The Pakistani Spectator

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
I have enjoyed writing ever since I was a kid. I discovered blogging only recently, and decided to give it a try. I blog here.

What do you think sets your blog apart from other blogs?
I write in the Queen’s English, without grammatical errors (as far as possible). My blog posts are well thought out and well written. I don’t blab like some other bloggers do. My blog is not commercialized, nor congested with advertisements.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success, what would it be?
My persistence and my managerial skills.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Happiest: when I got my first salary.
Gloomiest: when I was told that I had lost a fortune on the stock exchange

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

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?
UK, Turkey and Malaysia

What is your favorite book and why?
Difficult to decide, since I have read hundreds of books. Offhand, I would say my favourites are “Tess of the D’ubervilles” (Thomas Hardy) all the plays of William Shakespeare, the plays by George Bernard Shaw, the plays and books written by Somerset Maugham, etc.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Meal: Rice & lentils (daal chawal)
Dress: Shirt and trousers
Sport: Cricket & Hockey (watching, not playing)

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Whether he or she talks a lot or not.

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

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
English blogs, as they are read internationally

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Using blog advertising companies, and placing ads on their blogs.

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?
They are still unsure about it and lots of features are not yet available in Pakistan. Last time I checked, Paypal isn’t available in Pakistan.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
It takes time to build a blog, time to maintain it, and to bring traffic to it. Not everyone has the time, some people take out the time because it’s their hobby

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?
I don’t read them so I can’t answer.

Does it pain you or proud you that Pakistan has made a history by electing a uniform general as our president?
It pains me.

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?
Yes

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
Can’t answer.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
Can’t say.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
Can’t say.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Very bright.

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

How can this recent tide of terrorism be wiped out from Pakistan?
By following the rule of law, by restoring the writ of the state in the tribal areas, by the restoration of the sacked judges, by providing justice and jobs to the people of the tribal areas, etc.

Can Pakistani blogosphere play any notable role in the forthcoming elections, if they happen at all?
No, a very small (insignificant) minority of Pakistanis blog.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I always wrote, but after taking up blogging, my output has increased substantially

What are your future plans?
To go on writing till the day I die.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
If you blog, blog about something you love. You will never run out of things to write about.