My Diaries- November 24, 2012

Don’t we’ve a less intelligent interior minister to replace the current one- who is at the zenith of his wisdom? 2^nd day and the mobile phones are still blocked. The reason he gives is to thwart major terrorist attacks on the eve of Ashura. He thinks every second person in the country is a terrorist except him.

Went to Boat Basin to see my new accommodation. I am moving tomorrow. The owner of the property asked if I could send him an e-mail from my work e-mail ID to verify my employment. He hands me over a list of conditions before moving into the house. I said I will fulfil those. He continues, “Brother, no drinking is allowed. Same goes for girls too. Be those your office colleagues”. I smile. He thinks I agreed.

On my way back to the hotel, the cab driver says, “sahib, you won’t see the roads that empty on a normal day in Karachi. It is because of Ashura”. He asks if I am a Shia or Sunni. I said I am everything. His next question doesn’t surprise me. He tries to look into his murky mirror –“you are a Pathan, aren’t you, Sahib? Karachi is full of you people. There are good and bad people everywhere.” I second with him.

At the hotel, I am stuck in my room. No access to the gym and swimming pool. I was told, it was closed today. The reason they give is that maintenance staff is away. I advised that they better close down the hotel if they are understaffed. I am already done with the food in the hotel. No contact with friends or family members, my room is like a worst nightmare I could ever imagine. Killed a big cockroach on the floor near the door.

The hotel administration moved me into another room with better internet signals. A maintenance staff member while showing this new room said- “this is a family room with an extra bed. You will enjoy it”. I said, “I can only sleep in one bed”. He is a Pashtun from Malakand working in the hotel for over two years. His father also works in the same hotel. I gave him some chocolate.

From the huge window, I can see the Mausoleum of Jinnah- Baba-e- Qaum (the father of the nation). It looks a marvellous building from such a distance.

Listened to Nashnas singing an Urdu song in Bhairvi mode that Sajid shared on his Facebook profile. It was heavenly romantic. He Sings…..

Hum Ji Kar Kya Karain Gain - Jab Dil hi Toot Gaya!

Why would I live now- when my heart is broken?

I lit a lamp of love in my heart

And decorated it with flowers of hope.

And now it’s all robbed.

Farid Gul, November 24, 2012- Karachi