Karachi a Pawn In the midst of all this `does Pakistan deserve this or not` blame game that seems to be taking place here, it would be nice if someone could just imagine what we go through in the `City of Lights`. Every other day, we hear sirens wailing or a blast and we instinctively turn on Geo TV or call up everyone we know to find out what`s happened. And more often than not, human lives have been lost - in a fraction of a second.

I don`t know if we deserve this or not, or who`s to blame. I just want to have the assurance that if I step outside my home, I`ll be certain that I won`t be a victim of secretarian violence/bomb blasts/terrorist attacks. Or that if my friends go for their prayers in a mosque, I won`t see their blood splattered on the walls. Or that just because a political party decides that its a strike today, I won`t be sitting like a prisoner at home, afraid to leave home.

And yes, God save Pakistan.

To the Gallows Brilliant. I know there are many days that I want to inflict slow torture on these idiots who stare, harrass and pass comments on women.

On Countries of Dwelling This is a wonderful article. Definitely, Pakistan for you will be as grand as you make it with your personal efforts. Wish every Pakistani was like you. Hope you never get disillusioned by the state of this country.

I Recall We live in a world of what ifs, we live in the past where everything went right and mommy could kiss away our tears and say everything will be fine bacha.

Foreign Qualified maq: Its probably time to question whether `foreign qualified` is really worth it all, considering the fact that the rare innocents also get tarred with the same brush.

ironman: Yes, the reverse case exists. I remember when my female cousin from UK used to visit Karachi, the male cousins, friends, friends of friends would be lining up to get her hand in marriage and escape from here. There also used to be some speculation among some spiteful people wondering what the girl was upto in UK. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me.

Foreign Qualified Hilarious. Reminds me of my cousin in the states and the events of his marriage. It makes me sick when its the rishta time and people say: ``Larka bahir ka parha hua hai. Green Card hai``. And fail to mention he`s a philanderer, gambler, druggie, casanova.

Anarkali Bazaar Very well written. I can imagine what Mari [if she exists] went through, I`ve been harrassed in so many ways so many times that I`ve lost count. MOST Pakistani men never cease to disgust me [notice emphasis on most!]. What is even more disgusting is that it is no longer limited to bazaars like Anarkali, Icchra, Bohri Bazaar, but even in shopping malls as well. And what happens at concerts here is a whole new story. Shows that education actually doesnt make a difference, unless you don`t have a basic sense of right or wrong.

Running Fast & Going Nowhere Everyone wants to escape-it seems so easy to just get up and leave, and yet at the same time it is just an unspoken desire. Perhaps we are bound too tightly by the strings of relationships and responsibilities.