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Malik Ayub Sumbal is Senior Broadcaster, Political Commentator, and Media Consultant. Malik has been associated with world-leading media outlets and news channels. He has more than 18 years of experience while working on key editorial positions. Malik was President at the Consortium for Press Freedom (CPF), a leading organization working for the Press Freedom and Free Speech around the world.

Where traditional drumbeats still mark time for suhour

Country’s cuisine during Ramadan is famous, unique due to its taste and variety The clock says 3am. But it’s not the alarm that wakes you up for suhour in Pakistan. The sound of drums does. It’s a tradition that is being kept alive by dedicated drum beaters who venture out during early hours of the …

Hospital promotes interfaith harmony

the call for prayer and church bell rings in one place Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi city is unique in the way it promotes interfaith harmony. It has a mosque and a church on its premises, and the call for prayer and church bells chime side by side. Sidra Mashee has been working in the …

Son of Pakistan’s first flag-maker wants father recognised

Master Altaf Hussain also made clothes for the nation’s founding father and took part in liberation movement As any soldier who needs a new uniform knows, tailors form a critical part of any military campaign or liberation movement. But Master Altaf Hussain, a key figure of the Pakistan Freedom Movement, which gave birth to the …

The shawl weavers of Pakistan: Keeping alive a dying art

Blatant exploitation by middlemen may force these traditional artisans out of business Twenty dirhams. That is all a weaver makes from two days of back-breaking effort to produce some of the most beautiful handmade shawls in the world. It is hard for Mahmoud Khan, 65, and his brother Ahmad Khan, 75, to make ends meet …

‘Women see me as their voice when in trouble’

Sarim Burney’s trust gives shelter for victims of domestic violence, abuse in Pakistan Sarim Burney started human rights work at an early age. At 20, the Pakistani activist was already involved in social work and the suffering he saw inspired him to form a trust for the upliftment of the downtrodden. Over the years he …

We will make Pakistan polio-free

Aziz Memon travels and meets tribal leaders to dispel myths surrounding the crippling childhood disease Aziz Memon, a leading Pakistani businessman, is on a mission to help rid the country of polio. As national chair of Rotary International Polio Plus’s programme in Pakistan, the 70-year-old travels to far flung areas of the country to organise …

Mindset on educating girls needs to change

Taliban are not against education of girls, activist says Deep in the tribal areas of Pakistan, women are typically deprived of education and families don’t value girls’ education as they do that of boys. This is what pushed activist Raina Gul to launch an organisation that promotes education and healthcare for girls in Bajur Agency, …

Quacks make killing with ‘cheap cures’

Pakistan Government is keen to get rid of this menace, official says A common practice in Pakistan is to go to the quacks for medication rather than a qualified physician. Subsequently the results of such treatments are devastating, because these so-called experts sitting on the pavements create havoc for patients. According to the facts and …

Jakarta street artists mesmerise visitors

Tourists in Indonesia are flocking to see the roadside performers of Al Fatahillah square As a tourist in Indonesia, you cannot afford to miss the Al Fatahillah square, old town, central Jakarta. The square is the most historic place in the city. The place is getting more popular each day due to the increasing trend …

Ostrich farming on the rise

Number of farms is growing as consumers are looking for cheaper sources of meat With a taste for juicy steaks and roasted chicken legs, the meat demand in Pakistan has always been higher than supply. Most of this is fulfilled by poultry meat (broiler), mutton and beef. However, tapping into the demand for meat, some …