Meeting Poet Ahmad Faraz Ras:

This might sound belated, but is Mukhtaran Bibi still in California? Is another fundraiser possible in the midwest to help with the school building?

Mohammed Amjed
amjed12841@hotmail.com

Awake, the Wretched of My Land Re: # 3
Mr. Dash, Dot, Cipher, or whatever:
There is nothing pretentious about establishing a set of assumptions that define basic ideas of a viable social, political, and economic system in Pakistan. Most civil societies embrace these assumptions. I was hoping to invite a range of informed discussuion within this set of assumptions so we can enhance the strength of the assumptions, ingraining them in our minds as the entire possible spectrum of opinion that there is. Your tirade is irresponsible and insults other Pakistanis who have a clear vision of what Pakistan should look like. You just run your mouth?

Theatre in Karachi `` --but I want us to continue experimenting with different styles of theatre, DOING theatre for theaters sake. I love being on stage and want to get famous DOING what I love DOING but I would also like to DO more than just act, may be DO some writing for the group`s performance in the future or even production.``

What a pageant of writing!

The “GupShup” Culture
I have been avoiding Chowk and now I know why!

L’affaires, Americans and Desis
Farzana:

Felt like I was on a lunch break and ran into George Bernard Ali Shaw. But seriously, despite the paradoxes we desis subscribe to and cope with in America, we are here for the mighty dollar which emancipates me from the drudgery of inferior life in the social establishment of Pakistan. Financially, I am considered middle class here because I can spend without much debate. With my master`s I was earning a meagre 240 rupees a month. For being different, we pay an emotional cost in the US but this cost was ill-affordable in Pakistan. Try living here for a change.

The Invisible Editor, My Foot! farzana Ji:

Thank you for joining Chowk. Over the years, your matter-of-fact honesty and bluntness has been refreshing and even liberating. I hope you will consider allocating some space to Urdu and Hindi verse on the front page. It has been difficult transliterating urdu poetry into English. Since you accept all viewpoints, why Chowk would not accept other modes of expression?

Best Regards.

Mohammed Amjed
(A deposed Chowk Associate)

Pakistan Rocked Dear Ijaz:

Thanks. Would it be possible to incoporate portions of this article into a story I am writing for a local newsletter in Iowa?

Mohammed Amjed
amjed12841@hotmail.com

Scream Dear Chowk Editors:

Please keep Umair Khan`s SCREAM on the front page.

Scream Iowa Asian Alliance Foundation, a subsidiary of the Iowa Asian Alliance, a network of fifteen Asian communities in Iowa has established SOUTH ASIAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND to help provide emergency medical relief for victims of earthquake in Kashmir and northern areas of Pakistan. This fund will be used to provide focused medical care in affected area. Doctors rotating on 2-week basis take necessary medical equipment such as orthopedic cases, antibiotics, pain killers, bandages, sutures.

Funds will not be handed over to government functionaries or organizations with large overheads. We will buy medical supplies as carry on luggage to be transported to Pakistan by Pakistani doctors providing emergency relief in the hard to reach areas. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to: Mohammed Amjed, 12841 Sunset Terrace, Clive, Iowa 50325, Phone 515-223-9202; e mail: amjed12841@hotmail.com. Write your checks to: SOUTH ASIAN EARTH QUAKE RELIEF.

We need US government`s immediate help in airlifting winterized tents, sleeping bags, blankets, mobile X-Ray machines, electric generators, orthopedic cases, pneumatic drilling machines with hoses. Please call the governor in each state and your Congressman to line up support. America is capable of doing a lot more.

Scream
FOLKS:

WHEN I LAMENTED THE LACK OF ADEQUATE COVERAGE ABOUT THE RAVAGES OF ERATHQUAKE ON CHOWK IN ONE OF MY POSTS, THE SELF-APPOINTED CHOWKIDAAR, MR. t QUIPPED: `` .. LIFE GOES ON...`` JUST LOOK AT THE ARTICLES PUBLISHED ON CHOWK SINCE OCTOBER 8.

Shades of Grey People who have any sympathy with poor, hapless Pakistanis would be well-advised to refrain from creating or perpetuating polemics at this delicate hour in Pakistan. Aap Faiz saheb par zulm baad meiN kar laiN. But at this time concentrate on helping the poorest of the poor on the face of earth. My friend`s little nephews were extricated from Muzaffar Abad`s rubble after four days. Their bones are crushed, the marrow peeping out in frozen driblets. I know a family who have lost eight members and I DO NOT want to read ``How did a kid growing up in Sialkot and memorizing Quran eventually became a socialist?`` I wanted to tackle this question but it seems moronic to discuss such senseless questions. Tell me how many cases of antibiotics, needles, pain killers have you sent to Abbottabad. Do you have spare shoes, socks, mufflers, winter jackets, sweaters, blankets, or sleepingbags that are stockpiled in your comfy basement that you can mail to PIA in New York. Let us determine our priorities first, doctor saheb!

Deadly Earthquake AT 6:OO PM (cst) ON OCTOBER 8, I TURNED ON PTV, THE ``PROFOUND VIEWING EXPERIENCE`` TO WATCH ANY COVERAGE ABOUT THE EARTHQUAKE IN PAKISTAN. THEY WERE AIRING BILLO KA DHABBA. IS PTV IN DENIAL OF THE CALAMITY THAT HAS GRIPPED HAPLESS VICTIMS IN PAKISTAN, INDIA, AFGHANISTAN AND KASHMIR ON BOTH SIDES OF LOC?

IS THIS MISMANAGEMENT, APATHY, OR BOTH?

Deadly Earthquake CAN WE CHOWKIES ESTABLISH AN EXCLUSIVE LINK AT CHOWK TO COLLECT CASH DONATIONS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE. WE CAN COLLECT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT HERE IN NORTH AMERICA, JUST LIKE THE PAKISTANIS IN UK.

MOHAMMED AMJED
amjed12841@hotmail.com

Freeze Frame Ms. Bhog:

Go order another pizza. You got published on Chowk!

Sex and Pakistan vs. Rape and The World Media Enough of empty talk. Let us do something about it. Let us create of system of First Response in every littile bitty town of Pakistan (and India), consisting of attorneyes, psychiatrists, social workers, human rights workers, court services workers, physicians with experience in abuse investigation, shelter services, and counseling services to assist the victims in steering through the social, political, institutional, and custodial anarchy in Pakistan. Any suggestions?

Katrina: An Abdication of Responsibility Muslims living in the United States have abdicated their responsibility also. We are merely pointing fingers.