Pakistani Australians – Best Overseas Pakistani Community

I got opportunity to watch the Pakistan – South Africa T20 match, a game which was part of the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) few days ago. Our team was not performing well at that time and had lost two pool matches against our traditional rival India and Zimbabwe.

However, when I reached the venue I was highly impressed to see that a large number of Pakistanis from Sydney and other cities of Australia had travelled to support Green Shirts on a weekday. I also had taken one large Pakistani flag with me. Pakistanis were dancing Bhangra around Dhol players and were so excited.

Later we all moved to the ground and took our allocated seats. More than 90% of the spectators were supporting Pakistan. South Africa had very little presence of their fans in the ground. The game started and as usual our opening batting pair Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan couldn’t score well once again. I was expecting that crowd would chant slogans against them, but to my surprise no one criticised them but welcomed the next batsmen. They kept supporting the team. Not only this, but they also appreciated the South African players whenever they took a wicket or scored a four or sixer.

Other thing that impressed me was our general behaviour towards each other. A Pakistani family sitting next to me offered food, although we had never met before. All over the stadium there was a great harmony between Pakistani people belonging from different areas in Pakistan. The most appreciable thing was that no one chanted a slogan against the present Pakistani government or the armed forces, which I was expecting due to the current political instability in Pakistan.

I can proudly claim that Pakistani Australians are the best overseas Pakistanis in the world who are patriot, mature and open hearted. No matter someone is from Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, Haiderabad, Faislabad, Gilgit, Peshawar or any part of Pakistan, they all love each other and support our sports teams.

So…. The good news is that we are going to play the final match of T20 World Cup at the MCG (also known as ‘G’ locally). In 1992 MCG proved very lucky for us when we beat England in the final of ICC World Cup, under the captaincy of Imran Khan. Now, We will play once again against England, under the captaincy of Babar Azam, who is in his form once again. I wish our team the very best of luck and hope that history will repeat itself and Insha Allah we will lift the trophy once again… aur who bhi Melbournce mein 😊.

TOP 15 MALE LEAD ACTORS OF 21ST CENTURY (INDO-PAK FILM & TV INDUSTRY)

15.

Ranbir Kapoor

Best performances: Sanju, Barfi & Rajneeti

14.

Imran Ashraf

Best performances: Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, Alif Allah aur Insaan & Dil Lagi

13.

Akshay Kumar

Best performances: Namaste London, Pad Man, Khiladi & Welcome

12.

Bilal Abbas Khan

Best performances: O Rangreza, Dunk, Cheekh & Dobara

11.

Hamza Ali Abbasi

Best performances: TV Serials: Alif, Pyare Afzal, & Mann Mayal

Movie(s): Parwaaz Hay Junoon

10.

Faysal Qureshi

Best performances: Meri Zaat Zara e Be-Nishaan, Qaid-e-Tanhai, Bashar Momin, Man-O-Salwa & Maanay Na Yeh Dil

9.

Saif Ali Khan

Best performances: Kal Ho Na Ho, Salam Namaste, Race, Race 2 & Love Aaj Kal

8.

Babar Ali

Best performances: TV Serials: Landa Bazaar, Tarap & Ek Nazar Meri Taraf

Movies: Jeeva, Qarz, Khoy Hou Tum Kahaan & Deewarain

7.

Sanjay Dutt

Best performances: Munna Bhai MBBS, Lagay Raho Munna Bhai, Sadak, Naam & Vaastav

6.

Salman Khan

Best performances: Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Tere Naam, Bodyguard, Hum Dil De Chukay Sanam & Hum Aapke Hayn Kon

5.

Humayun Saeed

Best performances: TV Serials: Mehndi, Dil Lagi & Meray Paas Tum Hou

Movies: Inteha, Main Ek Din Lout Ke Aaoon Ga, Jawani Phir Naheen Aani & Punjab Naheen Jaoongi

4.

Shaan Shahid

Best performances: Sangam, Nikah, Tere Pyar Mein, Jannat Ki Talaash, Majajan, Khuda Ke Liye, Khilona & Waar

3.

Shah Rukh Khan

Best performances: Darr, Chahat, Duplicate, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayaingey, Dil Tou Pagal Hay, Kuch Kuch Hota Hay, Veer Zara, My Name is Khan, Kal Ho Na Ho, Don, Om Shanti Om, Don-2 & Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

2.

Aamir Khan

Best performances: Dil, Dangal, Lagaan, Raja Hindustani, Ghajini, Dhoom 3, Dil Chahta Hay, Taaray Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, Talaash & Pk

1.

Nauman Ijaz

Best performances: Man-O-Salwa, Jackson Heights, O Rangreza, Dunk, Parizaad, Bhai, Mera Sayeen, Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila, Aansoo, Dasht, Sange Mar Mar & Sange Mah

Israeli attacks on Palestine, and the silence of Arab Countries

• 

  Smoke and flames rise during an Israeli air strike, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City May 14, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Gaza under fire!

I have never seen in my life any army at such a low level of humanity than Israeli army. They not only attack men, but also attack innocent women and children. This worst army of the world has no respect for others’ beliefs and values.

27th of Ramadan is one of the most important religious dates for the Muslims as Quran was descended on the same date hundreds of years ago. Muslims all over the world celebrate this day and in the night they do extra ibaadaat’s. Masjid ul Aqsa (The Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem is one of the prime mosques in Islam. It used to be first Kaa’ba for them direction of which was used for praying everyday ritual prayers (Salaat’s). On the night of 27th Ramadan this year, innocent Palestinian people were praying there when Israeli brutal forces started firing on them. Many got killed. What was their sin??? Just because they followed Islam? Isreali forces also targeted Gaza City with missiles.

This firing on innocent Muslims didn’t stop there and continued for next 10-12 days that resulted in several killings and great damage to the buildings and infrastructure of Gaza City. World saw children, mothers, wives and fathers crying for their beloved ones who left them forever.

Unfortunately the world leaders ONCE AGAIN preferred staying silent in general. USA, France and Germany in fact supported Israel. Pakistani Government however took action in awakening the world on this grave issue. OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries) did not impose any useful restrictions on social and economic ties with Israel but just passed a resolution of condemnation, as usual.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi approached Turkey, Malaysia, Sudan and China, and managed to attend the UN General Assembly session in New York City, where he targeted Israel in his speech and asked all international leaders to ask Israel stopping killing innocent Palestinians. This act however is being much appreciated. Mr. Shah also criticised Israel on CNN clearly by saying, “They have deep pockets and they control the media”. Finally Israel had to pull out their forces and Gaza saw days without killings.

I am highly disappointed the way Arab countries responded to this massacre. They have clearly given a message that they are least bothered bout the lives of Palestinian people. This is an eye opening thing and now we should be clear on how much influence USA has on them. In future we can’t trust them at all.

Women March in Pakistan (in Urdu)

• 

• 

Bureaucracy in Punjab determined to fail PTI Provincial Government

Few days ago I experienced unpleasant situation while getting my new motorcycle registered. I was told that I would have to apply online for booking an appointment with the Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department for this. I appreciated it that finally Punjab Government was shifting to the computerised system. When I booked the appointment I was given time after a month. However, on the day of my booking I reached DHA Lahore office of E&T. Gentleman at the counter dealt me with respect and gave me a computerised slip showing the registration number, and break down of the amount for number plates and their delivery.

I asked about the registration card which I was expected to get in the following 3-4 days. He surprised me by telling that I should have expected them in three month time. Then I inquired about the number plates to which he replied that they could take even more time, approximately six months.

My father had purchased a car in October 2019, and its number plates haven’t been delivered till today.

I have now strong feeling that Punjab bureaucracy is determined to defame the provincial PTI Government by using such dirty tactics. During my conversation with E&T gentleman I pointed out the same thing which he could not deny, and agreed. It is a shameful act. PTI Government must make amendments in the existing laws to punish such officials rather than just transferring them from one place to the other. It’s the people who are suffering due to such mal practices and then they blame the government for its incapability.

Pakistan being driven by mafias

I relocated to Lahore, Pakistan after living more than 12 years abroad, in December 2019. Several years I lived in Australia where I supported PTI and was significantly involved in running the election campaigns for the party during 2013 and 2018 general elections in Pakistan. I convinced many of my friends and cousins to vote for PTI members who were contesting in theses elections. Our efforts brought fruit and party won the 2018 general elections and Imran Khan became the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

This was indeed a great news for all those who wanted to see Pakistan free of corruption and having rule of law.

When I settled back in Pakistan in December 2019 I was stranged to see that PTI followers in Pakistan started to withdraw their support for the party. I decided to conduct a neutral research on this because it was very disappointing. I talked to the friends and found that they were mainly unhappy because of the Punjab Government’s poor performance under the chief minister ship of Mian Usman Buzdar, who was declared as ‘Waseem Akram Plus’ by Imran Khan. Inflation and everyday rise in the prices of grocery items, electricity, gas and petrol was another main contributor of the people’s rage. KPK government failed in completing the excessively delayed Metro Bus project after several years since its groundbreaking. Many of PTI supporters are now asking, ‘where is the change (tabdeeli)’?

Failure of government, especially the PTI lead Punjab government, in starting new projects and creating job opportunities added to the anger. Year 2020 brought more problems for the PTI federal and provincial governments. They had to face Corona, sugar and flour scandals, and artificially created shortage of fuel after the price drop. Like other Pakistanis I also have been going through lot of frustration under these circumstances. I however decided to research further that why PTI government has been unable in delivering what was expected from them. I came to the painful fact that in Pakistan there are mafias who have their heads or main shareholders in all governments (federal and provincial). Few of them are:

• Healthcare Mafia; that controls prices and supply of medicines, and undue charges in their private hospitals
• Education Mafia; that controls all private schools, colleges and universities
• Land Mafia; which captures land by force (paying very low or not at all) and increasing the prices of plots unreasonably
• Sugar, Wheat, and Fruit and Vegetable Mafias; which exports the huge quantities overseas and creates shortage of supply in Pakistan. Then they sell the produce at higher prices
• Fuel Mafia; whichstops supply to the fuel stations in case there is a drop in price by the federal government in line with international market pricing
• Blackmailing Mafia; which has been using actresses and model girls to blackmail politicians and other high level government officials by distributing their porn clips and videos through social media
• Power Mafia; the most influential PEOPLE who are ultra-rich business owners and land developers. They control all governments and law enforcement agencies due to their links with the sitting ministers and blackmailers. They help making the governments by providing them with the required number of seats. They invest in buying elected members. You will never listen anything bad about them in any newspaper or TV channel because they have purchased all of them by giving money.
• Judiciary; which issues stay orders and decisions in the favor of all MAFIAS.

Under these dreadful circumstances we can never expect any hope from any government ruling Pakistan. The only way out is a complete and uncompromised bloodshed where all such culprits be hanged without any second thought. PTI government must do legislation to punish a corrupt judge instead of just taking their job off. I wish that Imran Khan could get us rid of these worst culprits who have been doing irreversible loss to our motherland since its independence.

TOP 10 BEST FEMALE TV DRAMA ROLES PERFORMED BY PAKISTANI ACTRESSES

Friends this is just my opinion and choice. You may differ with the list and their rankings, but all of these are the legendary actresses.

 

10. Ayeza Khan for MERE PASS TUM HOU

9. Saba Qamar for CHEEKH

8. Mahira Khan for HUMSAFAR

7. Sajal Ali for ALIF

6. Atiqa Odho for SITARA AUR MEHRUNNISSA

5. Marina Khan for DHOOP KINARAY

4. Resham for MAN-O-SALWA

3. Sania Saeed for AAHAT

2. Samiya Mumtaz for MERI ZAAT ZARA E BENISHAAN

1. one and only Shahnaz Sheikh for TANHAYIAN

Corona Virus and the Pakistani nation! (in Urdu)

A Spiritual Journey to the Best Places in the World; Holy Ka’aba (Bait Ullah) and Masjid-e-Nabawi

I had a strong wish of performing Umrah for several years and this desire got stronger in the start of 2019. However at that time I did not have enough funds for performing Umrah as the charges of Umrah Package from Sydney were too high. Allah knew about my intention and He was so merciful on me that on 30^th September Saudi Arabia announced tourist eVisa for the citizens of 49 countries including Australia. I applied for the visa in October and got it within two minutes. I was overjoyed. I then purchased the air tickets online.

On the 15^th of November 2019 I left Sydney by Thai Air flight and landed in Dubai. I stayed there for 3 days and reached Abu Dhabi by road on the night of 18^th of November. I then took Saudi Airlines flight for Madina on 21^st through Riyadh. My university class fellow Sajjad Ahmed Maher has been living in Madina for more than 15 years. He received me at the airport. He took me to his home and I started waiting for next day, Friday.

I was very lucky that when I first ever time entered Masjid-e-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet – Peace be upon him) it was the time of Friday prayer. I walked into the masjid with brother Sajjad and I can’t express how much mesmerized I was after seeing such a huge and beautifully designed mosque. Then we offered the congregational Jumma prayer. After the prayer we offered nawafil and Sajjad then took me to show the huge mosque. I am sharing pictures here.

We then got chance of passing in front of the Roza-e-Rasool (resting place of the Holy Prophet PBUH). We offered our Salam there. Then Sajjad took me to Masjid-e-Uhad near the Uhad Mountain. He also showed me Masjid-e-Quba where we offered nawafil. We had nice lunch as well. In the night we were again in Masjid-e-Nabawi. Masjid was lighted beautifully in the night. Then we left for home after having dinner at a Pakistani restaurant.

Next morning Sajjad left for his job. His younger brother Bilal was there to look after me. He dropped me at the Masjid-e-Nabawi. I got opportunity of offering nawafil in the Riaz-ul-Jannah the same day. I took green bus from there and visited Uhad mosque and Masjid-e-Qiblatain. Bilal picked me from there in the evening and took me to the home. On my last day in Madina I requested Bilal to drop me early morning at the Masjid-e-Nabawi so that I could offer Fajar prayer and also visit Jannat-ul-Baqi graveyard. After visiting the holy graveyard I spent some time in the mosque and got another chance of offering the nawafil in Riaz-ul-Jannah and paying salam at the Roza Mubarak. Then I took the green bus again and visited Masjid-e-Quba again for offering the nawafil. In this historical mosque reward of offering two nawafil is equal to performing Umrah. I then took the bus back to Masjid-e-Nabawi, from there Bilal picked me up and took back to the home.

This was the time when I had to prepare for Umrah. I took shower and wore Ihraam (احرام). I had learnt on YouTube how to wear it. Then Bilal took me to the bus stop from where I took a group taxi for travelling to Makkah. A very nice Pakistani Mehmood Akhtar was also in the cab with his wife. He was a thorough gentleman who guided me about the Umrah procedure. Around 9:30 pm we reached Makkah. I took cab and proceeded to my hotel near Masjid-ul-Haram. Around 10:45 I left my hotel and proceeded to the Qibla by foot.

When I entered the Masjid-ul-Haram my heartbeat got up as it was the first ever time I was going to see Ka’aba live. When I proceeded further I reached the point from where Ka’aba was in front of me. My eyes were pointing toward the floor. I then slowly moved them up. Subhan ALLAH!!!! What an unexplainable look it was… I got speechless and started crying like a child. I kept crying while asking Allah for my forgiveness. After few minutes I got comfortable. Then I walked ahead and started Tuwaaf (طواف), first step of Umrah. After completing it I went for Sayee (سعی).  This is also a compulsory part of Umrah. Then I got my haircut. I was so relaxed and delighted after the completion of Umrah. Next day I spent good time in Masjid-Ul-Haram and kept offering nawafil and praying for my friends and family members. On the third day I visited Makkah Library, which is located inside Masjid-ul-Haram and is believed to be the birth place of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I then took a cab and visited the holy places, i.e. Araafat, Muzdalfa, Jumarat, Jannat-ul-Mola (graveyard) and Jabal-e-Rehmat. Cab driver was a Pakistani guy Rajab Ali who offered me great discounts. I was lucky enough as I also performed two sets of Tuwaaf on the same day. I also was fortunate to get into the Hateem (حتیم) and offer nawafil. Next day, 27th November 2019, was my last day in Makkah. After performing Zohar prayer I came back to hotel from where Rajab Ali picked me up and drove to Jeddah. I am sharing some memorable pictures of my most beautiful experience so far.

Riaz Shah Night – a memorable tribute

 

Riaz Shah Sahib was a Pakistani born Australian, who was known as Muhammad Rafi of Sydney among the Sub-continent and Fiji communities in Australia. He was from Dera Ghazi Khan originally and spent a large part of his life in Sydney. Music was his passion and Rafi Sahib was his ideal. He always loved singing Rafi’s songs in private partied and music programs. Besides he had a very good sense of humour. He had a large fan base and many of his younger friends took him as their mentor. He was one of the pioneers who started Urdu radio programs in Sydney. Zahid Minhas was one of his most important friends. On the musical side Tariq Mahmood and Yahya Khan were very close to him and Yahya claims that he was his genuine student who learnt art of singing from him.

Riaz Shah Sahib had a cardiac arrest on the morning of 1^st August 2018 (last year) and could not survive. His sudden death made his friends and acquaintances very sad. A large number of people from different backgrounds attended his funeral.

After few months of his death Mr. Arshad Butt organized a memorial musical program for giving him the tribute where many singers including me performed songs and shared our memories with the audience. However the function was not a very big one.

On 17^th of August 20, 2019 Mr. Tariq Mahmood organized a proper program in the memory of his beloved friend. Riaz Shah Night proved a big success. A large number of people attended program and enjoyed listening to the talks and amazing musical performances by Tariq, Yahya, Wasim, Razia, Nitya, Priya Das, Yaseen Ali, Sonu, Sandhya, Vinod and myself. Song selection was too good and everyone delivered their best. I sang Zoheb Hasan’s Zara Chehra Tou Dikhao on my own recorded music. Others performed songs of Rafi, Kishore and Lata on karaoke tracks. But all sang very good. Yahya’s sound system was very good and delievered high quality sound.

Nadeem Nadvi, who especially flew from Melbourne and hosted the show, gave a superb performance. Zahid Minhas shared his beautiful memories with Shah Sahib. Riaz Shah Sahib’s daughters were also present at the event and they were called on stage and presented flowers by Mrs. Tariq.

This beautiful night continued till 11:00 pm and everyone congratulated the organizers for the success of event.