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Marketing2.0 in Emerging Markets
There was a Marketing 2.0 conference that took place in Karachi on the 30th of August. Here's an overview of the event...
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Pakistan not to accept attacks on its territory: Altaf Hussain
Muttahida Quami Movement leader Altaf Husain while assuring his party’s support to the present Government said Pakistan would not accept any attack on its territory whether carried out by friends or otherwise.
Speaking to the media outside a Central London hotel after his 110 minutes meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, he said MQM was keen to resolve all the issues facing the country especially those concerning terrorism and extremism through negotiations and dialogues.
President Zardari, he said, is trying his level best to convince the rest of the world and take all of them aboard regarding the issue of terrorism and extremism. He said that President Zardari will be travelling to USA next week and will also go to China to seek support on the war against terrorism.
The MQM leader had come to personally congratulate Asif Zardari on his election as the President and at the same time condole with him on the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Altaf said Pakistan was passing through a challenging time and facing various economic crisis including flour, energy, law and order and President Zardari was trying his level best to overcome these problems. Muttahida Quami Movement leader Altaf Husain while assuring his party’s support to the present Government said Pakistan would not acce... more -
Post Musharraf - Not Much to Rejoice
I came across a smart youngman full of passion for the Musharraf government because of all the right things that had finally started happening for Pakistan in the past 8 years. With the exception of the former President's last year in power, this youth has a vibrant take on Pervaiz Musharraf, the success he had in finally providing Pakistan with much-needed stability and where he thinks we're heading from here. It's a bit long, but it is the voice we're not hearing enough of. I came across a smart youngman full of passion for the Musharraf government because of all the right things that had finally started h... more
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Key Benazir Bhutto assassination witness shot dead
The body of personal security guard of slain former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, Khalid Shahenshah is removed from a hospital in Karachi Photo: AFP / GETTY
The bodyguard of Benazir Bhutto, who was to be a key witness in an investigation into her assassination, has been shot dead.
Khalid Shahenshah, who was the former Pakistan prime minister's security chief at the time of her assassination, was killed in a drive-by shooting as he left his house in the southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday, police said.
Mr Shahenshah, 45, was riding in Mrs Bhutto's bullet-proof car when she was killed in a suicide attack in the northern city of Rawalpindi on December 27.
He was expected to be called to give evidence at a United Nations probe into her death.
"He was a key witness in the case and was also interviewed by the Scotland Yard experts who came to Pakistan to investigate her killing," said Waqar Mehdi, the junior information minister of Sindh province.
"There is a possibility that his killing could be linked to his status as a witness, although investigations are still underway."
A team of Scotland Yard detectives concluded in February that Mrs Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomb and not by gunfire, backing the previous Pakistani government's claim the attack was masterminded by Baitullah Mehsud, Pakistan's top Taliban commander.
But the UN earlier this month agreed to set up an independent panel to investigate her slaying, following a request by Pakistan's new government.
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Click on the link for the complete article. The body of personal security guard of slain former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, Khalid Shahenshah is removed from a hospital in ... more -
5 stupid, senseless suicide blasts rock Karachi
5 stupid, completely senseless, absolutely unjustifiable idiots claiming to be suicide bombers because they cannot be anything else, rocked Karachi city earlier this evening. These people are neither humans nor do they share the same color and values of the Pakistani flag as the rest of us. They are (were) not muslims neither were they or any other religion known to a civilized society.
In protest or otherwise, this is just not okay. It's not alright. All the work and effort that the hundreds of thousands of people put in to make sure that there is food on the table, electricity in our homes and offices, and unity amongst our fellow workers, it is a stupid, completely moronic, selfish act like this that nobody needs. IN a day and age where people are struggling with a food crisis and economic turmoil, struggling to make ends meet, I mean... come on.. , this is not even what animals do to their own kind. The video is footage shot by me to show you that despite the low intensity blasts, we're okay.. Life is normal here.. We're safe. Shook up, yes.. but we're okay. We're just sick and tired of this vile behavior.
You can read the rest of the news story as it is breaking at the following link: http://geo.tv/7-7-2008/20490.htm or watch the news live at: dawnnews.tv or http://www.geo.tv/geoip/ - though if you're looking for citizen's account of what's happening, then you can log onto: http://karachi.metblogs.com/ 5 stupid, completely senseless, absolutely unjustifiable idiots claiming to be suicide bombers because they cannot be anything else, r... more -
Karachi Metro Bloggers Interviewed on Public Address Radio
Bloggers became a prime source of information to populate news online during Pakistan's 'emergency season'. Here's an interview of two bloggers from the Karachi MetroBlogging team, with a journalist from Auckland on Emergency rule back in December. In the first of his radio features from his journey to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Damian Christie discovers a lively blogging scene, one often openly critical of President Musharraf's rule. I thought it would be interesting to hear what they have to say. Take it away, Unaiza Nasim Umar Siddiqui! Bloggers became a prime source of information to populate news online during Pakistan's 'emergency season'. Here's... more
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Make Food Affordable for us!
And so the vicious cycle continues. Make basic food so unreasonably expensive, and all hell breaks loose. When was the last time you actually felt hungry or saw someone who was so desperately starved for food? People like this man witness this horror in their homes and communities every day. While this does move a little away from the nature of what Current is looking for in the segment of "Food Crisis", but I can't help but continue to highlight how the right to eat, or have access to food, is so common.
I'll put up all the videos again with sub titles later on, but until then, this text may help to understand what this gentleman is talking about...
See, what happens when commodities become more expensive is, for example, Rice has become Rs.100 per kilo, Ghee (cooking oils) is more than Rs.150, one individual, earning even a salary of Rs.3,000 or even Rs.4,500 and he has an average of 8 people in his home, and he is the sole breadwinner, the Government needs to think about how this can possibly work. That is a household of 8 people, one person who is earning for those 8 people, with increasing prices, perhaps his salary or payscale should also be increasing at the same rate.
I don't think it is possible for the Rs.4,500 breadwinner to last even a week, let alone a month. Take vegetables, milk, rice, the cost of everything has gone up. He can hardly afford to buy any of the things needed to run his home.
Children are studying in schools and even the fees of those are so difficult to sustain - there are few government schools, and so children that study in the private schools also are a burden to have to manage their fees.
Question - What was life like before? How did you manage before the inflation in prices that you are talking about?
Answer: See, it used to be within our range to buy. We could afford something. Flour, that used to be 15 or 16 rupees per kilo was something we could afford. Now, all of a sudden, flour is being sold for 25 rupees per kilo. That is just difficult to manage. Now in order to afford the same amount of food, we have to work 16 instead of 12 hours and look for overtime separately.
At least that way, we can make something extra to manage our needs. Maybe we'll get an additional Rs.3,000 in overtime in a night duty somewhere. At least we'll be able to manage.
I think the Government needs to look at the fact that perhaps they cannot reduce the cost of petrol or oil, but at least these commodities such as flour, lentils, sugar... if they can't make these at nominal prices, then at least figure out a way so that we can afford to buy these. And so the vicious cycle continues. Make basic food so unreasonably expensive, and all hell breaks loose. When was the last time you a... more -
2 Breadwinners Feeding 8 Mouths
Here's a random interview I got - Since it is in Urdu, the transcription of the dialogue is below - Is there a food crisis going on? Amongst so many other problems of the average person, yes. Life is difficult and frustrating, and its people like this young man, that bear the brunt of poor planning, short sightedness and, at times, plain stupidity - In this day and age of advancing technology and expanding media, is hunger REALLY a problem we can't resolve?!
Before when flour was cheaper, at least a poor man could eat and survive, but since prices have gone up and there is such a severe shortage, things are so difficult. At a salary of Rs.4,000 ($66) a month, and then even traveling by bus has become more expensive. Just surviving is difficult.
Flour costs about Rs.24-25 (40 cents) a kilo. How can a poor man afford it? Since food has become more expensive, job opportunities have just died out. Government isn't doing anything. They are also just waiting for something - just having their own issues and fun - not really sorting out the problems of the poor man.
How many breadwinners do you have in your home?
2. Myself and my younger brother.
And how many members in your home?
Between 8 and 10.
Are you able to manage?
Impossible. But you don't have a choice. You are forced to make it work. Where we used to eat a bit more, we now just have to survive by eating less. Buying less. Here's a random interview I got - Since it is in Urdu, the transcription of the dialogue is below - Is there a food crisis going ... more -
Situation Impossible
I hate to beat a dead horse, drive the point into the ground and keep posting up clips of similarly looking frustrated people off the streets saying almost the same thing: it's a challenge to live through a crisis that seems neverending.
By profession, I am a technology trade journalist and an entrepreneur. My optimism is almost an occupational hazard and I tend to have a lot of faith in the people, community and society around me - until I keep hearing the same message from the same lot of people, screaming out for help things I find are the most fundamental in nature - We're experiencing a FOOD CRISIS! In this day and age where we've landed on the moon and looking for ways to get to Mars; laugh at people who still think a floppy disk is the way to travel data and documents and poke fun at people who think PING PONG is a sport. This is sad beyond belief and disturbing beyond imagination. As long as there is a crisis, SOMEONE is making a profit, and it is inhuman. Absolutely - Listen to this guy off the street, once again, another random grab - the transcription of the interview is followed in this text.
Question: How have the rising prices effected you? How do you deal with the cost of living?
It's like this that, survival is very difficult. My older brother, who is also a breadwinner, has just come back home from the hospital after being involved in an accident, so I am the sole earning member in the home. Rs.6,000 ($100) is my monthly income. Out of this, food take up about Rs3,000, which leaves us just $50 for the rest of the expenses. Since President Musharraf has come, the cost of living has just gone up, I cannot even begin to describe this to you. We have young siblings, younger children. I have my own 2 children. How can we all survive. You tell me?
Question: What do you want? What do you think the solution for this is?
I want things to be affordable. My salary is just not enough because the cost of one bread, is Rs.5. How can a poor man live? Should we work 24 hours a day just to make ends meet? I am a watchman (chowkidaar) so I get paid a fixed salary as opposed to a daily wage or per hour wage. So even if I work 24 hours a day, it's not going to make a difference. I am alone. I don't even have a father or someone older to help me. What is an orphan like me supposed to do? Things are very difficult. Very unbearable. I hate to beat a dead horse, drive the point into the ground and keep posting up clips of similarly looking frustrated people off the ... more -
Price of everything is rising except for daily wage
The price of everything is going up - and the people who survive on a daily wage system, can hardly make ends meet. After an 8 hour laboring, grueling work day, imagine making just $2... Doesn't a McDonald's meal cost more than that? In fact, is there anything that can fill the average family of 5, costing just $2? A continuously escalating flour crisis across the country, the cost of living is just too expensive to handle. Here's another random interview of a daily wage earner we got, in Karachi, Pakistan. The transcription of the interview, is below -
Everything has become more expensive. Food has become unaffordable.
Question: How much do you make in a day?
Make about Rs100 or Rs200 ($2-$3) a day, but things are still out of our reach. End up having to spend more than we earn.
Question: How many members of your family?
6-7 people and all of them are earning members
Question: So then it shouldn't be that much of a problem, should it?
Even then, it is very difficult. Rent has increased. Expenses have increased. Food is more expensive. Daily wage is still the same. We work hard all day and in the evening, it is difficult to have enough to even buy bread.
Question: what message would you give to the Government or authorities?
The Government needs to increase the minimum wage. The Government should make life affordable. The poor man simply cannot live. Cannot survive. The price of everything is going up - and the people who survive on a daily wage system, can hardly make ends meet. After an 8 hour la... more -
Surviving on $116 a Month!
Keeping in mind with the Food Crisis theme, people that fit in the bracket of who we refer to as the "Masses" are hit the worst. A family of 6-8 people surviving on a salary of $116 a month - you've got to be kidding.
What effect have the inflation in prices had on you?
Extremely difficult. Prices have continued to increase though salaries are still pretty much the same, which makes it difficult to function. Difficult to make ends meet. Have to pay rent, Additional expenses. Life is quite tough.
What about the flour crisis in Pakistan? Are you able to find flour easily?
Very difficult to find flour. Can't always find it.
What do you do?
I am a driver. I make about Rs7,000 ($116) a month.
Can you make ends meet in 7,000?
Tough. Rs.2,000 ($33) are my own expenses.. And then I send the rest home. It just isn't enough. That's Rs.5,000 for Medical expenses, clothes, rations... How can anyone live like that? Very difficult.
What message would you like to pass along to the authorities?
Can't say much.. either control the inflating prices.. or somehow increase the rates for our salaries. Life is really quite difficult.
[Interview#1a: the second man on camera]
What do you say?
I am really frustrated. I don't have any work and neither do I have any government job. I try and do some work but people are not willing to give a lot of money for it. Trying to move water to homes, but it's very difficult.
Do you also have a family?
Yes. There are about 10 people and only one breadwinner. I support my parents and everyone else. Very difficult..
How do you manage?
I don't do anything. God does it somehow. But very difficult life. Keeping in mind with the Food Crisis theme, people that fit in the bracket of who we refer to as the "Masses" are hit the wo... more -
The Man Who "Wrote" the Waves
About 10 days ago, I chanced to meet a blogger, whose writings I had been following for a while. He can talk a mile a minute, sell ideas as if there is no tomorrow, and well, is one of the smartest people I have ever come across. It wasn't until I sat down to speak with Imtiaz over a nasty cup of tea, that I realized just HOW moving his story was.
Imtiaz has a writing disability which make him scribble waves on the paper, instead of forming actual, legible letters or words, and hence, the title of the clip. He uses technology to overcome his inability to get his pen to form the words he needs. He (or I, for that matter) isn't interested in a diagnosis... the interest lies in letting people know that there is complete and absolute hope for all of us, regardless of our skills, or lack thereof.
It takes a tremendous amount of courage to sit up and talk about something many of us take for granted... Thank you for sharing a small part of your life, Imtiaz.
Imtiaz's blog alias is "inspirex", in case you want to look him up online. About 10 days ago, I chanced to meet a blogger, whose writings I had been following for a while. He can talk a mile a minute, sell ide... more -
Faisal Qureshi: The Post Election Scenario in Pakistan
Faisal Qureshi is an entrepreneur (www.kolachi.net) and a media person. He has been kind enough to share his thoughts and opinions in light of the recent events in Pakistan. Take a listen! Faisal Qureshi is an entrepreneur (www.kolachi.net) and a media person. He has been kind enough to share his thoughts and opinions in ... more
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Imtiaz Noor: Commenting on the state of Pakistan
The post-election scenario, the question of democracy and a forgotten past brings Imtiaz Noor, a marketing professional and blogger in Pakistan, to share his opinions... The post-election scenario, the question of democracy and a forgotten past brings Imtiaz Noor, a marketing professional and blogger in... more
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Post Election Scenario: Munazza Siddiqui, Media Professional
Munazza Siddiqui is a senior producer with a local television channel and analyzes the post election scenario in Pakistan. Here's what she has to say... Munazza Siddiqui is a senior producer with a local television channel and analyzes the post election scenario in Pakistan. Here's... more
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a better tomorrow: naila kassim, Intel World Ahead Manager, Pakistan & Banglad...
There are a number of corporations that are expanding on their interest in Pakistan - Of course they gain from their presence in countries like ours, adding to their global businesses, they also bring great benefit to the country and its people.
Naila Kassim, Intel World Ahead Manager for Pakistan and Bangladesh, talks about how the various programs continue to help and open doors for us, in addition to making a positive impact in the international arena. There are a number of corporations that are expanding on their interest in Pakistan - Of course they gain from their presence in count... more -
Sankarshan Thakur, Journalist from the Telegraph Newspaper in India, on Pakistani ...
It's always interesting to get different perspectives on an issue to demonstrate the diversity and differences between what people within a community are thinking. And getting those perspectives out to you through Current.Com is great too, because it becomes a learning experience for everyone, myself included. And that's why I took the opportunity to speak to Sankarshan Thakur, a political journalist at the Telegraph daily newspaper in New Dehli, India, who has been in Pakistan covering the elections. I got a chance to meet up with him earlier this evening and asked him what HE thought about the political process... Here's what he had to share... It's always interesting to get different perspectives on an issue to demonstrate the diversity and differences between what peopl... more
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Post Election Thoughts
My thoughts on the election, one day later!
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My Views on the Quaidabad Blast
This is not who we are, this is not what we do. Whoever is behind these atrocities, is not one of us. No humane person could bring so much terror into so many lives at such a high cost.... The first part of this little amateur video is me streaming the news off my laptop from dawnnews.tv - Tune in there if you want to hear the news live. The recording might not be great, but its in english and I just wanted everyone to hear the highlights: there was a bomb blast; apparently the bomb was placed on a motorbike; there are between 10-12 people dead and at least 25 have been reported injured; eyewitness accounts claim to have heard the bomb from as far away as 5km away (and not 1km as I reported earlier); the motivation behind the bombing is unclear. - the rest is all [a very irritated] me. This is not who we are, this is not what we do. Whoever is behind these atrocities, is not one of us. No humane person could bring so ... more
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Another Bomb Blast in Karachi: Quaidabad
After a turbulunt start to the new year, Karachi had been returning to relative normalcy.. until this evening. A bomb blast in the Quaidabad area, in the northern part of the city, has torn through the peace and quiet, killing 10 people and injuring as many as 20. A bomb, aparently placed on a motorbike that was parked in a densely populated area, blew up in the early hours of the evening, and eyewitness reports say that the blast was heard as much as a kilometer away.
Despite the rush hour on the main road that connects between Quaidabad and the Jinnah Hospital, the traffic is being highly cooperative, to keep the traffic flowing, alllowing for ambulances to rush through with minimal delays.
The hospital administration reports that the majority of the injured and bodies that are coming in, are from the lower social economic strata.
The image is a screen shot of Google Earth showing you where Quaidabad is physically located. After a turbulunt start to the new year, Karachi had been returning to relative normalcy.. until this evening. A bomb blast in the Qua... more
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