The Pakistani Spectator

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog?

Honestly, I don’t even remember at this point. It’s been 3 years, the reasons and interests have changed and re-changed. But, as most blogs are, I believe my reason was similar, to share. I blog here.

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

Me. I believe each one of us is unique, and different. Our thoughts, our experiences, our reasoning is different and that’s what makes me different too.

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

First, we have to define success. What is success? If you look at the dictionary it define success as “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors” But, it is un-natural to stop our endeavors, life ends, but endeavors do not terminate. And if there never was a termination of endeavors where is the existence of success?  On the contrary, Zig Ziglar defines success as “Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.” And if that is true, my characteristic according to my personal standards may not hold true for yours. But, if you are still interested I will quote something else from Mr. Herman Cain “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” It is all about staying happy with what you have got.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I am not one of those who simply get thrilled. So yeah, I am still waiting for the happiest moment. Gloomiest was a loss of loved one.

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

 Sorry, but I don’t think they will nor I think they have a potential at this moment. Typically ordinary user looks for a larger audience and hence it’s going to be English, not Urdu. However, if we have enough devoted Urdu writers things may change in future, but at this point I don’t see many.

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? 

1. A cruise trip anywhere in the middle of the sea.
2. A journey in a space shuttle
3. Somewhere on some isolated beautiful island with calm beach.

Of course I need my internet connection on all 3 trips. BTW are you paying for any?

What is your favorite book and why?

Tough one. I like any kind of a book, if it’s of my taste. For rational understanding of Islam I would suggest Dr. Zakir Naik, but then for Sufism and Spirituality get the originals of Imam Ghazali, of-course many other books are available. Dr. Stephen Hawking’s is one of great writer for Theoretical, Cosmo Physics. I like Stephen Kings, Dan Brown, even J.K. Rowling. If you are into programming I suggest books from Charles Petzold (sp). So you see a lot of variety there. I am not much familiar with Urdu writers anymore but I would suggest Late Ashfaq Ahmed and also, Bano Qudsia’s ‘Raja Hidh’. When I was a kid I enjoyed Ibn-e-Safi.

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

Nothing. I even forget faces and voices; I have always felt something is wrong with me. I can’t distinguish different car models; I will always be bemused in two brothers. I can’t concentrate on small differences, unless I force myself to, which is rare. There will always be mostly only 3 possibilities, either I like them; I don’t; or I won’t have any comment, and it will be based on how they presented themselves as whole and what they spoke about and how.

Do you think Pakistani politicians could benefit from the social networks and things like twitter?

Nothing is impossible, so yes maybe they can. It will be an added way to be in direct connection with people and in our country they are basically getting away from the people day by day. But I am afraid most of such attempts (if any) will end up as advertisement techniques.

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

English. Or so I think.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Right now they don’t have much choice, apart from Google’s adsense and/or to blog on some paying site. Then again the payment is a problem as they can’t cash the amount if they get it thru PayPal etc. There are thousands of people who spend more time on computer then watching TV, someone has to realize it, in some countries, such as Malaysia there are local companies like Google’s Adsense for local brand advertisements.

Also, I would like to stress that Pakistani Banks should support money transfer with PayPal, It will be good for many youngsters who can sell their services in the field of computers online, even other fields.

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?
I disagree with the statement. Actually there is no rule of thumb what someone should blog and what s/he shouldn’t. There is no right or wrong. Although, one of the reason could be Pakistani bloggers are still not completely confident to say what they would really like to. In case someone from family/friends is reading their blog, and we, as a nation, are also not much familiar with the freedom of speech (often even scared). It is still wrong to generalize them as self centered.

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

No. The statement is nothing but generalization.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

I only follow few corporate blogs (all technical). They are good to get in touch with what’s happening, what they are working on etc. For me, it’s like news but coming directly from the people who are involved with the project.

Does it pain you or proud you that we have made a history by electing a uniform general as our president?
I don’t think Pakistani politics even deserves to be discussed. It will be waste of my time to comment.

Do you think this whole emphasis on blogs and whatever online is a significant indicator to show that the web, the social web, is becoming a very important social force?

Social Computing is nothing new, it has always been there and equally important in all of its era’s. I believe one of the major reasons of computers being the part of everyone’s life is not because they are the smart machines – no, they are not. It is because the computer is just the interface in communication with other humans. The feeling that you are talking to, or, sending a message to another person is what makes it interesting and exciting. I remember in early 90’s, even in Karachi, bulletin boards, that people would set on their computers were equally interesting for those who had computers and were interested even at that time. Internet Relay Chats, Message Boards, various different chat servers etc are all part of social computing, one way or the other to communicate with other humans. Social Networks and Blogs are the newer versions, and I am confident it doesn’t end here. There is a lot more that’s coming our way, and it’s going to be exciting.

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

The number of consistent writers remains very low; you can count them on your finger tips. Some time ago, I was looking at some stats, the number of internet users was very high in Pakistan but it was way too low when it came to the participation on blogs. The majority, which is low earning class of Pakistan, has yet to show their presence on blogs. So far (mostly) what we read about are the adventurous stories of those who can afford, their point of view and how they see things; or of those, from at least middle class.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

I don’t rate people, nor make favorites. I go by posts and not the Authors. If there is a good post, I appreciate it in my heart, learn if I can and that’s it.

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

Yes, quite a few times.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Right now I am more worried about the future of Pakistan itself.

In political respect, can we say blogging a ‘democracy of message’?

Yes and No. As much as I would like to see more of ‘democracy of message’ I would like it to remain calm and ethical; and not blatant and calling names; and creating chaos between two different opinion holders. And that is exactly why I believe in the concept of ‘Controlled Democracy’ which should be applied over the net as well.

Can Pakistani blogosphere play any notable role in the forthcoming elections, if they happen at all?

Can any ordinary Pakistani play any notable role in the forthcoming elections?

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I have kept it away from both, my personal and professional life. I have a blogging life, personal life and professional one and all three are different.

What are your future plans?
To make future plans. Okay, just kidding. Right now I am not much thinking about it, the only one perhaps would be to finally complete my research proposal, if I get enough time.

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

No, thank you.

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