Muhammad Hassan Miraj

Sufi and Salar

Unaware of threats to democracy, the farmers of Sahianwala continue to till the land with devotion, leaving their hands soiled and bodies tanned. Published 11 Mar, 2013 03:14pm

Good old Talwandi

Bhagwan Pura and Anand Pura also have their namesake on the other side of the border. Bhagwan and Anand, however, are long gone from either side. Published 04 Mar, 2013 03:48pm

Sundar Mundariyay

"Those were the days when festivities were neither Muslim nor Hindu and people departed from each other with a simple rab rakha." Published 25 Feb, 2013 02:07pm
Jahandad and Warburton

Jahandad and Warburton

Many military historians believe that the diplomacy of the young Robert Warburton outweighed the British war effort. Published 18 Feb, 2013 01:53pm
Shiekhupura and Shakespeare

Shiekhupura and Shakespeare

Despite its distinct identity, Shiekhupura is always introduced as “around 30 miles away from Lahore …” Published 11 Feb, 2013 12:56pm
Neither the moth nor the nightingale

Neither the moth nor the nightingale

People from neighboring sleepy towns arrive in Lahore with larger-than-life ambitions but are scared to death after sensing the impetus of life. Published 04 Feb, 2013 10:05am

Kakkay Zai and Tarlok Shah

It was strange that Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs had individually saved their religions, but human beings collectively had destroyed humanity. Published 22 Jan, 2013 02:12pm
Shaheed and Shahdara – II

Shaheed and Shahdara – II

"When you are in love, even death seems appealing and when you don’t find love, every single day is a fatigue". Published 14 Jan, 2013 01:07pm
Yak Sadd Hazara – One hundred Hazara

Yak Sadd Hazara – One hundred Hazara

Hazaras believed that this side of Alamdar road was the delineation of security. That they could exist here in peace, but this boundary existed in their minds only. Published 11 Jan, 2013 12:25pm
Shaheed and Shahdara

Shaheed and Shahdara

As Muridke disappears the ambience of Shahdara starts picking up, when trains reach Shahdara, the railway station has a story to tell, a story I grew up listening to. Published 07 Jan, 2013 02:42pm
Lajwanti and Lanny

Lajwanti and Lanny

The sweetness of Kamke's barfi has no match but it still does not mellow down the bitterness of September, 1947. Published 01 Jan, 2013 10:04am
And Now, Fareedon

And Now, Fareedon

Writing about this little Hazara boy was a tough decision. Will it endanger his life? Will he be the focus of social media as an agent of extra regional forces as of Malala? Published 29 Dec, 2012 05:17pm
Eimen and Chandrwati

Eimen and Chandrwati

Men who hated change and denounced happiness ruled the lives and due to the inherent threats of suicide bombings, Eimenabad passes through April without Vaisakhi. Published 24 Dec, 2012 04:24pm
Bao Train and Dorian Gray

Bao Train and Dorian Gray

Without the mention of Bao Train – a reference to the formally dressed students and office workers who took this train, Gujranwala remains an incomplete story. Published 17 Dec, 2012 05:41pm
Amrita and Imroze

Amrita and Imroze

The life and times of Amrita Pritam were, at best, a continuum of rebellion. She stood against anything that was established and followed unquestionably. Published 10 Dec, 2012 07:09pm
Bamba and Sutherland

Bamba and Sutherland

There is a grave in a Christian cemetery in Lahore. Every Christmas, Shab-barat, Good Friday and Eid, this grave is visited and wreaths are laid. Published 03 Dec, 2012 12:54pm

The philanthropist and the dacoit

The Robin hood of Punjab, Jagga stood as a symbol of local resistance to British imperialism, writes Muhammad Hassan Miraj. Published 26 Nov, 2012 12:55pm

John Keats and Shakargarh

The ticket counter at Chak Amru, the last railway station on the Pakistani side, has been cemented as if the states have given up on any future relations. Published 19 Nov, 2012 12:21pm
The Poet and Kartar

The Poet and Kartar

Whenever an Indian and a Pakistani meet there is an involuntary acquaintance in the eyes. Published 12 Nov, 2012 12:38pm
The death of a Maharaja

The death of a Maharaja

A pigeon flew from nowhere and fell into the fire to become Satti and it started to rain. The skies also seemed to be mourning. Published 09 Nov, 2012 02:34pm