By Tariq Siyal ISLAMABAD: Writers, academics and intellectuals of the twin cities praised the contribution of Khadim Hussain Soomro in promoting the message of love and harmony of mystics of Sindh. They described him an embodiment of Sufism. Renowned human rights defender and social worker Tahira Abdullah speaking at a literary event at the Pakistan Academy of Letters on Wednesday, …

By Rozina Ahmed Marriage is a social contract between an adult man and woman with their free will to live a life together. The success of this relationship depends on shared ideals, mutual respect, dignity and equal distribution of economic and social responsibilities. However, historically, women have always been disadvantaged and exploited in the name of customs and traditions associated …

News Desk When I cycled to Shimshal last year to document the stories of high altitude porters, little did I know where this journey would take me? If there is one thing I learnt from this visit, it was how to nurture your dreams despite adverse circumstances, writes blogger, climber Kamran Munawar on Bike on his Facebook page. “Passion, positivity, …

News Desk QUETTA: Journalists, political parties and lawyers have expressed their resolve to fight for the freedom of the press, expression and speech guaranteed in the Constitution. They vowed to take every possible measure including a long march for safeguarding these fundamental rights next month from Quetta. These and other demands were made on the concluding day of a seminar …

By Abdullah Rana Unab Sumble’s figurative painting in acrylic and ink on canvas. Credit: Gallery6 Islamabad: What comes to mind when you wake up in the morning? Clear images, or abstract thoughts? Buoyant faces, or empty, shattered visages? Blue skies, or the darkest grey thunderstorms? What rings in your ears? Is it the silvery voice of a loved one, sweet …

I lost my brother but not the courage we shared, says the award-winning documentary ‘Unsung Heroes’ Pakistan Shero fame climber Shakela Nazar By Raheem Sherazi Shakeela and Nadeema during the climb of Yazghel Sar Peak in Shimshal. Photo: Qudrat Ali “Look! I did what I could not in your life without you.” These are the words of Shakila Numa, one …

Muhammad Ali Sadpara, his son Sajid Ali and Icelander John Snorri return back to Base Camp High Asia Herald Report Bad weather has forced the K2 winter expedition team to abort their final push to the top of the second highest mountain of the world. The trio climbers – John Snorri Sigurjonsson from Iceland, Muhammad Ali Sadpara and his son …

News Desk Islamabad: Majority of women face restrictions from their families when using the internet, a new study finds. Six out of 10 women internet users face some kind of restrictions from their families, finds the survey titled “Women Disconnected: Feminist Case Studies on the Gender Digital Divide Amidst COVID-19”, conducted by Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD). The study examines …

by Asad Raza Gokal Since September 2020, when the UAE struck with Israel a deal on normalizing relations, alarm bells began to ring louder for the Pakistani Shia diaspora residing in the country. In the United Arab Emirate (UAE), members of the Shia families, a religious minority, are mostly employed in professions that pay them enough to cater the needs …

By Rehmat Karim Gilgit-Baltistan has been a region known for its enchanting green valleys, lofty snow-clad mountains, glaciers, fresh air, prestine streams, and plentiful organically-grown crops, vegetables and fruits. Besides, it has always been considered one of the most prominent regions for long life expectancy in the word. Most of us have seen the documentaries shown on several national and …

Dr Lara Karasik Gahvora (cradle) is the oldest device which has been used by families for centuries in High Asia and Central Asia regions for containing and cradling of babies. It is still preserved in Badakhshan, Pamirs, Kashgar, Srikol, Hunza, Ghizer and Broghel, Chitral for newborn babies rearing. It is noteworthy that even among modern families in cities, you easily …

By Farman Ali Senior artist Masood A Khan’s transluscent painting in ink on paper___________________________________________________ Islamabad: An exhibition of artworks coupled with live mural painting, poetry recitation, dance and mime performances at Nomad Gallery last Sunday, brilliantly highlighted the increasingly pervasive sexual misconduct, harassment, derogatory remarks, abuse and violence faced by women at workplaces, homes, public places, and on campuses across …

by Aziz Ali Dad Let me start this review of the book “Hunza Matters: Bordering and ordering between ancient and new Silk Roads” by indulging in subjectivity. In 2015, I was a Crossroads Asia fellow at Modern Oriental Institute in Berlin, Germany. As a part of socialization, we interacted with different researchers and members of academia. On one weekend my …

Raza Gillani Why have we spent the last four years, presumably the most crucial time of our lives, organising at various campuses across the country and its administered areas on issues pertaining to student life, gender, education, class, ethnicity, race, etc.? Why have we wasted our time in searching for those who share our principles, dreams, and resolve? Why have …

by Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro The people of Gayal village in Darel valley of Gilgit-Baltistan use intricate decorations for an ancient mosque, writes anthropologist Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro Pillared verandah of Gayal Mosque, Darel, Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo by the writer Gayal village in Darel valley of Diamer district is believed to have been established about two centuries ago when the descendants of Dudu …