Author: Hafeez Khan

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Anyone who has witnessed PMA Kakul passing out parades would bear me out that it is an awesome experience. The uniformity of movements, the emotions generated by music in the background and the glamor of the marchpast is overwhelming. Having grown up in the garrison city of Abbottabad, the image…

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 staff with an iron fist and spoilt us to bits with “taaza Lassi”, fresh butter…

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 for the future is ruining the Pakistani psyche. In this state of despondency and heightened…

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 signals is mind boggling. The Capitol Hill with its imposing building and structures that surround…

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. Imran Khan after galvanizing the nation has also motivated the Overseas Pakistanis to rise to…

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. All the goals and objectives are laudable but there is complete disconnect between them and the realities prevailing…

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 bundling up if you step out. Work routines are relaxed giving you time to reflect…

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 with no oil wells backing us like Venezuela. Internally Generals have silenced the conventional media.…

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 protestors were sprayed with bullets on ground and from all directions, including rooftops. Trained marksmen…

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 without cause on 26th November has put everyone in power in the doghouse. Washing blood-stains…