Tragic 28th December incident in Karachi, death of over 40 people during Muharram procession and aftermath carnage reminds me of Taliban. These days I am forced to think about Bamiyan Statue of Buddha, known as wonders of ancient world, I remember the way Taliban destroyed it, forcing my heart to bleed out of anger, pain and helplessness.
Great Indus Valley Civilization is lost in the dust of religious fundamentalism. Indus men smiles on modern day Pakistan, everyone is sad to see the way security establishment drags the green Indus land to get attached with extremist desertland of Arabia.
The road where carnage took place in Karachi has some of the finest historical buildings built during British rule, most of them burnt and destroyed. These buildings are just one and half kilometer away from historic KMC building and Merewether Tower. There are around 60 historical buildings, majority of them protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act.
It seems there is no place for art, culture, history and heritage when it comes to modern day extremist Pakistan.
Moen Jo Daro and Harrapa question us but we have no answer!! is anyone listening ???
4 comments:
Yes I am listening Imran and you are very right. Not only cultural heritage but every socio-cultural activity has no place in modern day extremist Pakistan. You must have noticed yourself that the only occasions where you can find people gathered is religious congregations. We are losing thread of communalism the result of which is every one getting lonely day by day.
P.S.
We used to play tennis at Sheraton if you remember.
Muhammad Akram
Hey Akram, i do remember....i am glad to read your feedback.
I totally agree with you.
Hope you doing well...
Keep in touch.
Imran
Thanks for this post. It is one of my big disappointments in life that I was never able to see Bamiyan. And I remember traveling in Pakistan in the late 70s. It was a very different place. I wandered through the bazaars in Peshawar alone. I was invited into shops for tea--never any problem whatsoever. I attended mwshayras. We traveled through Swat Valley--to us Pakistan was like a breath of fresh air in the region, and so was the Urdu poetry of Ghalib and Mir. Thanks for the photos.
Wendy Johnson, Brooklyn, NY
Wendy,
I am glad you took time to comment. Thank your for your time and feedback.
You are right things have changed, at times i feel we dont belong to this place and this place seems alien to us.
Imran
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