Two years ago today-The beginning of the end.

Exactly two years ago, today was the day paramilitary forces stormed the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad after a week-long standoff with the militant clerics holed up inside with dozens of hostages. It also marked the start of the end of the reign of then-President General Pervez Musharraf. After the Lal Masjid operation ended, peace deals that forces in the restive tribal areas were supposed to sign with the government were scrapped and a wave of attacks started. The lawyers movement also started in earnest after President Musharraf woefully misguaged public sentiment and sacked the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry. Mind you, it also started the process that brought that idiot Zardari into the Presiential Palace. Anyway, President Musharraf was eventually forced to resign by a powerful coalition of political parties, the lawyers' movement and the citizenry. Later on, the same mix (minus the PPP) forced "President" Zardari to reinstate the Chief Justice.

So anyway, two years ago was the beginning of the end. In the process that began that day, Benazir Bhutto was killed, the PPP was brought into power, Musharraf was forced to resign, Zardari was made President, and a new wave of insurgency took hold in the northern and north-western areas of Pakistan. And so we ended up sending in the army and fighting a war against our own populace (albeit those who have chosen to wage war against Pakistan). What will happen next as a part of this process? No one knows. Lets just hope that its for the best.

WiFi hotspots in Karachi-Part II

As promised, Ive updated my original list of WiFi hotspots in Karachi (the original can be read here). As most of us know, WiFi, or Wireless Fidelity technology is widely understood to be Wireless LAN (even though there are certain differences). So basically, we in Karachi can use WiFi certified devices to move aorund and still be able to use internet without the hassle of wires. My updated list of WiFi hotspots in Karachi includes:

• SZABIST, in Clifton.
• CBM.
• FAST-NU.
• Bahria University.
• Royal Rodale Club.
• Time Out at The Forum.
• Hot Spot.
• Beach Luxury Hotel.
• Costa Coffee.
• Evolution and Purple Haze.
• Karachi Broast.
• McDonald's (Clifton).

Apart from these, there are hundreds of other,private WLAN/WiFi networks that may or may not be password-protected. It all depends on how lazy/stingy the Karachiite in question is. Do leave a comment if you know of any more WiFi/WLAN hotspots in Karachi and i'll be sure to include them in this post at the earliest possible time.

A fun alternative to your regular political news show- Hasb-e-Haal!!

A few days ago, as I was doing my nightly surf of the 100+/- channels on cable TV, I came across a program that happened to be just what I was looking for. Its called Hasb-e-Haal, and is aired by Dunya TV. Hosted by Aftab Iqbal, the show also incorporates Sohail Ahmed (who, btw, is hilarious) and Najia. The aim of Hasb-e-Haal is to discuss current event and happenings in the political, economic and social life of Pakistan. Aftab Iqbal acts as the main anchor, and Sohail Ahmed (called Azizi) gives the program most of its comedy with his witty remarks and funny anectodes. The show is funny, but unlike Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain (aired on Geo) and many other programs, it does not comprise of loud, slapstick humour. A must watch!

P.S-Thanks to the good people over at PakPoint, Hasb-e-Haal can also be watched online for free at www.pakpoint.com.

A Tribute to Pakistan Cricket Team.

This video, with the editing done by Zohaib Waqar and the concept by Xoobie Krispy, is an awesome video tribute to the Pakistan Cricket team, who by winning the T20 World Cup have brought a smile to the faces of nearly every Pakistani.