Ali Malik's blog

I found this amazing video of a guy (I am trying to figure out who he is and from where he is) doing one man orchestra. It's just amazing. If you have heard the original songs, you will appreciate it even more. The performer is blind yet he is the most sensational talent I have seen in years.

I wonder why this sudden rush of blood? Nawaz Sharif who has not visited Balochistan once in last 10 years has suddenly become too concerned about Balochistan. Not only that, but the right wingers have again become obsessed with the agenda of “Speedy Justice”, just when the man at the helm of Justice System of Pakistan is their hero. And I wonder why now? Just when our men in uniform are fighting the existential threat to not only our state but our society and way of living, these right wingers have started blowing the trumpets of other issues, Balochistan, Speedy Justice. As far as Balochistan goes, it goes without saying that all that the rightwing in our country has done is talk. No leader of theirs has visited Balochistan in last year or so. They distanced themselves from the efforts of normalization being carried out by PPP-led government. The only mentioning of Balochistan is to hang Musharraf for killing of Akbar Bugti. Bugti Sahab, a great statesman, is just used as a pretext t...

Just before President Zardari left for a critical visit to US; Pakistani and US media were rife with the news that US wants to bring in Nawaz Sharif at a position of influence in Pakistan's Govt. set up. There have been three explanations about timing of this story. Some think that to get a better leverage on Zardari during his visit, US administration decided to play hardball. Others say that to undermine the significance of President Zardari's visit, his political opponents (specially PML-N) spread this news story. If either of these is true, Pakistani media was very irresponsible in undermining the national interest by playing up this story. And for Americans, playing hardball at this critical juncture when the whole order is at stake is outright stupidity. In the quest for survival, you do not look for bargains. However, it is the third theory which bothers me the most. What if US and Pakistani establishment have seriously made up their mind for having a Zardari-Nawaz or Na...

Pakistan Armed Forces have launched a major offensive against Militants in Swat, Dir and Bunir. The fighting has caused many people to leave their homes and belongings and move to safer places. We hope that this situation will be temporary and the people will be able to return to their homes at earliest. In the mean time, these men, women, and children of ours need our help. Please donate generously to help these countrymen of ours. You can send in your donations through National Disaster Management Authority ( http://www.ndma.gov.pk ) contributing to National Disaster Management Fund ( http://ndma.gov.pk/NDMFund.html ).

Demopak has not covered anything in the realm of entertainment thus far. But then I thought why not? So, here is our first ever coverage of entertainment - and just when we have had many great names in performing and fine arts in Pakistan, no one is more befitting a Pakistani Story than Reshman! Voice of the desert - her melodies grip you and the depth of her husky voice leaves you spellbound. Born in Bikaner India in 1947, Reshman was discovered by Radio Pakistan and became a singing sensation right away. She is illiterate and yet through sheer talent, commitment and dedication, she has achieved artistic glory that very few in Pakistan have managed to achieve. Renowned singers in India and Pakistan have sung the pirated versions of her songs (including piracy of Chori Chori by legend Lata Mangeshkar). Though most of her singing has been in Punjabi, her claim to fame was Lambi Judai (an Urdu song) which was part of soundtrack of movie "Hero (1983)". Being illiterate, she sho...

Pakistan Armed Forces have launched a major offensive against Militants in Swat, Dir and Bunir. The fighting has caused many people to leave their homes and belongings and move to safer places. We hope that this situation will be temporary and the people will be able to return to their homes at earliest. In the mean time, these men, women, and children of ours need our help. Please donate generously to help these countrymen of ours. You can send in your donations through National Disaster Management Authority ( http://www.ndma.gov.pk ) contributing to National Disaster Management Fund ( http://ndma.gov.pk/NDMFund.html ).