Na cher Malanga'n Nu

Recently I read a “newsworthy” item in one of the leading local newspapers titled ‘Swat dancers looking forward to journey home.’ 

No offence to the “Dancers” but I believe going back to Mingora and starting the business of “Performing Art” is not the right approach. This will only upset ‘Taliban’ in the conflict zone of Swat. Clearly peaceful dialogue did not workout with Taliban and armed forces had to be used to fish out these terrorist or some may call them extremists, if Zarmeena returns to her war-torn native area she will only risk the peace process in Mingora and might trigger Taliban to appear again.

If we look at this from Taliban’s prospective, this sort of Art is not restricted to dance and music it goes beyond that and we all know what that is. Let’s forget about Taliban for a bit and ask people from Swat region that what is their point of view on this Art? I can guarantee majority of Swati people will say NO to it. How about we move to the more liberal regions of our dear country and ask well-off families from all provinces who would hire Zarmeena’s services for weddings and other parties, do they think that Mujras are respectable business? Again, we all know the answer.

I personally have no issues with this Art but few things in our country are best if kept underground, like Alcohol is forbidden in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Shhhhhh 

“Na cher Malanga'n Nu,

Kuttay Pair'n Ge Ni Tanga'n Nu"

The Beginning

Sadly, holiday season is over. Or is it?

I finished my 3 week journey across Pakistan after travelling about 6,200 KM which is according to my standard a long one. Time spent with two of my great friends during this trip was one of the best, although we only agree to disagree on every EVERY thing in life but still we had a blast. Non-religious drinks for once took a back seat and I possibly just had 3 blurred nights. NOT BAD AT ALL.

I had no route plan but a book about Pakistan written by some English guy, printed by some English publisher and obviously read by English men by the way we call them Gora's which means a foreigner. So was I a foreigner in my own country? Yes, indeed I was.

I started off from Karachi and spent the night in Sukker, a guest house called decent guest house arranged by my Dads subordinate in that city and believe me he could have given me his daughter for the night but obviously that was his culture(not the daughter giving part). He would do anything for his beloved guests. At night, to get rid of my host I had to pretend that I am sleepy, after begging him to leave I called my friends cousin in town....PARTY TIME!!!! he came to pick me up with the same zeal as of my host but a bit bearable...I was taken to his friends Autak(Men only lounge), where I met plenty of people who all were extremely friendly, to my amazement 2 were playing chess, two or 3 were starting a game of Ludo and I was offered to play cards. I learned their game within 5 mins and started giving them a tough time. Then one poor soul asked me do you drink? before I could answer ye....he said obviously you do....next question was do you pop E and next which DJ you like....to my surprise that guy was Tiesto and E fan, he was a graduate but now married and looking after his dads agricultural land, some may call him feudal lord, which her agreed to after few joints, about 15 joints were rolled in my honour....although I am an occasional smoker of heavenly joints but 15 joins for 4 people hmmm interesting....next stop was Truck station for tea and to get there we had to pass a small stretch of highway...obviously their cars were pimped up and it called for a drag race...don't remember who won.

Next day we had to leave for Multan but with a small pit stop at my friends village to check his beloved ammunition. 3 Ak47, Uzi, Pump action, Beretta...you name it he had it....on our way we saw brutal cock fight and at the end we had a wood fire cooked meal....which included rice bread I never had that before....from there I left around 2pm as we were instructed to pass province of Sindh within day light as it was not safe at night. We reached Multan around 11 pm after dodging 1 meter visibility fog and 50 km stretch of so called road. 

p.s. We = Me and my brother.

cont...

Kewra salt Mine

Worlds second largest salt mine, quite unexpected stop over between Islamabad and Lahore.

non Islam-abad

The name has got religious significance but nothing religious about the city except Faisal Mosque. I stayed there for quite a few days but did not hear a single call for prayer(Azan), which in very unlikely Pakistan where most of the Mula's would prefer to cover whole of Pakistan with their voice. Favourite past time of the city is to go approx. 4000 feet on mountain to have food or just sit home with a glass of non-religious beverage.

Islamabad was made for foreigners and not for Pakistanis, while driving you stay in your lane, stop at every signal, let others pass, minimal use of horn etc. but right next to Islamabad is the city which will give you true essence of Pakistan. Rawalpindi, it is a maze of bazaars and highly coordinated traffic chaos.

Worlds biggest mosque?

Faisal Mosque

I was hoping to see the mosque which I had in my mind from my childhood but sadly I think it is slightly overrated. It was not ancient architecture nor modern to me, my views might be tempered due to poor outdoor lighting which might have not been giving justice to the structure.

Hiranminar

I never knew there was any thing like this in middle of no where. This was build by  Emperor Jahangir just next to the town of Sheikhupura. Emperor had so much time that he order the original minar(tower) which was near by on the grave of his beloved deer, no wonder kingdom came down soon after that. Will soon post details and more photos of the surroundings right now a bit restricted due to mobile blog.

1130 night coach

Last time I travelled by Pakistan railways was back in 2002 for basant in lower class shared compartment with few friends. In 6 years railways totally changed. to start with they do not have my much loved 3x1 inch cardboard tickets any more instead they have computerized ticketing system now with electronic announcement sign boards of arrivals and departures, all the employees at ticket selling counter were ladies with nice blue uniforms some with head scarf and some in ninja costume. To top it all 11.30pm train was singled to move by an old fashioned lantern and it left right on time. This was when my brother could not take any more of my company and left for Lahore.

New Toys

Always wanted to hold AK47 and i was lucky enough to hold 3 of them, (2006, 1998, 70s). Sadly i was not able to fire few rounds due to some tension with neighbours :P

Shams Tabrizi

Apparently Rumi's teacher but i did some research and found out the original Shams Tabrizi is buried in Iran. The local legend in multan is that he pulled the sun down to keep himself warm and that is why multan has got such a hot weather.

Double barrel

Old school hunting gun, i wanted to fish with this but was asked to shoot in the air.

Loser

Shahrukh capturing dead loser rooster but i think others are more interested in him or what he is doing.

Babi's farm

Lunch hosted by my host at his Baithk(sitting). Everything from tea to rice roti(bread) were cooked on wood

Brutal fight

One of the most brutal fights i have ever seen. This was rooster fight between 2 small farms with a bet of Rs20000 and further individual bets. One on the right died. Wait till i get back and post the video which is not recommended for animal rights activists.

Sukker

The only modern thing in city are cars. The whole city has to be rebuild after every monsoon.

Suicide Tower

Original name is Minar e Masum but it is favourite suicide spot hence the name. 84 ft high 84 steps and towards the top steps are as narrow as 1 feet.

Dadho suthi mehman nawazi

Sir Khizar Hayat and sir shahrukh hayat recieved sindh's highest honour ajrak and sindhi topi(cap)

Sunset

I wonder where all these trees came from in Sindh.

Rush hour

Even cows are respected here we let them cross the road on main national highway but dogs do have to play 'chicken game'

Bhambore

Probably first mosque in asia. Entry point of youngest general Mohd. Bin Qasim.

Late start

This will be my ride for next few weeks. All set to leave at 9.30 am approx 3 hours late due to over sleeping, breakfast by mom as i will never eat again and fighting not to carry banana's and oranges.