There is tenseness in the air in the weeks prior to our departure to Pakistan in October 2011. A feeling of fear curated by media reports of marketplace bombings, shootings, and generalized chaos. We’re all afraid to go, exacerbated by the fact that there are no men accompanying us on the first leg of our […]
Read more "Pakistan’s Contradictions, Conflicts and Chaos (and Comforts?)"It was a very hot day in May of 2013. I was busy looking for books to read in my room (which is always a mess) when I got a call from Saad, an old friend. “You busy?” “No” I replied. “Then get ready for a trip in 5 days.” Knowing him I thought he’s […]
Read more "Summer in Pakistan: A Journey Into the Normal"Audiences will soon be flocking to cinemas around the world to catch Ant-Man, the latest comic book adaptation from Marvel Studios. Much like with Guardians of the Galaxy last year, Marvel has once again dug deep to introduce to viewers one of its quirkier villain-busting crusaders. As traditional giants of the industry continue to delight […]
Read more "Pakistan Man is the latest comic-strip hero to save his country"I got a message from a friend in Pakistan the other day. “Kiya hal hai” (how you doing?). “Theek thak yaar” (I’m chillin). “Rozai theek chalray hain? (fasting going alright?) “Theek, garmi kam hai ider or mein sust bhi hoon” (Fine, it’s not as hot here so all good and I’m lazy). “Pakistan mein bhooooooooot […]
Read more "Usually, all it takes is a conversation"A while back I came across this website and was floored by the pictures it had. They were taken of 1960’s Afghanistan by William Podlich, a professor at Arizona State University who spent two years in the country. The Afghanistan of his time is unrecognizable, and though this is a blog about Pakistan, I often […]
Read more "As it once was, it is no longer: Change is inevitable. Focus is controlled."I remember sitting at the back of my psychology class in high school, silently laughing at the bewildered expression on my teacher’s face, as another Pakistani student informed him that she would be going to Pakistan in a few short days. He was almost at a loss for words as he tried to wrap his […]
Read more "Smoky air and sunrises: thick heat and walks that can’t be beat!"This blog was first written for Dawn.com. It is being re-posted here with permission from the author. ——— I was recently in Lahore for some fieldwork towards my PhD and I can tell you what everyone else will tell you: it’s actually, really quite bad. But, that’s not what this blog is about. Sure, during […]
Read more "Pakistanis, can we trust each other?"Pakistan, a place, and a word, that any child with the slightest relation to it, knows as soon as he or she can start speaking. Or as my brother, when asked at 2, “where are you going?” would say: Pachitaan! Sitting here writing this, I realize my pak story, or my pak memories are far […]
Read more "Pachitaan Zindabad! Fresh fruit. Good times. And stinky memories?! Yes Please!"The meaning and importance of food!
Read more "Less fighting. More eating!"I’ve been thinking about what I’d write for this since I was told about it. When I think about Pakistan there’s a part of my memories that have been clouded by what we see in the media, ridiculous as it is. I’ve spent months visiting but the negative images still manage to seep in. It […]
Read more "Small, ordinary moments, like they would be anywhere else!"
MynormalPak 