At what age did you lose your sovereignty?

Hasaan Haider Published May 15, 2011

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So my boss had been after me since a couple of days to enlighten our readers and viewers visually, what in all reality the word ‘sovereignty’ for Pakistan means now.

First things first I made one hundred per cent sure that I got the meaning right myself. After that was confirmed I pondered for hours frantically on how to get this task done. Although he had as a reference shown me a photo in the Dawn Newspaper which appears at number 15. Of course it would make more sense if you browse through all the photos to get to it.

Several hours later I discovered that by going through just a few photographs depicting life in Pakistan, it was simply right there in front of me…and for a moment, I had lost all hope that we might not regain what our country seemed to have lost some time ago… – Text and captions by Hasaan Haider/Dawn.com. Photos by agencies.

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shivshankar

May 15, 2011 08:21am

The collection of photos and its caption is really outstanding. We really miss such type of outlook and differeness in indian print media. I regularly read two pakistan papers. I do not about other fields, but pakistan print media is much ahead of india's print media. This could be becoz of affluent class reading enlish papers in india whereas due to huge problems, people involved in pak media are expressing from the bottom of their heart. Salute to you all.

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Reality

May 15, 2011 09:32am

Outstanding! Simply outstanding and very impressionable! Great job!

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Chak

May 15, 2011 09:38am

Couldn't help but notice the earthmover brand. Chinese are taking over boss, the chinese are taking over everything in Pakistan!!

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Tahir Naseer

May 15, 2011 10:05am

Great collection ! The pictures have surely said more than thousand words. I wish that this message could be reach and understood by all who are supposed be concerned.

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Nageen

May 15, 2011 11:37am

This collection of photographs in conjunction with your thought-provoking captions is wonderful. Though I have been born and raised in the U.S., I have always been proud of my Pakistani heritage. It breaks my heart to see the current conditions and the negative portrayals by the media. As a college student, I still have an idealistic mindset that somehow, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than it may appear at the moment.

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sirsied blvd

May 15, 2011 01:53pm

@dawn: great pictorial journey !!!!! Surly the golden days will return ,iA w/o any doubt. @shivshanker reader: appreciate your encouragement from the other side of the spectrum !!!!!! ;))

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Metal

May 15, 2011 03:24pm

great work. Loved the last pic - if only decisions could be made based upon what the girl in the last pic thinks or wants - half the problems could be solved.

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Majida Tufail

May 15, 2011 05:38pm

outstanding- simple and precise- eyeopener!! Thanx

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Tamilselvan

May 15, 2011 07:12pm

Good photos. Sad but true. Pakistan needs to do some internal cleansing and get away from mullah rulers and come to terms with reality of it citizens suffering. First, let the leaders get away from the attitude of destroy India as it is only destroying Pakistan. Wake up and stop meddling in Kashmir and use the resources to develop your home. God Bless your country

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Naeem Iqbal

May 16, 2011 12:35am

It is one of the best way of sharing with the world a larger picture of Pakistan, I have come across. I wish more Indians like myself would learn to see it this way. Thank you Hasaan!

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Hamza

May 16, 2011 05:20am

This. This is just what we have become.

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Ahmed Pasha

May 16, 2011 08:48am

Pakistan lost sovereignity the day it became "Islamic Republic". The day we mixed religion and politics. This is a deadly cocktail which is consuming every Pakistani. This has given ample opportunity for politicians to exploit religion and use it as tool. This has been used to generate hate. You want to settle score with someone else, ...then there is no better way than to live better than other person. Let's make our people live comfortable. Isn't this should be the top priority?

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Vijai Agarwal

May 16, 2011 09:29am

I really like the words " can regain what it has lost". All Photographs are excellent and even better are the captions. Best I like are 15,16 & 17.

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Afaque

May 16, 2011 10:21am

Indeed a picture which speaks words... but i would disagree on the last line... Why control.... "Still" ????

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Omer

May 16, 2011 10:56am

Great Work!!

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Mayur

May 16, 2011 11:02am

Excellent work. Thank you for giving meaningful insight of pakistan

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Nazia

May 16, 2011 12:26pm

Great work!! which left me with only question '' when will actually our conscience grow''?

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Serendippp

May 16, 2011 12:39pm

Absolutely brilliant! It is eloquent testimony to the art of callous indifference about everything a the day to day life of a common man that the authorities have perfected. If the pictures were not so captioned, it could have been anywhere in the world, where governance has failed the people. Kudos.

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May 16, 2011 03:22pm

there will surely be a better day.....i certainly hope so !!!!

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straight talker

May 16, 2011 03:46pm

pakistan lost its sovereignty the day ex president musharaf sided with the american after the 09/11.

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Satya Issar

May 16, 2011 03:47pm

An excellent depiction of life where greedy and uncaring politicians are UNAWARE of what they are bringing to their own countries. Dependence on others as "ALL WEATHER FRIENDS" will bring more misery to Pakistan. In spite of all it's failings USA has more rational people to be objective. Will China with it's Communistic ideology and an unrecognisable language be the same? Please do not sign away your future yet again.

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Azad..

May 16, 2011 05:07pm

Pakistan lost its sovereignty at the age of 16 as mostly done..when Ayub khan entered US block..

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Ghairat

May 16, 2011 09:17pm

Felt Sad on seeing the little Girl picking up the fallen grain and also, the little girl sleeping in the floor in the Onion market.. Feel Really sad. & angry too.. The Govt`s in Asia spend billions on Arms, while they care a damn towards Health, wealth & prosperity of their citizens.

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Jules

May 16, 2011 11:36pm

Awesome shots that speak to the many issues facing Pakistan. Pakistan's golden era has long gone.....perhaps it will come back with time, honest leaders, and international support. Sadly it is now and has now been for awhile in a "on life support" situation. Those who can leave Pakistan for anywhere do so, those who cant, suffer the consequences. But as someone once said ...:" the show must go on"....lately the Pakistani show has been anything but entertaining for Pakistanis. Greetings from Canada.

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