Winter Foods in Pakistan Are Exotic

By Lynne Evans

Winter time in Pakistan means different food items in the shops and for me this is very exciting. I have recently come across a vegetable called "chung" which, in its raw state, looks like a small cactus without the spines. It grows to about 6 inches and is a dark green colour with nodes along its skin where, if it were a cactus, spines would be. I have tried to discover its botanical name but without much success. It is a bitter plant, and tastes a little like karalla or the bitter melon, and is best cooked with meat, minced beef seems to be the best. It has to be rubbed in salt before it is cooked to take away some of the bitterness, although a neighbour took a piece or two and ate them raw, as he did when he found them on the mountains when he was a boy. They are used traditionally to purify the blood and as a general tonic.

The other new vegetable for me is the "mongray" which is the whole seed pod of the mooli or Daikon radish. They taste like Kachnar buds and are good when cooked with beef too.

Fenugreek leaves are in season now so we cook them with spinach and with meat, as they are full of iron and have antioxidant properties. It's marvelous when something that tastes so good is healthy too.

In the fruit line there are dried "amlook" or date-plums, which are supposed to be the lotus fruit which made Odysseus and his men forget their dreams of returning home to Ithaca in Greece after the Trojan Wars. They are very sweet and in the raw form look like small black persimmons.

Autumn meant that there were ber fruit or the Indian jujube, which has a unique taste and to me they smell a little like hops, and I can't quite manage to eat one. There were also persimmons which were much more palatable. Unfortunately this sweet variety cannot be exported because it is so thin-skinned, but it is much sweeter than the varieties I have sampled in Europe.

Shareefa is another delightful fruit, the custard apple, or at least a variety of custard apple. These got their name because they were so adored by the Mogul emperors and only they were allowed to eat them. These days, few ordinary Pakistanis eat them as they are still comparatively expensive and so are not normally bought for families.

The red carrots have also come into their own so we can eat carrot halva and a spicy, sweet carrot conserve which is wonderful with natural yoghurt.

The itinerant sellers in the bazaar have brought sandalwood prayer beads and frankincense to burn, so these have been interesting too. Clearly the frankincense is of a low grade, as it looks like an ordinary stone, but it crumbles and makes the house smell wonderful when it is burned.

I have been in Pakistan for over two years now, but there is always something new to experience and clearly the food we get in the West which is sold as Indian or Pakistani is not the same as that which is actually eaten on the subcontinent as the fresh fruit and vegetables cannot be easily transported. We miss out on jamun (which are a little like damsons) and those delicious persimmons.

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Problems That Pakistan Faces Today

By Tahir Hamid

Pakistan is a nation of 180 million people. Our economy is stifled and we are living on handouts dished out by the IMF and foreign remittances sent back home. The IMF has been responsible for the debacle of a number of economies and Pakistan seems to be one of its latest victims. The World Bank and IMF are financial institutions that are used by USA to enforce its policies on hapless victims.

The IMF is concerned more about curbing inflation and not about curbing high unemployment. In Pakistans case, Pakistans forces are busy waging a War on Terror that isn't ours in the first place. It has been established by experts that the Tehreek e Taliban is a band of mercenaries that have been funded by CIA and MOSSAD. Instead of stabilizing Pakistan, theres an image that's been created that it is an unstable nation that is host to a number of terrorist organizations.

I find it amusing that all the acts of terror are being perpetrated in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and none whatsoever in Western countries. I don't advocate terrorism but why is it that all these terrorists are targeting men and women in Muslim countries if indeed these are Muslim terrorists. Consequently our army is being used in Waziristan to flush out these militants and to kill them. But to be very honest, how many of them are there that the Pakistani forces have not been able to finish off. The lions share of our budget is being used for financing the army. How long can Pakistans ailing economy sustain such pressure? If austerity measures are required for us to survive, then why is it that the politicians and bureaucrats need an increase in salaries and incomes when they already live lives of the rich and the famous?

A politician like Nawaz Sharif requires 300 security personnel to protect him. That means that the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and President must also be maintaining private armies to protect them. These men don't pay taxes and use taxes paid by the common man to finance their lavish and luxurious lifestyles. Do we really need such men and women? Wouldn't it be better if we elected men such as Mr. Imran Khan or Mr.Zaid Hamid to key posts in the government. Pakistan needs sincere men and women who work for the nation. We don't need men and women who are insincere and selfish and corrupt. In the current situation, I find it difficult to imagine how Pakistan will overcome its energy crises.

We should have welcomed the Iranian gas deal. However as usual, the Pakistan Government seems concerned that it may offend USA by doing so. Similarly China's offer to build 2 nuclear reactors in Pakistan is welcome but is the Pakistani government willing to make moves that may offend the people in Washington. The fate of the Pakistani people maybe effectively sealed unless we take steps to meet our power and energy demands. That will be vital for reinvigorating the national economy. This reinvigoration of the economy will be essential for much needed GDP and job creation. It will be the only way for paying back internal and external debt. We have to find a way of being a self reliant nation. In order to become a global power, Pakistan needs to fight Corruption.

Pakistan will not be able to survive without social and economic justice. There can be no end to the corruption and injustices without accountability. And there can be no accountability if the rich and powerful are immune to the arms of the law. Therefore the judicial system has to be immensely powerful. Secondly there should be meritocracy in the nation and people who are educated and capable need to be appointed as heads of important ministries. It is time that feudalism is done away with. We need reformers, social workers and economists to become a part of the ruling classes. If 10 core rupees are needed to stand for election, then the people who do so will first seek to recover that amount by hook or by crook. Therefore we need a system where men with finances and power are not essentially those who come into power. We need people who can lead the people and those who are willing to contribute to solving the problems of the people.

Pakistan faces a number of problems and those include:

1) Religious Intolerance
2) Wrong men in positions of power
3) Illiteracy
4) Wealth in the hands of a few people
5) The elite don't pay their taxes
6) Lack of access of people to education, food, healthcare, jobs, justice, clean water and sanitation
7) Elements of social and moral corruption are not being curbed
8) Degeneration of a so called Islamic society
9) Disunity between the people and sentiments of provincialism
10) Traditions that are Un-Islamic are being spread throughout the society
11) Lack of merit and accountability
12) High Unemployment and High Inflation
13) The disparity between rich and poor increases
14) The presence of bribery, usury, prostitution,child abuse in the society
15) Women are being murdered in the name of honor
16) Police is ineffective. Serves as a tool for rape and murder of people

These are just some of the many problems that the nation faces today. Over the course of time, our rulers have been too busy abusing their powers and have setup a system which is intensely corrupt. As a consequence we face an increasing danger that Pakistan may indeed be no more

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Pakistan's Economy

By Raja Imran Khan

Pakistan is a South Asian country of 180 million people with $164 billion GDP, contributing 19.6%, 26.8% and 53.7% respectively by agriculture, industry and services. Per Capita income is around $1022 and Human development index (HDI) is 0.52, Pakistan is the 6th populated country having 5th biggest army in the world; acquired area is about 803,940 km2, the external debts are around $50.1 billion.

This country has exceptional potential for growth, as it has achieved a growth rate of 6.8% in 2006-7 currently it is at 2%. Pakistan's Economy is based on agriculture, textile, cottage industry, and foreign remittances. Service industry has grown up rapidly in last two decades particularly telecommunication industry got tremendous boom.

Different sectors are supporting Pakistan's economy with a pivotal role of agriculture sector as depicted by its national emblem; this country has marvels treasures of natural resources, having four seasons, fertile lands, best irrigation system, some of largest natural resources mines, highest mountain ranges, 1050 mile coastline, vast deserts and the best fertile lands; surely is one of the most blessed countries on the earth. Despite having all these qualities the political and economic conditions are worse.

This country has 70% population linked with rural sector but the area is neglected and underdeveloped and performing well below its capacity. Proper planning, organizing, management and monitoring is needed.

Major issues are easy to understand, here is a glimpse of some common problems. The annual budget for 2009-2010 is approximately $33.1 billion for whole country; the big portion is consumed by defense and forging debt services which is $13.09 billion divided $9.2 billion and $4.07billion respectively; remaining amount is left for all other sectors.

On the other side some $2.02 billion is looted by politicians, and around $2.2 billion is on record written offs as bad debts in last 13 years, beneficiaries are the elite class of the country. This influential class is not willing to transfer the basic right of the people to the common men especially in the rural areas. Particularly they don't want common man to be educated.

Without going deep into the figures, in general, it's an open secret that conditions are not favorable, but still not that much worse as perceived and depicted on different platforms. Here we come directly to the some directive measures which can help to guide the things in right track.

First of all Pakistan needs:

o To understand that agriculture is the strength of Pakistan's economy and need to be taken seriously by government and public sector.

o To give farmers easy excess to the market

o To train and manage human capital

o To its media play its role to boost the economy

o To give considerable attention to the management and utilization of resources.

Education sector is the most neglected and badly managed area and one of the root causes of corruption, incapability, inactivity. This sector should be:

o Reformed in terms of education syllabus and system

o Adopted a fair and long term policy managed by a transparent system

o Change the dual education standards to one equal syllabus for everyone.

Energy crises is the current biggest problem for country and badly affecting the manufacturing sector, the solution is:

o To hire capable efficient and honest people (Management Staff)

o To add new power generation plants

o To manage existing power housed effectively

o To make timely payments to the rental power plants.

Many issues have direct and indirect effects on the economy and need an immediate consideration which can be studied in their subjective domain.

Thank you.

Raja Imran Khan
MBA (Finance)

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What Is The United States To Do About Its Relationship With Pakistan?

By Ian MacIsaac

The pull within Pakistan's government between the officials who consider themselves in line with the U.S. and others who spiritually and politically ally with the Taliban and extremist forces has come to a head in the wake of Osama bin Laden's demise. Pakistan has gone from being the United States' number one ally in our declared war against terrorism to being perhaps the most disloyal and unstable nation the U.S. ever gave 4.5 billion dollars a year to.

Indeed, that represents the largest single share of American government dollars given directly to any foreign government last year, and Pakistan was the recipient. But despite being our nominal military ally, Pakistan has indeed become American foreign policy problem number one. Pakistan is a country pulled in two directions--most of its officials toward the United States, a select few toward terrorist groups--and the U.S. is giving heaps of money to all of them.

Senator John Kerry, in Pakistan as a government envoy, spoke to the New York Times about both countries needing to make "fundamental choices" about their partnership. A nation cannot pledge to be "America's number one ally in the War on Terror" and then have elements of its intelligence force harbor Osama bin Laden. Indeed it is very likely that members of General Pasha's very own intelligence agency--the Pakistani ISI, or Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate--knew of bin Laden's residence just outside Islamabad, and actively harbored or at least tolerated his existence there.

The absolute top officials in Pakistan's civilian government, armed with nuclear weapons, realize the inherent instability of letting terrorists get too close; these Pakistani officials are almost uniformly good friends of the United States. But many high- and middle-ranking military and intelligence officers do not harbor the same sympathies toward the west as those who side spiritually with the United States in its quest for superiority over Islamic extremism.

And although we have uncovered no connecting evidence in bin Laden's trove, it has become accepted inside the beltway that elements of Pakistan's military and intelligence services knew of bin Laden's sheltering in Abottobad or even harbored or funded it. The New York Times wrote on Sunday that U.S. intelligence "believe the top leadership of [Pakistan] was genuinely surprised about bin Laden's whereabouts... But they strongly suspect... the [Pakistani] military... and I.S.I., the main intelligence service, were aware [of bin Laden]." Hardly an alliance worth billions of dollars.

One of the 'big sticks' hanging over the head of the Pakistanis is the prospect that--within the trove of information and files found by U.S. forces in bin Laden's compound currently being sifted through at CIA Headquarters--there is solid evidence of Pakistani being complicit in bin Laden's harboring. No matter at what level of their government or intelligence services, any specific evidence of this would be horrible for Pakistan. It would mean almost certainly a loss of American military aid, which would be a terrible blow to a country that, no matter how softly it treats some terrorists, desperately needs U.S. money keep jihadists working inside its own borders from destabilizing its government.

Political differences among those within the Pakistani government and military have not led to a difference in opinion over American money--over $20 billion, in fact, since September 11, 2001. There are many within the U.S. intelligence community who argue bin Laden may have been sequestered by elements of Pakistani I.S.I. simply for his absence to be an excuse to receive more American military money.

Either way, it is time for the United States, understandably reviled for frequently taking unnecessarily hard lines with other countries, to finally take a hard line that is richly deserved. Pakistan must clearly and uniformly side with the values of the Enlightenment and clearly renounce the medieval beliefs of al-Qaeda and the Taliban, in all branches of their government military and civilian and from top to bottom.

It is not about a Bush-style "us or them" ultimatum: it is a simple choice between democracy and autocracy. The top Pakistani suits must decide which world they ally themselves with: the world of the United States and of democracy, of the Arab Spring and its young people cheering for secularization and freedom all across the Middle East, or the religiously totalitarian world which by last month had shrunk to a dream in one grey-bearded man's head, hidden in a high-walled compound on the outskirts of Islamabad?

Abraham Lincoln once said that "A house divided cannot stand." Despite the cultural differences between our countries, Pakistan's government as a whole would do well to heed the words of this western nation's greatest wartime leader. It is time for the leaders of that nation to stop playing this game of chicken with the United States. It is a time for choosing. They must clean house or face an uncertain and unstable future.

Copyright � Capital City Free Press

Ian MacIsaac is a staff writer for the Capital City Free Press: http://www.capcityfreepress.com. He is a history major at Auburn University Montgomery in Montgomery, Alabama and former co-editor of the school newspaper, the AUMnibus.

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Ten Wonderful Things to See and Do in Pakistan

By Jonathan Williams

Who says nobody can have fun in Pakistan? With so many beautiful places and virtually unlimited possibilities for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, and other sports, a trip to Pakistan can be your ultimate Pakistani escape. Here's where you can go when your plane stops on this side of the globe.

1.) Moenjodaro

Located 350 kilometers off Karachi, Moenjodaro was considered one of the most spectacular cities of the ancient times. The ruins of this ancient city in the Indus Valley never fail to give travelers knowledge of the ancient life and the marvel of early systems of town planning. Walk along the remains of this olden city and witness the way of life, the culture and the traditions early Pakistani lived by.

2.) Ansoo Lake

See the famous teardrop-shaped lake of Pakistan. Located some 14,000 feet above sea level, Ansoo Lake is can be found in Kaghan Valley in the Himalayan Range. Be ready for some serious hiking though because there are no forms of transportation available except for some mules and horses which may not be able to carry you all the way up.

3.) Karachi

Who said that the urban life will spoil Karachi's beauty? Karachi hosts a number of museums, shops, islands, clubs, beachfronts, colonial buildings, amusement parks, and more. So strap on that sturdy shoes and head out and find your own adventure in the busy streets of Karachi.

4.) Abbottabad

Abbottabad is a popular summer resort that can be found at the end of Murree-Abbottabad hill tract. Find your place to rest in its pine-covered hills, lush parks and gardens, and superb golf courses. Travel here and discover the gateway leading you to your next adventure rally point.

5.) Deosai National Park

Located in the Karakoram Range near the Indian border and southeast of Skardu, Deosai National Park is located in one of the highest plateaus in the world - the Deosai plains. Doesai National Park serves as home for the Himalayan brown bear, ibexes, red foxes, wolves, urials, snow leopards, and some native and migratory birds. Travel to the Deosai Plains and experience nature as it unfurls 13,500 feet above sea level.

6.) Taxila

Founded some time in the 6th or 7th century BC, Taxila is an ancient city and a center for Buddhist learning. A 30-kilometer drive northwest from Islamabad will take you back in the times of legendary warrior leaders like Alexander the Great, Asoka and Kanishka. Follow the trail around this ancient city and discover religion, culture, tradition and history as it bare itself for you.

7.) Hunza Valley

Hunza Valley is located in the Northern Areas of Pakistan with an elevation of some 2 438 meters. This makes Hunza Valley a place for viewing some of the most astounding and majestic mountains the world has. Take a trek to this valley and see the sceneries that keep on revealing themselves with your own eyes.

8.) Harappa

Relive the Indus valley history and the lives of its people by going in this historical place in Punjab. Walk along the partly-buried city and discover for yourself the beauty of this lost city. Visit its site and marvel at the extensive planning and learn more about the civilization almost forgotten by the world.

9.) Trekking and Mountaineering

Travel to the Northern Areas of Pakistan and find yourself in the midst of numerous climbing, mountaineering and trekking options. This region in Pakistan is where three mountain ranges - the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush - meet, and that means three times the fun. Hold your jaw, fasten your harness and test your ropes because your trip to this side of Pakistan will give you your ultimate high altitude fun.

10.) Basant Festival

Go to the city of Lahore in the beginning of spring and let the million flying kites welcome you in this colorful festival. Kite flying is the major activity for this festival and as many as 100,000 from all-over Pakistan and other neighboring countries go to Lahore and have their stake in the sky. Don some colorful clothes, party in gardens and rooftops and watch equestrian events, this event should never be missed.

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv]. Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/pakistan] to view or share Pakistan travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/pakistan].

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Things to Keep in Mind Before Booking Flights to Pakistan

By Jack Olivor

Pakistan is the perennial 'next big thing in world of tourism'! What else can be the fate of a country whose incredible charms and delights are overshadowed by political and social chaos?

In spite of all the dangers and risks involved, a number of Britons look to plan Pakistan holidays to explore a region that is so unique and to unravel a culture that is so radiant!

Britons who are itching to book flights to Pakistan must pay heed to the following travel advice to ensure that their holidays in Pakistan are not marred by any sort of unpleasant incident or event.

Entry Requirements

British passport holders planning a trip to Pakistan must apply for a visa. Visa is obligatory for British travellers visiting Pakistan. Any visa violation will result in fine or detention. Britons must ensure that their passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months at the time of visa application.

Main Pakistan Gateways

Pakistan features three major gateways - Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Flights to Pakistan from the UK are most likely to land at any of these three cities.

Jinnah International Airport is Pakistan's largest international airport. The airport is located 15 km northeast of Karachi's city centre and is served by a number of major global airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport is second busiest airport in the country. It is located 18km southeast of the city and features most modern services and amenities. Benazir Bhutto International Airport is another major airport in the country and is located 8km southeast of the city.

As far as boarding cheap flights to Pakistan from UK is concerned, London Heathrow is the most popular option. There are better chances of travellers finding cheap tickets on flights to Pakistan from Heathrow than perhaps any other airport in the UK as different flight options are available from London Heathrow.

Health and Safety Tips

It is no good denying the fact that terrorism is a major concern in Pakistan. It is perhaps the most potent hindrance in the blossoming of the country as a top holiday destination. In the words of FCO - "There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan." Places popular among tourists have not been spared. Tourists must be aware of their surroundings.

Before boarding flights to Pakistan, travellers must ensure that they are medically fit and their vaccinations are all up to date.

Pakistan faces frequent floods and this augments the risks of different water-borne diseases. Travellers must take care of that.

British travellers who are planning Pakistan tour must check out the latest travel advice offered by Foreign and Commonwealth Office at http://www.fco.gov.uk

Experienced content writer and editor, Jack Olivor has been working with Southall Travel for 3 year. He is consultant and expert advisor on flights to Pakistan and writing various tips and advices on holidays and travel industry. Visit http://jackolivor.blogspot.com/ for more information about him.

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Reasons of Failure of Pakistan's Politics

By Ajmal Abbasi

Democracy in Pakistan has never been successful and even after more than 65 years of independence, political setup in Pakistan has yet to mature and deliver. Unlike other democratic countries of the world, Pakistan's politics is badly under the control of bureaucracy and establishment where parliament sometimes acts like a rubber stamp.

There are many factors leading to this pathetic state of democratic process in Pakistan. Top three reasons of failure of Pakistan's politics are:

1. Lack of Political awareness in public:

Majority of the common people of Pakistan is unaware of the worth of vote and they just throw or sell their vote for some petty benefits or under some pressure of elite powerful lords. In a country where literacy rate is very low and people are trapped in several sectarian, ethnic and religious biases, political mafia plays a clever game to play with the sentiments of the people through hollow slogans and sentimental speeches and manages to get their support easily.

2. Military take-overs:

Democratic process in Pakistan has never been consistent and military has taken over the charge at different occasions by imposing martial laws in the country. This type of take overs severely affected the democratic system in the country. It also brought anarchy and riots in the country which resulted in more messy conditions directly affecting the people of Pakistan.

3. Lack of democratic culture inside political parties:

Most of the political parties of Pakistan have proved themselves as just family parties or one man show with all power concentrated in one family or one individual. Most of the parties don't have party elections and same leadership is being imposed for decades. Lack of democratic culture in the parties has resulted in a widening gap between rulers and masses and consequently, political parties have failed to strengthen their roots at grass root level.

Politics of Pakistan is an interesting, yet complex game of action with a lot of twists. It seems that years are required for politics of Pakistan to mature and deliver. Political setup of Pakistan won't change until the thought process of people of Pakistan is changed and their level of understanding for the political culture is groomed. Private media is working constructively in this regard to bring awareness in the masses and to educate them politically and one may hope for a change of thought process of people of Pakistan with the passage of time.

Ajmal Abbasi is a blogger and a columnist with a keen eye on politics of Pakistan. He runs a blog Pakistan politics latest news

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Pakistan and Taliban, Are They Brothers Or Rivals?

By Sanskar Shrivastava

When US and Pakistan were busy in fighting Taliban in Afghanistan, Taliban's major leaders and militants were reorganizing and planning their strategy in Pakistan against US. Revealed by George Washington University in America, exposing the double face of Pakistan. Taliban is a strategic asset of Pakistan which helps Pakistan maintain its influence on Afghanistan as well as maintain disruptions in India. Taliban on the other side is also an economical asset of Pakistan which helps Pakistan receive various funds, military and economic aid to destroy it. Pakistan doesn't want to break its own support, hence it has to show the world that it is doing its best in the war against terror and on the other side it has to take care that Taliban doesn't become weak.

Ronald E Neumann, US ambassador to Afghanistan believes that 2005 insurgency in Afghanistan was a direct product of the four years which Taliban had spent reorganizing and re-planning its strategy against US in Pakistan, they were studying the tactics used by Iraqi insurgency to counter US.

The George Washington University rejected Pakistan's claims of not being a safe-haven for terrorists. Terrorism and organisations received full support from ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency) and sometime from the Army as well. In Mumbai attacks Pakistan's officials from ISI and Marines are still suspected.

Pakistan during the US war against terrorism expressed its concerns to US over Northern Alliance (backed by the West, Russia and India) taking over whole of the Afghanistan. Pakistan which considers Taliban as its strategic and military asset couldn't see it ending and hence tried making US realize that Al-Qaeda is major enemy of US and not the whole of the Taliban. If Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan through Taliban gets over, there is a fear that India may sandwich it from both the sides. As India already maintains military bases in some of the southern former Soviet nations bordering Afghanistan, thus Pakistan backed the idea of classification of Taliban as Good Taliban and Bad Taliban. It supported the plan of America's exit from Afghanistan by setting up the government there including the members from Good Taliban. America, which is out of idea in tackling Taliban, is making mind of withdrawing and still considers this plan under its exit strategy.

A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is supported by all, but everyone wants its influence over it. Afghanistan which acts a gateway to energy rich central Asia and middle east for India. Pakistan wants Afghanistan because it doesn't want any other enemy at its western borders so that it can concentrate much on its eastern border against India. Carrying a dangerous weapon of Taliban, Pakistan has proved that it can use such weapons to protect its own interest.

Sanskar Shrivastava is the author of the blog The World Reporter, where he does analysis and gives opinion on the news which has global impact.

http://www.theworldreporter.com

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US and Pakistan, Not Allies But Enemies

By Sanskar Shrivastava

When the bell of possible 26/11 Mumbai style terror attack on three European countries, France, Germany and England, the various European intelligence agencies including American agencies became active and cooperative. After Mumbai and failed car bomb terror attack on New York, this was supposed to be the third high profile Pakistan based cross ocean attack, but the updated and cooperative information foiled their plans of spreading terror once again.

Banning of Burqa, presence of their soldiers in Afghanistan might be one of the major reasons why the attack was planned. The attack may have been planned on Pakistani soil against the three European countries, but it has directly or indirectly affected the relations of US and Pakistan. 'A Few weeks ago US had already declared that another Mumbai style attack by Pakistani miscreants, and we will bomb 150 locations in Pakistan' (Source: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd)

After 9/11, then president of America sought Pakistan's help in the war against terror as Pakistan shares the longest border with Afghanistan. In return Pakistan received high tech weapons, large amount of economic and military aid and a title of America's Non-NATO ally. Which was termed as the major event in the history of US-Pakistan friendly history.

"It shouldn't surprise anyone that links between plots and those who are orchestrating them lead to decisive American action," a US official told Reuters. He further added, "The terrorists who are involved are, as everyone should expect, going to be targets. That's the whole point of all of this."

Increase in US bombing of the Pakistan bordering with Afghanistan, led to sharing of bitter words between Pakistan and America. Pakistan is blamed of giving safe-haven to Taliban while posing as fighting a war against the group (Read detailed analysis and opinion: Pakistan or Taliban, Brothers or Rivals?). Pakistan warned US of a strong reaction to what they were doing. "let's see, we have to make it clear now, whether we are allies or enemies?" said a Pakistani official. The bombing though killed many suspected militants, but resulted in the blockage of NATO fuel and daily supply route, via Pakistan, to its troops in the land-locked country of Afghanistan.

This was one of the strongest steps Pakistan has taken against American continued strikes in Pakistan in the war against terrorism. No nation of course cannot tolerate such strikes on its own land. US terms the attacks as the inability of Pakistani troops in countering or destroying the terrorism camps.

NATO supplies have several other routes to Afghanistan via Central Asia and Russia, but the route via Pakistan is the most comfortable. Pakistan blocked one of the major route to Afghanistan while other routes through its land remained open. NATO supplier tanks when going through alternative route to Afghanistan were attacked by a group of Pakistani gunmen who destroyed 28 tankers. Such a huge loss of supplies, though not a new thing in Pakistan, has attracted strong attention of America, that today on 2nd Oct, 2010 CIA's chief visited India, and met Indian intelligence agency RAW's (Research and Analysis Wing) chief.

When it comes to the war against terrorism both nations should jointly conduct strikes. US conducting strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan conducting strikes separately on their western border won't help. There is something wrong in the Pakistan's strategy, the lack of transparency in their operation is proving fatal for others as, though they are killing several down, but attacks on the other nations have not gone down, but have become more professional.

Sanskar Shrivastava is the author of the website The World Reporter, where he does analysis and gives opinion on the news which has global impact.

http://www.theworldreporter.com/

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10 Reasons Why American Empire Is Collapsing

By Pavel Podolyak

The imperial perimeter is shrinking and inevitably leaving power vacuums to be filled. As that occurs, actors outside the perimeter expand their force. How can we tell?

1) Switzerland, one of the ablest money changers, has thrown its support behind the Eurozone by pegging the Swiss franc to the Euro. As explained previously, this may signal that E.U. is beginning to win the currency wars. Shorting the Euro has resulted in financial massacres as of late (hilarious considering talk of parity a year ago).

2) US abandons plans to extend presence of its troops in Iraq, thus ceding the country to the influence of much hated Tehran. Iraqi Shiite political coalition increases its autonomy having benefited from return to high oil prices. This occurs even as violence against US troops has increased this year compared to last (possibly stirred by Tehran).

3) Alexei Kudrin, one of the last and most entrenched neoliberals (ideological pro Anglo-Saxon cadres) in the Russian government, has been publicly fired by president Medvedev. This occurred after Kudrin criticized Russian Federation's plan to invest an unprecedented $700 billion to modernize its military over the next 10 years. Moscow is preparing to deal with possible instability within new power vacuums in central Asia and Europe. Putin's return to presidency (external affairs duty versus prime minister's internal affairs) next year goes well with this as he is familiar with key world leaders on a personal level.

4) Attempts to create tensions between Saudis and Persians via stories of ridiculous Tehranian "plots" in an effort to keep house of Saud under Washington's wing. Saudis no longer trust US to protect them (seeing wider Anglo-led attempts to create general instability in the region) and have began strategic autonomous dialogue with Pakistan and other players.

5) Seemingly desperate moves to prevent violence backed dollar from devaluation by starting more policing actions in weaker regions (Africa) to make up for disappearance of influence in relevant regions (like central Europe). This loss of influence is demonstrated by the defeats dealt in the Russo-Georgian conflict fiasco, cancellation of anti-ballistic missile installations in Poland, and Moscow feeling secure enough to increase pressure on its once regional ally Belarus for pure economic gain. As for Africa, besides the tragic murder of Libya, there's the hypocritical and superficial increase in policing deeper within Africa. Washington is engaging in crude attempts to displace Libya as Africa's moral leader (after having destroyed one of the better competing socioeconomic guidebooks for the continent via siding with homicidal NTC "rebels").

6) Hugo Chavez's recent decision to pull the gold that Venezuelan central bank stores abroad from its storage in NYC and London vaults.

7) Signs of belligerence between supposed Washington allies in the Middle East. Turkey and Israel increasingly hostile to each other as they cut military cooperation over the murder of Turkish citizens during the raid on Gaza flotilla. This demonstrates inability and/or lack of resources to properly mediate by DC strategists.

8) Continuing sales of US bonds by Beijing and Moscow (centers of more efficient predatory capitalism). Expanding interest by non-BRIC countries to bilaterally deal in their own currencies. Fears of abandoning the dollar are gradually fading as NATO forces are showing logistical cracks in their operations. Regional economic summits are starting to lock out and not invite DC observers.

9) Increase in autonomy seeking behavior among key NATO allies. Although still occupied, Germany maintains non-participation in Washington backed military adventures abroad. Berlin is actually dramatically slashing its defense force expenditures. France's proactive role in continental affairs and the Libya fiasco as it tries to maneuver itself to better position within NATO decision making process. Rise in belligerence in British press towards the American empire shows possible desire to decouple London's parasitic relationship with Washington (in the beginning of 20th century, up to 40% of British foreign investments were in US industry and Britain successfully destroyed two major superpowers by pitting American empire against the Soviets in the 1950s).

10) Rise in calls for an "American perestroika" in major imperialist publications (such as Foreign Affairs). There is worry among Washington's geopolitical theorists that the subject population in North America is becoming too malnourished and psychologically weak/unstable to continue energetically maintaining (much less expanding) the global force perimeter.

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Pakistan and Home Grown Terrorism

By Madan G Singh

Pakistan came into existence in 1947 on the basis of the two nation theory. It was recognized by the British rulers that Hindus and Moslems were two separate 'nations' and thus must have separate countries. However this two nation theory collapsed as East Pakistan a Moslem part of the composite state of Pakistan seceded from the mother country and established a separate nation.

A truncated Pakistan thought of revenge on India, which in its perception had brought about the dismemberment of Pakistan. Thus successive Pakistan rulers thought of ways to get even with India. The Pakistan army, in particular after the humiliating surrender was looking for ways to get even with 'Hindu India'.

The result of this was the launch of a terrorist movement in the valley of Kashmir. The idea was to create an atmosphere where there would be a local uprising and Kashmir could join Pakistan. However this did not happen and a frustrated Pakistan upped the ante with foreign Mujahedeen being in filtered into the valley. At the same time the Pakistan army set up training camps for the so called freedom fighters in West Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

These training camps turned out Islamic fighters by the score and they were thought of to be able to carry out Pakistan's game plan to wrest Kashmir from India. Again these fighters have not been successful and despite terrorist attacks the people of Kashmir have not given the thumbs up to the mujahedeen who are having a hard time facing the Indian army.

Pakistan army fixation with Hindu India led it to neglect the growing fundamentalism and terrorist groups in Pakistan. The Pakistan army fondly believed that these groups would only fight India and they would suit back and smoke the cigars. Unfortunately this has not happened and these terrorist groups led by Al Qaeda are hell bent on taking over Pakistan. Not a day passes when terrorist attacks do not take place in Pakistan. In fact thousands have died in these attacks and spectacular attacks like the demolition of the Marriet in Rawalpindi stand out.

The scene is so complicated that recently a female suicide bomber blew herself up in a busy Food aid centre in NW Pakistan at Khar and over 43 are reported dead. The victims were from various parts of Bajaur tribal region. Thus the fat is in the fire. The Pakistan army's obsession with Hindu India and subsequent neglect of terror groups in its backyard may be a heavy price to pay for rearing and arming groups to commit terror acts against India. It may well sound the death knell of Pakistan.

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Five Futures for Pakistan

By Sohail Inayatullah

In this essay, I outline Five futures for Pakistan: (1) the Pendulum continues forever, (2) Collapse, (3) Joining Chindia, (4) the Great Game, and (5) a South Asian Confederation. The most familiar and likely are based on the pendulum of rule by the military and rule by landlord/politicians. However, what is needed is to move from the more likely and less desirable futures to a process of anticipatory democracy where the citizens of Pakistan consider, create and commit to building their preferred future.

DEEP STRUCTURES AND ARCHETYPES

While the assassination of Benazir Bhutto certainly plunged Pakistan into one of its works crisis in decades, the recent successful electionsi appear to have brought hope back again. The extremist parties did poorly, and even with a low turn out and election violence, it appears that the latest cycle of military rule is over. But how long will this cycle last?

I ask this question as Syed Abidi has made the observation that Pakistan's political system can best be understood as a pendulum between civilian rule and military rule. There have been six such swings, with the seventh toward civilian rule beginning in 2008.

These swings occur because of the deep archetypes in Pakistan's politics. There are four archetypes in Pakistan politics - the general and military rule, the people and peoples' power that overthrows the ruler, the politician-feudal lord, and the bureaucrat who ensures smooth transitions between all these types. Each one of these archetypes has two sides - the general can be protective and moral (the enlightened despot) or can be amoral, staying too long, clinging to power, assaulting human rights and using religion or strategy to stay in power. The feudal lord can equally be protective or can stay too long, and use his or her power for personal gain. The citizen can be chaotic or can bring social capital to the nation. The bureaucracy can be transparent and use their power to create a productive society (green tape) or it can slow the wheels of the nation, using time, money and symbolic power to hold the nation back (red tape).

Given these patterns, what can we say about Pakistan's futures. Five are currently possible.

ALTERNATIVE FUTURES

1.The pendulum continues forever. This would mean that after this particular civilian cycle, there will be another military coup in 7-10 years. Politicians will have some luck in ridding Pakistan of extremist fundamentalists, but old scores between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League or between the PPP and the military will still need to be settled. Issues of justice and revenge will continue and just as Pakistan's economy is about to take off, another crisis will set in. Citizens will rally but then when they see no real change will become despondent. "Nothing is possible here," or a similar catch-phrase will be the inner story. Globalization will not go away but the politics would swing between growth and equity.

2. Collapse - this is the most feared scenario for all, particularly in the West. Civil war in Pakistan (the provinces going their own way), the inability to stop jihadism, Al Qa'ida or their friends finding some nukes, not to mention the global challenges of climate change, all lead to a slow decline destined for collapse. And if the challenge from the Pakistani and Afghani Taliban is resolved, the frontline will switch to half-century old war in. Capital flies away, economic development slows down and Pakistan becomes a nation of competing tribes. Women in this future are particularly vulnerable as the battle between religious and secularists throughout the Islamic (Arab influenced world) is fought over the "body" of the female. Is she a person unto herself or does the strong male (feudal lord, ruler, mullah) need to protect and control. In the collapse, chaos would reign. Over time, and perhaps even quite quickly, a strong military leader is likely to rise (the Napoleon scenario), but can the great leader unite all the tribes (the challenge facing Afghanistan today)?

3. Joining Chindia. With India likely to move into the ranks of the G-8 by 2020, gaining a permanent UN Security Council Position, Pakistan's only hope is to link in every possible way with India and China - or Chindia. Certainly Pakistan will favor the China part of the amazing rise, but in any case, in this future, economic growth is far more important than ideological struggles. To move in this direction, the Singapore or Malaysian model may be adopted. This model is characterized by a clear vision of the future, transparency; break up of the feudal system, limited democracy (One party rule) and creatively finding a niche role in the global economy, and then using that to springboard to becoming a global player. However, the India example shows that economic rise is possible outside the East Asian model. In any case, this future is hopeful but requires investment in infrastructure and a favoring of globalized capitalism. Instead of lamenting the colonial past, in this Chindia future, Pakistan creates its own transnational corporations. Politics moves from focusing on old wrongs (Kashmir, for example) to desired futures. Instead of Chindia, Chindistan is created.

4. The fourth scenario is the Great Game.vi Pakistan remains a pawn, moved around for the strategic and ideological purposes of the great powers. Whether in proxy wars against the Russians or against 9/11 jihadis or whoever may be next, Pakistan's capacity to influence its future is low or non-existent. At best, it can only rent out its military, or territory, for others' battles. In this future (as in the current present), the rental receipts do not lead to even development -they merely enrich those getting the rent, generally the military. The national game becomes not how to transform the great game but how to get a piece of the action, legitimately or illegitimately. Those not part of the money game sing songs of grand conspiracies. These songs take away agency. While Pakistan has a dependency relationship with the rest of the world, citizens have a dependency - child/adult - relationship with the government, expecting it to solve each and every problem, without taking responsibility for their own actions and blaming the government when it fails. At the collective level, Pakistan remains rudderless, evoking the words of the founder, but unable to follow through with action.

5. A wiser South-Asian confederation. The challenges Pakistan faces are similar to what other countries in the region face - religious extremism, climate change, poverty, corruption, deep inequity, used futures and less than helpful archetypes - the only way forward is towards an EU model of slow but inevitable integration. While this may seem too positive and far away, it is not impossible. Each country needs the help of others to solve their problems. None can go it alone, and each can learn from the Other. This requires learning, peace and mediation skills in all schools; moving toward the sustainability development agenda; developing agreements in security, water, and energy to begin with; and a focus on the desired future and not on past injustices. Gender equity and systemic and deep cultural levels is foundational for this future. This future also requires an archetype that is neither the male general nor feudal lord nor the rebellious teenager, but the wise person, perhaps the Globo sapiens. Fortunately, the south Asian tradition is steeped with wisdom. Can this imagination be drawn on to create a different future? Already in Pakistan, there are hundreds of groups and thousands of individuals working on this vision. What is needed is systemic support for this future, and a move away from focusing on past injustices.

ANTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

If an alternative future for Pakistan is not created, the pendulum will continue with collapse always being in the background. But this futures creation process cannot be done from above via a planning commission; rather, it must be part of a broader process of anticipatory democracy - citizens, leaders and researchers mapping out alternative scenarios, then analyzing the benefits and costs of each future, visioning the desired, mediating conflicts between the desired, and then creating action learning processes to realize the desired. Anticipatory democracy thus can deepen electoral democracy, bringing focus not just to futures Pakistanis do not wish for but more so to those that are desirable.

Sohail Inayatullah is a futures studies specialist based in Australia. You can read more of his articles at his website http://www.metafuture.org, where you can also find a longer version of this article including notes and bibliographical references.

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Population Of Pakistan - People of Pakistan

By Hayi Mansoor

Statistics do not do justice to the people who make up the population of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan, most of whom are Muslim, never forget this verse from the Quran: "Pay homage to God...and be good to your parents and relatives, the orphans and the needy and the neighbors who are your relatives, and the neighbors who are strangers, and the friend by your side..."

Each individual who adds one more number to the total population strives to reach out to family, to friends and to visitors from abroad. One would have to search long and hard within the entire population to find a single person who did not want to display generosity and a caring attitude to all.

Pakistan is a country that was created as a welcoming haven for Muslims. It became a country following the partitioning of India in the second half of the 1940s. Hindus living in the region that is now Pakistan fled to India. Muslims living in what is now India fled to Pakistan.

The people living in what is now called Pakistan have faced many different invaders. Armies from the ancient Persian Empire once invaded the territory now known as Pakistan. After Alexander the Great marched into Persian, he marched further east. His army also tried to control the people living in the mountains that were east of Persia.

Monguls have invaded Pakistan. Turks have invaded it. Arabs have invaded it. Afghanis have invaded it. The blood of all those invading armies has been mixed into the blood of the people of Pakistan.

Today the people of Pakistan no longer need to fight off invaders. Today the people of Pakistan appear to be very busy enlarging their families. Pakistan has a soaring birth rate. There are 25.52 births for every 1,000 people living within the borders of Pakistan. This contrasts with 8 deaths for every 1,000 people living within the borders of Pakistan.

Some of those deaths are due to infectious diseases-AIDS, typhoid fever, malaria, rabies and hepatitis. Too many of those deaths represent young lives lost, because a mother has died in childbirth. Pakistan needs help from professionals who know something about reproductive research. Bill Gates has made money for such research available to the people.

Still, Pakistan has many other pressing needs, needs that relate to its growing population. The world's Population Council has put together a long list of the population-related problems in Pakistan. The Council has taken steps to address those problems. The Council has begun holding programs on reproductive health inside Pakistan. The Council has studied the link between the growing population and the ever-present poverty in Pakistan.

The Council has initiated an evaluation of family planning programs and an investigation of the changing educational opportunities.

All of the Council's efforts, combined with money and help from other sources, promise to direct Pakistan toward an era when the country can enjoy both steady and controlled population growth.

For further Reading, Please visit Best Asian Women Magazine

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An Open Letter To The Honorable Chief Justice Of Pakistan

By Shaukat Masood Zafar

The Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan,

Supreme Court of Pakistan,

ISLAMABAD

September 22, 2010

Respected Sir,

The people of Pakistan are now absolutely happy and satisfied that the present Supreme Court is constantly stepping in to protect the interest of the citizens without discrimination, whether it has been has the case of consumer protection, missing persons, social evils or poor pensioners or be it representation of suppressed classes, and is aiming to ensure the basic dignity of the citizens of Pakistan. In fact it is only the social justice which ensures life to be meaningful and livable for the poor, who have no house to live in, generally no clothes to wear, who do not get food to eat, who have no facility for proper education of their children & sometimes even clear drinking water is beyond their reach and foremost they have no access to legal assistance. No doubt, The Supreme Court of Pakistan is now pulling the people out of frustration, ill feeling and brooding sense of injustice and delivering justice expeditiously to the needy victims of accidents curtailing delay.

Brief facts leading to the instant request are as under:

1. That education is the right of every Muslim, and it is made necessary for every person in Islam. Special emphasis is made on getting education for every Muslim. This education includes both Islamic and technical education conforming to the needs of modern life. The concept of education in Islam is not only getting decent earnings but practicing it in real life for the betterment of the others. It was as a result of application of knowledge that Muslims were the superpower of the world for twelve centuries. We need to get both Islamic as well as modern scientific education to get our regime back. We need to hold the Islamic values tightly in order to get stronger again.

2. That according to the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), too the Federal Government is entrusted the responsibility for policy, planning, and promotion of educational facilities in the federating units. Implementation of the policy devised by the Federal Government is a provincial subject to be carried out by injecting sufficient funds in this most vital sector. The Federal Ministry of Education administers the educational institutions located in the federal capital territory. According to the constitution, education being a provincial matter; the provincial governments are responsible for imparting quality education to their respective provinces. However, the provincial governments despite having a certain degree of autonomy in managing education still ignore this vital sector. Basically there are three conspicuous problems that need the attention of the provincial and federal governments. These include: revamping the provisioning of compulsory universal education, a uniform curriculum and finally improving the administrative capacity at all levels to provide quality education.

3. That even though the 1973 Constitution propounded the Right to Equality for all sections of the Society yet in Article 25A of the Constitution provisions have been made apparently to give extra leverage to the underprivileged and downtrodden section of the society so that, they can catch up with the privileged section of the society. However, in the past, through enactments and other notifications and rules the Government have shown the urgency and importance of universal secondary education to children yet it is the Government itself which has become the biggest stumbling block in imparting such education. Since long there is no level playing field in the domain of education. Consequently, the poor have become poorer and the rich, richer. Education policies adopted by successive governments manifested the least respect even to the constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards on education. A wide range of policy, budgetary and implementation issues have held back progress at ground level and the country lags behind in literacy and standards of education.

4. That it is a settled issue all over the world that education must be imparted in the national language. But our successive Governments are constantly evasive and seem bent on keeping this issue unresolved merely in the interest of elite class, having its long-term adverse implications for rest of the society at large. It is fact that the people of Pakistan are living in an unjust and exploitative system that is heavily biased towards the rich. It must have been kept in view that almost all who went through the public sector Urdu medium schooling also shone and were more successful in their careers.

5. That the Education Act of 1976 clearly provides that all schools, colleges and universities of Pakistan must follow a uniform system of examination. Conversely, the law has been abused continually, and the country's feudal and privileged classes have continued to plot against it by promoting a multiple system of education. It is no secret that the 'A' and 'O' level system of education is flourishing under their patronage over and above all rules and regulations. Our ruling class has a vested interest in keeping the majority of the population ignorant, unskilled, irrational, underfed and unproductive. In order to achieve this objective, they have deliberately divided the system into two/three classes and inequality in the education system is the result of sustained state policies and an established societal order that is based on elitism. Equality is one of the fundamental human rights but Feudal traditions in Pakistan are obstacle to uniform and equal fundamental education. The division is well profound and extensive in Pakistan. Its ultimate result is that the society has been divided into two nations representing two totally different mindsets, ethos, skills and abilities. Unfortunately, no government has ever tried to bridge this gap purposely and have failed to evolve as a nation. The privileged class has very successfully developed an educational apartheid system in which only the selected few can get good education and skills and the rest of the populace is supposed to be subservient to them. On which side of the fence one would land depends on the accident of birth and inheritance and the fissure lies on this division.

6. That today Pakistan's Education System is among the most deficient and backward in Asia, reflecting the traditional determination of the feudal ruling elite to preserve its hegemony. Now due to the collapse of the public sector educational system, our society represents the prevalent class structure of society. Students coming from government schools or madressahs can never compete with students from the private sector who are given the better education money can buy. So they end up doing menial or semi-skilled jobs and are left behind in the neo market economy as it is very difficult for them to break the class ceiling or succeed on the same level. Extremism is also the result of this class-driven educational system as the under-privileged who have been neglected by the state are catered by the extremist outfits who then exploit them in the name of religion. The class-driven educational system is highly injurious for economic development and national cohesion. Today the divide between the rich and the poor in Pakistanis so great that it negates the concept of the welfare state that the founding fathers had envisioned. Nearly half of our national issues could be solved easily if an educational system is devised that provides one and the same opportunities to all its citizens.

7. That this dubious education system has created number of problems for the Society. Despite huge educational expenditures and budgets allocated by the Governments and making time and again high pledges, the double standards are still there rather deepened. This has been one of the reasons that the true talent in lower and middle class never gets an opportunity to prove them. While entering the practical life one of the most horrendous discrimination that is made in employment sectors, is that individuals with better command over English language are given priority on those who cannot speak this language in a fluent way. Some times this kind of altitude adopted by organizations gives an impression that the required merit is not dependent on marks and distinctions but rather a command over English language. Obviously one can not underestimate or denounced the importance of English language but it is absolute discrimination if the real qualification and capability is ignored and merely a speaking power is given more importance. The need of time is to bring education in its original form to masses. According to the vision of the father of the nation Pakistan was based on the concept of equal citizenship for all Pakistani. Irrespective of their color and creed and Pakistanhad to facilitate by curbing corruption and partiality. Though 63 years have been passed and 23 policies and action plans have been introduced by the successive governments yet the educational sector is waiting for an arrival of a savior even today.

8. That presently there are basically three kinds of schools: the elite private institutions and forces cadet/public schools that cater to the upper class; the government-run schools serving the lower echelons of the population and the Madrassah, the religious school thereby creating different classes within the society; the privileged class that can afford quality education for its children by bearing high costs and the deprived class that is unable to meet high cost and as such is forced to send its children to government schools or Madrassas With incorporation of universal education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years becoming a part of the basic Fundamental Rights it has become a solemn duty of the State to provide equal opportunity of universal education to all children within the age of 5-16 years.

9. That the curriculum of private schools is quite upgraded with special emphasis on listening and speaking English and most of those schools particularly in cities teach "O" and "A" level subjects. On the contrary the students of Government schools study absolutely outdated syllabus even not knowing the meanings of "O" and "A" level. There is therefore no level playing field in both the sections of the students and due to this discriminatory system of education the students studying in Government schools can never compete with those studying in private schools. The trend among the upper-middle and affluent classes to opt for private educational institutions has further created a discriminatory environment and has strengthened a negative perception.

10 That the system also lacks a comprehensive national educational policy with well-defined goal posts. It is imperative that a national curriculum in national language responsive to the growing national needs and aspirations is vital which is necessary to be designed and uniformly implemented in private and public sector schools by all the provincial governments.

11. That education remained the most neglected aspect of national life during the last more than half century. The literacy level are low, the female literacy levels are among the lowest in the world and the lowest in the Muslim countries. The emphasis in education is still on a general and liberal type of B.A. or M.A. degree. The change towards scientific and technical education has still not taken place. The quality of education is low, the teachers are under-paid, under-trained and dispirited. The students are apathetic as they see no relationship between education and higher earnings or status in the society. Poor planning and lack of effective mechanism are the major reasons behind low literacy rate and low quality of education. The successive governments in Pakistan deliberately pushed education to the lowest rung of their agenda with Mass illiteracy helps keep weak and corrupt governments of Pakistan in power and that is why meager allocation of funds so that they can deploy the maximum funds in co called development projects which generate heavy kickbacks, drive in bullet proof million dollars cars enjoy the wealth of the country take family and friends on official trips while the people continue to live in abject poverty denied the very basic right to even minimal quality life.

12. That the National Education Policy 1998-2010 proposed that there shall be regulatory bodies at the national and provincial levels to regulate activities and smooth functioning of privately managed schools and institutions of higher education through proper rules and regulations. A reasonable tax rebate shall be granted on the expenditure incurred on the setting up of educational facilities by the private sector. Grants-in-Aid for specific purposes shall be provided to private institutions. Setting up of private technical institutions shall be encouraged. Matching grants shall be provided for establishing educational institutions by the private sector in the rural areas or poor urban areas through Education Foundation. In rural areas, schools shall be established through public-private partnership schemes. The government shall not only provide free land to build the school but also bear a reasonable proportion of the cost of construction and management. Liberal loan facilities shall be extended to private educational institutions by financial institutions. But most of the commitments of the Government are still unattended. The policy has failed to deliver once again on its implementation of a uniform curricula for all private and public schools. Where language is concerned, UNESCO studies on education research recommend that the initial compulsory fundamental schooling or early childhood learning should be in the mother tongue.No proper regulations have been framed regarding curriculum or fees to be charged by the private institutions with the result that every school is teaching curriculum and charging fees at its own whims and will. Fact is that implementation of policies has been blocked by vested interests and through corruption and inefficiency in the education sector, time and again.

13. That a few decades ago education was sought for cultural, religious and social progress. In 1960s, the pioneering work of Schultz and Becker working on the concept of investment in human capital proved that a high level of education is a necessary condition for economic growth and no country can make significant economic progress if majority of its citizens are illiterate. The rapid progress of East Asian Countries is largely attributed to their excellent system of education. Pakistan is facing multiple socio-economic problems that can be best addressed only by revamping the existing educational system in the country by investing maximum funds in this vital sector should be second in line to national defense and security.

14. That despite Pakistanis conspicuously deficit on well established fundamentals such as uniform curriculum and national academic standards, essential for imparting quality education. Designing and implementing a uniform curriculum responsive to national needs and aspirations has not drawn the attention of the governments. Public sector as well as Self-governing universities such as LUMS, NUST and others normally set their standards for admission which coincide with the students obtaining 'O' and 'A' level and students of rest of public sector schools and madressahs can not compete them.

15. That the condition of government schools all over the country and the quality of education being imparted there are going from bad to worse, day by day. Thousands of government schools are "ghost schools," existing on paper only.School buildings are often used by feudal for housing farm workers or livestock, not for education. Thousands of "ghost" teachers have been drawing salaries from the education departments of the four provinces. They do not do any actual teaching since there are no functioning schools. They simply show up to collect their salaries on the appointed day. The feudal state of Pakistani society has prevented meaningful educational reforms from taking place. And, in many rural areas where the local tribal chief's word is law, schools will not function without his say so. There are many cases where chiefs will not allow any schools in their "jurisdiction." Consequently, literacy and enrollment rates have remained much lower than the desired level. They are even lower than the South Asian standards.

16. That provision of books either free of cost or at low cost, bare minimum tuition fee or free education and teaching of some sort of technical skills to students to enable them to earn their living later in life are some of the incentives that would attract parents to get their children admitted to schools. The provincial and federal governments should give top priority to achieving universal primary education within next 5-16 years.

17. That Article 25A, according to the 18th constitutional amendment, declares "education free and compulsory for all children of the age of 5 to 16 years, in such manner as may be determined by law." For proper implementation of this law here must be public private partnership and the government should devise a strategy to subsidize private educational institutions, operating in the areas where the government-run institutions had either failed for deliver or are non-existent. The government should decide per child education budget and the private sector should be patronized in the far-flung areas of the country to enhance literacy rate in the light of National Education Policy 1998-2010.

18. That public spending on education as a percentage of total government expenditure has remained very low in Pakistan, 1.8 percent of GDP, well below prescribed international levels that ranged between the 20 percent recommended by UNICEF and the 6 percent laid down by the Dakar Framework of Action at the World Educational Forum 2000. This spending is the lowest in South Asia. Pakistan remains among the 12 countries of the world that spent less than 2 percent of their GDP on education. (HRCP annual report 2005) This indicates that education has remained a low priority. Public spending on education in fact declined from 2.6 percent of the GDP in 1990 to 1.8 percent in 2002-03. We should keep in mind that between 1906 and 1911, education consumed as much as 43 per cent of the budget of Japanese towns and villages. By 1910, Japan had a universal attendance in primary schools. Amartya Sen in "Identity and Violence", writes, "By 1913, even though Japan was still economically very poor and underdeveloped, it had still become one of the largest producer of books in the world, publishing more books than Britain and indeed more than twice as many as the United States." The Government should increase allocation of funds from existing 1.8 per cent of GDP to at least 7 per cent in the next ten years

19. That Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides that The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

20 That the rural schools lacked physical infrastructure, furniture, basic facilities and the level of teaching staff remained dismal. This has contributed greatly to the high drop-out rate, which led to the lack of interest on parents' part in sending children to schools where teachers often failed to appear, fans or drinking water were not available and children were often beaten. According to official data, 78 percent of primary schools in rural areas do not have electricity, 40 percent have no drinking water and 60 percent are without toilets. The same was true of middle, high and secondary schools. 15 percent of government schools across the country are without buildings, 52 percent without boundary walls, 40 percent without water, 71 percent without electricity and 57 percent without toilets (HRCP annual report).

21. That Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of the country, was prepared to go to any extent to establish Urdu as the national language of the fledgling state. He got nine resolutions passed in this respect from the platform of the All India Muslim League between 1908 and 1938. Later also he consistently declared Urdu the national language of the Muslims of the sub-continent and, in 1948, he categorically announced, not once but four times, that Urdu was the state language of Pakistan. It may, therefore, be appropriate to say that Urdu formed as one of the basis of the struggle for Pakistan. How unfortunate it is that, against this backdrop, the country's educational planners are not heeding to it in spite of constitutional guarantee provided in 1973 constitution. The grace period offered by the Constitution to implement Urdu as national language expired on 14th August 1988. In spite of the so many flagrant violations of the Constitution, the pledge remains there, but there are no actions to fulfill the pledge.

21. That Pakistan also signed and ratified the "UN Convention on the Rights of the Child" on 12th Nov. 1992which resolves to provide education to all children. That on 10th December, 1998, United Nations adopted Universal Declaration of human Rights. The Preamble to the UDHR stated that: "every individual and organ of society...., shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms...." Pakistan being a member of the UN adopted the said declaration. Article 26 (1) of UDHR proclaims that: Every one has a right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. "Article 26 (2) of UDHR states that Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for maintenance of peace. Further, Article 26 (3) provides that parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children."

22. That the Constitution of Pakistan framed in 1973 promised to its citizens in Article 37 (b) & (c) that "the State shall remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within the minimum possible period; make technical and professional education generally available and higher education equally accessible to all on the basis of merit".

23. That education is accepted as a basic right of everyone both at national and international level. The Constitution 1973 clearly lays down the provision in Article 37 (b) that:

"The state of Pakistan shall... remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period".

In Article 26 (1), UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, it is clearly laid down that:

'Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory."

The Constitution also corresponds with Article 26 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says that "Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit."

Keeping in view the above submissions a uniform system of education needs to be introduced to eradicate the problems as pointed out earlier. Two important things that the government should attempt in this regard are:

Introduce Urdu as medium of instruction to be implemented uniformly in all public and private schools. However, in the international environment of competition today, English has assumed unprecedented importance. It may therefore be taught as a compulsory subject from class one. Religious education may also be incorporated in the mainstream education. For this purpose, the most important thing is introduction of Arabic as a second language at the initial stage education.

Moving forward to the present, may I request that this letter of mine may kindly be treated as a petition and the same may be heard by taking suo moto action by calling the Federal as well as Provincial Governments and Directorates of Colleges of the Armed Forces in order to remove disparity and to ensure equality between all the sections of the Society. There is an awful need for strictly adhering to the rule of law and this has to begin instantly, lest the result would only be dreadful, as it has been so far for the last more than half a century.I request your kind honor urgently to look into the matter to prevent this utter injustice, discrimination, continuous violation of law and policies, misappropriation of public funds in the name of education, and destitution of the poor people of Pakistan being carried on for so many decades by passing an appropriate order regarding:

1. Increasing funding for education by allocating a minimum of 7% percent of the GDP at least during the next 10 years
2. Introduction of a uniform curriculum and provision of equal facilities by bridging the gap between various types of public, private schools and Madrassass in the country.
3. Introducing "Urdu" as meidum of instruction in all the public and private sector schools at least in case of fundamental compulsory education (from 5 to 16 years students)
4. Offering free and compulsory fundamental education to all children in Pakistan, and achieving 100% Enrolment in fundamental education by the year 2015.
5. Taking admission tests by all the higher universities in urdu language.
6. Conducting all the interviews either for admission in universities or for employment in urdu language.
7. Achievement of complete gender equality in fundamental Enrolment by 2015.
8. Eradication of political interference and favouritism in education department and ensuring transparency in appointments, postings, and transfers of teachers and other education officials.
9. Addressing disparity in progress towards Education for All among various provinces, areas and districts in Pakistan. Since policies and plans take time to produce results, more so in the case of Literacy and Education, there is a pressing need to have a continuity of policies and consistency of approach in a broad sense.
10. Provincial governments should take initiatives to improve the quality of the basic education. To ensure the quality education to fix the appropriate ratio between students per class. It's nearly impossible to carry good results from class of 200 students.
11. Providing free education through private schools where public schools are not available.
12. Implementing National Education Policy 1998-2010 as discussed in Para12 ante in letter and spirit.
13. Introducing a foolproof accountability system to be implemented in all public sector schools.

I am obliged to Your Lordship and thank you.

Sincerely,

Shaukat Masood Zafar
House No.1060, Street No.95, Sector I-10/1,
Islamabad.
Email: smzafar101@gmail.com
Cell: 0333-5499592

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The Pakistan Defeat - The Surrender in the East

By Madan G Singh

In 1971 military dictator General Yahiya Khan was the President of Pakistan. He had taken over from Ayub Khan who had to step down. But Yahiya Khan was beset with difficulties. East Pakistan the eastern part of Pakistan had elected Sheikh Mujibar Rehman and his Awami party to 99% of the seats with the result that the Awami league became the single largest party in Pakistan and was to be called to form the government at Rawalpindi.

This was anathema to the politicians of West Pakistan led by ZA Bhutto who advocated that the results be scrapped.Unable to decide and in face of a civil disobedience movement in East Pakistan Yahiya on being egged by Bhutto ordered a crack down on the Awami league and East Pakistan politicians. Shiekh Mujibar was arrested and taken to West Pakistan and the Pakistan army in the fond belief that Bengalis are cowards mounted a big assault on the leadership of the East Pakistan political parties.

The result was disastrous as the Pak army carried out systematic rapes and murders of the population. In particular they targeted the Hindu community and more than 10 million fled to India. The idea was to restore demographic parity with West Pakistan. But all these moves misfired and a resistance movement spearheaded by the Mukti Bahini grew with active support from India.

The Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took advantage of the situation and like a shrewd leader, ordered the Indian army in to East Pakistan after an abortive air raid by the PAF on Indian air bases in the western region. Why Pakistan mounted an attack in the west will remain a mystery.But perhaps they hoped to open a front in the west to relieve pressure on their troops operating in the eastern region.

The eastern command under Gen JS aurora mounted a three pronged invasion of East Pakistan. The Indian strategy was simple. They simply bypassed the fortified garrison s of the important towns and converged on the capital Dacca. The Air force in the meantime neutralized the PAF (In any case the PAF had only a squadron or two in East Pakistan). A Para drop was effected near Dacca and very soon the Pakistan army lost the will to fight. This was the crucial phase of the battle as Gen Niazi the GOC in C East Pakistan lost his nerve.In addition relentless propaganda from the air in the form of leaflets promising honorable treatment in case of surrender also undermined the Pakistan soldiers. The battle was thus lost in the mind and the vaunted Pakistan army fell easy prey and lost the will to fight.

In a swift campaign lasting just 13 days the Pakistan army surrendered and 93,000 soldiers went into captivity. In hindsight the villain of the entire episode was ZA Bhutto who egged on Gen Yahiya Khan to attack India as well as arrest Sheik Mujib.But the sad part is that the same man met his end at the gallows as a common criminal when he was hanged a few years later by the then Pakistan President General Zia ul haq.

All said and done the defeat of the Pakistan army in East Pakistan will pinch them for many years to come. Perhaps they will never forget it ever and could be one of the reasons for their aggressive postures in the west. But history cannot be re- written nor the events recreated and thus the defeat of the Pakistan Muslim army will prick them for years to come. The liberation of East Pakistan will remain a tremendous victory for Indian arms.

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Beginning of New Era of Democracy in Pakistan

By Asim Nawaz Sheikh

People of Pakistan will Always Remember 16th march of 2009. The day which conveys the whole world a very strong message that the People of Pakistan are a great nation not a crowd. They have proved that no one can destroy their identity. Although the current pleasant situation in Pakistan won't be very much pleasing for the anti-Pakistan forces, yet for the Pakistani nation it all is like a great way towards development.

The restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has provided new thinking to the people of Pakistan. This restoration has on one hand restored their belief in democracy and on the other hand strengthened their confidence in the Pakistan army. Unlike its past, the role of Pakistan's army remained together changed throughout the restoration movement; very much unprejudiced. Under the command of General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani the Pakistan's Armed forces fulfilled their promise that it would always remain away from all politics of Pakistan.

As per tradition, the western media and Indian think tanks have been propagating the idea that the Pakistan's armed forces are going to take advantage of the bad law and order situation in the country. So many propaganda articles were published and discussions were sent on air regarding the expected role of Pakistan army but all hopes went futile and General Kiyani remained committed to his promise that army will not interfere in any political affair.

As some groups of people are talking the involvement of raw in northern tribes and some areas of Pakistan. Australia is one of countries who have a soft corner for Pakistan and people of Pakistan. A few days back the Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith talking to the media men said, "Nuclear-armed Pakistan needs international help against the serious threat it faces. For a long time people viewed Pakistan as simply being part of the difficulty in the Afghanistan border area but now we will have to start viewing Pakistan in its own right". The Australian Foreign Minister also suggested that Kashmir seems at the top of Pakistan's list of security problems and surely a very obvious contributing factor. The only solution to this grave problem is a constructive dialogs between India and Pakistan.

Now the storm has calmed down. The Long March become a symbol of success. Things are going towards a natural settlement. The people of Pakistan should now devote and dedicate all their concentration to the betterment of their own land. The present situation has given birth to so many expectations from the chief justice Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry of Pakistan. He will have to take care of the nation who thinks that he has a solution to all its problems including rapidly growing prices of commodities, unemployment, law and order situation and the security threats on the borders.

India proudly calls itself world's biggest democratic state. The Indian media and the Indian politicians have been ridiculing Pakistan for the inconsistency in its political system. Now it has been proved by the government of Pakistan, by the people of Pakistan and by the Pakistani army that Pakistan is going to be the world's strongest democratic state very soon. The 16th March, 2009 is the first morning of a new season. let us wait and pray for the complete change in the whole system. It is just the beginning of a revolutionary change.

Author Asim Nawaz Sheikh, Thanks for reading. following are my web site details, MastCity the complete entertainment portal for Download Hindi Songs [http://www.mastcity.com] and for Online Flash Games [http://games.mastcity.com] Free Desktop Wallpapers,Free Videos and much more free. Contact 0092-321-4242545

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