Karachi Airport Attacks…What does ‘Responsibility’ mean???

Having a look at Karachi airport attacks, it was another disappointing day of reporting by the media. News emerge that one of the aircraft is burnt and could well take the other two besides it. Also reports of probable entrance of terrorists in one of the boarded air crafts. Media told us that they have now managed to reach the runway and the airport was totally under control of these terrorists. I was shocked and shaken by this news. "What worst may happen with Pakistan after this attack? Will foreign airlines be landing in Pakistan anymore after this event? Is this the beginning of THE END for Pakistan? All these questions were surrounding the mind. Suddenly one of the reporters from a local news Channel shouted “Aur yeh aik aur dhamaka” commenting as this was as simple as “Aik aur Goal”…What a shame on such reporters. Another seemingly wise reporter said “Today we will see that if all the money spent on these security agencies is really worth it or not” and he said this  while the attack was on it’s peak and 3 ASF people had already embraced Shahadat. One adventurous Guy reached that Sunsaan place at the airport which nobody else could reach and reportedly he showed us the clipping of one of attackers. This media person seemed to be an Invisible Man and his channel was showing this exclusive clipping of one of terrorists on the roof top without any confirmation. Ironic of all was the fact that our media was sort of helping the attackers by breaking the every move of our security agencies and Pak army. All in all it was another day of disappointing reporting by Pakistani media.

Social media was all flooded with this news and we started sharing our sorrow and pain with fellow Pakistanis. One on my friend said “We are lost”. Our moods changed and we were thinking what will happen next? When can we live a free and proud life? When will our country bee freed from all this ongoing mess? People were making all sort of brave statements which one expects from a country’s officials. People were expressing their anger over the government over talks with Taliban at one place and cursing Nawaz Sharif at the other for not showing any dignity while dealing with India; and Pakistan creeps every passing day.

Anyhow, after the situation settled and many of the initial hypes created by our media proved out to be wrong; I was wondering that our media did played the same role as played by international media in 1965 Indo-Pak ware when they declared Lahore fall which was totally fake news. In both cases, Pakistanis around the world faced a painful period of disruption. Why do they air such reports without proper confirmation? Can they ever play a supporting role in such crisis?

Following day, world witnessed another total disarray while 7 people were fighting for life in Airport cold storage area. Airport was cleared in the morning while nobody noticed missing 7 persons. Shahzeb Kahnzada from Express news was the most prominent person to raise his voice for saving these people. The response of government was again too late and each party was blaming the other as responsible for this incident. Even though the CM and governor Sindh reached the spot, the rescue operation started so late that these 7 people could not be saved. It seemed that media was leading this operation whose responsibility is mainly reporting; it was yet another scattered effort in which the real LEAD was missing. Nobody could forget those stressful moments.

Rehman Malik’s responded well before Chaudhry Nisar who was perhaps sleeping during the whole episode. To date, the Federal and Provincial governments are blaming each other for the responsibility and the poor Karachi airport is standing injured; searching anybody to own it. It is Pakistan’s asset and responsibility of Pakistanis to safeguard it be it PPP or PML (N). They should remember, one day it could well be Bilawal House or Raiwind Palace; who will be responsible then???

Last but not least, the media exposed the security situation of other airports mainly Lahore airport as we came to know that there are only 4 security personnel at one critical end of this airport. Are you helping Pakistan OR it’s enemies by pointing out such loop holes in system? Is this how one should increase the RATING? Media and Politicians must ponder to above questions before its too late…

SIGNATURE

How to develop an excellent signature???

“My journey of getting an Amazing signature”

During my childhood, I was always fascinated to see the elder people acknowledging various documents by signing them. Signatures were something else for me right from the beginning. And of course, there was always some sort of debate going on around as how one should develop his/her signature with a handful of suggestions and information. People having stylish English signatures were thought awesome and the one’s using Urdu was treated as Illiterate/out of fashion. Raised in such an atmosphere, today I will share my journey of developing my signature.

The very first and visible instance to encounter was our report card. In our school, it was a must to get parent’s signature on the results card within a week of result. So, we were used to of taking our school examination result to Abbu, who used to review it carefully, bestow some words of wisdom and finally sign the report card for re-submission in school. So this was an impressive exercise. “People having signature have loads of Wisdom and balanced lives”, I often thought while taking the signatures from Abbu. While many of my colleagues were too brave to do Jaali Sign instead of their parents; I could never find that courage within myself!

Cricket was our passion right from childhood as is for every other Pakistani kid. So in flurry of this passion, we used to waste a lot of time playing cricket; morning and evening in summer vacations. In order to contain us, my uncle told me a little story about a Guy who was a cricket freak. “His name was Akbar and he was just a mad lover of cricket. He was always playing cricket with least interest in studies. Waseem Akram was his ideal and he used to copy him in his play style. Akbar’s father used to advice him again and again regarding the importance of education but he hardly gave an ear to his opinion. One day Akbar managed to get an Autograph of Waseem Akram and proudly showed his father. His father just gave a pat to him and asked him to observe the Autograph which was given in English. He told him with utmost affection; Beta before becoming a successful cricketer, Waseem Akram became a good student and that’s why he is able to sign in English; same applies to you beta first take care of your studies and then you can run after your passion. Akbar understood the message and became a good student thereafter.” So my uncle was actually asking us to get serious in studies rather wasting time in cricket. This story was so touching. “Successful people are very good in their studies and able to sign in English” I thought deeply…

Then in free periods during school, we used to try different options of signature inking so many pages. Each friend tried to get most beautiful of signatures. During such exercises, I found out that some lucky alphabets have more beautiful signatures than the rest and my name’s S was one of them. Woow, I was so content knowing that. Then it was found out that one should make such a signature which is unique and nobody else in the world could copy it. So every now and then, I used to try different options to get ready for a Perfect signature for my future life. We used to help each other with different styles of signatures. I was so impressed by odd guys in the class who were full of ideas as regards to signature and became Gurus for us.

In Metric class, I somehow managed to get through with writing my simple name Sultan Shah in signature box of examination papers/cards. “I will make a good signature in Intermediate examination forms and college”, I thought. Meanwhile I went to one of my close acquaintance to get a guidance lecture on developing a good signature. “Beta, signature is always done in a single stroke without lifting your pen’s Nib; this is rule number 1. Secondly, there should be a straight line just beneath your signature and a DOT at the end of that line. Third important thing is the size of signature. Bigger size shows a confident and commanding personality and a small size depicts a lean and weak person” He told me all this and I was trying to memorize each thing to follow later on. “It’s a very scientific thing and psychologists may well analyze your personality by seeing your signature”…”Ahh how deep this all is proving out to be”, I thought for an instance. Nevertheless, I showed him various signatures which I had specially developed for my college life but he rejected all of them.“Your signature should be last name of Pir sahib we follow, apka signature tou yehi hoga beta”. “How could I know this thing?” a flash came in my mind. In short my friends, I finalized the last name of that Pir Sahib in English with a single stroke, big size, a line below the signature and a DOT at the end of that line. My signature was finalized!

I did that signature during my Intermediate college life. But soon I got myself into some more questions. People used to ask me what was the meaning of my signature and why I am not signing my own name. I used to explain them full science and logic behind my signature and they used to get impressed by the perfectly connected links behind my signature. I used to be a bit proud on my knowledge and sound approach. But honestly speaking friends I often used to ask myself “why am I signing name of this Pir Sahib instead of using my own name? This is my signature and I am doing it as regards to someone else’s thinking, why?” SShhhh…., I used to keep this WHY within myself!

Time was passing and I was about to get 18 years old; getting ready for making my NIC card. “I will do my own Genuine and Unique signature on my ID card with my own thinking; shall get rid of my confusions” I thought. So I prepared a final version of my own crafted signature with my own name Sultan shaped with some attractive curves difficult for anyone else to copy. Despite all this, Shahbaz was whispering in my ears: “Why do we not do our signatures in Urdu which is our national language? Why do we follow English everywhere?”Ahh, I slapped this thought and got ready for making my NIC.

So the given day, I went to Awami Markaz, Karachi for applying the National ID card for the first time. And when the time came for signing and the official asked me to sign. I do not know what happened to me at that time. I wrote a simple single stroke Sultan in Urdu and kept a line beneath it with a DOT at the end. When I came out and gathered my senses, I realized what blunder was committed. I was cursing myself to what I had done, how simple and easy anybody could copy this signature. And the biggest thing I did in Urdu. What a shame…But it was too late!

So thereafter, I somehow used to mange with that simple signature in Urdu for all communications. People still used to get surprised by the Urdu language and simplicity of my signature. But friends, let me tell you an amazing thing, I started observing a sense of applaud in the eyes of people who used to see my signature; many of them appreciated me of doing signature in Urdu, our national language. Some eyes said some unsaid words “Kaash hum ne bhee apna sign Urdu mein kiya hota, which is our identity and heritage”. One bank manager in UAE saw my signature and asked me, “woow this is your signature so simple”. “Yeah I know that it’s very very simple”, I replied. He said “No, I did not meant to mock you, actually I want to tell you one of our very rich client have his signature even easier than you”. Phhheewww I gained some confidence by this word. “Your signature is typically yours because nobody has such wavy shaky bad hand writing as yours” told one of my close friend laughingly. Hmmm, I never considered my bad hand writing which was indeed unique and difficult for anyone to just simply copy this signature of mine. Felt somewhat safe and relieved!

So in a nut shell, I gained confidence with this simple signature in Urdu and today I do it everywhere with pride. It keeps me connected to my national language, gives a sense of originality which could never be attained if I had signed in English. Everything is somehow linked and I can say proudly: “I may not change our hypocritical political and government system, but I can initiate CHANGE within my own domains; this is my very own signature in my own beloved Urdu language and the satisfaction is far beyond words”…

Overseas Pakistanis!

‘Having a look at lives of overseas Pakistanis in light of my first hand experience’

It is often said that overseas Pakistanis are of biggest assets for our country and often acknowledged by high level Officials.  Foreign exchange obtained from overseas Pakistanis is increasing every passing year. However, majority of people inside Pakistan might not envisage the emotional, social and living conditions that these expatriates undergo every day. I would today like to express my feelings and observations after spending good 5 years abroad.

Reasons of Increasing number of Expatriates

Mainly due to lack of merit in our society and less job opportunities. Obviously, that directly links with the economic conditions of country and direction of interests of leadership. Number of people interested in going abroad has increased with the passage of time with the decline of our national progress ratio. Low salaries are also a big reason for people to leave and people are interested in getting advantage of powerful currencies abroad to increase their living standard. Law and Order also play’s an important role in this brain drain; I have personally witnessed some terrified individuals moving abroad despite of enjoying a good status in Pakistan.

Ironically, despite of loving Pakistan so much; people are forced to leave due to the factors mentioned above.

Ghareeb-ul-Watan: Easy to Leave, Difficult to return

You leave in excitement but it’s difficult to return back; having many reasons for the same. While you see a better environment especially with NO LOAD SHEDDING, then you start comparing the loop holes of your country with the developed countries abroad. When you are used to of comfort and easiness; it’s not that easy to come back.

People often start with few targets to achieve but as the time passes away, the TO-DO list goes on increasing and you find yourself trapped between reality and ambitions/expectations.

Condition of People

Many of the people live here with their families back home. Worst condition is when people are living bachelor’s life with their wife and kids distant.

There are few people living for 7 to 9 years abroad and still trying it hard to go back home. While traveling in KSA during my Umrah, I met with an individual residing illegally outside Pakistan for good 8 years or so just dragging his life somehow; not sure of his future. His face was disrupted and his thoughts were scattered. He was hanging between life and death. Just can not forget his misery.

While you see stories of students who went for studies and in the end failed to complete their degrees due to tough conditions. In face of uncertainty, such Guys pass through a mental trauma each and every day. Many students somehow manage in difficult living conditions for their better future.  We can not conceive their condition sitting in our cozy couches.

People also face various strict laws and harsh treatment in other countries. In many cases, salaries are delayed leaving them in tatters. Some companies keep their passports and they find it difficult to depart of their own will. Often International Human rights watch institutions raise their voices against such laws. ‘Door ke Dhol Suhane’ , quite right mates!

Living as a secondary citizen abroad and obviously expatriates can not enjoy the independence of a pure resident/citizen. They have to give utmost and unilateral regard to the locals and occasionally humiliated in the process. Most of the people back home does not realize this. We see the new generation of Pakistani origin people often face Racism in the countries like UK and Australia. One of such person was telling me that he had to face this behavior by the local fellows (who were somehow living at comparatively low status as compared to the educated expatriates) and had to silently listen for sentences like “My grandfather fought the war, it’s my country: I deserve more opportunities and rights than you”. People still carry on to live outside as they do not want to come back to face Pakistani mess again.

Mostly people are cut-off from the Pakistani society specially the ones living distant in Europe, Australia and America. They are separated from their own people and miss the unmatchable society bond and care in their lives. Work is the sole priority while abroad. The gathering and enticement which you can make with your own people is very difficult almost impossible to create with people from other backgrounds.

Emotional Setbacks

We see many young bachelors leaving for job to other countries. They often find it difficult to find matches for their marriage. This also applies for people well settled abroad with dual nationalities. This is widely witnessed mainly because many people (in Pakistan) are scared to believe the credentials and character of a given expatriate candidate of marriage. Physical presence in Pakistan is also not possible very frequently; ultimately it takes many years to make couples for the interested expatriates. This is a big cost which manyPardesis have to pay; nobody else can feel this dilemma.

It’s very complicated for expatriate’s new generation morally and emotionally. Despite of all the good things present in developed countries, it is very unlikely to develop a child with pure Pakistani attitude and when the child finally grows up (abroad) you often find all your life’s effort wasted due to his/her behavior/attitude. Other way around, children of expatriates bringing up in Pakistan are not established the way they would like them to be. Such people intensely miss out the brought up phases of their children and eventually that particular Father-Child bond is not much strong.

In one instance, one of our poor colleagues took some good One Lac Dirhams back home which was equally distributed among all his brothers by his father. He kept quiet in light of their old traditions. What a shame! This news was leaked within our circle, nobody was commenting but the faces were saying: “This was not just.” Just imagine when your loose your right like this…

We miss out National Days/Events while living abroad and spent those particular days by refreshing pure & everlasting memories fromPakistan. In my case, Dil Dil Pakistan is very helpful on 23^rd March and 14^th August!

People often fail to reach back home while their loved one passes away in Pakistan and carry this regret for the rest of their lives. This is the worst part of poor Ghareeb-ul-Watan people.

Negatives faced by overseas

Some people treat overseas people ass money machines and closes eyes to their problems. They think that people abroad are most resourceful and rich. Such people do not realize tough living and earning conditions after which Guys abroad are able to earn money and spend their share as this money is coming for free.

People often ask abroad Guys to find out jobs for them. They think it’s very easy for them to get jobs as their acquaintance is abroad; which is not the case in reality. I personally think people from Pakistan should treat their overseas relatives/contacts as ONE of job finding resources, not the SOLE resource.

Being in contact and remember each other is also very important. Many overseas complain that their relatives and friends from Pakistan do not contact them in a manner they should do rather they take this granted that the person overseas carries this responsibility of contacting them. This is specially felt on Festivals of both EIDs. People must realize the emotions of their brothers/sisters abroad; one call to your loved one abroad can make a BIG difference.

Negatives faced by People at home

People back home are also some times unjustly treated by overseas people. People abroad sometimes think that people in Pakistan do not know anything. That should not happen because we were also the part of same society and culture once. Obviously in lack of a developed environment and equal facilities, how can one behave as per your standards? People abroad should also realize tough living conditions in Pakistan and go to all extents to pay back society be it through sending money to support or to transfer their experiences to help struggling fellows in Pakistan.

Supporting Pakistanis, building a better image!

I tell you one instance when a guy was looted by another Pakistani. My friend had just arrived in Europe for studies and he had no bank account to keep his money. So he trusted that Guy with whom was staying by giving him money as Amanat. In return, that guy spent the good amount of money for repairing his car. As a result my friend faced severe daunts and at one time he was helpless in paying his fee at time. The money was return later in installments around 85% but the pain faced was irreplaceable and changed behavior of my friend forever.

We also hear some negatives about Pakistanis. This mostly includes illegal immigrant status. People dying in ship containers trying to get better future for their families. In some cases, disobedience of foreign law and deception leave Pakistan’s image at stake.

In contrast; apart from sending the revenue, we can play far greater role for Pakistan while living abroad. We can play role of ambassadors for our country. By following the local laws respectfully, being honest to people and obeying our jobs in a justified manner. I have seen people giving their utmost effort to enlighten Pakistan image by their performance at work. Aim of keeping Pakistan’s flag Hi-fi keeps them motivated and they keep on playing their role far from their beloved homeland.

In one of the cases, one of Pakistani offered my close colleague a Private part time job (illegal as per company’s employment contract) but my friend rejected this offer, I remember his words till now. He replied to him “By doing this job, we might well become another case of Salman-Asif-Amir (the spot fixing cricket Guys) and Pakistan could well be defamed in our Office environment, this is illegal ; sorry mate I can not do this work for you”.

Salam to all such people, your are unknown heroes of this Pak-land. Bravo and Respect for you Guys.

Behavior in Calamities

Overseas Pakistanis share a great deal while Pakistan face any natural calamity or for any national cause. We have seen this in Qarz Utaaro Mulk Sanwaro movement, Earthquake, floods and recent drought in Thar-Sindh. In such time, people are just uneasy and desperate to add their part to help their brothers and sisters. People take brilliant initiatives during such conditions and create funds and send money open heartedly as humble gifts to the suffering people back home. Such passion of our nation is un-matched and we should be proud.

  

Future/Ending Lines

Very few people would say that they are living abroad BY CHOICE. Believe me or not, many people are abroad are waiting for a good time to return and give their expertise to this nation. May the time come soon, Ameen.

Many writers and poets have raised their Pen for the overseas Pakistanis; Pardesi literature in form of verses and songs. People listen to such songs and often disappear in memories of Pakistan. My Urdu is not that much of high quality nor I know the technicalities of Poetry, but still this shair right from the bottom of my heart goes out for Pakistan.

Haal-e-dil tujh ko kiya sunaoo’n aaai mere mehboob watan

Tu hai, teri yaad hai, teri yaadein aur Bas!

Jaag Raha hai Pakistan

Pakistan Army, We Stand by You!

It’s really amazing to see how GEO has been bashed from all corners. “Shayad Makafat-e-Amal hai yeh”… What an irony with Hamid Mir who even failed to get some sympathies upon a murder attempt instead many people are standing against him/GEO after this reported/claimed attack. Haroon-ur-Rasheed and Mubashir Luqman showed some courage to start a Wave of resistance against defaming/alleging ISI and Pakistan armed forces. People are finding/linking similarities between this incident and Malala Shooting. Worthy to note, International media took full advantage of both events and defamed Pakistan to their limits. My initial reaction (as facebook status) while watching GEO allegations was as:

“Hey GEO stupids: Do not try to decrease height of ISI by blaming them for this Hamid Mir attack…This is our Lion ISI, not a Bunny like any other coward intelligence agency around.. If ISI was involved in this attack, they would have made sure the JOB DONE!”

And so was the reaction of each and every Patriotic Pakistani who loves Pakistan and thinks Pak Army as lifeline of beloved country. We then witnessed a series of strong Pro-Pakistani programs by many TV channels, ARY NEWS in particular. I would request all TV channels at this moment to act as responsible/honest Pakistanis and not take this just an opportunity to bring down their rival channel. Reporting should be representative of hearts of Patriotic Pakistanis based on nothing but Truth and should be in line with the best interests of Pakistan.

A day after this attack, I was just switching between ARY and GEO, talk shows were going on. GEO’s transmission quality was much superior and video quality was just awesome. But most importantly, I sensed a clear divide between Pro-Pakistani elements on ARY News and people with loud voices and weak arguments on GEO. How could you first blame a supreme national institution first and then stand firm on your shameless allegations? And then in coming days, everyone saw what happened to these elements who tried to defame Pakistan forces. Social media was fully activated while people supported Pro-Pakistan elements overwhelmingly. In my circle, everybody was against the attitude of GEO/Jang group. Then we saw people remembering Malala Baji in a very funny manner and Twitter wali Dadi Jaan was just hilarious. It seems Pakistan has taken a Big Yawn and back on its feet coming out of a long dream.

Then finally there was formal complaint launched against GEO/Jang and then Pak Army banned GEO/Jang within their premises. “Dair Ayad Durust Ayad” Wish to see a due bashing and logical/just ending to this story soon across the horizon, Ameen…

Now as we live today, there is a clear line between people with GEO stance and people standing against it. People with GEO stance contain“Few Dana Dushman and Few Na-daan dost” and they are highlighting weaknesses, corruption and weaknesses that may exist within the forces. We listen to some common sentences like “If some Journalist visits Indian Embassy then he is Traitor but if Gen. Zia visits Bangalore or Musharraf visits Aagrah then still their Patriotism is safe. Restriction is only on Journalists that they can not meet Indians”…The answer to such voices is very simple “timing matters my friend timing”. We should ask our selves; is this right time to bash our own Army??? While we know that Pakistan Armed forces and Intelligence agencies remains lifeline for our country and enemies try to finish them by creating distances between them and nation.

I wrote an article earlier this year link to which is as follows:

http://blogs.arynews.tv/2014-ke-neeru-2014-ki-bansuri/

I would recommend readers to read it specially, read "Neeru with Bansuri of Disinformation" and ask yourself is this right time to raise questions to our own lifeline???

I would further give a simple example to some “Na-Daan Dosts”…Your and my father may have some weaknesses in life (everybody has some dark spots in life), if some day somebody starts fighting with my father OR your father…And when we reach the fighting spot, he starts counting those weaknesses and entice us to beat our own father…Then what do we do??

Shall we start beating our own father???

NO buddy NO; we will resist that person who is trying to cash at that moment in a dirty manner…

Weaknesses can be dealt at some other time…Kon bewaqoof apne hee paoon pe kulhaari maarta hai???

Same is happening with our Forces…they are cornered from all corners…and enemy is trying to sell their MANJAN by counting their mistakes to entice us against our Mohsins/defenders!

It's up to us to decide where to stand…

I choose standing on Right side and shoot this article against anybody who is against my Pakistan and my beloved armed forced.

What will u choose, where do you stand???

Salam Parents!

“Parents are Irreplaceable; Respect them before time passes away.”

“Glimpses of my journey to Fatherhood…Learning from life slowly and gradually, learning and still learning”…

An Ignorant Background; Becoming Father

“Beta khana theka se khaya tha???” “Apni sehat ka khayal rakha karo”…”Beta dodh pe looo”…These were the typical sentences I grew up listening out of my mother…My reply was typically the same, “Apko itni kiu fikar lagee rehti hai??? Mai aab bara ho gaya hoon”

“Beta mai tum se jab poochoon gee jab tumhaare apne bacchay hoon ge”… This was her reply in response to my odd behavior…”huuh Dekha jaye ga” was my reply and went forward for my very important works…

“Yaar pata nahee kaise log hai, har waqt rok tok karte rehte hai…Pata nahee kab yeh satisfied hoon ge…Kab mai apni independent zindagi start karoon ga…and bla bla”…I kept on thinking like that whenever my parents stopped me from doing something OR tried to teach me lessons of life!

Allah blessed me with my first child, a baby boy lately, Alhamdulillah. While going through the maternity phase supporting my wife, I started understanding meanings of above behavior of parents. Also understood why the status of mother is much superior and why“Jannat Maa ke qadmoo tale hai”…Without going into much details, I shall assert that all the proverbs attached to greatness of parents are totally correct , mother in particular…Sooner the young lads will realize this in life…

Naming the Child

The most dramatic thing ever happened to me

“I will give a special name for my child”, I was ever thinking like that. I started searching the Islamic and Scientific guidelines for naming my child. I soon found out loads of information including numbers gaming attached with date and time of birth. I asked my wife. “The name should be very Unique, which nobody has ever heard.” She said with utter excitement.

“The name should be as simple and common as possible”, said one of my close uncles. “This plays a vital role in success of your child; it has been observed that children with most common names have greater chances of success in life”.Wooow, I never thought like that; I was deeply impressed by this point of view.

The name should be simple and common. Make a logical series/sequence of name for your children like as naming for Prophets etc. or make it somewhat like names of Allah (S.W.T.) or Prophet (S.A.W.); this was suggestion from one of very close colleague of mine.

Then we purchased one book and another; starting making shortlist of our desired names.

As the name search continued, the fake ego inside me somewhere was buttering myself “Well how much detail you are getting for child’s name, nobody would have thought such precisely” Wooow Sultan Wooow, bravo pal bravo!

An then we Chose ‘Arhum’ for the expected baby boy. That means “Karam karne waala”

When the child was born (outside Pakistan), I was all geared up for naming him Arhum. I even started telling the people about this expected name and its meaning. People were so impressed by this name, Woow my plan was working perfectly; I thought!

Suddenly a call came from my father” Beta maine bacche ka naam ahmad rakh diya hai”…something inside me broke up “Ahhh—maadd  laikin abbu humne tu…asal mai…Arhum socha…. huwa tha, Ahmad tu bahut simple aur common name hai”…”O yaar tu Arhum ko chorr, bas Ahmad done hai”: replied my father…I was speechless and stunned by this sudden development: “Laiikinn Abbu who mai keh rahaa..aaa thaaa….” I was trying to respond in a sensible manner controlling my emotions … “Yaar awaaz nahee arahee hai theak se , baad mai baat kar lain ge, bas Ahmad Done hai, Allah Hafiz”  so ended up the call…All of my excitement was vanished and I was standing with an empty mind…Me and wife were both feeling perturbed with this unexpected desire and were of the view ”Hamaare  Parents ko aise demnds karne ka koi haqq nahee hai, hamara baccha hai tu naam bhee hum ko hee rakhna chayye”… Right now, Abbu is fully charged up, We will convince him for Arhum later on”… Both me and wife agreed…

Worthy to note here that Ahmad was the name of my father’s grandfather and apparently, he was carrying this desire for so many years; i.e. naming his first grandchild as Ahmad…

I went out of the hospital in my car for bringing something for my wife thereafter…And then, my mind was occupied with mixed thoughts…. In the wavy stream of thoughts, I saw little ME playing and demanding things from my parents and poor parents fulfilling almost everything without any complaint…I saw this great man (my father) standing beside me at each step of my life selflessly and without any complain or demand in return.

I saw him sitting beside me giving a gentle message to care my severe headaches…Things like that flashing one after the other on the screen of my mind…Every scene was depicting him giving something for me, No demands NO desires…then the last scene came before me” “Beta maine bacche ka naam Ahmad rakh diya hai”…O my Allah, how could I be so selfish standing against fulfilling Abbu’s immense desire; giving a name to his Pota…How could I????

Then suddenly Shahbaz inside me came before my laughing madly pointing finger at me” Sultan Sahib bare hee Champion bante ho, kahan ke Champion ho tum apne baap aik khwahish poori nahee karsakte???”…”Who baap, jis ne apni saari zindagi tumhaari khidmat karte huway guzaar dee” shame on you…

I saw various Spiritual and real time teachers in life standing around me; each one was saying something else but there was only one voice “Beta MAAN lene mai SUKH hai, zara MAAN kar tou dekho”

The last scene had two portions, one was my new born kid slowing glugging his hand and staring at me innocently and the other scene showing my father” Beta maine bacche ka naam ahmad rakh diya hai”… A wave of tears flew from my eyes and I stretched the accelerator towards the hospital…”Kahain mujh se dair na hojai…Run before it’s too late”….I reached the hospital…It was really difficult to convince myself and wife but Alhamdulillah we named our child Ahmad. As soon as my father knew about this, he was just shouting like young birds and telling everyone proudly…My Allah, this was the most satisfying moment of my life…”Shukar hai dair nahee huee”

All of a sudden, all good things started coming out with this name Ahmad. People started congratulating on this simple yet charismatic name of beloved Prophet. The child proudly carrying first two names of our beloved prophet (S.A.W) Muhammad Ahmad and there was no need of telling this name for the second time to anyone…everyone remembered his name after knowing and Ahmad was all over in the air……”Shukar hai dair nahee huee”

Weeping child and Caring Parents, developing an everlasting bond!

It is often said: “A Child is born on the Nature”. I am witnessing this every day. Child enjoys care of parents; likes to be closer to them, enjoys sleeping on their chest. We have few tools ready in his bag to tackle him while he starts getting out of control… Feeder nipple dipped in honey is one of them, crying child suddenly gets breaks ON when fed with honey…I just wonder where does this natural behavior of being satisfied with something minute like drops of honey goes away; as we grow up?. We are willing to get more and more and still complaining to our Allah (S.W.T.) Natural behavior changes to Na-Shukra behavior as one grows. Why???

While tackling my weeping child, this question keeps on arising “Why do infants cry too much? Why nature works like this as it could have been easier for us if weeping/crying did not exist?” Just thinking a bit on this, reply came from inside. “This is all to develop as everlasting bond between child and parents.” They are forced to take care of their child whenever the child asks for attention either by weeping or getting indulged in some sort of illness.

At the end of the day, the new human being finds itself many many companions in this world who took his/her care and as he/she grows up; it is most likely the he/she will take care the elders who were there to help him when he was helpless. What a Strange and perfect circle of life. ..Lucky are those who get more facilities then the unprivileged ones. But they have more responsibility as well towards the society. We are all running in these circles, need to realize is much more today than ever. I am saying this because the need to develop greater bonds among relationships is much more today due to the changed shape of world in which people spend more time on the social media then in the real society.

Confusions/Challenges of a Modern Day Pakistani Father

While my son grows up, every other day several questions arises in my mind while I face his innocent eye’s. Like:

·         Will he be same dumb like me in understanding Arabic language, the language of Quran???

·         Will he also face the same Urdu-English dilemma? Think in Urdu, study in English and ending up in a confused/non-creative individual?

·         Which schooling system shall I adopt for him? People say O-level/A-levels are the best and guarantee bright future. Really???

·         Will he be same Hypocrite like me??? OR I should revisit my behavior against all probable losses of standing for truth??

·         While he observes us back biting our own brothers and sisters; what should we expect back from him?

·         While we fail to fulfill the rights of our parents in front of him. What face will we take against him when he grows up; for our rights???

·         Will he see a Jugaaru Pakistan or An Intellectual rising Pakistan?

·         Will he see Jamhooriyat ka Husn OR Ideology ka Husn???

·         Will he be a Neeru OR Shaheen of Iqbal. Ref: http://blogs.arynews.tv/2014-ke-neeru-2014-ki-bansuri/

·         Shall I get foreign nationality for getting him greater prospects of development???

·         What will he think about our generation? Proud OR shame???

My hearts starts beating fast and I want to say NOOOOOOOOOOOOO…..NO MORE, I can’t not let my baby taken away by the shameful Pakistani factors…I will stride, InsAllah!

Note: Readers/writers are welcome to address queries raised above.

Conclusions and must Do’s

Amazingly, after going through all above, bad boy inside me still comes out every now and then. Still full responsibility towards parents is much far. “Be-shak insaan khasaare mai hai” I write this article with a hope that someone may learn 1-2 things out of my parenting experience and also to re-affirm my behavior with my own parents. I have seen people regretting after the passing away of their parents.

“Kash hum unse accha salook karte, kaash hum unki baat maan lete” you must also have heard these words while somebody’s mother/fathers pass away. Let’s strive not be regretful like that. It is famously said” Naik awlaad bhee sadqa-e-Jaaria hai” so we can become this Sadqa for our parents who dedicated their whole lives to make our lives peaceful. Young people have chance to learn from experiences of other people and not to wait until they themselves become parents OR when it’s too late to act…

“Thank you dear Ammi and Abbu for making my life, sorry for being negligent. May you live 100 years more! “