Words talk

International Women’s day may be over but the conversation it started is not. That conversation is an opportunity to have that uncomfortable discussion that everyone avoids or hesitates to participate in fearing everything from being judged to being challenged on the status quo; that holds true both for men and women. But isn’t that the point? In a patriarchal society like Pakistan, its an even harder conversation to break; men don’t want to be labeled sexist and women don’t want to be labeled prejudiced. The underlying understanding, however, may even be the same at times. Although it is part of a much larger topic of ‘diversity and inclusion’ which is very close to my heart and people are generally more receptive to that over anything women... If I’d a dollar for every time someone told me I am wherever I am, is because I am a female, I would be a billionaire ( And I would move to Themyscira, for those of you who don't follow Marvel comics, google it). Me? who ...

“ICE-CREAM; we will pick you in fifteen- your treat” as soon as I read the message I started waiting for my friends. As planned we got to the ice-cream parlor and they got themselves the most expensive flavor. With each bite of the delicious swiss toblerone ice cream came an even yummier treat in form of gossips. From engagements to break ups, fights to make ups, classes to bunks we had discussed it all. There was silence for about five minutes in which we paid attention around; the waiter was flipping TV channels. One glimpse of the ‘Imran Khan’s tsunami’, as some newspaper named it, was sufficient to resume our chaffering. And not just us the 30 th October Imran Khan jalsa did get everyone’s attention for at least a few minutes, if not more. Now it was turn of politics in Pakistan to be canvassed. A friend: You know what our nation needs is a dictator, and an honest one. Not the one with a uniform. Everyone in our country has a god damn opinion. You ask twelve people even a simpl...