Author: Hafeez Khan

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Our physical training (PT) instructor in Burn Hall was a retired “Subedar”; equivalent of an Army Sergeant. All students in Senior School were split in two Houses, St Michael and St Gabriel. Each had their own instructor. I was part of St Michael. Our Subedar Sir was a tall, ram-rod…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Sixties and seventies was the golden era of Pakistani andPunjabi film industry. There are commonalities between blockbusters in those days and what is happening on our political horizon. “Phaney Khan” was one of them,depicting a Lahori bad boy who would intimidate others by waving a “kachu”, a large knife. He…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Lahore is a city of extreme contrasts. Those living in “jhuggis”, temporary tents, scrape a living by rummaging through garbage, begging, petty thefts and low paying jobs. Their biggest challenge is the next meal. Then we have the wealthy bursting at seams, desperate to display their lavish lifestyles. The dwindling…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Miss Minto was our math teacher in Burn Hall, Abottabad. She had a severe, no nonsense demeanor that kept the boys in check. She had a penchant to use the blackboard to write formulae, enunciate the problem, and write the solution in detail. It was a great way to understand…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The top story these days on American media is the indictment of President Trump on federal criminal charges. It is unprecedented in US history against a former president. Their public discourse is full of latest reports, analysis and predictions. Trump’s equivalent in Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif. Both actually believe they…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Kukar toon ganday tay agaye han” answered Ashraf, an experienced mason now out of work in once booming construction industry, when asked how he is doing. It is a disaster out there. Sectors that provided employment aredevastated. According to latest statistics; textile, construction, industrial and large manufacturing sectors’ have seen…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Hans Christian Anderson, a Danish author wrote scores of fairy tales impacting generations. I remember reading them as a child. “The Emperor Has No Clothes”’ was first published in 1837, with roots dating back centuries traceable to Indian folklore. An extremely vain, proud and ruthless emperor spent lavishly on his…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan In the early days of PTI, Akmal Mirza was President Rawalpindi. He was a committed and experienced political activist, liked by Imran Khan. It was important for the Partyto bring onboard members from diversified communities and professions. Akmal recruited a local lawyer, Aamer Kiyani, who was getting established in his…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan I was not even a teenager when I learnt one of the most important lessons in life. It became a part of my value system. Abbottabad was popular as a “hill station”, a legacy term from the British raj. Summers were mild as compared to the heat in southern plains.…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Folks let us keep it simple; it is bullet versus ballot. The barbaric commando style action to kidnap Imran Khan was shameful, demeaning and a gross violation of human dignity. IK was hit, pushed and manhandled like a sought after terrorist. For God’s sake he is a former Prime Minister…