The Pakistani Spectator

A Candid Blog



Interview with Blogger Noor Muhammad

By The Pakistani Spectator • Mar 17th, 2009 • Category: Interviews • One Response

I was born and raised in Gulmit, 1983, a village in the Hunza Valley, close to Sino-Pak border. I studied at Gulmit, Gilgit city and Karachi, graduating in business administration. Currently, I am working for a MNC, in the communications department.

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

I belong to Gilgit - Baltistan region, the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In that region access to accurate and indepedent information remains limited due to, first, the unavailability of media and, second, state control over the limited news media present in the region .

So, what inspired me to create this blog was the desire to ensure availability of indepedent news pertaining to Gilgit - Baltistan in general and Hunza Valley in particular, originated by citizens, on voluntary basis. I was joined by Zulfiqar Ali Khan and others and today we are a team of more than fifty people, who contribute news through sms, phone calls, emails and other traditional sources.
We have created waves with our wordpress blog(Pamir Times)  , as manifested by 1500 average visit daily. It is a huge number for Gilgit - Baltistan where internet is not common yet and where the population is merely 1.5 million. We have approved over 6 000 comments on 975 posts since October 2007.

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

It is unique because it is the first and most visited community news blog of Gilgit - Baltistan.

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

Dedication to a clear and higher vision.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Happiest moment was when I won the “Outstanding Delegate Award” at the Asian International Model United Nation (AIMUN) held at Peiking Univeristy, China in March 2008.
Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?

Slowly and steadily Urdu blogs would become the norm in Pakistan.

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. Swtizerland 2. Egypt 3.Wakhan (Afghanistan)

What is your favorite book and why?

Blindness by José Saramago, the Portugese Nobel prize winner. It is a wonderful mix of satire, social philosohpy and suspense. A candid portrayal of basic human instinct, at the micro, meso and macro levels of socety.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

Biryani, casual, Polo

Which are the top 3 places in Pakistan for honeymoon?

Maree, Hunza, Kaghan

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

facial expressions

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

I don’t have an informed opinion on this question.

How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

There isn’t much of financial benefits in blogging. Maybe they can hook some sponsors by displaying their banners.

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?

I think it is not appropriate to tag all Pakistani bloggers under one trend. The blogosphere in Pakistan is as diverse as one’s imagination.

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

It is in the initial growth stage. It isn’t the most popular form of civic engagement, yet

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?

I like Pak Tea House and Pakistaniat.com. Contributors on these blogs are sane and entertaining.

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

not really.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

It is likely to grow with time.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

A nice question. It made me think. Since I started blogging a lot has changed in my life. I am now more informed and in light of current happenings in the region. I feel as if i have somehow become important for my society :)

What are your future plans?

Will continue writing blogs, be it a photoblog or a normal one. I will never be able to leave blogging. That is one think i am quite certain about.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
News blogs are different. They almost follow all norms, rules and etiquetes of ordinary journalism but you have to be more cautious because of the interactivity aspect. Superior vigilence skills, which can develop with experience, is call of the day, if you are into writing a news blog, as opposed to writing ‘commentaries’.

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One Response »

  1. Johann on March 19th, 2009 :

    welcome to TPS

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