The Express Tribune Magazine - May 29

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

This week we’re going car-razy!

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ADVICE

REVIEWS

HATER

PEOPLE

FEATURE

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Cover Story 20 Hot Wheels “An antique car is like another man’s wife. You can look and admire, but do not touch.”

24 She’s With Me Post The Fast and The Furious, car modifictions have taken Pakistani speed aficionados by storm

Feature 30 Car-ried Away Aamir Ashfaq clearly appreciates the little things in life

Context 32 Dream Machine A look at pop culture’s iconic cars, from Bond’s Aston Martin to Mr Bean’s ride

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Feature 36 Local Legend With Abdul Ghani’s death, the mangrove forests and a local community lose their biggest supporter

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Portfolio 40 The World Was His Canvas A tribute to Asim Butt at the Mohatta palace museum

Food 46 Sweet and Salty Seasonal ingredients are the way to go this summer

Regulars 6 People & Parties: Out and about with Pakistan’s beautiful people 44 Advice: Mr Know It All answers your questions 50 Reviews: What’s new in film 54 Ten Things I Hate About: Bangs

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Editor: Zarrar Khuhro. Sub-Editors: Batool Zehra, Hamna Zubair Creative Team: Amna Iqbal, Jamal Khurshid, Essa Malik, Anam Haleem, Tariq W Alvi, S Asif Ali, Samad Siddiqui, Mohsin Alam, Sukayna Sadik Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Executive Editor: Muhammad Ziauddin. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi.

For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk 4

PEOPLE & PARTIES

The jury for Veet Miss Super Model was unveiled in Karachi

daf Freiha Altaf, Sa and Maham

Irum Noor and Fatima

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d Faiza Ansari an h la ul an Rizw MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Nazneen Tariq

Zurain Imam and Neshmia

PHOTOS COURTESY CATALYST

Alize Habib

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PEOPLE & PARTIES

Designer Shamaeel

Sadaf Kanwal

Nadia Hussain

Arsala Khan

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ry

Sanam Choude MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Maham, Haseeb and Zeeshan

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PEOPLE & PARTIES

Tabasum Mughal, Nashmia and a friend

Monica

Bismah Rizwan

Areeba

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Rukaiya Adamjee MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Sana Sarfaraz

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PEOPLE & PARTIES

L’Oréal Paris launched their make-up studio at Naheed Super Store, Karachi

hay Aale and Nees ris BA’s Pa l ea Or L’ ith w

Film actress Noor inaugrating the L’Oreal Paris Make-Up Studio

Aale and Noor

12 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Musharaf Hai with Moazzam Ali Khan, Zainab Pasha, Saad Abrar, Arshad Gohar and Khalid Rehman

PHOTOS: KASHIF

Aamna and Peng Qureshi

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PEOPLE & PARTIES

Multi-label store Modeville launched in Islamabad

Dure, Aroosa

and Farzana

Dr Naushaba and guest

al

Zara and Imtis

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DJ Mas Christina and

Fahad, Minal and Shahmeen

PHOTOS: COURTESY VERVE

Faika and Ali

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PEOPLE & PARTIES

Huma and Bina

Sabeena and Arsalan

Urooj

Geeti Ansari

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Alex and Saika MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Laila and Dure

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

COVER STORY

For antique car lovers, collecting and restoring old cars is life’s overriding passion

BY ALI SYED

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

“An antique car is like another man’s wife. Look and admire, but do not touch,” says Jim Agha as he stands next to his buttery 1949 Riley Roadster.

Agha explains how this beauty is one of only two cars of this model to have touched the roads of the subcontinent. 502 of these cars were made for the American market, 32 for the British market. Out of the latter, two landed in the subcontinent, one of which now stands in Agha’s garage. The other is in Bangladesh.

Though he normally drives a 2004 Vitz, he also takes to the

road in his Riley Roadster and when you see Jim puttering on the

streets of Karachi, you might think that he is driving a vintage car ... but you would be wrong. A vintage car is one that was

manufactured between 1919 (end of World War I) and 1930, ac-

cording to the British, though according to the Classic Car Club

of America, the vintage era ends around 1925. All cars produced

after that up till 1948, fall in the classic category. Beyond that time, you have what you call modern cars. However — and this does take a moment to digest — a modern car can also be an an-

tique, since any car that is more than 45 years old can be termed antique. Agha’s car then is a modern car… and an antique car.

If all this seems like hairsplitting, talk to the people who col-

lect and restore old cars. These distinctions are of paramount importance to a car enthusiast like Agha, who founded the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan along with Mohsin Ikram

in 1986, to provide a platform for old car enthusiasts in Karachi.

Since then, the club which holds Vintage and Classic Car shows all around the country, has opened a chapter in Lahore.

For some people, collecting and restoring old cars is merely a

hobby, while for others it is life’s overriding (no pun intended)

passion. Javed Ansari, who has been restoring cars since 1970, says, “I’ve always loved old cars.” Ansari, whose shiny, red 1957

Chevrolet stands quietly in his garage, derives pleasure mainly from restoring his cars, rather than displaying them. But many

collectors relish the appreciation they get from others, which plays a big role in motivating them to continue with the activity. For Shahnawaz Khan, who currently owns a 1951 Armstrong

Siddeley Sapphire Limousine which once belonged to the nawab of Bahawalpur, the most appealing aspect of the hobby is the admiration he gets from people on the road. “I like it when people

see my car and feel good about it,” he says. On regular days, Khan drives a Toyota Premio but he loves the occasional thumbs up,

while he’s out on the road on a Sunday in his Siddeley Sapphire.

Khan has displayed his vehicles at several Vintage and Classic

motor shows in the city and he loves the smiles and admiration

Jim Agha and his buttery 1949 Riley Roadster, the only one of its kind in Paksitan

on people’s faces. He is currently working on restoring a 1970

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Austin 1100.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

COVER STORY Giving new life to an old car is a mighty challenge and car en-

thusiasts associate a sense of achievement with the hobby. Given

the lack of car parts, the effort put into finding the cars and the work that goes into making sure the final product is exactly the same as when it was first rolled out of a factory, it is a rather

difficult task. But it is this very challenge that stimulates hobby-

ists. Mir Zubair Ahmed, standing in a makeshift workshop that he has constructed inside his house, points out, “For me it’s the challenge that comes with it.”

As one would expect from avid restorers, they are deeply

nostalgic. Their activity takes them back to a time when they were young and could not afford to buy expensive cars. “I started by looking at my neighbours. They used to have nice old cars,”

reminisces Agha, who, like other car-lovers, enjoys reliving the past.

Shahnawaz Khan with his 1951 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire

“It connects you to your past — to the world your parents lived

in,” adds Ahmed, who has been working on old cars for the last 30 years.

In this respect, Madeehur Rehman stands out from the pack.

At the age of 28, rather than reliving his past, this car-lover from

Abbottabad is taking forward a legacy. An enthusiast since he

was 14, Rehman explains that his grandfather and then his father were admirers of old cars and the love passed down to him.

But restoring old cars takes a considerable amount of time.

“I spent nine years collecting parts before I started work on my

cars,” says Ansari while talking about one of his many projects.

“Before starting work on a project, we do all our research and find the required parts.”

While it may seem ridiculous to some that these men spend

such a long time just collecting parts, to the enthusiasts it is this very quest that keeps them hooked. “Short cuts are easy, but then

the originality goes away,” says Ansari stressing on the need to use original car parts. Ahmed on the other hand feels the longer the time spent on a car, the better. “It is food for my passion,” he says.

Original car parts for these vehicles are difficult to come

by but car lovers are an unusually perseverant species. The

major source of car parts in Karachi is a shop called Perfect Motors but many others are imported from the United

States, UK or Germany, depending on the car. For the more flexible types, trips down to scrap markets are very good options as well.

“You have to know which car part you can fit in another car,”

says Ahmed who frequently visits scrap markets for car parts.

“Sometimes it hurts to see something very valuable crushed for its metal” which is later sold by its weight.

Time isn’t the only thing you need to indulge in this hobby — a

great deal of money is needed as well.

22 A 1970 Austin 1100 under restoration MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Restoring old cars certainly isn’t a poor man’s game. Even the

most enthusiastic car lovers admit that it is expensive. “At times

“I started by looking at my neighbours. They used to have nice old cars,” reminisces Agha, who, like other car-lovers, enjoys reliving the past.

it you may be asked Rs10,000 for something that really costs Rs500,” says Ahmed. “Other times you may find something that you would value at Rs20,000 for Rs200,” he adds.

However, Agha says, “Being rich does not mean you can get

into restoring cars — it takes a lot of perseverance.”

While most enthusiasts say you need to work on the cars by

yourself, they agree that they need a hand with tasks they simply aren’t qualified to perform.

“We have a team — a mechanic, a denter, a painter — that does

what we tell them to,” says Ahmed. Ahmed used to extract motors out of his toys as a kid, but when it comes to his precious

cars he explains, “There are certain things we cannot do with our own hands — it’s like those people who compose tunes but can’t sing.”

This is why it is important to keep your mechanic happy, says

Khan. In fact there is a common saying among old car owners: “Be friendlier to your mechanic than your in-laws.”

Javed Ansari’s 1957 Chevrolet

Ansari is a strong believer in working by himself. “You can’t

expect a car to be restored by giving it to someone else.”

Once an antique car is restored, it means a lot more than just

means of transportation — it is a symbol of prestige and for some even more than that. “It is like bringing back something to life,” says Ahmed, of the sense of achievement that results.

“It is always a pleasure to see such cars on the road,” adds

Rehman.

There are many among old car enthusiasts who keep their cars

only for Sunday drives, while some adventurously take them out on city to city rallies. However, there are also those who believe

in driving the cars regularly. “What is the point of having an old car if you can’t enjoy it?” says Ansar.a

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

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COVER STORY

BY BILAL MEMON

‘Respect a man’s car, the man respects you.’ This is a maxim automobile-obsessed men live by, and it is very true. These words, uttered by souped-upcar movie superhero Jason Statham in Transporter 2, rightly acknowledge how close a man’s car is to his heart. To men who like cars, these shiny beasts are something like a trophy wife... or a celebrity best friend. Gone are the days when cars were just a means to take you from point A to point B. They are a reflection of your taste and your lifestyle... and they need to be coddled and pampered too.

Pakistani mechanics, always expert at making magic with

spare parts and suspiciously-sourced materials, began receiving a lot more clients who wanted to majorly modify their cars after a series of high-profile car flicks hit the big screen...

most notably The Fast and The Furious. After this movie debuted in

Pakistan, you would see youth gather on deserted streets past midnight, showing off their souped up cars and racing into

the darkness. The only thing missing from the scene were the chicks in miniskirts. The game “Need For Speed” also helped

accelerate the trend, as did a series of other car-themed movies like The Transporter series.

So how do these car fanatics keep up with the Joneses? From

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visual modifications like body kits, to side skirts and extended MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

bumpers, the trend has evolved, and with it, a car is transformed from being an ordinary member of the family to a high-performance, flashy accessory.

A 1974 RT — 100 modified in 2004 by Taha Ali of Carborn. Right: The car in its original condition

“A car is very personal,” says Mansoor Halim, a regular partici-

pant at the Autocross Race in Karachi, where both the driver and

his vehicle are put to the test. “I modified mine to specifically meet the needs of Autocross. The car needed to be stable had to be able to take sharp turns... so it was designed that way.”

Halim’s requirements had more to do with suspension and

stability and not speed per se. A car’s suspension, if it’s working well, maximises the friction between the vehicle’s tyres and the

road’s surface, ensuring that the car steers well, absorbs shocks and bumps, and handles smoothly. A good suspension, an air in-

take, and a full exhaust system are some of the key things Halim

needed for his Civic. And while the modifications robbed him of well over Rs100,000 Halim had no problem boasting about the expense, saying that he treated his car like a spoilt child.

The interior of a 1963 Morris Minor restored by Carborn in 2008, owned by Mazhar Sheikh

Above and right: A modified 1992 Nissan Sunny B-13, with a modified engine , sports air suspensions , full bodykit , a designer trunk and a custom cockpit MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

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COVER STORY “When it comes to passion,” says Halim, “you don’t think

about money. You want to watch movies in your car? You can

choose between a plasma, LED or LCD screen. It’s all about one’s tastes and preferences.”

And he is right. A car is a luxury that is customised to suit one’s

taste. While Halim’s car is more about getting traction, there are others who want to do a 0-100kmph run in just a few seconds.

For them, the engine is what they lay their eyes on, what they

dig into their bank accounts for. Air intakes, the suspension, headers, and full exhaust systems are some of the things they need when they set out to modify their wheels — parts that allow

the car to breathe better increase engine performance and speed.

Yes, it is treated like a particularly picky human being.

Taha Ali Zaidi, owner of Carborn, caters to these needs. A car

fanatic, who channelled his enthusiasm in setting up a business

when he was 16, he makes aficionados’ dreams come true. And while he has become a thorough professional by spending seven years in the field, there are some independent artists who help

themselves. They spend hours browsing through parts and accessories that can make their ride look and feel better.

After all, every one of the car aficionados is a self-proclaimed

mechanic, an expert in the field with an informal diploma in car modifications.

“Everyone who comes to us has his own set of requirements,”

says Hammad Poori, who owns a car workshop called Optimum

Motorsports. Poori, himself a car fanatic, knows pretty much everything there is to know about cars. Yet, he does not tell customers what to buy.

“There used to be a time when we would guide the custom-

ers. Now they know everything! The exposure they have had has helped them learn and now they tell us what they need,” says Poori, who sounds more like a middleman arranging parts.

As Poori speaks, customers flit in and out of his shop and call

in requesting specific parts from Thailand, China, Italy and the

Above: Shots of the exterior of the 1974 RT — 100, owned by Mumtaz Zaidi and modified by Carborn

26 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

US. They know everything and it is an impressive display of

knowledge, to the point of being scary for Poori. It’s never good if the clients know too much.

But Poori remains cool and shrugs off any potential concern.

“See, there are three types of customers,” he says. “The first are wannabe car fanatics. Theirs is a family car that cannot be modified to the extreme so they just get the basic stuff. For them, it’s

an attempt to look cool... and modifications are a superficial fix.”

“Then there is another kind that is at the middle level,” con-

tinues Poori. “They have a limited budget and start off with lowlevel engine modifications. Spark plugs, plug wires, and maybe they’ll get an intake six months later.”

There is an obvious change in tone and excitement when Poori

mentions the third kind of customers. These are the car worship-

Above: The interior of the modified 1992 Nissan Sunny B-13.

Below: A Lexus with a custom fiber bodykit installed

pers. A breed who devote their lives to their car and treat it better

than they would their spouse. For them, even a sports car needs

modification and, since money is not a concern, jazzing up their wheels can cost more than the car itself.

These are the kind of people who want to re-invent their cars.

Their cars are custom-made and everything that is under the hood gets replaced by parts that are worth a fortune.

And while the parts may be worth enough for a carjacker to

retire with, this trend has witnessed a decline. “There was a time

when I used to sell a lot more. Now it’s gone down because people have become cautious... with their money and their cars,” adds Poori.

Don’t be surprised if these people anthropomorphise their cars,

lovingly referring to them as ‘baby’... because with the amount

of money they spend on their cars, it’s a little hard to think of that four-wheeled beauty as an inanimate object.a

How much does visual modification cost? (Approximate) Body kits: Rs6,000 to 10,000 (local) Rs15,000 and over (Imported) How much do engine modifications cost?

Spark plugs: Rs 175 to Rs2,000 Air intakes: Rs8,000 and over Full exhaust system: Can go up to Rs60,000 and more

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FEATURE

BY UMAR FAROOQ

Whoever said that the difference between men and boys is the size of their toys never met Aamir Ashfaq. He may not be able to afford the real thing, but Aamir Ashfaq has collected enough model Porsches to make a grown man cry… over 4,000 toy cars make up his unique collection.

One of the tiniest cars in his collection

“I don’t know why,” says Aamir Ashfaq, “but I’m really attracted to cars and I feel extremely happy when I’m in my toy-car showroom.”

What makes his story unique is that Aamir is not a ten-year-

old who is indulging a passing hobby for four-wheeled playthings. Aamir is an unassuming, functional, employed 39-year-

old, and if you were to look at him once, you could never tell that he harbours an intense passion for collecting toy cars.

Based in Lahore, Aamir has managed to collect 4,189 model

cars over the course of 31 years. He started collecting cars when he was only eight years old, and since then has spent one hour every day with his cars. He even has a sort of ritual — every day,

he’ll pick up a different toy car, place it in the palm of his hand, and savour the moment.

Aamir houses his cars in a purpose-built room. His collection

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includes cars that have been imported from all around the world.

Whether it is 1907’s Peugeot or a Pocher model of a MercedesMAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Avid collector Aamir Ashfaq, in his toy-car showroom

Benz SSK, Aamir has it all.

“My love for cars never bothered my family because I know how to balance my time between both ... my three daughters help me manage [my cars], so it brings us closer,” says Aamir.

“It may be childish,” admits Aamir, “but I never feel odd living

with my cars. When I was young, toys always had a special place in my heart, and I really liked trains and airplanes too. In fact

when I was very young, my parents tried to get me more inter-

ested in trains and airplanes… but I always came back to my first passion, cars.”

Aamir’s pursuit may not have gone far enough to earn him a

world record, but such a collection is still unique in Pakistan.

Over the years, Aamir has managed to collect model cars linked to famous personalities — he has a model of the limousine that

John F Kennedy was assassinated in, and he has cars modeled after the wheels that James Bond, Mr Bean, and Batman would

choose to drive. He also has a collection of 78 luxury cars, including a Bugatti, a 1974 Rolls Royce, custom-made Hummers, Maybachs and a Mercedes from 1907.

“Each of my cars has a history,” says Aamir. “Memories may

fade with time… but these cars take me back to moments in the

past. When I hold a car in the palm of my hand, I remember things I had forgotten about the past, and this gives me immense joy. In fact, I can’t explain it in words.”

American vehicles have always tempted Aamir, so model

cars of famous brands like Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac,

Plymouth, Dodge feature very prominently in his display. British, Italian, French, German, Japanese, European automobile models are also part of the extensive collection. His collection is

not restricted only to die-cast modern cars, but also includes an-

tiques, nascars, dinkies, and matchbox cars. You name it — he thrusts it into your hands with a flourish.

For Aamir, every car is equally important. When he gets his

hands on a new car to add to the collection, he first sleeps with it under his pillow before placing it lovingly on the shelves.

To date, the collection has cost Aamir about Rs500,000. He

hasn’t been the only one contributing to the cost: his parents,

and his relatives who live abroad are more than eager to indulge his passion. “It was quite difficult to collect a large number of die-cast cars in Pakistan because of their non-availability. The

last hawker I saw was around in the late eighties. It is very unfortunate that in Lahore, there is not a single shop where I can buy toy cars… so I have to rely on my relatives who are based outside Pakistan.”

Aamir, who also has three lovely daughters, insists that his toy

cars do not interfere with domestic bliss. He insists that despite

it all, he is a simple man with simple pleasures. “I have no big dreams… I just want to collect cars,” he says. “My love for cars never bothered my family because I know how to balance my time between both.”

“In fact,” he adds, “this room [in which he houses his cars] is

like my fourth child… and my three daughters help me manage

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it, so it brings us closer.” a

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

CONTEXT

machines

drea

BY KHURRAM BAIG

Pretty much everyone has a dream car: a car they would love to own, to drive, and most of all, to be seen in. Tv shows and movies have played a big role in spreading this obsession across generations — how many of us wouldn’t want to drive around in James Bond’s Aston Martin, for example? The fantasy lifestyle that goes along with having a ride like that is irresistible. So here is a list of iconic cars, some highly desirable. . . and others, not so much.

The Mystery Machine: 1968 Chevrolet Sportvan 108 The Scooby gang’s car is one that has become a real cult favourite.

And it’s one of those iconic vehicles that may not be real, but you

can actually own it, if you are into that sort of thing. You can even try and get the original number issued if you want … It is 195 343.

What’s interesting is that the Scooby gang did not own the

Mystery Machine right from the first episode; it was introduced much later in the series. Sure, even before the gang got

the Mystery Machine they solved mysteries, but they didn’t have their own transportation. When the gang initially de-

cided they wanted to fight crime, Daphne’s dad reluctantly drove them around everywhere they needed to go … not the

ideal situation. In the special features section of some Scooby

Doo movies on VHS, Daphne’s dad can be seen tightly squeezed into the driver’s seat driving the gang to a haunted house. I bet a lot of you didn’t know that.

Archie’s Jalopy: 1916 Ford Model T (once referred to as Model A)

When the Archie comics were first published, he was shown driving an ancient red touring car,

already long out of fashion. Just the sort of thing one might expect a nearly penniless teen to drive

at the time. Often Betty would help him work on it, as it was constantly breaking down. In the

late 60’s, he reported it stolen, and in the police report, identified it as a “Ford, Chevy, Plymouth, Pierce-Arrow, Packard, DeSoto, Hudson ...” explaining that his jalopy was “a collection of replace-

ment parts from several junkyards”. More recently, I notice he is no longer driving the jalopy, but has a vintage Mustang. Archie’s jalopy was destroyed permanently in issue #238 of Life With Ar-

chie, which was published in 1983. And now he drives a mid-1960s Ford Mustang, which is more

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contemporary in appearance, but still unreliable and prone to breakdowns.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Bullit’s Mustang: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390

To anyone who is interested in cars, and particularly muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is right up there on any list. But what

a lot of people don’t know is that the Steve McQueen movie Bul-

lit is widely credited with catapulting the car to the cult status that it enjoyed throughout the 60s and 70s. This is a fact that

has also been acknowledged by the Ford Motor Company which

The Back to The Future time travelling car: 1981 De Lorean DMC-12, an Irish make.

Maybe this is not something to be proud of … but Back to the Future

is maybe the only movie that has been referred to by at least two US presidents in their state of the union addresses.

Several special-edition DMC-12 cars have been produced over

the years, and the car is most notably featured as the time ma-

chine in the Back to The Future trilogy. The PRV engines of the cars, in 2008 produced the Mustang Bullit model for the film’s 40th anniversary. What made the car-chase scene in the movie even

more amazing was the fact that Steve McQueen, who was an avid racer of both motorcycles and cars, performed most of the stunts himself.

Mr Bean: 1969 and 1976 British Leyland Mini 1000

however, were dubbed over with recorded V8 sounds. Six DeLo-

reans were used during the movie’s production and only three of the cars currently exist.

The car in the movie was said to have several special features

like a Flux capacitor, remote control, hover conversion and the ‘Mr Fusion’ generator. Recently a completely rebuilt De Lorean, built to the specs of the car used in the movie, was put up for sale on eBay for $90,000.

Now here is a car that is not flashy, not even really uber cool, but it is just a lot more

than that. It’s a statement by all means, funnily, a statement made by a character known to

not say one single intelligible word. Mr Bean’s car was central to several antics, such as Mr Bean getting dressed in it, driving

while sitting in an armchair strapped to the roof or attempting to avoid a parking garage toll by driving out through the entrance.

Knight Rider: 1982 customised Pontiac Trans Am

996H) was Mr Bean’s vehicle, but this was destroyed in an off-

more than their wives. I don’t know about that, but I might be

At first, an orange 1969 BMC Mini MK II (registration RNT

screen crash at the end of the first episode. From then on, the car was a 1976 model (registration SLW 287R), yellow with a matt black bonnet.

And how can we forget the innovative safety measures used by

Bean, like a bolt-latch and padlock, rather than the lock fitted to

the car, and removes the steering wheel instead of the key. These

formed a running joke in several episodes, at one point deterring a car thief.

Funnily enough Rowan Atkinson crashed the £650,000 sports

car he bought to celebrate the success of the Mr Bean movie.

They say a car is a man’s best friend, and that men love their cars tempted, sorely tempted, if I could actually hold meaningful conversations with my car like Michael Knight (David Hassle-

hoff) could with KITT. KITT was an acronym, which stood for Knight Industries Two Thousand, and was a sleek, black, cus-

tomised Pontiac Trans-Am which was impervious to attack, could cruise at 300 mph, leap up to 50 feet through the air, and

was loaded with all kinds of cool armaments like flamethrowers,

smoke bombs, and infrared sensing devices. In short — it could

put Bond’s car or even the Batmobile to the test. Also it had that cool red light that went ‘voom-voom’.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

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CONTEXT Starsky and Hutch: 1974 to 1976 Ford Gran Torino I know. You are going to say,

“Another cop show? Another

muscle car?” But there is just something unbelievably exciting about the sound of a V8 engine and tires screeching in a

high-speed chase that inevitable ends with the bad guy losing.

And there was a lot of that in

Starsky and Hutch as the two California law-men chased down baddies in the “The Striped Tomato”, which is what Hutch nicknamed the car the first time he saw it. Hutch’s automobile was a battered tan 1973 Ford Galaxie 500, which occasionally appeared when the duo needed separate vehicles or for undercover work. An amazing fact is that Starsky wasn’t fond of the Torino as he found the car to

be garish and he deliberately mistreated the cars during close-up stunt scenes when he drove. He admitted that he tried to “destroy” the cars.

The Batmobile: Wayne Industries assault vehicle

Batman has two primary modes of transportation: swinging from Gothic clock towers and cruising around Gotham in the Batmobile. Now, the Batmobile is a seriously tricked-out car, and

you can’t blame the guy for wanting to drive it, I know I would!

Perhaps no car has evolved as much as the Batmobile has, with at

least six versions over the years, which I guess was a given since the car has had to keep pace with technological advancements.

It evolved from a simple red convertible with nothing fancy in

the way of advancements to the current Lamborgini Tank. Along

the way it has morphed into a plane, a bike, has been armed

with machine guns and voice-recognition systems and has even turned into a Batmissile as a secondary mode of transport.

I am sure everyone gave Batman the right of way as he drove

around Gotham city, but what about parking? Can that thing even fit into a standard parking spot?

Bond’s Aston Martin: 1963 Aston Martin DB5

James Bond has probably driven more vehicles than any other on-

screen character. From the Sixties cool of a Sunbeam Alpine and Aston Martin, through the Seventies and Eighties with svelte Lotus Esprits, to the Nineties chic of BMW sportscars, and before all of this, even a Bentley, but nothing captures the machismo

of Bond and matches it with suave elegance like the Aston Martin DB5. With special features like a smoke screen, ejector seat,

radar tracking systems, machine guns, revolving license plates and all kinds of weaponry, it was a true companion to Bond, the

character who never got his tie ruffled or his suit dirty, no matter how bad it got.

The car itself is something that would appeal to any sports

car or classic car lover. In fact, such is the appeal of this car

that one of the world’s most famous James Bond cars — the specially equipped silver Aston Martin first driven by Sean

Connery in Goldfinger — was auctioned off last week in London

34

for $4.1 million.a MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

FEATURE

local legend

BY HAFSA ZUBAIR

Abdul Ghani’s death brings to an end the good work he was doing for the uplift of his community.

Was Abdul Ghani just another casualty, a victim in the struggle between humble activists and the land mafia? Or will his death change how we view the struggle to uplift local communities and the environment?

Newspaper headlines are easy to miss, because they sound just

like so many we see every day. But headlines take on a different

meaning when you know the real story behind the words in neatly laid-out columns.

On Friday, May 6, a man named Abdul Ghani was murdered,

allegedly by members of the influential local land mafia. A

prominent member of the Kakapir community, a fishing village

located near Hawkes Bay and Sandspit beaches in Karachi, Abdul

forests near Sandspit. He had listed Zulfiqar Younus, a former nazim of UC-4, his accomplices, the home secretary, DIG West,

the area’s police officer, Mauripur’s SHO and the board of revenue as respondents. After he was found dead on Sandspit beach,

Ghani’s colleagues and the leaders of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum said he had been abducted before he was killed.

I can say I had the privilege of knowing Abdul Ghani, and over

the course of a couple of years, had the opportunity to visit his community, where I was able to observe the developmental work done there.

“I had known him for the last 15 to 20 years,” says one of Ghani’s

Ghani was a man whose loss will be felt by his entire community

colleagues, a man who shares the same name as his slain co-

ganisation (FDO), a former general councillor, and an all-round

him on projects relating to Kakapir Village. He was a genuine

and beyond. He was president of the Fisherfolk Development Oractivist, one of those rare people who worked tirelessly for the

betterment of his community, from developing eco-tourism of the surrounding mangrove areas, to encouraging education for local children, to helping to provide basic amenities like running water, and of course, fighting the destruction of the mangroves

36

Before he was murdered, Abdul Ghani had filed a case in the

Sindh High Court protesting against the cutting of mangrove

— a cause for which, from what we know, he ultimately paid with his life.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

worker. “But for the past five years, I worked very closely with activist, and although he had no personal resources of his own, he had a powerful will, and once he had an idea for the uplift of

his community, he would let nothing stand in his way. He was resourceful, determined and passionate about his work.”

Of the many things Abdul Ghani did for his community, the

establishment of a dispensary with both a lady doctor and a male doctor, the arrangements for lifeguards to patrol the coast during Continued page 38

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

FEATURE

The establishment of a dispensary with both a lady doctor and a male doctor, the arrangements for lifeguards to patrol the coast, a new water pipeline for the community and his efforts at raising awareness about the education of children were just some of Abdul Ghani’s achievements.

the rough monsoon season, a new water pipeline for the commu-

nity, and his efforts at raising awareness about the education of children, particularly girls, were just some of his achievements.

Even though he was busy with his work and his activism, he still found time to catch up with old friends.

“He frequently visited me, sometimes just to catch up, but

there was always a project in the pipeline, some new idea he was

working on,” says a colleague. “He had a lot of hopes and ambitions for his community. He always spoke for his village and his

people and in all the years I knew him, I never once heard him

ask for anything for his own benefit. Non-availability of funds

never stopped him and he had a great deal of respect in every corner of his community. He had an old Suzuki Mehran which was freely used as an ambulance by villagers in emergencies.’

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), after

completing a thorough assessment, had provided him a grant for Rs3.2 million with which he purchased three boats and ran

a successful eco-tourism project in the backwaters of the man-

groves. Earnings from this project were channeled back into the community, paying the salary for a teacher at the local school, and for the expenses of the dispensary.

His concern for the education of children in the area led him

to adopt a government school through his organisation. Taking

the initiative he approached a multinational company to reno-

vate the entire school, a project which cost about Rs1 million. He also helped start a community kitchen project through which the women were able to earn their own income, some for them providing for families which had no other means of income.

And when the local water pipeline fell into disrepair, he motivated members of the community to take matters into their own

hands, carrying out the excavation work, and laying down the pipeline with the support of a multinational company.

The circumstances surrounding his death may never be fully

known to us, though it is clear from newspaper reports and from

those who had been in recent contact with him, that there were

ongoing disputes between the locals of the area and the land mafia, which is apparently out to seize the valuable property in

and around the mangroves — the conservation of which, incidentally, ought to be one of the many points of focus for our local government.

Regardless, it’s important that we hear the story of this man

who, through little more than sheer determination, worked to

bring about real change in his community. The protests on Fri-

day, May 6, in the area were a testament to the reaction of the community; of course, as with all such cases, people fear that no

closure will be attained and no justice served. All that will hap-

pen is that innocent people will be affected by the loss of a man who was determined to improve their lot, and the good work he

38 The mangroves he died trying to save MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

was trying to do will eventually fall by the wayside — another casualty of our times. a

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PORTFOLIO

the world was his canvas

Asim Butt was an artist who refused to be bound by the confines of the canvas. He was deeply committed to the socio-political

issues of his day and went out into the streets to paint graffiti and murals that invoked public reaction against war and injustice using trenchant symbols and hard-hitting messages. Mohatta Palace Museum in Karachi is hosting an exhibition of works by the late

40

Asim Butt. Titled Rebel Angel: Asim Butt 1978-2010, the exhibition will continue until July 31, 2011 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

a

Five ways to kill a man, 2004, Opposite the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi

41 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

PORTFOLIO

Glue, 2005, Opposite the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi

Bravado, 2009

Emergency Graffiti, photo by Adrian Fiske, of Asim Butt spraypainting graffiti during the lawyers movement

42 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Self-portrait, 1998

43 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

ADVICE

mr know it all From relationship blues to money woes, Mr Know It All has the answers!

Q. Dear Mr Know It All,

I’ve been working at a reputable organisation for quite some

time. My former boss was very confident in my abilities and so

is my new head. But of late I feel he’s been putting me down, especially after the company head said that I did an excellent job in his absence and was ready to move up in the organisation. On

the surface, there are no conflicts and I have a good relationship with my supervisor. However, I get no motivation, feedback or

appreciation for my work. Additionally, I feel he is putting me down in front of new people who have just joined. Help!

Motivation needed

A. I don’t really know much about dealing with jealous bosses

because, well, let’s face it: I’m an excellent people’s person and

pabilities; stroke his ego… y’know, suck up like you’ve never

sucked up before. Essentially, make yourself a friend — or better yet, an irreplaceable go-to subordinate friend from planet

Idon’tneedyoursorrymotivationtobesoexquisitelygoodatmyjob who isn’t the least bit needy and can function well without a

regular dosage of feedback and appreciation. There’s really no reason for you to get your hands dirty with petty politics on your

way up the corporate ladder, you know, especially since we all

know you’ll be replacing him soon anyway. Even the company head said so!

Q. Dear Mr Know It All,

I am a working mother of two, and my five-year-old son is

my knack for dealing with sticky situations and difficult people

addicted to video games. Now I’ve restricted his gaming to the

my former bosses a chance to harbour negative feelings towards

there looking guilty because he pressures his grandmother into

is first-rate. In fact, if truth be told, I’ve never really given any of me, much less act on them because I’m always unnaturally quick

in turning the tables on them. Yup, the poor chaps have to start

pretending to like me — their new boss — before fully coming to

terms with what hit ‘em! So, for the sake of your career, reputation and sanity, it is imperative you adopt the same strategy.

I’m not going to divulge my exact secret of boss-manipulation

for obvious reasons, but I am going to tell you this: Instead of

whining and feeling all victimy, start playing him at his own

44

your immense appreciation for his extraordinary boss-man ca-

game. Every time he denounces you, you be extra nice to him; let him take full credit for a few odd jobs here and there; vocalise MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

weekends, but I find that when I get back from work he is sitting

letting him play games when I’m not around. When I ask him if he has been playing games he openly lies to me and says he isn’t.

Now I don’t want my son to grow up thinking it’s okay to lie to me

because it’s not like I would have punished him or anything. How

do I talk to my mother-in-law without seeming like a tyrannical

control freak?

Played

A. Look, chances are your kid won’t be listening to anything

you say or ask him to do in a few years’ time anyway — without

feeling the need to lie about it. So why waste these few precious years trying to be dragon mom extraordinaire? I say, savour the

innocence and let the little champ play video games... because before you know it, he’ll have other, much more destructive

interests (involving girls, fast cars, girls, wild parties, girls and

even more girls!) that you’ll be needing all your strength to worry and play the bad cop over. Besides, you’re rearing him in Pakistan… so unless you want him to eat himself to obesity, let him find his entertainment in these gory video games. They’re by far a healthier option, believe me.

Q. Dear Mr Know It All,

I’ve been told the best way to get to a man’s heart is through

his stomach — but what’s the best way to get to a man’s mother’s

heart? I’ve been seeing my beau for two years and the relationship is serious, but his dear old mamma hasn’t quite warmed up

to me. Every time I drop by for tea she says my man is ‘too tired’ to see me after a long day at work (he really isn’t). And when we go out together, she gets clingy. My boyfriend tells me to humour

her, but I’d really like to get into her good books. How do I convince her I’m not the enemy?

Daughter-in-law to be

A. Dammit, woman, are you for real!? Why do you want to ruin

your textbook saas-bahu relationship by trying to nuzzle your

way into your mother-in-law’s good books? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you just how many women I know who’d give their

first born to have one of those saucy, raucous, nostril-flaring relationships with their boring old MILs! Just imagine the intense

family drama and how exciting things would always be in your

house if you let her be. She could go on playing the brainwashed

saas who see you as nothing but a stereotypical good-for-nothing daughter-in-law whose only one agenda in life is to turn her clueless son against her; you could be the conniving bahu who everyone will eventually find out isn’t such a bad person after all…

Ah, I can practically smell the rave reviews already!

However, back in the real world, you need to cut the poor

ILLUSTRATION: S.JAMAL.K

woman some slack and understand that mothers share a special bond with their boys… and watching them shower the love and

affection that was all theirs before you pretty womenfolk come

along demanding your share is quite an emotional experience for them. And why wouldn’t it be? All your MIL probably needs is a

little reassuring and involvement in the shiny happy new life you and her son are building together. Give her that and I assure you she’ll warm up... unless of course she really is a Nazi-type, in which case… may God be with you! a

Got a problem you just can’t solve? Mail us at magazine@tribune.com.pk and let

45

our very own whiz take a crack at it!

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

POPPY’S KITCHEN

sweet and

Playing with different flavours and seasonal ingredients hits the spot this summer.

BY POPPY AGHA

salty

We all have quirks which are sometimes made noticeable by the things we eat. One of my quirks is to eat salt and sweet together. Not something you would expect from someone who cooks professionally, but there you have it. Yummy mixed popcorn, cheese omelette on toast with jam! We all have that one personal favourite mix of flavours — a fusion of sorts. I guess what I’m trying to get at is that we should enjoy what we eat, and we should definitely enjoy eating what we cook.

Quirky or not, food should be simple and delicious.

To do this, you don’t have to be a professional cook, but just

have to use seasonal ingredients, fresh veggies and real spices, not the horrible packaged ones. Start off with an idea and build

on it, and it doesn’t matter if in the end, what you’ve made isn’t what you started out making — that’s the fun of it!

Here are two easy-peasey recipes which mix a little salt and

sweet through caramelisation, are fresh and just plain yummy. a

46 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Start off with an idea and build on it, and it doesn’t matter if in the end, what you’ve made isn’t what you started out making — that’s the fun of it!

Strawberry Crostini 1 baguette

Olive oil 3 tbsps

Balsamic vinegar 4-5 tbsps 2 pods garlic, finely sliced 1 onion, finely sliced

1/2 tsp crushed red chilli 1.5 tsps salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 lemon juice

1 tin strawberries in light syrup / 1 punnet fresh strawberries if available

1 packet mozzarella (preferably imported)

A handful of chives (if available) / 4 sprigs mint Slice up a baguette into 1.5 inch thick pieces.

In a pan heat the olive oil and add in the garlic and onions.

Saute for 3 mins. Next add in 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar and

1 tsp salt, continue to cook till the onions have caramelised.

This should take you another 6-8 mins.

Next in a small pot, add in the strawberries (if you are using canned strawberries, drain most of their liquid) and bring to Coconut Chicken Skewers 1 packet boneless chicken pieces 1.5 tsp salt

2 tsp crushed red chilli flakes 2 tablespoons grated coconut 2 tablespoons white vinegar

1.5 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice or if you can’t find fresh oranges use 1.5 tsp lemon juice

1 tablespoon sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and then set onto skewers or bamboo sticks.

Cook in a pre-heated oven for 18 mins, turning the skewer half way through.

Serve with slices of orange and a sprinkling of fresh coriander.

a sear, next add in 1/2 tsp crushed red chilli, 1/2 tsp sugar, 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar and half a lemon’s juice.

Cook till the strawberries release their liquid and dry that a

little. This should take an approximate 3-4 mins cooking time in total on a high flame.

Place the baguette slices on an oven dish. Drizzle some extra

virgin olive oil over them and sprinkle some salt. Place a strip

of mozzarella cheese, and then spoon some onion on top, finalising the layer with a strawberry.

Place in a pre-heated oven at 180 deg for 12-15 mins. When the

baguette starts going a dark golden, and the cheese is beautifully melted, that is your cue to take it out of the oven.

Serve as soon as you can with a garnish of chives or finely grated mint, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

47

REVIEW

featured review of the week

film storm and fury

BY ZARRAR KHUHRO

If you’re looking for a fairly mindless superhero slugfest, then this is the movie for you. If, on the other hand, you’re a fan of old-fashioned elements like plot, acting and strong characterisations, then perhaps you want to spend your cinema/ pirated-DVD money elsewhere.

For the uninitiated, Thor is the Norse god of Thunder, a major player in the Asgardian pantheon worshipped by the Vikings of old, and a noted hothead in a culture where feasting, heavy drinking and perpetual warfare is the norm, not the exception.

So forgive me for wanting the Thor movie to be a little grittier than the sanitised, safe for public consumption version that Hollywood has trotted out as their summertime moneymaker. By now it should also be obvious that I’m a bit of a nerd, not only as far as mythology is concerned but also (and far more so) as far as comic books are concerned. In fact, mythology and comic books form the source material for this movie, so I was expecting at least a few nods in that direction from the filmmakers.

Instead, this movie seems more focused on marketing the upcoming Avengers movie than anything else. References are made to Gamma radiation (cue Hulk) and Stark enterprises (cue Iron Man), but few insights are given into Asgard or the history of the Norse Gods. The plot falls victim to the old trap of telling rather than showing. So we are told that Thor’s hammer Mjolnir was forged by dwarves in the heart of a dying star, but we aren’t treated to even a tiny cutscene showing that forging.

As far as the performances as concerned, the biggest disappointment is from the actor I had the greatest expectations from: Anthony Hopkins. Instead of investing his role with the gravitas needed of the King of the gods, he seems to be sleepwalking through his role as Odin Allfather, coming across more like a soap opera dad, albeit a well-meaning one. Even the scene in which he banishes Thor lacks the needed tension and emotion, and his confrontation with Loki 50 makes him appear more needy than commanding.

MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

lacking thunder the desire to give the film mass market appeal robs it of whatever soul it may have possessed

Superhero movies that delivered the goods Batman Begins X-Men Iron Man Hulk (2008)

The biggest disappointment is from the actor I had the greatest expectations from: Anthony Hopkins. Instead of investing his role with the gravitas needed of the King of the gods, he seems to be sleepwalking through his role as Odin Allfather, coming across more like a soap opera dad

Surprisingly, Aussie Chris Hemsworth makes for a decent Thor, giving the role as much depth and believability as the stilted script allows. After the extreme heaviness and weirdness of Black Swan, Natalie Portman seems to be enjoying a little break with this role, but is thoroughly unconvincing as a highly-trained physicist. The side characters also fail to make their mark, from the warriors three to Loki himself. Surprisingly, Idris Elba’s Heimdall is probably the most convincing Asgardian there is, despite the fact that his being black (there were no black Vikings, to the best of my knowledge) caused outraged purists, myself included, to take to the blogosphere in protest.

But ultimately, the lack of real energy and conflict, and the desire to give the film mass market appeal rob it of whatever soul it may have possessed. The sets lack the necessary grandeur, the fight scenes lack the needed tension and the CGI is unremarkable at best. Even the weapons and armour of the Asgardians seem plastic and unrealistic. But if you’re watching this purely to get acquainted with another superhero, and if you’re the kind of person who likes searching for easter eggs and clues for upcoming movies, then this one should work just fine for you. Just stick around until after the end credits if you want a glimpse of what the 2012 Avengers movie may hold.

51 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

THE HATER

10 things I hate about ...bangs

1 2 3 4 5

BY SABA KHALID

Their excruciatingly short shelf life. Bangs look hot

from the point you get them cut to the exact second

you leave the salon. At any time after that ­— they look absolutely hideous!

How they look good on everyone except you. Hollywood celebrities, songstresses, your best friend, your arch nemesis, your daughter, my sheep dog. True story!

6 7 8 9 10

The accessories investment. If I had a penny for every

barrette, hair band or clip I bought to hide my bangs, I would be able to buy Jennifer’s Aniston hair.

All the stupid hairstyles you have to invent to hide

them. I have YouTubed thousands of how-to videos to

hide bangs. If there are thousands of women hiding their bangs, why do we bother cutting them in the first place? Don’t we ever learn from our mistakes?

As much as your hairdresser will convince you that

they will immediately make you look as mysterious and spy-like like as Angelina Jolie in Salt, they’ll only

make you look as crazy as Jolie in Girl Interrupted. Why should I look crazy and not even get an Academy Award to make up for it?

How the hairdresser takes ages to cut bangs. One snip and you should be done right? No no, he’ll get his spe-

cial super snippy scissors out, wear his spectacles, peer at you deeply for an entire hour and then start the cutting ritual.

The pain and length of time it takes to grow them out.

If I hadn’t had three horrific bang disasters, I could’ve adopted a baby, seen him grow to an adult and gotten him married off to my niece.

54 MAY 29-JUNE 4 2011

Bangs are meant to make you look young and hip. Then why do I look like an ’80s Barbie doll? Even men hate women with bangs!

How they never fall perfectly on anyone without help from all the necessary instruments. If you leave the bangs as is, they go ballistic, if you blow-dry them,

they become too rounded, if you straighten them they become too flat and limp, if you curl them you look like Betty Boop.

When you think the fashion obsession with bangs is

gone, the updated version comes in to haunt you. Side

bangs, the seventies fringe, blunt-cut bangs, angled bangs, triangular bangs, curly bangs, shaggy bangs,

do they ever leave us women alone? Poor Justin Bieber, they’ve even caught up with him! a