Thursday 1 September 2016

Pakistan on a Plate is a series of programs capturing the undocumented culinary wonders of Pakistani cuisine. I hope I am able to find partners and supporters who see the value of this endeavour. Almost all societies have documented and celebrated and shared their culinary traditions, in Pakistan we have not. What we have in our public spaces, whether on TV, cookbooks or restaurants/dhabbas are so limited and certainly does not showcase the vast varied and wonderful recipes of what is Pakistani food. it takes time, research,effort, support, interest and access.

Accessing these spaces and recipes are not easy, but I am a foodie and I am curious enough and persistent enough to coax those who are shy, culturally hesitant to share & showcase their food traditions. from their perspectives and from their own spaces. it is important to experience it unfiltered. authentic!

Archiving and recording is essential in any given society. Pakistan on a Plate is one such venture and adventure. Wish me luck and hopefully together we can explore and enjoy Pakistan's culinary adventures! 
https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos  promo for English Pakistan on a Plate
https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos Pakistan on a Plate : Promo for Kachnaar Episode

Tuesday 19 July 2016

ArmChair Warrior

Armchair Warriors


This term stings because It ring of truth. Then again, where does one go if one wants to get up from the chair or keyboard and go do something to make things better in Pakistan?

Lets look at our options, or at least how I see them. Political parties would be the natural first stop. Pick a party that professes ideals and actions that will make Pakistan a saner, safer space for all its citizens. Enough! of  7th century rhetoric and justifications for cruelty and lack of humanity. We live in the 21st century and our social, legal and political norms need to reflect what is necessary to succeed in today’s world.

I’ll begin with what some call our ‘liberal’ political parties: the PPP and ANP supposedly, as there are no credible examples (at least in recent memory) to justify their so called liberal credentials.
The former is responsible for the break up of East Pakistan. That’s not all. Also, bringing religion into the constitution and society, banning a community, and keeping an entire province in a slave like situation of socio-economic development, while the party’s leaders and their off springs lead a life of luxury abroad.
Liberal value for oneself and one’s tribe has to translate into policies within your own political party and the province you govern as well. Sindh land management system, human development indicators do not reflect anything but the extractive nature of the PPP.  Just look at their assets in Dubai and London How come Larkana and Nawabshah are a far cry from Dubai, Singapore or London? (leaders favorite to go to spots).
This is not even looking at what they did to Baluchistan, initiating a civil war on one’s own people! So PPP,  I am not buying the cool aide of Bhutto Zardari.

Then we have the ANP, which is the only secular party (pre partition) in Pakistan. I would have loved to see this political party grow to its logical potential. In a pre modern society, bringing education to people is no easy task. It becomes even more challenging when multiple military coups and constant and persistent interference by the armed forces in KPK has barred the ANP’s development. Still, there is still no excuse for its leadership to become financially corrupt which then becomes the leverage the powers that be have over them to make them work on their terms.  For example, the handing over of SWAT to the Taliban as an experiment of appeasement. A province which has had so much war and violence as result of proxy wars, assets on your doorsteps, and non state actors active publicly. Then why would politicians agree to more militarization through POPA? Sadly no ANP either.

PTI? I have to admit it breaks my heart literally when I type this.  I had so much hope in their goal towards “tabdeeli” (change).  I painted my face draped the flag and was excited as a teenager. Sounds moronic but excitement and hope make us children again.  I am not naïve, but the party has shattered so much hope amongst those willing to fight for change. Alas, it feels they’ve choosen the exact same type of people to lead the march for change? Does that make sense? Ofcourse not, hence no change in political style, issues of concern to the people of Pakistan or roadmap for a saner safer Pakistan.  A dead end.  Sooner or later, all civilian parties reach this wall due to lack of commitment to their goals and internal strife.

There were signs from the start that Imran khan may not really be the person to initiate a change necessary for Pakistan to arrive in the 21st century but beggars cannot be choosers.
But when donors had to convince him that education ministry in KP could not be given to JI partner, that is what convinced him, rather than our voices, I became concerned.  When Imran Khan gave up Peshawar NA1 seat for Rawalpindi’s seat, my pre modern DNA realized he’s not one of us. As usual, he has revealed his true colours in action rather than in his rhetoric. How can a leader reject the capital seat and think you can run a government there with respect? How could Imran Khan think he could convince the electorate he cares when he rejected them directly? Only someone who isn’t thinking in terms of electoral politics as it is-connecting directly with each citizen as your source of power. Heart break continues with him always on the wrong side of social issues.

PMLN? I could never consider them as an option. Why? Frankly as a woman, non Punjabi and liberal secular there is absolutely no space for folks like me. Of course there are some decent and educated people in the Pmln, but most remain silent or silenced to make way for a number of opportunists. Im not interested in a monarchical political environment and pmln works like that. Not for me.

As a Pakistani, I am very proud that my family was part of the freedom movement which led to the creation of this beautiful country. But their vision was freedom from oppression, a better life for all citizens irrespective of creed or gender- not majoritarianism. Today’s Pmln is not a reflection of this ideology, and become myopic: since it is rooted in Punjab Punjab/Kashmir identity. The party has no idea about inclusion nor does it pretend to just look at its budget allocations.

Social media has  recently started to show the level of disgust people feel towards corrupt leaders. One such example is of a Pakistani immigrant in the UK walking up to the current PM and his son outside a high end shopping center and telling them what corrupt leaders they are and how they’ve bled the people of their rights. While the masses have been complaining about leadership for many years, people’s voices are finally being heard with so much information available in so many forms.

My Pakistan is based on Jinnah’s idea and those who supported the idea of a safe haven from majority rule. That is my understanding of my homeland.
So where do I go as a citizen to advocate for this idea of Pakistan?

As a democrat I do not support the military in political roles.  There does not lie much hope in the civilian parties and their actions. This never ending cycle of futility begs the question, where do we go from here?

Civil society? A healthy country usually is reflected by its state of civil society. We aren’t healthy. Wealthy yes by donor funding which has sucked the oxygen of  the minds of those who could lead or contribute towards political social activity to lobby for change.

Is this an adequate excuse or explanation? I don’t know. But there has to be some reason we don’t come out when hundreds of children are murdered, women are killed for pre modern notions of honour or governors are murdered in broad day light or suicide bombers attack mosques parks and cantonments. The media becomes the selective vehicle of outrage. From a safe distance. Why? I want to scream!

Screaming can be healthy or destructive. Currently I am in limbo. Where do I channel this anger this desire for change? You tell me.