Thought I'd report back on my experience with Abdul Hameed & Sons. So I visited Afzal on Saturday. VERY impressed with results and the guy himself. Got to his shop shortly after 10am. He hadn't reached but luckily I didn't have to wait more than 5 mins. I told him what my complaints with the car were and at some point during the discussion dropped the name Xulfiqar. He immediately acknowledged of course and told me that he gets at least 2 customers every week who come with his reference. Then proceeded to tell me that he was looking forward to seeing him after Eid as apparently he would be visiting.
So back to the car .. I basically had 2 complaints: 1) Noise and play in the steering and 2) suspension wasn't as smooth as before. After a short test drive Afzal confirmed that there was indeed a problem with the steering. He didn't immediately suspect there was anything wrong with the suspension, but thought that since he would be opening up the steering rack he might as well check the shocks too as they could be worn out. On inquiring about costs, he told me to expect between 8-10,000 depending on the work involved. I agreed without much haggling as I thought so many have been satisfied with the quality of his work previously and from everything I have read on these forums, he's an honest guy and doesn't charge unnecessarily.
His guys immediately got to work and within a short time had removed both front shocks and presented them to Afzal who proceeded to demonstrate to me that one of them had leaked. The other one he claimed was at about 50% so he would work on both. He asked me whether I wanted to replace the shocks but then changed his mind and said don't bother replacing them, genuine cheez hai and I can tell it hasn't been opened before (he was right, I am the first owner and have never had any suspension work done previously). I asked him how long refills last and would it be affected by the fact that I only drive in the city on decent roads for the most part, to which he replied by saying that he would give me a one year warranty and I could drive wherever I wanted. Seemed fair to me so I agreed to go ahead with the refill on both shocks.
The steering rack (gaatri?) came out next. The problem was diagnosed as a cut bush and something else the name for which now escapes me (sounded similar to gutka). The steering also required pressing.
All in all I paid Rs. 8500 for all the above work inc. labour. I have the receipt with the exact breakdown lying around somewhere if someone is interested please ask. They started work at 11am and the car was ready by approximately 330pm. The suspension hasn't felt this good in over a year and the steering problem has also been taken care of. Also, while I was waiting I also got Steelmate 838G central locking installed by the shop across the road which I'd been putting off for the last few months. Day well spent! God bless Afzal bhai and the PW forums.