Fahad Desmukh
Ban on Cell Phone Use in Pakistan
The Pakistani government has gone “ban-crazy” recently, in the name of national security. The most disruptive restriction, say critics, has been the ban on cell phone use. Fahad Desmukh reports from Karachi.
The Parsi Community in Karachi, Pakistan
The Parsi community of Karachi, Pakistan is shrinking quickly. Farhad Desmukh profiles two young Parsis who would like to stay.
Pakistani Government Joins Anti-Islam Film Protest
Tensions are boiling over in Pakistan over the anti-Islam video that’s sparked protests in many Muslim nations. In Pakistan, the government has responded to the protests there by declaring tomorrow a national holiday, called “Day for the Love of the Prophet.”
Cotton Fabric ‘Lawn’ is Fashion Craze in Pakistan
Reporter Fahad Desmukh tells us this material will be very popular on this year’s fashion runway.
Standup Comedy in Pakistan Gains A Following
In Pakistan, standup comedy is catching on as a form of entertainment. The scene is quite small right now, but has a dedicated and growing number of followers. As Fahad Desmukh reports from Karachi, country’s problems provide a wealth of material for comedians.
Urban Violence and Land Grabbing in Karachi
Karachi has long been plagued by urban violence, with many incidents attributed to tit-for-tat ethnic or political disputes.
The Political Comeback of Pervez Musharraf
After three years in self-imposed exile, the former military ruler of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, has announced that he wants to return home to run for office.
The Growing Clout of Pakistani Sports-Star Turned Politician Imran Khan
Pakistani sports-star turned politician Imran Khan held a massive rally Sunday in the city of Karachi. It’s the second time in the past two months that Khan has attracted this kind of crowd.
Will Pakistan’s Urdu Script Be Lost in Texting Translation?
The young generation in Pakistan, that has grown up using SMS as the predominant means of written communication, is using Latin script to write Urdu.
Pakistan Truckers Applaud Shut Down of US Afghanistan Supply Route
Pakistan has shut off the US supply route into Afghanistan after a US airstrike last week killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. As reporter Fahad Desmukh tells us, truckers who ferry supplies for the US military are actually applauding the move, even though it hits them in the pocketbook.
Pakistanis React to NATO Airstrike at Border Post
Reporter Fahad Desmukh has a story on the reaction to a NATO airstrike on a Pakistani border post over the weekend.
Pakistan Bans Certain Words in Text Messages
Authorities in Pakistan want to clamp down on unsolicited mobile phone text messages. They have compiled a list of banned words, and ordered telecom companies to filter all text messages containing any of them. But as Fahad Desmukh reports from Karachi, the order — and the list of words — have become a target of both ridicule and criticism.
Additional funding for PRI's The World is provided by:
