My first post aptly describes my motivations behind establishing this website, [see "The Idea Behind CHUP!"]. CHUP has two meanings in the context of this website – the word literally means Hush in Urdu but it also coincidentally can stand for Changing Up Pakistan. The aim of this blog is to raise awareness on the issues impacting Pakistan and to break the black-and-white depiction of our country in the news media. Given that Pakistan has become an important security issue in the United States, it is increasingly vital to counter the stories of bombings and violence with pieces that also highlight the positive figures and developments in the country. CHUP! also acts as a platform for young Pakistanis, where they can contribute op-eds and articles on issues that matter to them. The site as a whole provides news briefs/analyses, contributions, and interviews [with a wide range of people from politicians to comedians].
I grew up in Islamabad, Pakistan, and received a Bachelors degree in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies from the University of Virginia and a Masters in International Affairs/Conflict Resolution from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. I was previously an analyst for a strategic communications firm, and currently head the social investment side of ML Resources, a small private investment firm where I assess funding and provide support & insight for capacity-building and institution-strengthening projects and organizations. My strengths and interests tend to be counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency strategy and tactics, but this website and my current line of work have broadened my knowledge base to include all kinds of societal topics and issues pertaining to Pakistan.
You can also join our facebook group, where I post daily links to the new stories on CHUP.
CHUP Comment Policy:
While Changing Up Pakistan aims to probe discourse on various topics pertinent to Pakistan, there are several policies we ask you to abide by. CHUP will not publish comments with foul, inflammatory or slanderous language. Comments that are irrelevant to the discussion at hand will also not be approved. Commentators are asked to respect one another’s opinions and stick to the topics at hand, not resort to mud-slinging or name-calling. Comments involving any of the above will not be approved.
[Cover photo by Stephanie O'Connor - www.stephanieoconnor.com]
word up.
i couldn’t agree more. i am a twenty-year-old female, born and raised in america but with indian, pakistani, and muslim culture to contend with. Regardless of my mutt genetics, and despite the fact I have only visited karachi twice, i identify with it more then anywhere else because of its culture, people, and infallible sense of hope. The dusty, dilapidated, beetle-juice stained roads have brought me to the doorstep of the university i now attend, in order to obtain a higher education and a more accurate world view in hopes that i will someday be able to help translate the essence of “my pakistan”to the majorities.
–huda
Excellent effort of which I see less but enough to see a glimmer of hope in the future of both the country and its people. So, keep it up because we need it. Well read, educated, liberal and professional Pakistanis are our asset, particularly those who want to turn this hugely capable country into a success rather than a failed state. But the problem is that those who are educated, liberal and forward-looking tend to express their views and thoughts on these blogs and websites that are absolutely beyond the reach or at least comprehension of our country’s majority. Until and unless this gap is not plugged, the silent revolution that people like yourself and myself are aiming for may not happen.
It is true that we obtained independence with an almost non existent infrastructure and industrial base (as most industries were based in India at the time of partition) but we have come a long way since. Pakistan is one of the world’s fastest growing economy with investment pouring in from all sides. These are positive signs of nation’s growth and future prospects. Yet the country has an image of a haven for terrorism and extremism. Until and unless this perception is not changed, which I think only a stable democracy can do, these dreams cannot materialize. Domestically also, we face a wide range of issues including corruption, illiteracy and radicalism. But good work and keep it up.
Thank you! I agree that the scope of these blogs, particularly because they are also in English, may not reach the country’s majority. However, I do think that this “silent revolution” still does have its merits – we are attempting to raise awareness, draw attention, and inspire those to take action on issues that are often ignored in Pakistan. More importantly, we are drawing the spotlight TO Pakistan – although the country is often known for being a haven for extremists and being ridden with violence, we can attempt to portray the positive sides of the country and accurately assess the issues plaguing it. If I can draw attention to NGOs that are making a difference at home, issues that are not widely covered but are still significant, and provide insight into ALL aspects of Pakistan – then I am doing something – it may not be the most ideal, but it can be instrumental in enacting further change and altering perceptions.
Kudos to you for your great work as well!
While I agree with your objectives, as most people would do, I also think that one of the problems is that when we say “moderate” or “enlightened” we tend to define these terms with some reference to an alien framework – mainly because we think that there may not be any option.
As a historian, my recent researches have focussed on discovering some very interesting alternates from the indigenous wisdom of Pakistan, and I claim that this indgenous wisdom has been constantly growing and not only includes the folk and classic masterpieces but also everything else which received “consensus” of the Pakistani nation since 1947. That would include Ibne Safi, Waheed Murad and Mustansar Husain Tarrar as well!
If we truly want to bring out the voices of the silent majority then we need to explore this area of our collective consciousness on its own terms, and without preconcieved notions and frameworks.
Hi I’m doing my master’s from SAIS and just stumbled on this blog today. I think I’m going to find it useful for my coursework as I plan to focus on political economy issues, specially with respect to Pakistan and India. I might be up for contributing articles once I’m further in my degree program or perhaps after I graduate.
Good work!
Excellent effort!
As someone who has studied something other than the usual Medicine or Engineering you should focus on educating the Pakistani diaspora on the value and importance of things political.
Dont worry if your blog does not reach Pakistan’s majority. That majority already understands politics and values the political process, with all its flaws. It is the English educated minority that hates politicsa nd politicians and leads to martial law every few years, only to be followed by the politicians again.
So, your effort should be to help this minority understand that nations need politics to evolve even if that politics is flawed.
I just hope and pray you dont join the ranks of self centered Pakistani bloggers who only reflect the views and concerns of their elite backgrounds and only ridicule mainstream Pakistani politics. That –ridiculing those who are actually in the field back home –is hardly the way to bring change to our country.
you have a informatics blog. i like it