The Pakistani Spectator

The name is Fauzan Sohail. I’m 28, a proud father, and a Business Information Systems Project Manager by profession. By sheer passion I am a blogger who owns and operates the WeCite Blog - The ‘randomly specific’ news and entertainment blogorama!

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?

Well I’ve been writing personal diaries since I was 12. So blogging seemed to be the same thing but on a far broader medium. Plus I wanted to be heard, to share my opinions, and to be understood. I guess I found it best via blogs.

What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?

The diversity that WeCite brings to its readers.

We aren’t politics-centric, or entertainment-based, or a sports-mania. We’re all of them. My team and I keep our ears and eyes open for each and every interesting news that comes our way and we make sure ‘We’ either ‘Cite’ it or present it with our own two cents included in the form of OPINIONS. What makes is different is this very ingredient of being randomly specific and giving our readers something new to read every time they visit us. We’re not tight-lipped and neither are we conventional in our content. On occasions we have been blatantly accused of promoting ‘yellow journalism’ because we wrote about something that raised eyebrows. *chuckles*. We don’t care. As long as there is a healthy readership for what we present, we keep on presenting it. That makes us unique in what we do. The blog started as my personal efforts and now I have two dynamic team players along with me: Selina and Sherry (aka Aleena).

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
 

Yes, most definitely. I believe one evolves and matures the more he/she pours out what they feel and what they are passionate about. The blogging sphere is a virtual one. It caters to people, races, nations, ideas, opinions, principles, and point of views from the world over. If any thing, you learn with time to accept other people’s opinion or if not then to respect their point of view instead of blatantly arguing till eternity. But I guess that differs from person to person and from one situation to another.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I think the best way to communicate is to contribute. I do so in terms of my opinions on their blogs. I believe in ‘reaching out’. Seek to understand first before being understood.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Bold Creativity.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

There have been several but are personal. So I’d skip this one for now.

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
 

As much as I adore my national language, I don’t think I can see Urdu blogs making an impact online as effective as its english counterparts. There is no single reason for that. English is termed now as a modern universal language that is binding cultures and traditions together in the cyberworld. Urdu readership is not that advanvced or expansive. They may be able to make an impact nationally but International influence is an entirely different ball game.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

I’d pick the one’s I haven’t been to so far only

1- Mauritius

2- Las Islas Cies, Galicia, Spain

3- Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

(As you can tell I am a die hard beach lover)

What is your favorite book and why?

John Grisham’s ‘The King of Torts’. I see it as an inspiring and thought provoking piece that tells you that anything is possible if you set your eyes and ears on the right opportunities as the come by.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

Meal: Anything Italian!

Dress: Like to remain casual in a Ts and denims mostly. Not too savvy about wearing shalwar/kurta. Just not my thing!

Sports: Will have to be Cricket with Football a close second!

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

The way they carry and present themselves.

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?

I don’t think it is a question of which one has a brighter future. Both carry significant importance on national and international levels and I believe both should be promoted equally at least.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
 

By advertising and marketing themselves and their image creatively. I believe your blog is your brand and how you carry your brand image depends on how good you are when it comes to promoting. Without being boastful or overestimating your capacity and capabilities, if you need to gain from your efforts and passions, you need to forge partnerships, affiliations, and sometimes, scracth some one else’s back to get yours scratched. 

Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?
 

If this was asked a couple of years ago, I would have said YES straight away. Now, I am not so certain. The blog-culture has evolved a lot in Pakistan and more and more people want to hear as well as yearn to be heard on a million issues. We might still be dealing with a major chunk of self-centered bloggers in Pakistan but I reckon their numbers are not as overwhelming any more.  

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

I highly doubt that. Perhaps being a one man army and not knowing what exactly you want from your blog could lead you to spend enormous amounts of time on your blog but if you really know your vision and what you want in what manner from your site, you can schedule updates and posts accordingly. It is not how much time you spend on it but how you utilize your blog in the most efficient manner that counts!

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?

Let’s just say it’s out of the ‘under-developed’ and ‘developing’ status and borderlines with ‘developed’ :) 

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

Call it being diplomatic but there are no particular favorites. I like them all per say.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?

*chuckles*… In the words of Sean Connery, ‘I’m waiting to be impressed!’

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

Very bright, especially with bloggers turning their attention towards citizen journalism in the country.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It was a tough juggle to be honest when I started working professionally and when I got married and now when I have a little princess to spend time playing with too But I think I have managed it well. My family understands my passions and respects them. They and my bosses at work actually are avid readers of my blog and I’ve found it comfortable to devote my attention to every aspect of life and managing the blog ensuring I don’t over do it.

What are your future plans?

I plan to jump start my event management company (Randomly Specific [RS] Entertainment) this fall insha Allah and I’d be using The WeCite Blog as the perfect online marketing tool.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
 

Be yourself, always! Nothing beats originality Good luck with your lives ahead and thank you for reading this! 

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