The New Generation of Pakistani Architects

my humble question to all pakistanis. Is there anything that works there? anything we like? anything to admire? the constitution is crap, the institutions are crap. and what does each of us do to change that?

Hammad:

welcome to chowk...may i ask you one question?...is there any utilitarian value in pakistani architecture that sets its apart...

...ok make it two queries...in what way are the aesthetes in pakistani architecture different from others?

...t

Saima Shah:

Pakistan is a truly inspiring place. It`s greatness lies in the challenges it`s people live with - willingly or unwillingly.

Hammad interesting article -- if you are interested in getting it published in dawn, please contact me at omarq@cyber.net.pk -- it might have to expanded a bit to suit length requirements --

Dear SaimaShah
The first thing we do to change things in Pakistan is to be there! Then we can start contributing in our own fields. We should remember that as the population growth rate of the illiterate (0fficially 74 %) is much higher than the educated Pakistanis (a fraction) the literacy rate is changing every passing day. And with a lot of educated people fleeing the country, this ratio is becoming dangerously low. So just being in Pakistan and working there is the the first step.

Regards, Hammad

temporal (#2):

I didnt quite get what you mean by utilitarian. If you mean functionality, then I would say that it depends on the individual architect whether his design is functional or practical, and not on a country`s architecture in general. In any case, I think its better to say architecture in Pakistan, as opposed to Pakistani architecture, as we have different styles running parallel and none of them can be defined as Pakistani (There is no need to do so). Mughal, modern, regional vernacular, British colonial etc are all part of our culture now. This has given us more variety and flexibility.

Your 2nd query, well I think the residential architecture of Pakistan has developed a lot in recent years and has shown a developed design sense, maturity and skill. Our architects have raised the standard of this particular type of architecture by experimenting, using different styles and materials and cut-throat competition. Karachi and Lahore Defence houses and Islamabad suburban farmhouses are world standard and definitely set us apart.

Thank you omar, (#4) I will get in touch with you.

temporal:

I don`t quite get what you mean by utilitarian. If you mean functionality, I would say it is something that depends on the individual architect as opposed to a country`s architecture. In any case its more appropriate to say Architecture in Pakistan instead of Pakistani Architecture, as there is no particular style or form that we can be called truly Pakistani - there is Mughal, British colonial, modern, regional vernacular etc which are all part of Architecture in Pakistan.

Your 2nd query, well I think the reidential architecture in Pakistan has really developed in recent years and I think the variety of designs we have in this particular field, not many countries in the world have - in terms of size, styles, clients` expectations, architects` experimentation and so on. Karachi and Lahore Defence and Islamabad suburbian farmhouses have shown excellent design and developed mature design sense. So I think our residential architecture sets us apart.

A brilliant piece of writing HH ….

“The National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, considered one of the top architectural schools of Pakistan”

Though I am a student of an institute that is just like Pakistan to NCA if later is considered India, I appreciate NCA for many things….

Duck lays a bigger egg but no one comes to know about it …. Hen lays a smaller egg but she knows the art of marketing …. So everyone eats Hen’s egg…. Same is the case with NCA … People their know how to market the name of the institute so what if they work less and overall class result was average … You still has started you article with a line about NCA …. :)

Ok ok now coming to the real issue ….

“The five years in school should let the student get into the habit to read, understand, absorb, analyze and interpret on his own and then go through life with that momentum.”

Well it is a problem faced not only by schools and institutes related to architecture but all creative fields. And in my Personal opinion in Art and creative fields these days teachers are no more sincere with students. There is a certain professional jealousy as teachers too are also working in field at the same time they are teaching in the institute. Moreover a good artist or a good architect or any person who is at the top in curriculum not necessarily become a good teacher . Our teacher here in Art institutes lack basic training to teach, so they are unable to flourish the talent or guide a student on a certain level.

The problem start again from the basic level HH … Teachers themselves are just “Kitab Khwan” how can they make a student “sahib-e-kitab”

MNA :)

To SaimaShah:
I think I am in the perfect position to answer your question. It`s only been 3 months that I left the old country to come study abroad. From your post it seems that you are abroad and infact have never lived in Pakistan.

What works in Pakistan? The list is endless; the farmer, the labour, the people who build our homes, domestic servants (who usually become part of the family), the public transport system (it WORKS, I would even say efficiently), the markets (in Paris all shops close at 1900hrs), and the list is basically endless. What is basically needed is that we learn to look at our good points as well as our bad. I`m not saying that we don`t have problems, I`m just saying there are a few things we can be proud of too.

Yes the constitution is crap, the institutions are crap, the whole country is a heap of crap. Isn`t it amazing then that a bottom-dwelling, shiteating, snotnosed thirdworlder like your`s truly has not only managed to drag his worthless backside over here, but is giving the pristine goras one hell of a run for their money. If this is the best the west has to offer, then I`m better off in my stinking dungheap.

As far as what is to admire about Pakistan, lady, trust me, if it weren`t that I had to get higher education here, I`d give a kidney and half my liver to get back. Not because I`m having problems adjusting here, or making friends, or any of a million excuses, but because I WANT to, plain and simple. Confusing isn`t it? Someone who spent most of his life in Pakistan, finally managing to get out, WANTS to go back! Yes, the World is full of bizarre things. I agree, compared to Peshawar, or Lahore or Islamabad, Paris is very nice, very ``modern`` (never could understand what that meant, but I`ll say it nonetheless). But do you know what I see here, I see a sea of homosapiens, there are no human beings here, just homosapiens. I guess it`s the terrible price they have had to pay for advancement, they have lost the ``human touch``. They have become beings in transit, they are always on their way, in a hurry, they never reach where they want to go. In the mornings they have to get to their office, in the office, they are anxious to get to their favorite restaurent for lunch, at lunch, they are aching to get back to work to finish something their boss needs before closing time, and then they are going home.

But the thing I miss the most about my country, about my people, is their openness towards others, no matter what their skin color, religion or gender. These goras have no sectarian violence, but they have something much worse, they have sectarian mentalities. They are always more than willing to help you out whenever you need help, but seeing that you are a foreigner, they will always, ALWAYS keep their distance. And this, this polite exclusion, is something that robs one (well atleast me) of his selfrespect. I hate the clandestine and discreet stares that dart my way when people think I`m not looking. Having been born and having grown up abroad perhaps you don`t even know what it feels like to have your dignity, have all of it, and not be treated like someone to be distrusted or kept at arm`s length. You`ve lost your Godgiven right to selfrespect. That`s the primary reason why I want to go back to my land, my people, who will never look down at me with derision, with pity, or contempt simply because I`m not European.

Well, ma`am, what does each of us do to change that? Reading chowk.com, you`d think the most efficient way to set things straight in the country is to b&$ch about it.

So, onwards my fellow pseudo-intellectuals, let us scream, rant, rave and cry until we are blue in the face. That will not only make us feel like we are doing something significant, but maybe others will be hoodwinked into admiring us as well. Hell, we can even delude ourselves into thinking that we are participating in ``dialogue`` and ``constructive criticism`` that will raise ``awareness`` and maybe even influence ``policy``. Oh and before I forget, the input that is most needed is from ABCDs and BBCDs (they know who they are). Because your perspective is truly ``objective``: you can always kid yourself into believing what you learned about Pakistan during that one summer you spent at khala`s house in Lahore, and that you are keeping yourself current by watching CNN or even better FoxNews.

I know I`ve ruffled a few sensitive feathers by posting this, so let the reprisals begin. Rain hellfire and brimstone from on high upon me. And above all, DO let me know in how many ways I am wrong, after all, THATS also ``constructive criticism``.

irfanhamid

…first welcome to this intersection:)…you took a genuine query from saima and almost ran away with it…

…essentially you were saying what a patriot should be/should do…but it belies the query…who or what is a patriot?…

…yes there is a lot going for Pakistan…and we all love it in various degrees…why must one fault that...you have eloquently written about your passion and feelings…good for you!

laikin bhai when i read that i was thinking is this the same country you are describing where women are married to the Qur’an in one province?…where honour killing is a license to kill without justice?…where gang rapes sanctioned by the punchayats are the norm (unless they are caught—and even then the wheels of justice grind hesitantly)?…where the army has occupied the country?…where justice exists for the rich?…where everybody is after everyone else?…sunnis against shias, sindhis against muhajirs, both of them against Punjabis...and everybody against ahmedis and other minorites?…where democracy is a sham?…where young women cannot get married because their poor parents do not have the finances to afford lavish jahez and parties?…where every vice known to men is available at a price?…where everyone thinks their version of islam is it and all others are deviants?….where half the population is treated as third class citizens?…where discrimination is an art form?…where…I think I should stop here

…it seems am talking of some other Pakistan…but in reality it is the other face of Pakistan…and yes…the expats, abcds, those there and others…we all love it to various degrees…are pained to see the ills…and are moved to criticize and alleviate the ills to the degree we can…

…therefore when you, i and others discuss these and other issues in a respectful and civilized manner here on chowk and elsewhere, there is hope…hope for Pakistan, hope for you and hope for me…but above all hope for the masses…

…no offence meant…

rgds,

t

Following is a good example of how to help Pakistan:

Sohaib Abbassi is (was) the senior most desi in Oracle. He was the 24th employee to join the company and ended up as one the top 7 or so executives in Oracle. He recently retired, while still in his 40s. He set up a scholarship for Pakistani students at Univ of Illionois, and has recently made the following donation:

``Pakistani-American donates $2.5 million for Islamic studies

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: A retired Pakistani technology executive had donated $2.5 million to the Stanford University in California to establish an Islamic studies programme.

The gift comes from Shoaib Abbasi and his wife Sara. Abbasi retired as a senior executive of Oracle, one of the leading American technology companies.

So far, the Stanford University has received $9 million as endowment for a programme and professorship in Islamic studies, “gifts that could position the school to become a powerhouse in the study of the world’s second-largest faith,” according to a local newspaper. “Islam has been a popular subject of study since the 9/11 attacks. In the last two years, student demand for classes on Islamic religion, culture, history and languages has soared. And many universities, including Stanford, have not been able to keep pace, writes Mercury News.

Mr Abbasi said he and his wife made the gift “to ensure this becomes the premier programme of Islamic studies in North America......Sara Abbasi is on the executive board of Developments in Literacy, an international non-profit organisation that has built 200 schools in Pakistan since 1997. The couple previously endowed a computer science professorship and fellowship at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana, Sohaib’s alma mater. The Stanford donation is the couple’s largest gift to date, and both will continue to help raise money for the programme. “We both feel very privileged to be a part of this,” says Abbasi.``
(http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-9-2003_pg7_44)

irfanhamid:

about time you guys made yourselves heard.

temporal:

do you even know what bangkok is famous for? and in feb this year, their were more murders in bangkok than murders in last two years in karachi combined. and yet when was the last time you met a thai who performs mental matam as much as you guys do. listen to what echo says and stop trying to view everything from the perspective of time magazine news reporter.

10:temporal

therefore when you, i and others discuss these and other issues in a respectful and civilized manner here on chowk and elsewhere, there is hope…hope for Pakistan, hope for you and hope for me…but above all hope for the masses…

Can somebody elucidate who & where are these masses. Are there masses in Canada or U.S as well? When does one stop being a mass. Does speaking-alien tongues with alien-accents enables one to cease to be a mass & becomes a master? MASS-TER. How does one acquire this ``TER``.Does moving out from Lalookhet or Gawalmandi help? How about those from non-masses background driving cabs & limousines, pumping gas, bartending, security-guarding, and othe assorted menial job but with the perk of speaking english in U.S & Canada, are they suddenly counted as masses or are they people?

``Yaa peer-o-murshid yeh brzhava (bourgeois) kyaa hotaa hai``?

````Bhaee brzhavaa voh hotaa hai--voh hota ````

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klaan ney smjhaanein kee koshish kee ```` buss youN samajhh jo bilkul brzhava hotaa hai ````

``aapney kahaa thha key choonkay yeh loag afsar thay aur car rkhhtay thhay isliyay brzhava thhay``

````HaaN HaaN``--klaaN bolaa

``Tho phir kyaa nacheez kay chchaa jaan jo thaanaidaar haiN, aur car rkhtay haiN, kyaa voh bhee brzhava hain``

```` Hongay ```` klaan bolaa

---

```` Allah behtar jaantaa hai, kay uss kay kiyay mein dakhl denaa skhht naadaani hai````

I recently completed my five years of architecture in USA so I might have something to contribute here. I thought I`d comment on why most of us want to be designers.

The reason is simple. Most of us who enter the field do it because we are artistic minded. Our training in school, atleast here in US is also from a designers/problem solving POV with engineering, contracts, etc being covered on the sidelines (like Urdu being taught as a second language in pvt desi schools). So even our education promotes that aspect of architecture.

I honestly wonder how many of Sikander Ajam`s peers entered into the profession with the mindselt of being anything other than designers.

Hammad,

Notwithstanding Temporals sceptisicm of architechture`s utilitarian value in Pakistan (a whole debate, if you ask me, but I`ll get to that in a sec), are you interested at all in Urban Planning? I am doing some research in the area, specifically on how the topography of a city can be moulded by law (a sky-tax on buildings, for example, can regulate the sky line of a city). There are also issues like waste management, traffic control and the placement of commercial areas/urban centres next to residential areas to control or regulate the flow of traffic. If you are interested, or know anyone who is, could you contact me at ralam@nexlinx.net.pk

Now, for a brief answer to Temporal`s question. There is no end of utilitarian use for architecture in Pakistan. I think Temporal is looking at architechture as purely an art-form used in the design of a building. It is much more than that. On a more holistic plane, architecture is a dialogue between the individual and his space, be it in the design of a home, a commercial center or the plan of a city and ancillary things like waste mangement, traffic control and urban footprint regulation. And interior design :)

In a country where there is so much wrong, it is heartening to see people still interested in pursuing the finer arts. At least some still stick it out here rather than casting their opinions on this place from far away lands.

Rafay Alam

saima shah has lived, loved, worked in pakistan, prolly for longer than you irfan. and what she does now, i.e. keep chowk alive, is also probably worth more than what many of us, myself included, have done for pakistan.

hammad, interesting piece, have you heard of rafi ahmed? he`s a karachi based architecht i have a lot of admiration for. he`s done some set design work for us as well.