About
Pak Tea House is a little corner in the blogosphere that will endeavour to revive the culture of debate, pluralism and tolerance. It has no pretensions nor illusions but the motivation of a few people who want to see Pakistan a better place - where ideas need to counter the forces of commercialism, adverse effects of globalisation and extremism. And, ideas must translate into action that leads us to an equitable, just and healthy society.
Please join us - through writings, contributions, discussions, and spreading the word…
On Pak Tea House
“It was a different world when coffeehouses and teahouses flourished. They flourished in the background of a rich restaurant culture, which distinguished the Mall from other cultural spots of the city. Those sitting there were never seen in a hurry. They could afford to sit for long hours discussing ideas and ideologies over a cup of tea. Each literary theory had its protagonists, who when engaged in a discussion gave the impression of being the defender of a noble cause most dear to them. And it was not simply an intellectual exercise with them. What they discovered as truth in the process of their literary or intellectual thinking stayed as an article of faith with them.
Such were the devoted souls for whom ideas and ideologies meant more than worldly benefits. It was because of them that certain restaurants gained a cultural status. Now we are living in a different world. This world cannot afford to have such souls and such haunts within its fold. The age of coffeehouses and teahouses is gone. Food streets are now the hallmark of life in Lahore.”
From Intizar Hussain’s essay Revisiting the Past.
History
“It is said that both the Coffee House and the Pak Tea House, which was across the road, belonged to two Sikh brothers. The two places used to be known before partition as the India Coffee House and the India Tea House. The two brothers replicated their two Lahore restaurants in Delhi where they were forced to migrate as the 1947 bloodbath took hold of Punjab.
Sirajuddin, who turned India Tea House into Pak Tea House (now dead like its owner and only a memory), once told me - or was it his son who did - that one day, he noticed a Sikh standing across the road, just staring. When he asked the stranger to come in, he told him that he had come from India and this place and the Coffee House across the road used to belong to him and his brother. The Coffee House has long been gone and in its place there now stands a bank. Nila Gumbad, where these restaurants and intellectual hangouts were once located, is now a bustling auto parts and car tyre market. Although there is no shortage of hotels and restaurants in Lahore today, there is not a single place that could claim to be a true successor to any of those wonderful establishments.”
A Hameed translated by Khalid Hasan
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1.
iFaqeer | November 6, 2007 at 6:18 am
the idea is interesting…what’s the plan?
2.
Atif Agha | November 9, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I lived in old Anarkali for nearly 12 years, Although I never really took an opportunity to actually go inside Pak Tea House, I remember the old board, I remember walking past the Pak Tea House to check out the books on the floor towards the bazaar. My uncle used to visit pak Tea House once in a while. Tollinton Market http://www.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/tollinton_market.html
Lahore - Ahh.. Lahore ke fizaein, Lahore kee barsaatein, Pakore, Chaye, Falooda and Lahore ka culture. University Ground, sarkon per cricket, Lahore ke khsubhoo yaad ate hai..
Sub ko ahista ahista zang se he lag geya..
3.
Mayank Austen Soofi | November 11, 2007 at 4:43 am
My best wishes to this website.
4.
Mayank Austen Soofi | November 11, 2007 at 11:37 am
Pak Tea House “…want… to counter the forces of commercialism, globalisation and extremism. ” Why include Globalisation? Is it bad?
5.
shafqat hussain | November 20, 2007 at 5:51 am
Bhaee Atif Agha, aap ko chaye or pakoroun kee puree hey, yehan life (zindagee) pay amerjunsee lugee hey…
6.
hasnat | December 7, 2007 at 8:15 am
i suppose it could not breath in those tyres around it.
7.
Yousaf Hassan | December 9, 2007 at 3:15 am
Hello to all Readers!
I am sure none of you have ever thought where is the TEAM of PAK TEA HOUSE the 1st owner and his family? I don’t think anything is mentioned about the family owner of the PAK TEA HOUSE. Just said little about Siraj Ud Din Ahmed(late) and not even mentioned the name of the person who had been running the place since 1978 after the death of Mr.Siraj.
What a double standard of our WRITERS LIKE A.HAMEED. He doesn’t even remember that who told him about that Sikh person who was staring!
I know the family of PTH.
I know how much they have suffered because of our print and electronic media and the 3rd class writers such as A.Hameed, Hussain Majrooh, Jawaid Aftab, Intizar Hussain, Asrar Zaidi and all other rubbish whom you think they are very big names.
I know the family who had been running the business since 1948. I am one of them!
I am Mr. Zahid Hassan’s son who is a current owner of this place IF ANY OF YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHY PTH HAD BEEN CLOSED DOWN?
What ever have read and advertised about my family on our MEDIA was wrong.
You are more then welcome if wants to know more about our PTH.
8.
Mayank Austen Soofi | December 26, 2007 at 6:14 am
Pak Tea House is still a new website and it will be too early to predict its future course. But I’m following it since its conception. During intial days, it seemed good and proper and informative. I liked reading it. But something has changed. I’m reading it almost daily since past few days and only now have I realised what a precious blog it is. So wonderful. My best wishes to the entire team.
9.
rockestani | January 17, 2008 at 11:40 am
ive only just come to know about the legend that was Pak Tea House.
Im a Brit living in Lahore…working in TV news, journalism….I look forward to sharing the Pak tea experience..albeit online.
please feel free to check out my pak blog on myspace page
10.
PTH | January 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Rockestani
Many thanks visting this cyber Pak Tea House. Indeed, we should meet but alas only in the blogosphere as the real Pak Tea House is long dead and gone.
This is why we have set up this space to revive the original spirit, even if in a truncated manner, of the great idea. Let’s hope this youn blog-zine turns into a platform for writers and those who care.
Looking forward to your visits again
cheers
Raza
11.
mahmood | February 23, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Very nice,I want to writeonPAk Tea House ,how mcan i contribute?
12.
bibomedia.com | March 8, 2008 at 11:31 am
13.
Lisa Damian | April 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm
What a profound and moving site. I wish you heartfelt good luck in your endeavors!
14.
madiha | April 4, 2008 at 5:23 am
yea ryte most of the ppl are not that much familiare
15.
Zachary | April 5, 2008 at 5:39 am
Fascinating. Count me in!
16.
Ata Ur Rehman Malik | April 15, 2008 at 10:35 am
It is bad luck of lahori’s that they have destroyed historical place of literary people although lahori’s are traditional.
Infact they have vanished lahori traditions. No body has come forward and bodly say please save our traditional place other wise it could have been servived because lahori people can sacrifise money to safe the traditional place.
I hope Inshallah Pak Tea House will be reopened with the efforts of young and old people.
17.
mdy001 | April 20, 2008 at 1:07 am
Thanks for the link (which has been duly reciprocated). Very much enjoying your work and the perspectives your site reveals.
18.
Shama T. Bukhari | May 7, 2008 at 7:52 pm
For all and Mr yousaf HASSAN..SINCE MY CHILDHOOD ,I HAVE BEEN VISITING pak tea house till 1993.what a illustrous place it was !a haven for literary people.who were not concerned about the outside world.they WERE HAPPY THAT THEY had a place to think,write,rewrite,weep and smile ,SITTING THERE FOR HOURSi I have photogrphs WITH ME..an old waiter served us for a very long period with lamb chops and karak chai.i feel so sorry about its being shut down…lahorites r happy to have the food street but they should mourn at the sad demise of an literary age or era…that was PAK TEA HOUSE.
19.
Shama T. Bukhari | May 7, 2008 at 8:04 pm
for those people ,who used to sit in the pak tea house for hours and hours.it was a haven for them.
uttha kabhee dhuaan na kabhi roshni hoee
jaltee rahee hayaat baree khamushee k saath…