I have lived in Oxford for a little over two years now, and lived in the UK for about 6 years now. In this series of articles I will try to explain to my readers in Pakistan what life is like in the UK, and of course in the lovely city of Oxford.

I will begin with something that is close to my heart. Being from Lahore, food is one of the biggest joys known to me. In the first article, I will talk about Eating out. The second article will be about cooking food.

And this is where I have very disappointing news. While you can get very good food in UK, it does not compare to the food you get in Pakistan.

There are also certain things that are very different in terms of food here than they are in the UK.

Fast foods such as McDonalds, KFC, etc.

Fast food places like McDonalds and KFC are a lot cheaper in the UK than they are in Pakistan. For that reason, they are also considered quite cheap. Normally they are considered a place to grab a quick bite, but not really meet someone and have a chat. The good thing is that they have quite a few Halal options, especially the places which have bigger Muslim populations.

A typical meal costs you about £5.00 but cheaper snacks can be had for £2.00.

Kebabs

A kebab in Pakistan is what we consider ‘good’ food. You would happily invite someone over for dinner and treat them to Kebabs. A bit of roasted chicken, maybe. You know the drill. Serve with some salad, lovely fresh naans, and an assortment of chutneys, and you are on to a winner.

Not so in the UK. A kebab is considered something British people only eat after a night out, where they are too drunk to notice any flavour. It is cheap, the kebab shops are open till late, and the kebab shop guys would quickly throw some meat on to pita bread with some sauces and hand it to you. More often than not, this is not a good meal. They also lack decent sitting space, which means you may not want to sit there and have your food.

Not all is lost though. Most of these shops are Halal and are quite cheap. Also, if you happen to find a good one, you can actually get a pretty decent meal out of them. There are a few chains that can be found in the UK that offer a decent grub. Not great, but decent. Dixy Chicken, who also tried a hand in Lahore, is one. There are others such as Chicken Cottage and Kebabish.

What you get in these Kebab shops are Doner and chicken kebabs off of a rolling skewer, much like the Shawarma people have in Pakistan. You also get other things, such as shish kebabs, and different types of burgers.

While it is rare, some of them do make fresh naans.

A typical meal costs about £5.00 but you can have a burger for about £2.00.

Nandos

I put Nandos after the above two because I remember Nandos being very expensive in Pakistan. In the UK, it is good because it has more Halal outlets than any other food chain in the UK. It basically serves its purpose as a slightly glorified Kebab shop. The food is fairly good, and while I did not go to Nandos much in Pakistan, I imagine it is the same quality if not better here. It is more expensive than the above two though.

A typical meal would cost you anything between £5.00 to £7.00.

Indian

There is an assortment of restaurants here called Indian restaurants, and British absolutely love going to them. This is quite ironical as most of those are owned by Bangladeshi people. They would happily invite you out with them to go to one, and ask you questions and treat you like an expert there. They also love their curries, but beware, the curries you will get served are different from what you get in Pakistan. Most curries are the English versions of the curries, and because of the Bengali ownership, you get a lot of Bengali dishes as well.

The most popular dish in the UK is called Chicken Tikka Masala. Now before you squint your eyes at that name, it is purely a British dish. However, since they cook a lot of it, it is not a bad thing to try. Most other dishes are very mild. Other are totally different to what you expect. For example, while a Karrahi is still something of a mild Karrahi, a Korma in the UK is a very white/yellow looking thing which is very mild. More like a butter chicken or Chicken Makhani.

Once again most of these are Halal as well, and you do pay a bit more, per head it costs you about £10 but it can make a good night out.

PS you are always served Poppadums at the start of a meal with an assortment of chutneys and pickles. While this is not practised in Pakistan, this does make a good appetizer.

They also serve a few kinds of naans, which can be quite good.

Pub food

While this may sound harsh to the Brit, the closest thing you get to dhabba food in UK is pub food. And yes, a pub is not just for drinking beer and getting drunk. In fact I find a good pub is the best place to have lunch. While there is no such thing as a Halal Pub, you can have a few Fish options, as well as loads of Vegetarian options. Read the menu carefully as some things may have elements of alcohol in them. You can always ask the person serving you about these things as well. It also gives you a chance to chat to the locals.

Pubs are also a good place to get a bit of English food.

Meal can cost you between 5 and 10.

Italian

Italian food is very tasty. That is simply a fact. It does not seem so in Pakistan, but mainly because we do not have many good restaurants there. The one thing you have to be careful of is the use of pig based products. The safest option is to stick with vegetarian options. Mushroom risottos, pastas, and various pizzas make great food.

There are not many Halal options, but you may come across a rare few.

Meal will cost you on average about 7 to 8 pounds.

Chinese

Chinese food is very different in the UK. However, one does get used to it. There are a few Halal options out there. Most of these cook food in the Pakistani style we are used to eating. Mostly Chinese food can cost you about 5-6 pounds per meal.

Other cuisines

England has a lot of nations living in it. Hence, a lot of different types of restaurants exist that offer you everything from Libyan, Arabic, and Russian to Jamaican, Polish and French foods. Feel free to try these out, but make sure you know what you have ordered. It is more complicated than you think it is.

Ordering Protocols

It is quite common to order Appetizers before a meal, a main course, and a pudding (sweet dish). You can ask the waiter to bring the appetizer and main together, as that is what we are more used to in Pakistan.

Also if you are eating in a Chinese/Thai restaurant, it is customary to eat food with chopsticks. However, feel free to ask for a spoon/fork.

Giving a tip is up to you, and a sum of 10% of the bill works well. Ideally, pay tip in cash, because if you add it on a card, there is a chance your waiter may not get it.

Naan

Naans deserve a special section of their own because that is one thing I miss the most about the food you can buy here. You can get packed naans from most supermarkets, the ones you have to bring home and heat.

Some cities have tandoors. Very rare though.

Otherwise, the best place to buy a naan is from a kebab shop or an Indian.

Sadly, expect to pay about a pound for a simple naan.

Places to eat

Depending where you are, you can either be very near or very far from Pakistani cuisine.

London is of course a good place to be, as there are loads of Pakistanis living there, hence loads of Pakistani food.

Bradford, lovingly known as Bradistan, for the amount of Pakistani people living there, is also a good place for Pakistani food.

Manchester has Wilmslow Road in the area of Rusholme, which is full of Pakistani restaurants.

Birmingham is another good place.

Here are the few restaurants that I would recommend as my favourites:

- Shere e Khan, Star City, Birmingham
- Bundu Khan, London
- Nawabs, Manchester

one of the better written articles about Bulleh Shah that i have read in a while.

http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20110930&page=16

Warid announces its Tijarat portal/service which allows people of the same interest to sell/buy online different products or services like property, cars, bikes, mobile phones, join book clubs or even buy tickets for concerts or live events. Warid Tijarat allows warid users to buy/sell at the ease of the palm of there hands using services SMS, Web or WAP at http://waridtijarat.waridtel.com/.

Subscription package and charges details:

Registering is fairly simple, users can subscribe to package of their choice by sending “SUB” in an SMS.

To register to Basic Package SMS “SUB” to 8225, for Premium Package SMS “SUB” to 8226, for Business Package SMS “SUB” to 8227.

Once you have subscribed, you can set your location by sending “C<space>CITYNAME” to 8229 e.g., “C LAHORE”.

By Surojit Gupta for The Times of India

Trade ties between India and Pakistan are expected to get a boost as New Delhi reaches out to the business community across the border, starting Monday to assure them about the positive impact of normal trade ties. Commerce minister Anand Sharma will undertake a rare journey to Pakistan, leading a large delegation of senior officials and top businessmen as the two hostile neighbours take baby steps to normalise trade and economic relations.

The private sector led by industry chambers has put up an “India show”, in Lahore and Karachi – the first ever trade exhibitions from India where over 100 exhibitors are participating. Firms representing pharmaceuticals, textile, gems and jewellery, chemicals and petro-chemicals are showcasing products.

The move is a follow up to the efforts to normalise trade ties. The Pakistan government announced granting of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India in November last year. But, criticism from a section of industry in Pakistan has forced Islamabad to take measured steps on the issue. But, officials said they were optimistic that by the end of 2012, the transition to full MFN status would be complete.

Officials said they will launch outreach programme to assure businessmen in Pakistan that Indian goods will not swamp the Pakistan market if trade is normalised. “We will tell them that there are enough trade safeguards measures to ensure that Indian goods do not flood the Pakistani market. Let us first liberalise trade and see the impact,” said a senior government official.

Pakistan allows exports to India but has a positive list of 1,938 items which are officially allowed to be imported from India. Latest data shows that formal trade between India and Pakistan rose to $2.7 billion in 2010-11 from $144 million in 2001, while informal trade including third country trade is estimated at $10 billion, according to a Ficci status paper. “I have no doubt in my mind that bilateral trade, which currently stands at $3 billion, can be raised to $10 billion if trade through third countries (Dubai, Singapore and Central Asian countries) is channelised into direct exchange between the two countries,” said R V Kanoria, president, Ficci.

The government has undertaken a series of measures to increase bilateral trade. There is a move to open a second gate at the Attari-Wagah border, which is expected to increase the number of trucks crossing the border to 500-600 daily from 150-200 at present. Pakistan has agreed to remove restrictions on the number of commodities traded by the land route once the infrastructure in Wagah is ready, while both countries have agreed to avoid arbitrary stoppage of goods at ports. Suggestions have been made for opening up of an additional land route at Monabao-Khokhara Par on the Sindh border for faster movement of goods.

“We are taking significant steps to improve the border infrastructure. India has invested nearly Rs 150 crore to develop infrastructure at the Integrated Check post near Attari,” said a senior government official. He said the visa regime for business travel is also expected to be liberalised soon with multiple entry visas for 10 Indian cities, along with exemptions for police reporting. The formal announcement is expected to be made soon. Talks to expand trade in petroleum products are progressing, while efforts are also on to start negotiations for trade in electricity between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Both sides have agreed on grid-connectivity between Amritsar and Lahore, which would pave the way for trade of up to 500 MW of power.

Trade experts said they were optimistic about the latest moves and said the effort will go a long way in helping faster regional integration. “The positive spin off for normalisation of trade is enormous. Pakistan has given signals and India now needs to take the initiative. Normalisation of bilateral trade relations will help in putting much of the political bickering on the backburner,” said Biswajit Dhar, director-general at Research and Information System for Developing Countries, an economic and trade thinktank. Experts said there was huge potential for forging joint ventures between Indian and Pakistani companies in sectors such as information technology, fish-processing, drugs and pharmaceuticals, agro chemicals, chemicals, automobile ancillary and light engineering.

Pakistanis for Peace Editor’s Note- The best chance of peace between India and Pakistan can only be achieved through trade and normalization of ties. The India Show at the Lahore International Expo Centre Feb 11-13 will go a long ways to bridging the gap and move us closer to achieving peace one day, which is the best scenario for both nations long term.

Filed under: Desi, India, Pakistan, Pakistanis, Peace, SAARC Tagged: Amritsar, Anand Sharma, Attari, Attari-Wagah Border, Biswajit Dhar, Dubai, Ficci, India, India Inc, India Pakistan Trade, India Show, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Lahore Expo Center, MFN, Monabao-Khokhara Par, Most Favored Nation, Most Favoured Nation, New Delhi, Pakistan, Pakistan-India Relations, R V Kanoria, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, Singapore, The India Show, Trade Tariffs

Following is a light rendezvous with the Director of one of the oldest libraries in Lahore, Dyal Singh Library.

The general trend of reading books is fast declining with the advent of ‘internet’ and other modern gadgetry. The focus from ‘book reading’ is being shifted to ‘reading stuff on the internet’. Where a lot of avid book readers observe that young generation is losing its reading habit to modern lifestyle, there are some who still hold an optimistic view. The Director of Dyal Singh Library, Fakhira J. Hashmi disagreed when asked about the decline in hobbies such as book reading. Her optimism comes from the fact that with passing years, the membership of Dyal Singh Library is going up the graph which is evident enough that people haven’t lost good pastimes. At the same time, she is in quite a favour of internet when asked if new technology is a hindrance to old, valuable hobbies. Adding to that, she said that internet gives a variety and broader research room to its users.

When asked about other libraries in Lahore, she agreed that for a big city like this, libraries are becoming extinct. She supports the idea that if not every town, at least there should be constructive planning to have more libraries to facilitate people.

Dyal Singh Trust Library started in 1908, stands tall on a busy Nisbat road proclaiming years of rich history within its ancient walls. Named after an eminent Sikh of the 19^th century, Dyal Singh initially started a small one room library with his own collection of a thousand books. It is one of the handful libraries from pre partition days that reflects some hope left for book readers.

Dyal Singh Majithia

To a question regarding Dyal Singh’s members, the Director said that there may not be many libraries in Lahore but the number of female readers is equal if not increasing to male readers in her Library at least. They even have a cozy rectangular room for a comfortable reading for women who enjoy some privacy. Apart from this there are no difficult procedures to become a member of the library. Non members can also walk in any time of the day to sit in and enjoy their time reading or researching. The library also has a small room for children with baby chairs and tables and a T.V to entertain young readers.

One of the staff members, who have been part of Dyal Singh library for 27 years, proudly told that they have huge well maintained record of old newspapers dating back to 1947. Also they receive complimentary journals. When asked about computer technology and online research journals, the Director told that they have demanded for another 16 computers but since it’s a long process, it is going to take some time.

The library is currently financed by Evacuee Trust Property Board (E.T.P.B). The library’s administrative control was given to Education Department, Government of Punjab in 1985. The library finally came back to its parent department ETPB in 1989. Apart from this the library was closed down on two occasions; one during the catastrophic partition and then for 12 long years because of the migration of its Non Muslim Trustees issue. Recently too, there was news that Dyal Singh Library is on a close, though the Director answered in the negative.

Libraries like Dyal Singh is a Heritage that needs to stay there for generations to benefit from.  ‘Readings’ a relatively new bookstore situated on the main boulevard Gulberg is a welcome change for the residents nearby. However, there is a need for more places to feed the brain with. A little food for thought never hurt anyone. Perhaps we need more Dyal Singhs to open new venues of  book reading for the youth as was done decades ago for the present government is too busy playing hide and seek from the public. 

I am ever so glad no one died in the Lahore mall fire on Friday. If they did there would be mourning in a full PTI manner with prayers and rememberance for the deceased, which is SUCH a waste of time; people have nothing better to do that say prayers for the departed. If we [...]

Easy shopping since no death in Lahore is a post from: PakMediaBlog All Rights Reserved.

Telenor, a Norwegian operator, operating for providing cellular telecommunication service in Pakistan has filed cases against its long standing partners i.e. NSN (Finland based company) and Huawei Technologies (China based company). It has revealed that two cases have been filed against NSN in the last week of January, 2012 which was fixed for hearing before [...]

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PINSTORY, 35mm slide film – Farina Alam

Recently I got a forwarded email from R.M.Naeem who is a teacher and a renowned painter. He was my instructor at NCA in 2003. Although he and I have very different opinions and we don’t agree eye-to-eye on many things, he is one of the few people who don’t read a threat into my ramblings and treats me and my opinions with respect. I’ve also gotten to talk to Naeem Sahab on many occasions about the issues that plague the art market and institutions in Pakistan. He is very prompt and direct in his reply – he acknowledges the politics very strongly and has decided that rather than be affected by it he will do his own lobbying – hence the RM Naeem residency for artists, group shows, talks etc. that include many from his own ‘school of thought’.

Coming back to where I started off – the email. Most recently he shared the photo-album from the show ‘MEIN’ – ‘The Artist and the Self‘, a group show curated by Noorjehan Bilgrami and AmeanJ. The exhibit opens in February at the Koel Gallery Karachi and showcases the work of more than 80 artists! Now that’s an ambitious selection, but apparently the grand size of it is due to the 3rd anniversary of the gallery.

I saw through the album and as is to be expected from such large exhibits there are ALL kinds of works included. Famous artists, not-so-famous artists, great works, bland boring works, experimental works, replicated works… and so on and so forth. I’m including a selection of images here that truly caught my eye and thought I should share them on my blog. Go see the show and tell me how it was!

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The first two images posted here are by print-makers/painters Anwar Saeed and Naazish Ata-ullah (more fondly known as Najji), who also happened to be my tutors for the entire year of 2004. Both Anwar sahab and Najji are showcasing digital works that are quite fascinating. Regarding Najji’s work, you might be interested in checking out an earlier post of mine that discusses nudity and sexuality in contemporary Pakistani art –> Naked – literally & figuratively.

The Comfort of Strangers, Digital print on archival paper – Anwar Saeed

The Transparency of Time VII, Digital Print – Naazish Ata-ullah

I have seen the video by Amra Khan, stills from which are posted below. It is macabre, nauseating and f***ing brilliant. I don’t know why I loved it but it made me shudder and equally connect at some very demented level. I find Masooma Syed’s work intriguing mainly because I find her intensely intriguing. Her work is complex and intertwined chaotically with her own personal life and often results in some very quirky artwork. Other works posted here are by Amin Gulgee, Mohammad Ali Talpur, Mahreen Zuberi, Saba Khan and finally Iqbal Geoffrey.

Born This Way, Croc’s skull, roses, and painted steel – Amin Gulgee

Weeping wounds that never heal, Video Installation – Amra Khan

Mohammad Ali Talpur, Ink on paper – Mohammad Ali Talpur

Sweet Tooth, Digital print – Mahreen Zuberi

Bad Prana, MDF with acrylic paint. Sculpture: Fabric with glass beads, pins, threads and polyester stuffing – Saba Khan

And for sheer entertainment value and tongue-in-cheek like no other: Iqbal Geoffrey‘s paseenay-daar Mona Lisa. I don’t quite know what to think of it. But because I like his weird drawings and postcard series I’ll let this one slip by!

Portrait (Port-A-Trait) Won:: (SAD) MONA LISA SWEATING IT OUGHT (She is All Paseena-Paseena) in THE SHALIMAR GARDENS DURING A RECENT PAKISTAN YATRA":circa 1990 to 2012 , Relief (3D Sculptural) in fibreglass on plexiglass and mixed media- Iqbal Geoffrey

See the complete gallery here: MEIN” – ‘The ARTIST AND THE SELF

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You might also like to read: Pakistani Contemporary Art – A Brief History of Now

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