The Pakistani Spectator

My name is Muhammad Ali Zia. I am 21 and I belong to Dera Ismail Khan. Currently I am pursuing a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from FAST national university and I blog in what little free time I have. I blog here.

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?

I have been trying my hand at writing for a long time. I started my blog because I wanted a proper platform to get my voice heard.

What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?

The content I believe, I write on topics that I want to explore.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Though I am yet nowhere near successful but I would like to think that the characteristic that would bring me success in life is my Passion.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

Happiest :- When my parents returned from Hajj last year and I saw them for the first time in 45 days.

Gloomiest:- The Death of my Maternal Grand Father, May he be Granted Jennah.

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?

Right now few people are able to write in Urdu using a computer due to the complicated typing system. Urdu blogging can only truly flourish if Urdu typing is made easier for an average computer user.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

Spain, Argentina and Brazil.

What is your favorite book and why?

I will Name Three.

Moth Smoke (Mohsin Hamid)

A Quiver Full Of Arrows (Jeffery Archer)

A Case Of Exploding Mangoes (Muhammad Hanif)

The writers of all three of these books are master story tellers with superb Command of the plot and exquisite writing styles.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

Pulao, Kurta Shalwar and Cricket of course!

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Eyes, they tell a lot!

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?

For the foreseeable future I don’t see Urdu blogs challenging English blogs in any significant way. However Things can change if more user friendly Urdu writing software are introduced to the general Public.

Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?

Up till now personal blogging was the dominant style among Pakistani bloggers and that is all about being self absorbed. But now many Pakistani bloggers are exploring new vistas, which is very heartening to me.

What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?

Pakistani blogosphere has come out of its infantile years and is now heading towards more mature prospects.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
Aadil Najam

Abbas Hussain

Teeth Maestro

Tazeen

Salacious Samosa

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?

Quite a few times actually, Abbas Hussain of Samandar e Be Maina has a knack of doing it rather frequently! J

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

With the advent of mobile blogging, a huge interest from the youth has been seen. Which is always a good benchmark for trying to predict the future, but this interest needs to be channelized in a proper direction if we want it to be sustainable in the future and overtime become a force to be reckoned with!

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Blogging has had a very positive impact on my life. Now I observe daily happenings around me with more attention to detail and try to see things from more than one angle.

What are your future plans?

I plan to finish my bachelors, pursue a Masters degree, keep blogging and maybe write a book one day.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Love,Cherish and Protect Pakistan!