Business Recorder op-ed writer Farooq Hassan seems to be different from his peers. The most important thing about him, in my view, is the fact that his good humor is still alive; in other words, it has not vanished as yet despite old age. Good writing spans several skills, and humor is one such skill.
Farooq also seems to have strong appreciation of nuances, tools, and methods a good writer needs to articulate his or her argument in a meaningful manner. His op-ed titled “Expiry dates” carried by the newspaper yesterday presents, for example, a sardonic comment on the state of economies of the under-developed world in particular. He has argued, among other things, that “The Pentagon (Now called the Dept of War) is the largest buyer of products & services in the world. They buy huge quantities of medicines and related equipment for their personnel stationed around the world. Each year the Pentagon disposes of/dumps US $15 billion worth of expired drugs that is enough to keep many countries in South Asia supplied. A great business opportunity beckons!” I wish Farooq sound health and happiness.
An old friend (Karachi)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025