The Pakistani Spectator

Originally from Pakistan, I am recently engaged with a company - providing Business Applications - in Sydney, where I have been living and working since 2006. Though Business Applications consultancy is the domain where I work currently but software programming and latest technologies also keep me busy. For the past few years, my work has been focused on the implementations of ERP and Financial solutions. I do share my thoughts and opinions about Pakistan, and my experiences with latest software technologies, at my blog.

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

There wasn’t any specific inspiration to start writing but it was more to share my views with others – views that, usually, don’t coincide with what our Pakistani media present.

Another reason – that you may call it – was to drop few lines on the programming tips and tricks in latest software technologies; I am yet to start writing on this.

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

Though my readers can comment better on this but I think my posts usually – when I write about Pakistan – present different view to its readers; an aspect that is not widespread and not regular in our Pakistani media. Critical posts of mine usually tie the loose ends of events – events that might have different timelines and might look irrelevant to each other – and doing so I do sound forthright sometimes. However, thing that makes a distinction between my blog and others (not all others though) is that I do not write with emotions – be it religious or nationalist – but I do write with facts and ground realities, and my opinions are unbiased.

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

Oh boy!!!! I reckon my curious nature does have a big part in me being successful in my career. Delving into different professional corners did help me to stand where I am today.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

There are many times that can fit into the description of “happiest” moment; little things make me happy for long time. And I have been lucky enough for having much lesser “gloomiest” moments than “happiest” – the one that still makes me sad is when I lost my father.

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

In terms of readers, I would think that there is potential for Urdu blogs but I disagree otherwise. It’s not that people do not want to write in Urdu but there is no easy way to type in Urdu for publishing over the internet – and this is evident from the number Urdu websites we have.

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?

Now we are talking!!!! If choices are not limited to cities then I would like to explore different cultures in Europe and Asia.

What is your favourite book and why?

Hmm!!! It just made me realize that it’s been a long time that I read any novel or literature.

The book – should I say novel – I like is “Raja Gidh”. Bano Qudsia explained the philosophy of Islam in a very artistic way. Philosophy that talks about “Halal” and “Haram” through-out in this novel yet it doesn’t let the reader to lose interest.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

You can call almost anything from “Gawal-mandi” (or Lahore Food Street) as my favorite food.

For dress, I would go with casual

And sports!!! Now when I always find time running short of me, I do spare couple of hours for gym and swimming.

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

They way people shake-hand tells a lot about them.

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

I don’t think there can be any “Yes/No” answer to this because it very much depends on the readers you want to address. Some like reading Urdu blogs others prefer English, so it’s up-to bloggers as to who they want to write for.

Personally, I do not believe that Urdu blogging has any potential in Pakistan anytime in near future – unless we make publishing Urdu contents on the internet as easy as English or Chinese are.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I don’t think you can benefit although they say there are all these affiliate programs and tools like AdSense available for free. Profiting from these programs comes down to generating traffic to your blog – that needs lot of hard work. So there is no easy money.

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?

In my opinion, not all Pakistani bloggers can be generalized into one category. I think there is good variety of them; some are rigid in their beliefs while others are tolerant to difference of opinion, some are extreme and some are moderate and etc.

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

I think its heading in the right direction; people are becoming more expressive and tolerant in their blogs. Pakistani blogs make good contribution in the blogosphere.

Who are your top five favorite bloggers in Pakistan?

CHUP

Grand Trunk Road

Five Rupees

SherryX

Teeth Maestro

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

There isn’t anything like unique. Is it? Well, I have been impressed by some of the bloggers but nothing yet that would have made me like “stunned”.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

As I said, it is heading in the right direction; many are getting into blogging every day that gives us more diversity in Pakistani blogs. I believe quality of these blogs will improve significantly in future both in terms of contents and writing as the competition will grow – competition to attract more readers.

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

No, it doesn’t affect probably because I am not a frequent writer.

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

Be open and be tolerant to the difference of opinion.

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