Adil Najam

This post is dedicated to twins Abdullah Khan (L) and Muhammad Bilal (R), born to Bushra Humayoun at a college converted to a camp for flood survivors by the army on the outskirts of Nowshera on August 12, 2010. May you prosper, dear Abdullah and Bilal. May you live long and fruitful lives. May you never see again a tumultuous calamity like the one you were born in the midst of.

This post is dedicated to little Shahabuddin of village Pore – fondly known as Zalzala Khan – who will turn five later this year on that day that will mark the fifth anniversary of the 2005 earthquake (read here).

This post is dedicated to all the children who spent last year’s Independence Day in Internally Displaced Pakistanis (IDP) camps across Pakistan.

All of you are survivors. Born into and in times of adversity, and rising above it. Your story is the story of Pakistan. You are the symbols of our strength. The carriers of our hopes.

This post is dedicated to all the children of Pakistan. Azadi Mubarak to all of you. May your generation make more of it than our generation – or that of our parents – did.

Owais Mughal

While the country is going through severe floods we thought a small detour to a lighter topic may be a good idea to raise everybody’s spirits.

In the past we’ve carried a 4-part series as a tribute to Dildar Bhatti which can be read here, here, here and here.

Adil Najam

Ramzan Mubarak! Aazadi Mubarak!

Every year around this time we talk about the Holy month of Ramzan, how it is celebrated in Pakistan, and how its true purpose is to understand how those in need feel. Every year around this time we talk about Pakistan’s Independence Day, how it is celebrated in Pakistan, and how it should be a time to think about what we have done, and can do, for our country. This year Pakistan Day arrives at the very beginning of Ramzan. It also arrives as the entire country is submerged not only in a massive flood calamity but in a pale of gloom, despair and despondency.

The message that this confluence brings with it is as obvious as it is important.

If ever there was the time to demonstrate just what the real meaning of Ramzan and the real significance of Independence Day is, this would be the year.