Is it possible to sell a country as a commercial product? Obviously it is. The process applies to consumer goods, people, famous brands, why not for a country? But what happens if that country is called Pakistan? They have spoken recently in Islamabad at a conference organized by Brand Pakistan (http://brandpakistan.pk ). Pakistan is a country of incomparable natural beauty: lakes, mountains, a rich fauna. And of course fascinating archaeological sites (such as the city of Multan, just as an example, and Lahore that winds), and mix different cultures, colorful festivals, hockey matches and bullfights … .So some respects it… read more →
A curfew imposed can not be only formally: the cities close for safety reasons (Kabul, for example), you come back at home at 23 and can succeed only after 6 in the morning. No, the city can be closed a bit ‘at a time, in a semi-formal way, taking measures that force those who live in non-circulation living. A few days throughout Pakistan (in a city with 22 million inhabitants as Karachi, as well as in a small district of Balochistan) shops must close at 8 pm, restaurants and other cafè officially at 11. Reason: the shortage of electric… read more →
It has been somehow a holy week. In Lahore last weekend there was the most famous festival of the spring season, the Mela Chiraghan or Lights Festival, celebrating the death of the Sufi poet and saint Shah Hussain. The festival is held in the sanctuary dedicated to him and in the beautiful Shalimar Gardens. It is called the Light Festival because people carry lighted candles at the shrine and illuminations are placed in the park and along the canals. The sanctuary is located in the old part of the city, streets clogged with stalls of food vendors, necklaces of flowers… read more →
The world tries to hide the persecution of Christians, Pope Francis said yesterday commenting on the massacre that took place in two churches in Lahore, which caused 15 deaths and numerous injuries. In fact, while it is true that the close of Islamic fundamentalism is claiming victims even in the Christian world (even if the majority of the dead is still Muslim, remember), Pakistan comes on the pages of our newspapers only this last event, precisely because on the Christian community (nearly one million only in Lahore). It makes us feel more than usual because, our generations never had seen… read more →
To M, who will not sleep this night Islamabad, the Spa of a large hotel, the best known of the city. We go there in many, Pakistanis and expatriates (already own those “ex-patria”, which change the country every time they change jobs or destination and never know how they feel). It has a very nice outdoor pool and although it is still cold here, you swim in heated water; and then there are gym, sauna and turkish bath, everything as expected. In these non-places there is no control over the mode of behavior: I mean been secular, Christian or Muslim,… read more →
Civilization is the corpse lying on the world’s pavet. All civilizations are under fire: so Mohsin Hamid, Pakistani writer known for “The reluctant fundamentalist” has opened his speech at Lahore Literary Festival 2015, which saw 75.00 visitors in three days, from 20th to 22th of February. The number is not a joke, in an armored city, which reacted in this way to suicide attack that took place in the days before and the many others who almost daily hurt Pakistan. The other truth is just as dramatic: the rights and wrongs of the dead do not talk, in fact, the… read more →
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way, Do… read more →
Malala Yousafzai was hit in the face by two Taliban bullets while she was in the bus, back home from school. The event, without doubt dramatic, it has become a case, as was that of Amina, the Nigerian sentenced to stoning for adultery and then pardoned because of the global campaign in his favor, which fortunately saved her life, now almost ten years ago. Malala was taken to UK and rescued and in the meantime media were working on the case. The Taliban as well were “working” on it, because by the time they changed their means of communication… read more →
For two months, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) of Imran Khan (along with the PAT Qadri) is helding a sit-in permanent in Islamabad demanding the resignation of Prime Minister and denouncing fraud in the previous election (we have already written on this blog about it). Last Sunday, PTI has organized a rally at the stadium in Multan. The disorganization of the men of the party and the carelessness of the police resulted in the deaths of ten people and injured many others. My friend Taimoor Ahmed Khan has been there and he tells how really went into the stadium. I am… read more →
Let our soul in peace: the veil is not for us. We non-Muslim Western women, I mean. It ‘a matter of fashion, glamour, Bia Sarasini would say that: yesterday she wrote a post commenting on the presence in Switzerland of young women in jeans, veil and accessories and that for years she has held on Noidonne a column of fashion that I still regret).
