A difficult choice
By Hira Habib

All over the world at least forty million abortions are done every year out of which 78 per cent are performed in developing countries alone. 24 per cent of these are performed due to illegal pregnancies while 31 per cent of the mothers turn to abortion because they are not ready for a baby. And when it comes to Pakistan, the statistics are no different. Although illegal, abortion is being practiced in hospitals and clinics.

There are a number of surgical options available to abort pregnancies. The most common method is of D&C which involves stretching the opening of the uterus and scraping the inside walls. A loop shaped knife is used to cut the baby of about 12 weeks to four months. This process involves bleeding as the back bone of the baby is broken down by pliers and in the end the baby is pulled out. During this surgery the baby feels immense pain as no anaesthesia is used.

Another method involves suction in which a suction device is used to rip apart the baby within the womb. This method is similar to D & C.

One more inhuman method is 'salt poisoning', which is used when aborting a baby of up to four months of pregnancy. The doctor injects a poisonous solution into the womb and the baby consumes that poison. The baby inhales the poison and rolls restlessly in the womb which is clearly felt by the mother. The dead baby is then delivered in a time period of 24 hours, but there have been times when the poisoned baby has come out alive.  

Another popular procedure is the partial birth abortion which involves the intact delivery of the baby. First the head of the baby is pulled out; the suction tape is then inserted to remove the brain of the baby. The head collapses and the dead body of the infant is taken out.

The foetus develops reflex action within six weeks of a pregnancy. By the fourteenth week he/she can not only hear but can also feel pain, anger and frustration. The inseparable bond of a mother with her child can be seen when viewing the scientific fact of the baby responding to the mother's food diet. The unborn can kick and arch its back to convey whether he likes or dislikes the food. However, there are some unfortunate mothers who have no choice but to abort their babies due to various reasons.

For some people aborting a child is not a matter of choice but more of a health complication. Many women opt to get rid of a baby rather than giving birth to an ill one. Namra is one such woman who went through the surgery but to this day regrets her decision. "I was pregnant and after an ultra sound the doctors told me that the kidney's of my unborn are damaged. I was suggested to abort the baby by my husband and in-laws as they feared future complications," she recalled. "I thought the solution to my problems was an abortion. I was admitted in the hospital and given some tablets. My stay in the hospital lasted for three days during which I kept experiencing pain in my stomach," she said. "

After two weeks I suddenly felt some movement inside me. That was when it hit me that I was actually killing my child myself. My baby seemed to be in extreme pain." She lamented. "I was admitted in the hospital again and the doctors finally delivered my baby who took his last breaths right in front of my eyes. Within the next seven days my D and C was done twice and the experience was excruciatingly painful," she said.

Abortions also have numerous side effects on the mother's health. Women who have undergone the procedure can suffer from womb infection, pelvic pain, uterus eruption and may have problems conceiving in the future

Sana, another mother, shared her own experience. She was informed by the doctors that her unborn was abnormal. They suggested that she abort the baby to avoid future suffering. But her gut feeling compelled her not to make take such a decision. Thus she followed her heart and gave birth to a normal, healthy baby despite doctors' apprehensions.

Unless there are severe complications involved, the practice of abortion should be avoided. In the short term this may seem like an easy way out to some people, but the long term circumstances are dire and can cause health problems for the women who have undergone the procedure. Medical science is not very concrete and doctors are not always right. A child who may seem healthy before birth can end up with mental retardation and ones that seem weak can end up perfectly healthy.

Before deciding to abort a baby the parents should think about the consequences. At this point and time where people do not have enough money to feed themselves it would be unfair to term abortion as inhuman and unethical; it is actually unfair to expect people to survive with the current situation and that too with the added responsibility of a child.

For some people there is no other option out and they are forced to give up their child. However, for those who have a choice, staying away from abortion is a better idea. The fact is that majority of abortions being executed in Pakistan are because people cannot afford a child. However, there are also the few who go give up their child for superficial reasons. These people should know that they are murdering a human being for their own selfish reasons. 

* Names have been changed to retain identity

Food: A lifelong affair
Pakistan is a food loving nation and it seems highly unlikely that anything can replace our lifelong affair with handi chicken, ghulab jammun, ras milai, halwa, nihari...
By Amna Rafi Chaudhry

Wars have been fought over food. Man can kill for food. People have even travelled through storms to obtain delicacies of the east - spices. Food formed the basis of civilisations. It was food that helped in the formation of one of the most important laws of physics - gravitation. Yes, I am referring to the apple which fell on Newton's head. It's food, food and food which can make us laugh and cry at the same time. You can experiment this little theory by giving a box of chocolates to someone and then snatching it away.

Food is an art. Yes, cooking in my opinion is a form of creativity.  It is the artist folk who prefer to meddle with whisks, spatulas mortar and pestle. And it's safe to say that I just love cooking. This is as elaborate as I can get on how much I love to cook. Cooking for me is like chemistry where you mix certain proportions and get the same result in the end; pure delight! Cooking is like architecture to me where you can be as innovative as you want. Cooking is like dance to me where you can orchestrate your timings and movements to achieve that perfect dough or sugar glaze.

My caramel coated affair with food started years back when I used to be in school and successfully baked a small cake. After that every dish I made was like an achievement for me followed by trophies of pounds around my waist. Whenever I go out and meet new people, if there is an uncomfortable silence or I am at a loss for words, I can conveniently switch the conversation to food! Indeed it is food which dishes out a conversation on my tongue. I have an innate habit of relating something to anything and the same goes for food. Festivals, holidays and celebrations have food as an integral element. Imagine celebrating Eid without Ami ki Kheer or your birthday without a cake! Sounds depressing doesn't it? Yes, food is important for celebrations, infact food is a celebration of all thats good in life!

It's hard to plan a trip to any country without considering what cuisine they offer. I remember a friend of mine once went to China for an educational trip. We envied him for being able to visit the Great Wall of China, stroll around the perfectly landscaped gardens and being lucky enough to see the forbidden palace. We teased him on his return for being able to eat all the delicious chowmein and rice he could think of, but to our utter disappointment he claimed that everything had a particular stench, even the boiled vegetables! A trip with no good food may end up leaving a bad taste in one's mouth (pun intended) after all.

The first thing you get to hear from a Pakistani living abroad is "yahan khaana pasand ka nahi milta". It's so important for people to cash on others trip abroad by giving them food items like mithai, homemade masala or halwa to be delivered to their near and dear ones. I remember each time my brother had to visit the other side of the world he would be carrying with him heavy loads of barfi, only because none of the pardesi mithai walas could match the taste and quality of the stuff produced in Pakistan.

Our world is now advancing at a furious pace with grand changes being predicted in our future lives. It isn't very hard to come across a book or a movie that shows people from the future consuming tablets and capsules in place of food. And of course I shudder at the thought, but I have the comfort of knowing that because us Pakistanis are never in a hurry to adopt new technology that fast come what may, we probably won't be popping food pills anytime soon either. There's also the comfort of knowing that a country where food is one of the best entertainer around it seems unlikely that any advancement will replace our handi chicken, ghulab jammun, ras milai, halwa, nihari, jalebi...

Trims & tresses
If you're looking for a fresh look or just a simple change, get an ace stylist to snip off some of those locks to enhance your style!
By Luavut Zahid

Think complete makeover from a plain Taniya  to a sizzling Teena and you would imagine a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears being put into the process. The reality, however, is slightly different. To change one's look, all one has to do is change one's hairstyle. Yes, it's as simple as that. A little snipping, curling or straightening of those locks and you have a brand new look to show off to the world. A good cut can give an altogether new and fresh look to any woman, sometimes even snipping years off of their age.

Recently, TONI&GUY - the hairdressing gurus from the other side of the world- launched their state-of-the-art flagship outlet in Karachi. Saeeda Mandviwalla, whose name is synonymous with stylish hair and beautiful babes, introduced this UK based hair franchise to Pakistan. The outlet itself is a work of art. "This is a lifestyle, a landmark and one of a kind across the globe," said Saeeda at the launch. And it sure did look like it, as a variety of people attended the curtain raiser ranging from diplomats to fashion divas to L'Oreal professional heads.

The real treat, however, was the lovely brand ambassadors who were given hair makeovers by the TONI&GUY team in Karachi. Nadia Hussein, Arisha Bano, Syed Yorguc Tipu Sharif, Hasan Ahmed and Anoushay Ashraf - all sported new, hip and trendy hairstyles to ditch their old looks and make a new mark. The company has a large variety of styles both contemporary and classic; something for everyone. For those who want something completely different and crazy there are also the showcase cuts which are a combination of funky and trendy styles. "Whenever someone comes to us for a cut we take a number of things into account before we give them a hair treatment. Their life, their work, their face structure their height etc are all factors in the cut that they will receive. A certain cut that suits one person won't necessarily suit another, we know that and we work accordingly," expressed Saeeda.

Girls, you can learn a thing or two from Nadia who ditched her previously long red tresses for a chocolate brown colour, with silverish grey extensions. But a word of advice here: whenever you need to change your hair, try and choose something that suits the shape of your face. For people with large foreheads and a thin facial frame similar to Nadia's, a heavy fringe may work wonders. The specialist at TONI&GUY have snipped her hair to shoulder length. The makeover has given her an entirely new look. And the sexy lady still looks... sexy, albeit she looks a lot more different from her original look.

One very important thing that most people need to keep in mind whenever they're in the market for a new hairstyle or cut is the type of their hair. "If you have naturally curly hair don't work against those curls because after you've had your hair styled and cut it may look good for a little while but it will become messy later on and will become difficult to maintain," informed Saeeda. Model Arisha's hair is naturally curly so the stylists used this to their advantage and built height and volume by enhancing her curls.

Of late, layers have become a routine cut that most women get when they can think of nothing else. But simple straight layered hair, if not cut properly, start to look flat and boring. And like Anoushay, if you too have been stuck with layers for sometime go for a change. She got a combination of cuts which gave her a new fabulous look. This particular haircut  came from the hair maestro's  latest collection called 'Kaizan'. For Anoushay, the stylists created volume to add life to her dull hair, by cropping the crown area without reducing the length.

Both lads had equally stylish do's. Hasan from Mobilink ad fame, had too much volume, and like him if your man needs a new cut try what Hasan did; to minimize the volume, the stylists added texture. And if your problem is the opposite i.e. there is a lack of volume you should go for a style like Yorguc, who had dead straight hair and was given disconnected panels, along with a few golden streaks to add charm.

Stylists at TONI&GUY are sent for training to the UK every two months. These ladies are given crash courses in the latest fashion fads. So, people who stop by the outlet won't have to worry about having an outdated cut. The place also has different packages so don't worry about you pocket when you go to the saloon, you can just choose the one that's best for you and your wallets.

health
What's best for your baby
This week You! talks to Dr Tasnim Sadiq Shah to educate mothers on the multiple benefits of breast-feeding
By R. Khan

Babies need proper nutrition and care and who knows that better than their mothers? And when it comes to nutrition, the best food for babies is breast milk. Dr Tasnim Sadiq at T.S. Shah's Clinic sheds light on why mothers should breast feed their new borns and the implications of breastfeeding on a mother's health.

"Breast-feeding is beneficial for the mother and her child as it provides natural protection against diseases to both. Lactation and top feeding of infants up to two and a half years can drastically cut the number of malnutrition-induced mortality and morbidity rates," says Dr Sadiq.

The primary benefit of breast milk is the nutrition it contains. Human milk has just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

Packaged milk on the other hand, contains a different type of protein which is good for the calves but is difficult for human infants to digest. Bottle-fed infants tend to be heavier than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier. They look strong while internally their bone structure remains weak.

Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula milk. Explaining the diverse benefits, Dr. Sadiq explains that babies fed on mother's milk are established to be physically and emotionally stable as compared to their counterparts fed on infant formula (powder milk) or dairy milk.

Infants hardly form a distaste or allergy towards the mother's milk but may react if the mother eats something which the baby doesn't prefer. As soon as the mother eliminates that particular food from her diet her problem resolves itself.

Mother's milk eradicates the risk of a newborn being infected which is why they are advised by experts to modify their approach by opting for breast feeding without being inhibited by false myths. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.

Feeding the baby with breast milk offers protection against various health conditions as well as ailments such as breast cancer and obesity.

"There are 4,000 species of mammals, and they all make different milk. Human milk is made for human infants and it meets all their specific nutrition needs," tells Dr Sadiq.

Death rates are reported to be lower among breast-fed babies and they also have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers the mother's antibodies which cancel out diseases to the infant. About 80 per cent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Breast-feeding is not only beneficial for babies but their mothers as well. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. Nursing also becomes the way for mothers to shed those extra pounds gained during pregnancy as well, since nursing burns up extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.

Breast feeding is a difficult task and many women going through this experience, may feel weak and tired. This is why a mother nursing a child is forced to get the rest she requires. She must sit down, put her feet up, and relax every few hours to nurse. To keep the baby healthy, it is important for the mother to be healthy.

Studies have also shown that breast-feeding reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer. However, women who are HIV positive should not breast-feed. A few other illnesses -such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections - can also be transmitted through breast milk. These cases need to be evaluated by the doctor on an individual basis.

Nursing mothers must eat a balanced diet and avoid foods that irritate the baby. Smoking needs to be avoided as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness in the baby and cause decreased milk production.

Breast feeding is also an issue for women who work as they don't want to be tired and lethargic. Women who plan to go back to work shortly after giving birth have to plan carefully whether they want to continue to breast-feed. Some working women alternate nursing at night with bottles of formula in the day.

 Very few problems have been reported about a mother's intake of medicines effecting the child, which is why most over-the-counter and prescription drugs are considered safe.

Even mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, or high blood pressure can breast-feed. They should first check with the child's pediatrician. To minimise the baby's exposure, mother should take the drug just after nursing or before the child sleeps. Solid food can be introduced to the baby after the appropriate age of four to six months.

Letters

Dear Nadine Khan,

I need some information regarding nikah in Islam according to the Hanfi group. My questions are:

1) Can a mature girl marry without the permission of a wali?

2) What is the validity of the nikah performed orally in front of witnesses? Is written declaration a necessary condition for the nikah to be valid?

3) Can a mature male and female perform their own nikah in the presence of two witnesses. Will this nikah be valid if it is done orally or with written declaration?

4) If a person asks someone to perform his nikah with someone, and this person performs this nikah in the presence of two witnesses, will the nikah be valid, if performed verbally or with written declaration?

5) Is fiance a mehram? I've heard that if the parents of both the girl and the boy are ready for their marriage then they both become mehram for each other they can meet, chat, mail and talk with each other regarding anything with the exception of touching each other. And if the parents of both the girl and the boy are against their marriage but both the girl and the boy want to marry each other and are committed to each other they do not become mehram, and cannot meet, chat, mail or talk about anything. I want to know if the parentsí will makes a person mehram?

Fussy

letters

Dear Nadine,

I really appreciate the way you solve other people's problems, so I decided to write to you for the solution to my problem. I am a 13-year-old girl from a middle class family. My problem is that I donít fit in with my family. I have been studying this situation for 4 years now and I have come to realise that it has nothing to do with my behaviour or theirs. The problem is that their way of living is completely different than my way of living. I am an outgoing person whereas they are people who like to stay inside and do nothing but work. I agree that they are hardworking people but I have become depressed due to the fact that whatever I say is always considered weird. I am good at my studies. My behaviour is good yet I get beaten up or scolded because of doing something like wearing jeans or going to my friendsí place. Sometimes, I feel like committing suicide which I know is haram. Recently, we came up with the idea of foster parents. My parents agreed to that and decided to find parents for me who could understand me and lived the life that I want to live. Unfortunately they didnít find any because they don't have many friends and the people they know already have many children. I can't bear it and cry everyday to make myself feel better and stay depressed all the time. I am not under anyone's influence or going through a phase of life in which every teenager hates her parents. This feeling has been disturbing me for a long time now. Please help me, Nadine. If you do know of anyone who could adopt me, do let me know.

Depressed Girl

Dear Fussy,

The answer to the first question is that according to the Hanafi sect, an adult girl can contract nikah even if there is no wali. The presence of wali is, however, important because he can find out about the boy's background and character. Some scholars specify that if the girl wishes to marry a person against her parents' will the boy should match the girlís family's financial status. Even if the nikah is performed verbally, it is legal and binding according to the Shariah but the law of the land requires a document as a proof of nikah. The presence of a nikah khuan is mandatory along with witnesses. You can choose your nikah khuan as long as he is a respectable person, but you must have witnesses. Only then is the nikah valid. I repeat again that verbal nikah is all that is required by religion but our laws require documentary evidence. In case there is a problem later on and there is no nikah nama, you will have no legal standing. The witnesses may die or move or may not be available. That is why documentary evidence is a must.

No, your fiance does not become your mehram at all whether the match has your parents' blessings or not. You can meet and talk to him in the presence of your parents, but going out alone is not allowed. Until the nikah, the fiance remains a na-mehram.

Nikah is not a joke but must be treated with ultimate respect and seriousness. The very fact that you have asked over and over about the status of nikah performed verbally suggests that the guy wants it so. But why? What's wrong with having a proper nikah in the presence of witnesses who can sign the document? The nikah nama is easily available everywhere. If the guy is insisting on verbal nikah, stay away from him like the plague; he has some nefarious motive in his mind. Good luck!

Dear Depressed Girl,

Cool down and try to think clearly. You say that your way of living is different than your parents, which is not possible. Perhaps your way of thinking is different which is creating problems for you. You say your parents are hard-working but like to stay at home. Is that enough reason to want foster parents? They object to your wearing jeans, which is probably because of their way of life, norms and culture. Do they beat you, or maltreat you in any way? The very fact that they decided took for foster parents to please you show that they love you so much that they even considered such a thing. But, if you think that anyone else in this world can love you more than your own folks, you are totally wrong. You are just disillusioned because you want to change your class and foster parents seem to be your way out. Take some time out and consider the problems a young girl can encounter at the hands of foster parents. So, get a reality check and thank God for giving you parents. If you want to change your circumstances, get a good education and work hard; God will reward you. The shortcuts you have in mind will land you in tight spots only. Best of luck!

Love for money! 
Karachi is being showered with amazing theatrical plays one after another. You! takes a look at one such tummy tickling Urdu comedy play 
By Fatima Niazi
Photography By
Athar Khan

Alas with the arrival of one play after another it has become difficult for entertainment lovers to avoid going to the theater since so far all the plays being presented have been a delight to watch. Adding to the recent long list of good theatre and strong performances was a comedy play which set the stage on fire at PACC recently. 'Aur Dodh Phat Gaya', written by Reeta Devi and directed by Faisal Malik is the story of a family; a very greedy and gluttonous family. The unique humorous characters add spice to the already comic storyline of the play.

The actors from the Thespianz Theatre production house brought forward this play on the society in a very refreshing manner. The development in the English Theatre has pleased many a theatre lover, however, this particular play brought to light the importance of our native language. Urdu theatre has an added charm because it has a mass appeal. What better way to connect than in a language that all of us can associate with easily?

The curtains opened to reveal the first scene where a mother clad in a sari and gold jewellery was scolding her teenage son. It seemed like a typical drama at first but the series of events which followed squashed the first impression that the scene had created.

The plot proceeded with a comic flow and the act itself captured everyone's attention from the beginning to the end. The humor in the situation and the dialogues were constantly hitting their mark with the audience.

 The plot revolves around a couple who asks their relative Bua to live with them after the death of her extremely rich husband. It is assumed by everyone that Bua is rich and has a trunk filled with bricks of gold. Every one in the family tries to impress Bua by obeying her every order so they can get their hands on her wealth. Bua keeps her precious trunk locked and secure under her bed and nobody can get their hands on it till her death arrives.

The mother played by Nayyara is the heart and soul of the entire play. Her sarcastic and cynical comments left the biggest impact on the audience. She has a habit of screaming at everyone. A blunt woman, she does not hesitate in telling people exactly how she feels. She is also greedy and does everything for her own motive. The negativity in the character has been given a witty twist with the usage of exaggerated and sharp dialogues. The irony is the fact that the character is more or less the very opposite of a typical mother who is supposed to be full of love for her family.

Rani (Mariam Jahangir) the daughter is shown to be a naive yet greedy female who believes all that her husband tells her. She also joins the scheme of stealing the keys to Bua's trunk by pretending to care for the old woman. The character of her husband Rohit added a sweet flavour to the overall storyline. The role of the father is performed by Rustam Ali, this play being his third acting accomplishment. His role of an obedient husband is a thrill to watch.

The play was close to being a brilliant production; unfortunately a few mistakes did appear. The actors seemed to fumble with their lines a bit to the extent that it seemed they hadn't rerheared enough. These microscopic mistakes were, however, covered up by the other actors and the play did not once break its flow. The actors stuttered quite a few times when delivering the dialogues but their realistic acting helped the play go on smoothly. The backdrop and the costumes blended perfectly with the theme of a Hindu family and created a very believeable atmosphere.  

Although the play is essentially a comedic production, it carries a very important social message. In today's materialistic society people have become so greedy that emotions and love have taken a back seat and have become secondary in their lives. The play explores this human folly in a witty manner while pushing forward a moral undertone.

After the play the audience was further entertained with a musical performance by Shahzaib Waheed which was a complete delight. We applaud Kazim Raza for producing the play and look forward to more good work from him.

play
Reality bites!
Recently, Karaciites were treated to another fine production by Rafi Peer Theatre - Nawab Sahib Qibla 
By Iram Noor Muzaffar

For those of you who failed to see Nawab Sahib Qibla, staged at the Arts Council, recently, you have no idea what quality drama you have missed out. With a well written script, tongue in cheek dialogues, sleek direction and terrific acting, the drama had all the ingredients to keep the audience riveted for a good 60 minutes.

Nawab Sahib Qibla was presented by The Citizen Foundation - a non-profit organisation - in collaboration with UBL. Last year, TCF exhibited Habib Mamoon which was a heady concoction of humour, hope and loss - loss of romantic love, ambition, ideals and illusions. But unlike Habib Mamoon, Nawab Sahib Qibla was based on the follies of nawab culture.

The one-act play was produced by the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop which has produced quite a number of serious pioneering works for the progress of dramatic arts since the last 22 years.

Nawab Sahib Qibla was written in 1939 by Rafi Peer, the man acredited for shaping the modern Urdu theatre in the subcontinent. This threatrical production was directed by Usman Peerzada to give Karachiites a flavour of rich Urdu language. Many would agree that of late Urdu has lost it lustre and its importance, which is why watching the Nawab Sahib 's follies, all in rich Urdu was a delight. The play itself was a satire on the nawabi culture and lifestyle prevalent in that era. It showcased the vulnerability of nawabs at the hands of their employees due to their own deeds.

Mohammad Qavi Khan played Nawab Sahib Qibla to perfection, making the audience believe that he was indeed Nawab sahib, personifying a typical, spoiled nawab to perfection. All the other characters in the play were also depicted flawlessly, each making their presence felt.

Usman made sure everything was perfect down to the very last detail. An added treat were the costumes which gave the play a new charm altogether. 

The plot of this play revolves around the make believe world of the Nawab, who is intoxicated by his luxurious life absolutely clueless of his changing surroundings.

He flirts with every attractive woman he comes across, to the extent that even falls in love with his maid (played by Mehreen Rafi) and tries to charm her with romantic poetry. He becomes the very epitome of an ignorant snobbish slob living a lavish life and wasting away his resources and his time doing nothing but things that please him. 

Little does he know that his wealth is diminishing day by day and a time comes when he becomes bankrupt. In order to pay off his debt he has to sell his property.

His lawyer, played by Usman Peerzada, comes with a deal to pay off his debt by selling what is left of the property, but he refuses to tell him the buyer's name. It's a shock for the great Nawab Sahib when he comes to know that the buyer is none other than his own loyal servant Baban, played by Javaid Rizvi.

The play reveals the seriousness of the issues that our very own society is facing today. The somber undertone of the story depicts more than the audience expects at first. It points at the existence of the large number of nawabs around us even today.

They mostly belong to the elite class living snugly in their comfortable cocoon of luxury, oblivious of the real issues faced by real people. They have no regard for the woes of the common man and are only busy minting money. They do not care about the issues prevalent in the society or the country and are only interested in strengthening their own positions.

They have no idea that if they keep behaving like the nawaabs of yesteryear, they will land in the same situation as Nawab Sahib Qibla, but this time no they may end up facing worse consequences with no Baban to come to their rescue.

The moral of the story is - to work. Nations which do not work can never progress!

chattermatter
To be or not to be...

We all heard the hoopla about Neha Dhupia coming over to our side of the border to lend her sizzling self to a Pakistani movie for an item number. She was meant to be the first of a predicted long line of actress from India who were ready to come over and collaborate with Pakistani production houses to show goodwill and promote peace. Well, apparently Neha herself had no idea that she was about to do anything of the sort! When asked if she was indeed going to strut her stuff for a Pakistani movie the starlet replied "Not that I know of, but I love the new breed of Pakistani singers. They sound wonderful and they look wonderful as well. The whole Asian pop scene is getting big." Oh well at the very least she appreciates our music. Maybe next time...