An expanse of roads, traffic, pot holes and fumes. Thats what Karachi has become. Every day I travel from one end to the other, not ever getting used to all that seems unnatural. Tonight I got caught in the melting pot which I believe was the old landmark Regal Chowk. At least one neon sign pointed that out to me, as I tried to figure out which way the buses, cars, motorcycles seem to be headed. Nothing made much sense.

And as I tried to inch out of confusion, my mind wandered how the scenes must have changed. How noise and extreme traffic have probably nibbled away at the memory of Karachi as it was once in the minds of many. Where are the tea shops, where poetry and discussion could take passion to revolution? Where are the wide roads, where people could walk and greet friends and strangers on the way? Where, did the light, the very special light that belongs only to Karachi vanish? Now the buildings have no color, they are covered in dark pollution, with garish reflections from overwhelming traffic. And as times goes on, the moments become fewer and fewer, where glimpses of the past shine through. Does it matter that one day they will all be gone?

After Shoaib Malik was sacked as the captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team, it was Miandad’s turn to get some action. In a highly televised move, Javed Miandad, refused to sign the papers that officially make him the Director General of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).  Miandad was critical of the mandate assigned to him. So we at DawnNews decided to ask the Chairman of the board, what exactly the mandate was. Apparently this was a very difficult question to ask. No matter how many times we put it, in how many different sentences, the answer did not come. On the contrary we were accused of repeating our questions. I openly accept, the questions were repeated, but the answer was repeatedly evaded.

The thought here is, if something so simple as the JD for a post in the PCB can be so complicated and obscure, how can cricket be the priority? Inevitably the day to day proceedings are probably taken over by political wrangling, egos and toe-stepping. The fiasco might be entertaining, but paints a sad picture for sport, for cricket and for talent.

The world is changing fast. I remember a time when I had to ask someone what blogging is. Since then, I have understood somewhat the significance, and the beauty, behind this strange word. So much so that I am motivated to put my thoughts to keyboard as well. When so much connection is literally available on my fingertips, I feel its a grave mistake to not learn from it. So I decided to try and become a part of it. But do I know what it takes to become a responsible, reliable blogger? Probably not, but as long as I have started, I am sure many of you out there will help me take the first steps. So without further delay, I will click and post my first entry and wait and see how words and thoughts overtake me from this point onwards.