Pakistan Wants Change

Pakistan – Torture of around four tough years , false hopes being injected for electricity shortfalls and basic necessities . After such a mistake by Nation , now this is the time to think something beyond .

When a nation stood to be a nation ? We have been taught from our childhoods , when there is a need there’s a way . Unfortunately , our education system spoiled so much that we just memorized this word , and not been forced to understand the meaning in the depth of this phrase.  We need to improve Education system on emergency basis .

Yes , health is a big issue . Dengue , flu’s and other increasing diseases are increasing with substantial percentage. However , despite of focusing on our food quality , we tend to prefer better doctor. There is a major increase in corruption of Food Qualities . Life threatening food items being prepared , sold and eaten on very large scale . There should be proper inspection of such matters.

We cannot blame government about jobs , yes the only blame upon government is that they are not providing suitable environment for businesses which ultimately results in creating vacancies .

How they can provide suitable environment ? This could be answered by just one means , Proper and uninterrupted supply of electricity on cheap rates. I bet we could find world’s treasures.

From last years i am believing on the current government that they would going to hold the situation , but now its better to think about change .

Pakistani’s must be hopeful , as a nation we are obliged to hope for better Pakistan . And , must take best decisions while voting .

Seoul Nuclear Summit 2012

To secure the world from the threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons technology has remained the top priority agenda for the global nuclear powers in the 21st century. For this purpose almost fifty eight nations have gathered in Seoul, South Korea which includes many heads of the states such as President Lee Myung-bak, host of the summit, U.S. President Barrack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko, Heads of the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union and Interpol. The South Korean government had established an inter ministerial preparatory committee headed by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and preparatory office led by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan to organize and oversee the planning, management and protocol of the Seoul Summit.

The Seoul Nuclear Security Declaration which is going to be held on 26-27 March, is the thread to the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington DC initiated by American President Barack Obama as a step to establish a global platform to counter nuclear terrorism threat and to eliminate the nuclear terrorism risk through transfer or theft of nuclear material from the nuclear sites. The next or third round of nuclear security summit is expected to be held in Netherlands in 2014. The Seoul summit is the largest-scale and highest-level meeting that South Korea has ever hosted. The top agendas at the Seoul summit would most likely be Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs and the issue of nuclear material safety evolved from the Japanese nuclear crisis at Fukushima as a result of a drastic earthquake in 2011.

The Washington Nuclear Security Summit succeeded in establishing a consensus that nuclear terrorism is a global threat to all nations and evoked more than fifty commitments or pledges which were non binding, vague and had escape clauses. Obama administration’s four-year objective to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the globe is unlikely to be accomplished by 2013. Almost 29 Countries including Congo and Nigeria did not submit their reports on the implementation of UN Security Resolution 1540. Tracking the implementation of this resolution. Obama’s objective and other previous commitments would be an important effort at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

The participants of the Seoul summit have identified key areas such as building up of nuclear safety and security culture (Russia), adherence to the nuclear treatise and conventions( Indonesia), minimizing the use of HEU and plutonium and developing HEU management guidelines (France), strengthening the existing security measures (Pakistan) enhancing nuclear material transport security (Japan) , preventing illicit trafficking and smuggling of nuclear material (Jordan), increasing global co-operation in nuclear forensics (Netherlands), protecting nuclear sensitive information sharing (United Kingdom), and countering the radiological terrorism (Germany) which would be in consideration at Seoul. It will also include putting into force the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), conversion of nuclear reactors from running on HEU to low enriched uranium and strengthening the education and training through the establishment of Centers of Excellence in the participant states.

It is interesting to note that that China, India, Japan, and South Korea have created or are in the process of establishing centers of nuclear security whereas France and Italy have incorporated nuclear security education into their academic curricula. Another important fact is the inclusion of Belarus in Seoul Summit of 2012. Belarus was not invited to the Washington summit, after it refused to give up its stocks of highly enriched uranium. After an agreement by Minsk to give up the remainder by 2012, and removal of a portion of those stocks to secure storage in Russia, the South Korean government has invited Belarus to the Seoul summit.

As far as Pakistan’s stance is considered regarding Seoul Summit, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s ambassador to United States Sherry Rehman and other officials have reached South Korea to attend this summit. Islamabad has been seeking a civilian nuclear accord similar to the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal that provided New Delhi with an NSG waiver and access to nuclear fuel and technology despite being a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Pakistan also demands to become a member of the elite NSG. The world nuclear suppliers communities have so far refused due to issue of leaking sensitive technology to other states by alleged AQ Khan network. Prime Minister Gilani in the summit would highlight the national nuclear security culture of Pakistan which explicitly describes its nuclear assets and installations to be safe and secure from the terrorist’s threat.

In short, the Seoul nuclear security summit provides a new and unique opportunity to build stronger 21st-century nuclear material security architecture at global level. It provides a plat forum where representatives from different regions, backgrounds, and issues join hands together to eliminate the world from the threat of nuclear terrorism and radiological nuclear weapons, not once but in a series or rounds of meetings held after every two years. Although the participants have to face several challenges in order to achieve their work plan and objectives yet prospects are not bleak. The lessons learned from the communiqué and work plan of 2010 should be considered and Seoul Summit should have a better and practical outcome to ensure peace and stability through world free of threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism in the coming years ahead.

AYMEN IJAZ
Researcher at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI),
Islamabad, Pakistan.

Hazrat Umar IBN Al- Khattab

Introduction

Hazrat Umar (R.A) belonged to the Adi family of Quraish tribe. In the 8th generation, his lineage joins with Rasulallah (s.a.w).
He was born on 5th November ,  in 583 A.C., about forty years before the great Hijrah. The early life of Hazrat Umar is not known in detail. In his youth he was a famous wrestler and orator, and a spirited person. He was one among the few people in Makkah who knew how to read and write. His main occupation was business.

When the Rasulallah (s.a.w) recieved the revelation and invited people to Islam, Hazrat Umar initially became the sworn enemy of Islam and Rasulallah (s.a.w), and did not hesitate to harm the Muslims at every opportunity.

Hazrat Umar’s acceptance of Islam

It was the sixth year of Rasulallah (s.a.w)’s mission when the leaders of Quraish called a meeting and asked for volunteers for the assassination of Rasulallah (s.a.w). Hazrat Umar offered himself for this job and everybody in the meeting exclaimed that he was the right person for it.

While he was on his way, with a sword in his hand, he met Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas who enquired of him about where he was going. Hazrat Umar told him that he was going to murder Rasulallah (s.a.w). After some discussion Hazrat Sa’d said, “You had better take care of your own family first. Your sister and brother-in-law both have accepted Islam”.

Hearing this, Hazrat Umar changed his direction and went straight to his sister’s house. When Hazrat Umar knocked at the door, they were being taught the Holy Qur’anby Hazrat Khabbab (R.A). His sister Fatima was frightened on hearing Hazrat Umar’s voice and tried to hide the portion of the Holy Qur’an she was reciting. When Hazrat Umar entered the house he enquired about their Islam and on finding that they had accepted Islam, he first fell upon his brother-in-law and beat him severely. When his sister intervened he smote her so violently on her face that it bled profusely. On this his sister burst out: “Do whatever you like, we are determined to die as Muslims”.

When Hazrat Umar saw his sister bleeding, he cooled down and felt ashamed. He loved Fatima very much but could not tolerate her conversion to Islam. However, deeply moved, Hazrat Umar asked her to show the pages on which the Holy Qur’an was written. But she was, after all, Hazrat Umar’s sister and told him straight, “You can not touch it unless you take a bath and make yourself clean”.

He then took a bath and read the scripts. It was the beginning of Surah Ta Ha (Chapter 20 of the Holy Qur’an). Finally he came to the verse:

At this, Hazrat Umar exclaimed, “Surely this is the Word of Allah. Take me to Muhammad (s.a.w)”.

On hearing this Hazrat Khabbab (R.A), who had hidden himself in the house, came out from inside and said, “O Umar! Glad tidings for you. It seems that the prayer of the Rasulallah (s.a.w) which he said last night has been answered in your favour. He prayed to Allah: “O Allah, strengthen Islam with either Umar b. Khattab or Umar b. Hisham, whomsoever Thou pleaseth”.
Hazrat Umar then went to Rasulallah (s.a.w). On seeing him, Rasulallah (s.a.w) asked him, “Umar! what brings you here”? He said, “I am here to accept Islam”.
Hearing this the Muslims shouted with joy, “Allahu Akbar! (Allah is the Greatest)” and the sound echoed though the air of Makkah.

As a matter of fact, Umar’s conversion to Islam was a terrible blow to the morale of the disbelieves. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud, a great Companion, says, “Hazrat Umar’s conversion to Islam was a great triumph, his emigration to Madinah a tremendous reinforcement and his accession to Caliphate a great blessing for the Muslims”.

Hazrat Umar gets the title of Al-Farooq

The conversion of Hazrat Umar (R.A) strengthened Islam.
Before this, Muslims had lived in constant fear of the disbelievers, and most of them were concealing their faith. The Muslims were now able to offer their Salat publicly. When Hazrat Umar (R.A) became a Muslim, he declared his faith openly before the Quraish chiefs. Though they stared at him, they could not do any harm to him. Then once he had been granted permission from Rasulallah (s.a.w), he led a party of the Muslims to the Kabah to offer Salat. Hazrat Hamza, who had accepted Islam a few days before Hazrat Umar (R.A), carried another party of the Muslims to Kabah.

When all the Muslims gathered in the Kabah, they offered their Salat in congregation. Rasulallah (s.a.w) led this, and it was the first public Salat in the history of Islam. For this courageous and bold action of Hazrat Umar (R.A), Rasulallah (s.a.w) gave him the title of al-Farooq i.e., the one who makes a distinction between the right (haqq) and the wrong (batil).

Migration to Madinah

When the Muslims were ordered to migrate to Madinah, most of them left Makkah quietly and in secret, but Hazrat Umar (R.A) declared it openly.

He put on his armour and first went to the Kabah. After performing the Salat, he announced loudly: “I am migrating to Madinah. If anyone wants to check me, let him come out. I am sure that his mother would cry for his life”.
There was no man in Makkah to accept the challenge of Hazrat Umar (R.A). Then he migrated to Madinah boldly.

Hazrat Umar’s services to Islam

Hazrat Umar (R.A) had great love for Allah and Rasulallah (s.a.w). He participated in almost all the big battles: Badr, Uhud, Ahzab, Khaibar, Hunain etc. In the expedition of Tabuk, he gave half of his wealth in the path of Allah.
He was next to Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) in the sacrifice of his belongings for the cause of Allah.

Rasulallah (s.a.w) also had a deep love for him. Once he remarked, “Were a prophet to come after me, he would have been Umar”.
In another Hadith mentioned in Bukhari, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrated that Rasulallah (s.a.w) said, “In Bani Isra’il (Israelites), there were people who were not prophets but talked to Allah. Were anyone in my Ummah like those persons, he would be Umar”.

The death of Rasulallah (s.a.w) was a great shock to him, and he could not believe it until Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) reminded him of a clear verse of the Holy Qur’an on the subject. He then went to the Council Hall along with Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) where the people of Madinah had assembled to select the First Caliph.
Hazrat Umar (R.A) was the first person to pledge loyalty (Bai’at) at the hand of Hazrat Abu Bakr(R.A), and then helped him throughout the duration of his rule.

Hazrat Umar Farooq – the second Khalifa of Islam

During Hazrat Abu Bakr’s illness he consulted the people about the next Khalifah, and then gave his decision in favour of Hazrat Umar (R.A) who took the charge of Khilafat after the death of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) on 22nd of Jamadius Thani 13 A.H. (23rd August 634 AC).
Umar (R.A.) followed fully the ways of Rasulallah (s.a.w) and the policy of his predecessor, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, with his characteristic zeal and vigour. It was his strict adherence to the Sunnah of Rasulallah (s.a.w) which helped him to subdue the mighty empires of Persia and Byzantine.

The period of Hazrat Umar’s Khilafat undoubtedly is the Golden Age of Islam in every respect.
He was a man of extraordinary genius who not only moulded the destiny of the nation but made history of his own.

He followed the footsteps of Rasulallah (s.a.w) to the fullest extent. It was Hazrat Umar under whose rule Islam became an international power and the mighty empires of Persia and Byzantine crumbled before the army of Islam.
Within ten years of his glorious rule, the whole of the Persian Empire, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and a part of Turkey came under the banner of Islam and the nations entered the fold of Islam.

He was not only a conqueror but also an exemplary administrator who originated an efficient system of administration, and thus he was the real founder of political system of Islam. He enforced Divine Law (Shari’ah) as the code of a newly formed International Islamic State; he safeguarded the internal safety by introducing the police force: he gave stipends to the poor; he constructed cantonments and forts for the safety of Islamic armies; he founded new cities for the growth of Islamic culture and civilisation; he improved agriculture and economics of the Islamic State; he founded the educational system in an Islamic State; in brief he was the founder of a great Islamic State.

Fall of the Persian empire

During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), Hazrat Khalid bin Walid conquered part of the Persian Empire known as the Kingdom of Hira. Then he was ordered by Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) to join the expedition to Syria.

At the time of his departure, he appointed Muthanna bin Harith as the commander of the Islamic army. The Persians became furious at the loss of the kingdom of Hira and the Emperor sent a large army under the command of a very famous General, Rustam the Commander-in-Chief of Persian armies.
In view of the growing pressure of Persians, Muthanna requested Hazrat Umar (R.A) for reinforcement. At that time there was a large gathering of Muslims in Madinah waiting to take pledge of loyalty (Bai’at) at the hand of the new Khalifa (Hazrat Umar). He put the matter before the Muslims but did not get any response in the beginning. Then Hazrat Umar (R.A) in his sermons stressed the importance of Jihad and a large number of Muslims volunteered to help Muthanna against the Persians. Abu‘Ubaid ath-Thaqafi was appointed as the commander of the Islamic army comprising five thousand men. In the meantime Persians attacked the places conquered by Muslims and they lost some of them. In the early stage of the battles Rustam sent his subordinates to face Muslims.

It is reported from Hazrat Ibn Umar (R.A) that Hazrat Umar (R.A) dispatched an army to Persia, making a man called Sariyya (R.A) the leader of it. It is said that one day Hazrat Umar (R.A) was delivering the Friday sermon in Madinah. In it he said loudly “Ya Sariyya al-jabal!” which means “O Sariyya, [towards] the mountain!”, and then resumed the sermon.
After a month a courier came from the army bearing of good news. He said, “The people of the army heard Hazrat Umar (R.A)’s voice on that day. We all went towards the mountain and Allah made us victorious.”

The severe famine and plague

In the year 17-18 A.H, Hijaz and Syria were faced by severe famine and drought. Hazrat Umar (R.A) took steps to get food supplies from Egypt, part of which had been conquered by Hazrat Amr bin al-’As (R.A). He sent three big ships of grains to Madinah which were unloaded in the presence of Hadzrat Umar (R.A). He himself distributed the grains among the needy.
Hazrat Umar (R.A) did not take any delicacy (butter etc.) during the famine period. When he was requested to take care of his health, he said, “If I don’t taste suffering, how can I know the sufferings of others?”

When the famine became intolerable, he prayed to Allah in a big gathering of Muslims. It has been narrated that the prayers had not even finished when rains started to pour down.

About the same time, plague spread in most parts of Iraq, Syria and Egypt and it caused great havoc not only to civilians but also to the Muslim armies. After the plague, Hazrat Umar went to Syria to inspect the losses caused by the plague. Three important figures, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah, Mu’adh bin Jabal and Yazid bin Abu Sufyan (R.A) had passed away. He appointed Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan as the Governor of Damascus in place of his brother Yazid bin Abi Sufyan.

Martyrdom of Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam (R.A)

In 23 A.H., when Hazrat Umar returned to Madinah from Hajj, he raised his hands and prayed:

“O God! I am advanced in years, my bones are weary, my powers are declining, and the people for whom I am responsible have spread far and wide. Summon me back to Thyself, my lord!”

Some time later, when Hazrat Umar went to the mosque to lead a prayer, a Magian named Abu Lulu Feroze, who had a grudge against Hazrat Umar on a personal matter, attacked him with a dagger and stabbed him several times. Hazrat Umar reeled and fell to the ground.
When he learned that the assassin was a Magian, he said, “Thank God he is not a Muslim.”

The injuries were so serious that the great Khalifa died the next morning.

Before his death, the Muslims asked him about his successor and he appointed a panel of six persons; Hadrat Uthma Zubair, Talha, Sa’d bin Waqqas and Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (R.A) to select a Khalifah from amongst them within three days after him.

He requested Hazrat Aisha (R.A) for permission for his burial beside Rasulallah (s.a.w), just as Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique expressed the same wish. Though she had reserved that place for herself, on Umar’s request she gave it to him and that is where he was buried.

Character and Piety

He was extremely pious and God-fearing. His success lay in two things: fear of Allah and his love for Rasulallah (s.a.w).

He never used even oil from the Baitul Mal (Public Treasury) to burn a lamp at night for his personal needs. Whenever he finished the official work he put off the lamp. He used to patrol in the city at night to find out the needs and requirements, and conditions of the people.
He did not hesitate to take his wife to work as a midwife for a poor woman. The salary he got from the Baitul Mal was so low that it was hardly enough for him and his family’s needs. When some of the eminent Muslims requested him to increase the amount he said, “Rasulallah (s.a.w) has left a standard by his personal example. I must follow him”.

Hadrat Umar was one of the most just rulers in Islamic History. All the citizens, including the Khalifa himself, were equal before law.
Once he appeared before a court in Madinah to clarify his position against a complaint. The Qadi (judge) wanted to stand in his honour, but he did not allow him to do so, so that there would be no distinction between him and an ordinary person before Law.
He was really the founder of the modern democratic system.

In short, he was a perfect example of an ideal character, and was the greatest Khalifah of Islam after Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A).
He selflessly devoted his whole energy for the cause of Islam and the Muslim world will always be indebted to him for his great achievements.

Hazrat Umar as a Great Scholar

Before the advent of Islam there was no tradition in Arabia of reading or writing. There were only seventeen people amongst the Quraish who could read or write at the time when Rasulallah (s.a.w) started to receive Divine revelations.
Hazrat Umar was one of those seventeen persons. His writing and lectures are still found in some old books.

The first address he gave as a Caliph was:
“O Allah, I am strict, make me soft. I am weak, give me power. The Arabs are like refractory camels, I will endeavour to bring them to the straight path.”

He was also interested in poetry and sometimes he composed verses. Hazrat Umar (R.A) was one of the most fluent of the Quraish in language.
Arabic-knowing persons can appreciate the fluency of his writings and addresses. Many of his sayings became aphorisms of literature.

He was a great Jurist and Theologian of Islam. Because of the fear of making any mistake, he did not quote many Ahadith even though he was fully conversant with them. He never allowed a person to quote any Hadith which was not well known without producing any attestator in support of it.
If somebody quoted a Hadith before him which he had never heard, he at once asked him to bring a witness; failing which he would be punished.

He was expert in deriving laws from the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith. A full volume could be complied out of the verdicts and judgements given by Hazrat Umar (R.A). As a matter of fact he opened a new door of Ijtihad (disciplined judgement of a jurist) in the history of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence, and settled a number of disputable cases during his Khilafat.

Preaching of Islam

As the viceroy of Rasulallah (s.a.w), his foremost duty was to spread and preach Islam. As mentioned above, the aim of various battles and wars was to clear the way for the Muslims for preaching Islam.
Whenever any army had to attack a place, they had to call the inhabitants of the place to Islam. Hazrat Umar was very strict in this respect and he had given standing orders to the commanders not to start war unless they had first invited the people to Islam. If they accepted it, there was no question of war and if they did not, then the war was fought only with those who were not giving a free hand to Muslims to preach the Right Path.

No person was ever forced to forsake his own faith and accept Islam.

The method adopted to preach Islam was demonstration by actual practice. For this purpose he ordered Muslims to establish their own quarters and present the practical shape of Islam before the population. Seeing the truthful way, the inhabitants of the place were attracted towards Islam. No soldier was allowed to take any property or anything by force from the conquered people.

Because of fair treatment by the Muslims, sometimes the whole army of the enemy accepted Islam.
After the battle of Qadisiya, a battalion of four thousand Persians accepted Islam. After the victory of Jalula, the chiefs of the place entered the folds of Islam along with the inhabitants. A commander of the army of Yadzgird, named Siyah accepted Islam with his battalion during a battle in Persia. All the inhabitants of the town of Bulhat in Egypt accepted Islam at one time without the use of any force only by seeing the piety of the Muslims. A rich merchant and the chief of a place in Egypt, named Shata, accepted Islam with all the inhabitants of the place only after hearing about the character and piety of Muslims at the time when Muslims had not even reached that place.

These are a few examples to show how Islam spread because of the character of Muslims at that time.

Hazrat Umar (R.A) was very strict in ensuring that no Muslims forced any non-Muslim to accept Islam. Through his advice, letters and addresses, he made it clear to all the Muslims that they had to adhere to the ways of Rasulallah (s.a.w), which was the only method to preach Islam.

Wives and children

Wives:

1. Hazrat Zainab (R.A) accepted Islam but died in Makkah. She was sister of Uthman bin Maz’un. She gave birth to Hazrat Abdullah Abdur Rahman and Hazrat Hafsah (wife of Rasulallah (s.a.w)) were the children she bore to Hazrat Umar.

2. Malkiah bint Jarwal, she did not accept Islam and was divorced in 6 A.H. according to Islamic law. She gave birth to Ubaidullah.

3. Quraibah bint Abi Ummiyah, she also did not accept Islam and was divorced in 6 A.H.

The above three marriages had taken place before Hazrat Umar (R.A.) accepted Islam. After accepting Islam he contracted marriages with the following:

4. Ummi Hakim bint-ul-Harith, she gave birth to a girl named Fatimah.

5. Jamilah bint Asim, she gave birth to a son who was named Asim. She was a Muslim but was divorced for some other reason.

6. Umm Kulthum bint Hazrat Ali (R.A). She was married in the year 17 A.H. She gave birth to Ruqayyah and Zaid.

7. Atikah (R.A)

Children:

Daughters -
1. Ummul Mumineen Hazrat Hafsah (R.A) – the chaste wife of Rasulallah (s.a.w).
2. Ruqayyah – the youngest daughter of Hazrat Umar.

Sons -
3. Abdullah
4. Ubaidullah
5. Asim
6. Abu Shahmah
7. Abd-ur-Rahman
8. Zaid

Hazrat Umar – the Pioneer of Islamic democracy

Hazrat Umar (R.A) was the pioneer of modern civilisation who formed a state based upon the Islamic democratic system, the system which was incorporated in the West as late as 19th and 20th centuries.
He was the greatest democratic administrator whose example is unparalleled not only in the history of Islam but also in the history of modern civilisation. A vast part of the Middle East, Persian Empire and Byzantium, was conquered during the ten years of his Khilafat which he consolidated into a state governed by Islam i.e. laws.

The constitution of Islamic Khilafat during the time of Hazrat Umar (R.A) was based entirely on the Islamic democratic system. All matters were decided after consultation with the Shura (the council of advisors).
He remarked, “It is essential for a Khalifah to consult his Shura.” Once he said, “I do not desire that you may follow anything that arises from my caprice”.

Hazrat Umar had clearly stated on various occasions that he should be obeyed as long as he was obeying Allah and Rasulallah (s.a.w).

Muslims and non-Muslims were treated alike. Although the Arab peninsula was declared to be purely an Islamic State, his attitude towards the non-Muslims was very tolerant. He allowed the Jews and the Christians, living in the Peninsula, to stay there if they so wished and nobody would interfere in their religious affairs. To those who desired to migrate he ensured a safe journey up to the borders. Hazrat Umar (R.A) also gave compensation for their properties and other facilities.

Introduction of the Islamic calendar

For the first time in the history of Islam, Islamic calendar was introduced in the present form by Hazrat Umar (R.A).

The date of start of this calendar was fixed as the date of the Hijrah (migration) of Rasulallah (s.a.w). Thus the calendar is also known as the Hijrah Calendar.

Rasulallah (s.a.w)’s praise about Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam

“If there were to be a Prophet after me, he would have been Umar.”- (Tirmidhi)

“Amongst the nations before your time, there have been inspired people (who were not Prophets), and if there is one amongst my Ummah, he is Umar“. – (Bukhari and Muslim)

Quran Burning Protest - from Kabul to Whole Afghanistan

Muslim World were not shocked but anger wave just spread from Kabul NATO airbase to the Muslims globally. On the day February 22, 2012 news came of Quran Burning on NATO airbase on the orders of Afghan based US authorities .

A protest has been held by common Afghani’s , to block protest intensity they shelled fire flares from helicopter. However , protest was more stronger than US expectations. Violent protests left at least five dead and others wounded Wednesday as demonstrations over Quran burning intensified in Afghanistan. Police killed four people and wounded 10 others during protests in Parwan province, said Abdul Wassi Sayedkhili, a provincial council official.Health officials said a fifth person died and 10 others wounded in eastern Nangarhar province.President Hamid Karzai was “saddened about the civilian casualties during today’s demonstrations,” his office said. Karzai noted an investigation will begin Thursday over the killings.

OBAMA : Afghan rage over the burning of Qurans by NATO troops continued Thursday even after a President Barack Obama apologized for the “error.”

These are not the justifications of burning of Muslims Sacred book . US intention is reflecting in the form of US military intention in Afghanistan actually.

IMPACT: This would impact badly on US economy & planning of their military in central Asia region. US might get more dents in Afghanistan , would eventually results in a war loss .

These types of events will not isolate Islamic World but USA ( United States of America ).

Your Option

Smoking Kills

“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire and that is easy for Allah” [Qur'an 4:29]

“And do not throw yourselves into destruction.” [Qur'an 2:195]

Smoking has turned out to be far more lethal than suicide bombings for Pakistan over the years. According to The Network, a consumer rights’ protection organization, around 100,000 people die of tobacco-related diseases annually in Pakistan, while the number of lives claimed by suicide bombings over the last nine years comes to around 6,000.
Panelists at a discussion on smoking prevention and control on Monday had a unanimous opinion that until the current anti-smoking laws were enforced, smoking-free-Pakistan would be a distance dream.

Presenting a recent Asian Development Bank report, The Network’s Advocacy and Research Coordinator Dr. Anwar Rafay said Pakistan had lost 5,704 lives to around 332 suicide bombings, which it witnessed since 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.
He said the country currently had around 25 million smokers, while the annual tobacco-related deaths were 98,640.

According to him, National Health Survey of Pakistan, 1990-94, and Pakistan Health Education Survey, 1999, stated 55 per cent of households had at least one smoker but the recent data had now shown that the problem had worsened. TN representatives said 40 per cent of men and nine per cent of women in the country smoked tobacco. He further said the annual per capita consumption of tobacco in the country was 392 cigarettes per adult annually.

He said media and anti-smoking advocates should collaborate for forcing government into implementing Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Guidelines and the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers’ Health Ordinance, 2002.

Dr. Anwar alleged tobacco industry carried out hidden promotional activities despite strict ban. He said recently, his organization highlighted promotional activities of a tobacco giant in the flood-affected areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa under the garb of corporate social responsibility, but its coverage on media caused Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to step in and order prompt halt to the activities. He praised journalists for helping The Network make Pakistan smoking-free and wanted them to do more for the cause.

Another speaker said around 12,000 new children in the age bracket of 6 to 15 began tobacco intake every day. He said tobacco companies should not be encouraged by media even if they did something for humanitarian grounds because it would indirectly promote them.

NEW FORM OF SMOKING : SHISHA …A DELICIOUS KILLER!!!

Recently however, shisha has rapidly gained popularity in Yemen, especially among qat chewers. “Yemenis smoked the mada’a in the past, but shisha is now a major fad in Yemeni society.“The health ministry and official information should really establish a health education curriculum in schools and public places about the effects of smoking shisha and other tobacco products. Kids start smoking shisha to imitate celebrities and to be fashionable,”

“One shisha smoking session is equivalent to smoking 60 cigarettes,” said Dr. Ahmed al-Motarreb, a specialist in heart disease at the cardiac center of the Al-Thawra Hospital in Sana’a. “I advise smokers to stop immediately, because it damages the body by causing wrinkled skin, sexual impotence and many chronic diseases. The reason behind the increase in the shisha smoking phenomenon is that people do not take the health risks seriously.”   Research published in the Journal of Periodontology (Nov. 2005) found that the effects of water pipe smoking are the same as that of cigarette smoking.The prevalence of periodontal (gum tissue) diseases in the study was 30 percent among shisha smokers, 24 percent in cigarette smokers and eight percent in non-smokers.  “Research from this study shows that the relative risk for periodontal disease increased five-fold in water pipe and 3.8-fold in cigarette smokers, compared to non-smokers,” said Dr. Kenneth A. Krebs, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sheesha Smoking

There is a myth that hookah smoking is safer than smoking cigarettes because the hookah smoke is filtered through water before it is inhaled. But recent studies have found that hookah smokers actually inhale more nicotine than do cigarette smokers because of the massive volume of smoke they inhale…According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) advisory, a typical one-hour session of hookah smoking exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette. Even after passing through the water, the tobacco smoke produced still contains high levels of toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).Hookahs are marketed as being a safe alternative to cigarettes. This claim is false. The water does not filter out many of the toxins. In fact, hookah smoke has been shown to contain concentrations of toxins, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, “tar,” and heavy metals, that are as high or higher than are seen with cigarette smoke. Several types of cancer, including lung cancer, have been linked to hookah smoking. Hookah is also linked to other unique risks not associated with cigarette smoking. For example, infectious diseases including tuberculosis (which can infect the lungs or other parts of the body), aspergillus (a fungus that can cause serious lung infections), and helicobacter (which can cause stomach ulcers) may be spread by sharing the pipe or through the way the tobacco is prepared.
Researchers found increased levels of nicotine and cotinine (a byproduct of nicotine) in the blood plasma, saliva and urine of shisha smokers, which is further evidence that water pipe smoking affects the periodontal tissues in the same way as cigarette smoking.  Abdel-Hafiz al-Khameri, a professor of psychology at the University of Sana’a and the head of the Human Development Foundation, said that stress is a major psychological factor driving people to smoke the shisha.“Many young adults resort to chewing qat and smoking shisha to kill time. Shisha and qat help them temporarily escape from their financial and emotional problems.Finally , I can say that Smoking shisha (Arabic water pipes, sometimes known as hookahs) brings the same risks as smoking cigarettes. It can lead to lung cancer and many other health problems. Smoking can also affect your mental health.so THINK before its too late !!!!

Ramzan Inflation Bomb Blasts

Soon as soon ramzan is coming in other words we say the month of profiteering are coming , normally in ramaza in every nation and country reduce the price goods during the ramzan but in Pakistan people make ramazn for get profit and consider this month “ the month of profiteering “

People of Pakistan already face very difficulties with increasing price of petroleum good and spiraling inflation. How can mange the budget of poor and middle class families

Govt . is not able to control the price of good specially is ramzan ?Rising prices have always been a major problem for the people of Pakistan. Unfortunately, however, the problem only seems to aggravate further in Ramadan ever year.Ramzan is said to be the month of blessings but rising prices of each and every commodity make this a month full of troubles and worries.

It is painful for people of the poor and middle classes due to rising inflation in the country.

Lets play with public

Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) reported the prices of perishable food items rose by 20.76% that is right after the increase of 16.36% in the prices of electricity and fuel over the last year [period: July – June 2010]. Average inflation in food prices is 14.48% and inflation in non-perishable items counted 13.64%

The above mentioned figures are the reflection of yearly increase in prices but let us see how prices are indicating that the holy month of Ramadan is coming. A week before a national business newspaper conducted a survey.

As per survey the price of gram floor [Basin] has increased from PKR 60 to 70 / kg. The price of Sugar has increased from PKR 60 to 70. The price of Dalda Ghee rose to PKR 725 from 680 / 5kg. The price of tomato has risen to PKR 40 from 25 / kg. The price of onion has risen to PKR 40 from 25 / kg. The price of Mango has risen to PKR 70 from PKR 50 / kg. Even the increase is on popup over all items that shall be in demand in the month of Ramadan.

I can not count more because this is not something that you can not witness once you reach the markets. But this situation is nothing but a dilemma of our national planning over common commodity prices and their availability. I know people expect us to write solutions of national problems. But what solution I can write. If sugar is in the stocks of the mills so get it out and if it is not available so buy it from international market that is even cheaper once duties shall be exempted. The same is the strategy for all that matters.

Even it is not the part of today’s topic but I remember when our ministers said a month before that the electricity crisis is not because of the government’s mismanagement. They quoted it an outcome of natural shortage of water in our reservoirs.

Ramadan is the holy month. It is a pure blessing of Allah but what if the blessing is being ruined by the people on surface. What we can say to the government who manage mismanagement. Are we as qualified people behind anyone? The one who sells dresses [even master them on low cost] sells expensive on Eid ul Fitar. Everyone is chasing for earnings.

Ramzan Inflation

We have a lot of poor people in the country who can not make their both end meets. We have people in the country who keeps fast and after breaking it keeps hunger. I know it is hard to absorb but it is not solely the government that make them hurt but we are also not so responsible in many regards.

Regardless of this crying attitude of ours over inflation many of us shall spend thousands on preparation of Eid. In a city where a person buys a dress of five to twenty thousand for Eid, we have some families that need the same amount to manage their month on minimum standard. We can say that we equally give 2.5% Zakat so we have a right to do so. But people ask your heart. Can we?

Today I am not talking about the measures government can take to coupe inflation but let me talk about my responsibility. Let me talk about your responsibility. Believe me the happiness of wearing expensive dress, shoes, bangles etc. is not more than feeding people in their stressed economic life style. It is far better when it is the month of Ramadan. You can go to the market and buy expensive KURTA for Alwida Juma and Eid Prayer but God can even hear you in the simplest basic getup.

Everyone knows his buying power. Get together, cut your budgets of buying on Ramadan & Eid and make a pool of money within your lanes, localities etc. that can work for those who are even deprive of the basic. This is the solution in hand.

Our Govt is not worthy of any solution regarding any social problem. It is our duty and our social responsibility to help those who are deprive of basic needs.

Law & Order

Various untoward incidents of bomb explosions at the public places, perpetration of suicide bombings by extremist elements bathed in religion and dogmatism and firing of bullets on the innocent civilians by the miscreants bear out that volatile law and order situation is gravely affecting social, political, economic and religious fabric of Pakistan. This unwanted state of affairs has given birth to uncertainty and frustration which are acting as blight in our society. No public place is secure, no religious institution is sacrosanct and no spiritual or political congregation is safe.Talented people are leaving the Land of the Pure for good because their fate is in the doldrums due to uncertainty of jobs and insecurity to their life and property. Thus menace of “Brain Drain” is continuously depriving the country of the intellectuals that are the true assets of the country to resolve its intricate problems.

Our tourism industry is in the doldrums due to security concerns. Despite scenic beauty of hilly areas, glistening peaks, towering mountains, gushing rivers, archeological sites, and historical monuments ,the PTDC and the Tourism Ministry have badly failed to catch the attention of the foreign tourists because no one will take risk to visit a country where indigenous population is not secure and its rulers address public gatherings behind bullet proof screens. Pakistan has a lot of investment potential which could not be fully tapped because of violent incidents. Therefore, the economy of Pakistan is in the shambles. The investors fear of sinking their investment due to unending terrorist incidents.

The worst victims of law and order as well as poor economy are always the poor. Their vulnerability to shocks is more than others. Therefore, it is imperative that any analysis of the impact of law and order on economic situation must start with the most vulnerable in the society. In other words, no study of economic situation is complete without taking account of at least three interrelated economic indicators of poverty, unemployment, inflation, particularly food inflation.

Our study has seen positive correlations between crime and major economic variables: when there are negative trends in the economy (increase in inflation, poverty, unemployment, and decline in investment) there are negative trends in law and order (increase in crime rate).

The role of police force is vital for maintaining law and order situation in the country.

Since 9/11 and the consequent US/NATO military action in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s troubled northwestern frontier has come under increasing pressure from militant and terrorist organizations operating in the area. Pakistan’s deficient and flawed law enforcement capacity in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the adjacent North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have helped Pakistani Taliban and other terrorist groups expand their influence and strongly challenge the state’s writ. Outgunned and outfinanced, on average 400 police officers have been killed every year in terrorist attacks since 2005. Controversial and haphazard Pakistani military action in the area has led to more instability, and limited resistance in FATA has now become a growing ethnic insurgency. As is clear from the turmoil in the NWFP’s Swat district, any army action can provide no more than a breathing space to the state; only police and law enforcement actions can help the state reestablish its writ and stabilize the area. A timely police action can be more effective in quelling emergent insurgencies. My research into the 2007 Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) crisis in Islamabad, where a strong military operation led to hundreds of deaths and dozens of retaliatory suicide attacks, also indicates that: (a) an effective police action in time (2004–05) could have avoided the later bloody clash and (b) the police lacked authority and the permission of the state and its important institutions to legally pursue the rebel clerics in the mosque (during the 2004–07 timeframe).

The police infrastructure is one of Pakistan’s most poorly managed organizations. It is aptly described as ill-equipped, poorly trained, deeply politicized, and chronically corrupt. It has performed well in certain operations; overall, however, that is a rare phenomenon. Arguably, the primary reason for this state of affairs is the government’s persistent failure to invest in law enforcement reform and modernization. It is ironic that despite frequent internal crises since its inception in 1947, ranging from ethnic confrontations and sectarian battles to a sharp rise in criminal activity and growing insurgencies, both political and military policymakers have never given this sector top priority. Hence, poor police performance in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency is not surprising. The fact that the police successfully challenged some militant religious groups in Punjab and tackled an insurgency-like situation in Karachi in the late 1990s shows that they do have the potential to deliver the desired results when political support is present and resources are provided.

The Sialkot incident was yet another example of a society calling its protectors for help in the face of a sorry state of human rights and rule of law. This episode of barbaric killings was not the first of its kind. There have been quite a few attempts of similar nature in the past 12 months, especially in Karachi where the people had literally assumed the role of law enforcers as well as the judiciary. There was a need for serious action back then which, unfortunately, was never taken and which ultimately culminated in the demise of two brothers in Sialkot.
However, what was most depressing at Sialkot was the silent presence of law enforcers alongside a violent crowd. It depicts not only the weakness of the Police Department, but also their indifferent attitude towards the law. In fact, their silent presence encouraged the crowd to commit the barbaric act of public killing and hanging. The police simply did not try to enforce the law and for that they ought to be punished. The Police Order 2002 which governs their duties highlights penalties that can be imposed for gross negligence that cost the lives of two young men.
According to Police Order 2002, it is the duty of the police to provide protection and maintain public peace. Section 3(d) of the said order, in this respect is attention-grabbing. It enjoins upon the police to “…aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm.” With such clearly laid down rules, it was nothing but wilful defiance on the part of the police which caused the deaths. Also, their silence in the midst of criminal activity implicates them in the crime. Section 107 of Pakistan Penal Code is directly applicable in this regard on “a person who intentionally aids, by any act or illegal omission, the doing of that thing.” Both the laws taken together clearly signify breach of law by the police officers.
According to Section 80 of the Police Order, function of the Provincial Public Safety and the Police Complaints Commission is to take action against the omissions committed. It is under a statutory duty to do so, on its own accord, if the case is of severe nature, and order a competent authority to probe the matter. But to the dismay of fair-minded people of the country, no action was taken, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court had to take up the matter.
A still gloomier picture appears when the incident is seen in the light of the punishment that has been prescribed for the police neglect. According to Section 155 of Police Order, if an officer is found to have breached his duty, he can be, at maximum, imprisoned with fine for no more than three years. Considering the gravity of the criminal acts, this punishment would hardly fulfil the demands of justice and in no way constitutes deterrence.
More importantly, investigation is the main course to decide the fate of the guilty officer. But the slow pace of investigation, inability and ill will of the investigating officer or the team usually overshadows the proceedings that could provide an easy escape to the culprit. While the judicial inquiry into the Sialkot murders has been completed, the Police Department does not appear to show any seriousness in conducting its own inquiry.
This incident highlights a signal failure of our police not only in the light of local law, but also the international code to which Pakistan subscribes. The United Nations has provided a Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (adopted by General Assembly resolution 34/169 of December 17, 1979) which sets out the basic standards for policing agencies across the world and relates to all law enforcement officers who exercise powers of arrest and detention. It requires them to recognise the rights set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other international conventions. Under its Article 5, a law enforcer is restrained from “tolerating any act of torture”, while discharging his duties.
This grave violation brings out the need for reform in the system and revitalisation of the existing bodies established to check the police conduct such as Provincial Public Safety and Police Complaints Commission. It is necessary to establish a system which is easily accessible and neutral. In the UK, the Police Reform Act established the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which investigates the most serious complaints and allegations of misconduct against the police in England and Wales, as well as handles appeals from people who are not satisfied with the way the police have dealt with their complaint. More importantly, IPCC is self-governing, making its decisions entirely independently of the police, government and complainants. These measures provide for a powerful legal regulatory framework making the police accountable for their actions. There is a stark need to introduce some changes on the same lines in Pakistan.
Hence, the need of the hour is to introduce and implement a more coherent code for police accountability to eliminate the recurrence of such despicable acts in the future. The Sialkot act requires serious attention of the authorities and a strong reprimand of the officials whose criminal omission allowed the people to take law into their own hands. Indeed, now is the time to set an example and take appropriate steps to put an end to such wrongdoings!

Despite my opposition and discomfort in ‘finding a girlfriend’ in an alien land, my cousin introduced me to a friend’s friend – Maheen*.

My first interaction with this girl was through the cell phone, or text messages to be more precise. After this introduction, we didn’t talk till one fine day in the middle of the night my phone rang. It was two in the morning and I could barely open my eyes, but out of courtesy I attended Maheen’s phone call.

“Hi, what’s up? I hope I haven’t disturbed you?”she said.
“No, it’s okay…” I murmured.
“I have set up a plan to meet you tomorrow, but don’t call or text me unless I do so, because if my bhai catches me he will kill you.” she advised me.

Totally perplexed, I listened to her plan quietly. I was astonished and scared that I was prone to be killed by someone’s brother without having ever met her.

“I can’t come alone. My friend, Zahra will come with me. Do you have a male friend who is single and ready to give her company?” she asked.
“Er… okay, I will manage.” I said, feeling simultaneously amused and confused.
“Fair enough. I will see you tomorrow then, and yes, do get me a Ufone card because I am running out of balance. I love you. Bye!”

I kept sitting silent for a long time, and then asked my cousin who I should take with me to give company to the girl’s chaperon/friend? He ‘arranged’ for another friend of his, Sherdil who was ‘very popular’ among the females in his college. The idea of being surrounded by so many strangers gave me butterflies in my stomach. I pleaded with my cousins to pull me out of this weird situation, but they told me to put up with it.

The next day, accompanied by this Sherdil guy, we went to pick Maheen and her friend up from college. As I approached the college gate, Maheen sent me a missed call. I was confused and called her back immediately.

“You didn’t get me my balance loaded!” she blurted over the phone. Feeling embarrassed, I told her I would do so once we were off to lunch.

We waited for around 25 minutes outside her college, when two girls appeared from nowhere wearing burqas. I was once again bewildered to see them. They sat in our car and took their burqas off, and I was introduced to Maheen, and another lady.

We then drove off looking for food. As we stepped out at a restaurant, Maheen’s phone rang and I saw her going pale as she talked on the phone.
“Are you alright?” I asked her.
“It was my mother, she told me that my bhai is off to pick me up from college!” she cried.

Sherdil had a bright idea:
“You can go and drop Maheen back to college, while Zahra and I can go for lunch if you guys don’t mind?”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I agreed at once.

Feeling angry yet sympathetic to the poor girl’s plight, I drove back to drop her to college.  On the way, Maheen kept crying and pushed me to drive faster and faster. I got so worried to see her crying so bitterly, I ended up breaking a signal.

What next?
A traffic cop in appeared from nowhere and asked for my driving license. By this point I was infuriated. I gave some money to Maheen and she headed back to college in a rickshaw, and then I called my cousins to help me with the cops. That day I took an oath never to even think of going on a date in Pakistan again.
*names of individuals have been changed to protect their identities.

Pakistan

‘War is a necessary evil’; no man of reason can deny this assertion. The historical role of War as one of the driving forces of society is undeniable, also admitted by high profile skeptics and peace-loving statesmen, such as Bertrand Russell and Arnold Toynbee. Their conclusion, too, supports the thesis that War is unavoidable in the flow of human history. Moreover, the reports of both ancient and modern chroniclers justify the phenomenon of War as a living organ of human civilization. We can, therefore, suggest it in the light of our historical knowledge that War, too, has a positive side in addition to its bleak face.

Objectively speaking, War is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. However, War oftentimes contradicts its original character and proves an end in addition to a means. And this happens when nations desire deliverance from domestic disunity and polarization. Modern instance of War’s adoption as an end being United States’ invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

The solution of Pakistan’s internal problem lies in the fact of the necessity of battling a “common” national enemy. That common enemy of Pakistan is, in fact, neither USA nor Taliban, but the conventional archrival, India. Pakistan’s story of rivalry and struggle for existence has its seeds in the bowls of the Partition factor; therefore, the anguish and enmity of Pakistanis are solely directed towards the Hindu India. It is a natural outcome of the millennial hostility of two mutually distinct—in fact diametrically opposed—nations, the Muslims and the Hindus, who shared about a thousand years the same piece of land to develop an internally dichotomous culture.

The present proposition also forms the nucleus of the thesis of many Pakistani intellectuals who are well-versed in the Hindu-Muslim history of struggle. And every sane student of history knows that there is no other solution of Pakistani problem than uniting ourselves to fight a “common national enemy”. If you cast even a cursory look into human past, you will come to know that mankind has almost always sought solution for their domestic problems in fighting a national enemy—whatever the definition of the word ‘nation’ in a given age. The call to fight a national enemy always makes people forget minor differences in order to get united on national front. Ibn Khaldoon terms this psychological behavior of human race as “Asbiyyah”, the Affiliation of the Self!

The verdict of Time itself says that nothing other than a major war against a historico-ideological enemy, namely India, can salvage Pakistani nation in the wake of current uncertainty and chaos. Whatever good you have to offer today, nothing is going to deliver and galvanize the disorganized and frustrated people of Pakistan. War with India is not a doctrine of destruction or annihilation, as many may put it, but a dynamic path to revival and survival. Critics have a huge choice of precedents to quote against the thesis of the present writer, such as the two World Wars, Gulf Wars, Soviet-Afghan War and the collapse of USSR. However, equally potent examples in the favor of the present thesis can be cited from the same ancient and modern history. USSR collapsed because there was yet another, mightier international power to claim the suzerainty of the world politics. Presently, it is only the United States of America, the strongest country on earth, that is free from the fear of being attacked on its soil. However, they still spend on defense a big share of their national budget, namely more than any other nation on the globe. I do not think their think tanks are fools sitting in comfortable offices to chatter and waste national money.

Pacifist statesmen pick and choose any events of their like from the national history of Pakistan to annul the thesis of the inevitability of war with India. The Fall of Dhakka, for instance, is their favorite subject to scare the people of Pakistan with a warning of similar future results in case of another adventurism. However, they always forget that the Fall of Dhakka was not a purely military tragedy, nor a failure of Pakistan’s military might. 16 December 1971 was indeed a day of national tragedy deeply rooted into the very bowls of Pakistan’s politico-economic system. This politico-economic system was in fact framed by a dictator, Ayyub Khan, to cater his own vested interests. Moreover, it was the failure of a longstanding government doctrine, namely “Defense of East from West”, which never proved redemptive.
The good news is that Pakistan is still intact and Two-Nation Theory is still alive and relevant.

Pakistan is blessed with a strong, extremely disciplined army that has never been found reluctant to protect and guarantee the ideological boundaries of the Motherland. What we require at present is a better working political system with better individuals in it. Better individuals with superior leadership qualities can only—and only—pop up in the system of an anti-Indian atmosphere, for such patriotism is the product of the psychological factor of “Asbiyyah”. Mr. Bhutto, for instance, rose to highest national standing in the post-dismemberment politics from the very anti-Indian sentiment. The other efficacious ground for the unity of the nation can be sought in religion. But, it is beyond doubt that the very idea of a uniformed, pragmatic religion has been frustrated by clerics and religious extremists in recent times. Therefore, I strongly commend that the solution of our domestic problems can be sought in fighting a national-historical enemy to harvest the after-produce of such a purifying campaign!

SYED MUHAMMAD WAQAS

Director General Bab-ul-Ilm Research Foundation, Pakistan (www.birf.weebly.com)

Hina Rabbani

ISLAMABAD: According to sources, The government has decided to appoint Hina Rabbani Khar as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has sent advice to President Asif Ali Zardari for the appointment of Khar as Foreign Minister.
The decision was taken keeping in view the level of Khar’s comptency and recent interaction at the Foreign Office, sources at the Prime Minister House said .
Khar is expected to take charge as soon as a notification is issued in this regard. She is currently Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
States Times Sources said the decision was taken for the upcoming talks between foreign ministers of Pakistan and India.
The talks are expected to be held by the month of July, with a final date yet to be announced.
The foreign ministers’ meeting will be preceded by preparatory talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.