Pakistan's got talent !

Whether you've escaped down the shore or are keeping cool at home in the air-conditioning, summer is the perfect time for passing the lazy, hazy afternoons with a few good sound tracks.Led by frontman Hasan Saeed on piano and vocals, Sameer Saddal & Omer Ishaq on guitar, Anas Pasha as the rapper and Shayan Ahmed Riyaz on drums, success for the five-man band was eventual.

Want to convince yourself to do something that you have always longed to do or make others believe in you?

OK, that was a silly question. Of course you do.

Persuasion is generally an exercise in creating a win-win situation. You present a case that others find beneficial to agree with. You make them an offer they can’t refuse. It’s simply a good deal or a position that makes sense to that particular person and in this case, that particular person is you whereas the deal is put forward by Audacity. Listen to their story as Hasan and Sameer relate to events. Gear up, because talent's oozing!

There was supposed to be a Eid Party or whatever you may call it, at our school in Grade 9 and every class was responsible for preparing something for the party and our class had decided to do a skit for it. But due to some circumstances, we were unable to do a skit for the party and didn't know what else to do now.


No one knew in my school, let alone my class knew that I could sing at all. Besides the usual bathroom singing and sometimes singing in class in the free periods, I didn't actually sing in front of people. We were all sitting in our class, thinking of what do on the party when a friend named Nosherwan shouted, "Oye! Hasan gaana gaata haai! Is ki performance karwayen?" And that was it. I sang in front of almost 20 kids in class for the first time ever and the secret was finally out.


Anas Pasha, my class-fellow informed he could rap and we decided to collaborate for a song just for fun. I was this over excited kid who just HAD to upload a status on facebook regarding the song. Another friend- Omer Ishaq commented on the status asking if he could come too. Considering the fact that he knew how to play the guitar, I asked him to come over to my place the next day to record the song.


That, ladies and gentlemen, was the start of the journey. Us 3 kids with high aspirations and a bit of talent, sitting in one room with a handful of almost useless equipment and a passion of doing something. The first song we ever recorded was "Live like we're dying." That was the start of our band, the start of our friendship, the start of our journey. Then it was cover after cover, song after song, and finally, Audacity was born. On our way, we had two new recruits and Audacity became a 5 man band.


I won’t lie, I have had massive stage fright. I have had jamming sessions where I didn't sing just because i was scared to sing or thought I wasn't good enough. When you're the lead vocalist, you have solo parts. Those parts scare you because your voice is the ONLY voice the listeners hear at that moment and millions of questions go over your head. 'Will it be good enough?' 'Will I sound good?' etc. These questions haunt me whenever I sing but I am able to get over these fears and actually do it in the proper way. So yes, the fear has always been there, but I've been able to overcome these fears after a lot of support from my friends and my band members, especially.


The passion for music began by listening to musicians like Shehzad Roy, Faakhir, Haroon, Vital Signs etc. Then, came bands like Breaking Benjamin, Qayaas, Overdose, Aerosmith etc. With that, there was a dream. A dream of producing music, of performing on stage and doing something which makes me happy. Another source of inspiration was my own brother. Seeing him perform on stage and making music, I decided to do the same.

I used to manage a band first. Watching others play guitar made me happy. One day, my best friend Bilal Ansari convinced me that even I could play the guitar. That was where it started and the rest is right in front of everyone.


Often, I use electric or semi acoustic guitars because I play leads and at times it is painful to play a solo on acoustic because it has no gain or distortion. I like to bend every string and make faces with the sound. My mother gifted me my first guitar on my 16th birthday so it holds great importance for me. The second one was gifted by my father on my 17th birthday. I don’t think I’m good at it but where I stand today is due to my hard work.


I remember the times i couldn't sleep at night and i took to wondering and wishing instead. We have all been in that place. Its where we realise what our dreams are, before we fall asleep and forget about it in the morning. Its not everyday that something I dreamt and hoped for in my state of insomnia came true . Its not often one can turn their dreams into reality. Or in my case, feelings, emotions and raw passion into music. I thank God for this opportunity. But mostly, I thank myself for believing. For it is belief that strives us to do great things and become great people.

Audacity has joined me in my motive. We believe the first step to your path towards your aim is believing in yourself to be able to do it. As I took up the interviewers seat and piled up my queries, these guys held similarities while answering.

What do you think makes Audacity different from other rising bands?
The difference is simply the music we produce, the genre. We make music which not many musicians at this time produce. Our music is basically pop, acoustic and slow music. Nowadays most bands would produce rock, or hip hop music instead of such a genre. With that, the voices our band has are a bit different too. With one of our vocalists, Omer Ishaq being compared to Chester Benningtion at times. Instead of copying others we believe in creating something new. Instead of following a path someone else created, we believe in creating a new path and leave it for others to follow. Everyone works hard but we've worked for 2 years on our debut track and I guess that’s what makes it special for us and for our fans. We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new path.

What makes a good session?

A good jamming session for me is one where every band member is present. We practise our own original song, record a few covers and also have one hell of a time. Plus, FOOD! A session without food and a match of FIFA is incomplete.

Hasan, you are the frontman. The lead vocalist is usually the leader of the group, often the spokesman in interviews and before the public.  Is your current position in the same regard?

Every band has a leader, a person responsible for handling interviews and deciding the strategy for the band.Being the lead vocalist, yes I have the power to decide which songs to sing, where to perform and when writing lyrics, i have the power to write them at times and approve or disapprove them. But at Audacity, things are done a bit differently. We all want to work together and whatever decisions are made, we make them together. I dont like to be known as the leader of the band, because i believe in everyone working together. But yes, when you're on the stage, it is the lead vocalist who everyone looks at, who everyone listens too so yes, on stage I am the leader there. 

It’s not about money. It’s not about glory. It’s not even about legacy. It’s about falling in love. It’s about being enchanted. It’s about seeing a vision so beautiful you can’t help but fight to make it real. That is exactly why I am here today and so are the members from Audacity. Do you have a vision like that? Something worth getting up every day and fighting for? If you do, you can accomplish damn near anything.

Right Livelihood.

There's purpose behind whistle-blower laws, when a person, company, or government decides to break the law (international or domestic) - someone who understands their responsibility to seek justice sometimes is given no other choice but to speak out to stop it. Too often, now that means they have to give up everything they know in the name of the greater good because those who commit the crimes they expose hold so much power of influence and money - they make the lives of these whistle-blowers a living hell.


Drake, one of six people indicted for leaking secret information since President Barack Obama took office in 2009, said the FBI investigated him because it believed he was the source of a New York Times story published in December 2005 that first revealed the NSA's wire-tapping program. He says he was not the source of that information, and 10 felony counts against him were dropped when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour's charge of mishandling government information.


"My life was turned upside down and inside out," said Drake, who now earns an hourly wage as a technical expert at an Apple store."I know what it's like to live in a surveillance state because the surveillance state was on me, riding me, for so many years. They obviously wanted to do me in. It was relentless. I wouldn't want any American to go through it." Drake said as he was still suffering the consequences of his actions."My life was essentially destroyed." Drake said, noting that the case took a terrible financial and personal toll. He lost his retirement savings and went into debt as his legal bills approached $100,000.His advice for Snowden: "Be lawyered up to the max and find a place where it's going to be that much more difficult for the United States to make arrangements for his return." 

Edward Snowden said he had thought long and hard before publicizing details of an NSA program code-named Prism, saying he had done so because he felt the United States was building an unaccountable and secret espionage machine that spied on every American.                             

There's purpose for civil disobedience. Yes, it may make you late to work, but in return it will bring about huge advances in this "free" society such as, hmm, a legislative end to slavery and segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested dozens of times in his activist career, and now people are being arrested for the same acts of rebellion last seen 60 years ago, including America. Today, part of America's population stands up for the same cause. For the sake of safeguarding interests and maintaining peoples' liberties.


Maybe you don't want to know, maybe it's just easier to only worry about yourself and those closest to you. But the whole world needs you, you and everyone else. It's time to expand your range of concern and rid yourself of fear, we're all the same and our actions are just as explainable as any strangers would be. You can't possibly expect peace to authorize when the rights of humanity are being ignored.

Four years spent fabulous.

Four years ago I stepped into my home country. Four years ago, I joined my first ever Pakistani private school. Four years ago, was the start of my wonderful journey ahead.

I was born here, in Pakistan. Our family immediately shifted to the Middle East then. I was entering my homeland after a total of 10 years. It was a place so strange to me. The environment in Pakistan and UAE had a vast difference. To me, uncomfortability seemed perpetual. I thought I would have 'a stranger in a strange land' experiences forever. I was determined I could no longer stay here. However, this is where I put in a 'but' because yes, I was wrong. One year changed everything. Just a period of twelve months gave me thousands of reasons to not leave this place. My heart was stuck. As four years passed, my love for this place and the people here grew. And well, there was one companion all along. Guess who? Remember this place?

The City School, PAF Chapter. No ordinary place, quote it. The students here are called Pafians, and I was one of them. Let me make it clear that when I state 'Pafians', I don't mean just a bunch of students studying in the same school, wandering in the same building with the same uniform. Pafians are a family. The bond so strong, you would be surprised. Each teacher I met here had a part of him/her very inspiring. Each student I met had a unique quality. Every member of the domestic staff I happened to meet was needlessly, endlessly kind. The juniors sweet and the seniors gentle. Everyone played a vital role in the four years I spent here. It was due to their support, their motivation and their love I was able to 'conquer PAF'. I am so pleased to look over my autograph diary and see that my Head Mistress has given me the title of 'The Star, The Leader'. In these four years I was a student, a monitor, a prefect, and the Head girl.

I am supposed to be thanking each and every one of my friends but here's a special shout out to the most important people.

Hafsa Yahya Baig aka Shakuntala & Laibah Tariq aka Ammi Jaan - you both were my arms during this journey. You guys took the fall. You guys took the lead. You both are outstanding.

Hana Makhdoom (Gurlfrand) & Aeina Patel (Patela Aapa): Crazy human beings. Glad you guys were delivered to Planet Earth. You operate the part of me living on the basis of pure 'wacky craziness'.

Fahad Malik & Hamza Sohail. The ultimate heads. We ruled the Prep section with utmost faith. We made our oaths to be fair in terms of bunks and loads of other crazy stuff. I am sure I am going to miss our companionship.

Then, there is Faryab Haye who goes by the name 'Faro'. This guy suggested I stand up for Head girl. I was completely off the hook regarding the elections this year. I really didn't find it important but turns out, being the Head girl was one of the best parts at Chapter. So, thank you Faryab for the suggestion. And thank you for being such a loyal friend.

I can't end this entry without mentioning Shayan's name. He is one senior who remained motivating and supportive at all times. You don't have 'a talent'.  You have got multiple talents. P.s thank you for the picture. Your photography adds a special touch to the actual photo. Next level scenario? Obviously.


These were some of the many beautiful people I met. I did not intend on missing out anyone but sigh, there are so many people I am glad to have been friends with. 



Leaving this place is a little upsetting. But as I narrow down my path through this building, I know I can walk with my head held high. I had talked the talk and now I am walking the walk with honour, respect and dignity. Huge amounts of credit go to this educational institution that has undeniably provided the basis for a well-mannered individual. Consequently, tons of that huge credit belongs to my Parents. My Father- a person who remained ambitious and is now not alone living the dream but is also letting us live it. My Mother- an inspiration. When it comes to her, for the very first time, I am lost for words. What do I want to be when I grow up? Them.

I have learned to listen to my heart.  I have learned that if you never make room for better things and better ways to be, if you never clear out the things in your life that stand in the way of your happiness, then you are not aligning your universe to allow for amazing things.   In this life, you don’t find yourself.  You create yourself. (Courtesy: Jenni from Story of My Life)

I Knew This Was My Moment.

Type in ‘moment’ in the Google Search Bar, press Enter and within a blink of an eye, your screen says: ‘A very brief period of time’ or ‘An exact point in time.’ I have read stories all my life that describe the protagonist’s journey to the ‘perfect end.’ I question myself, is there really, ever a perfect moment? ‘No’ speaks the mind. There is no perfect moment itself.

As children we all have dreamt about our delightful moments. I pondered as I grew up. I pictured myself a lady very graceful. After making a long Thank You speech I would be accepting a huge trophy and a bouquet from the hands of a honorable President of an imaginary land. I always imagined that would be my perfect moment with all my friends and family around me. They would be standing on the left and right, clapping, grinning and cheering for me. The guards in their black suit & tie with sunglasses and earphones, clearing the way and making sure high-level security is served. Like the movies showed, I imagined helicopters buzzing in the air showering the sweetsmelling petals of the most gorgeous flower on Earth. I, walking down the red carpet in my go silver, glitzy gown. There, right ahead, would be the limousine. The driver, holding the door open for me so that I get in and the car drive away, finally being able to escape the crowded scenario.

Based on logical thinking the answer to "Does all that even happen?" would be a solid no. However, based on your emotions you will realise that it really does feel like it. Wait for your moment to strike and once you're in it, it's not just fantasy and imagination. It's pleasure and pride! It is a long journey with twists, curls and at times, "as easy as ABC stuff". It was through my effort that I developed as an individual and relished the fruit of my hard-work. I always kept in mind that without effort, I will definitely not reach far in life, with effort, I may not succeed all the time, yet, with continuous effort, I will surely achieve something significant in the long run. I know now that life is fair in this way and will continue to be so.

Life until fourth grade seemed like a playland. Fifth and sixth grades were when maturity struck into me. Seventh was a hurdle. Why? Mathematics was the reason. I had always dreaded math, not because of the numbers, nor the equations or its lack of practicality and usefulness in the real world. In fact the higher the level of math, the more complex the sums, the less I can explain its purpose in life. Yet, the true reason for my fear of the class were not any of these reasons, it was simply because of the hard time I would have focusing on the explanations given in class. While my physical body was imprisoned in class, my mind would wander off to a world of thoughts, ideas and possibilities. It was because of this reason that I never received high scores. I felt inferior to those who achieved higher grades and immobilized in the learning process. I did not know whether to review the lessons of the past or attempt to understand the chapters of the present. Neither was possible at that point. It struck to me how life is a competition. You have to strive to earn an unique position. To prove to others of your worthiness, it was important to take action. I began to work towards focusing in class, putting hard work outside it and studying for any tests or quizzes. It began with improvements, my scores did not match up to my potential or dedication, yet after a while, my scores improved significantly. Eventually, I would understand every explanation given in class and achieve grades that brought me satisfaction. I even began to enjoy math! It was 7^th grade, Mid-term when my teacher announced I had scored a 100% overall along with other geniuses. That was my moment. All the times when I raised my hand high up in Math class to shout out the answer and got it correct, those were my moments. I had succeeded in overcoming my greatest fear in terms of studies. I had proved to be a struggler.

But before Math was the real trouble, the new environment was my enemy. For ten years I had grown up and been educated in Middle-eastern schools. I had not a hint of the cultural Pakistani surrounding. When we moved here due to a crisis in Dubai, everything seemed disorganized. It was as if I had been dropped into a strange land. Despite the fact that I was born here, in the fertile land of Pakistan, I was unaware. Adjusting suddenly into a new environment seemed impossible. I and my brother used to beg Mum to shift back into the Middle-east. But it was only a year that took me to adjust. And, throughout the entire year, I was so engaged in my studies that I managed to score five perfect 100’s. My grades consisted of straight A*’s. I was depressed and nervous but I did not let these temporary feelings shadow my path ahead. I knew I could not let my future slowly fade away. As Julius Caesar said “Veni, vidi, vici” meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” In June, 2010, I was called onto the stage by my Headmistress namely, Ms Seema Rasheed. Who would have thought that I was about to be awarded certificates for ‘outstanding performance & highest scorer’, ‘neat exercise notebooks’, ‘best reader’ and ‘clean uniform.’ All together, I had managed to add 8 certificates into my ‘success collection’. While I was on the stage, while my Headmistress hugged me, 600 students clapped for me, it was as if flower petals were being showered upon me. The teachers appeared as my guards. They ensured that I not let my parents let down or give up simply due to ‘stranger in a strange land’ experiences. As I got down, I was remarked by overwhelming phrases. I knew it was my moment. My strategy had served.

Alongside winning numerous competitions on a national basis, participating in morning assemblies, achieving high grades and maintaining a respectable reputation at school, I had carved the path to the highest rank a student could attain in School life. ‘The Head girl’. A title not won by votes but earned by hard work, positive attitude, potential, and capability. The skills I developed at self-management, decision-making, writing and public speaking satisfied me. Three hundred and thirty two votes. This time, it felt right to be proud. That one day, when I got off by bus and a swarm of not bees but friends surrounded me. They shouted out congratulations’ and hugged me. I could not believe it! I had managed to win the hearts of fellow 9^th graders and other juniors. I knew I had earned the votes. It had in now possible way, bribed them or made fake promises. Students looked upon me as a role-model. It was my time to shine. The most amazing moment is when someone actually comes up to you, asks for your very own advice. I knew it was my time and that I was worth it.

On a funny note, I solemnly swear I must warn you that I am difficult to look for because I always am engaged in one task or another. I might be in the class-room studying, in the library reading, in the ground playing baseball, football or basketball or in the corridors, helping out different staff members. It is my duty and my responsibility to set an example for the others. Hence, I know it is my turn.

I knew when my moments were. At one time it was when I restored faith in myself and became confident, being able to introduce myself in public to friends or family. At another time, when I was able to carry on a real conversation among adults. When I was able to serve drinks and be the loving host at parties, the guests would remark me. My moment was when I told my little sister: “One must keep in mind that through continuous effort, the impossible is made possible, where without effort, a task remains impossible.”

All the years of dedication, promises, late night studies and involvement in numerous activities has now elevated me to a level where I have earned respect without seeking it. In a pursuit for development and change, my work has been successful and my role pivotal. Yet I know that these moments are not the end, but merely a milestone in my ongoing goal of making the world a better place. In the sequence of events and the end of my essay which you just read, my time of pride is over, yet my desires for further achievements are not.

The Wasted Vigil.

Collateral damage. Militancy, terrorism. Religious justifications of honor crimes. Torture, beheading, imprisonment, bombings, and disappearances. It is impossible to figure out the aftermath of conflict through the lives of ordinary people who become victims of an ugly war that uproots their happiness. What strange times are these when Muslims fear other Muslims. The clash between extremist Islam and liberal narratives is apparent in Pakistan today.

It is said “History is the third parent”. We haven’t learnt the history lesson that previous conflicts might have taught us. If it isn’t for the news or deep research, novels and movies will guide you through the situations. Hundreds of people in the tribal areas have become the character we see interrogated in a secret prison in Zero Dark Thirty. The understanding of territory and ordinary emotion , and with ability to numb the senses is something difficult. Those victims when tortured are made to think of “being worthless, for not being able to help the loved ones, for Pakistan and its poverty.. for the nation where taps don’t have water, and the shops don’t have sugar.. the disgusting, repulsive country where everyone it seems is engaged in killing everyone else… a land of revenge attacks.”

Not only should we, but the worldwide media should try to understand what the clash is about. It is not the Pakistani’s that are terrorists. It is not the helpless people in the villages or tribal areas. It is the extremists who view killing as the best solution. Perhaps it is the similarity to the French revolution in which all sorts of aristocrats were killed. Not a single one was left behind. This was marked as the star of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity.’ But is that what the Islamic extremists are fighting for? Think for yourself. They are not fighting for liberty, nor freedom, nor equality. They are fighting for an extreme land with men in traditional clothes, women in burqa’s, no co-education (or education, simply) and hatred against the non-Islamic states. The life of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and the Holy Quran itself guides us through how special the rights of non-Muslims should be. If Jihad is what they’re working upon, it shouldn’t be against fellow Muslims. It should be against the ones who are trying to harm the peace Islam tells us to keep.

I strongly recommend that people be influenced by the lesson history provides. It is us who shall raise our voice. It is us who will, undoubtedly strive for the peace of our Muslim state. Peace is for all. Not just for Muslims. Always keep in mind. those people who are frustrated accepting their ‘fate’ and that of their country as it changes course, how can you call it fate when it’s the human beings who start it all?

(Note: Credits of inspiration go to Nadeem Aslam’s book “The Blind Man’s Garden.”)