Interview with Blogger Nabeel Zafar
By The Pakistani Spectator • Jun 18th, 2009 • Category: Interviews • 7 CommentsHas it ever happened to you that when you visit a city and think about food, a blank space floats in front of your eyes. Or that after coming back from a visit when your friends n family ask, “did you taste the famous food of place you just visited”, and again… a blank face. If so, then this blog will help you to avoid this situation and if not, even then this site will help you equally. So keep visiting and… ENJOY !!!
OK OK this site has another aspect too, it has a description about famous places which must be visited if you are nearby them.
Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
Money.
I’ll be straight forward. I’ve decided to blog to earn from it.
I attended a seminar in LUMS which was organized by Mr. Badar Khushnod of Google Inc. on a topic: How to earn from blog? Mr. Saad Hamid of http://sizlopedia.com told his success story that how he started from zero and now earn more than Rs. 400,000/- per month. That inspired me to start this blog to earn from it.
But I didn’t copy anyone and thought of my own specialty. What I love to do. I noticed that in a week I’ve more than 10 meals out of home. Secondly I love to travel so why not start a travel blog. That’s how the story begins…
However I have some other blogs which have different purposes like http://nabeelzafar.com is my personal blog where I write my own philosophies and how I think about certain things. Then http://majesticislam.com which I have started to spread the message of Islam, that it is a way of life.
What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
I’ve searched for Travel blog of Pakistan but I didn’t find any active blog on it except Mr. Shirazi’s http://doodhpatti.blogspot.com/ which is indeed a very informative blog.
But it is formal and lack pictures. So I decided to be casual and use my own taken pictures in each post. I try not to write about any place if I don’t have a picture of it.
Secondly I’ve not limited it to only formal restaurants like Nando’s Restaurant. I’ve decided to write on street food as well like Goga Nan Chanay of Model Town, Maulvi Ke Haleem of Mughalpura and so on… to give the true culture of Pakistan.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Truth.
Never to lie on anything has groomed my personality so much that I’m confident in doing anything. I try to learn from my mistakes rather hiding them behind the walls of lie.
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
My personal happiest moment was my marriage, almost four months back.
In perspective of my blog it is when my unique visitors jumped from average of 30 people to 126 and next day to 239 people. I don’t know what to do and I just yelled many times.
I always remain optimistic, I never mourn on my failure. Just think that How to make it right. Umm… I can’t remember any gloomiest moment right now.
Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
Yes indeed Urdu blogs are getting famous in Pakistan, even I’m converting my Political blog Politics Pakistan (http://politicspakistan.com) to bilingual (English and Urdu). But I can’t predict any time for its success because I believe no matter how much famous they become they can never replace or lean over blogs in English.
This is because of our education system in Pakistan, where our higher studies totally in English. Those who have studied totally in English are less likely to be attracted to Urdu blogs but I’ve seen its market in older people.
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?
1. Switzerland
2. Hawaii
3. Egypt
What is your favorite book and why?
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho
This author writes how I think and he writes on ‘fulfilling your dreams, no matter what it takes’
I mostly take part in outdoor activities and don’t have any interest in reading books but this book really caught my eyes and I was not able to put it down until I finished it.
In this book writer takes you to a journey of a boy who leaves everything he has, to fulfill his dream. He tells how important journey is to get to your destination and it is the journey which teaches us the most important lessons of our life.
What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Meal: As one’s exposure increases, his favorite changes.
I love to try new things and experience new food. It is hard to name out anyone because sometime same dish made by other people have different taste. But if I have to name one for the sake of question I’ll say, I prefer ‘Burgers’ as a meal.
Dress: In which I’m most relaxed. Ideal is casual, two pocket, elastic trouser and a T-shirt.
Sport: I’m a sporty person. Have a World Taekwondo Federation certified black belt, it’s a martial arts style. Then I like badminton, swimming, horse riding, football, basketball, hide & seek, Luddo, Monopoly, Stronghold, Age of Empires (last two are video games) and the list goes on.
Nowadays I am mainly interested in ‘Football’
Which are the top 3 places in Pakistan for honeymoon?
I’ve not been to many Northern parts of Pakistan which are considered the most romantic places of the country.
Other than that I would name one that is Murree, great weather, beautiful sights, have life, have market, have fun rides; chairlifts and much place to walk and roam in great atmosphere around. I call it Land in clouds.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Purity. How simple one talks.
Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
English blogs will remain on first position unless we change our education system like China or Japan or unless we start feeling proud to use our National language.
How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
First we should choose a small or a tiny market to write on. By covering everything we end up with nothing.
After reaching certain daily visitors use adds on blog. We can use Google Adds from the first day but after certain amount of visitors we can also market our blog to advertisers here in Pakistan. Like telecom companies are investing on Facebook, Google and other websites.
We are suppose to choose our advertisers according to our and their target market.
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?
Yeah I believe here in Pakistan only Geeks do blogging.
What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
There are already very few who are blogging and out of those few many don’t do it regularly.
It would be good if we choose a specific topic to write on instead of writing on everything. It would create a certain market and increase the traffic. Furthermore we should link each other’s blog to create a bigger Pakistani blogosphere.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
I’m not into Pakistani blogs much but nowadays I’m adding as many Pakistani blogs as I can.
Until now my favorites are http://blog.momekh.com/ and http://ultaseedha.com.pk/ but they both don’t write regularly. I wish to have more from them.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
http://ultaseedha.com.pk/ really impressed me at first sight. I like lively people with less formalities and good humor.
What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
People are so intense in their career planning that it becomes hard to think of any other thing. Only a specific class in Pakistan is blogging which I believe are mostly Geeks.
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
In start I’ve thought it would take a little time of my daily life. But it takes much more and dear ones often complains for not giving them much time.
What are your future plans?
My plan is to start multiple businesses and some new concept websites. It’s a secret so I’ll not disclose it here. Ooohh…
Follow my blog and you would get to know the changes along the way.
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I come to know a very easy and simple way to groom personality and attain success. Understand Quran and implement Islam in our daily life. No doubt that never ending life is more important than these 60 or 70 years one may have.
Nowadays I am creating a team for eatntravel.pk, and am looking for eaters and travelers from different parts of Pakistan. So those PakSpectator readers who eat and wander around contact me at nabeel@eatntravel.pk
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The Alchemist..ahan nice choice man, if you got this good reading taste I’m sure your Eating and traveling taste are also as much good.
I’m gonna follow your blog.
Thanks.
Nice bytes…
Dear Nabeel
Very inspiring and motivating. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Ashraf Chuadhry
CEO/Sales Trainer/Author of The Craft of Selling “YOURSELF”
Ashraf Chaudhry Associates
Very impressive, our young generation should have some kind of positive approach like Nabeel because its Pakistan desperate need at the moment .… Keep it up man, I will absolutely follow your blogs.
Pakistan Zendabad.
Shoaib Ghauri
Sales & Marketing Manager
INFOSEC Pakistan.
good job:)
I am quite flattered that you think of my blog as stunning. Thanks, Nabeel.
All the best with your blogging endeavours and future plans.