Category: Articles

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan We have to draw inspiration from our centuries old heritage of dispute resolution. It is “Pariya” or “Panchayat” in Sind and Punjab and “Jirga” in KP and Baluchistan. It is equivalent to a Council of Elders. Historically conflicts have ended only two ways. Either one foes is entirely vanquished into…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan I was passing through the stringent security check at Toronto Airport. It was crowded; fear of travel is gone as Covid restrictions ease. While emptying pockets and pulling laptop out of its bag I dropped my boarding passand computer mouse. Unaware, I moved ahead forphysical check. The passenger behind me…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Amavas” or “Amavasya” is a Hindi word for a moonlessnight. It is a dark night as the moon overlaps the sun. As the planets move in their orbit, it is also known as a new moon night. It has a major significance for Hindus. For verification, I spoke to my…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Har pasay bhan taroor” a Punjabi phrase that describes destruction and chaos prevailing all around. Governance is adrift; it is difficult to determine who is in charge. Suppression and brutality is the order of the day to muzzle dissenting voices. People are being crushed by unprecedented inflation with no end…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan I couldn’t sleep after seeing the gory details broadcast on Duniya TV by Kamran Shahid of Arshad Sharif’s mutilated hands and body. I am seventy plus and have been around the block many times. If I feel that way, how will Arshad’s young kids react? In this callous game of…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Calling the present Government “imported regime” is a misnomer. They should be called a “criminal enterprise” or a “crime syndicate.” There is nothing lawful or democratic about these political vampires called PDM. Since their first day in power they have acted as rogues. They came to power with a three…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Kenya is a beautiful country. I planned many times to visit;it just did not happen. It has scenic coastline, savannah, lakelands, valleys and mountain highlands. It is home to wildlife like lions, elephants and rhinos. Its main inhabitants are the Maasai tribe famed for their bravery. Documentaries about Amboseli Park…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan I have to pause my nostalgic journey about youthful days due to the levels of hypocrisy and pretenses on the national scene; they are intolerable. I was remembering friends who have left us and rejoicing those who are still around. I will continue at a later date. The present scenario…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Punjab University New Campus of late sixties and early seventies was serene, clean and refreshing. It was designed by world renowned Greek urban designer and architectural firm, Doxidas and built under US Aid program. Uniquely open concept set within fruit orchards. A canal separated the academic block from the residential…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Memories of friends are a double edged sword. They strengthen you; yet torment when remembering those no longer with us. These thoughts were recently triggered while attending a get-together in Mississauga in memory of Late Shahid Rashdi who left us four years ago. His daughter Dana and her husband Zain…