About CHUP:
CHUP has two meanings in the context of this website – the word literally means Hush in Urdu but it also forms the acronym for Changing Up Pakistan, [click to join Facebook page]. The aim of this blog, therefore, 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 – to give due representation to the voices of the country that are not represented by media outlets. The site as a whole provides news briefs/analysis, contributions by young Pakistanis, and interviews with a wide range of people from politicians to comedians to filmmakers.
About Kalsoom:
Kalsoom is the founder and editor of CHUP. She is the Founder/CEO of Invest2Innovate, or i2i, an intermediary that aims to grow the social entrepreneurship space in new markets, beginning in Pakistan. Kalsoom is the Washington, D.C. co-ambassador for Sandbox, a global network of selected innovators under 30, and is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Shaper. She is a Managing Editor and helped launch Think Change Pakistan, a blog tracking the social entrepreneurship and innovation space in Pakistan. She 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 degree in International Affairs/Conflict Resolution from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She has contributed to various publications, including Foreign Policy’s AfPak Channel, Dawn Newspaper, the Washington Post, Westpoint’s CTC Sentinel, and the Huffington Post.
About the 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.
CHUP! - Changing Up Pakistan 
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
Like your site very much.
Would like to inform your readers based in the Washington d.c. metro area about our orgnaization OPEN – Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America and our annual event TOMORROW Sunday Oct 18th at the McLean Hilton Tysons Corner Virginia from 9 AM to 6 PM.
A great effort (:
Amazing blog… I loved your blog header. Nice theme and idea. And very dynamic…..
Hi !!! I really appreciate your effort to launch & update this blog regularly to make a change in society.Although our majority of people is illiterate.
Best of Luck
I must appreciate the hard work and dedication that you have placed into building and developing this honest and well orchestrated blog. Keep up the good work!
You have a great blog. You are a terrific writer. I just don’t understand why you are highlighting the blogs of really anti-pakistani bloggers.
It’s one thing to be liberal and reform-minded but why the unconditional surrender?
Keep up to great work!
reformistani.wordpress.com
Thanks! Who is anti-Pakistani out of the list?
Delighted to have stumbled across your blog; Im a London-based Pakistani – lived in the UK almost all my life but visit Pakistan annually.
Despite the intensively negative media coverage and many disappointing stories about Pakistan/Pakistanis, I still call myself a Pakistani who happens to be living in Britain, admittedly with dwindling levels of pride.
Look forward to seeing a more balanced representation of my country which may have several ‘bad’ pockets but surely some good ones too?
‘India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Afghanistan, South East Asia, etc’ all have a certain cultural and economic continuity. How we live our lives at the base level is same. Just because, over the centuries we lost religious continuity, does not mean that we do not share a common set of problems and opportunities.
And most of the our problems rise from ‘political’ DOGMA propaganda propagated by our politicians and media sources with vested interest, we the people, need to keep our head clear off this DOGMA to enable clean decision making.
CHUP is a great initiative. It should go print.
Kalsoom, I’m so proud of you! Your passion for these issues is truly inspiring and I am honored to call you my friend! Thanks for being you! And for being a fellow ‘hoo 🙂 Yes, I rhyme. Sorry.
I know I’m not Pakistani, but as another international school attendee, I can definitely appreciate different cultures. So, yeah, I hope you still accept my lil’ ole comment…
I’m Indian and fascinated with Pakistan 🙂
Am bookmarking you! I think you’re doing a stellar job.
I hope more & more people from our nation contribute to such positive steps. Keep the good work going.
Insightful, blog but a waste majority are illogical. I
know this sounds bias, Pakistan still. Polictical nightmare, each party continues to destroy unity. Not going argue admit it continue. On with your cruisade to say problematic. Pakistan there answers:
with resolution. Improvement but majority in power ignore majority. Kalsoom bright woman Allah shall guide you. I support secular Pakistan did I insult someone? We need to independent in thought to succeed. Blog is accurate: with some rationalizations. Exact upon, finding information thanks! Journalism Kalsoom I’ll vote for abolishing
dynasty parties. State of Pakistan you’ll favor to!
Hi there, this is a really interesting and impressive blog and I’m just about to subscribe. I’m not Pakistani, just interested in improving my knowledge.
I’m wondering whether you or your readers might be interested in contributing to Wikiproject Pakistan, which works on Pakistan-related articles on Wikipedia. The project could definitely benefit from input and energy from well-informed and motivated people. This is the notice board:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Pakistan
In particular, I’m looking for people who might be willing and able to contribute to an article on Balochistan but any other interest would be helpful.
SOCIAL REVOLUTION NEEDED:
I just stumbled upon this site after navigating through the crazy web of information. I am in new york and am Pakistani born. I feel that there is an important issue which has not been addressed as of yet.
I would love to connect with people who are looking for social change in Pakistan and among the Pakistanis abroad.
In addition to the repeal of blasphemy law, we should be talking about repealing hudood and homosexuality laws in Pakistan.
Unless there is social equality in Pakistan, political equality is difficult to achieve.
Hi Kalsoom! Was great seeing you the other day and I happened upon your blog today for the first time. You are a solid writer covering a difficult set of topics with intelligence and a bit of levity. I plan to keep reading. Nice work! 🙂
Thanks Kelly – great seeing you too + thanks for visiting! Congrats again on everything! xx
Haven’t gone through your blog in detail but based on what I have read so far, for the first time in last decade or so I felt there is still hope for Pakistan.
I intend to follow your blog – time permitting. All the best!
Job is totally commendable.
My observations are that this and a number of such blogs are creation of ‘elite’ class youngsters who really want to change Pakistan for good, but more than that only to attract more visitors on blogs. I see no more than a 100 bloggers commenting on each others’ blogs and agreeing all. There appears to be a competition going on among bloggers and tweeters as to who sounds more sarcastic and attracts more followers. Safdar Jafri has rightly pointed out that only a countable number of people have access to the social media. All the walks take place in Defence areas, and all the seminars and workshops are conducted in PC, Sheraton and Marriott. I don’t know if any of these e-revolutionists have ever taken the trouble of going down the countryside and educating the common folk.
Huh!