World Affairs And Beyond

I first met Baba Jee in the rugged mountains of Landikotal in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. He was an immigrant from Afghanistan, having fled the turmoil during the USSR war. Over the years, he had been adopted by a wealthy landlord in the tribal belt of Pakistan and had become a Pakistani citizen. Baba Jee, a man of deep wisdom and quiet strength, speaks Pashto and Dari, and I am sharing a translation of our conversation in English. I make it a point to travel to his remote location a few times a year to seek his guidance and get my pressing questions answered. Most of our conversations are recorded, ensuring I can revisit his deep wisdom whenever needed. (Sharing the dialogue I had with Baba Jee today) Sobia (Me): Baba Jee, I have been troubled for the past year. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, with mosques everywhere, people fasting during Ramzan, and our constitution rooted in Islam. Yet, I see people who lie, cheat, deceive, and steal, while still bowing down in pr...

Around Peshawar  I was struggling with an injury, so lying on the backseat and thought I would take some photos of Peshawar. Here they are :-)

Just a dialogue: The government of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa ordered to file a case against the man who brought dengue from Lahore into Peshawar and the 7 mosquitoes which bit him. They were all arrested and brought before a session judge. Dengue infected man : It wasn't my fault that dengue is spreading fast in Peshawar. I didn't want for this to happen. I am suffering myself. It's the mosquitoes. Hang them.

I'm new to the Chapa'ti making experience. We here in Peshawar - Pakhtoonkhwa, have these huge heavy Rotis (Flatbread) that we eat with "Tarkari" (Meat or Vegetable Curry). While in Punjab they have these very thin kinda rotis that they call Chapa'ti, which I've had some years back when I lived in Rawalpindi, but had totally forgotten about.

Came across this trailer near the Afghan border today !

Houses for the flood affectees  All donations for re-constructing these houses come through the Alta Vista College Islamabad. Planning & Design by Mr. & Mrs. Mohammad Mohsin Khan Foundations laid for houses for the flood affectees  

Aid for flood affectees of the village Pashtoon Garhi Courtesy:  Arifullah Khan and Miss Gulnar

Thousands of jerrycans from donors coming through Alta Vista college Islamabad distributed among the flood affectees of Pashtoon Garhi. Courtesy : Mr. Mohammad Mohsin Khan

An Aid convoy from donors coming through Alta Vista college in Islamabad carrying goods for 550 flood affected families. Aid convoy from donors coming through Alta Vista college parked on G.T Road outside of village Pashtoon Garhi. Aid consignment unloaded at distribution point in village Pashtoon Garhi. A close up of a damaged house towards the river Kabul. An aid truck getting stuck in mud being unloaded into a tractor trolley. A view of houses razed to the ground by flood water. A whole right side of the street being demolished by floods. Arrangements for distribution being finalized at distribution point. Unloading continues. Flour bags piled up at the distribution point . Verification of tokens before issuance of commodities to flood victims. Aid recipients awaiting distribution. One of many Aid distribution workers. An inside view of a once fully submerged house. A closeup of the damage to dwellings. Bricks of demolished houses. (Courtesy Olasyar - "People...