ATP Team

As our regular readers know, All Things Pakistan (ATP) was down for nearly 18 hours between 3AM and 9PM (Eastern US Time) today (20 March, 2008). Our thanks to the many many readers who sent us emails alerting us of this and providing suggestions. Since early morning we have been working frantically, but mostly unsuccessfully, in trying to resolve the problem.

This, of course, was not our first scare. But it was clearly teh worst and longest breakdown we have had. Although it is still not clear if the problem has been fully resolved, the site is now stable enough once again for us to post this message and open comments on existing posts.

Darwaish

Dr. Fehmida Mirza today created history when she became the first ever woman to be elected as speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly. If I am not wrong, she is also the first every woman to achieve this position in entire Muslim world. She was the candidate of PPP, PML(N), ANP and JUI(F) and secured more than 2/3 of the total votes. She got 249 out of 324 votes casted while her opponent Sardar Mohammad Israr Tareen of PML(Q) could only secure 70 votes. It was interesting to see JUI(F) chief Moulana Fazal Ur Rehman voting for a woman candidate when first he showed some reservations. I guess ministries and urge to join government makes one do anything and everything :). Faisal Kundi has been elected deputy speaker defeating Khush Bakht Shujat.

Dr. Fehmida Mirza belongs to a very influential family of Hyderabad, Sindh and her husband Zulifiqar Mirza is considered a very trusted and close friend of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. During previous governments of Benazir Bhutto, Mirza was often accused of being Asif Zardari’s front-man in alleged shady deals. That was why Mirza, whose car registration Zulfi One, used to make waves in the federal capital during those days, disappeared from the scene after the dismissal of second Benazir government in 1996.

Darwaish

Pablo Picasso once asked this very interesting question that “Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?” He didn’t give any answer or explanation and I am not sure if there is an answer to this question. Or is there?

I recently found this wonderful work by Maciej Dakowicz, a UK based freelance photographer who spent 4 weeks in April 2006 in Pakistan and instantly fell in love with its people and places. He writes “What a great country to travel, it is a bit like India, but without all the hassle. People are extremely friendly and hospitable and I have never met such people before. They like to talk to you – I had to answer “What’s your name?” and “What is your country?” questions hundreds of times – it is tiring after some time. I was invited for a cup of tea and offered a cold drink lots of time. Once in a restaurant a man I have never seen paid for my meal..”

For ATP readers interest, I am posting four selected photos taken by Maciej Dakowicz. Each one of them tells a story in itself and all you have to do is tell us what is the first thing or thought that comes in your mind when you see the photograph. Should be interesting :)

Click on each image for enlarged view. A version of this post also appeared on Lahore Metblog in December 2006.