By S A J Shirazi
Discovery of fossils, tools, coins, and remains of ancient archaeological sites give enough historic evidence about Soan civilization and its continuity in Potohar (or Potwar) Plateau. The people, colourful landscape, lakes, hill ranges, flora and fauna are sufficient reasons to explore the land that is largely off the beaten track and […]

Adil Najam

Today ATP gets to feature the work of two people whom I hold in great respect - even awe - each at the top of their craft.
The first, of course, is Madam Nur Jehan (Noor Jahan). Whatever the word might mean to others elsewhere, for Pakistanis ‘Madam’ refers only to Nur Jehan; and one […]

Adil Najam

It took England only three days to defeat Pakistan most thoroughly in the second Test Match at Old Trafford.
The injury-ridden Pakistan team collapsed not one, but twice as England wrapped the game by an inning and 120 runs. Final scores: Pakistan (119 and 222); England (461). But injury is really no excuse for […]

By Raza Rumi

Lahore’s Lawrence Gardens, baptised the Bagh-i-Jinnah in the post-independence era, represent the quintessential Raj ethos.
Built primarily for the sahibs and memsahibs, the park has managed to maintain its dream-like beauty for a century and a half. The colonial maps drawn up in the mid-nineteenth century show that eastward of Charing Cross, Gardens […]

Adil Najam
It seems like everyone has an opinion on what Gen. Musharraf should do about the 2007 elections and the question of ‘removing’ his uniform. (See related ATP posts here, here, and here). So, why not hear what ATP readers say on this question. That is what this, the second, ATP Poll will try […]

By Bilal Zuberi
Karachiites know donkey cart races well.
I have myself witnessed them on many different streets in the city, from Sharah-e-Faisal to the main Univeristy Road. Amin Gulgee has even erected a monument to celebrate the city’s interesting pastime.
Donkey carts, with their single riders guiding them masterfully on Karachi streets and making noise from pebble-filled […]

By Owais Mughal
Being away from Pakistan for ten long years, I have missed many small things which I always used to take for granted. One such small thing was the joy of writing with a fountain pen.
A Fountain pen was first patented in US in the year 1884 but since then writing with it has […]