Pakistani institutions and departments providing the worst customer care services

4 May 2012 Leave a comment

Today I am sharing my own incident that made me highly upset. From reading this one can understand the level of mental torture being given to you if you ever experience any customer service from any institution of Pakistan.
I have a bank account in Lahore, Pakistan with Bank Al Habib for last many years. As I live in Australia my family uses the ATM card of the account for drawing money that I send them from Australia. Unfortunately one of my family members entered wrong pin number by mistake and the card got blocked for usage. I contacted their helpline immediately. I got surprised that when they refused to help me and made an excuse that I had to update my calling number with the branch where I had the account. I assured them that I was ready to answer all secret/verification questions, but they refused.
Then I contacted the branch and they advised me to send a signed letter with my new number on that. I sent the letter and provided my two cell numbers on that. I identified them as Primary Number and secondary ones. After 3 days as per their advice, I called again on their helpline from my Primary Number. But to my surprise they did not have that in their record. They asked me to call from my secondary number, which is a plan number and its very expensive to call from that one. I requested them again and again but all in vain.
I had to call from that number and was put in waiting for more than 5 minutes to get transferred. When I verified all things including Bank A/c number, the representative asked me to provide ATM card number, which I could not remember. He refused to help me out, although I had fulfilled all other requirements. Such a pathetic service this bank provides to the loyal overseas customers.
My wife then called my father from other (primary number) and got card number. Then I could activate it. There were around PKR 10,000 in my account at the moment….but due to the great service I spent more than 2300 PKR (AUD 25) for just a little thing. I am sorry but I am highly disturbed and I decided not to send a single penny into this account in the future.
I wish they could learn public service from Australian banks which provide every possible assistance just after verifying your full name, address and date of birth. In Australia institutions give value to their relationship with their clients and they give you tailored solutions meeting your requirements. Whereas in Pakistan they treat clients in a very insulting manner, without listening to their problems.

Filed under Art & Culture, Australia, Pakistan

Book review: ‘Word and Vision’ by Sultan Khilji

29 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

Word and Vision by Sultan Khilji

Behind This Door

Behind this door

That never did open

Lay my tended garden,

No one ever did explore.

 

Sunflowers, daisies, and roses,

All colors kept alive & bright

By the springs that flow,

With waters sweet, reflecting light.

 

Many came; some returned,

Thinking it was locked;

Some stayed and looked around,

Yet never found a key.

 

Funny how they now complain

When they could’ve knocked.

Or just asked me?

This beautiful poem is one of the 26 masterpieces written by Lahore based Sultan Khilji. Each of the poems is accompanied by a beautiful painting. Mastermind behind the impressive art work is also Sultan Khilji, an architect by qualification and an NGO executive by profession. I know Sultan since our childhood as we share beautiful memories spanned over many years. Both our fathers were professors at Engineering University, Lahore.

Sultan has come up with thought provoking words. Once you read any of his poem and have a deep look into the accompanied artwork, you feel amazed. He has touched strings of life quite impressively. Sultan’s book is published by Syncronis Publishing, Portland, OR, USA. Indeed it is a great honor for Sultan and his family that the book has been reviewed by well acclaimed literary personalities from USA, Canada, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. They have highly appreciated his vision, conceptualisation and powerful writing skills. The book is available online on Amazon website for sale. I recommend readers to purchase this book at their earliest.

I would like to congratulate Sultan and his family on this great achievement and wish him a great success in his future endeavours.

Filed under Art & Culture, Life, Pakistan

Supreme Court issues historical verdict in Gilani’s contempt of court case

27 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

Yesterday (26th April 2012) was a memorable day in the political history of Pakistan. Seven-member bench of the most prestigious court of Pakistan announced its decision on ‘contempt of court’ case filed against the Prime Minister Gilani. The court had been hearing to this crucial case for more than 3 months. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was ordered by the Supreme Court to write letter to the Swiss courts for seizing President Zardari’s bank accounts where millions of dollars had been shifted illegally from Pakistan, which was state’s money. Yousaf Raza Gilani refused writing the letter to the Swiss courts by taking view that no such action could be taken against the sitting President as per the constitution of Pakistan.

Yesterday leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party had a view in their mindset that Gilani would be given some punishment by the court as his lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan completely failed in convincing the judges that his client was innocent. However PPP leaders had planned to use the anticipated high level punishment as a card for the upcoming election. On the other side honourable judges were also very well aware of the politics taking place around this case. They gave a golden verdict, in which Gilani was declared as a convict and he was ordered to remain standing till the ending of court’s session. Nobody was expecting such decision. By this Supreme Court destroyed PPP’s plans completely. The decision also marked a memorable defeat of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, who had gained lot of respect during the restoration movement of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

I congratulate the honourable judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, who once again taught PPP a great lesson and didn’t provide them the opportunity to become innocent in the eyes of Pakistani citizens.

Filed under Environment, Life, Pakistan

A beautiful Qawali evening with Ustad Tahir Hussain Qawal

18 Apr 2012 2 Comments

Dosti Multicultural Arts, in collaboration with Multiface Media (MFM) and Noman Ahemd Zaka, arranged a spectacular Qawali evening at ‘Cheema Da Dhaba’ restaurant in Granville, Sydney on Saturday, 14th of April 2012. US based revert Muslim Qawal Ustad Tahir Hussain was invited for performing live in front of Sydney-siders.

Tahir Hussain is a big fan of late Pakistan music maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. 15 years back this young American listened to Nusrat’s qawalis and he embraced Islam after falling in love with the kalaam’s of Baba Bulhay Shah, Waris Shah, Baba Fareed and other Sufi saints. Soon after his conversion, he started learning classical music from Pakistan. Not only this, he also learnt reading, writing and speaking Urdu language. Studying under vocal masters from Pakistan and India like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Pashupati Nath Mishra, Sher Ali Khan, Muazzum Qawwal and various others Tahir embodies the potency of ecstatic devotion.

He has been performing in USA, Pakistan and India for a long time. However it was his first chance to sing in Australia, where there is a great audience who understand Sufi music and qawalis. All his musicians and back vocalists (ہمنوا) were his Sydney-sider students. They included Barbie (female co-vocalist), Kuldip Kumar, Raam Laal and Noman Ahmed (back vocalists), Autar Aziz (harmonium player) and Yama (tabla and dholak player).

Quite a good number of audience was there to attend this programme. Most impressive point was that there were more than 10 guests from English speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand, China, USA and UK). Ustad and his team sang about 20 songs (qawalis and ghazals) in Urdu and Punjabi languages that were highly appreciated by the listeners. Best songs were ‘Allah Hoo’, ‘Saansoun Ki Maala’, ‘Dulhay Ka Sehera’, ‘Pak Pattan Te’ and ‘Dum Mast Qalander’. Ustad Tahir and Barbie sang quite difficult Punjabi songs amazingly perfect even they are from English background. Their command on notes and pitch was just perfect.

During the 30 minute break, all the guests were served with very delicious Pakistani cuisine. Programme started at 7:30 pm and winded up at 11:00 pm. Zahid Minhas, Manager Dosti Multicultral Arts, hosted the function. Noman, Javed Iqbal, Shayan, Adeel, Ajay Gosh (MFM) and Charlotte managed the event remarkably. Solicitor Ejaz Khan, Mr. & Mrs. Atiq Ul Hassan, Zafar Islam Khan (Mahi Arts and Culture) and PTI president Mahmood Ahmed Chadhar graced the event with their presence.

Zahid minhas of Dosti Multicultural Arts would like to thank the sponsors for the event that included Rana Motors (Campsie), Taxi Australia, Eftpos, SIS Security, Money express, and the media partners (Radio Dosti – 88.5 FM, Indoaus Times, Apna Punjab TV, Raio Jharoka – 88.9FM, Sadaewatan Sydney, Saaz-o-Awaz, Radio 2000) and Sada-e-Shahid (http://sheddy73.com).

Announcement: Australia based Pakistani organisation Auspak is arranging Sufi Night with Ustad Tahir Hussain Qawal on 21st April 2012 at Warwick Farm Centre, Sydney. Time is 1800 hrs sharp.

Filed under Art & Culture, Australia, Islam, Pakistan

PTI Pakistan Day Function in Sydney

9 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Australia chapter organised a special evening in Sydney on 8th of April 2012 for celebrating the Pakistan Day (23 March 1940). It was my first chance to attend a PTI program after joining them formally. Program was anchored by the versatile compere Mr. Salik Hameed Khawaja, who used very meaningful verses from Urdu poetry throughout his compering.

Program started around 5:30 pm. PTI Executive Committee member Mr. Farhan Arif recited few ayats from Surah Yaseen. Later a young student Ansar presented Naat (praise of Prophet Muhammad PBUH). Then Shahid Javed (myself) played the beautiful videos of Pakistani and Australian national anthems on the multimedia screen. After the anthems, Ms. Sarwat Hassan was called onto the stage who presented a very impressive English presentation on the importance of Pakistan Day.

Eng. Shahid Javed with Eng. Nasir A. Karim (Canberra)

Crowd was now waiting for some sort of entertainment. Team Dosti Manager Zahid Minhas invited Shahid Javed (myself) and Shayan Rafique onto the stage. Shayan was the singer and Shahid was on the workstation. They sang a modified version of evergreen national song “Mein Bhi Pakistan Huun (میں بھی پاکستان ہوں)”. Song received high response from the crowd. After that PTI Australia President came onto the stage. He highlighted the efforts of Imran Khan and his team (PTI) in bringing the country back to the track which was paved by the founder Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Following him Mr. Waqas Basheer, member PTI Executive Committee presented the slides based journey of PTI, in which Imran Khan’s various interviewsand large gatherings were shown on screen.

Audience enjoying the program

The presentation was followed by the dinner break. Very delicious food was provided by the Himalaya Restaurant (the venue). After the break Sydney based Pakistani mimickers Farjad Mehmood and Khurram Qaiser presented a beautiful comedy skit, which was highly appreciated by the audience. Then a female singer Mehreen Javed sang Junoon’s famous national song “Jazba Junoon (جذبہ جنون)”. She also sang two more songs “Mahia (ماہیا)” and “Boohay Baariaan (بوہے باریاں)”. After her songs Sydney based famous Pakistani journalist Mr. Ateeq-ul-Hassan spoke to the audience about the concept of two-nation theory. He also assured his full support to PTI. Later Sydney based Pakistani solicitor Mr. Ijaz Khan was invited to the stage. He also gave a very good speech in which he highlighted the importance of unity and punctuality in our community. He assured his full support to PTI as well.

Solicitor Ijaz Khan addressing to the audience

Then Shahid and Shayan once again came for performing and they performed very popular song of Strings “Mein Tou Daikhuun Ga (میں تو دیکھوں گا)”. Then they sang a beautiful medley of Alamgir’s very popular songs “Deikha Na Tha (دیکھا نہ تھا)” and “Ko Ko Koreina (کو کو کورینا)”. Crowd sang the song with them. After these songs, President of SOS Pakistan Ms. Rachel Cruz informed about the SOS efforts in Pakistan for helping the deprived children. After this informative speech, Team Dosti Manager, Mr. Zahid Minhas invited Noman Ahmed Zaka who sang “Allah Hoo” without any music and cast a spell with his beautiful grip on the difficult notes. Shahid and Shayan provided him backvocals for this beautiful sufi melody. Later Shahid and Shayan were invited once again on the stage. They sang Najam Sheraz’s super hit song “In Se Nain (ان سے نین)”. By this this beautiful evening reached its ending.

Shayan singing "Mein Bhi Pakistan Huun"

Mehreen singing "Mahia"

I (Shahid Javed) playing and singing "In Se Nain"

The event could be regarded as a good effort of PTI Australia. However this time number of guests was less than the 14th August 2011 event. This could be mainly because of the reason that the function was organised on Easter day, and many families were outside Sydney for enjoying 4 day long Easter weekend.

Filed under Art & Culture, Australia, Environment, Pakistan

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Concert in Sydney

25 Mar 2012 6 Comments

It was a beautiful Saturday evening (24th of March 2012) in Sydney. I reached Darling Harbour Sydney for attending ‘Return of the King’ concert. Around 3,500 people were present there for listening to the wonderful eastern music (qawali’s, ghazals and film songs) live from this legendary Pakistani singer. Most of the people were the Indians. However a large number of Pakistani and Fijian expatriates were also present there.

Sydney Concert

Sydney Convention Centre has the biggest auditorium with a capacity of about 3,500 people. Red Chillies Entertainment were the organisers of this mega event. It is a true face that all tickets were sold out two weeks before the concert. The stage was beautifully decorated and three large LCD screens were installed for providing clear vision of the performers. Programme was due to start at 7:30 pm, yet it started 30 minutes later than the scheduled time. In the beginning, three Sydney-sider artists in the form of a group played a beautiful instrumental using Tabla, a Norwegian instrument and Australian aboriginal instrument didgeridoo. They got a lot of applause from the audience.

Then the time came for which every single person was waiting anxiously. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s team came up to the stage, comprising of 9 musicians and 6 back-vocalists (for qawali). They played instrumental of Ustad’s super hit Punjabi song ‘Mein Tainu Samjhawaan Ki’ (میں تینوں سمجھاواں کی). Rashid Ali Khan played the lead tone on Saxophone and created a spell on the audience sitting in the jam packed hall. After this Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan rose up to the stage. Crowd gave him a great welcome with a large applause. He sang 22 songs altogether which are listed below:

1 Allah Hoo (اللہ ہو)
2 Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein (تم جو آئے زندگی میں)
3 Kaisa Ye Ishq Hay (کیسا یہ عشق ہے)
4 Aj Din Charrhya (اج دن چڑھیا)
5 Sureeli Akheeoun Waley (سریلی اکھیوں والے)
6 Chahat – new song (چاہت)
7 Tumhayn Dil Lagi (تمہیں دل لگی بھول جانی پڑے گی)
8 Dil Kho Gaya (دل کھو گیا)
9 O Re Piya (او رے پیا)
10 Akhiyaan Udeek Diyaan (اکھیاں اڈیک دیاں)
11 Sajda (سجدہ)
12 Mayn Tainuun Samjhawaan Ki (میں تینوں سمجھاواں کی)
13 Tujhay Dekh Dekh Sona (تجھے دیکھ دیکھ سونا)
14 Ye Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hay (یہ جو ہلکا ہلکا سرور ہے)
15 Meyn Jahaan Rahuun (میں جہاں رہوں)
16 Dil Tou Bacha Hai Ji (دل تو بچہ ہے)
17 Nainoun Ki Mut Maanio Re (نینوں کی مت مانیو رے)
18 Mastt Nazroun Se Allah (مست نظروں سے اللہ بچائے)
19 Afreen Afreen (آفریں، آفریں)
20 Teray Mastt Mastt Dou Nain (تیرے مست مست دو نین)
21 Teri Meri, Meri Teri (تیری میری، میری تیری)
22 Dum Mastt Qalandar (دم مست قلندر)

Beautiful Auditorium of Sydney Convention Centre before the start of concert

Crowd enjoyed his performance a lot. All his musicians and supporting back-vocalists also gave their best performances. Programme continued till 1:00 am.  At the end, organisers thanked Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and all the audience who made this event a memorable one.

Listening live to this great artist of Pakistan was a wonderful experience for me and I must say that Rahat is the pride and recognition of Pakistan all over the world.

LONG LIVE PAKISTAN!

Filed under Art & Culture, Australia, Love, Pakistan, Shahid Javed

No ‘VIP’ culture in Australia

15 Mar 2012 3 Comments

Its 2012….. but in Pakistan it is a common road scene that hundreds of vehicles are held for long time by the traffic police just for making sure that a VIP’s convey passes without a single second of delay. Unfortunately many times ambulances carrying serious patients get stuck which sometime results in the unforeseen causalities.

In Australia there is no concept of any VIP culture. Here even the richest people have to obey the law in the same way like a common man does. On the petrol stations, owners/drivers of the vehicles fill fuel in their car themselves and then pay the required amount by waiting in queues. Even police cops follow the same discipline. Nobody cares about the brand or model of others’ cars. This is the reason Australian society is free from any classification based on financial statuses. All type of people travel in public transport as parking is not available in the CBD’s.

I wish our beloved Pakistanis can change their mind and treat everyone in the same way…..

Filed under Australia, Environment, Life, Love, Pakistan

A beautiful Ghazal evening in Sydney by Mahi Arts and Culture

26 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

Mr. Zafar Islam Khan is a prominent Sydneysider from Pakistani community. He is General Secretary of Urdu Society of Australia. He always shows great interests in promoting Pakistani artists in Australian Indo-Pak community. Few months back Mr. & Mrs. Khan formed an organisation Mahi Arts and Culture (MAAC) for promoting Pakistani culture in Australia. On 3rd March they arranged their first programme ‘Gala of Ghazals’ in Sydney. Renowned Ghazal Singer Ustad Ghulam Abbas especially flew to Australia for performing in MAAC programme. Two more concerts will take place in Brisbane and Canberra on 2nd and 3rd March respectively.

Beautifully decorated C3 Convention Centre, Silverwater was the venue. Consulate General of Pakistan in Sydney, Mr. Azam Muhammad graced the occasion with his presence. Famous Pakistani TV actress Madam Uzma Gilani also attended the concert. Show started with the performance of local artist Mr. Riaz Shah, who sang 3 songs of Muhammad Rafi. Rehan Alvi anchored the show. Ustad Ghulam Abbas started his performance by singing  beautiful melody ‘Shah-e-Madina’, which is a religious kalam. After that he sang variety of popular songs from his own compositions, which included songs like ‘Dil Mein Ik Leher’, ‘Bersaat Ke Mausam Mein’, ‘Zindagi Ki Duaa Naa Dee Jaaye’ (written by Zafar Khan) . He also sang Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali’s song ‘Sunn Charkhay Dee Mithee Mithee Kook’ and ‘Mein Nay Roka Bhi Naheen’. Show ended with the dhamal song ‘Laal Meri Patt’. Audience appreciated the artists by huge applause. Guitarist Ishtiaq and local musician Zulfiquar on Tabla and two others on keyboards and dholak respectively played beautifully.

Noman Ahmed designed the digital advertisements for the event. Taj Mahal Events Management designed the stage beautifully. Shahid Javed (myself) facilitated the organisers by providing photographic facilities. Event was a memorable one and I must say that there is nothing more pure in music than eastern music.

Filed under Art & Culture, Australia, Lollywood, Pakistan

Pakistani nation getting frustrated on extra slow action of Supreme Court against PM Gilani

14 Feb 2012 1 Comment

Contempt case is in the final stages in Supreme Court these days. Prime Minister Gilani was yesterday told by the Supreme Court, in his presence that he stood accused in this case as he intentionally ignored Court’s orders for writing the letter to the Swiss banks for cooperating in the money laundering case against President Zardari. Now the Prime Minister of Pakistan has been indicted in contempt of court case.

However once again Supreme Court postponed the hearing of this case till 22nd of February 2012. This has created frustration in Pakistani nation who wants immediate decision on this historic case. Common man is already depressed because of the prevailing issues in Pakistan. Famous lawyer and politician Aitzaz Ahsan already defamed himself by offering his advocacy services to Prime Minister Gilani in this case. People now want culprits to be punished, otherwise they will lose their hope in the system.

Filed under Environment, Faith & Religion, Pakistan

Arfa Karim – a great daughter of Pakistan

17 Jan 2012 1 Comment

Few days back I had no knowledge about Arfa Karim, a young  Pakistani girl who became world’s youngest Microsoft certified Professional in the age of nine in 2004. She was  invited to USA by Microsoft founder Mr. Bill Gates, who met her in person for 10 minutes. I came to know about this great girl in January 2012 through Pakistani newspapers who were mentioning her admission into the hospital after a sudden attack of epilepsy.

Soon after the attack she went into coma. Her father Colonel (R) Amjad Karim Randhawa immediately got her admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore. All government officials took great interest in her treatment. Bill Gates also remained in touch with Arfa’s family during her treatment. Doctors tried their best to save the brightest daughter of Pakistan. But……………………

Saturday 14th January brought a depressing news that Arfa was no more. This was the news that put whole country in severe grief. Allah has His own will that we cannot understand. Arfa’s news got the maximum importance on Facebook as well. People were sharing condolence messages on this heart breaking news. Next day, her funeral prayer was offered at Cavalry Ground, Lahore. It was attended by thousands of people from different walks of life. Her coffin was covered with a big Pakistani flag. Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif especially attended the prayer. He later announced to lable Lahore Information Technology Park as ‘Arfa Information Technology Park’. Arfa’s dead body was later taken to her village Raam Diwali near Faisalabad for burial.

ہزاروں سال نرگس اپنی بے نوری پہ روتی ہے

بڑی مشکل سے ہوتا ہے چمن میں دیدہ ور پیدا

All Pakistan is still in deep shock on this young death. However Arfa will be remembered forever. Her parents are really lucky who were blessed with such an intelligent daughter who proved herself in front of whole world and brought up the image of Pakistan. We as Pakistanis salute Arfa Karim and pray to Allah SWT to be kind with her noble soul. Amin!

Filed under Faith & Religion, Life, Majid Javed, Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, Shahid Javed

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