| As you can see for yourself, the role of a writer is supposed to be bigger than the writer’ s size – and perhaps larger than life. That is why, writing is considered a challenge: to pick a pen up and then jot something down. I am a free lance writer and I have been contributing weekly columns to various English dailies of Pakistan since 2004. I consider writing on the current affairs of Pakistan a healthy diversion from my field of medicine, though writing is a part of the research which I undertake in the field of autoimmunity (immunology). To write on the political issues of Pakistan is a fascinating practice and of course a demanding one. The readers of my columns are in a better position to decide if I am up to the task (say, yes). So, the comments of and the feedback from the readers are a treasure for me. Nevertheless, I hope that no one will be intrigued by the words ‘a few words’ because these words constitute the title of my column. |
Can one be obsessed by writing is the question the answer to which I am looking for at
the moment. For me, writing is a method of catharsis, or perhaps self-expression. I don't
claim to be an analytical writer but a critic one at least. My prism of criticism avoids
pessimism deliberately – call it instinctively – and focuses on optimism. The latter one
springs from the belief that the world is meant for ‘get going’ and not for ‘hold on’ – the
concept dearer to me, undoubtedly an inspirational one. This is the idea around which
my articles revolve – and evolve, of course.
Some readers find a conservative Pakistani in me who is surgically incising system,
institutions, politicians and what not – include issues as well. Perhaps, they don't know
how much deeply inspired I am by the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He founded Pakistan for the betterment of the common and
downtrodden Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. The people were even unable to
comprehend the Quaid's words which he used to speak in the English language to
deliver his message while addressing to them. I am appreciative of that bond of trust
and bent on keeping that spirit alive. Had there been no Jinnah, there would have been
no Pakistan. My idea is, people's hope for something better in this country should be
kept alive.
the moment. For me, writing is a method of catharsis, or perhaps self-expression. I don't
claim to be an analytical writer but a critic one at least. My prism of criticism avoids
pessimism deliberately – call it instinctively – and focuses on optimism. The latter one
springs from the belief that the world is meant for ‘get going’ and not for ‘hold on’ – the
concept dearer to me, undoubtedly an inspirational one. This is the idea around which
my articles revolve – and evolve, of course.
Some readers find a conservative Pakistani in me who is surgically incising system,
institutions, politicians and what not – include issues as well. Perhaps, they don't know
how much deeply inspired I am by the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He founded Pakistan for the betterment of the common and
downtrodden Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. The people were even unable to
comprehend the Quaid's words which he used to speak in the English language to
deliver his message while addressing to them. I am appreciative of that bond of trust
and bent on keeping that spirit alive. Had there been no Jinnah, there would have been
no Pakistan. My idea is, people's hope for something better in this country should be
kept alive.
Authoring
Inspiration
| Authoring a weekly column is a novel fascinating experience of about 14 years. The journey of contributing columns to various English dailies of Pakistan commenced in 2004 at The Nation. Then, I contributed to The Post for a few months. My columns also appeared in Pakistan Observer every Wednesday and Saturday. I also wrote a weekly column for The Statesman and The Frontier Post for some months. In January 2011, I started contributing a weekly column to The News. From March 2017 to November 2017, I contributed a weekly column to the Pakistan Today. From November 2011 to February 2017, and then from September 2017 to April 2018, I contributed a weekly column to the Daily Times. After April 2018, newspapers refused to take up my articles under the pretext of self-imposed censorship. From June 2018 to December 2019, I contributed an opinion piece to a magazine, Weekly Cutting Edge. Currently, I am writing for an Australia-based research magazine, Future Directions International. |
Rejection
Some readers try to gauge the extent of the freedom of press in Pakistan on the
touchstone whether or not my columns are published/printed. Some consider that the
newspapers that take up my columns run a great risk of being closed down. Some still
guess that these newspapers are comparatively independent of the government's
economic support (that comes through the quota of advertisements) and can brave
numerous sanctions.
touchstone whether or not my columns are published/printed. Some consider that the
newspapers that take up my columns run a great risk of being closed down. Some still
guess that these newspapers are comparatively independent of the government's
economic support (that comes through the quota of advertisements) and can brave
numerous sanctions.
A few words
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Copy rights of the website (© 2008) belong to Dr Qaisar Rashid
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