Category: Articles

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Imran Riaz Khan is a living legend amongst Pakistanis wherever they live. Prior to his kidnapping, everyone waited daily for his commentary uncovering the truth fearlessly. Millions of his followers miss him sorely and anxiously, waiting for his safe return. Since his kidnapping by “Daalla Brigade” his whereabouts are unknown. One…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan History has many inspiring stories of true leaders facing adversity and how they rebound. I am particularly impressed by a folklore about King Bruce of Scotland. He had suffered a loss on battlefield and fled taking refuge in a cave. His army was routed and in a disarray. Sitting alone…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Malik Meraj Khalid was a political stalwart in Pakistani politics. He held high offices during Z A Bhutto’s government and under Benazir Bhutto. He became the interim Prime Minister in 1996-97 after the sacking of 2ndBenazir government. He was forced out of office by BB for calling out Asif Zardari’s…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The tiger is a cool and beautiful animal. It is the largest cat found from Anatolya in Central Asia to Bali, Indonesia. Acharismatic animal, it is a part of mythology and folklores since ancient times. It is the national animal for India, Bangla Desh, Malaysia and South Korea. Tragically the…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Air Commodore Nazir Bin Latif is an icon in Pakistan Air Force. Over generations, like popular athletes, thousandsof officers come and go; but only few are remembered with affection. Pele in football, Imran Khan in cricket, Aziz Bhatti or MM Alam in the forces are embedded in institutional memories. It’s…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan It was during 1971 India Pakistan war. Hostilities were in full swing in East Pakistan and air war had started on the Western front. I was living in Punjab University, New Campus; at that time and was President of Students Union. Trenches were dug around hostels to provide protection from…

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…