Light Within

Reviving the Lahore Chapter of 55 PMA
Wednesday, 29 October 2025

For the past two years, the Lahore Chapter of 55 PMA had been facing challenges that disrupted its usual rhythm. Traditional gatherings faded, and the vibrant community spirit we all cherished began to wane. This decline was keenly felt, even at the central level.

Taking the initiative, our big brother Asif, along with Ikram, stepped up to organize a heartfelt get-together at Lahore Greens. They used both 'tact and persuasiveness', as noted by Tariq Fazal. The response was overwhelming, almost every member attended, many accompanied, reigniting the sense of camaraderie (sons of Alizai and Waqar added to this sense).

The event was more than a reunion; it was a moment of gratitude. A big note of thanks and admiration went to Zahir and Athar, who had tirelessly conducted course events over the years with exceptional dedication and finesse. Their leadership set a gold standard that inspired us all.

The core purpose, however, was transition. It was time to hand over the baton to a new group of volunteers capable of upholding, and ideally elevating, the chapter’s legacy.

As Baqar aptly put it, "We must also thank Saleem Sarwar, Akbar Ali, and Tasawar for accepting the responsibility. I wish them great success in their new roles, something many of us had turned our eyes away from.”

With fresh leadership in place, the Lahore Chapter is poised for a strong comeback. Here’s to renewed energy, active participation, and traditions that will thrive once again.

Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, October 29, 2025, ,

Almost famous
Monday, 20 October 2025

Labels: About, Urdu Blogs

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, October 20, 2025, ,

Bravo Breakfast Bash
Saturday, 18 October 2025

Jamil Bravo (Canada Waley) is back in Pakistan, and oh, what a heartwarming sight, after half a century of unforgettable associations — through the highs, the lows, the laughter, and the tears that bound us like family — today, a cherished piece of the Lahore Chapter 55 PMA Long Course reunited at Bundu Khan, Liberty Branch (now in its new spot).

Someone wisely whispered, "Gathering here at 8:00 AM, given our age? That's a true blessing we must cherish with grateful hearts."

Khalid Javed, our steadfast hero, pulled off the magic: Younis, Mujeeb, Mahmood, Haider Raza, Chaudhry Fazal, Nauman, Tassawar, and yours truly, together for a sumptuous breakfast overflowing with updates, stories, and that irreplaceable warmth of 50 years woven into every bite and every word.

A massive, emotional thank you to Khalid Javed — you've kept the flame alive.

I must say, though, ‘with tears in my eyes,’ the Lahore Chapter once reigned supreme in welcoming every guest and celebrating every milestone with unmatched joy. But since Zahir Khan and Muhammad Athar stepped away, things just... aren't the same.

Here's to more mornings like this, holding onto our golden past.

Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, October 18, 2025, ,

Chillianwala Chase
Saturday, 11 October 2025

To-ing and fro-ing, at times zigzagging, in Punjab introduces wonders and legions of what may be called the middle ground of cultural fusion of the present Punjab. The area is a gold mine for history seekers, and spiritual and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people.

People of the area are eager to help “at their own expense – when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer ‘guides’ who are forthcoming with a wealth of information. Chillianwala is a historic village that played an important role in the history of South Asia. It was a battleground where British and Sikh forces fought one of the decisive battles in the history of the Subcontinent in 1849. The quiet village has not changed much since then. Only slowly old agricultural methods are changing and tractors and wheat threshers are seen in place of bull-driven ploughs. Painted double-story houses are coming up where used to be conventional mud houses. The land is excellent with record carrying capacity and the display of seasonal crops is very powerful.

Labels: Chillianwala, History, Travel

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, October 11, 2025, ,

Chaudhry Norbert Pintsch
Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka - a cluster of mud and brick houses - looks like any typical Pakistani village. The fact is that awareness, community work and use of appropriate technology has changed the village all together. Influence from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought by use of appropriate technology can be seen in the village together.

The toys and handicrafts made in the village are on display in international museums, prestigious galleries and showrooms in Pakistan and abroad. Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) got an international fame when village project Thatta Kedona (meaning toy from Thatta) was selected as one of the 767 worldwide projects presented in the "Themepark" at global expo in Hannover (Germany) as an example of thinking of twenty first century. The toys and handicrafts from TGD show how culture goes beyond simple work of art and becomes collaboration among applied and natural sciences as well as other forces that affect our lives.

Thatta Kedona is a project, first of its kind, in rural area where handmade quality toys are crafted using all indigenous materials and traditional designs based on cultural and folklore themes. The workmanship of the dolls and toys has acclaimed international recognition through their participation in numerous international events, exhibitions, fairs and displays. These toys are the embodiment of dreams, hopes and most of all self-reliance of the hands, which breathe a part of their own soul into them.

Labels: Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, September 24, 2025, ,

Deals in dinning
Monday, 22 September 2025

Gowalmandi Food and Heritage Street has become an enriching experience in Lahore. It is a wonder what a few million rupees spent on the renovation of built heritage with balconies and angular projections lining the street some years ago have done to the ambience of the street. Lahorites have already (and justifiably) stated comparing it with lanes in Rome, Paris and Athens. More so during Jashn-e-Baharan.

Sizzling spicy foods on display in Gowalmandi reminds of what Vasco de Gama shouted after setting his foot on South Asian soils on the dawn of May 21, 1498, "For Christ and spices!" No data for consumption of spices in Gowalmandi Food Street are available but a proprietor of one of the biggest shops in the street told, "On the average I sell about 120 Kilograms mutton and over 40 kilograms of chicken every day. People prefer to eat mutton karahi and chicken barbecued. A milk shop proprietor said, "My daily milk consumption - in the form of chilled milk, yogurt, Kheer, khoya, lassi -- is over 2000 kilograms."

Labels: Food Street, Heritage, Lahore

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, September 22, 2025, ,

رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
Friday, 22 August 2025

My Father Syed Rehmat Shah Shirazi: - 22 August 1986

My Mother Syeda Munir Fatima - 27 Rajab

Labels: Abu, Ami, Anniversaries, Parents

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 22, 2025, ,

Arba'in
Monday, 18 August 2025

For Shi’ite pilgrims in Iraq's deserts, suffering strengthens faith

Twelver Shiism – a branch of Islam that serves both as a spiritual and political force in Iran and beyond

Labels: Arba'in

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, August 18, 2025, ,

Garam Chashma
Sunday, 3 August 2025

Some places are so idyllic and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such place is picturesque, tranquil and pollution free town Garam Chashma (meaning hot spring) in at the edge district Chitral. The very sound of it is (sort of) strategic - the role Garam Chashma played during Russian occupation in Afghanistan not very long ago. The town is located on the bank of a turbulent torrent known as Luthko Gol that is full of trout; about two hours drive from Chitral City.

As the Fokker Friendship hovers over Chitral before committing to landing, one can see the beautiful sights through window of small aircraft: red roof houses dotted on the hill contours, alpine trees, and fruit orchards. Chitral airport is built in one of the serene gorges of the River Kunar. I stayed at the deepest place in district Chitral known as Mir Khanni - over seventy kilometers from Chitral. As per the plans that I had made to see different sights in Chitral valley during free brakes in the schedule of my assignment, I boarded a passenger Mazda that was ready to go to Garam Chashma right from the airport early one April morning.

Labels: Chitral, Garam Chashma, Travel

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, August 03, 2025, ,