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STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Masi Barkate”, Aunt Barkate was a permanent fixture in our ancestral “dera” in Lyallpur. She was widowed at a young age with no offsprings and was woven into our joint family structure. She ran the…
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REFLECTIONS, ONE YEAR LATER
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan We are a nation of 250 million living in a state of anxiety. Every day, survival is a challenge for an overwhelming majority. Spiraling inflation, constant fear of the midnight door knock, lack of hope…
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“FREE IMRAN KHAN” GAINS MOMENTUM
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Washington is a city of traffic lights; I hate this stop and start” said the young man, nicknamed Junior, while drivingme to the November 26th massacre Congressional Briefing. He had a point; the density of…
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EDIFICE OF FALSEHOOD WILL NOT SURVIVE UNDER SCRUTINY
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Washington is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Congressional briefing on the massacre of November 26th2024. These days I am in US and had an opportunity to interact with this brave lot leading the charge.…
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LAUNCH OF ANOTHER FLYING SAUCER
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Flying saucers are imaginary objects in futuristic spacefictions. One has been launched by our shifty Prime Minister in Pakistan naming it “Uraan Pakistan” translates “Take-off and flight of Pakistan”. We saw the same rodeo a while back when General Asim and PM Sharif launched “SIFC Pakistan” a platform with much fanfare.…
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FINALLY THE WOLVES ARE BEING CORNERED
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan December is holiday season in the West. It’s a time to show kindness, and share love and gratitude towards loved ones. In cold and snowy winter in Canada, it’s the time to be cozy and…
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ARROGANCE WITHOUT SUBSTANCE CANNOT SUSTAIN
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The Generals’ arrogance is aptly reflected by Punjabi saying “Dukan pakorian de tey galan kroran de” translates “running a food stall with pretensions of a millionaire”. Internationally we have no cushion; we are economic beggars…
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THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Rabb narey key ghusan” a Punjabi saying that translates “Is God near or the clenched fist”. Fear of death is the ultimate threat. It happened in abundance on 26thNovember in and around D Chowk. Innocent…
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WHO WILL HOLD THE HOT POTATO
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Pakistan’s condition reminds me of Shakespeare’s indelible lines spoken by Macbeth upon return after murdering Duncan to Lady Macbeth, “the deed is done, what shall I do with the dagger?” Spilling blood of peaceful protesters…
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WHERE HAVE HONOR AND VALOR GONE
STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan My early schooling was in Cantt Public School, Abottabad. A lush green city located in a valley surrounded by forested mountains. The hill on the northern side was known as “Shimla Pahari”, Shimla Mountain. It…