https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/Shanaz is a freelance journalist writing for Pakistan's leading English language newspaper and a number of prestigious monthlies. She is actively working for KaravanKarachi.hourly12000-01-01T12:00+00:00https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/4081In Karachi, where art students hardly ever get the opportunity to expose their talent to the general public other than through their thesis work, the relatively newly established Gallery - 7G comes as a welcome forum, particularly for those budding artists who want to convey a social message...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/3972To celebrate Universal Children's Day on November 20, HREP (Human Rights Education Programme) launched a touching video based on the second voice from renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poem 'Shorish-e-barbat o nae' (Clamour of lyre and flute). The video, focusing on optimistic children, symbolizes...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/3714Probably the best thing that Pakistan has witnessed in the recent past has been the advent of private channels. With cable operators providing a host of foreign channels to practically every home in the larger cities of Pakistan, televison viewers had forgotten to tune in to the state owned...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/3375After years of relentless struggle by brave and bold women, one finally sees hope for the future of the downtrodden women of Pakistan. For, since the Family Laws Act was promulgated in 1964, which was to a large extent discriminatory towards women, it has been a long and arduous battle getting...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/3242With winter approaching, Karachiites always look forward to a period of partying, balls and cultural activities. One invariably gets to see a lot of great theatre and musical events, many of which are hosted by cultural centres of the different consulates in the country -- such as the American,...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/2969With women now playing a crucial role in practically every sphere of activity in Pakistan, it is not surprising that EPB (Export Promotion Bureau) and FPCCI (Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) have decided to garner their services to achieve economic progress. Towards this...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/2795Our worst fears seem to be coming true. When MMA -- a coalition of religious parties -- polled a very significant percentage of votes in the recent elections, Pakistani women began to fear for their freedom of movement. Would Pakistan become another Saudi Arabia? If a small news item in today's...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/2612I was pleasantly surprised to learn in the course of research for a recent article that the largest minority group in Norway comprises Pakistanis. It was equally surprising to discover that the second generation of Pakistanis settled there had no idea about their motherland as they had not...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/shanazsdreams__/2548Like any other patriotic Pakistani, I too, have dreams of an empowered and educated populace. An exhaustive survey of the government schools in the city today has unfortunately shattered whatever dreams I may have harboured. The corruption level of the teachers and administration in government...