The Pakistani Spectator

I’m a 17 year old girl, soon to be 18.. Proud Pakistani, living in London, doing my a-levels at the moment.. you can find me here

Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
I often write poetry. I needed a place where i could post my poetry for others to see.That is how my blog came into exsistence. However, now it’s like a journal, where i can blabber about anything and everything..Be random, be insane and still make sense…
What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
I think all blogs are similar in one way or another. At the same time, they are all different too. I wouldnt be the right person to answer this. My readers would know it better, that why they choose to come back to visit my blog.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Faith. I strongly believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason. Even if something bad happens, its temporary. Something better always follows.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
It would be unfair to all the memories i have to label just one of them as the happiest or gloomiest moment. Every dark night is follwed by a dawn, a new day a new begining. All these new beginings consist of many dark nights, and many new dawns..

Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
I think this will happen as soon as people step out of their comfort zone, and decide to take interest in urdu blogs. Most people are not willing to go through the hassle of downloading the urdu font file just to blog. The scripts currently used are cumbersome and very difficult to read.

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?
I am a fan of extreme sports. I really want to try para-jumping and para sailing. So i’d really like to visit the Carribean, South America, and Russia(for the culture)
What is your favorite book and why?
I read a lot so it would be difficult to choose a particular one. Paulo coelho, and Khalid Hosseini are two of my favourtie authors amongst many others.Memoirs of a Giesha was an incredible book.

What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Daal Chawal. I love black lentils, with boiled rice and viengared onions. I could eat them every single day.
Favourite dress has to be my baggy lowers, and a t-shirt, double my size. They’re incredibly comfy…
Basketball and Football go side by side. Although the fact that i am crap at both of them is an entirely different thing.

Which are the top 3 places in Pakistan for honeymoon?
A beach hut in Gawadar
Kalam/Malam Jabbas/Shangrila Resort
Khaanispur(Nathiagali and further up)

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
If talking about them physically, it has to be their hair-style. Other than that, their randomness, common sense and attitude.

Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
I think the future is very bright for both of them. Urdu blogs however need to be publicized more.
How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Most bloggers dont blog to benefit financially from it. It’s just an online journal or a platform for them to type out their thoughts. However,advertising for products etc is a common method of earning money.

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 disagree with this statement. There are a lot of pakistani bloggers out there, who very rarely write about themselves. Most of their posts are about random things that an ordinary person can relate to. 
What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
Pakistani blogosphere is at a take-off stage at the moment. It is currently progressing, and on its way to the top.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
http://smacula.blogspot.com/
http://ubeee.blogspot.com/
http://2short2sweet.blogspot.com/
http://uglyduckling91.blogspot.com/
http://poisonedapple08.blogspot.com/

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
There are many unique blogs out there, some discovered and some undiscovered.
http://pakistaniat.com and
www.Dufferistan.com are two blogs that i think are very unique.

What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Blogging has become very popular in Pakistan and the future looks very bright for it. I think with time, it will become as strong as any other media, such as newspapers, television etc.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I have met a lot of new people through my blogging life.These people have made me a better person, and taught me a lot of new things…

What are your future plans?
I dont like planning till the end. At the moment i just have the next couple of years planned out. I hope to finish off my a-levels, get a degree from SOAS (london) or LUMS(pakistan)in economics and politics and eventually move back to Pakistan within the next 3-4 years..The rest is still undecided…

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Be proud to be called a Pakistani. No matter where you are, you’re representing your country. Pakistan in an amazing country, with a rich history and bright future. Ups and downs are part of the ladder, which leads to this bright future. It is on all of us, to make this future bright.