Author Archives: Bina Shah
15th April, 2013
No cause for fear
I RECENTLY attended a roundtable discussion hosted by the US-Pakistan Women’s Council.
I RECENTLY attended a roundtable discussion hosted by the US-Pakistan Women’s Council.
1st April, 2013
Learning from Achebe
THE great Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe passed away some days ago after having changed the face of world literature by bringing African writing to global attention. Called the most widely read African writer of his
THE great Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe passed away some days ago after having changed the face of world literature by bringing African writing to global attention. Called the most widely read African writer of his
12th March, 2013
Celebrating women
IN early March I was fortunate to attend the Ladiesfund 2013 awards. This is an annual event set up by T.U. Dawood.
IN early March I was fortunate to attend the Ladiesfund 2013 awards. This is an annual event set up by T.U. Dawood.
28th January, 2013
Less politics, more art
THESE days preparations for the Karachi Literature Festival are underway, a happy time for those of us who want to turn our minds from politics and towards the arts.
THESE days preparations for the Karachi Literature Festival are underway, a happy time for those of us who want to turn our minds from politics and towards the arts.
31st December, 2012
Integrated development
RECENTLY I went to Dhabeji, a village an hour outside of Karachi in the direction of Thatta, to visit the Indus Bazaar, a day-long market held under the auspices of the Indus Earth Trust (IET).
RECENTLY I went to Dhabeji, a village an hour outside of Karachi in the direction of Thatta, to visit the Indus Bazaar, a day-long market held under the auspices of the Indus Earth Trust (IET).
18th December, 2012
The reach of literature
IN the last week, Karachi was treated to a riot of literary activities. Liberty Books started things off with its Big Book Fair at the new location in Defence’s Phase 2 Commercial Area.
IN the last week, Karachi was treated to a riot of literary activities. Liberty Books started things off with its Big Book Fair at the new location in Defence’s Phase 2 Commercial Area.
27th November, 2012
Sindhi women in politics
A RECENT newspaper article casts light on a great problem women face in Sindh: the fact that traditional culture discourages women from entering the field of politics.
A RECENT newspaper article casts light on a great problem women face in Sindh: the fact that traditional culture discourages women from entering the field of politics.
6th November, 2012
Dismal numbers
IN my previous article (‘On building character’, Oct 1, 2012) on these pages, I mentioned that I was involved with an education project in Sindh that targets primary school-age children who are currently out of school.
IN my previous article (‘On building character’, Oct 1, 2012) on these pages, I mentioned that I was involved with an education project in Sindh that targets primary school-age children who are currently out of school.
1st October, 2012
More complex than education
I’M involved with an education project in Sindh; the aim of the programme is to get 200,000 children into school in the province.
I’M involved with an education project in Sindh; the aim of the programme is to get 200,000 children into school in the province.
17th September, 2012
Misrepresenting women
RECENTLY I hosted a screening of the documentary Miss Representation at The Second Floor in Karachi. The documentary, written and produced by American filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, shows how the
RECENTLY I hosted a screening of the documentary Miss Representation at The Second Floor in Karachi. The documentary, written and produced by American filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, shows how the
20th July, 2012
Limits of the social media
‘WHAT is this social media, and why is it so important?’
‘WHAT is this social media, and why is it so important?’
12th June, 2012
Pakistan is changing
LAST week I heard of a cellphone app developed by a group of young Pakistani developers called Angry Imran: similar to the incredibly popular Angry Birds, Imran Khan’s head is launched off a catapault to destroy the heads of other Pakistani politicians — Asif Zardari, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif, Altaf Hussain — in the various cities of Pakistan.
LAST week I heard of a cellphone app developed by a group of young Pakistani developers called Angry Imran: similar to the incredibly popular Angry Birds, Imran Khan’s head is launched off a catapault to destroy the heads of other Pakistani politicians — Asif Zardari, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif, Altaf Hussain — in the various cities of Pakistan.
1st May, 2012
Revolution on the cards
IN Pakistan these days it’s become the norm to bash both the government, no matter who is in power, and international development institutions for corruption and inefficiency.
IN Pakistan these days it’s become the norm to bash both the government, no matter who is in power, and international development institutions for corruption and inefficiency.
20th March, 2012
Culture & the Gulf dream
I WENT to Dubai recently to attend the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, a five-day offering of international and Arab writers, workshops, literary-related events, and entertainment that takes place at the Dubai Festival City each year.
I WENT to Dubai recently to attend the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, a five-day offering of international and Arab writers, workshops, literary-related events, and entertainment that takes place at the Dubai Festival City each year.
9th February, 2012
Social media & literary stars
THIS week, Karachi is preparing for the Karachi Literature Festival: three years old, still only two days long, but the organisers promise this year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever before.
THIS week, Karachi is preparing for the Karachi Literature Festival: three years old, still only two days long, but the organisers promise this year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever before.
12th December, 2011
Women’s equality means business
THE controversial Veena Malik cover has got Pakistanis talking — about women, about sexuality and about empowerment — and it seems everyone`s got an opinion concerning Ms Malik`s decision to pose for the
THE controversial Veena Malik cover has got Pakistanis talking — about women, about sexuality and about empowerment — and it seems everyone`s got an opinion concerning Ms Malik`s decision to pose for the
29th March, 2011
The trends emerging ahead of the Indo-Pak clash
So, is everyone ready for the semi-finals and final matches of the Cricket World Cup? The India-Pakistan match at Mohali has captured the imagination of…
So, is everyone ready for the semi-finals and final matches of the Cricket World Cup? The India-Pakistan match at Mohali has captured the imagination of…
24th February, 2011
Saving Private Raymond
Raymond Davis must have spent one hell of a very lonely Valentine’s Day this year, banged up in a Lahore jail with only a foam…
Raymond Davis must have spent one hell of a very lonely Valentine’s Day this year, banged up in a Lahore jail with only a foam…
17th February, 2011
“It is the women who have the guts in Pakistan”
In Pakistan, Salman Taseer’s assassination in early January has blown the lid off the seething cauldron that has been bubbling in Pakistan for the last…
In Pakistan, Salman Taseer’s assassination in early January has blown the lid off the seething cauldron that has been bubbling in Pakistan for the last…
7th February, 2011
You know you’re from Karachi when…
Mashal and I always say our prayers, but today we are making a special petition to God for a favourable performance on the final and…
Mashal and I always say our prayers, but today we are making a special petition to God for a favourable performance on the final and…
