Mohajirs Are People Too

Teefay

hahahahaha

this was funny. REally enjoyed reading it.

tahir #16 {"I agree, the border-crossers are 'people too' (I mean those who came around 1947) and not giants who must brush off the other 95% as inferior."}

Tahir Sahib,
Those that do are themselves inferior in both their upbringing and national spirit. As Atif said in his article "And then I noticed something that made me feel proud that Karachi was part of Pakistan," my beloved city is definitely a composite of Pakistan. Please do not judge us all by the behavior of a few Defence type burger kaala angraiz.

Atif, if this is a dear-diary entry, what can I say?

Don't get fooled by this 'polite' tone that only 5% of Pakistanis are able to master by age five. And don't forget there are Memons, Bohris, Parsis, and others too out there who add their own colours to the city.

'Professional' is a popular label but when over-used, implies that other cities have no professional inhabitants.

The greatness of forever-at-war Karachi would perhaps increase if they placed a 'visitor's book' at the airport in which folks from other Pakistani towns might jot down in in a few words what they really think of Altaf the absconder.

I agree, the border-crossers are 'people too' (I mean those who came around 1947) and not giants who must brush off the other 95% as inferior.

{"For starters, I could hear urdu with proper diction. This was a pleasant change from the punjabized urdu you hear in Lahore, the pothwarized urdu you hear in Pindi and the englishized urdu you hear in Islamabad"}

Atif,
You obviously didn't run into any Dilliwalla Mohajirs at the airport or perhaps the new Nazim has banned them from being there.
"Tu aaree he ke naeen ya men aariya hun?"
No that's not Dilliwalla foreplay in polite Urdu - it's actually a threat for an appointment. LOL

Seriously I missed it completely so dumb of me...I just felt it sounded condescending towards Punjabis and Pushtoons. May be because I am new to chowk purane chowkies ke write ups perhe nahee. Thanks brother.
Nikhat Riaz

{"And then I noticed something that made me feel proud that Karachi was part of Pakistan. No, it wasn’t the availability of condom dispensers in men’s restrooms. It was the fact that there was a quiet calm and order about the airport operations. Lines moved smoothly and efficiently. Airport staff was knowledgeable and helpful."}

Teefay,
Itni bhi taareef na kijiay ke aasman se utarna mushkil ho jaaey. LOL

Leave it to you to write a complete and delightful article after only a few minutes of observation. You really have an amazing talent for describing situations and places that we ordinary mortals seem to overlook - something you do with taking pictures too. Great article, very well written, and I really enjoyed reading it.

Now, come on, did you really find the condominiums at the airport? Hopefully, they were not the oversized and under-scented types imported from "Shining India."

Atif, excellent!

But just as a correction, the new Islamabad airport is under construction near Fateh Jang and the existing one is more or less a transit camp. No further money will be spent on it and it will be demolished for housing.

Nikhat, this is a satire. Guess you don't know Atif Pai UnPlugged Walla ...

This is a loopy article because thats atif's provocative style, its actually not meant to be offensive to anyone.

The best thing about karachi airport is the complete absence of ogling and learing, tinda sharif made us a beautiful airport and people's behavior just changed overnight ....fuk there isnt even paan kee peek on that airport.

Vaise why the hell havent you ever visited karachi yet? you think we dont have pretty camels or something? You and your camera would be very impressed with our magnificent city.

Unless you are a deposed chief justice it makes no sense to leave karachi airport without seeing karachi.

I couldn't agree more with you, ixno!

condom dispensr is all good but a bit impractical
true sign of progress is when they have tampon dispensers in the ladies rm

All of you miss the main point, Atif found a condom dispenser. Which is a relief, since knowing and loving atif as we all do, we don't want any HIV spreading in the desi population through him.

"real sindhis", "mohajirs are people too" ...who ARE you? I hate to be rude since your post is obviously very well-intentioned, but do you realize how pompous and condescending you sound, as if you really think 'mohajirs' are exotic foreign immigrants who are still going through some sort of evolution? Actually, I know what this article sounds like...like the old white american lady who goes 'ooh how advanced have these spanish/indians/asian people have become' whenever she sees one in a suit. Since they really were all jungle creatures before anyway.

Well,I think what you have witnessed at Karachi airport, the maintenance,management, demeanour of people is certainly not the result of the effort of ONLY 'Mohajirs'or the Urdu speaking class of society as the right term. Karachi airport is mostly run by our Polished Punjabi Brothers and they have due share in the development of Quaid-e-Azam Int. airport at all level.
I am not against my own race but I do condemn your totally prejudice opinions and ridicule of Punjabi and Pushtoons through out in your piece just to over glorify one race.
As far as the language goes, its a fact that Urdu is not the mother tongue of Punjabis, Sindhis Balochis Pushtoon etc but our main jewels,contributors of Urdu literature are Punjabi. And to be honest Mohajir youth of today donot know the basis of Urdu.To enjoy the correct essence of our 'Urdu speaking Bhai loag' you should have stepped out of the airport and visit areas like Orangi, Liqatabad largely populated by 'the Mohajirs'.

Karachi is a cosmopolitan city and Punjabi, Pushtoons are the major contributor making it a tinsel town.
No wonder a person of good intellect would loose his insight when he blind fold himself up with black prejudice band.
And Ref No #3: Altaf Bhai Allah Maaf karae is not the representative leader of Urdu Speaking people . It is like saying Ball Thakre the representor of Hindus or OSama Bin Laden representing Muslims or Bush is what Americans are.In my opinion MQM is as bad a stigma as Nazis are for Germans.
"Na jane yeh Khoon aur badnamee ke dhabbe dhulein ge kitnee bersatoan ke baad"?
Unfortunately Karachi carries the budnma stain of henious murder of its own heroes like Hakeem MOHAMMAD SAEED.A person who tried all his life to refresh the body of Karachiites with 'Rooh afza' and spirit of Urdu speaking with love,honesty, brotherhood and Pakistaniyet.
Nikhat Riaz

Very funny Atif. “Condom dispensers”? That’s as amusing as a while ago, I was sitting at a bar at Dubai airport and a Dubai guy with a Tasbeeh in his hands walks in (not worry beads, but legitimate regulation size Tasbeeh) and between the sips, he was counting the beads. Subhanalla.

I have been to Karachi only twice, but both times I wished I have a chance to live in this city...the people have a very professional approach towards the task at hand...Karachi is truly the most advanced city in Pakistan...and the economic, intellectual & social contributions of the people of this city to Pakistan are unmatchable with those of any other city of the country...may this city flourish more and more and the people living in this city prosper by the grace of God...

this is very sweet of you. did it occur to you to refrain from the usage of the term "mohajir". you might be aware that even altaf bhai realized the limitations of that. also, what makes you think that it was only "mohajirs" were responsible for your special experience. the last time i was at karachi airport the bathroom attendant was most certainly a seraiki.