My life is a journey, not a destination!

If somebody asked me to tell them something about myself, I would probably say I am an “introvert”, “socially awkward”, “very emotional” person and “compliments make me uneasy”. I always say that “Life is a journey and not a destination”, so let’s enjoy each and every moment.

People often expect us to have our lives sorted out by the time we reach our early twenties but this hasn’t been the case for me. At the age of 22, I am still confused about what I want from my life and having a close look at life. I run away from questions like “what do you want to be?” “when will you get married?”

Want to know more about me?

I feel blessed that I was born as Muslim in a country like Pakistan and in a city like Lahore. We Pakistanis are so welcoming and full of love.

Even though I am a very shy person and people sometimes call me an introvert, I still love meeting new people, going on trips, exploring countries, trying new foods. I am most comfortable with my closest friends. I wanted to do architecture from NCA  but ended up doing BBA in marketing and media from Lahore School of Economics.

I love to play sports. I was the volleyball captain of my team in Lahore Grammar School and I am also a part of the LSE sports society.

These are a few pictures from my recent trips to the northern areas of Pakistan and USA.

More about practical life!

I have always been very active socially. I love helping people around me and I feel great when somebody asks me for help.

My first breakthrough event was with “SHE”. SHE is the celebration of womanhood in Pakistan and is a non-profit organization. We collaborate with all the women from all walks of life who motivate others to achieve what they aim for.

I have also worked with Barkat Foundation, another non-profit organization that provides free medical treatment to the underprivileged. Even though I didn’t have any medical background at all, I was still part of the medical camps held by Barkat Foundation.

I am currently working as the Marketing Head at Sultan Bahoo Grammar High School, which is another non-profit organization that provides free education to the underprivileged. My passion to work for the underprivileged has given me many opportunities since the past few years.

Another important case that gave me the confidence to support other women and speak up  was Khadija Siddiqui’s case, a young girl who was stabbed by a fellow classmate but she survived miraculously. I came to know Khadija after this incident. A group of us, women decided to give Khadija the platform where she could tell everybody her story and ask for justice. After giving her a platform at an event, many people came to know who Khadija Sidddiqui was. I stood with Khadija and we celebrated her victory after the accused was sentenced to jail. Khadija’a case was one of the most popular cases in the history of Pakistan and I feel proud to be a part of it. I, later on made a documentary on Khadija and also got an award for it.

 

Apart from all this non-profit work, I also have my personal food blog “It’s Gouda” on Instagram. I love doing food photography  and trying different dishes.

That’s all about ME for now!

Freedom Of Religion in Pakistan: Fact or Fable?

 

Freedom of religion is one of the basic principles of a united nation that assures its nationals that their beliefs, cultures, public or private worship are under no government influence. This is a basic principle that is promised to a country’s individual and includes the freedom to change one’s religion any time without any pressure from the nation’s majority, which also forms its society.

Such kind of freedom is a principle that is guaranteed to all citizens of Pakistan, despite their religions and religious sects. The privilege to practice one’s own belief without being objected or pressurized is promised to every single national, but often this liberty is not provided as consented to.

Pakistan is a country, which has a solid foundation and historical significance based over freedom of religion. The two nation theory by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and the appeal of separate countries by Allama Iqbal were both results of the Muslim minority in India who were not given proper economical and political rights or given freedom to practice their beliefs.

Yet, more conservative Muslims have chosen to forget our ancestors sacrifices and continue to make further divisions in our country via religious sects.

Religious sects (Sunnis, Shias, Ahmadis-) are a more detailed argument, let’s start discussing identical rights between Muslims and non-Muslims residing in an Islamic State.

With a whopping 95% Pakistanis being Muslims (further divided into religious sects) it is expected that our constitutional laws are mostly made to appease the majority. Khawaja Nazimuddin, the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, himself stated that he doesn’t agree that religion is a private affair of the individual. Progress on religious freedom was gradually made when Pakistan transitioned to democratically defined laws. The province of Sindh has the largest Hindu majority, has outlawed forced conversions and there is significant protection within the province against acts of religious intolerance towards minorities.

Pakistanis’ religious intolerance is often portrayed through various events in Pakistan’s timeline. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are problematic and all resolutions that have been passed against it have failed miserably.

Public figures that have stood in debate against their religion have been assassinated or prosecuted.

Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti was assassinated for his continuous stand against the laws of this country. A bodyguard for siding with a blasphemy defendant killed the Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. Over an eighteen-month period covering 2012 and part of 2013, Shias were subject to 67 attacks, 54 attacks against Ahmadis, 37 against Christians, 16 against Hindus and 3 against Sikhs were conducted. None of the attackers were ever prosecuted and the courts set them free. It is not only observed in courts and official offices but also observed in schools and colleges, where non-Muslims students are harassed and driven to a harmful consequence that is suicide, which is considered homicide.

These events are signs that Pakistanis need to change their conservative mindsets against people who don’t share the same qualities as them and recognize them as equals. If not as equals, at least as nationals of this country who deserve equal rights, disregarding their caste, creed, color, religion, faith, gender, sexuality or any other further division of human created by man himself. Orthodox Muslims fully oppose intolerance against Muslims living in other countries but do they realize that they’re conducting the same behavior with minorities living in their own country? With every hijab ripped off a Muslim woman’s head, there is a Muslim destroying the temple in which a Hindu woman is praying. The Objectives Resolution accepted the premise that the State of Pakistan would exercise authority ‘within the limit prescribed by Him’, but can this be lined with the ways Pakistan has been treating its minorities? The Holy Quran itself states: “There shall be no compulsion in religion” (2:256); “Say to the disbelievers [that is, atheists, or polytheists, namely those who reject God] “To you, your beliefs, to me, mine” (109:1-6)

We cannot describe our laws according to that matter because church attackers or temple destroyers are never trialed and if, are let go without any punishment. Is that the Pakistan our leaders designed? That would encourage cruelty and violence against minorities, similar to ones our ancestors faced from Indian rulers? That would prescribe its laws by Islam but yet forget that Islam means the religion of peace? Peace is absent when churches, Gurdwaras and temples are destroyed by devout Muslim men.

Moreover, Pakistani youth needs to awaken and recognize our minorities’ rights. We need to loosen our intolerance against people who might not encourage or practice the same beliefs we do. Freedom of religion is something that will truly determine a country’s strength and unity.

AgainstAllOppression

FreedomForAll

SayNoToDiscrimination

The author of this blog is an aspiring writer currently enrolled in the Lahore School of Economics. All rights reserved®️

Inside Out

I am from Lahore, Pakistan and currently enrolled in Lahore school of Economics opted for majors in Marketing. I have done my schooling from Beaconhouse school system and Lahore Grammar School.
I am the youngest and the sharpest child of my parents.

I obsessed with cats and have kept them since I was in grade 6. One of my oldest cats is Milo.

I am often asked “how am I always so happy?” When I come to think of it I realise how gloomy life can be. The truth is, I have always kept my dark shades hidden and have been shunning to stand naked in front of the world. A person should be prone to the criticisms from people around you. Little did I know, you learn as you move on. You’re your own master and your own instructor.
I look into my past and a smile rises to my lips with a heavy heart. Like many wise people I have too learned not to speak of the dark shades one has. It was pretty ugly to keep the gory details to myself.

Walking a While With Me !

I am Seemal Awan. If it comes down to defining myself I would go for three words.

Introvert, Emotional and Lazy. So, it comes down to describing my good and describing my bad. Since, I am a practical and a choosy person my social circle is quite confined.

People think that I am moody and rude but the fact is that I believe in quality and not quantity and I am happy within the confined circle. I am actually BAD at making friends ! *Sigh* Yes people ! I don’t have the courage to talk to mew people just at once, putting it easier it’s just not my thing. I have done my schooling from DHA SENIOR SCHOOL throughout, there i had my friends whom i was studying from grade 2 so just never thought of making new friends. I was just super happy with them ! I took admission in LAHORE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS for my undergrad degree there in three long years i have just been able to be good friends with three !

My Friends

I Thankyou people for being with me through thick and thin ! You guys are the best people out there !

 

Talking about the lazy side of me, I have continuous fights with my mom and siblings at home but anyways they are unable to resolve this problem of mine ! 🤷‍♀️Hehee. Ahhh..moreover I have nothing decided about my future yet although it’s just an year left till my graduation 🎓

 

The second thing that we can talk about me is that I know for whom I should make efforts and who deserves mine. I am a person who doesn’t fantasize rather looks bravely towards the reality and is more open to it. People ignore reality and keep on assuming that good might come their way even though the chances of the desired to happen are not even sufficient. Although I am an optimist I never let go of reality.

My life is all about my family and friends, so I am a quite emotional person.

This is all about me for now 😄

Who I Am and What I Believe

Hi and welcome to my blog! I consider myself to be a passionate and ambitious human being. I wish to spend my life working in order to help the needy, hopefully through a job at the UN. I aim to achieve a great many things in my life and work towards my goals every day.

I spend the majority of my spare time either with a close group of friends or watching TV shows, documentaries, movies, etc. I believe both of these activities to be important as they help build ones’ personality through polished social skills and vast amounts of knowledge.

Something that I believe to be vital for everyone to realize is how important it is to find balance in ones own life. People normally either spend most of their lives focusing on work or not at all. This is a problem that I believe needs to be addressed by the general population. People in our society need to balance their life in a way that they are able to find the time to work, socialize, have fun and relax. By doing so, they will manage to gain the maximum satisfaction that they can from their lives. I would like to end my blog with a beautiful quote that should always be kept in mind:

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

Audrey Hepburn

A walk through Zainab’s Life

My name is Zainab Afzaal and I am 20 years old.  I am currently doing my Bachelors from Lse, Majors in Marketing and minor in media. I am the only daughter with 2 brothers.

Lse has changed my life in my ways, due to meeting a mixture of positive and negative people I gained a new perspective about life. From being too nice to everyone, I learnt to say No and take a stand for myself.

I have a crazy obsession with makeup and perfumes. Every time you will find me adding to my collection. I love to watch tutorials and try my makeup collection on. My favorites are lipsticks and highlighter. I believe the right amount of makeup and the correct way of application can enhance your features in a beautiful way.

 

 

 

Facts about me:

• I am very talkative.
• I am an extremely friendly person.
• Whenever my friends need me for whatever I am always there.
• I am obsessed with Chinese food.
• Netflix Eat Sleep and Repeat is my routine always.
• I am spoiled by my family as being the only daughter
• My brothers listen to everything I say (quite frankly I take advantage of it)
• I love accounting.
• I am very sensitive
• I love travelling, I make it a point to travel atleast once a year. To explore new places and to get to know more about different cultures.
• I am a MAJOR FOODIE. I get cravings all the time. And I am up for trying new places always.
• I Love shahrukh khan since my childhood
• Another of my obsession is Imran Khan and PTI, if someone sticks to saying bad about him or the party we cant be friends.
• I have very limited close friends and I dont trust easily.

 

Over the past years with the help of my friends I have changed into a stronger person and have become more confident. With all that input my perspective about alot of things have developed, I personally believe I have gotten better at dealing with things and now whatever comes my way I can handle it in a better, positive and composed manner.

LSE has been an amazing journey the thought of it ending really makes me sad because of leaving my friends and not having this whole routine. Yes, alot of work and submissions are frustrating but the memories made every day over come that. This university has made me a grow as a person and due to my mistakes made me learn something new each day. Lastly because of LSE I’ve met one of the most amazing persons in my life :’)

 

Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness.

My name is Talal Sajid.  And this is my summary.

I am a student of Lahore School of Economics, pursuing my major in marketing and minor in media studies. I have always been a part of the Beaconhouse School System, and university was the time when we had to part ways. The choice of university was surely not an easy one as it ranged from options varying from international universities to universities in my country. But my love for my city, the beautiful city of Lahore was a bit too much for even my liking which convinced me to choose LSE as my home for the next four years.

The reason to chose this particular degree was mostly influenced by the success of this degree in my family. With my siblings and cousins choosing this and achieving success in terms of their professional life. To be honest, this was a good pick. The degree offers a number of various courses, which has surely helped me in gathering different type of knowledge through out my time period here.

I would define my self as an ambivert, an interesting terminology I got to know about a few days back. It helps define me as a person more than anything else probably could. My interests vary from sports(including UFC) to travelling to video gaming to being a foodie. The only interest that Lahore can fulfill is the foodie one. (Lahore eat in all its glory)

Lahore eat 2018 at Fortress.

For others to be taken seriously, steps have to be taken, especially the travelling one. Local travelling, i.e. inside of Pakistan is something that is in my control. As it costs a reasonable amount, and can be done with only a couple of friends. And trust me, IT IS worthwhile.

Nanga Parbat during sundown.

This picture is just the ones I could find at this time, there are so many more, which just shows how much this country has to offer in terms of beauty, and the generosity of the people of these places, which shall surely come in the future blogs.

Shogran’16

In my free time, I tend to browse twitter, Medium and reddit. All of these are a very interesting way to pass the time. And MUSIC, how could I forget this. Soundcloud and spotify are a Gods send, making every sensation in life, that more gentle to the heart.

For now this is it. I have a lot more to share, from past events to my point of views on events in general. So let me know of any suggestions, and we’ll get things going from there.

Don’t forget to see my other post.

I once met a traveler named Charlie. He came up to me and said something I will never forget. He said :

“Brian, I travel because it makes my life seem longer.”

His statement perplexed me, so I asked him to explain. He said :

“When I am on my death bed, I want to look back at my life, and have all these vivid memories. I want them to be full and different every single day.” – Brian Chesky, CEO Airbnb.

 

 

 

“FREEDOM OF RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN”

 

The article 19 of the constitution reads “Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression an there shall be freedom of press, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, in relation to contempt of court (commission of) or incitement to an offence”.

In my opinion the circumstance of human rights in Pakistan is unpredictable because of the nation’s decent variety, huge population, its status as a creating nation and a sovereign, Islamic republic and in addition a majority rule government with a blend of both Islamic and mainstream laws.

The Constitution of Pakistan accommodates major rights, which incorporate the right to speak freely, opportunity of thought, flexibility of data, opportunity of religion, opportunity of affiliation, opportunity of the press, flexibility of get together and the (contingent) appropriate to remain battle ready. The Clauses likewise accommodate an autonomous Supreme Court, division of official and legal, an autonomous legal, free Human Rights commission and flexibility of development inside the nation and abroad. In any case it is easy to refute how much these provisos are regarded by and by.

The government muzzled dissenting voices in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and media. It passed vague and over broad  cyber crimes legislation installing new curbs of freedom of expression and criminalizing peaceful internet use.

Women, religious minorities, and transgender people faced violent attacks, insecurity, and persecution, with the government failing to provide adequate protection and hold perpetrators accountable.

According to tribune Child marriage remains a serious concern in Pakistan, with 21 percent of girls marrying before the age of 18. In January 2016, a proposal submitted to parliament by whom aimed to raise the legal minimum age to 18 for females and introduce harsher penalties for those who arrange child marriage. However, on January 14, 2016, the proposal was withdrawn following strong pressure from the Council of Islamic Ideology, a body that advises the parliament on Islamic law. The council criticized the proposal as “anti-Islamic” and “blasphemous.”Violence against women and girls including rape, murder through so-called honor killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage remained routine. Pakistani human rights NGOs estimate that there are about 1,000 “honor killings” every year.

 

In conclusion my point of view  is that  the conditions prevailing today in Pakistan affect every individual life. If we are to improve conditions then the law must be upheld to bring peace and security to the land and to build lives of dignity and respect.  It is duty of every individual to stand up and prevent any violations or breaking of the law.  If we are to build a better nation then familiarity with the law is also to some degree necessary.

 

ABDUL ALI KHAN

15u03087

 

Everything that we experience everyday leaves a long lasting impression

First, I would like to tell you a little about myself my name is Fahad Khan and I am a student at Lahore school of economics and currently in 3rd year of BBA. I spend my free time watching seasons, playing football and sometimes cricket. I also love to watch wrestling! (please don’t judge its completely normal to watch professional wrestling or WWE). I also watch tech-related videos online and also watch psl.

 

PSL teams

 

People say that the first impression is the last impression it stays in everyone’s mind forever, but I don’t believe this to be true.  It can change depending on you that how you change it. I think my first impression on everyone’s mind was that I am a boring person and that my face looks stern. The reality is I’m quite different! I love to hang around with my friends, attend various events and of course, I love to socialize! Once I get to know a person then I really talk a lot more. When it comes to people, I believe that it is better to know the hard truth rather than an easy lie.

One thing that I hate the most is when people tell me what to do. For example, I hate it when people tell me how to dress what to wear, what not to wear… I mean who are they to tell me what to wear and what not to wear?! I also hate when people say that ‘I cannot achieve anything.’ In reality, motivates me to achieve my goals that I have set in life.

I think that my friends are the best people I know, I also know that I have very few friends but they are the people I can trust and care because they also trust me and care for me. I would like to end with this quote:

“Beauty will never last but character will,
So instead of beautifying our faces,
Let’s beautify our character”

 

Evolution

I am 20 years old, life is good and yes, i have evolved. I am not an optimist or a pessimist, i am a realist. I used to be an optimist but after sometime that option did not seem real enough so i evolved and became a realist, things are easy when you do not over do it or under do it you just “do it”.

I like football but there was a time when i used to love it and would be waking up at 3 in the morning to watch football matches and i would be glued to the screen no matter what for those 90 minutes. I still watch football but i have evolved and if there is something else important to do i will do it rather than watch the match.

I am from Lahore and i consider this a blessing because i have been to every city in Pakistan and Lahore is second to none. I permanently shifted to Lahore 3 years back because my father was in the army and we were always moving. We were posted to one city for 3 years maximum and every time we were located to some other place i evolved.

I used to be a grumpy kid, i was grumpy even in the freshmen year of my university. I said things to people that i would regret later but now i am quite calm it is not because the level of toxins in my body has increased during my university life but because i have evolved. It does not mean that i have no fight left in me but that i would direct that energy in something that can benefit me.

My education portfolio has evolved a lot, i started from doing my matriculation in computer science to doing FSC in  pre engineering and in the middle of my FSC i thought engineering would not cut, so i decided that i would opt for Accounting and Finance. In university when i had to choose i went for Marketing and Media because i thought ACF  would be very tough and mostly i am very competent but studies are an exception.

I have been taught from the beginning that what you do has to be in accordance with your culture and in our culture we do not party. I came to the university with the same mind set and one semester later it was party, eat, sleep and repeat. It does not mean that the university morally corrupted me or i do not have principles but that i have evolved and i perceive things differently now.

Everything a part i still love cookies and brownies and still forget my things everywhere and i am very irresponsible. The people around me are brilliant, i have great friends and an extraordinary family and there is no evolution that can replace them, they are to be constant.