The Pakistani Spectator

Well, I am Haroon Saeed, born in Lahore, Pakistan. I did B.Sc (Hons) in Computer Science from University of The Punjab (PUCIT). Since then I have been working in Software Industry of Pakistan. Right now I am working as Senior Engineer in Software Development group of Techlogix Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. My blog is Haroon Saeed’s Weblog.

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

A- During my university stay, I got selected to participate in some national level programming competitions. I also participated in some online competitions. Most students in our university didn’t know about these things and they never got such chances as ours was the first batch of the university and there were very only 1-2 teachers with good exposre. I also solved/read lot of small programming puzzles and computer software solutions and books. So I decided to share these things. Naturally being a computer science student, using the cyberspace was obvious for this reason. I started it to share solutions and show to outer world what I know primarily and another reason was to make some archive of ‘me’ so that history may know that I existed J but with time I also turned my blogs from technical to social to some extent also. With time I have thought on problems prevailing in society and how people behave in different situations, so I also share any such thought also. Sometimes it’s merely a striking or different story that makes me write a blog entry.

Q- What do you think sets your blog apart from other blogs?

A -Well there is no striking thing as such. Some people go for interviews of big companies like Microsoft, Google etc.. May be this site is of little help to them. Programming and problem lovers can also find some of the relevant stuff. To some extent one can find some unique things like some epic verse or translation or some exclusive story, but very rarely.

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

A - Well so far I think I have not been greatly successful. If any can rate me successful, than it can be accredited to luck (being physically fit and mentally agile), sensitivity, quick thinking (wit) and to some extent hard work (persistence). But I have started to believe firmly that that only talent and hard work is not enough. It’s a born thing may be, I am not sure but there is something beyond control commonly called as fate/luck…

Q - What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

A- Happiest moments are those when people look up to me to solve their problem and I solve them, whatever they might be. Gloomiest moment has not occurred as yet, and I hope it never occurs J.

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

A – Yes they will. Urdu is the national language and most population of Pakistan can speak and read it. In recent years internet and different news sites and blogs are becoming common. It’s only now information is easily accessible and in a year or two Urdu blogs will definitely become common and helpful.

Q - 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?

A- It has to be International Space Station, peak of K-2 in Pakistan and to some utopia where I can feel free of everything means absolute peace and tranquilityJ.

Q - What is your favorite book and why?

A - Well this question is a tough one and has to be divided. Religiously I think I like ‘Holy Quran’ the most. I have tried to read it as a Muslim and as a human and found it profound due to many known and unknown reasons.

As a computer programmer I like ‘The Art of Computer Programming’ by Donald E. Knuth the most. It’s a great monologue and it’s like a bible to programmers. And in other books I like ‘Illusions’ by Richard Bach the most. It’s the unique idea, the inspiration and motivation of the story that makes it my favorite.

Q - What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

A - Favorite meal being is traditional chicken biryani – yeah I am a typical Lahori. Normal fitting dress pants and shirts I prefer as my dress. Cricket and tennis of all forms is my favorite sport.

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

A - Unless a person speaks it’s the face. Yeah to me a person’s destiny is written on the face, shines in eye and reflects on cheeks :). It holds true for both men and women and specially women( as I got very less chance to talk them :)). Overall body actions and aura of a person also helps in determining and idea.

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

A- Right now I think it’s a balance. But eventually it will be Urdu blogs

Q - How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

A – Well the prime way can be ads. Something like Google Ads and other sponsored ads can help them definitely.

Q - 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?

A – Yeah to me it’s more of a culture problem basically. People here in this region consisting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indian and Bangladesh are traditionally reserved for example we don’t laugh openly :0. So by instinct we are made self-centered. When I read the blogs world around, I read many people writing very personal entries and again there exists reasons for this. But as I have stated earlier times are changing and people are more open now, and this will certainly be reflected in blogs also. Even I am reserved and I wish to make more blogs entries but don’t do, but this will change.

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

A- I would say that it’s still charging up. Pakistan is late in most of things and hence we are late in this social aspect of cyber life. But we would be pacing up soon.

Q - Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

Well I don’t know many people, but I like Adil Najam of Pakistaniat.com.

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

A – Well to be truthful not as yet. But Pakistaniat.com has impressed me. And it’s now my mandatory activity to visit it every day at-least once.

Q - What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

A – It will be bright. It has to be. It’s just a matter of time. We all have one thing in common, we all are different, and if we all share our different ideas and lives it will certainly create a difference.

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

A – Well not actually. But I do observe things now more sensitively. And I look for things sometimes with a view point that anything can be a topic of my blog entry.

Q - What are your future plans?

A – Future plans are definitely to do, to make some break throw in my field – ahh that remains a dream though. But I know every one can’t be king but one can be definitely a king maker. So my plan is to guide people to the right path to the best of my knowledge and wit, and help my countrymen by using technology and education to bring happiness and prosperity.

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

A- Do share information. Talks and discussion are a form of catharsis. If we can aware people with adequate and accurate information we can bring a good and positive change.

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