UEFA Euro 2016 signed off with numerous lasting memories. It is now time that we bid farewell to a tournament that brought a number of awe-inspiring moments and left the game with a healthy prospect. This year has been full of surprises in the world of football with underdogs breaking through the dominion of strong teams to claim prizes they previously never dared to dream of. Let’s look back at the tournament. Best moment: Of all the outfield players, Hal Robson-Kanu makes a Johan Cruyff turn During 55 minutes of flogging through a tied score-line against Belgium, Aaron Ramsey charges down the right flank, finds Robson-Kanu, who swiftly finds the ball onto his foot and manages to stay in control. With a neat “Johan Cruyff signature move,” Robson-Kanu turns into a space in between Meunier and Denayer and slots a neat finish beyond Thibaut Courtois’s control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYtzf7YD8oY The emergence of Kanu into this memorable and highly significant forward for Wales is a reflection of their promising campaign. A goal that captivates viewers around the world is certainly a moment to look back on again and again as this tournament’s best. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] With the game against Belgium in the balance, Hal Robson-Kanu produced a moment of individual brilliance.
Photo: AP[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Robson-Kanu revealed he learned the Cruyff turn from watching France legend Zinedine Zidane.
Photo: Getty[/caption] Worst moment of the tournament: Cristiano Ronaldo falling out of the finale in Paris Portugal’s remarkable run in the tournament was mostly due to their captain Ronaldo. Saving his side from an early exit – scoring two goals against Hungary – in what was deemed another poor show from Portugal. The finale brought the limelight on Ronaldo and expectations surged only to find the 31-year-old seeing the dugout as early as it could be. This shattering moment forced the Real Madrid star to exit the game. Fans around the world assumed silence and Portugal’s chances considerably narrowed with this massive blow at the Stade de France. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The former Manchester United man screamed in agony after the challenge from Payet that ended his night
Photo: AFP/ Getty[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Portugal captain was carried off on a stretcher in the 24th minute, his Euro 2016 final over
Photo: EPA[/caption] Surprise package? Iceland! You heard it right. Of all the underdogs, Iceland had the best run. They defied all expectations, from making into the group to blowing England’s chances out of the water. With a population of only 323,002 people, there came off a number of players who stole the show a couple of times. Not only did the national side create fond memories for themselves, their superb fanfare left other spectators inspired by their enthusiasm. It is only a matter of time that we see the “Viking chant,” originally introduced by Iceland, to be sung in other iconic stadiums. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Iceland celebrates a goal during Euro 2016.
Photo: Metro News[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Iceland supporters celebrate a goal for their team against the odds during a public viewing in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Photo: AP[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Iceland players acknowledge the crowd as they celebrate their 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2016 knockout match.
Photo: AFP / Getty Images[/caption] Most overrated player in the tournament: There’s already a rumour of his imminent £100 million move Paul Pogba may not yet be taken off for an inconsistent performance, but he should have been whisked away for not making an impact when it was needed. Indeed, Pogba has grown into a unique talent and it’s a dream to have him in your team. But after failing to make an impact on the field, where it actually matters, many popular pundits have regarded him as an extremely overrated player. In spite of this, he has been heavily linked with his former side, Manchester United, who are willing to break the transfer record this summer. Most underrated player: Portugal goalie Perhaps the man of the match of the finale, after Pepe, Rui Patrício cannot be ignored for his services to the team. He is not the greatest of goalkeepers, yet he stood firm each time he was needed for his country. Patrício has left a permanent mark with a remarkable performance in the toughest games. He was half the reason why Portugal denied France a chance every time they charged forward. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The goalkeeper Rui Patrício and defender Pepe were both outstanding for Portugal in the Euro 2016 final against France.
Photo: Patrik Stollarz / AFP/ Getty Images[/caption] Shock moment: England’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of Iceland Iceland, of all names, wrote history when they overturned the table on the side, fancied as dark horses for the tournament. England was on the receiving end of this humiliation. Goals from Ragnar Sigurðsson and Kolbeinn Sigþórsson inflicted England with their most humiliating defeat ever. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] England suffered 2-1 upset loss to Iceland in Euro 2016 round.
Photo: Headline News[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Humiliation England players collapse after losing 1-2 to Iceland and crashing out of Euro 2016 - the country's worst defeat in its history.
Photo: Getty[/caption] England Manager Roy Hodgson decided to resign after failing to deliver the success that he promised. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4sdHbrGRF0 [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] England manager Roy Hodgson who resigned minutes after his team's dismal performance against the minnows of Iceland.
Photo: Mark Large[/caption] Match of the tournament: Portugal 3-3 Hungary Lyon hosted the best match of the European Championship. It was a game with twists and turns throughout its course. Ronaldo came to the party and Hungary reassured their tenacity again and again. In a contest where you could not think of resting your eyes even for a tad bit, goals one after another, uplifted those who saw this nail-biter unfold. Within 19 minutes, Gera opened the scoring and provided Hungary with a key lead, only for Nani to then equalise right before half time. Right after the break, Hungary scored again, courtesy of a Dzsudzsak’s free kick that saw them back with a lead. They only managed to relish this for three odd minutes, when Ronaldo scored with a staggering back heel flick. Dzsudzsak scored again, owing to a free-kick! But Ronaldo had the last laugh scoring his second free-kick to bring Portugal head to head with Hungary. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Nani and Joao Mario after scoring their second goal.
Photo: Twitter[/caption] Best goal: Xherdan Shaqiri’s bicycle kick A unique thing about bicycle kicks is that they seem to leave you speechless. Switzerland versus Poland; nerves thumping heavily and each side needed to strike. It just took one decisive second by Xherdan Shaqiri to leave every single spectator gobsmacked. A cross swirling from the left flank takes a bounce right at the edge of the 18-yard box where the Stoke City superstar leaped above the ground, threw his feet in the air and kicked the ball overhead into the bottom right corner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJbGCSTiIdk Shaqiri’s equaliser set the momentum for Switzerland and remained the best goal scored in France this summer. Even Shakira feels the same. https://twitter.com/shakira/status/746759746003345408 Team of the tournament: I picked my best players and formed this starting eleven. Formation: 3-5-2 Best young player of the tournament: Renato Sanches The European Championship was buzzing with names of young stars. These names were backed by expectations; some already landed lucrative contracts and some are already playing for top flight clubs. Portugal’s young talent, Renato Sanches emerged as the most promising one on the pitch. Not considerably known for scoring goals or bagging assists, Sanches changed the course of the game every time he was brought on. Naturally an attack-minded CM, he overturned the style into a more offensive one and consistently lodged a threat from the middle. This year has been a treat for him as he won the Euros and sealed a contract with German giants FC Bayern Munchen. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Renato Sanches
Photo: AFP[/caption] Flop of the tournament: Thomas Müller in the most unexpected portrayal of him Who could have thought? It was rather believed if Germany led a great campaign, as they did in the past, it’ll be by courtesy of Thomas Müller and his strikes. Germany did lead a great run till the semi-finals, but Müller failed to see the ball past the line. Not once the forward came close; he emerged as a dead weed and almost a liability for the national coach. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Muller found the net in the second half for Germany against Hungary.
Photo: Twitter[/caption] Player of the tournament: Antoine Griezmann Superman, Batman, Ironman, and then there’s Griezmann. France remained the side with the most perfect team. From a world class keeper to world class forwards; the French had it all. But yet Griezmann remained their best player, scoring six goals. He was a constant threat in attack, found space, forced defenders and drew some epic saves out of world class goal keepers. It was Griezmann who ended the hopes of many teams, including World Champions Germany. The Atletico Madrid forward remains the top-scorer, thus winning the golden boot. He was also officially named the EURO 2016 Player of the Tournament by UEFA [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Antoine Griezmann
Photo: Sportsreviews[/caption] It’s a four year wait till we see European Giants lock horns. Congratulations to Portugal once again!

As a Pakistani writer of Kashmiri descent, it may not be entirely possible for me to speak without prejudice; but what’s one humble blogger’s bias against an iron curtain drawn over Kashmir by powers barely within my comprehension? If you’re outside Pakistan, and not politically motivated to draw your attention towards the gruesome events unfolding in Indian-administered Kashmir, it’s likely that you’re unaware of the gravity of this matter. And you’re not entirely to blame for your ignorance. You could be a hearing-impaired, computer-illiterate villager in Irkutsk, Russia, and you haven’t managed to keep yourself from finding out about a deadly rampage in Paris. But to find out about Indian forces open-firing at protesters in Qazigund, South Kashmir, you’ve had to actively burrow your way into sparingly-tweeted sites of the social media with the air of Gandalf digging through a mountain of dusty tomes to find the account of Isildur. With no papers, no mobile services, and two barely-functional TV news channels, social media giants like Facebook have re-confirmed their allegiance to the highest corridors of power, rather than the grassroots. Many Kashmiri bloggers and news analysts have complained about their posts disappearing without warning. Hamza Ali Abbasi – self-righteous, jingoist-extraordinaire – is a man I take no pleasure standing up for. But it’s an embarrassment on Facebook’s part, that his post sympathising with the separatist movement, and the recently executed Kashmiri militant – Burhan Wani – was also removed. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="492"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] Abbasi has often criticised Western establishments, and media powerhouses based in the West, for censoring Muslim voices and betraying their own sacrosanct ‘free speech’ principles. People like Abbasi may redress this matter as a global conspiracy against the flag-bearers of Islam; but the truth, I suspect, is less colourful and a lot more boring. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption] The present chaos and media prejudice cannot be summed up within a West versus Islam, or Hinduism versus Islam, paradigm. It is a simple case of the powerful displaying their apathy for the less powerful, unless caring is politically profitable. It’s a matter of the colonialist’s obvious antipathy for the colonised – and the latter’s dehumanisation as “laaton ke bhoot” who wouldn’t understand a language other than organised violence. And Abbasi’s right. We’ve seen this cyclical pattern in Palestine: of oppression generating insurgence; and insurgence held up as an excuse to validate oppression. Secular liberals who are wary of the Pakistani establishment’s exuberance in highlighting the political and military struggles of the Kashmiri people, and petrified of the resistance movement in Kashmir being spearheaded by Islamist outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, must allow themselves a macro view of the on-going atrocities. I empathise with their concern for Islamo-nationalism inspired distortion of ground realities, but this is bigger than the sum of its grotesque constituents visible in a cross-sectional frame of present. The present resistance is not a tentacle of a global jihadist uprising. Burhan Wani’s own radicalisation can be traced back to the violent death of his brother, Khalid, at the hands of the Indian forces. Islamist resistance movements are often bolstered by dangerous religious rhetoric, but are forged by personal losses and politico-economic despair. The Indian establishment now struggles to explain how foreign interference alone could have conjured hundreds of thousands of protesters, when the actions of their own forces and the strokes of their own pens in the last half a century, have been nothing short of ‘noble’. And right-leaning social liberals, with little cognisance of the state of terror Kashmiris have lived under for so long, spring forth to magnanimously offer the oppressed free courses on anger management. They usually have little comprehension of the anxieties of people who are unable to contact their families and friends in Kashmir; or the despair of people blinded by pellet guns; or the countless Kashmiri curfewed families whose homes are raided and ransacked without warning from time to time.

“Do not glorify militants like Wani!”

We finally caught a glimpse of Karan Johar’s ambitious project, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushaka Sharma, Aishwarya Rai Bachan and our very own Fawad Khan. What I gathered from the snippet is that the movie is fresh, dark, passionate and has a melodious soundtrack. This is Karan Johar’s first directorial venture after Student of the Year (2012). But Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is expected to be comparatively bigger, better and more appealing. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor, Anushaka Sharma and our very own Fawad Khan.
Photo: Instagram[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karan Johar and Fawad Khan
Photo: Instagram[/caption] I am extremely excited about the following things. 1. Music Karan Johar is famous for the euphonious music in his movies. Nearly all his movies have chartbuster songs and I feel Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will not be any different. The teaser features the title song, sung by Arijit Singh and composed by Pritam. It’s my personal favourite. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Anushaka Sharma
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] 2. The lead cast. Social media is abuzz after finding out about the lead cast. I mean who wouldn’t want to see Aishwarya, Ranbir, Anushka and Fawad Khan together in a movie? Eye candy and talent? I cannot wait to watch this movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Fawad Khan
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Anushaka Sharma
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachan
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] All the actors look absolutely gorgeous in the movie. It’s obvious that Karan Johar has worked hard on each of their looks, costumes and makeup. The four of them emote so perfectly that for a moment you forget a world outside the movie exists. There is hurt, there is loneliness, there is passion, there is aggression and there is sadness; brilliantly depicted by each of the actors. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor and Anushaka Sharma
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachan
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ranbir Kapoor and Anushaka Sharma
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] 3. Cinematography Just like he is known for his music, Karan Johar is also famous for picking gorgeous locations for his movies. London in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), New York in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in Europe and India. The film is shot in Vienna, Paris, Austria, London and Rajasthan. The teaser has aptly captured the true beauty of these places. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Aishwarya Rai Bachan
Photo: Screenshot[/caption] 4. Ranbir’s voiceover

“Ek tarfa pyar ki taaqat hi kuch aur hoti hai.. auro ke rishton ki tarah yeh do logon mein nahi bathti.. sirf mera haq hai ispe.” (Unrequited love has its own strength.. it doesn’t get divided between two people.. it is only mine to claim.)

“Are you related to ‘the’ Lasharis?”

“So what are you doing?”

Can you think of a better love affair than European nights and Real Madrid? I am pretty sure you can’t. Los Blancos have been going through a torrid campaign domestically, they are out of Copa Del Rey, and have no realistic chance of defending their La Liga crown.

However, at Europe’s elite competition, they once again transcended to an entirely different level to tarnish Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) hopes of Champions League success, at a time when the contrary seemed more likely.

Not a bad way for Madridistas to celebrate the club’s 116^th anniversary.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo and Marco Asensio steal the limelight

The path to the quarterfinals was paved at the Santiago Bernabéu with a 3-1 win. A clinical display by the Whites, in the away match at Paris, was enough to ensure that they remained largely unthreatened during the Round of 16 draw.

After a tame end to 2017, Ronaldo is once again peaking at the right time, having regained his goal-scoring form. With all the talks about him slowing down and losing his effectiveness, it is amazing how he keeps on turning up with goods when his team needs him the most, hallmark of a truly great player.

Sandwiched between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains, very few have heard of the micronation that is Andorra. I too only came across this tiny European country on Google Maps while I was planning my Euro tour. With a total area of only 468 kilometre square and a population of almost 77,000 people, it attracts over 10 million tourists annually, which is where 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) comes from. Seeing its beauty and its unusual size, it didn’t take long for me to include it in my itinerary as I planned to visit every single state in the European continent. Andorra is a three-hour bus ride from Barcelona, and tickets can easily be bought online or from the Barcelona train station. I bought a ticket for a round-trip, departing Barcelona early in the morning, but did not choose a return time for I did not know what to expect when it came to Andorra. Leaving Barcelona around 6:00am, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the bus was empty, with only five or so passengers inside. As we left Barcelona behind, I engaged in a conversation with a fellow passenger who hailed from Canada. I enquired why he was visiting Andorra and whether he was a tourist like me, only to discover he was a cigar collector and could buy good product for lower prices in the small state. The route itself was scenic, as we passed through hills, mountains, valleys and tunnels; it almost felt like a scene from an independent foreign language film. After three hours on the road, we reached the bus station in Andorra. As it was July, the very first thing I noticed was how much cooler the weather was, significantly colder than Barcelona was. Just across the road from the bus station was a beautiful canal, and I started walking alongside it towards the tourist information centre. I had read on the internet that tourists can get their passports stamped here, so I set out to do the same. As I made my way there, I stopped at many small shops for tourists to gauge the prices, and discovered them to be pricier than Dubai, which is where I live. I also came across Puente de Paris, a hanging steel bridge that offers a view of the river and the old town centre. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Puente de Paris[/caption] As I reached the tourist information centre, I noticed the staff were young (perhaps university students), spoke English well (a rarity at times in Europe), and were incredibly helpful. It was here that I was informed that passports can only be stamped at border control while exiting the country, and learned that one should not believe everything one reads on the internet. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The information centre[/caption] The first attraction I chose to visit was the Cultural Centre of Andorra. This centre opened in 2004 with the objective of strengthening the cultural resources of this small state that is often easily missed between popular states like Spain and France. The next place on my list was Casa de la Vall, a historical house you must visit, for without seeing it, your trip to Andorra remains incomplete. Built in 1580, this is the headquarters of the General Council of Andorra. There were various pictures installed in the yard, and not only were they impressive, they also offered a nice contrast with the building’s history. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Casa de la Vall[/caption] I went inside the Casa de la Vall to have a look around, but was informed they only offer guided tours and the next tour in English was after a few hours. Since I did not have the luxury of time to wait for a tour to begin, I instead chose to explore on my own. Passing through alleys and streets, I reached the Lidia Armengol Square, where I saw these seven statues, created by the famous artist Jaume Plensa in 2014. I had no idea what they were meant to represent, but a quick search on the internet revealed they were seven poets and could be considered signified metaphors of the seven parishes that make up Andorra. I stayed for a while, absorbing the art and culture that only European states seem to possess. After this, I decided to call my trip off, heading towards the bus station and reserving the earliest seat back to Barcelona, which was in 30 minutes. In the meantime, I made my way to border control to get my passport stamped. The officers here, like the rest of the citizens of Andorra, were extremely friendly, but I did experience a bit of a communication barrier for the first time in the country. As they stamped my passport, they asked me if I was headed back to America, only for me to shake my head and politely inform them that I belong to Pakistan. Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe – the fifth smallest to be precise – but it is naturally beautiful and can be enjoyed all year round. During winter, it hosts ski lovers and offers snowboarding and mountain resorts. In the summer, it is a nice escape from the sweltering heat of Barcelona or the crowds in France, offering blue skies and endless scenery of mountains and lakes. However, for those used to greater pleasures, it can feel a bit limiting. In my opinion, the real charm of Andorra lies in its country side, which is spectacular, and its people, who were super helpful and warm, and do speak English more than often than not, which is always a great plus point when travelling in Europe. Though I don’t see anyone planning a trip to Andorra on its own, if you are ever visiting Barcelona (or France), and would like to claim you have visited all of Europe, I would highly suggest planning a day trip to this micronation. All photos: Shahnam Ali

A global superstar at the moment, Ali Zafar is a man of all seasons. Not only is he multifaceted, having achieved success as a musician and an actor, but he also puts his heart and soul into everything he does. He has now made an incredibly successful Lollywood debut as well, as the producer and lead actor in this year’s Teefa in Trouble. In an exclusive interview, I learnt about Zafar’s current projects, Bollywood and marriage. You started singing at a very young age and have since established yourself as one of the leading contemporary singers in South Asia. What challenges did you have to put up with in a developing industry back then? That is a good question. Every era and phase that you go through in life has its own challenges. I needed a channel to air my music video if I wanted to put my work out there for people to see. Back then, there were only two channels; for instance if a music video aired on Indus channel, everybody would get to watch it. I had to make a video of a certain broadcast quality and standard that could compete with the rest. I remember when I was trying to get into the music scene, there were some really good music videos being made and the pop era was flourishing nicely. There was Abrarul Haq, Noori, Junoon, Fuzon, Jawad Ahmad and many other great artists. As a kid I thought, how could I make my mark? The challenge was to make a music video of that standard and before that, a song. I did not have money to record a song or to make a quality music video. I worked for three to four years at a hotel lobby and collected money by making portraits of people. Eventually, I had enough to be able to record my own song in the studio, but that was a struggle too. I approached many directors for the video, and ultimately Ahsan Rahim agreed to make Channo and the journey continued from there. You are perhaps the first Pakistani to make his Bollywood debut in 2010. In Pakistan, there is a social stigma that you betray your country if you work in a different industry. How would you respond? Why is there a need to respond? If it is someone’s belief, let it be. You should work based on your own convictions. I believe there is no better service than if a Pakistani works in India the right way and does great things. As an artist, you get global exposure. If I had done anything embarrassing for my people, it would have made more sense. I have had the longest run in Bollywood. I spent six years there and completed seven films. I saw my son Azaan grow up on Skype and I missed so much of family time, just because I was pursuing my passion. I really thought that India and Pakistan’s relationship would help both countries. It can only work through people-to-people contact. If you and I are sitting together, there is a lot I will give you and you will give back to me. There are many misconceptions created by the media and some want hatred to prevail. The only answer to this is love, so keep loving.  Out of all the Bollywood films you have done, which one was the most fun to work on? One of the best times of my life was working on Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Tere Bin Laden will always be special because it was my first film, but the team of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan gelled in so well. We played cricket together, and taught some to Katrina Kaif as well. I was lucky to work with lovely producers like Goldie Behl in London, Paris, New York, David Dhawan in Chashme Baddoor, Shaad Ali in Kill Dil and Neeraj Pandey in Total Siyapaa. I have a great relationship with Yash Raj and Shaad. I remember the Uri attacks took place after filming my scenes for Dear Zindagi. Because of this reason, it was decided that Pakistani actors could not be in the film and they would have to replace me in it. They shot the entire portion with another actor, but the director took a stand and my part remains in the film. This is all because of the respect and relationships you have. You have to earn it. It is only possible if you spend a certain amount of time every single day. If my fans stand with me today, it is because they have seen something in me for years. I am not saying that I am able or good enough, but you cannot fake it or order others to respect you or believe in you. You have to earn respect for yourself and there is a process for it. Which character do you aspire to play in the future that you have not portrayed yet? A negative character; it should be something that is completely unexpected from me, as Heath Ledger managed to do with the Joker. It must be challenging for me. To be honest, it is easy to read good lines in a script, which is a simple method of acting in Pakistan. We don’t create characters that are offbeat, so a negative character would be fun to play. I did a bit of it in Teefa in Trouble; I had to do it in one take only for each character. Is there any rule that applies to your fans when you meet them? When it comes to us, we don’t keep any rules (laughs). Everyone has different ways of expressing love and affection. Some want to hug you, while others want to take a selfie with you or talk to you. Yes, there is a certain limit, and as long as you are not hurting me, it is fine. I have had many fans who have expressed themselves differently. Some have threatened to kill me or themselves. In this area, it is very hard to explain to a normal person what we have to face at times.  According to you, what is the key for a lifelong and successful marriage? Understanding – I say understanding because you need to understand that the other person is a completely different human being with a different gender, emotional construct, set of emotions and needs. You need to understand where the other person is coming from. One has to get rid of his ego for this reason. If you can conquer your ego, you can conquer the world. What happens is, when you get rid of your ego, you think I am nothing, but the other person is everything. With that emotion you say, ‘what can I do for you?’ and you end up doing it for that person. By the nature of this construct, the other individual is bound to give back. If you take away happiness from your partner, she will do the same for you. You have to understand and strive to give happiness to each other and not take it away. Many couples often say,

“Why didn’t you do this? What will I do?”

She looked up at the swaying inferno over her head and wondered, ‘did the flame in my heart… set the trees on fire?’ A lazy chill creeped into the air. Not the bite of winter, just a nip to announce that a brand new season was at hand. A lonely streetlamp cast an artificial glow onto the French pavement, illuminating fallen leaves in a garish of warm yellow light. Twilight bathed the Seine as the streets of the most romantic city in the world gilded in gold. The walkway ahead of her twisted like a silk scarf; twirling, leading into the horizon. The dancing lights of the famous tower, in all their vibrant tones, passionately kissed the sky. Her footsteps echoed sharply on the deserted street, sounding overly loud in her own ears, just like her booming heartbeat. Every step she took felt cushioned from below and the next one almost encouraged, bringing her closer to the glistening spectacle ahead. This sight could have easily belonged to another time, perhaps a place where time was truly forever. A place of eternal serenity. Her solitude was stripped by the sound of his footsteps, as he stepped in from the shadows. She could hear that he was slightly out of breath – a breath too complex to be described by a metaphor. Yet he failed to contain his smile as he caught up with her. He never had any trouble finding where she was. They had been running forever, searching forever, but in the end, all paths had led them back to this pavement – and each other. Even now, without looking, she could feel his smile playing with her hair. A smile that roared in the dark… braiding a million promises into the autumn air. She turned around to look at him and somehow forgot to breathe. All of time collapsed into one tiny second and exploded at light speed. Fragments and pieces of her small confused world began falling into place, now that he was by her side. He was handsome, of course, but with a soul that was simply beautiful. She envied the crisp breeze, seductively caressing his hair, exactly the way she wished to, softly at first but tousling strands as it exited. Strong arched brows and lashes that should probably be illegal, surrounded eyes – the color of the earth after torrential rains. Eyes, hiding a mischievous glint that tugged at the corners of his mouth, always fighting a smile, piercing her skin, greeting her soul. Eyes, she was destined to surrender to. As he slowly walked up to her, she paused for a moment. Feeling the ambiance, absorbing the mellow sounds, taking in the night’s aroma, just letting herself be still. The cold night and his nearness had painted a bright red on her cheeks, the same color as her dress. The cool breeze weaved a chill through her veins and made a home somewhere deep in her heart. It filled her with a nostalgia she had no recollection of. A calming happiness she had never felt before. She breathed in, inhaling this memory and locking it in her vault. Vowing to be beamed into this exact moment, another day, maybe from another place, another time. Joining her path in sync with her steps, he carefully slung her smiles over his shoulder. Like a traveler carrying his meagre belongings, finally on his way home. Unsaid promises brimmed from their pockets as their fingers slowly entwined. In those fingers, cupid lurked in ambush, lacing their existence together, never to part again. How could these two ever be put into mere words? An entire ocean of ink would not be enough to describe the exchange that took place as soon as their hands touched. They were a starburst of light amongst the dreaded, darkening dusk. They were all the stars, in all the galaxies, condensed into two never-ending smiles. They were in love. A brave, untamed, reckless kind of love. The kind that requires courage, invites you to walk into the light after a lifetime of shadows. A love that doesn’t speak of half-spoken promises or meaningless words. A love that has no bounds; neither length nor limit. It is absolute. A love that forgets to think beyond the present moment yet promises each other an eternity. A love  unafraid of  ‘tomorrow’. A love that demands the heart of a lion… because it leaves no survivors. As her hand got engulfed in his, she looked at him, as if asking, “are you sure?” He locked her fingers tighter within his, glueing his heart to the palm of her hand. And within the fraction of a second, the greatest symphony in all of history filled the air. Because he whispered,

“Always – you.”

Thousands of people around the world are either going into quarantine or self-isolation to minimise the potential spread of COVID-19. This includes those who have been isolated after testing positive for the infection and those who are suspected of contracting the virus after coming in contact with a carrier. The first group of Pakistanis who experienced quarantine were students caught in the crisis right at the start of its outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Their desperate calls for help through social media and electronic media provided the first glimpse of how daunting it can be to experience such a situation. With the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic, it seems only a matter of time before a large number of people in Pakistan are put in quarantine. Already, a number of pilgrims travelling from Iran to Pakistan have been put into isolation, with 88 testing positive in a quarantine facility in Sukkur and 15 testing positive at the Dera Ismail Khan centre.  I myself was recently put in quarantine while I was in Paris when some of my fellow participants in a global strategic policy dialogue were diagnosed with COVID-19. The thought of something supposedly originating from bats in China having entered your body on the other side of the world is undoubtedly scary. The likelihood that I had been exposed to it was high, given that I spent three days travelling in the same bus, attending various discussion sessions and having meals in the same dining hall with those who tested positive. However, was this interaction enough for me to catch the virus? Had our hosts and their the staff contracted the virus as well? The uncertainty was simply nerve wracking. Outside, the city of Paris and by large, the whole of France was in turmoil. The number of cases in the country have already shot up from 100 at the start of this month to almost 5,500 in little over two weeks. The healthcare system is understandably overwhelmed and emergency services have their hands full. At the time, I was not exhibiting any symptoms and so, I was not being offered the coronavirus test, something that I desperately wanted. However, given how most healthcare systems are indifferent to testing requests of individuals who are not exhibiting symptoms, most people will have to cope with such uncertainty. We were put in a hotel room where food was left at our door step. The staff that was tasked with providing us food looked like astronauts with their prominent face masks, gowns and gloves which only added to my already burgeoning nervousness. Of course, I knew that these measures were necessary and that the staff was not acting over the top. Regardless, it was still hard to come to terms with the gravity of the situation and the enforced social isolation which essentially felt like banishment. Humans are social beings and do not necessarily respond well to social isolation and the resulting stress. Being in quarantine can therefore trigger feelings of being left out, abandoned, unwanted and can result in frustration, confusion, anger and fear. That being said, what can we do to maintain our sanity if ever we are put in such a situation? Here are some of the things that helped me calm my nerves during quarantine. Connect with others It is important to keep talking to others. Share your concerns and feelings with a trusted friend or a family member for emotional support. This can be done through the phone or video chat. It is also helpful to talk to others in a similar situation. Talking to people you trust who have been quarantined with you or separately from you will help reduce the feelings of isolation and could actually improve your bond with them. Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking   Similar to my case, there is a chance that you have not been infected by the coronavirus even if you were in contact with someone who was. If you have tested positive, for a vast majority of people, there is a decent chance that you will overcome this illness like a rudimentary bout of flu if your immunity is strong enough. It is important to keep things in perspective and maintain a positive frame of mind. Avoid excessive media coverage Constantly viewing footage and images of scenes related to the epidemic from around the world can invoke an adverse emotional response. It is therefore best to avoid obsessively following round- the-clock media coverage of COVID-19 and instead, stay abreast by looking at the news a few times a day and reading guidelines prepared by responsible sources on dealing with the situation at hand. Take care of yourself Take deep breaths, meditate and stretch. Walking within the room and getting fresh air from the window can be very helpful. Also, make sure to eat well, making certain that what you consume boosts your immunity and drink plenty of water. It is also important to  keep yourself busy by reading  books, watching movies, following up on your work, channeling any frustrations through writing and undertaking other home-based leisure activities such as board or video games that can can help you ease through these testing times. Make a rational assessment If you develop severe symptoms over the quarantine period, seek immediate medical help. If you are over 60 years of age, have a weak immune system or other pre-existing conditions, you must seek immediate medical help even if you are experiencing mild symptoms. In all cases, stay calm and make rational decisions such as not being shy when it comes to calling for help, if indeed you do require medical assistance. Please make sure that you are well stocked with food and other necessary amenities. These include basic medicine to help relieve symptoms. However, it is imperative that your move to stock items is backed by rationale and not by panic. Therefore, purchase with a view to ensure sufficiency and resist the temptation to ration for a nuclear apocalypse. After enduring a 14-day quarantine, I thankfully showed no symptoms of the coronavirus and was therefore allowed to return to Pakistan. The embassy in Paris was kind enough to send food supplies and stayed in contact throughout. It was nice to know that the state of Pakistan was concerned and remained available for support if needed. Therefore, if you find yourself quarantined in a foreign country, do contact the local embassy and seek their advice on the matter at hand. Please also remember that being in quarantine is not a death sentence because someone like me, who was in close proximity with coronavirus affectees, did not contract the infection and was allowed to leave eventually. With regards to the experience itself, to me, it highlighted both the vulnerable and the resilient sides of human character. It also showed how connected and dependent we are on each other. The key is to coordinate a collective response to disasters such as these and avoid panicking. Taking prudent decisions and helping each other through this difficult phase can go a long way in fighting the virus itself. Let us console and help those caught in the middle of this crisis through both practical and emotional support, especially those with limited means of earning and resources to fend for themselves.

Before we begin, let’s address the elephant in the room: the COVID-19 pandemic has sucked the normalcy out of almost everyone’s life. That being said, this pandemic shall pass eventually, and there is little value in spinning endless conspiracies and rhetoric around it.  While the country was gearing up for the revival of its tourism sector, the global travel advisories, suspension of major flights, and subsequent transformation of hotels up and down the country into quarantine sectors have essentially robbed us of an otherwise promising season. Yet this unforeseen delay may be a blessing in disguise for the tourism sector as it allows those involved to benchmark, evaluate, and bolster Pakistan’s institutional tourism capacity. At the turn of this decade, Pakistan saw the return of British Airways, previously red travel advisories turn green, visits from various dignitaries including the British royal couple, and press-authorities on tourism boast of Pakistan’s attractiveness for tourists. The rusting mechanism, once employed by tour operators, was being cleaned and readied for the season. This wasn’t a surprise. After all, Pakistan boasts beautiful mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, historically vibrant cities, and unparalleled tales. For years, the plague of terrorism had walled these wonders from the rest of the world, and the walls were beginning to crumble. Pakistan was ready to open itself up to the rest of the world. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) further catalysed growth in this sector with the construction of much-needed motorways, and exclusive economic zones. YouTubers from different countries also provided a soft image bump, which proved to be a powerful form of marketing. However, some problems need addressing before tourism can become a serious sector for Pakistan. The country is still not an incredibly easy place to travel in: with no-objection certificates (NOCs) required for movement within certain areas, a gora (white) complex which produces an inconsistent experience amongst diverse groups of tourists, a set of cultural and linguistic barriers, and a lack of standardised resorts and infrastructure in remote areas. With multiple iterations of handling seasonal inbound tourists, there is bound to be an evolution of tourist-friendly policies and social impediments. However, the number of hotels is small, their rates unpredictable, and their standards inconsistent. At times, domestic tourists find themselves stranded on segments of roads blocked by massive landslides. In some areas, the definition of a highway is a stretch of rocky terrain, slightly smoothed by the number of large trucks and buses passing over it. Available flights to the northern areas are often difficult to find during peak season with no alternatives. Perhaps it may be a good idea to follow in Nepal’s footsteps and incentivise private flight operators who can give aerial tours of the northern areas. To the casual observer, the COVID-19 pandemic is a devastating blow to the thousands of people who earn their livelihood through an increasingly promising tourism sector. The observer would not be wrong, but it would be foolish not to consider that the nature of policies this pandemic has brought could be potentially game-changing for ensuring the sustainability of our tourism sector in the long run. Imran Khan’s recent push for the up-gradation of the construction sector, with various incentives offered to those who initiate construction projects, could not have come a better time. Construction of world-class resorts and hotels along with reliable roads will not only help retain a large number of economically weak workers but will also boost the tourism sector for years to come. The government of Pakistan can even go further by building extensions to and renovating existing resorts while establishing new sites for ecotourism. Construction alone will never be the answer; thorough planning and measurement of the number and types of touristic sites need to be married with an active policy that ensures that Pakistan opens its doors to the rest of the world, unequivocally and universally. In the past few years, there have been various private sector initiatives, often student-driven, that have done a lot of good work by establishing themed tours that enhance urban tourism. Perhaps the time has come to appreciate the fact the history of Lahore and Peshawar is second to none, and a majority of global tourists choose urban destinations like Paris, London, and Rome. Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be empowered, complementary industries, like souvenirs, need to be spawned, hotels and resorts need to be constructed, and a compelling narrative needs to be unilaterally produced that projects the splendours of this country to the rest of the world. It is perhaps too soon to comment on how the next few months will unravel, but it is a matter of fact rather than speculation that the tourism industry in this country needs work to achieve its true potential. Pakistan is joining the race late, and it would be unwise to remain idle when given a chance to catch up to the rest of the world during this strange break.