Goolge has published 2004's "Google Zeitgeist" based on popular queries, search patterns, trends, surprises etc.
Have a look at it here http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist.html
This year Google has also provided an interactive edition that is also worth visiting http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2004/index.html
Not surprisingly Pakistan gets in to the top 10 of "Google Popular Country News Searches". Britney Spears tops the "Popular Queries" now for two consecutive years.
M Tabraiz Feham
www.tabraizfeham.blogspot.com
PakPositive: I agree, many nations have fallen challenging Britney Spears's sovereignty on the web.
An optimistic outlook to Pakistan Well done. I cant appreciate you enough for being an optimist.
It aint easy to rummage thourgh the Negative press to squeeze out the Positivity and then publish it on a regular basis in your blog. An outstanding effort.
I myself can be put to shame for conducting a negative blog - but nevertheless both are essential for the progress of a developing nation.
A standing Ovation to PakPositive
Teeth Maestro
orthodontist.blogspot.com
I doff my hat to you, good sir. :-) I just wanted to congratulate you for your excellent initiative and one that was sorely needed to fight what seems like a sea of negativity surrounding any happening in Pakistan. I can only hope that the freshness and sincerity of your message will touch people in a way that will be better for our beloved Pakistan and her people. Many factors have conspired together since 1947 to convert our nation from a hard-working, optimistic people to one that is cynical and pessimistic about its future. I, myself, am guilty of that which is why your efforts are so important and timely, and must be appreciated.
One day we will emerge a proud, democratic, liberal, peaceful and educated nation. On that day, we will have shaped the Pakistan the Quaid-e-Azam wanted to create. And when that inevitably happens, people such as yourself and people with your thought process will be remembered for their patriotism and optimism and for showing the light to eternal cynics and pessimists such as myself.
I will be spreading word of your outstanding site. So, brace yourself for more and more traffic. Also, please don't hesitate to let me know if there is any way in which I can assist you in growing this awesome site. :-)
Bilal Ijaz
PakPositive: A tip on my hat and a nod to your sincere appreciation, sir. It is heartening to know that this site reaches to who appreciates this tiny effort.
[Karachi's Online Graveyard] http://www.wadi-a-hussain.com - The Website of a Karachi's online graveyard. This is first experience of a virtual graveyard in Muslim world. You can search the graves with different criteria, use "Call Service" for different graveyard services and most of all you can download or stream the funeral movie clips.
I think it is a good step especially for those living abroad. But the virtual graveyard visiting can never replace the essence of actually visiting the graveyard for your loved ones and performing all those rituals. Our religion asks us to visit graveyards and offer prays, and there are certainly several spiritual benefits of it. But as our ulema get to know about it, this matter can get controvercial.
M Tabraiz Feham
http://www.tabraizfeham.blogspot.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4042941.stm
This link contains, what I thought was an uplifting piece of information.
Naveed
http://deevaan.blogspot.com
Karachi's "Green Buses". Something to share
From their website http://www.karachigreenbus.com
KARACHI GREEN BUS CO, an emerging business unit in Transport Operations,started urban bus operations in Karachi, Pakistan on 1 October 2002 with a project of CNG-Dual Fuel Buses. KARACHI GREEN BUS CO has signed an agreement with the City District Government Karachi to operate 300 CNG-Dual Fuel buses in the Metropolitan area of Karachi. A purpose built assembly plant is being put in by a local manufacturer to cater for the needs of our equipment.
M. Javaid
PakPositive: They look more like Karachi Advertising Buses to me.
Although many might not agree but I still find some "PakPostive" in this picture; Poeple in Pakistan even from this locality know the importance of Google. Listen world! Pakistan is rising - Watch It.
M Tabraiz Feham
http://tabraizfeham.blogspot.com
PakPositive: Hehe, what's next... Google Paan Corner? :)
I happened to come across your blog yesterday and man! i must appreciate the kind & quality of work you are doing. There a lot of pakistanis who feel the same you feel about the negative side of the pakistani picture being only portrayed around the world, but never has someone come up with such an effort. Keep it up and dont ever let this blog go hibernate :) wish more blogs/sites come up to follow your suit.
There is this article published in The News on Sunday, Nov 14th. Check it out and blog it if u find it being worth of it.
Pakistan ranked much higher than India in Globalisation Index
By Kaleem Omar, THE NEWS
Farhan Munir
[blog under heavy revamping]
PakPositive: Hibernation, now that's a thought! Thanks for the link. :)
A Canadian hailing from Pakistan, Ali-K recently released Five tracks from his debut album Dhun Savar, ([Passionate/ ‘Tune Rider’]), His work is a creative representation of his personal journey and an attempt at proving that music does indeed, conquer all.
Ali K’s music has created a niche for itself with its trademark acoustic and the ethnically diverse percussive sounds, plunging headfirst into the most popular genre of the mainstream music of the biggest industries of the South Asian countries today. His work features a unique style of guitar riffs.
One of the strengths of Ali’s songs lies in the diverse pool of singers, who have understood and expressed his music so diligently. His collaboration with various promising and talented local vocalists in Toronto was a success as he experimented, learnt and realized the voices that would breathe life to his compositions and productions.
Ali K
Composer, Producer, Songwriter
http://www.ali-k.net/
I'm surprised that you didnt know this but there is now a cottage industry of 'positive' paki news blogs & sites springing up... [url removed] also gets its daily supply from Pakpositive and [url removed] has started on a different scale but still gets the dose (not frequent) here... ;)
PakPositive: The reason I have removed the site addresses above is because I don't want them labelled as Pak Positive 'cottage industry', as the reader suggests. These should be discovered by readers on their own merits.
Its really commendable. I have been thinking for last 5 years (I guess) that why don’t we see a bright/positive picture of Pakistan and I have been planning to launch a website for the same purpose but ????????????? u know it takes real courage and I guess U have shown that courage.
Pakpositive is really what we as Pakistani needed and especially those who live abroad since they are real thirsty of a single piece of good news from Pakistan. I really appreciate ur efforts. Keep it up.
By the way, I have started an NPO to share my contribution in making a good/positive Pakistan so that we don’t have to search the good news for Pakistan but will be everywhere like sunlight.
Wamiq B. Hamid
PakPositive: Best wishes! Please do write about some of your NPO's workings or happenings to share with other Pak Positive readers too
Govt. of Pakistan has recently introduced Machine Readable Passports (MRP) in an effort to curb the problems of illegal passports and rehabilitate the immigration infra-structure of the country. The Project was developed in-house at R&D department of NADRA, Where NADRA developed first-ever machine of its own kind by bringing together the state of the art technologies. Only few nations in the world have closer features in their passports.
The new passport contains a chip and incorporates technologies such as Biometrics, Digital Printing, Recognition Techniques, Image Communication, Water Fugitives, Watermark Security features and real-time integration of the passport with NADRA's National Data Warehouse and Border Security Control.
No doubt it is a well job done by NADRA but Govt. would have to put real effort in order to utilize these MRP's to their full potential.
M Tabraiz Feham
http://tabraizfeham.blogspot.com
PakPositive: Let's hope this also impresses the humans reading our passports everywhere.
When a girl in Pakistan picks up guitar and starts singing, that's the last thing we want to see, but hopefully Arooj'll change our mindset for good. Do check her "Hallelujah" which is marvellous beside couple of other tracks including tribute to Amir zaki's Mera Pyaar. Simply incredible. The girls with guitars aren't bad afterall.
I just found this great song on soundclick.com. I think you should really check this one out! It's called 'Mera Pyaar [cover]' by Arooj Aftab. Here's where you can find it: Band page: http://www.soundclick.com/aroojaftab
Ejaz Asi
PakPositive: May I ask why a girl on guitar is 'the last thing we want'? Some of the most brilliant guitarists I've heard happen to be girls.
Hi... Hello... ASAK... Namaste... (Basically whatever rocks your boat!)
I got to know of your site from bandbaja.org ... Though i seldom do this, (maybe because there is seldom anything Pakistani yet worthwhile on the web), but your blog is a commendable effort..
Please keep up your blog as long as u can! I hope its not one of those Pakistani efforts that make waves to surf on the web but die down soon enough...
Just for your info, chk out http://www.reinvigorate.net/ ... The guy provides a free stats service which might be helpful in keeping track of visitors to your site... Although u might have a better stats setup currently, but i just thought i'll let u know... And please keep in mind that in no way am i connected to this person so don't think negative about this information ;) ...
I have a question for you... Bandbaja states "Pak Positive, a website run by a 31 year old Karachi-based gentlemen who prefers to remain anonymous" ... What's behind the remaining anonymous thing??? Just curious??
Hoping all the best for you...
Aiyaz Kidwai
www.carbon-copy.cc
PakPositive: And I'm sure you read my reply to that as well? :)
The decision to locate the IMAX theatre, in the "Doongi Ground" near the Mini Market in Lahore, is a bad one. This ground was the only one in the area for children to play. Commercialising it speaks poorly of the regard the authorities have for the needs of the residents of the area.
The IMAX theatre is otherwise a good place to spend an hour. However, we are unlikely to witness anything regarding Pakistan and our history since most of the films are likely to be western. So you can see the "Alamo" story on it but not the Battle of Panipat. It would be wonderful if we could.
Hamid Khawaja
Hang in there. I can imagine how the negativity must be getting to you, this country is making me more depressed day by day. As for making the site better - hmm, maybe add a section with articles on pakistan or even ask people to write articles on their positive perspective of pakistan or even your own rants, which i dont mind, ranting is good for the soul :)
PakPositive: Hehehe... now how can one not be encouraged after such a sweet response? One thing is positive: Pak Positive readers may not write often, but they are truly well-wishing readers.
The is one of the largest & best known modern mosque in Karachi, built in the 1960s. It is an elegant, flattened dome, 72 meters in diameter, balanced on a low surrounding wall with no central pillars. It has excellent acoustics.
A fascinating top view of Memon Masjid (Mosque) Karachi
The monumental tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is situated on a natural plateau within a 53 hectare park in the city of Karachi.The actual tomb is located in a subterranean chamber immediately underneath. All exteriors and interiors are finished with marble and the interior of the dome with stucco. The openings above the doorways are lattice work.
The beautiful scene of sunset at "Sea View" Karachi. The man is getting back to home after the day's routine long run at the beach.
The School of Qauid-e-Azam.... Starting 1890's, in Karachi, Sindh-Madrasa-tul-Islam (founded by Hassan Ally Bey a Sindhi of Turkish origin and settled in Karachi) began to become popular with mainly Muslims of Sindh including Balochs. Because it had facilities for hostels within its boundaries, students from far off areas and those whose parents could afford the expenses of travel, boarding and lodging got admitted there. Most of the Senior Baloch leaders from Balochistan too, got education there.
Recource :
http://www.balouch.com/forum/
printthread.cfm?Forum=8&Topic=1409
M Tabraiz Feham
http://tabraizfeham.blogspot.com
People do not write letters these days. They type. Its not the same thing since you are required to phrase your thoughts beforehand when you 'write'. Typing comes naturally to most people--as does, disturbingly enough, hyperlinking.
PakPositive: Couldn't agree with you more. In fact, this makes me value these rare letters even more.
Have some faith - we are all not bots! Although that would be kinda cool, very Matrix-esque. You really are doing a great job, everytime I get disillusioned I click on your blog and sigh in relief that there is something good going on in this country. Oh, and to mention somehing positive, Strings just won Best Band Award at the Sahara Awards - http://www.bandbaja.org/news
PakPositive: So you're the One -- I'm beginning to believe :) Make that a double YAY for Strings, too.
This is a response to your ill communicado appeal. First of all, you should have post-centric comments. Many a times, I would like to say something, (ok, snarky but that is excusable) but it is not possible.
Secondly, your site, as valuable as it is, misses an editorial voice. Perhaps you should interject a post here or there to start a conversation with your readers.
In any case, good site. Keep it up.
sepoy
www.chapatimystery.com
PakPositive: Yes, I think I was not very clear with my appeal. I did not mean interactive comments when I said letters, as I do not wish to entertain parallel debates, which may lead to a loose forumized feel for this blog. As for an editorial voice, I am trying to restrict my opinions to 'letters' and 'positorial' pages, thus trying to keep the main page unobtrusive and reflective of news only, without any pre-emptive opinions.
What I did mean, however, was to invite readers' independent reflections, experiences or letters on various subjects, not necessarily related to any posted news item, and which are considered positive in nature, (like some of the letters below, I think).
Just wanted to share an article that I liked. It is about an excellent comedy troupe from Pakistan. They were also chosen to perform in UK on a couple of occasions. I am a big fan and would like to see them go places.
http://www.bandbaja.org/issues/009/features/blackfish.php
PakPositive: We could surely use some sense of humour as a nation. All the best wishes to the troupe.
The system of IT education is set to take a U turn as universities churn out thousands of students who seem to be missing the most current techonology, firms are finding fresh graduates and students incompetent in the work place with little or very little understanding of new technologies effectively rendering there studies useless.
This has lead to many firms looking for graduates who have done practical sessions and experince in new standards and technologies during there studies as the established universities try to make amends thorugh there 19th century beauraucracy there seems to be little in the way of speedy change and training in new methods and standards which is the pivotol point of all new technology solutions. Hence the emergence of new groups who train themselves and utilise exisiting institutions to form there own elite groups, such groups as pak2600 a techonology forum which meets in Civil junction on first friday of every month from early evening to late late into the night and then utilises mailing list to estabilsh regular contact where the undocumented knowledge in the techonology sector is debated and details exchanged between ceos, entusiatiates, coders and hackers, and more formal ones like the evening sessions of the advanced new techonologies development group which meets in University college Islamabad.
The question on the firms in pakstans mind is wether the universities and thousands of institutes take heed or head to the own oblivion of cyberspace trash bins!!
Ismail Malik
PakPositive: Do share some of pak2600's achievements, too.
Avari Lahore continued its tradition of promoting flavors of Pakistan throughout India. The hotel, in collaboration with ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton organized a "Pakistani Food Festival" in India , this time in its most happening city, Mumbai. The festival was inaugurated on 29th August 2004 and was attended by the elite of Mumbai & Bollywood celebraties. To make this event a success our Food & Beverage Manager Usman Najmal, Executive chef Mehboob Ahmed, Pakistani chef Mohammad Jamil and members of Senior Management specially flew to Mumbai. And the event trun out to be a big success. Avari Hotels International are really keen to promote Pakistani culture in India and are making special efforts to bridge the borders and festivals such as these are organized to celebrate "friendship and togetherness".
Sadia Salman
Pakistan has qualified for the [Polo] world cup finals for the first time. The finals are from 9th to 19thSept., 2004 in Chantilly, France. Pakistan's pool matches are against Mexico, Brazil and England on 9th, 11th and 13th . Therafter if we are in the top two of our pool, we go through to the semi-finals and, hopefully on to the finals. A contingent of 60 supporters, mostly from Lahore, is planning to be there to support the team.
Haroun Rashid
PakPositive: Time to find out if we can play something other than cricket.
From: Irfan Khan
To: s-asia-it@apnic.net
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 20:10:32 +0500
Subject: Pakistani firms answer call for cell phones
[with thanks to "Pak Positive" http://pakpositive.blogspot.com/ for the
pointer]
August 18, 2004
Pakistani firms answer call for cell phones Tens of thousands of Pakistanis endured hours of stifling heat this week to accept an offer of free mobile phone connections, a sign of the pent-up demand in a country where cell phone usage has remained low. But that may soon change. While only about 4.5 million of Pakistan's 150 million people currently have mobile phones, industry executives say fierce competition and cheaper technologies are forcing prices down to eye-catching levels...
Read entire article...
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5315366.html
Irfan Khan
PakPositive: Now that's the kind of a concerned, credit-giving & sincere reader who makes all this worthwhile! Thank you!
