Shoaib Akhtar – a fallen hero
There have been some avoidable outbursts by both Akhtar and his disciplinarians. Akhtar has a chequered past in the conventional sense; and perhaps his…
Why Jodhaa Akbar is a disappointment?
The challenge of translating a historical era into a cinematic endeavour is daunting, especially when it concerns historically contested subjects such as the fabled…
Living Histories
Essences of the past and present come alive at the Lawrence Gardens Lahores Lawrence Gardens, baptised the Bagh-i-Jinnah in the post-independence era, represent the…
An open letter to Mr Aitzaz Ahsan
Published in DAWN THAT you are principled, charismatic and right is beyond doubt. You have inspired the cynical, intelligentsia, revived a moribund civil society…
The flawed boycott mantra?
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Much has been said on how the election results are a referendum against the policies of General Musharraf. While there…
Raza Rumi was in Delhi
A budding writer from Lahore visits the city of his beloved author. I was [pleasantly -why lie] surprised this morning to discover a story…
Journeying into Mysticism
Indian Muslims blog has posted my travel piece on Delhi. “…, I tell my workmate of the 22 khawajas buried under Delhi’s soil and…
Shehr-i-Qatl ke log (People of this Murderous City) a poem
Reposting this 2007 poem: Alam kay iss jazeeray mein Jahan sab per ujar gaye Aur saari musafitan be-nishaan ho gayee Teri tasveer neechay gulab…
Meeting Sidhu Saheb in Delhi
Before I could write about meeting a fellow blogger in Delhi, Sidhu posted this account of our meeting. It was amazing to meet a…
Finding a long lost friend
KM and I have known each other for ages. There were days when we were at school and the height of excitement of pre-globalized…
I finally moved here – “You lack a foot to travel?”
Moving from the wordpress blog is proving to be more excruciating than I had thought. In addition, being technically challenged does not help either.…
Nahaj ul Balagha – Looking back to Get Ahead
Fahmida Riaz is Pakistan’s premier female poet. She became a sensation in the early 1970s when her bold, feminist poetry created a stir in…
Hazrat Ali’s letter on governance and citizenship
The common stories about Islam or Muslims have to do with the chopping of arms and killing of infidels. We are told that Muslims…
What goes around…No more saviours please
Now that the wheel has turned its back yet again, there is much to ponder. There are many who are saying that this is…
My interview at the Pak Spectator
Raza Rumi was interviewed at the Pak Spectator blog. My interview is nothing but rambling galore; but I did relish answering the various questions.…
October 18: Attack on Benazir Bhutto’s rally at Karsaz, Karachi (From the archives)
Despite the Tragedy, Extremism Will be Fought by Pakistanis Published October 20, 2007 (blogcritics) 180 are dead and more than 500 injured in Karachi…
I bow before the image of my Love
I bow before the image of my Love No Muslim I But an idolater I bow before the image of my Love And worship…
On the “death of Pakistani culture”
Khaled Ahmed is the endangered variety of writers. A true man of letters proficient in world languages, histories and cultures, he is a journalist…
Inhospitable Reception
“While the ‘easy-white-woman’ stereotype is being reinforced, how can Pakistan become a tourist destination?” Conversing with Charlotte is always a pleasure. She’s original and…
Qurratulain Hyder -End of an Era
The death of Qurratulain Hyder marks the end of an era of the finest writing in Urdu. Hyder, also known as Ainee Apa, dominated…