi

	Theatre	Film Screening: Meherjaan Duration: 2 hours

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Main Garden	INDUS JOURNEYS In Conversation with William Dalrymple Moderator: Kamila Shamsie

	Maharaja	BOOK LAUNCH Koshish-e-Natamam by Shaista Ikramullah Aamer Hussein, Naz Ikramullah Moderator: Arfa Sayeda Zehra

	Scillinas	TOLERANCE THROUGH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE by Fauzia Minallah (Session for Children)

	Theatre	Meherjaan continued...

4:00 pm : 5:00 pm	Ball Room	MIRACLE MAN Book Launch and Conversation With Mohammed Hanif Author of Our Lady of Alice Bhatti Moderator: Bina Shah

	Maharani	Sher o Sukhan Poetry Readings and Conversation With Iftikhar Arif and Kishwar Naheed Moderator: Raza Rumi

	Maharaja	Today’s Pakistan: An Economic and Political Perspective Asad Sayeed, Ishrat Husain, Anatol Lieven, Maleeha Lodhi Moderator: Ghazi Salahuddin

	Scillinas	A CONVERSATION WITH Siddhartha Deb Author of The Beautiful and the Damned Moderator: Nauman Naqvi

	Theatre	Q & A on Meherjaan with one of the film’s lead actors, Omar Rahim

5:00 pm : 6:00 pm	Ball Room	Afghanistan & Pakistan: Conflict, Extremism & the Taliban Ahmed Rashid, William Dalrymple, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Navid Kermani Moderator: Rasul Bakhsh Rais

	Maharani	Ibn-e-Safi Aik Naye Andaaz Main/ The Re-birth of Ibn-e-Safi Ahmad Safi, Shakeel Adilzada, Sher Shah Syed, Khalid Jawed Moderator: Bilal Tanweer

	Maharaja	Honour Killings Silent Voices, Untold Stories Nafisa Shah, Tahira Khan, Anita Weiss Moderator: Fouzia Saeed

	Scillinas	Writing Kashmir: Book Launch Mirza Waheed, author of The Collaborators Moderator: Kamila Shamsie

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Ball Room	MUSHAIRA Zehra Nigah, Kishwar Naheed, Iftiikhar Arif, Fehmida Riaz, Imdad Hussaini, Sahar Ansari, Shahida Hassan, Khwaja Razi Hyder, Azra Abbas, Ahmed Fouad, Aqeel Abbas Jafri, Inaam Nadeem, Ali Akbar Natiq, Kashif Hussain Ghayer Moderators: Fatema Hassan and Harris Khalique


Sunday, 12 February 2012

"Batain aur Mulaqaatain" throughout the Festival: Author signings,Book fair, Food court. For Children: Puppet Shows by Rafi Peer, Muppets and walk-about theatre outdoors all day.

10:00 am - 11:00 am	Ball Room	The Emergence of Bangladesh: A Military Failure or a Collapse of Civil Society Khaled Ahmed, Sarmila Bose, A.R.Siddiqi Moderator: Yaqoob Bangash

	Maharani	Klaseeki Adab aur Aaj kay Parhne Valey/Reading Urdu Classics Today Chair: Intizar Husain, Iftikhar Arif, Noman ul Haq, Zehra Nigah, Khalid Jawed Moderator: Asif Farrukhi

	Maharaja	LITERARY CRITICISM Muneeza Shamsie, Hanif Kureishi, Aamer Hussein, Alok Bhalla, Stefan Weidner Moderator: Maniza Naqvi

	Scillinas	Book Launch Rock and Roll Jihad by Salman Ahmed of Junoon Moderator: Ameed Riaz

	Theatre	Film Screening Harun Arun Duration 75 min

11:00am - 12:00pm	Ball Room	Kashmir Basharat Peer, A.G. Noorani, Najmuddin Shaikh, Mirza Waheed Moderator: Victoria Schofield

	Maharani	Looking Back at Partition Yasmin Khan, Hamida Khuhro, Syed Jaffar Ahmed, Alok Bhalla, Asif Noorani Moderator: M. R. Kazimi

	Maharaja	The Arab Spring Stefan Weidner, Robin Yassin-Kasaib, Anouar Benmalek Moderator: Mohammed Hanif

	Scillinas	Satire/Comedy Ali Aftab Saeed of the Beygairat Brigade and Saad Haroon and the Banana News Network Moderator: Nadeem Paracha

	Sehr	Book Launch & Talk by Navid Kermani, author of The Terror of God: Attar, Job & the Metaphysical Revolt Moderator: Samina Quraeshi

	Theatre	Film continues, followed by Q&A with Asif Noorani

12:00pm – 1:00 pm	Ball Room	NUCLEAR PAKISTAN: AN OVERVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC DIMENSIONS Zafar Iqbal Cheema, Zulfqar Khan , Mushahid Hussain Sayed Moderator: Pervez Hoodbhoy

	Maharani	TAREEKH AUR PAKISTAN Mubarak Ali, Syed Jaffar Ahmed, Sultan-i-Rome Moderator: Ghazi Salahuddin

	Maharaja	LEGAL REFORMS AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN Anita Weiss, Fouzia Saeed, Tahira Abdullah Moderator: Tahira Khan

	Sehr	Cartoon Presentation & Puppet and Muppet Show by Nigar Nazar (Session for children)

	Theatre	Film Screening A Certain Liberation Duration 38 min. Q&A with Firdous Azim, Shaheen Akhtar

1:00pm – 2:00 pm		Lunch and signing of books by authors

"Batain aur Mulaqaatain" throughout the Festival: Author signings,Book fair, Food court. For Children: Puppet Shows by Rafi Peer, Muppets and walk-about theatre outdoors all day.

2:00pm - 3:00pm	Ball Room	A CONVERSATION WITH Vikram Seth Moderator: Nasreen Rehman

	Maharani	Pakistani Zabanon ka Adab/Pakistani Languages (Curated by Mohammed Hanif) Amar Sindhu , Ahmad Fouad and Nukhbah Langah

	Maharaja	Songs of the Falcon: Balochistan Naheed Azfar, Zobaida Jalal, Yaqoob Bangash Moderator: Rasul Bakhsh Rais

	Scillinas	Book Launches & Conversation with Ainay kay Samnay by Attiya Dawood; Qaim Deen by Ali Akbar Natiq; Maut ki Kitaab by Khalid Jawed Moderator: Tanveer Anjum

	Theatre	Film Screening Meherjaan Duration: 2 hours

3:00pm - 4:00pm	Ball Room	A discussion on Education in Pakistan with a focus on textbooks Rubina Saigol, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Faisal Bari, Tariq Rahman, Baela Jamil Moderator: Ameena Saiyid

	Maharani	Pakistani Authors and Global Literary Forums Madeline Clements, Claire Chambers Moderator: Asif Farrukhi

	Maharaja	Eyewitnesses and Observers:Writing about Pakistan through a Foreign Perspective Manu Joseph, Declan Walsh, Anatol Lieven, Kishore Bhimani , Hartosh Bal Singh, Alok Bhalla, Stefan Weidner Moderator: Raza Rumi

	Scillinas	A Conversation with Anouar Benmalek and Claudine Le Tourneur D’ison Moderator: Misbah Khalid and Fouzia Saeed

	Theatre	Meherjaan Continued...

4:00pm – 5:00 pm	Ball Room	THE MOTHER TONGUE AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION Zubeida Mustafa, Abbas Rashid, Wajihuddin Ahmed, Ray Brown Moderator: Arfa Sayeda Zehra

	Maharani	Mediaspeak: How the Media Talk to us Mujahid Barelvi, Shaheen Salahuddin, Jasmeen Manzoor, Kamran Shahid Moderator: Ayesha Siddiqa

	Scillinas	Book Launch Iffat Humayun Khan’s Electoral Malpractices during the 2008 Elections in Pakistan Mohammad Waseem, Khaled Ahmed, Moderator: Rasul Bakhsh Rais

	Theatre	Q & A on Meherjaan with one of the film’s lead actors, Omar Rahim

5:00pm – 6:00 pm	Ball Room	THE SILENT MINORITY - A Voice for the Voiceless Tariq Rahman, Khaled Ahmed, Navid Kermani, Stefan Weidner Moderator: Haris Gazdar

	Maharani	Kaargaah-e-Sheesha Gari by Arfa Sayeda Zehra Moderator: Fatema Hassan

	Maharaja	PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF WARS, INSURGENCIES AND TERRORISM Mowadat Rana, Unaiza Niaz, Sarmila Bose, Feriha Peracha Moderator: Murad Moosa

	Scillinas	Book Launch: The Oxford Companion to Pakistani History edited by Ayesha Jalal Speaker: Hameed Haroon Moderator. Syed Jaffar Ahmed

	Theatre	A Conversation with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on her film nominated for the Oscar

6:30pm - 7:00pm	Beach View Garden	Speeches by David Martin, Ameena Saiyid, Asif Farrukhi

7:00pm - 7:30pm	Beach View Garden	Speech by Hanif Kureishi

7:30pm - 8:30pm	Beach View Garden	Concert by Salman Ahmed of Junoon

Karachi Zoo Regained its Lost Glory

2012-01-29T21:48:00.001+05:00

Yes its true, Karachi's Famous Zoological Garden 'The Karachi Zoo' also referred as the Gandhi Garden is now revamped and restored as it previously was in her glory days for the public of Karachi. The entrance to the Zoo was free today as the Karachi Zoo was celebrating 'The Zoo Day'.

The 129 year old heritage fountain which was built in 1883 jointly by the municipality and NN Poochajee Esquire is now restored and is now sprouting water once again. The 18-foot high four-layered fountain is connected to a 11,000 gallon tank through which water keeps circulating.

Over the years, a lack of maintenance and attention towards the fountain caused this piece of the city’s heritage to deteriorate but the Karachi Zoo's recent administration has decided to restore and reconstruct portions of the fountain which cost authorities Rs. 300,000.

The Zoo Authorities have also revived Aquarium, The Reptile House, Boating (Kashti Rani) and Mumtaz Mahal facilities in addition to the fountain. These facilities were closed for the public since last 3 years and for that more than 30 species of fish and over 40 kinds of snakes and python were brought in.

The inner roundabout and roads in zoo were also being redesigned and 200 rose saplings are planted in the famous Mughal Garden in Karachi Zoo which was designed after Lahore famous Shalimar Garden. The fountains at the Mughal Garden are also made functional.

Cinnabon Landed in Karachi

2012-01-17T11:53:00.000+05:00

Cinnabon, the American chain of baked goods kiosks has landed in Karachi by opening its first kiosk at Dolmen City Mall with another franchise due to open in a few weeks at the Atrium Mall. The company's signature item is a large cinnamon roll originates from Seattle USA.

Cinnabon chose Lahore as the location for its first franchise in Pakistan in 2010. At present, it has two outlets in Punjab’s capital. “We were planning to open one in Karachi for a few months but just had to work out all the details,” the CEO for Cinnaworld, Yasser Khawaja, told The MediaXpress. “It is just a great brand, its unique taste, in my opinion, is very well suited for our taste buds.”

But there were some mothers who were cautious about feeding their children ‘too much sugar’. “It is definitely very tasty but not something I would let my son have every day without fear of him developing a sugar problem,” mused guest Mrs Iftikhar.

On the menu, Cinnabon offers three flavours of its specialised rolls, classic smothered with cream-cheese icing, chocolate and pecan. Other items include mini-cinnamon rolls, lattes, cinnamon sticks and iced beverages (slushies). A single cinnamon roll costs between Rs250 and Rs310, depending on the flavour of your choice. A box of six costs Rs1,320. A mini roll is priced between Rs175 and Rs230 while a pack of nine will cost Rs1,510.

Debenhams to open in April at Dolmen Mall

2012-01-17T11:41:00.000+05:00

Debenhams, a British retailer is to open its first outlet in Karachi in April 2012 stated by British Ministers who flock to the City's Dolmen Mall Sea View for the Media Launch of the store. Debenhams was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops worldwide and also listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

The UK Minister of State for Trade & Investment Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint and Cabinet Minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi accompanied by other British Ministers descended on the city for the store’s media launch which held on the top floor of the Harbour Front building, which also houses a mall.

The store would be spread over 27,000 square feet and is still under construction which would open doors for its customers in April. The store would be expensive carrying expensive brands which at present, majority of British citizens are not able to afford.

The price strategy for the market will not be different from what customers pay in the UK or any of its 65 franchises around the world. Betty Jackson, John Rocha and Pineapple are some of the brands that people will find in Karachi. Green said some of the largest British high-end brands were interested in doing business in the country. “We are working towards doubling the flow of trade between Pakistan and England.”

Memphis Tax Solutions Launched

2012-01-14T23:31:00.000+05:00

Memphis,TN, January 14, 2012 – Amanullah Sajwani, President and CEO of Reliable Accounting Solutions, Inc. www.reliableaccountingsolutions.com, a Memphis, TN CPA firm has announced that he has formed Memphis Tax Solutions, to offer discount tax preparation services to small businesses with their tax needs. The tax service fits well with our company goals, offering access to experienced tax specialists at reasonable prices so that everyone can feel comfortable using a tax preparation service without paying outrageous prices.

“I am excited to be launching Memphis Tax, our tax preparation service company,” said Amanullah Sajwani. “As Reliable Accounting Solutions grows we have begun to divide our services into separate entities in order to showcase our individual specialties. Our experienced tax preparers will continue to offer great service at a discount price but will now be more easily recognized by the public rather than as just another division within a larger corporation.”

About Memphis Tax:

Memphis Tax is a full service, discount tax preparation service firm specializing in tax preparation. They have experienced tax preparers who are registered with the IRS. Whether a client has a 1040EZ, a joint tax form with rental properties, capital gains and a list of complicated forms or if a client is a business owner with special tax situations; Memphis Tax Preparers are able to meet their needs. They are also offering 20% off on tax preparation and referral fee.

Make an appointment to get your taxes prepared quickly by calling 1-800-991-0902 or visiting one of their offices in your area. Find more at www.memphistaxsolutions.com

NADRA Verification Tools

2012-01-13T14:31:00.000+05:00

CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) is the core product of NADRA issued to a valid/legitimate citizen of Pakistan. It is a blend of state-of-the-art technology and well-defined business rules to guarantee its authenticity and validity.

Every genuine, 18 Years and above, citizen of Pakistan is eligible for the NADRA Card where each card has a verified photo, information, signature and finger prints that undergo clearance from NADRA technological ware houses backed up by the large centralized national database in the world Verisys. Each NADRA card integrates biometric technologies such as Automated Finger Identification Systems (AFIS) and Facial Recognition Systems and is capable of providing identity verification to all integral Government departments and Corporates.

Now it provides you with number of tools to verify the issued CNIC to avoid any fraudulent activities for bringing in transparency, validation, elimination of fraud & forgery.

1- CNIC Verification
This tool will search and verify the National Identity Cards database. You can now verify the CNIC of any person via SMS by entering their CNIC number and sending it to 7000. In response you will get name and father’s name of that particular CNIC number holder (in urdu fonts).

Charges: Rs. 10 plus tax per Message (Around Rs. 12 including taxes)

Corporations can now verify CNIC, Academic Qualifications, Antecedents Verification and Referral verification through http://verify.pk

2- Vehicle Verification
Call CLPC number 021-35662222 and give number plate, chassis number and engine number to get information about your car status.

Islamabad residents can send their car registration and chassis number through SMS to 8521 to get car details within 20 seconds

3- SIM Registration Information
Ever wonder how many SIMs have been issued on your or your family's National Identity Card. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) information and Verification system to address associated risks on security and to ensure subscription regulations in cellular sector.

Check it Online: http://www.pta.gov.pk/668/
SMS: Write your CNIC (without dashes and space) and send it to 668

4- SIM Information
To find out the current owner’s name of the SIM that you are using, simply send a blank SMS to 667. This SMS will return owner’s information with details – So if this is your name, then nothing to worry about, and consider yourself safe. Otherwise get it registered by visiting your mobile operator's franchise as soon as possible.

5- Snatch/Theft IMEI Search (PTA)
You can search Stolen Mobile using IMEI Number or Call 24/7 helpline +92 3566 2222. So be careful and before purchase any second hand set check carefully. Just dial *#06# and note down IMEI number of your cellphone,

Check Online: http://www.pta.gov.pk/imei/imei.asp
CPLC Site for Online Mobile Theft Complaint: http://www.cplc.org.pk

Work from Home And Make Money Online

2012-01-12T17:53:00.003+05:00

If you believe that you have a skill that you can utilize to earn money online by working from home than why not make a try. oDesk.com is a tremendous resource for those seeking freelance work from home.

If you are good in writing, accounting or if you are a web programmer, a software developer, looking for web design jobs, or just simple data entry, oDesk is the place to find work. Compared to Adsense which is really a wastage of time.

You can start earning by making a profile of yourself on oDesk, give a oDesk ready test and start bidding for the projects. Getting hired on oDesk is a bit daunting task but you can pursue the following guidelines to make it an easy one.

1- Your oDesk Profile

Ensure that you choose your screen name wisely. Stay away from the cutsie names like PuddinPie4856, and socially inappropriate names (use your imagination). Pick something short and to the point.
Upload your picture, if you don't have a nice one then better dont put it or use someone else. Photo increase the chances of getting the project.
Choose your skills wisely and focused on your area of expertise. Avoid, for example, choosing data entry as a skill, when what you really want is a web design job.
Keep your hourly wage low in the beginning as you are a new comer.
Everyone has to take a standard proficiency test to be able to work through oDesk. This test is not difficult, but must be passed before you can be available to work. There are numerous optional tests that will showcase your abilities. Take as many of these as you can. If you score well, the scores will be displayed on your profile page. Lots of high scores are very attractive to buyers. Here’s a hint: Open a second browser window while you are taking a test. You can then search for answers when you get stuck.

2-Applying For a Job on Odesk

Bid low and competitive for all projects to increase chances of getting hired. Tip: You can also setup your brothers or sisters profile and bid for the projects again from their profiles at different rates
Do read the job application and its requirements properly
See that your cover letter is free from grammatical errors and that you also provide samples of your relevant work
Write your Skype Id with your cover letter
Keep communication open
Read feedback provided by previous contractors
Only bid for projects where the employers have oDesk verified payment method
Many employers don't prefer giving upfront payments
Keep a friendly and professional demeanor

3- While On Job

Keep Communication open until the job is complete. If the buyer stops responding to emails then stop working
Never accept work outside of oDesk from an oDesk buyer unless he is from the same country and can send you payments through low cost domestic money transfer services
Never make arguments with your employer on payment, you can see his payment history by reading the feedback provided to him by previous employers
As in any job where boss rules, the same is the case with the oDesk employers
Be prepared to work, and work hard.

Finally, Payment Withdrawal

Wire Transfer in PKR is the cheapest way of withdrawing funds to your bank account from oDesk wallet. You can receive oDesk payments from all major Pakistani banks. The first withdrawal is free of cost but there is a charge of almost $4.99 per withdrawal from the second time.

See you on oDesk!

Latte Lounge Shifts to Main Khayaban-e-Sehar

2012-01-05T11:08:00.000+05:00

KARACHI - Jan 01, 2012 – After running successfully, since 2006, on Nishat Commercial area, Latte Lounge has now shifted to 47-C, main Khayaban -e-Sehar. With this relocation, Latte Lounge has evolved into a fresher and more energizing experience. The new setup, running under the same management, aims at delivering increased comfort, exciting new additions in its menu and an ambiance which is conducive to positive youthfulness.

This joint offers an upbeat atmosphere for Karachi's young generation, offering a select continental menu, home baked goods, coffee, mocktails and sheesha in a rustic and friendly environment. As one of Karachi's pioneer Sheesha cafes, Latte Lounge proudly celebrates the innovation, generosity and quality that they have shared with their valued customers over the past six years.

According to the owner, Ahmad Amjad: "We have always given top priority to our customer's preferences. Moving to this location primarily makes us more accessible and approachable... With this facelift, Latte Lounge aims to overcome its drawbacks and gears up to fulfill it's customers' every expectation with guaranteed excellence!”

Come to the new Latte Lounge to rediscover a dining space where memories are formed over a smooth cup of coffee. Where great food is garnished with the laughter of friends. Where sheesha is enhanced with the flavor of good service.

New Park Opened at Sea View

2012-01-02T16:29:00.000+05:00

A new park is opened to public on Sea View, Karachi adjacent to the Village Restaurant.

According to a DHA statement, the new park is spread over an area of six acres at the beach. It has four large grassy plots, five sitting platforms, a kiosk and marbled walk ways. Four high mast LED lights have been fixed at the park and adequate parking facilities at the venue have also been provided.

The park is named after a valiant officer, Capt Farhan Ali of 26 Punjab Regiment, who embraced martyrdom on April 3, 2011 in operation “Rah-e-Nijat” against terrorists at Darra Adam Khel.

Karachi's New Year Party

2012-01-02T11:41:00.001+05:00

Hundreds of people gathered at Karachi's international food street - The Port Grand on the new year's eve at Downtown Karachi to celebrate and welcome the year 2012. The event is followed by an amazing fireworks show at 12:00 midnight that was telecasted live on various news channels including Geo and Express News.

Various artists including Fakhir Mahmood and Salman Mughal performed for the audience at the function but many have complaint about the entry ticket at Port Grand which is Rs. 300 was not redeemable at any of the food kiosk during that day. The event was only for families and single's were barred from entering the food street.

There was also an amazing light and sound show that mesmerize the audience and gave them a feeling of a night club. Here are few pictures and video of the event. Enjoy!

Karachi to Get its First Children Museum

2011-12-20T19:44:00.000+05:00

A new museum is under construction in the city of Karachi dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their full potential.

Built by the Citizens Archives of Pakistan, The Children Museum will be located inside Asia's largest food complex The Port Grand.

The Architects of the museum tries to depict the movement of the site by its twisted louvers. The planned museum follows the site with an elongated body opening into a green outdoor garden, which allows children and visitors to easily navigate through the spaces and exhibits.

The museum will encourage visitors of all ages to play, learn, imagine and create. Their vision is to be recognized as a premier institution serving children and their families while inspiring children to learn about themselves through the arts, literacy, and early childhood education.

Christmas in Pakistan

2011-12-20T11:57:00.000+05:00

Here are the beautiful Christmas messages from School Children in Pakistan. Have a look:

Imran Khan Calling Karachiites

2011-12-19T19:09:00.001+05:00

Imran Khan using recorded phone calls to spread his message across Karachiites

It was about 11 pm (PST) yesterday. I received a phone call from Lahore number on my landline and it was Imran Khan’s voice. My initial reaction was that someone someone must be joking but then I realized that it is Imran Khan speaking on phone. The call was recorded and he was like “Assalam-o-Alaikum kaise hain aap? I said theek hoon after a gap of few seconds he said main Imran Khan bol raha hoon jaisa ke aap ko pata hai main 25 December ko Karachi me 1 jalsa kar raha hoon aap zaroor aaiye ga main zaroori Elaan karoo ga. Allah hafiz

The above views are expressed by a blogger from Karachi who received a recorded phone call from Imran Khan. We advice you to assess security situation before going to the marathon scheduled on 25th December 1pm at Mazaar-e-Quaid..

BHUTAN - For Better Or For Worse

2011-11-18T11:46:00.003+05:00

The advent of television in Bhutan in 1999 enabled the country to open up and interact with the rest of the world but change that comes in a greater volume and occurs too fast can also have adverse effects. The journey from being a hidden kingdom to assuming the distinction of the world’s youngest democracy entails numerous significant episodes; the most important being the legalization of television in 1999. This year, when the United Nations celebrates November 21 as World Television Day, Bhutan will be considered as the newest member in the lot.

This tiny Himalayan country neighboring India that once had strict surveillance over its contacts with the outside world and likewise over external intrusion, explicitly embraced the most powerful global communication medium. Electronic and print media were flooded with coverage and journalists flew to a country that had unknowingly made history. Perhaps, legalizing television in the late 20th century alone might not have been so alarming. However, a country in self-imposed isolation that held onto ancestral Buddhist traditions and feared modernization for years had finally given up - and that made news.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, born to a dynasty of absolute monarchs, was seen as a change agent by the Bhutanese after he came to power in 1972. In his tenure, the country saw numerous developmental moves. Among these was the establishment of the first Bhutanese newspaper, Kuensel, launch of internet service and opening of the Bhutan Broadcasting Station, to name a few. Wangchuck left the throne to his son in 2006 and ordered countrywide elections in 2008, the seeds of which he had already sown. Ironically, it was the King and not his subjects who struggled and aspired for a change in form of government, resulting in a constitutional monarchy. Gross National Happiness, an idea coined to assess the country’s development and progress in terms of people’s contentment rather than a measurement and accomplishment of economic standards and goals, was purely Wangchuck’s contribution to his Kingdom.

With the advent of TV, the immediate and drastic change that occurred was in the family setup. Social change was mostly seen in seating arrangements at home. Where families would once face each other to enjoy lively interactive sessions for hours started facing their television sets. The streets in Bhutan were visibly deserted during ‘primetime’ shows. Emergence of a middle class subsequently became inevitable with commercialization taking deep roots in society. The beloved box flooded with international channels opened frontiers to identifying new role models with foreign celebrities. The Gross National Happiness, the inspiration for change in Bhutan, was built on the idea of strengthening Bhutanese identity rather than succumbing to foreign influences.

The advent of television in Bhutan has made it a functioning partner in the 21st century and has exposed it to the global political economy. Though change might be slow, quiet and not welcome (to some), it is indeed a revolution. Bhutan is witnessing a gradual shift in the political system which represents a revolution of sorts that marks a steady increase in literacy, a revolution that has speeded up the pace of technological advancements and a revolution that has all the powers of diluting Bhutan’s once rigid culture and traditions. Bhutan now has one foot in modernity and the other in the past. Its imminent future would be something to behold, whether the revolution is for better or for worse.

Published in SOUTHASIA magazine in its issue of November 2011

KESC Woes from Extended Load shedding Hours to Malpractices

2011-11-17T12:53:00.000+05:00

The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on Wednesday almost doubled loadshedding hours for domestic consumers after many of its plants tripped. Reasons?: 'unexpected drop in gas pressure at its generation plants', ‘shortage of fuel supply to power generation plants’, and ‘non-supply of power from KANUPP and other independent power plants’.

The increased loadshedding came without a prior notice to consumers, who suffered outages of up to eight hours divided into several spells. Power suspension was carried out even at night — after midnight and before dawn. The company has asked Federal Government to help avert power crisis in the country's financial capital.

KCCI Warned KESC
Country's largest chamber, the KCCI has warned KESC that industrialists wont pay the electricity bills if the power cuts extended to Industrial areas of Karachi located at the fringes.

Malpractices
KESC asks NEPRA for adjustment of Rs 54m from Agreeko for service charges for April 2011, whereas Agreeko did not generate a single megawatt after March 2011, while KESC attempted to serve a false picture before the authority with the help of off-beam statements and statistics to acquire the increase in power tariff for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010-11.

Dolmen Mall Tariq Road: Now a Free Wi-Fi Hotspot

2011-11-17T11:39:00.001+05:00

Free wireless is everywhere these days – from hotels to the chain coffee stores. Now? It’s gotten monumental.

Dolmen Mall officials announced this afternoon that the Dolmen Mall now has more than 50 active hubs, which will help create a free wireless network on the Dolmen Mall. The estimated range of the network will cover all floor of the mall and establishes an even wider span of coverage for the Tariq Road wireless-reliant citizens and tourists. The new hotspots will extend the reach of “Free Wifi” to all visitors of the mall.

Increasing number of shopping malls in Karachi are thinking of installing the capability. "If you look at malls in general, you are really seeing owners bring in things that allow for more people to come do a variety of things at the center," Dolmen official said. "The mall has become more than a place to shop."

Book Review Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi

2011-11-15T23:00:00.000+05:00

In recent decades, the world has seen an unprecedented shift of people from the countryside into cities. As Steve Inskeep so aptly puts it, we are now living in the age of the "instant city," when new megacities can emerge practically overnight, creating a host of unique pressures surrounding land use, energy, housing, and the environment. In his first book, the co-host of Morning Edition explores how this epic migration has transformed one of the world's most intriguing instant cities: Karachi, Pakistan.

Karachi has exploded from a colonial port town of 350,000 in 1941 to a sprawling metropolis of at least 13 million today. As the booming commercial center of Pakistan, Karachi is perhaps the largest city whose stability is a vital security concern of the United States, and yet it is a place that Americans have frequently misunderstood.

As Inskeep underscores, one of the great ironies of Karachi's history is that the decision to divide Pakistan and India along religious lines in 1947 only unleashed deeper divisions within the city-over religious sect, ethnic group, and political party. In Instant City, Inskeep investigates the 2009 bombing of a Shia religious procession that killed dozens of people and led to further acts of terrorism, including widespread arson at a popular market. As he discovers, the bombing is in many ways a microcosm of the numerous conflicts that divide Karachi, because people wondered if the perpetrators were motivated by religious fervor, political revenge, or simply a desire to make way for new real estate in the heart of the city. Despite the violence that frequently consumes Karachi, Inskeep finds remarkable signs of the city's tolerance, vitality, and thriving civil society-from a world-renowned ambulance service to a socially innovative project that helps residents of the vast squatter neighborhoods find their own solutions to sanitation, health care, and education.

Drawing on interviews with a broad cross section of Karachi residents, from ER doctors to architects to shopkeepers, Inskeep has created a vibrant and nuanced portrait of the forces competing to shape the future of one of the world's fastest growing cities.

About the Author
Steve Inskeep is a co-host of Morning Edition, the most widely heard radio news program in the United States. After the September 11 attacks, he covered the war in Afghanistan, the hunt for Al Qaeda suspects in Pakistan, and the war in Iraq. He won a National Headliner Award for investigating a military raid that went wrong in Afghanistan and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for a series on conflict in Nigeria. This is his first book.

Hyperstar Opening Tomorrow

2011-11-14T19:11:00.001+05:00

French retail giant Carrefour is opening up its first departmental store in Karachi tomorrow. The French giant is the world’s second largest retailer after Walmart which opened its first Pakistani store in Lahore in 2009. The store will be part of the Hyperstar brand which is used by the company in several locations around the world. The French giant’s presence in Pakistan is part of its joint venture with Dubai-based Emirati conglomerate Abdul Majid al-Futtaim Group.

Spread over 100,000 plus square feet in Dolmen Mall Clifton, the hypermarket – a bigger version of supermarket – will have the capacity to display 30,000 products will operate at a scale previously unheard of in Pakistan. With its state-of-the-art receiving yard and 35 exit cash counters, Hyperstar has much larger capacity than existing competitors including Makro and Metro Cash & Carry.

Hyperstar's second hypermarket in Karachi is under construction at Lucky One Mall near UBL Sports Complex – the site previously housed the now defunct Fazal Mill. Company has identified three more locations in the City of Karachi. The company also wants to open at least three more stores in Lahore. The Clifton location can accommodate 3,000 cars and a higher number of motorcycles (for the entire mall). It has a selling area spread over 65,000 square feet while its warehouse is spread over 20,000 square feet giving them leverage for piling up stocks and putting a huge number of goods on display.

World Diabetes Day

2011-11-14T14:41:00.002+05:00

For those of you who don't know that today is World Diabetes Day, this day is observed on November 14th every year as part of National Diabetes Awareness Month. World Diabetes Day focuses on engaging people throughout the world to raise awareness about diabetes.

World Diabetes Day continues to be led by the International Diabetes Federation, and is supported by medical foundations around the world including Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan, which is the largest health body in the country.

Check around your neighborhood for educational workshops, events and diabetes screenings:

Liaqut National Hospital will hold a public awareness program to commemorate WDD and a free medical camp for the people with diabetes will also be held on LNH premises coupled with free diagnostic facilities to the people keen to assess their risk status, said the organizers.
Aga Khan University has also arranged a program during which senior diabetologist Prof. Najmul Hasan and experienced nutritionist would make presentations to raise public awareness about prevention as well as management of the disease.

In 2009, Karachi famous monuments including Teen Talwar and Do Talwar were illuminated with blue light to celebrate "Go Blue" Campaign.

No Cure…Yet
Today, there is no cure for diabetes. More research is needed to find a cure and to help educate people with diabetes and their families who need to manage the disease. Diabetes affects everyone differently, but we all need to unite behind the common goal of living a healthy life with diabetes and hopefully celebrating a cure in the near future.

Agha's Supermarket Goes Green

2011-11-14T11:53:00.001+05:00

Karachi’s renowned Agha’s supermarket has come up with an interesting idea to conserve waste by recycling. Unlike Makro which ask for Rs. 5 per shopping bag. Agha's is providing grocery and other day to day customers items in nicely designed Newspaper bags made by needy women, these newspaper bags are provided to Agha’s by NGO Rana Liaquat Craftsmen Colony Welfare Program (RLCC), such newspaper bags would not only help women keep their homes running but at the same time address the conservation issue as well.

Basically the concept has an emphasis on social responsibility and suggests that for a company to only focus on exchange relationship with customers might not be suitable in order to sustain long term success. Rather, marketing strategy should deliver value to customers in a way that maintains or improves both the consumer’s and the society’s well-being.

I am glad that Pakistani marketers on retail level have also started realizing their social responsibility as ethically and socially responsible practices are simply good business, resulting not only in favorable image, but ultimately in increased sales.

Foundation for Museum of Modern Art (FOMMA)

2011-11-14T11:21:00.002+05:00

Many of you may have wondered that why there is no any Museum of Modern Arts in Karachi like the one we have in New York which is a major attraction for tourists and people who love arts. The museum displays vast art work by various artists taking an admirer to a whole new world.

Mr. Zulfiqar Lakhani, the co-owner of Lakson Group, the group which also owns CyberNet, McDonalds Pakistan and Express Media Group has setup Foundation for Museum of Modern Art (FOMMA) in Karachi which is an Independent Charitable Trust, registered as a Non- Profit Organization with a mission to setup a Museum of Modern Art in Pakistan.

Mr. Lakhani's personal interest in in the arts has encouraged him to re-vitalize Modern Arts in Pakistan. His contributions and involvement as Chairman of Fomma has seen this trust evolve from a dormant entity into an active and highly visible forum, raising several million rupees for the various exhibitions, workshops and publications.

The main focus of Fomma remains the promotion of the Arts and the setup of a Museum of Modern Art in Pakistan. It currently has a historic building in the Zamzama Park (DHA-5, Karachi), allocated to Fomma by DHA, which houses the Fomma- DHA Art Centre (FDAC). It has also been allocated two historic 19th century colonial buildings in Karachi - likely to be available around 2013 - on the periphery of the upcoming 110-acre Race Course Gardens (RCG). It has modest spaces for an Auditorium, a Projection Room, a Lecture Room, an Archival Room, an Art Library and offices. Currently it houses the Fomma Trust's Art History & Documentation Centre (AHDC).

For more: http://www.fomma.info

I Shop, Therefore I Am!

2011-11-10T10:29:00.007+05:00

Are you serious? Cobblers are history to me! You got to buy new pairs of shoes every now and then; getting them mended is not so desirable these days. Your outfit speaks to others of your persona, class and trend. And, I need to maintain my trendy-self!” This came as an abrupt response from Jai Kumar, an aspiring youth living in Karachi, when asked about how important a cobbler’s role is in these times.

Speaking to Kumar for the next couple of hours, I concluded that the mindset pertains to a host of other consumables. His father is a college professor and earns to save for a prosperous future of his two daughters and a son, while his mother is a housewife. With such a lifestyle, the bourgeoning middle class in South Asia is expanding and that too in a way that it is anticipated to spend $32 trillion per annum by 2030 and break all records of worldwide consumption.

The term middle class may seem to be an easy concept to comprehend at first but quantifying it is a tricky task. Unlike poverty, which has an absolute definition in terms of caloric requirements, there is no standard definition of middle class. Making it more complex are the substrata that divide it further into three segments, namely lower-middle, middle-middle and upper-middle class. The consumption range of $2-$20 per day per person, however, is an approach generally used to describe this segment of society by researchers to base their studies on and that too is subject to variations in different countries.

A developing region’s middle class is the most desirable target for manufacturers and producers as they are aspiring and purposefully inclined towards becoming modernized and have a considerable amount to spend. The rich have always had well-defined consumption patterns while the frustration and misery that prevails in a poor man’s life keeps him away even from longing for things that the middle and upper classes enjoy. Thus, the only segment that have desires to the extent of getting better everyday with gradual and steady growth and transforming today’s worries to tomorrow’s accomplishments, are the ones that are technically known to be ‘the bourgeoning middle class.’ Likewise, the emphasis on the term ‘developing region’ is a reference to the same evidence as the rich representing the developed bloc and the poor being described as underdeveloped.

Studies have shown that South Asia’s middle class is the fastest growing population group in the world, with India and Pakistan being the two major contributors. Their middle class, that made 1.4% of the overall global population in 2000 is likely to swell manifold and is expected to grow to as much as 8.9% in three decades. This growth is not comparable with other developing regions as there has been a more than two-fold increase in the region’s population from 1990 to 2010. As they say, the larger the middle class a country has, the more likely it is to increase its economic stability, thanks to the growing consumer market and expanding consumer culture in this segment.

It is generally observed that the young and the restless – the youth – ‘conveniently’ fall prey to the lures of consumerism. Consider, for instance, an hour’s television transmission in the two large cities - Karachi and Delhi. The ever growing innovation in communication tools that are used to appeal to the middle class market segment has hit new heights. This is because needs have surpassed basic requirements in food, mobile services, television and other electronic gadgets, accompanied by marketing schemes that offer loans and credit services that assist the young in achieving immediate gratification of their growing desires.

It is quite surprising to note that it merely took little less than a decade for mobile phones to become the dominant means of accessing information in South Asia since its introduction in 1995-96. For example, in India the number of mobile subscribers reached 90 million in comparison to 50 million subscribers for landlines. In Pakistan, 62,000 mobile users on an average are being added daily. Moreover, the improvement in educational standards in the urban sectors of the two cities and rise in incomes allows more discretionary spending driven by the available variety opportunities.

With the availability and accessibility of resources, middle classes in India and Pakistan have always been active in setting consumption trends of goods and services. India, with its massive population, has the largest share of the middle class segment overall in the region. The social trends and lifestyles in both countries have historically been influenced by one another. The young in the two major cities are also influenced by their exposure to mass media on both sides.

Karachi is described as the fastest growing mega city in Pakistan. It is not surprising then that foreign brands are penetrating the city’s market due to the increase in the sophisticated consumption habits of its middle class. There is evidence that retail sales that were $57 billion in 2005, had hit $80.4 billion in 2010.

Brand-consciousness was a term used with reference to the upper strata. Now brands like Armani, Gucci, Dockers, Levi’s, KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut are quite well-known in the middle class segment. These are desirable and accessible and a part of their lives. Richard Robbins, the author of Global Problem and the Culture of Capitalism, says that the more that is produced and the more that is purchased, the more we have progress and prosperity.

Too many people spending money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like, defines today’s exponentially growing middle class of South Asia.

Published in SOUTHASIA magazine in its issue of August 2011.

How Pakistani Lawmakers Would React to Bangladesh Move

2011-11-09T11:32:00.004+05:00

Bangladesh on Monday has blocked European Union’s trade package for flood and disaster hit Pakistan at the World Trade Organization, EU has agreed to grant beneficial import conditions to Pakistani textile makers as an aid measure following Pakistan’s devastating floods last year.

Europe and Pakistan had expected a long-announced plan for trade preferences for Pakistani textile makers to be approved during a meeting of trade diplomats in Geneva on Monday, but a Bangladeshi complaint effectively halted it.

Pakistan is in a state of Emergency where its economy has seriously suffered from the War on Terror, Floods and ongoing violence, the decision by Bangladesh is very unfortunate, says lawmakers.

In 1971, Bangladesh has nationalized all factories owned by Pakistani Industrialists in the country, giving a serious blow to Pakistan's economy and most significantly to Bawanis, Adamjees, Ispahani and Dawood groups. Recently, many of Pakistani industries are shifting their factories to Bangladesh due to their government subsidies.

Pakistani lawmakers have a serious concern on the latest Bangladeshi move and it is expected that the issue with Bangladesh would be seriously tackled in SAARC Conference in Maldives and further on would be raised in all forums nationwide and internationally.

The EU last year offered to allow import of 75 Pakistani items on a lower duty to help Pakistan cope with the floods of July-August 2010. The package must get a WTO nod to come into effect.

Silver Lining After Sindh Floods

2011-11-03T12:21:00.001+05:00

The Silver Lining, The Spider Webs! An unexpected side-effect of the flooding in parts of Pakistan has been that millions of spiders climbed up into the trees to escape the rising flood waters. Because of the scale of the flooding and the fact that the water has taken so long to recede, many trees have become cocooned in spiders webs. People in this part of Sindh have never seen this phenome...non before but, they also report that there are now far fewer mosquitoes than they would expect, given the amount of stagnant, standing water that is around. It is thought that the mosquitoes are getting caught in the spiders web, thus, reducing the risk of malaria, which would be one blessing for the people of Sindh, facing so many other hardships after the floods...!!!

Immortal Beloved in Karachi

2011-11-03T10:56:00.002+05:00

After popular shows such as Phantoms of Opera, Moulin Rouge and Bombay Dreams, the famous director and producer Shah Sharahbeel is back in Karachi with a new show Immortal Beloved.

The Immortal Beloved (German "Unsterbliche Geliebte") is a mysterious addressee of a love letter which composer Ludwig van Beethoven wrote on 6–7 July 1812 in Teplitz. The apparently unsent letter was found in the composer's estate after his death, after which it remained in the hands of Anton Schindler until his death, was subsequently willed to his sister, and was sold by her in 1880 to the Berlin State Library, where it remains today, written in pencil and consists of three parts.