Author: Hafeez Khan

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Filling gas balloons is a routine now-a-days for party events. Helium canisters are readily available. It was not so six decades ago. The balloon vendor would show up with his wooden cart and a gas tank and announce his arrival by ringing a bell. I along with my cousins and…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Nai reesan shahr Lahore diyan” is part of Lahori folklore. It translates “Lahore has no comparison”. A bold statement repeated over generations. Diehards insist on adhering to it even though the city has exploded beyond recognition. It is over five decades since I adopted Lahore,even though I belong to Lyallpur.…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Mera jhuga te bach gaya, baqi khair aay” said Mannah, a peasant farmer after a devastating flood. “My hut has survived, so all is fine”. That is the prevailing attitude in all the citadels of power and cushy fortified residences of the corrupt elite. They have buried their heads in…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan In a recent meeting with Chairman Imran Khan, I saw him limp in pain walking at a slow pace. It brought back memories of IK climbing stairs with a leap, taking two steps at a time while we mortals struggled to keep up. It brought a lump in my throat.…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Capitals worldwide are the pulse of what is happening in a country; a deduction from decades of travel. My recent visit to Islamabad was an eye-opener. Government is poor, rather bankrupt, however the people are rich. When I say people it means the top 1-2% who controls 90% of this…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Every time I enter my Lyallpur, erroneously named Faisalabad, my heart misses a beat or two. For a very good reason; I have tons of fond childhood and youthful memories associated with this City. Be it the rising dust from our grandfather’s car on dirt road being chased by village…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Lalchee nu jhuta marda aiy” a Punjabi saying whichtranslates “greedy’s undoing is a liar.” Rustic wisdom that endures over generations. These days there is a new twist to this folklore. “Lalchee” and “Jhuta” have teamed up as PDM, unholy alliance harming Pakistan’s future. Nation is on the brink of financial…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Pakistanis are creative and enterprising. They find ways of coping, whether surviving in abject poverty or developing their future, if given an opportunity. Few nations are blessed with these traits. Having lived abroad and being exposed to different peoples, this entrepreneurial spirit is quite rare. Generally folks seek regularity and…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Living in Riyadh in eighties had its challenges. Workplace was fulfilling and challenging; however there was a void in home entertainment. There was one TV channel in Arabic. This vacuum was filled by enterprising businessmen; Indian movies and Pakistani dramas on VHS tapes appeared for rentals. They were surreptitiously distributed…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan It is season of giving amongst those practicing Christian faith around the world. Many go above and beyond their means to buy gifts for their loved ones. It is an expression of affection, care and gratitude shared with family and friends. This holiday season celebrates Christmas and ushers in New…