Rants, raves, whinges… all of the above
Something peculiar happened last night on my way back from the AIESEC office. Our rickshaw-wallah (driver) pulled over (in peak hour traffic in one of the busier areas of Karachi) to help push another's rickshaw… using his foot. And he proceeded to do so for another few kilometres.
It's something so small, but it really made my day.
It's a sunny Sunday afternoon. I'm sitting on the MC Mansion rooftop, having had halwa puri for breakfast, read the newspaper and now enjoying a great book. Around me I can hear the sound incessant honking of cars and trucks, the azaan (call to prayer) for Asr and the sound of boys cheering in their game of street cricket.
It's hard to believe that two weeks ago, Karachi was ablaze - cars and buildings burning, people on the streets, danger in the air.
For the past week, I've been struggling to put into words the thoughts that have been flying around my head, thoughts that have popped up reading reports on the deteriorating situation, the riots, seeing this country described as a "failed state" and a "pre-9/11 Afghanistan". All the while, my head is screaming from the negativity I see. I have tried to write how the Pakistan seen in the media is not accurate, to explain the riots and the reactions to the assassination, but the words just don't come out right.
So I'm going to show the other side of Pakistan, the Pakistan I am growing to love, through the lens of my camera.
Badshahi Masjid, Lahore:
Bhai drinking milk - Old City, Lahore:
Chai-wallah - Regal Chowk, Lahore:
A relucant smile:
Making a wish - Old City, Lahore:
This is Pakistan, not the one you see in the news.
