Adil Najam

I did not know that December 9 was the “International Anti-Corruption Day.” Nor that it would be observed in Pakistan along with Eid. I learnt this and saw this picture at Islamabad Metroblog, and didn’t really know how to react to it.

Yes, saying “No” will help. But maybe it will take a little more than just saying “No.”

On the other hand, there are plenty of reasons why we should observe the day “Anti-Corruption” day in Pakistan. Would’nt it be just wonderful if we observed it every day!

Asma Mirza

When I saw this delicious picture of Murgh Yakhni and boiled eggs set to allure people, my memories went back to childhood train travels. Before the buses invaded Islamabad-Lahore route, traveling by trains, stopping at every station, enjoying the typical chanting of vendors was part of every child’s life.

The most interesting of all these voices would be the shrilly one, “GARAM AANDAY LE LO” (Have Warm Boiled Eggs). And the pleasure of eating those warm boiled eggs (with no fear of cholesterol and calories) was entirely unmatchable. Now when I see back, I miss that punjabi street delicacy in my life. I’m afraid the slightly newer generation is not even aware of its existence. Gradually, soups took over the place of decades old simple delights.

Have you eaten Garam Aanday just like that in chilly winters? Any Garam Aanday reminiscences from your life you want to share with us?

Image Courtesy: Dawn

Adil Najam, Asma Mirza, Darwaish and Owais Mughal

From all of us at ATP we congratulate those who performed Hajj this year as well as our heart felt greetings for Eid-ul-Azha.

The Hajj is an amazing and powerful symbol of equality and unity in a world distraught with frictions and factions. It is not just a symbol of ‘Muslim brotherhood’ but of human oneness. It is not simply a connection - in its rituals and its meanings - amongst the Abrahamic faiths; it is also a spiritually moving and visually powerful symbol of the unity of all humankind.

Adil Najam

Some people seem to find this video funny. I find it sad and slightly sickening.

The video shows a bunch of men from a neighborhood mohalla ogling at and sometimes provoking a frightened cow. In the process, the poor animal lashes out and kicks violently at various people who try to ‘control’ it. The tamashbeen seem to find this funny and, purposely or inadvertently, their reaction further instigates the frightened animal.

Adil Najam

Good journalists never give up. This hilarious outtake needs no commentary.

Watch. Smile. And admire the reporters’ perseverance.

S.A.J Shirazi

Climbing the mountain had been on my mind for almost all my life, particularly ever since I did a course in Rock Repelling and trekked some softer mountains up in the North. But I have never climbed K 2 or Nanga Parbat — icons of Pakistani climbing, as identifiable and as famous as the Mount Everest. I have been pretty close to them, at the distance that seemed nearly close enough to touch their summits.

In different capacities, I had lived some of my life in the base camps of these majestic mountains and some others in Northern Pakistan; with mountaineers, explorers and adventurers from all over the world.

Sitting in the base camps, I have seen determined, committed and sponsored climbers arrive at base camps; some less savvy teams taking a look around and going back. Some staying and waiting for the weather breaks that do not come; some even taking a start only to abort and some conquering the mighty mountains. Staying in base camps is important for climbers to give their bodies more time to acclimate to the elevations.