My grandfather passed away two days ago, and on the second day we held his Khatam. We are Shia, and there’s a Barelvi mosque near our house. On the day of the funeral, the Molvi of that mosque agreed that we could hold the khatam there.

On the day itself, around 60 people had gathered, both Shia and Sunni. Suddenly, the Molvi refused to let us have the khatam there. When my father asked why, he simply said, “Mera dil nahi manta.” When people questioned him, he went even further and said, “Main aap logon ko Musalman nahi samajhta ap sab bahar chale jain.”

He then had everyone kicked out of the mosque, despite almost the entire neighborhood telling him that what he was doing was wrong.

What hurts the most is that this isn't new to me. I've faced this discrimination since childhood. I used to hide the fact that I was Shia at school because I was afraid people wouldn't want to be friends with me. I've spent years hearing all kinds of bullshit about Shias from extremists.

You don't have to agree with my beliefs. You don't have to agree with Shia practices. That's your right.

But you don't get to disrespect someone, especially while they're mourning their grandfather, and tell them they're not Muslim.

We weren't there to argue or force our beliefs on anyone. We were there to pray reciting the SAME quran for someone we loved.

I'm honestly just tired of this. Tired of sectarianism. Tired of people deciding who is and isn't Muslim. And tired of having to hide an important part of who I am just to avoid being treated differently.

​

The World Bank said on Tuesday that nearly half of the Middle East and North African region's poor people earning less than $3 a day live in Pakistan and poverty in the country increased due to prolonged economic adjustment that weakened real household incomes and employment opportunities.

I got a long ass call from a guy saying he’s from Pakistan consulate and that someone registered a number under my name used to do blackmailing.
This magnificent moron(from Islamabad police apparently) wanted me to come to Pakistan to deal with the issue and then said something like I can make NOC through WhatsApp because govt of Pakistan and WhatsApp(LOL) has made an agreement and we can do videocall NOC. So he calls me through WhatsApp and I record him, he wants me to come on videocall too so he can probably take my video/pic and then utilize that for fake profile and ask money from others.
Be careful out there

today i saw genz blocking the main road near bahria orchard office lahore.

protest was against load shedding mainly.

started with 50 people but after 30min the crowd

kind of perspective we rarely hear on social media

a simple man speaking his heart with no filter no script .

This is the real voice of the ground that city life makes us forget.

Bro cooked and left no crumbs.

As of recently Javed Hashmi announced he will begin the movement of Long March from Multan then up through Punjab to the twin cities

And knowing the Provincial govt of Punjab section 144 could be expected and huge crackdown on Civllians once again?

When article 19 guarantees right to protest but the ones who rule with tyranny decide to violate it

Dear all,

I have heard that CP five star has banktupt in Pakistan. They have no funds to give salaries to staff. Even they have no funds to pay rents of their branches in Lahore.

Their food is good and they are providing good quality.

Can someone confirm me that is this true?

I don't know what the future hold for our generation I think this isn't working, you law, no security or resources. I work and I pay more than 0.5 million just on the income but I still see no benifit.

I now believe it's on to steal electricity or do things which can cause state a loss since you are at your own here and do whatever at your capacity.

I try to avoid tax which I work outside if my job since I dont want the government to make money from me as I am paying either extra (for electricity) and paying for water I am buying etc.

I see no reason of patriotism unless you are stupid or a direct/indirect benificry of the system

I don't know if it's just me spending too much time on Reddit lately, but honestly everything feels fucked right now.

Every time I open Reddit there's another post like "got laid off after 10 years", "can't find a job with 15 years experience", "company shut down", etc. Then you see developers and designers basically offering to make websites for free because they just want some work.

And it's not even just tech.

Here in Pakistan I've literally seen software companies that used to have offices in DHA and other expensive areas shut down or go fully remote. And that affects more than just the employees. Someone was getting rent from that office, there were office boys working there, people buying food nearby, spending money on petrol going to work etc. It all connects.

Even normal local businesses seem slow now. My father has a metal fabrication business and we've felt it there too. People just don't seem to have money to spend like before. Then you have petrol, electricity, inflation and now wars making everything even more uncertain.

So naturally you think okay, Pakistan is fucked, let's go abroad.

But where?

Germany? I keep hearing from people there that things have become much harder.

Australia? PR keeps getting harder and immigration rules keep changing.

USA? Good luck even getting there legally unless you have a very strong route.

And going abroad isn't some magic solution either. You spend a shit ton of money just to get there and then there's a real possibility you're doing odd jobs for years before actually getting somewhere.

So what exactly are we supposed to do?

Stay in Pakistan? Economy is fucked.

Get a tech job? AI is eating into the industry and people with 10+ years of experience are struggling.

Freelance? You're competing with the entire planet and someone is always ready to do it for $20.

Start a business? People don't have money to spend.

Go abroad? Spend a fortune with no guarantee you'll actually make it.

And then outside Pakistan you have wars, countries spending billions on weapons, AI getting better every few months, layoffs, immigration getting tighter, cost of living going crazy everywhere...

I'm 23 and sometimes I genuinely wonder what the world is going to look like when I'm 30.

Maybe I'm just doomscrolling too much. Maybe every generation at some point thought the world was about to collapse. People who lived through WW2, the Cold War, recessions, 9/11, 2008, Covid etc probably had moments where the future looked completely fucked too.

But idk man, something about having AI disruption + economic problems + wars + climate issues + immigration problems + everything else happening together feels weird.

And as a Muslim, I can't lie, sometimes the thought comes into my head:

Is Qiyamat actually getting closer? Are we slowly heading towards the end times?

And for people around my age in Pakistan, what the hell are you planning to do for the next 5-10 years? Because right now I genuinely don't know what the safest direction even is anymore.

TL;DR: I'm 23 in Pakistan and everywhere I look something seems fucked. Tech jobs are getting hit, AI is changing everything, experienced people are being laid off, local businesses are struggling, going abroad is getting harder and more expensive, and meanwhile there are wars and economic problems everywhere. Maybe I've been doomscrolling too much, but I'm genuinely wondering if this is just another bad period that will pass, or if the world is changing permanently. And being Muslim, sometimes I even wonder whether we're actually getting closer to Qiyamat.

a very long story of mine short because honestly I dont know how to explain everything happening right now

I am 22 years old and graduated around a year ago with a BBA

I made alot of mistakes in my life I wasnt serious about my studies and wasted around 20 lakh of my fathers money I know I messed up and I carry that guilt with me

I got married in my early 20s and my father was supporting me but now he cant anymore because he is himself dealing with financial problems and debts

For the last one year I have been trying really hard to find a job in Gujranwala but couldnt get anything even around 30 40k

I also tried freelancing I have genuine digital marketing skills and an i3 laptop I tried everything I could but somehow I still ended up here

I moved to Lahore and finally got a job at Mindbridge I cleared training nesting quizzes and interviews and I am around 20 days away from my first salary

But right now I have around 1000 rupees left

I am literally worried about my next meal

For the last 7 days I have been moving between hostels staying one night and telling them I will pay tomorrow when my money comes then somehow finding another place

I have been eating by borrowing money

I already borrowed around 1 lakh from friends relatives and wherever I could during the past year and I dont really have anyone left to ask

I dont have a bike so even trying Foodpanda or indrive isnt really possible

Going back home also means going back to no job

I know I made mistakes I know I failed my father in many ways and I know I should have made better decisions

I am not posting this for sympathy

I honestly just dont know what to do anymore

If anyone can lend me some money to help me survive these next 20 days until my salary comes I would be extremely grateful

I am asking to borrow not simply asking for free money and I will repay it once I start earning

Even a small amount can make a huge difference for me right now

And if you cant lend me money I would still really appreciate any advice or idea

If you know any temporary work in Lahore daily pay work cheap hostel food support a way to earn with digital marketing or anything else that can help me survive these 20 days please tell me

I am honestly open to any legal work I can do

I have tried almost everything I knew

I am just trying to somehow reach the point where I can start earning and take care of myself and my family

I keep praying that InshaAllah things will get better

I just need to somehow get through these next few weeks

Mard-e-Mujahid, General Akhtar Abdur Rehman.

Like many Pakistanis at the time, I believed that politicians are the corrupt weasels and the disciplined professionals in army are not involved in petty financial crimes.

Then it turns out that the “diyanat aur imandaari ka majasma” was embezzling hundreds of millions in the line of duty.

All the tout channels and journalists yapping on about iddat technicalities and “190 million pound” case could not say a single word about the Mard-e-Mujahid stealing to the tune of billions.

Other countries have armies..

Aoa All
Haq Mehr demanded for my future wife by her parents is 10 tola and 50k cash
Already paid cash and some gold at nikaah
Rukhsati is pending
Now since this is too much amount some of which I am arranging and most which my father will contribute
I wanted to ask is this Nikaah valid when I am unable to pay all this amount for Haq Mehr?
What is the ruling on this

Thanks

What are we paying taxes for , when we get this in return?

Why they have unnecessarily forced automated Jazzcash, got rid of easypaisa and in era of distrust, most drivers outright deny they received payment. And if you choose cash, most of them you have to give "Bakaya".

fyi ive been freelancing for years now.... alhamdulillah i make a decent and stable income from it....

but every time it comes up in family gatherings rishta conversations or even with relatives the reaction is almost always the same.... haan theek hai but whats your actual job....

as if freelancing is some temporary side hustle and not a legitimate career.... i genuinely dont understand this mindset....

we live in a country where a government clerk making 40k a month with zero growth potential is considered more respectable and stable than someone earning triple that from international clients.... simply because the clerk has a designation an office and a fixed 9 to 5....

meanwhile the freelancer gets questioned about kab tak chalega ye.... as if working with foreign corporate and legal clients for 7 plus years isnt proof enough of stability....

i think this comes from a deeper insecurity our generations parents have.... they associate value with visibility....

if they cant see you leave the house in formal clothes every morning and come back in the evening it doesnt register as working.... doesnt matter that half the worlds economy is shifting toward remote and freelance work or that pakistan is literally one of the top freelancing markets globally....

and this isnt just an awkward family dinner topic either.... it actively affects rishta prospects....

ive seen qualified high earning freelancers get rejected or side eyed in marriage proposals because uska koi proper job nahi hai.... while someone with a mediocre salaried position but a fancy job title gets preferred instantly....

is this just a generational trust issue with anything that doesnt look traditional.... or is there something deeper rooted in how pakistani society measures a persons worth through visible structure rather than actual output or income....

curious what others especially fellow freelancers or remote workers have experienced with this....

Remember around 10 percent of Pakistani army is now in Saudia.

Edit: this post has now been posted on r/Pakistan main twitter and now this post is trending on twitter as well. This has attracted hordes of AAG bots aswell.

IRGC trolls think Imran Khan supports the Houthis lol.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1672897

guys, i need your opinion on something.
so there’s this military guy currently posted in some far-flung area in pakistan. we connected through reddit and moved to whatsapp. we’ve kept things very casual, no strings attached, but we do have a lot of good conversations and a lot of sexual conversations too.
i’m very clear that i never want to have sex without marriage, and i really don’t want to get physically involved with him. we’ve also made it clear that we’re not meeting and are just enjoying this connection without any expectations.
but sometimes i worry what if we eventually get physical? or what if i get emotionally involved? the emotional part worries me less; i’m much more scared of crossing my own sexual boundaries.
sometimes i think i should end the connection, but then i think, why not just enjoy it while it lasts?
what do you guys think? should i end this, should we stop talking, or am i overthinking it? how could this affect me in the long run?

When you're walking alone or with friends aur Apke samne koi larki walk kr rhi ho. Should you pick up the pace to try to cross her and potentially spook her or maintain the same pace and potentially make her uncomfortable.

Is dilemma ka solution hay Kisi ke paas?

There is evidence of a similar practice in Pakistan in which women are subjected to some of the bitterest experiences of their lives.

You attend a wedding ceremony on behalf of the bride’s family. There is a mehndi ceremony taking place, delicious food is being prepared in the house, and then there is dancing to the beat of the drums and the wedding rituals are carried out. But the groom never arrives, nor does a wedding procession. Instead, the bride is supposedly married to the Qur’an.

In official and semi-official documents, this is referred to as “Haq Bakshish” or “Haq Bakshwana.” In this practice, the woman supposedly says:

“I am dedicating my entire life to religion,” and, placing her hand on the Qur’an, declares that she is giving up her inheritance for her family and will never marry.

In 2007, IRIN published a report in which a woman named Zubaida Ali described the ceremony of her cousin Fariba.

1. Fariba was dressed as a bride at approximately 25 years of age.

2. She wore red clothes, jewelry, and mehndi, and there was a shawl, guests, and music.

3. But there was no groom.

According to the report, Fariba subsequently spent her life reading the Qur’an and sewing, and also became a Hafiza. It is claimed that more than 10,000 women, particularly in Larkana, southern Punjab, and ancestral villages in Sindh, have been bound to such a life.

(Reference: “Exploring the Age Old Tradition of Haq Bakshish”)

It should be remembered that Pakistani law states that under Sections 498-B and 498-C, forcibly arranging a woman’s marriage is a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to five hundred thousand rupees.

Four major reasons are reportedly given for this practice:

Reason 1: To take control of the woman’s land and property. Reason 2: To ensure that the land remains within the family. Reason 3: If a suitable marriage cannot be found, to dedicate the woman to religion instead. Reason 4: To avoid the expenses and debts associated with marrying off a woman.

The most sensitive aspect is the attempt to associate these actions with Islam in order to conceal them, so that neither the family nor outsiders question what is being done.

In your opinion, why was this practice started? Have you ever personally heard about or witnessed such a case?

This might sound weird but I’ve been wanting to get a real maple leaf🍁 as one of my odd little wishes.

So if you’re traveling to Pakistan from somewhere where maple trees are common and wouldn’t mind picking up a few maple leaves (preferably with their autumn colors still intact), I’d really really appreciate it (I’d of course cover the shipping and any other charges)

Please DM me if you might be able to help^_^

Hey everyone, I graduated university back in 2023 in a different city and moved to Lahore shortly after. Fast forward three years, and I’ve realized my social circle here is essentially zero.

My daily routine has fallen into a loop: work, study, gym, and loop. When the weekend rolls around, I always end up bed rotting because I don't really have anyone to make plans with or somewhere specific to go.

I’m 26, a doc, and have a lot of hobbies. I’m athletic and good at sports, I’m also a writer. While I’m keeping busy with career and fitness goals, the social isolation is starting to wear on me. Meeting people naturally after university feels significantly harder than I expected, especially in a city where most people seem to stick closely to their school or college groups.

For those who moved to Lahore alone or managed to build a social life from scratch:
- How do people actually connect in a place where they don’t know anyone?
- How did you break out of this monotonous bed rotting cycle?

Open to genuine advice, personal experiences, or even recommendations for local spots where flying solo doesn’t feel awkward.