Resignation Sounds good. Can I join you? Depressing when you realize what the world really is, when it`s lost it`s magic, when beauty dies. However, it is possible that though as adults we may never find that again we can find some beauty by changing ourselves, by altering our preceptions. And, perhaps, we can recapture some of the magic dust and sprinkle in on ourselves and get back in touch with our essence, because I feel in a lot of weys we are closer to our true selves as children than we are as adults and perhaps that is because as adults we have learned to lie...even to ourselves.

To Western Women Well, I wasn`t going to... but, I can`t keep quiet. First of all, what respect, Have you heard of what the women of Afganistan are going through? What about what those sadistic jerks are doing to their women? Where in the hell is all the Islamic respect for them? Secondly, you can be covered, and so can your husbands second wife, and third, and his mistress. As for being abused, give it up it happens to women everywhere in all races, religions, cultures. It has to do with men demeaning women simply because they can, and you want to know something studies corelate it to the mother/son relationship. And as for clothes, women in the west have a choice... Not all of us dress to impress or to get attention. There are conservative clothes in western culture as well. Me, I usually dress like a bum and trust me no one notices. Just because you cover yourself don`t be so self-righteous. Your poetry conveys one thing to me. You are young and you have not lived enough life to realize that it`s a man`s world no matter what you do, how you act, or who you are. Also, to some men, covered women are more alluring and sexy because there is more of a mystery. You get respect in the way you carry yourself and for your mind, you don`t get it if you haven`t self-actualized. At least in the west women can get a descent degree, they can go out in the streets without being pinched or prodded, they can live independent lives. Hey, I`m not saying my life is any better than yours, but at least I know my thoughts are mine and my life is mine and I don`t depend on a man to take care of me and, God forbid, if he were to leave me, I can take care of myself.

Masters of Mimicry Bravo. It`s about time someone wrote on this issue. I hope that through your efforts you can create an atmosphere that will breed original thinkes. It is only when we think for ourselves that we are able to get beyond being brain washed into believing whatever the current politicians or religious leaders have to say. It is through education and original thought that people better themselves and their countries. It is only through original thought that people are free to create and cause change. We need great thinkers because that is what great countries are made of.

Dear Chowk Readers I`m really excited by the prospect of this undertaking. I hope you do well. I think that you have a great spectrum of current and interesting topics. I was just wondering if you will do anything on the hazards of pollution since last time I was in Lahore ( which was 5 yrs. ago) you could not see the color of the sky for the smog. I would also cover the pollution in water, since it too has a lot of impact on lives.

Lahore is Bombay Just because someone draws a line down the middle of a house does not mean the house gets divided. Try as one might the divided family has too much history and too much influence on members of both sides. The branches of one tree are always affected by whatever takes place on that tree. Why not just accept it. We are one and the same. India and Pakistan is the same because the people are the same, the culture is the same, the history is the same....

An Open Letter to Gen. Pervaiz Musharaff Just one question. What Constitution? Please if anyone was following the laws of that country in the first place all this s * *t would not have to take place. It`s great to have a piece of paper that tells a body of people what to do, but no one has been following the laws in a long time. Corruption is prevalant and it`s about damn time someone did something about it! As to wheter he will do any good, only time will tell. I hope so. I would like to be able to be proud of the accomplishments of my country, but let`s face it Pakistan has not done anything to be proud of in a long time. I hope he writes a new constitution, not one to serve his interests, but one that will genuinely benifit the people of Pakistan and one that, for a refreshing change, will not be based on religion but on the best for all the citizens of Pakistan.

This Should Do It Hi! Just wanted to say it was refreshing. I really enjoyed your work. It was so funny, but also it was liberating. It`s nice to know that not all women want/need to be what is a ``proper young Pakistani/Muslim.`` Those women tend to make me want to slit my wrists when I am forced to converse with them ( Which, if I`m lucky, I can limit to once a year). I just hope you can be this bold when speaking to anyone in person. And, even if this work is fiction, it gives me hope that not all Pakistani women are tight assed and fake, and full of (innocent little girl come save me) ideas. For a Pakistani girl who has very little interaction with Pakistani`s and has very ``liberal`` thinking. This was a good read.

Selective Islam in Pakistan First of all, whatever. After having read your aritcle, I was not sure if I should laugh or shout. I don`t know much about you. I came to America when I was 6 yrs. old. However, I have heard of you and your political ambitions. So, excuse the skepticism. First of all, glad to know you are a muslim, sorry to hear you think atheism is a bad road to take. To each his own. Perhaps that is the problem with Pakistan. The intolerance between muslims for their differences and between the people of different faiths. Get over it, God talks to every man in his own way and just because two people hear Him in different ways does not mean that either is wrong. The message is for the specific person. Now, for the princess. Wow, write a script and turn it into a movie. Who knows why it happened? How can you persume such a thing? I think I would have more respect for you if I found any honesty in what you had to say. Try, I want to be a political leader. I`m getting old. I`ve partied, but, now I want to set a ``good example`` so that I can get some votes. However, where do you stand on women`s rights, abortion, human rights, child labor, and religious tollerance. Get back to me with an article on these issues and perhaps I will take you seriously.