It took three decades for the killjoys to finally succeeded in putting a damper on Karachi's New Year Eve tradition of young people riding on noisy motorbikes, heading for the beach or seawall to do some hulla gulla. This time New Year Eve was pretty silent, while the traffic was nothing more than what one normally expects after eleven pm when people start to go home from a party or wedding reception.

The Environmental Protection Agency has finally moved to remove the hazard of unsafe plastic bags, glasses and bottles. According to a press report, a proposed regulatory framework, already vetted by the law ministry, is soon expected to get the approval of the newly established Ministry of Climate change, following which the manufactures would be given three months to replace all such items with ones made from biodegradable materials.

The warmth of blooming colours in paintings of Wahab Jaffer attracts many art enthusiasts and I am one of them. He is one of the most respected artists of Pakistan. For about a year I am scheduling and rescheduling to visit Wahab Jaffer's studios. At times he was busy and sometimes I got stuck in my other commitments. At last I have met him at his studios recently and it proves an interesting visit.