Interview with Blogger Jamal Ashiqain

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jun 17th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • One Response

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

I wanted to be listened, I wanted raise my voice and share my thoughts against the atrocities of our society, I wanted to express my anger, my disappointments and experiences of life. I blog here.

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

There has to be something, I don’t know I guess someone else must tell me that.

How photography could be integrated to the blogging to make it more enticing?

Photographs make strong and clear statements and they can make a wonderful photoblog as a matter of fact I myself plan to soon introduce a new section for Photoblogging to my blog besides my flickr gallery.

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

I would want the revolutionist in me to attain success first.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I have received both moments many but always in short proportions so there are many yet there are none.

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

It will take time, there are issues with fonts, we don’t have Urdu keyboards and frankly not many of us know how to type Urdu.

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?

India : ( to interact more deeply with my culture )

Spain : ( to see and feel their historic architecture and art )

England : ( to see what they stole from around the world )

What is your favorite book and why?

I have many favorites each for a different reason although my favorite local writers include Bapsi Sidhwa, Bina Shah, Asif Farukhi an then again there are so many more.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

Meal : Everything cooked by my mother and anything I cook not for the first time.

Dress : Anything comfortable and not in fashion.

Sports : table tennis

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

I try not to notice people for what they seem to be.

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

Definitely English blogs but I hope it would be Urdu

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Don’t have a clue, but if someone knows how do let me know.

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?

Self centered, not at all, blog do have a personal touch and at times people do write things about their day to day life on their blogs but that is not just from Pakistan and I don’t see anything wrong with it really.

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

No, it’s a myth.

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

It’s at the end of the runway about to takeoff any moment.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

http://www.kidvai.com/windmills/

http://www.razarumi.com/

http://www.teeth.com.pk/blog

http://www.unaizanasim.com/

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

Awab Alvifor his dedication to his blog, Zahrre Alam Kidwai

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

Very bright.

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

Blogging has brought a positive influence in my life, it has given me a platform to catalogue my work of writings, and expression. And those who want to know me for what I am can refer to my words and my work to see the real me.

What are your future plans?

None, I haven’t planed anything for the future.

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

Keep reading blogs and articles on “The Pakistani Spectator” and also take a stroll to my blog and most importantly of you enjoy reading blogs and you don’t have a blog of your own do to start one today and speak up your mind. I am sure you will love the experience.