JWT October2012

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Jahangir World Times Published: October, 2012 We believe that a nation cannot achieve success and prosperity without a uniform education system
Syed Mustafa Kamal, Senator and former Mayor of Karachi
Freedom of Expression Fueling the Fire
Monday, October 01, 2012
Jahangirs World Times (JWT): You were an ordinary worker of MQM then you became Nazim Karachi and now serving as senator please share with us the journey of success? Syed Mustafa Kamal (SMK): Well, I joined MQM as a street worker in the mid 1980s when I was in school and I have been with MQM in all good and bad weathers. I joined the party agreeing with its cause i.e. Citizen Empowerment. I had never thought that I would become MPA, Nazim or Senator or get any high profile post. MQM made me member of provincial assembly in 2002, then in 2003 my party made me the minister of information technology (IT) and then in 2005 they made me Mayor or Nazim of Karachi and now in 2012, I am in the Senate. JWT: Whats the basic difference between the Local Bodies System introduced by the General Musharraf and the recent one which is the outcome of negotiations of PPP and MQM?
SMK: It is mixture of both 1979 Local Bodies Ordinance initiated by Zia regime and Musharrafs Local Bodies Ordinance 2001. Unfortunately, in Pakistan local bodies systems are always launched by the military regimes instead of any political or democratic regime. So, it is in the history of Pakistan that first time two political parties which are in a democratic engagement have brought a Local Bodies Law and the current law has been by signed by the governor. We have taken all the good things from both Local Bodies Ordinances although it is not an ideal law. In fact, we want more devolution as we think devolution is the key to empowerment at the grass root level. Actually, a pure financially devolved Local Bodies System can only bring the empowerment to the door step of people of Pakistan. It is not the ideal nevertheless, but, when two parties sit together and start negotiation then it becomes matter of give and take. PPP was not willing to accept couple of our demands and same was the case with us. Eventually, we agreed and the current law contains good features of both previous laws. JWT: You started a campaign I Own Karachi now owing to the present situation of Karachi, do you think that any such campaign will redress the problems of Karchiaites when new Local Bodies System is installed? SMK: Right now the bureaucrats appointed in Karachi by the provincial governments are running day to day affairs of the city, they do not care much as they dont have to go for votes to the people. In fact, they are enjoying a honeymoon period because after two years they will be transferred to somewhere else, so they are here merely for making money. That is the reason corruption is on the rise. Therefore, in such situation no campaign will be viable. The department I own Karachi is still there but it is dysfunctional, nobody gets any benefit from this department because it all depends upon the ownership. I am a political worker and after five years I have to go to the people to ask for votes and I was not the only one, there were 3200 elected representatives including town nazims, union nazims, and councillors etc. So, we were all like a whole team people from the opposition and people from the treasury bench too. Hence, it was not the matter of only Mustafa Kamal but of a whole system as you see the system is not there that is why the problems of Karachites are not addressed and Karachi is in this condition. JWT: Is law and order one of the subjects of current Local Bodies Ordinance? SMK: No, law and order is not under the new Local Bodies Ordinance and even it was not the subject of previous Local Bodies Ordinance 2001, it is the subject of provincial government. Police is the body which deals with the law and order and home minister is the in charge of Police. Being a mayor of Karachi I had nothing to do with law and order or with police because it never comes under the jurisdiction of a mayor. Same is the case in the present system even traffic police is not under the mayor or Local Bodies System. JWT: But contrary to the present situation during your tenure Karachi was peaceful? SMK: Yes, people were not desperate because we were reaching out to the people in each and every corner of the city in order to provide them basic necessities of life i.e. health facilities, sanitation, education etc. So, the people were at ease because we have the communication with each and everyone, so whenever an issue arouse we would reach even before police and get it solved through our councillors at that time. In fact, mayors job is to build and maintain the civic infrastructure than law and order. JWT: It is interesting that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) is unable to fulfil the need of water in Karachi but on the other hand, there is a water tanker mafia in Karachi they have all the water! You had been the chairman of KW&SB, kindly comment on this?
SMK: Yes, this mafia is present in Karachi but I had reduced it from 9000 up to 500 but now it has gone more than 10,000. This mafia is earning money by blocking the pipelines laid down by us and selling the same water to the people. This malpractice can only be halted by the leadership that would come through the local bodies elections.
JWT: What is there the MQM is bringing for youth in the coming elections and do you think that youth will emerge as a decisive factor in the coming general elections? SMK: MQM is a youth base party Quaid-e-Tehreek Altaf Hussain bhai started his struggle when he was just 22 years old from a student party. In fact, MQM is the only political party which is the offspring of student political wing i.e. All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organizations (APMSO) formed in 1979. Then APMSO gave birth to a political party in 1984 i.e. Muhajir Quomi Movement. And from that party we further evolved and became Mutahida Quomi Movement because we gather people from different parts of the country so, we converted into Mutahida Quomi Movement (MQM) in 1997. Now even today if you see 95% parliamentarians of MQM are young, I myself became the member provincial assembly in the age of 28 years then at the age of 30, I became the mayor of Karachi, the biggest city of Pakistan. So, it is a young peoples party. I think those people who are sloganeering for youth today must not forget that we have been positively using the slogan of youth for the last 30 years. Now as far as youth as a decisive factor in the upcoming elections is concerned, I must say I cannot make any judgment in this regard. It highly depends on how we shall mobilize the youth in the coming elections because I find it difficult considering the youths activities on social media. We must be aware of this fact that only 5% of our youth can use the Facebook, Twitter etc while 80% of youth lives in rural areas they have not access to the internet. Unfortunately, most of the youth and people of rural areas are not literate. So, it all depends that how we shall reach out to them and mobilize them in the elections. JWT: What will be the MQMs strategy for Punjab in the coming elections? SMK: We are going to each and every district of Punjab. Apparently it does not look that we get the quick results but, our style of working is to create the organizational structure first. Right now, we have our organizational structure in five districts of Punjab, we have sectors and zonal offices too, and each and every inch of Punjab is covered by the MQMs organizational setup. We have workers in every city, tehsil, town and union council of Punjab. So, through the workers we are engaging the people with us in the shape of small gatherings not big jalsas; through these gatherings, we are communicating and conveying the message of Altaf bhai and MQMs vision to the people of Punjab. Furthermore, we are also taking part in the relief activities in D.G. Khan and other flood affected areas. We have formed camp offices of Khidmatey Khalq Foundation (KKF) a team of MQMs medical aid committee consists of doctors and paramedical staff. Three MPAs and two
MNAs are supervising this relief operation; everyday supply is going on from here (Karachi) to the camps. JWT: Are you satisfied with our declining education system? SMK: Not at all, we are not satisfied with our present education system, whenever we get the driving seat we will bring a uniform system for the whole country, because MQM has a vision in this regards. We believe that a nation or a country cannot achieve success and prosperity without a uniform education system. Any Message I just want to share my thoughts that we should not wait for angels to come who would change our fate. We ourselves have to come out and take our destiny in our own hands. We should stop blaming and grumbling and complaining all the time. We should come out because almighty Allah will not sent any prophet to change our destiny. Waqas Iqbal
NAM as New Age Movement

We just had the 16th three-yearly NAM Summit held in Tehran attended by leaders of 120 states but no one even heard of what it decided.
The event was no different from the earlier 15 summits in terms of heavy agenda, high-sounding rhetoric and voluminous documentation with little readable substance. Nothing earth-shaking came out from the Tehran Summit to change the political or socio-economic scene of the developing world. The final outcome was only a rehash of the earlier declarations reiterating the traditional and somewhat archaic NAM positions on a vast array of global issues with no relevance to the new global dynamics. We live in a world of perceptions, and perceptions are seldom real. They are embedded in our minds
to make us see things the way we like to see them. They also represent misnomers. We call the region Middle East not because it is in the middle of the east but only because historically we started perceiving it as such. Likewise, the term 'Third World' is also a misnomer coined during the 1950s as a label for the group of nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America emerging from the protracted colonial rule. As the world got mired in the Cold War dynamics, this label was applied to denote those mastless nations which considered themselves aligned neither with the West nor with the East but as a 'third bloc' in a bi-polar world. Group of 77 or G-77 as it is familiarly known established in 1964 representing seventy-seven Third World countries is itself a misnomer now as over the years its membership has almost doubled but it is still called G-77. Another prominent misnomer today is an organisation called Non-Aligned Movement or NAM as it is more familiarly known which is no longer non-aligned and yet it insists to call itself NAM. The Movement, now comprising 120 members, represents over 60 percent of world's population and nearly two-thirds of UN's membership, was launched in 1961 as a movement professing 'neutrality' between the two blocs in that intensely bipolar world and its members vowed to pursue independent policies based on common approach in international relations. Through the Cold War years, NAM did play a visible role in championing the Third World causes, particularly in the eradication of colonial remnants and strengthening of liberation struggles and right of self-determination. It became a convenient platform for developing countries to assert free of superpowers' influence their own identity and independent common position on the whole range of global political and economic issues. All these years, it also sought an international economic environment that would promote a genuine global partnership for combating poverty and promoting development. The numerical strength of NAM provided it a clout as the largest voting 'bloc' in global decisionmaking at the UN. But this clout remained inconsequential because of the unbridgeable gap between the power to decide and the power to implement global decisions. This grim reality was evident from the fate of NAM's initiatives in the inconclusive North-South dialogue and successive 'development decades' culminating in unimplemented outcomes of successive major UN conferences and summits held since 1990s on various aspects of the global development agenda. The Cold War has ended. East-West rivalry is no longer there but NAM continues to exist as a major group with common negotiated position on global issues. It has been espousing sovereign equality of states inherent in UN's one-state-one-vote principle and calling for an end to privilegebased anachronisms in its decision-making processes. It opposes expansion of veto-wielding permanent seats in the UN Security Council and wants increase only in non-permanent category to make it more representative of the current UN membership. Despite all the contributions that G-77 and NAM have made through their negotiating skills on all these issues, there is no perceptible change on the global horizon. The overwhelming majority of developing countries remains deprived of the benefits of economic growth. Today, poor countries are poorer and rich- richer. With rare exceptions, the developing countries have in fact had no belle poque to signify their better times. They have had no industrial revolution, no economic miracle, no educational upsurge, no social renaissance and no political emancipation. Despite all the contributions that G-77 and NAM have made through their negotiating skills on all these issues, there is no perceptible change on the global horizon. Yes, NAM does include some of the world's most dynamic economies, like Chile, India, Malaysia, and Singapore, not to mention South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and again India for being part of global economic governance forums including prestigious Group of 20. The problem with Third
World countries is their deficiency in capacity, will and resources for development. They lack impulse for change. The majority of NAM members also suffer serious governance and rule of law problems rooted in their authoritarian and non-representative political culture. Democracy is distorted and misused. In fact, very few of them are genuine democracies. India tops this paltry list with singular distinction. Both G-77 and NAM had neither the means to change the political and economic systems of the developing countries, nor can they redress the global economic inequalities by enabling the resource-rich countries among them to capitalise on their natural wealth for their own well-being. They are vulnerable to external forces. Most of NAM member-states do not even have nominal control over their wealth and resources which are being exploited by the industrial countries.
With limited role in major global issues, G-77 and NAM can only maintain group discipline in expressing common declaratory positions on major global issues. Today, with few exceptions, poor countries are poorer and rich richer. The overwhelming majority of developing countries remains deprived of the benefits of economic growth. More than a billion people, one in every six human beings, live on less than a dollar a day. The developing world has in fact had no belle poque to signify its better times, if any. It has had no industrial revolution, no economic miracle, no educational upsurge, no social renaissance, no political emancipation, and no worker's movement. Today's unipolarity has created a situation with very little space or sustainability for the concept of non-alignment. With its chequered personality, NAM is constantly struggling for coherence and cohesion. It is no more than a global bagpipes orchestra with lot of wind but no music. It is a paralysed force with no gesture or motion. Indeed, it is a global jamboree that meets every three years with lot of rattling but no consequentiality. Some of the stalwarts and founding fathers of the movement are now totally aligned with the unrivalled pole of power and have become its closest allies and obeisant partners. Most of NAM member-states do not even have nominal control over their wealth and resources which are being exploited by the industrial countries. We just had the 16th three-yearly NAM Summit held in Tehran attended by leaders of 120 states but no one even heard of what it decided. The event was no different from the earlier 15 summits in terms of heavy agenda, high-sounding rhetoric and voluminous documentation with little readable substance. Nothing earth-shaking came out from the Tehran Summit to change the political or socio-economic scene of the developing world. The final outcome was only a rehash of the earlier declarations reiterating the traditional and somewhat archaic NAM positions on a vast array of global issues with no relevance to the new global dynamics.
An Indian journalist in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's exclusive entourage summed up the Tehran Summit as a gathering of world's despots, dictators, autocrats and leaders of banana republics where in her words, her prime minister seated on the podium looked out of place. She did admit that as founding NAM member India had been a beneficiary of the movement's relevance in the past but today it felt embarrassed being part of NAM while sitting at the high table of G-20 and aspiring to be permanent member of the UN Security Council. This sums up the dismal NAM reality of today. With the East and West no longer being strategic rivals, the notion of non-alignment has become more or less anachronistic. The relevance of NAM as a movement is being questioned from both within and outside its membership. Neutrality and non-alignment are no longer the defining features of NAM which must now rearticulate its raison d'tre and redefine its role to be able to cope with the common challenges of the post-Cold War world. The role of NAM as a movement and as an organisation now acquires even greater importance. Instead of indulging in meaningless debates and sterile drafting exercises at the UN, it must focus more on becoming a major player in UN's actual decision-making, especially on issues of global peace and development. Its' biggest challenge lies in charting a new course for itself in the changed global environment. As largest group at the UN, the NAM must take the lead in correcting the course and conduct of global events. It must prepare itself as a balancing factor in the unipolar world and help promote a new system of international relations based on peace, justice, equality, democracy and development. This would require an independent and non-partisan approach among its members in international relations and their own adherence to democratic norms and peaceful co-existence. It is time for NAM to become worlds awakened conscience. Also important is the need for NAM to remove the conspicuous anomaly of its name by using, for credibility sake, its historic acronym NAM for New Age Movement which will be more consistent with its new role and in keeping with its changed rationale. Shamshad Ahmad The writer is a former foreign secretary.
President Obamas Second Chance

Mr. Obama explicitly shifted from his 2008 appeal of hope and change to talk of tough choices and tough paths. You didn't elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear, he said. You elected me to tell you the truth. And the truth is, it will take more than a few years for us to solve challenges that have built up over decades.
President Obama's dilemma has always been that he has been far more successful a president than his opponents claim, but far less successful than he needs to be at making voters see that. Powerful speeches by former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden and others did a lot to fix that impression during the convention. But it was up to Mr. Obama to make the case for another term, with a speech that was every bit as fraught with uncertainty and risk as his 2008 convention address. Just as he did then, Mr. Obama rose to the occasion. He could have sold some of his best lines with more passion, but gone was the maddening coyness of recent years in which he has avoided candidly talking about the mess that President George W. Bush dumped into his lap and shied away from the rumble of politics. He didn't hesitate to go after Mitt Romney. You might not be ready for diplomacy with Beijing if you can't visit the Olympics without insulting our closest ally, he said. And he clearly laid out a vision for governing squarely at odds with the one that Mr. Romney has, but was hidden from view at last week's Republican convention in Tampa, Fla. He promised deficit reduction without sticking it to the middle class; to enact a reformed tax code that raises rates on income above $250,000 to where it was under Mr. Clinton; to preserve middle-class deductions; to never turn Medicare into a voucher. Mr. Obama explicitly shifted from his 2008 appeal of hope and change to talk of tough choices and tough paths. You didn't elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear, he said. You elected me to tell you the truth. And the truth is, it will take more than a few years for us to solve challenges that have built up over decades. Mr. Obama went into this convention with an actual record at governing not just the Republican posture of saying No to everything. He has far better ideas about how to create jobs, make Americans' tax burdens more equitable and improve ordinary Americans' economic prospects than the tired, failed trickle-down fantasies served up by Mitt Romney and the Republican Party. He ended the war in Iraq, tried to rescue the Afghan war that Mr. Bush bungled, stepped up the offensive on terrorists far beyond Mr. Bush's vision and rallied the world to ratchet up pressure on Iran. He ended the war in Iraq, tried to rescue the Afghan war that Mr. Bush bungled, stepped up the offensive on terrorists far beyond Mr. Bush's vision and rallied the world to ratchet up pressure on Iran. He blunted the extreme message of the Tea Party by offering an alternative vision of government's obligation to help the neediest, provide everyone with the basic structures of society and the
economy and end unconscionable discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. He has protected women's constitutional rights and liberties, despite his own misgivings about abortion. He ordered the killing of Osama bin Laden an act that was mentioned repeatedly on the last night of the convention. But, after he was elected, Mr. Obama allowed himself to believe in his own legend, cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of adoring supporters who thronged his inauguration, by the sheer magnificence of the swearing-in of an African-American president. It was as though he concluded that his election by itself changed the world and had fulfilled his promise of a post-partisan era.
The president and his tight inner circle were oblivious to the Republicans' explicit warning that he would not get the slightest cooperation from a party and a Congressional caucus driven by an implacable hatred of Mr. Obama that is mostly ideological but also fueled by his race. It took nearly three years for the Obama team to recognize that central fact. Mr. Obama won passage of an economic recovery bill that not only warded off depression, but actually created jobs, and of a health care reform law that is essential to the long-term economic health of the country. But he ceded the details of lawmaking to Congress, where leaders of his own party did not fully step up to the moment and Republicans stood in stonewall opposition. And he ceded the national debate on central issues to those same Republicans, mired in his belief that the force of his intellect could melt their obstructionism, that one eloquent speech could change his political fortunes. Mr. Obama allowed his opponents to define the argument and so define him. Mr. Clinton showed Mr. Obama the antidote. Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton fought back against the Republicans on Medicaid and Medicare, two areas where the Obama campaign has failed to get real traction. He made the argument for health care reform, financial re-regulation and fair taxation, all while firing up the crowd. JWT Desk
Democratisation of The Arab World And The US Foreign Policy
A recent study of Global Attitudes by Pew Research Center concluded that most Muslims want democracy, personal freedoms, and Islam in political life, while few believe that the US backs democracy. Support for an institutionalised democracy and a re-orientation of the US foreign policy in order to negotiate with the Islamists is pertinent.
President Barack Hussain Obama accepted nominations for the second term during the Democratic Convention of 2012, while settling the crown for a better US on his head. The speech delivered by his 'democratic comrade', Bill Clinton, somehow reinforced the notion that 'Obama might be bad, but anyone else can be worse'. Clinton gave what Obama earnestly wanted in order to restore his confidence, especially among the 'white voters'. As expected, the motif of the convention revolved around a rebuttal of allegations against the incumbent president. However, the first black president of the US amplified his 'foreign policy' as a successful one. The long 'to do' list included the most prominent volition of 'spending less' on 'war' and 'investing more' in 'nation-building'. A dignified end to war in Afghanistan in near future, getting rid of Osama bin Laden, putting al Qaeda on the road that is leading to defeat and the promotion of democratic values were used as a persuasive force to endorse his existing policies. The democratic rhetoric of 'fairness', 'equality of opportunity', 'promotion of democracy', 'gender equity', missed out the billows of 'Arab spring' (which is an insatiable aspirant of 'democracy'). Little had been mentioned about the political transitions burbling in the Arab world. The 'Arab Spring' and the myriad 'liberal protesters' of Middle East are intertwined with the US foreign policy. The initial focal point of Obama's policy with regards to Middle East was the resolution of 'Arab-Israel' conflict. Compared with its predecessor, the Obama administration placed negligible emphasis on promoting democracy abroad. The administration's priority, instead, was strengthening government-to-government relations, something that Obama administration officials felt had suffered unnecessarily under the Bush administration. The common thread throughout the statements and speeches of Obama and his senior advisers, till 2011, was the target to achieve
institutional reform, economic development, and poverty alleviation first, and free and fair elections later. In other words, 'democracy promotion' was a secondary motive followed by 'dignity promotion'. The reasons can be various, from the preservation of the US interests in the region to the fear of 'rapid', 'untidy democratisation ' of the Arab world. Contrary to the administration's desired policy, Arab uprisings, pushed it to a position where it had no other choice than to purport the struggles of 'freedom' and 'self-determination'. President Obama had to celebrate the triumph of protesters calling for a change in Tunisia, Egpyt and Libya. On the other hand, Obama's move to celebrate along with the pioneers of 'Arab Spring' was considered an 'ominous sign' by the monarchs of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Obama was seen by the kings as an instigator, who is backing protests around the Arab world. To ensure support of Washington's allies in the region, people of Bahrain were deprived of their right to become the creators of their destiny. Leaders in some parts of the Middle East weren't compelled to give up their dictatorial pursuits like Colonel Muammar Qaddafi and Bashar al-Assad. The United States tried to reassure Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other allies that it stood behind them. Obama's apparent success in Libya was neutralised by the volatile situation in Syria. The chorus which demands for a democratic dispensation in which people's voice synchronises with that of the rulers is swelling up in the Middle East. This is likely to continue regardless of who wins the next presidential elections in the US. The region yearning for democracy (the belt running from Tunisia through Libya to Egypt) has already established an unprecedented example for the Arab world to follow. The region yearning for democracy (the belt running from Tunisia through Libya to Egypt) has already established an unprecedented example for the Arab world to follow. The new regime of Jibril in Libya will look towards Tunisia and develop links with the recovered Tunisian economy. Secular-minded liberals will have to adjust with the Islamists in Egypt, which is likely to rise as the most organised example of 'democratic switch over'. With Muslim Brotherhood leading a compromise with the secular way of life, an appeal of extreme Islamists such as al Qaeda will also fade away from the Arab world. Morsi's idea of 'United States of Islam' is a difficult, yet attainable target. Furthermore, upheavals will continue in other parts like Algeria, which won't be impervious to resentful calls for change. Royals of Jordan and Morocco will be pushed by their subjects to expand the operational premises of politics within their respective regions. The iridescent, oil-rich Gulf will also be swayed by the demand for democracy. United Arab Emirates and Qatar can manage to hold back their people. However, an increased number of young educated Arabs will question their rulers that 'why democracy is being denied by them at home', while support is being granted to it in regions like Libya. Saudi Arabia, the giant of the Gulf will also find it difficult to satisfy the impatient and well-informed, mobilised middle class. The only solution to sustain the kingdom will be to bequeath power to a younger generation. Religion-driven conflicts, a characteristic feature of Middle East politics, will also join the bandwagon of 'democracy' and 'freedom'.
Whether Obama or Roomney, both of them will have to attend to the inconsistent developments in the political arena of Middle East. The resonance of discord and dissent cannot be bottled for the sake of Republicans or Democrats. A recent study of Global Attitudes by Pew Research Center concluded that most Muslims want democracy, personal freedoms, and Islam in political life, while few believe that the U.S backs democracy. Support for an institutionalized democracy and a reorientation of the U.S foreign policy in order to negotiate with the Islamists is pertinent. Democratisation of the Arab world has turned the tables over, now, what Arabs 'want' carries more weight as compared to what governments have to 'do'. Fakiha Hassan Rizvi
Catholics Then, Muslims Now

In the years after 9/11, anti-Muslim rhetoric simmered on blogs, YouTube videos and a stream of inflammatory best sellers. But not until Barack Obama's presidency was it allowed to erupt into prominent corners of mainstream politics. Mitt Romney, to his credit, has shunned notions of American Muslim disloyalty, but Republican political and media figures have tolerated or even advanced these hateful myths
THE short, crude anti-Muslim video that sparked a wave of violent protests across the Middle East did not emerge from an obscure pocket of extremism; it is the latest in a string of anti-Muslim outbursts in the United States. In August, a mosque was burned down in Missouri and an acid bomb was thrown at an Islamic school in Illinois. The video's backers are part of a movement that has used the insecurity of the post-9/11 years to sow unfounded fears of a Muslim plot to take over the West. Their message has spread from the obscurity of the Internet and the far right to the best seller lists,
the mainstream media and Congress. For the first time in decades, it has become acceptable in some circles to declare that a specific religious minority can't be trusted. During the Republican primaries, Muslims were accused of harboring plans for stealth Shariah. A group of five Republican House members, led by Michele Bachmann, groundlessly accused two prominent Muslim federal officials of loyalty to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Another Republican representative, Joe Walsh of Illinois, used a campaign rally to suggest that Muslims in the Chicago suburbs were plotting to commit terrorist attacks. In New York City, the police spied on thousands of Muslims for six years without producing any evidence that could lead to an investigation. The view that members of a religious minority are not to be trusted that they are predisposed to extremism, disloyalty and violence; resist assimilation; reproduce at alarming rates, and are theologically compelled to impose their backward religious laws on their adopted home is not new. From the 19th century on, distrust, violence and, eventually, immigration restrictions were aimed at waves of Roman Catholic immigrants. As late as 1950, 240,000 Americans bought copies of American Freedom and Catholic Power, a New York Times best seller. Its author, Paul Blanshard, a former diplomat and editor at The Nation, made the case that Catholicism was an ideology of conquest, and that its traditions constituted a form of medieval authoritarianism that has no rightful place in the democratic American environment. Catholics' high birthrates and educational self-segregation led Mr. Blanshard and others including scholars, legislators and journalists to warn of a Catholic plan for America. Many Americans shunned such views, but some liberals did not. Mr. Blanshard's book was endorsed by the likes of John Dewey and Bertrand Russell, and respected scholars like Seymour Martin Lipset, Reinhold Niebuhr and Sidney Hook debated Catholics' supposed propensity toward authoritarianism. These days, the same dark accusations are being leveled at American Muslims, many of whom are recent immigrants. And many otherwise reasonable Americans have greeted Muslims with fear and suspicion in part because they came at a bad time. Then, as now, there seemed to be evidence supporting the charge. Majority Catholic countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal and Austria, had fallen into fascism or extremism. Crime and educational failure were rife among the children of Catholic immigrants. In the years after World War-I, Catholic radicals carried out a deadly wave of terrorist attacks in the United States. These days, the same dark accusations are being leveled at American Muslims, many of whom are recent immigrants. And many otherwise reasonable Americans have greeted Muslims with fear and suspicion in part because they came at a bad time. Their emigration to the United States, like that of many Catholics before them, has coincided with turmoil in their native countries and violence from a few extremists in their midst. In the years after 9/11, anti-Muslim rhetoric simmered on blogs, YouTube videos and a stream of inflammatory best sellers. But not until Barack Obama's presidency was it allowed to erupt into prominent corners of mainstream politics. Mitt Romney, to his credit, has shunned notions of American Muslim disloyalty, but Republican political and media figures have tolerated or even advanced these hateful myths.
In reality, Muslim immigrants are a success story. They have high levels of educational attainment. Their birthrate is converging quickly with that of the general population. They are likely to ultimately make up less than 2 percent of the population, around the same share as Episcopalians and Jews. The violent few among them are no more a product of Muslim values than 1920s anarchists were of Catholic values. Extremism is vanishingly rare among American Muslims, and loyalty to secular state institutions is high. The idea of a stealth takeover by Islamic believers is a delusion. So is the more moderate idea of a permanently alien and unassimilable civilization in America's midst. American Muslims are falling victim to the same misunderstandings and fallacies that threatened earlier waves of non-Protestant immigrants. The last thing they need, as they work to become part of the mainstream, is a political movement devoted to portraying them as a menace. In an election year when both major parties have a Roman Catholic on the ticket, we should take care to make sure that history does not repeat itself. Doug Saunders, the European bureau chief for The Globe and Mail, is the author of The Myth of the Muslim Tide: Do Immigrants Threaten the West? Courtesy: New York Times Published: September 17, 2012 Doug Saunders
'RED LINE' FOLLY

Many Israelis, particularly in the military and defense establishment, understand that an Israeli strike would delay, not destroy, Iran's programme.
The programme could be rebuilt, probably quickly and with greater determination. Colin Kahl is among several scholars who have documented how, contrary to conventional wisdom, Israel's 1981 attack on Iraq's Osirak reactor actually accelerated Saddam Hussein's determination to build nuclear weapons. When United Nations inspectors went into Iraq after the Persian Gulf War in 1991, they were stunned at how quickly Hussein had rebuilt his programme. Underneath the headlines of the presidential campaign, there are growing signs that we are moving toward another war in the Middle East. This week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly scolded the United States for refusing to draw a red line on Iran's nuclear programme that, if crossed, would commit Washington to military strikes. He added that he would not accept a red light placed in front of Israel. Unless something dramatic changes its course, Israel is on a path to strike Iran's nuclear facilities in the next six to nine months. Israel's rhetoric over the past year had seemed, to me, designed to force the international community into action and the United States into hyper-action. It worked in the sense that international sanctions and isolation of Iran are at their highest point ever. But Iran has not surrendered, and Israel seems to view any other scenario as unacceptable. Last month, an Israeli decision maker widely reported to be Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave a revealing interview to the newspaper Haaretz in which he implied that Israel could not wait for the United States to act and might not be able to wait until next spring before taking matters into its own hands. The decision maker made the point that Israel might find itself more hamstrung if Mitt Romney were elected in November. History shows that presidents do not undertake dramatic operations in their first year in office unless forced to, he said. This strikes me as an accurate reading of the
likely scenario that a Romney administration would view economic policy as its urgent preoccupation upon taking office. The Obama administration has brought together a global coalition, put into place the toughest sanctions ever, worked with Israel on a series of covert programmes and given Israel military hardware it has long wanted. In addition, the Obama administration has strongly implied that it would be willing to use force as a final resort. But to go further and define a red line in advance would commit the United States to waging a war; no country would make such a commitment. Notice that while Netanyahu assails Obama for refusing to draw a clear line, he himself has not drawn such a line. Israel has not specified an activity or enrichment level it would consider a casus belli. The reason is obvious: Doing so would restrict Israel's options and signal its actions and timetable to Iran. If it doesn't make sense for Israel to do this, why would it make sense for the United States? Israeli action is not certain. There continues to be a vigorous debate in Israel, with a majority opposed to unilateral action. Because Israel operates under a parliamentary system with a cabinet government, action would require an affirmative vote in the full cabinet and the smaller security cabinet. And there are some indications that Netanyahu does not have a clear majority. Many Israelis, particularly in the military and defense establishment, understand that an Israeli strike would delay, not destroy, Iran's programme. The programme could be rebuilt, probably quickly and with greater determination. Colin Kahl is among several scholars who have documented how, contrary to conventional wisdom, Israel's 1981 attack on Iraq's Osirak reactor actually accelerated Saddam Hussein's determination to build nuclear weapons. When United Nations inspectors went into Iraq after the Persian Gulf War in 1991, they were stunned at how quickly Hussein had rebuilt his programme. Iran's nuclear programme is already popular. Mir Hossein Moussavi, the leader of the Green Movement who is under house arrest, has been a vocal supporter, and he has criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for making too many concessions to the West on nuclear issues. Iran's nuclear programme is already popular. Mir Hossein Moussavi, the leader of the Green Movement who is under house arrest, has been a vocal supporter, and he has criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for making too many concessions to the West on nuclear issues. An Israeli attack would enhance the program's popularity among Iranians and might even bolster the Tehran regime, just as sanctions and weak economic performance are causing deep internal tensions. In his book Confront and Conceal, David Sanger of the New York Times describes the many U.S. war simulations that have assumed an Israeli attack on Iran:
Soon, the battle sucks the region in, and then Washington. The war shifts to defending Saudi oil facilities against Iranian attacks, and Iran's use of proxies means that other regional players quickly become involved. And in the end, no one wins. The Obama administration is trying to assure Israel not to act. But in doing so, it will have to be careful not to lock itself onto a path that makes U.S. military action inevitable. We should have a national debate before the United States finds itself going to war in the Middle East again on auto-pilot. Courtesy: Washington Post Fareed Zakaria writes a weekly foreign affairs column in Washington Post. He can be contacted at: comments@fareedzakaria.com Fareed Zakaria
Syrias Eerie Parallel to 1980s Afghanistan

The parallels are spooky. In Syria, as in Afghanistan, CIA officers are operating at the borders (in this case, mostly in Jordan and Turkey), helping Sunni insurgents improve their command and control and engaging in other activities.
Weapons are coming from third parties (in Afghanistan, they came mostly from China and Egypt; in Syria, they're mainly bought on the black market). And finally, a major financier for both insurgencies has been Saudi Arabia. The rebels fighting Assad deserve limited U.S. support, just as the anti-Soviet mujahedeen did. But be careful: This way lies chaos and extremism that can take a generation to undo if the United States and its allies aren't prudent. The United States and its allies are moving in Syria toward a program of covert support for the rebels that, for better or worse, looks very much like what America and its friends did in Afghanistan in the 1980s. The parallels are spooky. In Syria, as in Afghanistan, CIA officers are operating at the borders (in this case, mostly in Jordan and Turkey), helping Sunni insurgents improve their command and control and engaging in other activities. Weapons are coming from third parties (in Afghanistan, they came mostly from China and Egypt; in Syria, they're mainly bought on the black market). And finally, a major financier for both insurgencies has been Saudi Arabia. There's even a colorful figure who links the two campaigns: Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who as Saudi ambassador to Washington in the 1980s worked to finance and support the CIA in Afghanistan and who now, as chief of Saudi intelligence, is encouraging operations in Syria. What does this historical comparison suggest? On the positive side, the Afghan mujahedeen won their war and eventually ousted the Russianbacked government. (Yes, that's another eerie parallel.) On the negative, this CIA-backed victory opened the way for decades of chaos and jihadist extremism that are still menacing Afghanistan, its neighbors and even the United States. The Obama administration, to its credit, recognizes the dangers ahead. That's one reason Obama's approach to this war has been cautious and, according to critics, half-hearted and ineffective. Because the way forward is so uncertain, the administration has been taking baby steps. But it's the nature of these wars that a little involvement leads to more, and still more. What does history teach us about such interventions that may be useful in the Syrian case? Here are several points to keep in mind as the covert war against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ripens:
The United States should be wary of supporting a Saudi strategy that inevitably is self-interested. The Saudis understandably would prefer that Sunnis who oppose autocratic rule should wage their fight far from the kingdom; Damascus is a far safer venue than Riyadh. The United States should be cautious about embracing the Sunni-vs.-Shiite dynamic of the Syrian war. Rage against Shiites and their Iranian patrons has been a useful prop for the United States and Israel in mobilizing Sunni opposition against Assad, who as an Alawite is seen as part of the Shiite crescent. But this is a poisonous and potentially ruinous sectarian battle, the kind that nearly destroyed Iraq and Lebanon and is now plunging Syria into the inferno. The Saudis want to fight Shiites, yes, and further from home than in Bahrain, or in Qatif in the kingdom's eastern province. The United States should not endorse the sectarian element of this conflict. The leaders of many Syrian tribes have sworn a blood oath of vengeance against Assad, and their power is one reason the engine of this insurgency is rural, conservative and Sunni. The United States should work hard (if secretly) to help the more sensible elements of the Syrian opposition and to limit the influence of extremists. This policy was ignored in Afghanistan, where the United States allowed Pakistan (aided by Saudi money) to back the fighters it liked who turned out to be among the most extreme and dangerous. America is still trying to undo the mess caused by that exercise in realpolitik. Don't do it again.
Finally, the United States should subtly play the tribal card, which may be as crucial in Syria as it was in Iraq. The leaders of many Syrian tribes have sworn a blood oath of vengeance against Assad, and their power is one reason the engine of this insurgency is rural, conservative and Sunni. But Iraq showed that the tribal leaders can be the best bulwark against the growth of al-Qaeda and other extremists. What's scary about Syria is that al-Qaeda is already fighting there, in the hundreds. Cells in Mosul and other parts of northern Iraq are sending fighters across the Syria-Iraq border, with the jihadist pipeline now operating in reverse. Arab intelligence sources tell me that the Syrian opposition is laudably battling al-Qaeda's influence: The opposition killed an al-Qaeda fighter named Walid Boustani, who tried to declare an emirate in a town near the Lebanese border; they also demolished a cell that raised al-Qaeda's black flag near Bab al-Salameh, along the Turkish border. Sunni opposition fighters aren't necessarily al-Qaeda fanatics, in other words. The rebels fighting Assad deserve limited U.S. support, just as the anti-Soviet mujahedeen did. But be careful: This way lies chaos and extremism that can take a generation to undo if the United States and its allies arent prudent. David Ignatius
After NAM Summit

During his inaugural address, Supreme Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made it clear that his country was pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful purpose.
He alleged the United Nations Security Council of exerting 'overt dictatorship' on Iran at the behest of the US, UK, and France. Another high point of Summit was President Zardari's meeting with Ahmadinejad in which both leaders discussed the IP gas pipeline project, the Taftan-Quetta power transmission line, the Gwadar power supply project, the construction of Noshki-Dalbandin part of Quetta-Taftan Highway and upgrading of the Quetta-Taftan railway track. Attended by over 120 countries, which is about two-thirds of the UN member countries as well as 55% of the world population, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) mainly represents the developing world. Founded in Belgrade in 1961 at a time when the world was defined by increasing polarisation, the NAM provided a platform to the countries which abhorred the idea of bloc politics and refused to be sucked into 'with us or against us' syndrome. The organisation was founded on the five principles, namely mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence. Following the end of Cold War and the establishment of the unipolar world order led by the United States, the Non-Aligned Movement has struggled to keep itself relevant to the global affairs by seeking to represent the aspirations of the developing countries. However, some analysts are of the view that given its size and broad nature of its objectives, the NAM has been reduced to a debating forum with little concrete to offer in terms of performance or results. The 5-day NAM summit, which concluded in Tehran on August 31, was the focus of media
attention for different reasons. The proceedings of the summit got underway in the background of increasing tensions between the US and Iran, the host of the summit, over its nuclear programme, and widening rifts over Syrian stalemate. Despite the US' efforts to isolate Iran diplomatically through a mix of economic sanctions, diplomacy and threats, which was also evident from Washington's pressure on UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon not to attend the summit, the host country did make an effort to project the holding of the conference as its diplomatic victory. The interesting part of the summit was the attendance of the Egyptian president who was the first leader of his nation to visit Iran after revolution in 1979. As the summit opened, row over Iran's nuclear programme and developments in Syria cast their shadow and led to some uneasy moments during the proceedings. During his inaugural address, Supreme Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made it clear that his country was pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful purpose. He alleged the United Nations Security Council of exerting 'overt dictatorship' on Iran at the behest of the US, UK, and France. In his speech to the Summit, the UN Secretary-General urged the Iranian leadership to fully comply with relevant UNSC resolutions and thoroughly cooperate with the IAEA. He also warned that 'a war of words can quickly spiral into a war of violence'. Parchim nuclear facility is at heart of recent tensions between Iran and the Western world, which has accused Tehran of undertaking suspicious activities there. Iran has disallowed IAEA access to Parchim facility. IAEA has said that it has documentary evidence collected by 'some foreign agencies' about Iran's involvement in nuclear activities at the said facility. It refused to share the evidence with the Iranian government though. Mohamed Morsi, President of Egypt, in his address also supported the movement against the Syrian regime. He said The revolution in Egypt is the cornerstone for the Arab Spring, which started days after Tunisia and then it was followed by Libya and Yemen and now the revolution in Syria against its oppressive regime. These comments led the attending Syrian delegation led by the prime minister to stage a walk out of the summit. The NAM also provided an opportunity to the Pakistani and Indian leaderships to meet on the sidelines of the summit and discuss a whole host of issues. The meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which was described as 'good' by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, mulled ways and means to further advance the peace process. The Pakistani president extended an invitation to the Indian premier to visit Pakistan. He also spoke of the need to move beyond reiteration of position to substantive results, adding that Pakistan was committed to pursuing the peace process with India. The resolution adopted at the end of the NAM summit supported Iran's right to nuclear technology for peaceful purpose and called for greater efforts to support the Palestinian cause. President Zardari said that Pakistan looked forward to the visit of the Indian prime minister. He said that the South Asian region possessed enormous potential for development and both India and Pakistan needed to cooperate to exploit this potential to the benefit of their peoples. The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction at improvements in bilateral, economic and trade relations.
From Pakistan's perspective, another high point of summit was President Zardari's meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines in which both leaders discussed the whole gamut of bilateral relations. They covered the IP gas pipeline project, the Taftan-Quetta power transmission line, the Gwadar power supply project, the construction of Noshki-Dalbandin part of Quetta-Taftan Highway and upgrading of the Quetta-Taftan railway track. The trilateral meeting between India, Iran and Afghanistan before the start of the NAM Summit decided to set up a joint working group to bolster trade and economic relations. President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan identified terrorism as the biggest challenge impeding the development of the region. He underlined the imperative of regional cooperation to defeat and defang terrorism and extremism. The resolution adopted at the end of the NAM summit supported Irans right to nuclear technology for peaceful purpose and called for greater efforts to support the Palestinian cause. It also advocated multilateralism and adherence the UN charter to resolve conflicts and achieve peace on durable basis. The writer is a civil servant and can be contacted at: amanatchpk@gmail.com Amanat Ali Chaudhry
FOES FOR EVER?

There were certain key policy interests that brought change in the US stance towards Russia under Obama Administration.
Russian policies towards Central and West Asia do not bode well for the greater interests of the US in these regions. Additionally, the geopolitical influence that Russia is gradually and swiftly achieving in these regions poses a formidable challenge to the US aims and ambitions in Central and West Asia. Also, the growing reliance of Europe on Russia as a source of energy had alarmed policy makers in Washington. Apparently, what went in favour of the US with reference to reset, among other factors, was President Medvedev's conciliatory approach. On his part, he had also favoured reconciliation and normalisation of relations with the US. The epic rivalry between the US and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) spanning four decades was one of the most critical phases in international politics. Naturally, it formed the basis of US-Russia relations since the dissolution of the USSR as the bitterness caused by the cold war experiences never faded and is reflected through the policies of both states towards each other for past two decades. Their relations remain essentially strained for obvious reasons and the differences are generally fanned by the propagandists. It was for the first time in two decades, when a conciliatory approach towards Russia was adopted by the US when in an act of reconciliation, the Obama Administration opted for policy initiatives to reset relations with Russia. The concept was introduced by the US Vice President, Joe Biden, in 2009. In support of his concept of resetting US-Russia equation, he stated: The last few years have seen a dangerous drift in relations between Russia and the members of [NATO]. It is time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should be working together with Russia. The policy though was criticised by a number of political leaders and policy analysts both in Washington and Moscow, the Obama Administration managed to reconcile relation ship with Russia easing the decades' long strain in relations between the two states. Precisely, the reset policy appeared to be a two-pronged strategy based on coalition and engagement. The coalition was aimed at developing consensus leading to a partnership between the US and Russian leadership on a number of bilateral and critical international security issues, including US agenda in Afghanistan and the UN sanctions on Iran. On the other hand, the 'engagement' implied involving Russia in strategic security and nuclear arms reduction dialogue. The policy in a nutshell was nothing new in entirety as the US is known to have used similar policy tools with other states as well in different eras. The policy yielded desired results as the negotiations between the US and Russia were successful and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), formally called as Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, was signed between President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2010. The Treaty entered into force in 2011. It was for the first time in two decades, when a conciliatory approach towards Russia was adopted by the US when in an act of reconciliation, the Obama Administration opted for policy initiatives to reset relations with Russia.
The two countries also concluded the 123 Agreement, which the US has signed with Australia, South Korea, India and around 20 other states as well. The Agreement is based on Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and allows US companies to share nuclear technology and materials with foreign counterparts, carry out joint research and development activities, and bid jointly on civilian nuclear projects. The signing of New START, however; is considered the cornerstone of US-Russia relations by the Obama Administration and one of the major foreign policy achievements of the US under Obama. Alongside nuclear arms reduction agreements, the US has backed Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which Russia has sought for almost two decades. In addition to this, Obama Administration was considering the revival of trade relations with Russia. A plan was reported to have been under discussion to repeal the Jackson-Vanik Amendment in order to end the cold war era trade restrictions which would pave the way for normalisation of trade relations with Russia. The US also fetched Russia's support for its Afghan agenda and managed to reach a consensus on the issue of UN sanctions on Iran, however; the Russian stance on Syria still is a cause of concern in the US policy making circles which the US attempted to settle through negotiations.
There were certain key policy interests that brought change in the US stance towards Russia under Obama Administration. Russian policies towards Central and West Asia do not bode well for the greater interests of the US in these regions. Additionally, the geopolitical influence that Russia is gradually and swiftly achieving in these regions poses a formidable challenge to the US aims and ambitions in Central and West Asia. Also, the growing reliance of Europe on Russia as a source of energy had alarmed policy makers in Washington. Apparently, what went in favour of the US with reference to reset, among other factors, was President Medvedev's conciliatory approach. On his part, he had also favoured reconciliation and normalisation of relations with the US. Now what have come as a blow to these developments are the remarks by the Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Talking to CNN, in March this year, Romney called Russia without question our [the US] number one geopolitical foe. He further elaborated I am saying in terms of geopolitical opponent, the nation which lines up with the world's worst actors. Earlier, the Romney campaign laid out a strategy to discourage aggressive or expansionist behaviour on the part of Russia and encourage democratic political and economic reform. Later, in a July 2012 speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, while criticising the Obama administration's Russian
relations, Romney included Russia in a list of nations he would stand up to if elected in November. The two countries also concluded the 123 Agreement, which the US has signed with Australia, South Korea, India and around 20 other states as well. The Agreement is based on Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and allows US companies to share nuclear technology and materials with foreign counterparts, carry out joint research and development activities, and bid jointly on civilian nuclear projects. President Barack Obama has criticised Romney's characterisation of Russia as number one enemy of the US as he seeks to give more concessions to Russia if elected for second term. While responding to Romney's statement, Russian President Putin stated that Romney's comments have once again proven the correctness of his resolve to oppose NATO's plan for a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe, a system Russia believes will degrade its nuclear deterrent. The US insists the system is aimed at Iran, not Russia. Romney's statement, however, appeased the sections in the US which still carry anti-Russian approach and not only consolidated anti-Americanism in Moscow but also attested the skepticism of certain policy makers and propagandists in Russia. On the other hand, Romney's foreign policy stance towards Russia has raised questions and concerns about the future of the policy of reset in circles that favour pro-Russia policies. Are the developments took place under the reset irreversible? How beneficial reset is in the long run? Would Russia under Putin be following the terms the US has tried to set for their bilateral ties? To the dismay of many answers to these questions are not largely in affirmative. Now, with Vladimir Putin as president, Romney's policy stance would only stoke the bitterness that was defused during Medvedev's reign. Although, during Medvedev's presidency, Vladimir Putin was in a position to influence Russia's policy towards the US, he is expected to be more critical of the US from now on. In addition to this, Romney's success in presidential elections, November this year, may lead to an explosion in military spend in the US and Russia. In view of the expected reversal in US-Russia relations, the two countries are required to show restraint towards each other and avoid any rhetoric leading to anti-Russian or Anti-American opinion in both the states. The writer is a researcher and analyst on International Affairs and a visiting faculty at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) Karachi. She can be contacted at: coldpath1@gmail.com Nabiha Gul
Khar-Krishna Talks and Kashmir MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

The recent abbreviated visit of S.M. Krishna to Pakistan was a continuation of the trade liberalisation being achieved by both the countries.
Low expectations were attached with his visit due to the insignificant outcomes of talks between the foreign ministries throughout the year. Krishna's recent visit had been more about trade again rather than the promotion of people to people contacts. Liberalised visa regime, signed between India and Pakistan, will encourage societal linkages between Pakistan and India by liberalising visas and extending travel facilities. A volatile relation between the strategically significant Pakistan and the economically empowered India has been witnessed since 1947. These nuclear powers are the key actors for the maintenance of regional balance of power in the South Asian region. On the other hand, people once striving against British atrocities are now struggling to foster contacts with each other across the borders. Starting from the immature bouts of boundary demarcation to the three wars fought between the two states, Pak-India ties have been marked with bitter rivalry. There are different schools of thought that look at the strained diplomatic cleavage via different kaleidoscopes. The rightist lens in Pakistan requires an immediate solution of the Kashmir issue, which is also a condition, according to it, for the resumption of bilateral cooperation. The rightist lens of India doesn't want to call back the Indian forces from Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Security concerns have haunted both India and Pakistan for more than half a decade now, which has compelled them to swell their defence budgets. Pakistan's foreign policy has incessantly been influenced by the security concerns against India. There isn't a consistent political will at both sides of the borders to mend a 'regionally important' and 'globally glared' relation. Efforts to normalise and change the unpleasant atmosphere between both the countries have been few and far between. Hot and cold diplomacy along with intermittent breakdown, sum up the history of these geographically close, but 'politically apart' nations. normalise and change the unpleasant atmosphere between both the countries have been few and far between. Hot and cold diplomacy along with intermittent breakdown, sum up the history of these geographically close, but 'politically apart' nations. A cursory glance at the diplomatic faux pas exercised by the Indo-Pak express portrays that the dictatorial regime of Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf introduced a new approach to refurbish relations with the neighbour. The innovative and flexible approach towards India-Pakistan relations was adopted by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of India when they met in Islamabad on January 6, 2004 on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit to discuss bilateral relations. The meeting was considered a breakthrough as both the countries gave a coherent message for the resumption of dialogue on all the issues including 'Kashmir'. Pakistan
promised to curb terrorist activities. However, this was done at the expense of the UN resolutions on Kashmir. The incumbent President Musharraf was stigmatised at home, but lauded abroad for moving away from the UN resolutions. After Dr. Manhoman Singh took charge of the office, a Composite dialogue was initiated between India and Pakistan in 2004, which lasted for four years (till 2008). For Pakistan it is necessary to understand that friendly exchanges without the resolution of outstanding issues will be less effective. Besides that, there is a need to look towards other trading partners like Sri Lanka and Malaysia. India-Pakistan relations improved during these four years. There was a significant improvement in interaction between the societies and people of both countries and the dialogue engendered the hope that they would ultimately move in the direction of resolving the problems. The two countries made noteworthy progress evolving mutually-acceptable solutions of two problems: the Siachen Glacier and the Sir Creek boundary. They also made an earnest effort to evolve a phased solution of the Kashmir problem that incorporated the Indian position that the borders cannot be changed and the Pakistani perspective that the Line of Control cannot be turned into an international border. This important progress on Kashmir remained inconclusive. The 'diplomatic cart' started to move at a smooth but dead slow pace till there came a date which history recalls as 'India's 9/11'- Mumbai terror attacks! Within days of the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, the government of India suspended the dialogue process with Pakistan. The Indian perspective maintained that the attack was launched by the Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) and its counterpart Jamaatud Dawa (JD) with full sponsorship of Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI). The day Mumbai experienced the terrorist attacks, Pakistan's foreign minister was in New Delhi (No vember 25-28, 2008) for wide-ranging talks with India's foreign minister. The Interior/Home secretaries of two countries had met in Islamabad on November 25-26, 2008 and they had agreed to work together for, among other things, countering terrorism. India suspended the dialogue process after the Mumbai terrorist attack. Talks were resumed during the 16th SAARC Summit held at Thimphu (Bhutan) in April 2010 where the prime ministers of India and Pakistan met on the sidelines of the Summit on April 29, 2010 and agreed to revive the dialogue without any preconditions. It took India almost nine months after the Thimphu meeting of the two prime ministers to come to the decision to resume talks with Pakistan on all issues including terrorism rather than insisting on its earlier position of resolving the terrorism-related issues first before anything else. This set the stage for the resumption of the dialogue towards the end of March 2011. In addition to this, with the democratic transition in Pakistan it wasn't easy to manage and convince internal political forces to resume talks with India. The political parties in Pakistan have long been gaining public attention by fanning the flames of anti-India feelings. The Indian demand of taking the custody of Hafiz Saeed and the US India junction also perturbed Pakistan. Krishna's visit reiterated the idea that 'trade' is all that New Delhi can afford for Islamabad, at least for now! Despite these factors, a new effort to revive the dialogue process had been initiated by India and Pakistan in 2011. Official talks were restored between the foreign ministries on February 26, 2011 after the deadlock created due to the Mumbai attacks. No tangible solutions were decided pertinent to the outstanding issues between both the states. The only area which yielded an outcome was 'economic cooperation'. India was granted MFN status by Pakistan. Pakistan moved from a positive to a negative list of goods to be traded with India, which includes 90 items that have to be removed by the end of 2012. Both countries allowed cross-border banking. Pakistani investment was welcomed in India.
The recent abbreviated visit of S.M. Krishna to Pakistan was a continuation of the trade liberalisation being achieved by both the countries. Low expectations were attached with his visit due to the insignificant outcomes of talks between the foreign ministries throughout the year. Krishna's recent visit had been more about trade again rather than the promotion of people to people contacts. Liberalised visa regime, signed between India and Pakistan, will encourage societal linkages between Pakistan and India by liberalising visas and extending travel facilities. Both the countries are two opposite economies, in terms of size and growth. Economic cooperation and political issues are indispensable for a better Indo-Pak companionship. SAARC is a neglected chapter by both the nations. For Pakistan it is necessary to understand that friendly exchanges without the resolution of outstanding issues will be less effective. Besides that, there is a need to look towards other trading partners like Sri Lanka and Malaysia. As far as India is concerned, Krishna's visit reiterated the idea that trade' is all that New Delhi can afford for Islamabad, at least for now! The writer is a lecturer of International Relations at the Institute of Communication Studies, Punjab University. He can be contacted at: ahmedmujtaba2005@yahoo.com Ahmad Mujtaba
New Dimensions in Pak-Russia Relations

Economic rapprochement forced the political forces of both Pakistan and Russia to focus on economic cooperation.
There are no permanent friends and enemies in international politics because friendship and enmity change in accordance with the states' interests which are of primary importance. This is currently pertinent to Pak- Russian relations. Currently, Pak- Russian relations are in the parameter of friendship and commonality of interests. However, the past relations between two countries were clearly marked as that of enmity and antagonism. Different reasons can be given in this regard; for instance, Pakistan, during cold war, aligned with US and as a consequence Soviet Union developed bilateral cordial relations with India; 1960 U-2 incident, 1970 Pakistan role in rapprochement between US and China, Soviet Union role during Indo-Pak war of 1971 and finally the role played by Pakistan during Afghan Jihad 1979. Throughout the 1980s Pakistan remained a front line state for US proxy war and supported Taliban government in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The shortlived bilateral relations did improve during the tenure of Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto when Soviet Union in 1974 agreed to establish steel mill in Pakistan. Although different attempts were made by the leaders sitting in Islamabad to improve the bilateral ties with Russia but with no major breakthrough in Pak Russia relations. The recent visits of top leadership ofz both the countries signal the beginning of a new era of rapprochement, friendship and closeness between the two countries. Russia and Pakistan have range of security, economic and political interests to be safeguarded. Firstly, In the emergent regional security paradigm in south Asia and surrounding regions, Pakistan holds a pivotal position. Without the support and role of Pakistan, international community cannot resolve the Afghan war, prevent future regional conflicts and ensure any economic development. At this stage political forces of all actors volte-face their strategies, policies and relations. Russian Federation currently wanted to build cordial relations with Pakistan and in 2011, Putin supported Pakistani bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and remarked that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. It is expected that during the visit of President Putin in October, Pakistan would simultaneously host quadrilateral meeting of presidents of Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan. Regional issues including terrorism, extremism, security, trade and economic cooperation will also come under discussion between Pakistan and Russia. Pakistan thus acquires a significant place in foreign policy of Russia. Secondly, both Russia and Pakistan realised the importance of peace and stability not only for their own citizens but for the people of the region and world at large, which in turn promote economic development and long-term economic interdependence and cooperation, essential for regional stability and prosperity.
Only with political interaction and coordination, the issues related to the said goals can be addressed. Terrorism threat is at the top priority for regional states. Throughout the 1980s Pakistan remained a front line state for US proxy war and supported Taliban government in Afghanistan 1996 to 2001. When Pakistan joined Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Russia supported Pakistan on all fronts. It also offered counter-terrorism equipment to Pakistan. Russian military Chief with its counter part in Pakistan discussed the possibility of expanding defence ties by holding joint military exercises, exchanging trainees and trainers and selling and buying weapons. However, not only for Russia but for all the international actors the scenario after withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014 is more important. With NATO forces gone, Russia did not want to repeat the mistakes of 1980s when it and the international community left Afghanistan and power vacuum was filled by Taliban. Also Russia is not in favour of giving US any long-term presence either in Afghanistan or central Asian region. It wanted to preserve its geopolitical dominance and play the Neo Great Game on its own terms and conditions. Russian strategy favours regional actors like China, India, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan to play their role to counter any influence of the US-led west in the region. Out of all these actors Russia knows that Pakistan can play a key role in the Afghan endgame and for safeguarding Russian interests in Afghanistan, south Asia, west Asia, Central Asia and Muslim world. The rapprochement between Russia and Pakistan can also be seen from the international perspective where Russia does not want US to play the role of sole superpower and is in favour of multi polarity. While improving relations with western Europe, Russia is also reviving its relations with other power centres.
In this scheme, Russia is supporting regional blocs in Middle East, West, south and central Asia and on the road to recovery of relations with those actors who are not in favour of US hegemonic ambitions. Now Russia wanted to sail on the tide of low relations between Washington and Islamabad related to drone attacks, accusation against Pak army and ISI, killing of Osama bin Laden, Salala check post, and issues related to NATO supply lines from Pakistan. Thirdly, economic rapprochement forced the political forces of both Pakistan and Russia to focus on economic cooperation. Since 2003 Russia economy is growing at the rate of 7% annually, leading natural gas exporter and oil producer with fastest growing economy among G8. The bilateral trade between two countries reached 92 million US dollar in 2003, 411.4 million in 2006, 630 million in 2008 and 400 million in 2009, respectively. Russia is currently financing the mega energy project, CASA-1000, transmitting the power generation from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan; the Russia has provided 500 million US dollars for the CASA-1000 for the power transmission project. In 2011, both countries initiated the work on the framework in the proposed
Free Trade Agreement and currency swap arrangement to boost bilateral trade and further strengthen their economic ties. Both are interested to invest in the projects related to energy, investment, air service and agriculture. Russian Federation currently wanted to build cordial relations with Pakistan and in 2011, Putin supported Pakistani bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and remarked that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. These bilateral economic relations were further improved with focus on economic cooperation through increased market access to Pakistani products in Russia and building connectivity in trade and energy sectors will benefit both the countries. Realising the changed economic-cumgeostrategic and political scenarios, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari visited Moscow and emphasised for forgetting the past and arranging for the present to face the future. The future prosperity of the region lay in cooperation and coordination based on equality and mutual respect.
However, there are also irritant factors between the two states like nuclear proliferation, safe havens for the extremists groups in Pakistan and Russia's tilt towards India. In the current global and regional situation, it can be said that new era of Pak-Russia relations has commenced and the position and interests of Pakistan and Russia congregate. Russia wanted to achieve its regionalcum-global goals and for Pakistan it's the way forward towards economic gains, support for counter terrorism efforts, Baluchistan issue and respectable position at regional and international level. The present century is known as century of Asia. Russia or matter of fact none of the major world powers can ignore Asia. It must be acknowledged that prospects of Pak-Russian relations should be assessed in the light of Russia's regional and international compulsions and and framework. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it must avail the opportunities knocking at its doorstep and must not repeat the past mistakes. Russia can be an important source of energy resources, defense supplies, counter terrorism equipments, technologies and economic development. Islamabad has to give Russia important place in the foreign policy of Pakistan. Dr Saima Ashraf Kayani Head of Department Defence and Diplomatic Studies Fatima Jinnah Women University Dr Saima Ashraf Kayani
Forward Movement Goes on with India

Efforts go for normalization with the United States Contrary to some encouraging signs in relations with its arch-rival India, Pakistan's current state of relationship with old ally and friend the United States continuously faces turbulence.
Pak-India ministerial talks in Islamabad in early September can easily be termed successful, forward-looking and rather an epoch-making. And it does not require deeper intellectual analyses and scholarly research to unearth change in policy, particularly of Pakistan towards India. Because Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar in her joint press briefing with her Indian counterpart S M Krishna at the Foreign Office, clearly stated without mincing words that Pakistan has changed its policy of 40 years viz-a-viz trade with India. The two foreign ministers echoed with a consensus that the two countries would no more allow history to keep them hostage. The nature of Pakistan's relationship from immediate neighbour (India) to a distant old friend, i.e. the United States also remains in the same scenario. It is important to analyse Pakistan's engagements with India and the United States in the month of September. Indian Minister for External Affairs S. M. Krishna's visit to Pakistan was a culmination of second round of resumed dialogue process between the two countries. Although Indian minister for external affairs visit to Pakistan was customary to `review' the progress made in the second round, however the gestures aired and certain steps agreed in Pakistan have far-reaching implications. The two countries sticking to their respective positions on disputes notwithstanding, S. M. Krishna, however, tried to improve atmospherics in Pakistan. His visit to Minar-e-Pakistan is symbol of `recognition' of Pakistan. Former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee did leave such impressions back in 1999 when he was in Lahore. The two countries signed much-delayed visa agreement in Islamabad. There is not much in the new visa agreement for the common people as well as opinion-makers like journalists, artists, academicians, etc. But still, visa issuance at arrival for aged person of 65 and above is a welcome
step. Similarly, the issuance of multiple visas to the business community is a one step forward for enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries. There were no steps announced for electricity and petroleum trade between the two countries. Similarly, they did not announce opening of more trade routes like Khokharapar-Monabao, Head Gunda Singh etc. It may be the result of step by step approach that the two countries are moving at a snail's speed. The promotion of economic and trade relations got further boost with a two-day meeting of PakIndia commerce secretaries in Islamabad recently. And they signed three agreements related to custom harmonisation, redressal of grievances and mutual recognitions of standards. Various proposals for boosting bilateral cooperation still need materialisation. There were no steps announced for electricity and petroleum trade between the two countries. Similarly, they did not announce opening of more trade routes like Khokharapar-Monabao, Head Gunda Singh etc. It may be the result of step by step approach that the two countries are moving at a snail's pace. Contrary to some encouraging signs in relations with its arch-rival India, Pakistan's current state of relationship with old ally and friend the United States continuously faces turbulence. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani's utterances of relationship back on track, there exists mistrust between them. It is nave to think that the two countries will return back to the relationship that existed during the cold war era. There are still a lot of convergences between the two to move forward.
The outbreak of violent protests in the streets all across Pakistan against the sacrilegious film is another manifestation of public anger in Pakistan against the United States. Unfortunately, some of those protests turned violent and, sadly, resulted in loss of life. The two governments have been pleading that there is no justification for violence. Out of sheer mistrust about the United States, the people of Pakistan are not willing to go with the official position of the United States that the video at the core of this series of events which is offensive, disgusting, and reprehensible. The meeting between Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Hillary Clinton in Washington on September 21was very important. The two sides seem recognising that they can achieve more when they work together on a focused agenda. They share the priority remains pursuing our joint counterterrorism objectives to ensure the security of American and Pakistani citizens alike. They face a common threat from a common enemy, and they need to confront terrorism and extremism together instead of pointing fingers at each other. Pakistan's parliament has called for expelling foreign fighters, if any on its soil, so that Pakistan's territory can be fully under control of the Pakistani Government and cannot be used to launch attacks against other nations. Similarly, the `successful' first meeting of the Safe Passage Working Group in Islamabad which brought together Afghan, Pakistani, and US representatives to advance the peace process in Afghanistan. The Pakistani government's public call for insurgents to come forward and talk with the Afghan government was particularly important.
Conclusions Bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States definitely go far beyond the shared security concerns. There is a dire need of working together, particularly to create economic opportunity for Pakistanis. They need to shift economic relationship from aid to trade and investment. The United States need to help Pakistan attract more private sector investment. The two countries hope to finalise a bilateral investment treaty soon. What is also very important within this architecture is the counter-terrorism cooperation that they can do together. The last few months, maybe the biggest negative externality of the dip in relations has been the counter-terrorism objectives of both the countries. They need to realise that terrorists of any type, breed, colour, anywhere, are a threat to Pakistan as much as they are a threat to anyone. And it is for that reason that Pakistan stands today at the vanguard, having made the most sacrifices in blood and treasure than any other country in the world, having lost 30,000 civilians, having lost 6,000 soldiers to this fight, having a huge economic cost. The United States and Pakistan today have a unique opportunity to be able to work together to ensure that there is no security vacuum left in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the United States have to ensure together that the Afghan people are able to decide for their own future and live as a sovereign, independent country which is a source of stability and peace in the region after a 30-long year bloodshed, violence and instability. Shaukat Piracha
An ABC of Pakistani Politics

Both the PPP and the PML-N, co-signatories of the Charter of Democracy 2006, had committed to replace politically motivated NAB with an independent accountability commission in the document. How both these parties continued to operate under what they had called a Draconian law in the name of accountability and why they didn't manage to throw it out till now is anybody's guess. Whatever be the case, it's skeptical enough to merit questions on their motives this time around.
'C' is Corruption. There is no denying that it is at the heart of any and all problems faced by Pakistan. This is the word that is much used and thrown around in the socio-political discourse on the country. Brush aside the international rankings and our score on the corruption index, for if ever statistics failed to convey the severity of a problem; this is it. Corruption is a phenomenon which is perceived by the Pakistanis through all of the six human senses. It takes many forms and manifestations but at the root it stems from one basic source, which is, the corruption of purpose. Anything that you are supposed to do has a purpose, a raison d'etre, which once adulterated with becomes corrupt and through extension corrupts you. To fight this evil all civilisations, religions and societies around the world have within them the notion of accountability, both private and public. 'A' is Accountability. Until recently public accountability in Pakistan never achieved anything much as it has seldom been allowed to progress beyond the rhetoric. When in action it has been arbitrarily selective and unilateral with the one in power calling all the shots. This gave the affected parties an excuse to cry foul and dub it as a tool for settling personal scores and engaging in political victimisation. A paradigm shift in this regard appears to have taken place in the period following the restoration of the judiciary. The Supreme Court has actively taken the lead in the issue of above board public accountability and it has been left to the parliament to play catch up. Both the PPP and the PML-N, co-signatories of the Charter of Democracy 2006, had committed to replace politically motivated NAB with an independent accountability commission in the document. How both these parties continued to operate under what they had called a Draconian law in the name of accountability and why they didn't manage to throw it out till now is anybody's guess. Whatever be the case it's skeptical enough to merit questions on their motives this time around. 'B' is Bill. The PPP, nearing the fag-end of its tenure, has finally managed to produce a new draft of their proposed bill called the National Accountability Commission Act, 2010. This bill had initially been presented to the National Assembly in 2009 by then PPP law minister under the title of the Holder of Public Office Accountability Act, 2009 from where it was forwarded to NA standing committee for Justice and law. The bill stayed with the committee for a whole year before it was
endorsed; even so the PPP delayed the final presentation of the bill before the parliament for another two and a half years. This delay, when taken in perspective of other mutual exercises the two have successfully completed, has been damning. Fresh attempts are being made yet again to generate consensus on the bill but differences have arisen between the erstwhile COD partners. The PML-N has taken exception to certain provisions in the bill and reportedly dismissed the draft given to them as weak and not tough enough in its current form. They have demanded several amendments in the draft before they agree to support it. The strongest point in favour of the said bill is that it widens the net by defining public office holders according to Article 260 of the constitution.
The strongest point in favour of the said bill is that it widens the net by defining public office holders according to Article 260 of the constitution. This in effect would mean that members of parliament, judiciary and the armed forces wouldn't be immune anymore and now be officially liable to face accountability. On the flip side however it contains a few dubious clauses that undermine the whole concept for which the bill is needed. Proposing immunity for wrongdoing committed in good faith has legal and practical loopholes and hence should not be made into a law where accountability is concerned. Another amendment to the draft demanded by the PML-N that the head of the NAC be a sitting judge of the SC, holds weight as most high profile cases end up there anyway. Also given the fact that the court enjoys large scale public trust and is itself engaged in activism validates this demand. Furthermore, the PPP immediately must do away with the clause that bars the commission from investigating past cases and restricts them from attempting to have accused persons foreign accounts forfeited. This clause appears prima facie specific to Mr.Zardari and a recycling of the NRO, as this too is a violation of justice and fundamental human rights. Any court in the world would strike down a law which contains such a provision and unless the PPP is looking to tread in judicial quarters yet again, it would be better if common sense prevails. That said even if a reformed bill is passed that is only the first step, it's important that laws be in place but for practical purposes we need a sincerity of purpose. Pakistan as a nation needs to learn to be accountable. We all do; accountable to God, self and country. The writer is a political analyst and a filmmaker. He can be contacted at: polycracy@gmail.com Syed Zamin Raza
Distribution of Prizes worth Rs.55 million among Students Belonging to all Regions of Pakistan
A Glorious Example of National Integrity Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has always given a practical demonstration of his knowledge friendly nature by working tirelessly for the progress of educational sector.
There is no denying the fact that knowledge is the only power that enables the nations to march on the road to progress. By dint of knowledge, nations make rapid headway in commercial, industrial, social, economic and all other walks of life. But unfortunately, even in this age of knowledge and enlightenment, Pakistan lags far behind other nations in terms of literacy rate. As far as mental capabilities are concerned, it is a matter of great pride that Pakistani students are by no means inferior to the students of other nations but, it is a shocking phenomenon that owing to the lack of educational facilities and conducive atmosphere, during the previous years, our students have not been able to show those results which may fulfil the modern requirements. Its main reason is that in the past, no serious and concrete steps were taken for the promotion of education in our country. From time to time, political slogans were chanted for the provision of academic facilities to the youngsters, but in practical terms, they yielded no results. However, the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has always given a practical demonstration of his knowledge friendly nature by working tirelessly for the progress of educational sector and encouraging the students by providing them every possible incentive, so that they may gain access to modern sciences and arts. Through his revolutionary steps for the promotion of education, he has proved that like the rich and the elite, the poor and the common people of Pakistan, also have the right to benefit from the country's resources. The laudable steps taken by Shahbaz Sharif and his government for the uplift of the student community have no parallel in the country's history. These steps include distribution of cash prizes among position holders in matriculation and intermediate examinations, study tours of renowned British and other European universities, distribution of laptops, Shahbaz Sharif Scholarship
Programme, Danish schools, computer labs, and promotion of Information Technology. Instead of confining the educational resources of Punjab to the students of the same province, Shahbaz Sharif has enabled the students of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and other three provinces as well, to benefit from them. According to him, Pakistan does not merely consist of Punjab, it also includes Sindh, Balochistan, KPk, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit- Baltistan. For the welfare of the youth community of Punjab, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced a historic and comprehensive Youth Policy 2012, which includes distribution of laptops among intelligent students, reservation of 15 per cent seats for women in government jobs, setting up of Women Employment Fund, Internship Programme for 50,000 graduates of Punjab, Full Bright Scholarship Programme for 500 students studying at various universities of the province, setting up of Sports Fund with a sum of two billion rupees, the start of Youth Tractor Scheme for the students who have completed their studies at Agriculture University and the start of Youth Scud Programme in south Punjab. This year too, like previous years, at an impressive ceremony held at the Chief Minister House. A special feature of this ceremony was that besides the top position holders of Punjab, the students of Balochistan, KPk and other regions of the country were also given prizes as a reward for their hard work. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, If public service projects are a sin, I am determined to repeat this sin a hundred times for the poor people of my country. The fact is that those who criticise the public welfare schemes, do not like that the poor of the country should also enjoy better facilities and good life style. The Punjab government is striving hard to promote quality education and to provide access to education for every child. The ceremony was attended by the Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Senator Zulfikar Ali Khan Khosa, provincial ministers Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman, Haji Hassanuddin Quraishi, Iqbal Channar and Malik Nadim Kamran, Advisor Zaeem Husain Qadri, assembly members, vice-chancellors, principals, intellectuals, columnists, teachers, parents and a large number of male and female students. During the ceremony, prizes worth Rs. 55 million were given away to the top position holders belonging to all regions of the country. The chief minister congratulated the students and said that for the last four years, the Punjab Government has been holding the same ceremony, for the encouragement of the hardworking position holders belonging to the four provinces, Federal Board, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. 35,000 scholarships are being given to brilliant students having financial difficulties, through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund started with the sum of ten billion rupees. The brilliant and bright students of KPk, Balochistan, Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also included among the recipients of these scholarships. Quality education is the right of every child, remarked the chief minister, and added, Educating the young generation is the responsibility of the state and the Punjab government is making earnest endeavours to promote quality education, so that every child may gain easy access to education. In the 16 Danish schools set up in the most backward regions of the province, children living in dust covered streets are getting better education than the students of Aitchison and Grammar schools. The students who secure top positions are being sent on study tours to the finest universities of the world, which has given a big boost to their confidence level. Addressing the function, the chief minister further remarked, Pakistan is facing some of the worst challenges. The plunderous activities of Ali Baba and Forty Thieves have brought the country's economy to the brink of disaster. For the last 65 years, the country has been under the rule of aristocrats, who have been enjoying all the blessings and luxuries of life, while the poor are still deprived of even the basic facilities of life.
The Punjab government has diverted all resources to the welfare of the poor; and for the first time in history, air conditioned bus service has been started for the poor workers and labourers, informed the chief minister. I am going to introduce the finest transport system for the poor, but our opponents do not like to see the economically deprived people enjoying the finest facilities of life. For this very reason, they are criticising all public welfare schemes. Talking about the Metro Bus Service Project, he said, 28 billion rupees are being spent on this project, which would provide swift means of transport to the people. The federal government has not given us even a single penny for this project, but we are still working on it, depending solely and wholly on the resources of Punjab. Referring to the dengue, he said, Last year, Punjab had to face the worst outbreak of dengue epidemic. Politicians, government officials and people belonging to all segments of society worked day and night and saved thousands of lives; and by the grace of God, the situation is well under control this year. Earlier, the chief minister distributed prizes among the position holders. He announced to give a house in Ashiana Scheme to Muhammad Naeem, belonging to a village in Pak Patan, who got first position in Multan Board. The chief minister offered that if Naeem was not interested in getting a house in Ashiana Scheme, he could have a new house in Pak- patan. It should be remembered that Naeem comes of a very poor family and his house has been damaged in the recent rains. We are thankful to the Punjab chief minister for increasing the number of students from GilgitBaltistan in the medical colleges and engineering universities of Punjab. Students who had come from all over the country paid glowing tributes to the education friendly policies of the Punjab Chief Minister. Mashriq Khan, who has stood first in the whole province of Balochistan thanked him for providing Central Heating System to his school in the backward district of Zoab, to save the students from severe cold. If the chief minister of Balochistan had followed the footsteps of the Punjab chief minister, our province would also have made progress, remarked Mashriq Khan. By inviting to Lahore brilliant students from all over the country, Shahbaz Sharif has highlighted the sayings and ideals of Iqbal and the Quaid, said Muhammad Saad Ayubi, who has got first position in Karachi Board. Sunena Meer, who obtained first position in Karakoram International University Board in GilgitBaltistan, remarked that the efforts being made by the Punjab chief minister are contributing to the promotion of education in her region. She thanked him for increasing the number of seats for the students of Gilgit-Baltistan in the Engineering Universities and Medical colleges of Punjab. According to her, the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan should learn from the Punjab chief minister,
how to work for the promotion of education. Expressing her opinion, Hamna Arshad, who has stood first in KPk, appreciated the extraordinary efforts of the Punjab chief minister for the progress of education. The way in which he has gathered the intelligent students from all over the country under one roof, proves the fact that he wants to see a progressive and prosperous Pakistan, free from all troubles.
Faraz Farooq, the top position holder from Azad Kashmir, was of the view that Shahbaz Sharif is struggling to build that kind of Pakistan, which can really be called the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam. Without showing any provincial prejudice, he has invited all of us here. The chief ministers of other provinces should also do the same. Urooj Mustafa, the top position holder in Federal Board complained that in spite of her getting first position, she was not contacted or encouraged by any official of her region and thus, she was highly grateful to the Punjab chief minister for inviting her to Lahore and encouraging her. She advised the young students to fully benefit from the scholarships provided by the Punjab Chief Minister and put the country on the path to progress. A poor boy Muhammad Naeem, who has stood first in Multan Board, thanked the Chief Minister for opening the doors of the CM House to the impoverished students like him. He prayed for a long life for the Chief Minister. Saeed Anwar, who has topped in the seventh class examination in Danish Schools, was specially invited to attend the ceremony. Athar Ali Khan
Political Economy of Economic Reforms in Pakistan

Although reform initiatives were taken by successive governments seriously, many of these could not be implemented properly because of political imperatives and a lack of commitment by the leadership.
Economic reforms in Pakistan were designed to address structural weaknesses of the economy and imbalances under the structural adjustment programmes implemented within the framework of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank since the late 1980s. The political setting played an important role in the reform process and on the impact of the reforms and structural adjustment measures implemented to correct the internal and external imbalances. Some of the important reforms and their impact on the economy of Pakistan are discussed in the following paragraphs. Historically, the growth record of Pakistan (in its first 60 years of existence) was impressive and comparable to any high-performing developing economy. The growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) averaged about 6 per cent a year until the late 1980s, and poverty was reduced from 46 per cent to 18 per cent despite high population growth. The rate of inflation remained low during the period and per capita income almost doubled. But this performance of the economy and high growth can best be described as borrowed growth. The easy availability of funds from both domestic and foreign sources lured policy makers to frame expansionary policies with large fiscal deficits. This resulted in faster growth in government expenditure than revenue over the years. Because of the lavish spending, the budget deficit reached an unsustainable 9.4 per cent of GDP in the late 1980s. The current account deficit also rose, reaching 3.1 per cent of GDP by 1987-88. Domestic debt doubled to 43 per cent of GDP while external debt rose from 31 to 42 per cent of GDP over the short period from 1980-81 to 1987-88. These imbalances in the macroeconomic indicators, mainly due to the structural rigidities and distortions in the economy, caused an economic crisis in 1988 and compelled by the international financial institutions (IFIs), i.e. International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to reform its economy. A comprehensive structural adjustment and reform programme was developed by the Pakistan with the help of these institutions to address the structural issues and reform the economy. The IFIs extended the help by providing necessary resources to implement SAP. The progress on the implementation of SAP was also monitored by the IFIs to keep the country on track. Pakistani government has so far negotiated 13 stabilisation and structural adjustment programmes with international financial institutions since that time. Although the main objective of these programmes was to remove weaknesses and rigidities in the economic structure and distortions in the incentive system in order to stabilise the economy and
restore macroeconomic balance, the motivation that prompted successive governments to implement these programmes was the short-term need to secure foreign liquidity infusions from the IFIs after the exhaustion of easily available international funding. The first reform programme was signed in 1988 which led to implementation of medium-term structural adjustment measures. Subsequent policy reforms were a combination of short-term stabilisation measures and long-term structural adjustment measures. The short-term stabilisation measures included tight monetary policy and fiscal discipline while the longer-term adjustment measures included tariff rationalisation, removal of non-tariff barriers, price decontrols and removal of exchange rate distortions. The fiscal measures were aimed at resource mobilisation through the restructuring of the income tax system, the removal of exemptions from customs duties on imports, introduction of a General Sales Tax, and the removal of price subsidies on public utilities. For the revival of the industrial sector and to attract foreign direct investment, measures were introduced to reduce state controls on foreign investment, encourage investment through incentive schemes and promote competition. The prices of oil products, gas and power were also rationalised to promote efficiency, resource mobilisation and energy conservation. The agriculture sector reforms included the aligning of agricultural input and output prices and the gradual removal of subsidies. Although reform initiatives were taken by successive governments seriously, many of these could not be implemented properly because of political imperatives and a lack of commitment by the leadership. The lack of political commitment arose from the frequent changes in government, especially during the period of economic reforms. Since 1988 there have been nine governments four elected governments, four caretakers and one military government. In the early period of reforms (1988-90) in particular, the democratically-elected government compromised on many of its stands to keep the army at bay. General Ziaul Haq had given the presidency the constitutional power to dismiss National Assembly and the prime minister, and this made subsequent elected governments live in fear. They were right to do so because under this provision, three elected governments were dismissed by the president prematurely and without completion of their tenure between 1990 and 1996. Because efforts have been half-hearted, the expected outcomes of the economic reforms such as rapid economic expansion, export-led growth, higher incomes for all groups, expanded health and education benefits, better housing, and building of a 'social safety net' have yet to be realised. Historically, the growth record of Pakistan (in its first 60 years of existence) was impressive and comparable to any high-performing developing economy. The growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) averaged about 6 per cent a year until the late 1980s, and poverty was reduced from 46 per cent to 18 per cent despite high population growth. Financial sector reforms were a part of the major adjustment and reform programme. Compared to other types of reforms, however, the financial sector reforms launched in the early 1990s were a success story that not only promoted efficiency in the sector but also set higher standards of service quality. A number of measures were introduced, such as privatisation of state-owned banks, the setting of market-based lending rates, and the phasing out of concessional interest and direct credit schemes. Some of the reasons for the success of these reforms are explained below. Since independence in 1947, different policies such as deregulation, nationalisation, privatisation and liberalisation have been used to develop the financial sector. However, the nationalisation of the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime failed miserably to give the desired results. In view of the poor service delivery and weak financial position of the sector, the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1990 began to initiate the policies of privatisation and liberalisation to bring improvements in financial services and to implement a number of reforms. However, the main reforms to liberalise financial services were made during the regime of Pervez Musharraf. His reforms included the establishment of new institutions, strengthening of old institutions and formulation of new regulations. These reforms strengthened the base of the financial institutions and enhanced the confidence of the public in these
institutions by making the overall system quite transparent. These reforms created an environment conducive to the growth and development of the financial sector. Prior to 1990, the financial sector was heavily controlled. Interest rates were administratively set and were usually negative in real terms. Monetary policy was conducted primarily through direct allocation of credit. The money market was under-developed, and bond and equity markets were virtually non-existent. Commercial banks often had to lend to priority sectors with little concern for the borrowing firm's profitability. Before the opening of the non-bank financial sector for private investment in the mid1980s, state-owned financial institutions held almost 94 per cent of the assets of the entire financial sector. Moreover, financial institutions were in a precarious state because of high intermediation costs resulting from overstaffing, large numbers of loss-incurring branches, poor governance with low quality banking services, accumulation of non-performing loans and inadequate market capitalization. In brief, the financial sector was weak on governance, accounting standards, market discipline, prudential regulation and legal infrastructure. These problems increased the exposure of financial institutions to a variety of external threats, including a decline in asset values, market contagion, speculative attacks, exchange rate devaluation and reversal of capital flows. Capital flight and disrupted credit allocation further worsened the efficiency of banking sector. These inefficiencies and distortions in turn caused severe macroeconomic difficulties and distorted economic growth.
The reforms and restructuring measures were undertaken with a view to bringing back financial discipline and improving the operational efficiency of the financial sector. The reforms were aimed at establishing a market-based system of financial intermediation and government financing, conducting monetary policy more efficiently through greater reliance on indirect instruments and contributing to the rapid development of the stock market. The reforms were also designed to correct the distortions implicit in the administered structure of returns on various financial instruments, to abolish the directed and subsidized credit schemes, to allow free entry of private banks in the financial sector in order to enhance the competition and efficiency in the financial sector and to strengthen the supervisory role of State Bank of Pakistan. These reforms of financial services are the result of the political commitment and resolve of policy makers who wanted to implement these reforms with honesty. Credit for the successful implementation of reforms goes to the Musharraf government, particularly to the Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz who, as a banker, was aware of the importance of this sector and the dynamic role it plays in the overall performance of the economy. He gathered a dedicated team of professionals who designed and implemented reforms and corrective measures for the smooth functioning of the financial institutions. This was all done with the full support of the President, who watched these developments with keen interest but without interference. The outcome is a vibrant and dynamic financial sector catering to the needs of the economy. One can draw the lesson from the reforms experience that when there is political will, it is not difficult to implement the most difficult decisions for better outcomes. Although Pakistan has successfully restructured its financial sector within a very short span of time, sustaining the performance of the financial sector is now an important task. This requires the following aspects to be addressed: macroeconomic stability; a greater degree of consolidation for a strong and robust banking sector; a better prudent regulatory and supervisory framework; the maturation and reorientation of the financial industry; a more diverse and competitive financial system; stronger corporate governance, and a more effective risk management and mitigation system; a socially inclusive financial system capable of facilitating the access to financial services; better-developed legal infrastructure for financial supervision, especially to prevent bankruptcies and foreclosures; reform of the secrecy laws to ensure transparency; and ensuring deposit insurance schemes. Such measures are warranted to maintain stakeholders confidence in the economy. An early warning system and prompt corrective actions are also needed. Furthermore, without improving the corporate governance and expanding the investor base, the capital markets cannot be developed. More openness, together with added transparency and disclosure of information, should contribute significantly to financial restructuring of the economy. Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir
The Ordeal of Missing Persons

The issue of missing persons is sensitive and complicated, it must be resolved on priority basis.
The tragedy of 9/11 changed the world perspective. The morality and international norms were tarnished enormously. The only superpower invaded Afghanistan and Iraq to crush al-Qaida terrorists who US believes were responsible for the attack on United States. The dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf succumbed to the pressure of US government and accepted seven conditions to become ally to fight war against terrorism. The defence analysts believe that Musharraf sold the sovereignty of Pakistan to prolong his rule. He took unfortunate decision without any consultation with his cabinet and corps commanders of the Pakistan Army. After Afghanistan invasion by Nato forces, Pakistan also waged war against militants who were Pakistani citizens. The ordeal of missing persons started when Gen. Musharraf allowed security agencies to pick up militants and hand over them to United States without producing them before the court of law. Musharraf confessed in his book In The Line of Fire that his government arrested several dozens wanted persons and handed over them to US security agencies and received reward in dollars from United States. With the passage of time, it seems that the security establishment reached to the conclusion that war against terrorism cannot be fought successfully if arrested militants are produced in the court of law. The legal system of Pakistan is so ineffective that it cannot deal and punish the militants. The militants usually get bails due to lack of evidence. The security agencies recommend several legal amendments and proposals to curb militancy in Pakistan. The parliament failed to enact laws against terrorism so far. Masood Junjua the husband of Amina Junjua was picked up by security agencies on July 30, 2005. Dr Aafia Siddiqi was also picked up who is presently in the United States prison. These two prominent cases highlighted the ordeal of missing persons inside and outside Pakistan. Amina Junjua is fighting relentlessly for the release of her husband. She has actually become the courageous leader of missing persons movement. Amina Junjua initiated the protest camp in front of parliament. The families of missing persons stayed at this camp for several months. More than a dozen disappeared persons men released in view of this protest. The abduction of people without lawful authority is crime against humanity. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has identified 240 cases of missing persons, it believes are in the custody of security agencies. The security agencies claim that the missing persons may have gone to join Jihad against Nato forces. People of Pakistan do not buy this claim. The HRCP investigation indicates that almost half of the 240 missing persons belong to Balochsitan. The Amnesty International accused the government of Pakistan to sell the abducted persons to the United States. Gen. Musharraf denies this charge and states the army is not involved in missing persons cases. We should learn lesson from the past. Situation in Balochistan has reached to such a level that Pakistan's flag hoisting had become difficult. When are we going to take cognizance of the situation
in Balochistan? says Ayaz Mir The brave and courageous chief justice of Pakistan took suo motu notice of the plight of missing persons and forced government to acknowledge the custody of 25 missing persons. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court for final verdict. The tragic and sensitive issue of missing persons prolonged for several years. The United Nations took keen interest in this issue, the working group of UN visited Pakistan to study this issue. Mr Tayyab Hussain has commented about the visit of working group, Waking up from deep slumber over growing criticism against the government's decision to allow the visit of UN Working Group on Forced or Involuntary Disappearances, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar tried to shift the blame and insisted that the matter was discussed with all major stakeholders and finally after an inter-ministerial process, the summary was sent to the prime minister who gave approval for the visit. The UN Working Group is currently in Pakistan on the issue of missing persons. It has held several meetings with various leaders and human rights organisations including the family members of the missing persons. Making a policy statement during the National Assembly session, the minster insisted that the UN Working Group on human rights was not mandated to conduct any investigation or fact-finding. Furthermore, she added, that the group had also visited over a dozen countries while 91 countries had extended invitation for a visit. The working group is visiting Pakistan on our invitation, the minister made another startling revelation.
She rejected the notion of fact-finding or investigation by the UN group and said there was no need to overemphasise the visit as the government was taking all measures for protection of human rights. This group is neither mandated to fact-finding nor investigating, she remarked. There should be no ambiguity about this visit. It has a clear mandate. Pakistan has also been the member of UN Council on Human Rights and presented two reports, she added. She said that Pakistan had a mechanism in place for protection of human rights and the commission on missing persons was working, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the issue and the government was all sincere in protection of human rights. Khar said Pakistan has also ratified many protocols and conventions of the UN regarding human rights and that shows the commitment of the government to protect rights of women, children, minorities and other vulnerable segments of the society. The mandate of the working group is to engage with the governments to promote human rights. It is not mandated to fact-finding or investigation, she added. She mentioned three phases of the special procedure regarding the visit and said that the first step was a visit in May 2012, the second one was the arrival by UN Human Rights Council chief in June 2012 and the arrival of working group was the third one. After the visit, the UN Human Rights Council chief had appreciated Pakistan government's steps and also raised the drone attacks issue with the US government. Terming the visit in conformity with the global norms, Hina Khar said
head of Pakistan's Commission on Missing Persons, Justice (Retd) Javid Iqbal had also met with the group at Geneva. We should not be defensive to the visit. We are a democratic and pluralist country where judiciary is independent, media is free and civil society is robust. All these features manifest that we protect human rights, she added. The families of missing persons stayed at this camp for several months. More than a dozen disappeared persons men released in view of this protest. The abduction of people without lawful authority is crime against humanity. She said Pakistan was doing a commendable job and it should be proud of the mechanism in place and the steps taken to meet the human rights, challenges. She reiterated that the working group had a clearly crafted mandate, adding, We are sure that they will work within their mandate. Pakistan remains committed to protect the human rights regardless of colour, creed, race and social status, she said and cautioned that the parliamentarians especially needed to be careful and take the visit in its true context. We need not be confused about it and mention it in the right context, she asserted. Raza Hayat Heraj, the PML(Q) MNA who had raised his concerns about the UN working group's mandate in the House, requested the chair to take up his adjournment motion on the subject. I had submitted an adjournment motion over the matter, it should be taken up in the House, he maintained. However, the motion was not allowed. The richest MP from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Noor Alam Khan, also a PPP jiyala, following the policy statement about mandate of UN working group, stood up and confronted the foreign minister with a volley of questions about the inability of the United Nations working group over the status of parliamentary resolutions on drone attacks and about the atrocities committed by the Indian forces against innocent people in the Indian-held Kashmir. He also termed the policy statement as a diplomatic answer. A senior legislator from opposition benches Ayaz Mir, on a point of order, raised serious concerns about Balochistan's law and order situation. We should learn lesson from the past. Situation in Balochistan has reached to such a level that Pakistan's flag hoisting had become difficult. When are we going to take cognizance of the situation in Balochistan? he asked. Relating the East Pakistan crisis with the situation in Balochistan, Mir was of the view that military leadership was not focused over this issue. PML(N) legislator Lt Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch said that the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan should be the top priority of the government. Creation of new provinces could be discussed later but first take care of the provinces you already have. Stop ridiculing the federation. We need protection of our rights, asserted the retired general who also served as corps commander Quetta. The issue of missing persons is sensitive and complicated, it must be resolved on priority basis. If we keep our house in order no foreign power or organisation would dare to interfere in our internal matters. The elected government and security establishment should jointly solve this problem in the best national interest. The writer is a renowned columnist. Email: qayyumnizami@gmail.com Qayyum Nizami
SIR SYED AHMAD KHAN THE REFORMIST

His chief concern was EDUCATION education for all the Muslims and he emphasised on education for girls/women as well. He recognised that the state of Muslims could not be reformed without gaining education; they would have to bring a change in their approach towards education in order to grow and prosper. He believed the progress of Muslim community was impossible without gaining higher education.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan born in Delhi in 1817 was considered as the greatest reformer of the Muslims of sub-continent. His family had a compact connection with the Mughal courts. His mother took a pronounced interest in his education. He read and understood the Qur'an, received his early education in Delhi. He was proficient in Urdu, Arabic, Persian and religious subjects. He thoroughly studied the writings of the prominent Muslim scholars. In addition, he studied mathematics, Islamic Jurisprudence and astronomy. With such a broad background of early education, his talent groomed which developed the faculty of looking deep into affairs. Moreover, his diligence and love for Islam played a key role which cultivated an urge in him to do something for the Muslims of the subcontinent. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's major contribution towards the Muslim nation was that he was the founder of Aligarh Muslim University. All of his efforts, which can be seen through his works, were mainly to improve the plight of the Muslims and were devoted for the well-being of the Muslims of the sub-continent. His chief concern was, in one word, EDUCATION education for all the Muslims and he emphasised on education for girls/women as well. He recognised that the state of Muslims could not be reformed without education; they would have to bring a change in their approach towards education to grow and prosper. He believed the progress of Muslim community was impossible
without higher education. Here it is essential to know as to why the Muslims of the sub-continent were lagging behind in education and why they used to experience hatred for the western education which proved to be a hurdle between them and the knowledge. Firstly, Muslims believed that their traditional Islamic learning/teachings were superior to that of the western. Secondly, they did not 'own' this education because this western education was imposed upon them by the foreigners. Lastly and most importantly, Muslims of the sub-continent assumed that their beliefs would be corrupted by the western education because this knowledge was coming to them from the Christians hence it would be encapsulating Christian system of beliefs (Christianity) which could endanger their faith. Muslims of the subcontinent assumed that their beliefs would be corrupted by the western education because this knowledge was coming to them from the Christians hence it would be encapsulating Christian system of beliefs (Christianity) which could endanger their faith. Aligarh Movement was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's supreme accomplishment. The movement was a great educational project having one clear objective: To Educate Muslims, considering it the only cure of all the sufferings of the Muslims of the sub-continent. The underlying objectives were to encourage Muslims of the subcontinent to try for all the opportunities available to them under the British government without harming their fundamental beliefs; and to remove the strain and misapprehension between the new British Raj and the Muslims. After the War of Independence (1857), Muslims were facing a crucial stage. They had a strong hate for the Englishmen, their education, language and culture. They kept their children away from the western education. Their illiteracy about the English language was creating a distance between them and the respectable government posts. It was creating a destructive impact on the Muslims interests. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan inferred the need of the time and took the responsibility to educate Muslims. First of all he tried to clarify the misunderstanding of the British government by writing essays on the causes of the Indian Revolt (Asbaab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind).
After that, he shifted his sole interest to the education of the Muslims. He told Muslims that acquiring the western education and language would not corrupt their belief, rather it was indispensable to compete with the Hindus. For this purpose, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan issued a magazine named Tahzeeb ul Ikhlaq which expounded adoptable western manners. In this magazine he wrote various essays spanning
educational, religious and philosophical issues to revolutionise attitude of Muslims towards western education. At Muradabad, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded Gulshan School in 1859. In Ghazipur, he instituted Victoria School (1863) and a Scientific Society in 1864. In the following year, Scientific Society shifted to Aligarh. The purpose of the Scientific Society was to translate practical and scientific works written in English language into Urdu. The objective of the Aligarh Institute Gazette was to keep the British government informed about the inclinations of the Indians and to facilitate the Indians to understand the British sway. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan journeyed to England during 1869-70. He wrote a defence in reply to Sir William Muir's book Life of Mahomet. The defence was published in a series of pamphlets which were soon published in Urdu as well and was named as Khutbaat-e-Muhammadiathis defence of the life of the Prophet (S.A.W.) earn exceptional popularity among the nations in India. During his journey to England, he got a chance to watch the British system of education keenly and closely. While examining British educational institutions, he got an idea to found a college particularly for the Muslims for the reason that the old/traditional system of education was no more compatible with the modern demands. He said, It was not bad but the old thread with which the ribs had been tied was now broken and a new thread was needed to re-tie them. Furthermore, he said, the small imitate the great; not great the small. He felt an urgent need to open a great educational institution to spread modern education to the lower strata of the society. After his stay at England, he came back to India with several educational patterns. Keeping those all in view, he started his educational movement with a greater zeal and zest. As a result of which, he founded Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1875 and devoted the rest of his life to this college. After his death, the college got the status of university in 1920. The college, undoubtedly, played a major role in the awareness of the Muslims of the subcontinent. Thus, through education, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan tried to cure the root keeping in mind that the tree would itself flourish. Illiteracy is the mother of poverty. Poverty comes to that nation which has no literacy and when it (poverty) comes, it tends to create so many crimes, said he. Hence, he insisted all the Muslims to get education to eradicate all the deficiencies due to which Muslims of the sub-continent were suffering from seemingly a never-ending misery. Rubina Kokab
Marxs Theory of Surplus Value

Karl Marx theories and the books revolutionised the world. His concepts on the equality for all gave birth to a new system of governance
Introduction Heinrich Karl Marx was a renowned sociologist of the 19th century (1818-1883). He presented several theories, books and essays which later led to socialism. Marx was exponent supporter of creating a balance between the 'Petit bourgeoisie' and 'Lumpen Proletariat'. Thus, he overwhelmingly objected the capitalism. His work like The Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital and political economy revolutionised the whole world. Communist were all Marxist in nature. The theory of Surplus Value is part of political economy, written by Karl Marx. Karl Marxs theory of class conflict, theory of alienation and theory of surplus value are interrelated as all these theories speak against the capitalism or market economy. The further detail will only illustrate the Marx theory of surplus value and its validity in the contemporary affairs. Theory of surplus value The price of commodity produced is determined by the labour involved in that commodity. In the complex capitalist environment labourer provides his services to his boss in order to produce a commodity but in response to it he just gets a small chunk of the profit. The remaining profit goes to the boss or who is responsible to conducting that business. The theory of surplus value says that this labourer, his efforts are helpful, meaningful to the owner of that business as the surplus amount goes to the boss instead of that labourer who is actually responsible for carrying out the whole business. Thus, Karl Marx is of the view that a labourer and the person who is carrying out the business be treated on the equal grounds but the capitalist economy does not take care of this fact. Explanation of the theory of surplus value Labour Labour is a domain between a man and the nature. The content of labour may remain the same at different stages of man's history but the character of labour, however, undergoes revolutionary changes whenever one mode of production is superseded by another. Therefore, objectively to man's vital activity, labour is his eternal companion. Labour is a most important factor in the evolution of world civilisation. Understanding labour under capitalism This means that the means of production are owned by the capitalist and the labour will have an association with the production of the commodity only. Furthermore, the product of the labour is capitalist property by all means. He is just contributing his efforts for the well-being of the capitalist. Meaning of Surplus Value To understand the importance of value, it is important to brief about Marx's theory of Surplus Value. According to this theory, the main postulates emphasised by Karl Marx are:
Commodity production is the outcome of a specific division of labour: Only such products can become commodities with regard to each other, as result from different kinds of labour, each kind being carried on independently and for the account of private individuals. The value of commodities expresses what private labours have in common: it is a socially necessary quantity of labour. Impacts Karl Marx criticised this concept of dividing the class between the 'haves' and 'have-nots'. In the Marx theory of class conflict he enunciated the impacts of theory of surplus value. Surplus value generates a handsome income for the 'owner' however it gives the diminishing returns to the labour. Hence, this gives birth to petit bourgeois and lumpen proletariat. The former are those who are rich, wealthy and influential in the society and the latter are those who are weak, poor and remain at the discretion of the influential persons. Therefore, surplus value generates a class conflict between the different strata of the people. Secondly, surplus value gives birth to alienation. This means that a person who is capable and talented yet, he cannot impart his full abilities to the work, led him to alienation. The reason behind is that the boss is just concerned about his product regardless of the talent in the labour and on the other hand, the labour being at the mercy of poor environmental conditions, he is supposed to do the work under the wage system. The poor labourer does not have any other option to make his livelihood. Thirdly, the theory of alienation, class conflict and surplus value give birth to the polarisation in the society. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. Thus, such kind of exploitation paralyses the society. So polarisation creates a sense of deprivation amongst the members of the society. Fourthly, according to Marxist, surplus value gives birth to wars and arm conflict. The reason is that the additional amount or profit earned by the big cartels is utilised on the wars. Thus, gives birth to chaos and anarchy. Therefore, the Marxist school of thought believes in the closed economy. Karl Marx theory of surplus value in the contemporary affairs Karl Marx theories and the books revolutionised the world. His concepts on the equality for all gave birth to a new system of governance, i.e. communism. However, the communist could not refrain themselves from aggressive design as Marxist believe that the surplus money in the capitalism is utilised for fighting wars. But, history shows that the Russians also had an aggressive ideology. Only such products can become commodities with regard to each other, as result from different kinds of labour, each kind being carried on independently and for the account of private individuals. Another point is that Marxist totally negates the liberalisation of the economy. It talks about the closed economy however, the capitalist economy is based upon the opening up the market for all. Globalisation is the essence of the capitalist economy. In doing so, it is noteworthy that China is second largest economy of the world. The growth rate of China is 8%. She has surpassed Germany. It is a well-established fact that China was never been able to reach such an apogee prior to abolishing socialism. Now Chinese economy is open for the entire world.
Similarly, Indian economy was also a closed economy prior to bringing economic reforms by the then finance minister Manmohan Singh. Now, the country is making rapid progress in the economic field. America wants to capture the Indian market. Therefore, the future of the world lies in the globalisation. One cannot remain aloof from the entire world. Conclusion In a nutshell, Karl Marx theories are right in the sense of giving relief to the labour. This was also good during that century. Russian and the Chinese who were the greatest exponent of the communism also failed to convince the people for that economic system. Competitive markets have made a rapid progress in the economic field. The competitive markets are making the things cheaper for the people. This is also a good example of the market economy. The 21st century is facing many other challenges to make this planet a peaceful place to live. World has pledged to reduce poverty, improve maternal conditions and enhance global trade in the Millennium Development Goals during World Summit. This can only be achieved by globalization. Outline Introduction Theory of surplus value Explanation of the theory of surplus value Labour Understanding labour under capitalism Meaning of Surplus Value Impacts Karl Marx Theory of surplus value in the contemporary affairs Conclusion Haseeb Gohar
The CSS Exam Requires Endurance, Perseverance and a Strong Desire to do Well
Mir Reza Ozgen 2nd Position, in CSS-2011.
Jahangirs World Times: Kindly tell us about your educational background and achievements in detail? Ans: With my goal of a multifaceted education in mind, I chose business administration and did my Masters degree from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi. This programme has a constantly evolving degree with the purpose of giving students exposure to a multitude of disciplines. Through the course of my education I studied a wide variety of subjects including Management, Economics, Psychology, Finance, Organizational Behaviour, Accounting and Marketing. During my time in PAF College Sargodha I was the Captain of the junior college basketball team and college table tennis team. I later became the Vice-Captain of the senior college basketball team, captain of the house cross-country team and was also awarded Best Sportsman of the House. As the House Prefect I led my house in the physical training competition and the drill competition, coming first in both. My contributions as an appointment holder and a sportsman ultimately helped us bag the most coveted trophy, The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, after seventeen long years. JWT: Is this your first attempt? If is it so then how did you secure this prestigious position or you can share the experience of previous attempts? Ans: Yes, this was the first time I gave the CSS exam. I am very fortunate to have achieved this prestigious position in a single attempt. Without the unrelenting support of my uncle and aunt: Mr & Mrs. Hassan Ahmed Ozgen and my mothers prayers this would not have been possible.
As far as my efforts are concerned, a good grasp on my subjects was my main focus in addition to getting the best possible guidance. The CSS exam requires endurance, perseverance and a strong desire to do well. I have found that during the preparation candidates question their decision to give the exam or keep it as their second option. I feel this philosophy is what distinguished me from the rest, as this was not just one of many options for me but rather the only option. It was something that I truly wanted and for which I went against the odds. If you want something really bad you have to put in a good fight. If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. Its a test of your endurance, of how much you really want it. Youll face all sorts of problems but you have to give it your everything no matter what the odds. JWT: What is so special in DMG and how it is better than other groups? Ans: My goal has always been of building a career in the area of development, I decided to give the examination of the Civil Superior Services (CSS) for the same purpose as I feel I can make the greatest impact through this. My decision to join the District Management Group was made for the same reason. DMG is known for its broad scope and richness of experience and the right kind of exposure. Here work is done at the grass root level, which is where I believe it is essential to focus our efforts. It eventually takes you to the policy making level and by that time you have enough experience to know what the underlying problems are and hence you are best equipped to address them. JWT: Now being a 2nd position holder in CSS-exam 2011, what type of strategy did you follow for the preparation of exam? Please highlight some steps as key to success for the aspirants? Ans: I have always believed that discipline, both personal and professional, combined with hard work is the key to success. During my preparation I would follow a very demanding schedule starting early morning. I used to study three to four subjects everyday keeping the most difficult ones for the morning since one is fresh at that time. My schedule was very detailed, divided into days, weeks and months. It took a lot of determination to ensure that I didnt derail from my study plan. If you want something really bad you have to put in a good fight. If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. It's a test of your endurance, of how much you really want it. JWT: Discuss books and notes? What should be prepared and how? Ans: It is crucial that books are selected very carefully. In my opinion, it is preferable to stick to one book. At most one can choose a second but candidates shouldnt exceed two. Always read the book thoroughly and make your own notes. JWT: What strategy one should adopt to create difference from others? Ans: Generally, candidates should practice as much as they can and be well read. Since writing expression matters it would be beneficial for the candidates to work on that. Looking broadly at the CSS exam, over time, it has evolved and candidates should too. It is no longer an exam of how good you are at rote learning; instead, it is an exam of your personality and nerves. Those who have given the exam recently can vouch for that. So most importantly, in order to be differentiated, candidates should work towards being informed, critical, and opinionated. JWT: Majority of candidates fall down in English Essay or English Composition paper. So, what precautions or steps would you suggest for these two crucial papers? Ans: It is widely accepted that doing well in the papers of English Essay, and Prcis and Composition is the most formidable task to accomplish. My suggestion is that the candidates should practice writing frequently which should be checked by some competent teacher. Techniques of
solving prcis and composition should be given serious attention. JWT: What are the ways to get higher marks in written as well as in interview and also tell us about your written and interview score in detail? Ans: I scored 775 in my written and topped the interview with 232 marks. Like I mentioned earlier one should have good writing expression and a good grip on their subjects. I find that the habit of reading, both fiction and non-fiction, is extremely essential. Of course we know reading is enlightening, helps to develop key language skills but in addition it also enriches thoughts. All of these come in handy especially for the written. As far as the interview is concerned candidates should be calm, composed and confident. What they are looking for are individuals who can handle the pressure. They want to see if candidates have strong personalities and clarity in thought. JWT: You have earned a professional degree of MBA from the most prestigious institution of business administration i.e. IBA then why you came towards the Civil service? Ans: This is something Ive been asked quite frequently and I think it boils down to your life philosophy and how you see yourself in the long run. I come from a business family and it was natural for me to pursue my studies in the same field. After a couple of years I realized that I wanted something very different, something that gave me more hands on exposure and experience. I have been discouraged by many who say that those who want to do any good get frustrated soon and do not excel. But this is only hearsay and I feel it is important to be a positive agent of change no matter in what capacity or on what scale. JWT: You got very good marks in Business Administration and Psychology please share with us how did you make it possible? Ans: My Masters degree from IBA helped me not only in the Business Administration subject but in the overall exam as well since I have gained a lot from my experience there. As far as psychology is concerned I had a particular interest in it. Psychology has always stirred my curiosity and fascinated me and so I worked extra hard on this particular subject. Any Message Those candidates who have a strong desire to be in the Civil Services and are willing to give it their everything will find themselves successful. Further I would emphasize the power of prayers; they can change your destiny, like they did for me. So play hard and pray hard! Waqas Iqbal
English Channel Learning English

Nouns\Adjectives:
Guillotine: a device for beheading a person by means of a heavy blade that is dropped between two posts serving as guides (widely used during the French revolution)/ an instrument for surgically removing the tonsils. 'During the French Revolution many important ruling monarchs were guillotined by the masses.' Miso pedia: hatred of children, especially one's own.
God Speed : Good fortune; success (used as a wish to a person starting on a journey, a new venture) God Speed as you are going to pursue higher studies.' Posthumous: occurring after one's death. (Posthumous novel, award etc).
'Saadat Hasan Manto was posthumously honored by Nishan-e-Imtiaz.' Silhouette: a two dimensional representation of the outline of an object. 'This picture has just amazingly captured the silhouette of Badshahi Masjid.' Pair of Words: Complement, Compliment: a compliment is an expression to admire and praise but a complement is something that helps another thing to get completed. 'He complimented her on her elegant dressing.' 'She complemented the dish by garnishing with mint leaves and a lemon.' Conservative, conservative: if the word is with small c, it means rigid, conventional, opposed to change whereas with capital C it refers to a member or supporter of a Conservative political party. Currant, current: a currant is a small, dark grape. Current is a flow (of electricity, water) and also it is related to something existing in the present time. 'I cannot bear this current hectic routine.'
The water current at this point of the stream is strong enough to wash away whatever comes in the way.' Decent, descent, dissent: Decent refers to being good, respectful and ethical. Descent is a movement downwards and Dissent refers to disagreement. He is a decent person.' Everywhere we look we see brutality, stupidity, until it seems that there is nothing else to be seen but that-a descent into barbarism, everywhere, which we are unable to check. Doris May Lessing, Prisons We Choose to Live Inside (1986) Two of the justices dissented from the majority's decision.' Reading Comprehension: Reading is an independent, silent, purposeful, active process which demands focus and attention. You have to construct meaning after interacting with the text. In the CSS exam, there is always a question related to comprehension passage which follows questions to answer. This time I am sharing the qualities of an effective reader. These tips can help you attempt the particular question in a better way. The effective reader sets goals. (For you is to find answers so read the questions first) The reader focuses on the title, subtitles, illustrations, repetitive words to get an idea about the text. The reader makes predictions as he reads. The reader reads selectively and assesses what should be ignored. The reader uses word-attack skills and guesses the meanings of difficult and unfamiliar words from the context. The reader relates the given information to his prior knowledge. (As per his exposure, experience, and reading.) The reader reads effectively and efficiently (not wasting so much time on the given passage.) Fluent readers scan, skim and evaluates. (scanning: reading for finding specific information, skimming: quick reading to get the gist and main idea) The effective reader uses the syntax and utilises the non-text (punctuations, signs). The reader recognises the implications and makes inferences (conclusions). Particularly for comprehension passage, read quickly to get the general idea, look at the questions and then re-read to find the content of the given questions. Finally you have to use your own words to compose the answers. The writer is the lecturer of English Language and Literature at Comsats, Lahore. She can be contacted at: maryamjahangir@ciitlahore.edu.pk Maryam Jahangir
This Month in History
OCTOBER
October 1, 1908 - Henry Ford's Model T, a "universal car" designed for the masses, went on sale for the first time. October 1, 1946 - Twelve Nazi leaders were sentenced to death at the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany. October 1, 1949 - The People's Republic of China was founded with Mao Zedong as chairman. October 2, 1869 - Indian political leader Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. October 2, 1975 - Japanese Emperor Hirohito made his first-ever visit to the White House. October 3, 1929 - Yugoslavia became the official name of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. October 3, 1932 - Iraq gained independence from Britain and joined the League of Nations. October 4, 1582 - The Gregorian Calendar took effect in Catholic countries as Pope Gregory XIII issued a decree stating the day following Thursday, October 4, 1582, would be Friday. Britain and the American colonies adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. October 4, 1830 - Belgium gained its independence, after having been a part of the Netherlands since 1815. October 4, 1957 - The Space Age began as the Russians launched the first satellite into orbit. Sputnik I weighed just 184 lbs. and transmitted a beeping radio signal for 21 days. October 5, 1908 - Bulgaria proclaimed its independence from the Ottoman Empire. October 5, 1910 - Portugal became a republic following a successful revolt against King Manuel II. October 6, 1846 - Engineer and inventor George Westinghouse was born in Central Bridge, New York. He developed air brakes for trains and was later responsible for the adoption of alternating
current (AC) systems for electric power transmission in the US. October 6, 1928 - Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek became president of the Republic of China upon the introduction of a new constitution. October 6, 1973 - The Yom Kippur War started as Egypt and Syria launched attacks on Israeli positions on the East Bank of the Suez and the Golan Heights. October 6, 1978 - Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini was granted asylum in France after being expelled from Iran. October 6, 1981 - Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (1918-1981) was assassinated in Cairo by Muslim fundamentalists while watching a military parade. October 7, 1949 - The German Democratic Republic came into existence in East Germany. Dominated by Soviet Russia, it lasted until German reunification in 1990. October 8, 1871 - The Great Fire of Chicago erupted. According to legend, it started when Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over a lantern in her barn on DeKoven Street. Over 300 persons were killed and 90,000 were left homeless as the fire levelled 3.5 square miles, destroying 17,450 buildings. Financial losses totalled over $200 million. October 8, 1993 - The UN General Assembly lifted economic sanctions against South Africa following the end of racial apartheid. The sanctions had been imposed since the 1960s.
October 8, 1996 - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat made his first public visit to Israel for talks with Israeli President Ezer Weizman at his private residence. October 8, 1998 - The US House of Representatives voted 258-176 to approve a resolution launching an impeachment inquiry of President Bill Clinton. October 9, 1962 - Uganda achieved independence after nearly 70 years of British rule. October 9, 1970 - Cambodia declared itself the Khmer Republic following the abolishment of the monarchy by the legislature. October 10, 1954 - Ho Chi Minh entered Hanoi, Vietnam, after the withdrawal of French troops, in accordance with armistice terms ending the seven-year struggle between Communist Vietnamese and the French. October 11, 1939 - Albert Einstein warned President Franklin D. Roosevelt that his theories could
lead to Nazi Germany's development of an atomic bomb. Einstein suggested the US develop its own bomb. This resulted in the top secret "Manhattan Project." October 12, 1492 - After a 33-day voyage, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World in the Bahamas. He named the first land sighted as El Salvador, claiming it in the name of the Spanish Crown. October 12, 1811 - Paraguay declared its independence from Spain and Argentina. October 12, 1960 - During a debate over colonialism in the United Nations, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev took off his shoe and pounded his desk repeatedly. October 12, 1999: General Pervez Musharraf dismissed the government and and became chief executive of the country. The coup was widely criticized by the international community October 13, 1884 - Greenwich was established as the universal time from which standard times throughout the world are calculated. October 14, 1933 - Nazi Germany announced its withdrawal from the League of Nations and stated it would take no further part in the Geneva Disarmament Conference. October 14, 1947 - US Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager became the first man to break the sound barrier, flying in a rocket-powered research aircraft. October 14, 1964 - Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He donated the $54,000 in prize money to the Civil Rights movement. October 15, 1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte arrived on the Island of St. Helena beginning a Britishimposed exile following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. October 15, 1917 - World War I spy Mata Hari was executed by a French firing squad at Vincennes Barracks, outside Paris. October 15, 1946 - Nazi leader Hermann Goering committed suicide by swallowing poison in his Nuremberg prison cell just hours before his scheduled hanging for war crimes. October 16, 1853 - The Crimean War began after the Turkish Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia, Britain, France and portions of Italy allied with the Turks against Russia. It became the first war observed up close by newspaper reporters and photographers. One of the battles was immortalised in Tennyson's poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade. Amid poor sanitary conditions, disease killed many wounded French and British troops. British nurse Florence Nightingale then pioneered modern-style sanitation methods, saving many lives. October 16, 1964 - China detonated its first nuclear bomb at the Lop Nor test site in Sinkiang. October 17, 1777 - During the American Revolutionary War, British General John Burgoyne and his entire army of 5,700 men surrendered to American General Horatio Gates after the Battle of Saratoga, the first big American victory. October 18, 1945 - The Nuremberg War Crimes Trial began with indictments against 24 former Nazi leaders including Hermann Gring and Albert Speer. The trial lasted 10 months, with delivery of the judgment completed on October 1, 1946. Twelve Nazis were sentenced to death by hanging,
three to life imprisonment, four to lesser prison terms, and three were acquitted. October 19, 1960 - The US embargo of Cuba began as the State Department prohibited shipment of all goods except medicine and food. October 20, 1935 - Mao Zedong's 6,000 mile "Long March" ended as his Communist forces arrived at Yanan, in northwest China, almost a year after fleeing Chiang Kai-shek's armies in the south. October 21, 1805 - The Battle of Trafalgar took place between the British Royal Navy and the combined French and Spanish fleets. The victorious British ended the threat of Napoleon's invasion of England. British naval hero Admiral Horatio Nelson was mortally wounded aboard his ship Victory.
October 21, 1879 - Thomas Edison successfully tested an electric incandescent lamp with a carbonised filament at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, keeping it lit for over 13 hours. October 22, 1979 - The exiled Shah of Iran arrived in the United States for medical treatment. Iranians demanded the return of the Shah for trial. The US refused. The Shah died of cancer in July of 1980. October 23, 1989 - Hungary declared itself a republic 33 years after Soviet Russian troops crushed a popular revolt against Communist rule. October 24, 1945 - The United Nations was founded. October 24, 1980 - Communist authorities in Poland granted recognition to the trade union "Solidarity". October 25, 1881 - Artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Malaga, Spain. October 25, 1955 - Austria reassumed its sovereignty with the departure of the last Allied forces. October 26, 1951 - Winston Churchill became Britain's prime minister for a second time. October 27, 1958 - Ayub Khan deposed Iskander Mirza and took over the control of the country in a bloodless coup.
October 27, 1978 - The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Menachem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt. October 28, 1918 - The Republic of Czechoslovakia was founded, assembled from three provinces - Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia - which had been part of the former Austro-Hungarian empire. October 28, 1949 - Helen Anderson became the first woman ambassador, appointed by President Harry Truman to be ambassador to Denmark. October 28, 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis ended with the announcement by Soviet Russia's leader Nikita Khrushchev that his Soviet government was halting construction of missile bases in Cuba and would remove the offensive missiles. President Kennedy immediately accepted the offer then lifted the US naval blockade of Cuba.
October 28, 1955 - Microsoft founder Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington. In 1975, he cofounded Microsoft with Paul Allen, designing software for IBM computers. October 29, 1618 - British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was executed in London for treason on orders from King James I. October 29, 1897 - Nazi propaganda minister Paul Joseph Goebbels was born in Rheydt, near Dusseldorf, Germany. Considered a master propagandist, he controlled all Nazi newspapers, radio and film production. He was a virulent anti-Semite who advocated the extermination of the Jews. Devoted to Hitler until the end, he died at Hitler's Berlin bunker in 1945 after poisoning his six children. October 30, 1735 - John Adams the second US president was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. He served from March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1801. He had been George Washington's vice president, and was the father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. October 30, 1990 - For the first time since the Ice Age, Great Britain was connected with the European continent, via a new rail tunnel under the English Channel. October 31, 1517 - Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg's palace church, denouncing the selling of papal indulgences and questioning various ecclesiastical practices. This marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in Germany. October 31, 1952 - The US detonated its first hydrogen bomb at the Elugelab Atoll in the Eniwetok Proving Grounds in the Pacific Marshall Islands.
October 31, 1984 - Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by three Sikh members of her bodyguard while walking in the garden of her New Delhi home.
NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created in the 1970s. The title refers to a stated connection between the neurological processes ("neuro"), language ("linguistic"), and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience ("programming") and can be organized to achieve specific goals in life. According to certain neuroscientists, psychologists, and linguists, NLP is unsupported by current scientific evidence, and uses incorrect and misleading terms and concepts. The founders of NLP, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, say that NLP is capable of addressing problems such as phobias, depression, habit disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, and learning disorders. Their stated aim was "finding ways to help people have better, fuller and richer lives." Bandler and Grinder claimed that if the effective patterns of behavior of exceptional people could be modeled then these patterns could be acquired by others. NLP has been adopted by private therapists, including hypnotherapists, and in management workshops and seminars. Numan Ahmed
How Floods are Managed in Pakistan

It will be highly significant if efforts are made in order to improve disaster preparedness and then react according to the situation. That is the way to control, minimise and restrict the damages that floods can cause.
Foreword Probability of natural disasters in 2012 has been higher. Previous eight months have already proved it right. Floods in California and north India, avalanche in Siachen glacier in Pakistan, wild fires in southern France, hurricane in Florida and cyclone in China have played havoc across the globe. Focusing on monsoon in Pakistan during 2012, the metrological department made the prediction of 15% more rains during 2012 monsoons. However, this prediction did not sustain for long and things went unpredictable. As July went over, it was notified that 40% less rains have caused droughts in many areas and water shortages can lead to huge agricultural losses. But in later half of August and early September, a new session of rains started affecting various parts of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, north east Balochistan, southern Punjab and Sindh as well. Apart from loss of life huge losses of infrastructure and agricultural land have been recorded as well. It was unprecedented and uncommon to have such intense rains in this season. Blame of such unseen patterns of rainfall can be rightly put on climatic variations triggered by global warming. Serious concern is that being a developing nation are we so well equipped to beat the climatic variations and minimise our losses? It is tough to say yes. What Pakistan has faced in 2010 was enough to wake up government machinery to respond to such conditions. But quite unfortunately, the usual sluggishness is persisting and end result is catastrophe. Measures taken to counter floods In recent times, since NDMA and PDMAs have been opera tional it has become a practice that at district level contingency plan is prepared to counter the floods. In this plan, pre-flood, during flood and post-flood measures to be taken are explained and deliberated upon. Establishment of Disaster Control Room that operates round the clock to facilitate the communication flow regarding flood. It is to ensure early warning. In pre-flood activities it is mentioned that before flood de-silting and cleaning of all the drains will be carried out by TMAs. Encroachments identified by the irrigation department in water channels will be removed. During flood most important thing is to carry out evacuation of flood-ridden masses, to determine how and where to establish camps for them, how to operate those camps, furthermore, how to coordinate with army, civil society, donors, NGOs, media etc when needed. This process is completed well before monsoon. Focal persons are nominated and responsibilities are fixed. During flood most important thing is to carry out evacuation of flood-ridden masses, to determine how and where to establish camps for them, how to operate those camps, furthermore, how to coordinate with army, civil society, donors, NGOs, media etc when needed. Moreover, managing medical facilities, dewatering and clearing of the affected areas is of vital importance. In
post-flood activities, estimates of damages are made. Repair work is carried out. Furthermore, compensation is given after all estimates are made. This is a rough sketch of a contingency plan that is supposed to be executed in case of a flood emergency in a district. Now important thing is that when there is such an elaborated plan existing on ground, where things go wrong. Loopholes in existing mechanism First and the most important thing is that weather forecast given by metrological department has not been reliable. That is due to lack of technology; but, recently drastic changes in climate have become really hard to predict and rely upon. Moreover, it is a perception among general public that 2010 floods were not natural rather they have been engineered. Therefore, general public does not take flood warnings seriously. Secondly, there has been weak culture of disaster preparedness; rather major focus is on disaster management. For instance, anti-encroachment campaign begins just a month before monsoon normally. That makes it impossible to achieve desirable results. On August 22 three men died and many houses got damaged in a flash flood in Azakhel Payan, Nowshera. Those were also stationed in the river bed. There are seven watercourses running through Nowshera that enter river Kabul at different points. All are obstructed by silt and encroachments. Whenever there are heavy showers upstream, there is a flash flood that causes damages of life and property. Similarly, human resource is not channelised well before time and available stock of required equipment is not calculated and maintained. Resultantly, when disaster occurs there are mammoth problems.
Thirdly, there has been weak coordination among various agencies. Administration does not know where army is operating and NGOs don't know where they need to work. There is a very scaring example that in 2010 when Terbela Dam got filled, the army officials were almost ready to release the water back stream towards Nowshera that must have drowned areas of Khairabad and surroundings. But probably administration was not on board for that decision. Similarly, hundreds of NGOs, national and international came during 2010 but, till to date there has been rehabilitation work going on and many among most deserving remained deprived. That shows weak coordination. Fourthly, lack of quick response in post-flood rescue activities is a major problem. At times there is no cooked food available, sometimes there is shortage of tents, other day there is shortage of medicines and an outbreak of a disease is expected and innumerable transformers, bridges, communication lines are left damaged. Fifthly, misinformation, panic and unrest spread by unauthenticated news cause a lot of trouble and that also leads to politicisation of the event and causes more inconvenience for the flood ridden public. There is a dire need of de-silting of rivers, water channels in order to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of water. Moreover, there is a need of proactive and correct coordination among departments
and agencies. End Note Floods or any sort of natural disasters are beyond human control. Pakistan has been victim of many natural disasters in the recent history. To mention a few 2005 earthquake, 2010 floods, 2012 avalanche and floods are unforgettable. Pakistan being a subtropical country and having monsoonal climate is prone to floods. Moreover, variations in climate due to global warming cause serious rise and fall in the pattern of rainfalls. Ultimate result is that of loss of life, land, agricultural output and livestock. Owing to the technological and economic constraints, problems in Pakistan are bigger than the capabilities and potentials. Therefore, it will be very important for Pakistan to build its capacity in order to fight disasters. Disaster management authorities that have been working in the country have been doing their job well, but results are not that productive. Problem in fact lies in the understanding of the concept of disaster. There should never be a policy to wait and see until the disaster hits the area. Rather, we should be ready for any kind of disaster. To begin with, irrigation department has to play a very proactive role.
It has to identify, mark and ensure that all the river channels, flash flood routes and other passages are cleared from encroachments. It should be carried out after monsoon in order to ensure secure next year monsoon. There is a dire need of de-silting of rivers, water channels in order to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of water. Moreover, there is a need of proactive and correct coordination among departments and agencies, so that miscommunication can be stopped. There is a need of readily available machinery and equipment to successfully manage any catastrophic situation. Revenue department must identify all the areas that are encroached upon and must get them evacuated before monsoon season hits. Those areas must be clearly marked. There should be permanent camps which can be utilised during floods as rescue camps. Ample medical stock must be ensured well before monsoon so that in time of need, that can be utilised without unwanted delay. There should be set code in order to disseminate information regarding flood to the general public. Active involvement of district administration and collaboration with police, non governmental organizations and other stake holders can be very effective. In a nut shell, it can be said that disaster management is a full fledged discipline and it needs extreme importance. It will be highly significant if efforts are made in order to improve disaster preparedness and then react according to the situation. That is the way to control, minimize and restrict the damages that floods can cause. Contact at: sik_khawaja@yahoo.com Sikander Zishan
Human Capital Role of Education and Health in Human Development

Health is a prerequisite for increases in productivity, while successful education relies on adequate health as well. Thus, health and education are considered as vital components of growth and development. These two human capital issues have to be treated together because of their close relationship and the fundamental fact that when we talk about investing in a person's health or investing in a person's education, we are after all talking about the same person.
Human capital is the term economists often use for education, health and other human capacities that can raise productivity when increased. Human development involves not only economic uplift but also raising educational attainment and improving health. Health and education are fundamental to the broader notion of expanded human capabilities that lie at the heart of the meaning of development. Health is central to well-being and education is important for a satisfying and rewarding life. The importance of education for a developing country to absorb modern technological advancements and to develop the capacity for self-sustaining growth and development can hardly be over-emphasised. Education is not just a contributor to human development but may also have positive bearing on increasing per capita income. A country that attains reasonable level of education for its population moves up the ladder from production and export of less to more capital intensive goods. Moreover, health is a prerequisite for increases in productivity, while successful education relies on adequate health as well. Thus, health and education are considered as vital components of growth and development. These two human capital issues have to be treated together because of their close relationship and the fundamental fact that when we talk about investing in a person's health or investing in a person's education, we are after all talking about the same person. The developing countries of the world face huge challenges as they seek to continue to improve their health and educational systems. Development economists agree that distribution of health and
education within countries is as important as income distribution. Life expectancy for better off people, in developing countries, is usually higher than the poorer sections. Child mortality rates in developing countries remain alarming as compared to the developed world as many of these deaths generally occur from easily treatable conditions including that of dehydration caused by diarrhea. The state of affairs in education is also not different. On an average, a child in Europe, North America or Japan can expect to receive more than twelve years of schooling as compared to his counterpart in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia where a child spends less than four years in school. Despite a close relationship between income on one hand and health and education on the other, evidence shows that higher household income does not automatically guarantee improved health and education. Human capital must be given top priority even in economies that are growing rapidly. Child mortality rates in developing countries remain alarming as compared to the developed world as many of these deaths generally occur from easily treatable conditions including that of dehydration caused by diarrhea. There are THREE views about the contribution of education to economic growth. FIRST: We can think of uneducated and educated workers as perfectly substitutable inputs to production. Labour is homogenous and can be measured in terms of efficiency units. Holding constant the number of actual workers, an increase in the level of education in the labour force increases the size of the labour force measured in efficiency units. This increase in the number of efficiency units per worker generates greater output per worker since labour is an input to production. Growth in the average years of schooling per worker is thus associated with growth in output per worker. SECOND: Uneducated and educated workers can be seen as imperfectly substitutable inputs to production. While constructing a motorway, three workers with primary school education cannot replace one civil engineer. Educated and uneducated labour are treated as different inputs and different production processes can be thought of as making more or less intensive use of educated relative to uneducated labour.
THIRD: Educated workforce is in a better position to absorb foreign technology. An industry's production process could make intensive use of educated labour because it requires sophisticated monitoring and quality control or because technology is rapidly changing and highly educated workers are needed to learn it. The role of educated labour in any production process can be seen as learning or creating technology that generates more output holding levels of inputs constant. In the international trade literature there is considerable evidence that as less developed countries catch up to the education levels of more developed countries, they start shifting from exports of products that intensively use uneducated workers to exports of products that intensively use
educated workers. The continued expansion of low-quality schools often thought to be a step on the path both to high access and to high-quality schools may actually be a self-defeating strategy. If education is indeed important for development, how should countries go about it? Governments face an important policy tradeoff between quality and access. Given limited budgets for schools, and the twin objectives of expanding access and improving quality, policymakers find themselves on the horns of a very unpleasant dilemma. They need to make a choice between expanding the access to education or to provide high-quality schools. High-quality schools raise student achievement and speed students through primary school, thus saving costs. Normally, students respond to higher school quality with lower drop-out rates as they tend to stay in good schools and drop-out of poor ones. Research conclusively demonstrates inefficiency in the current organisation of schools in the underdeveloped countries. The policy makers in the relatively poorer countries are not making prudent use of the meager resources available by employing unproductive ways of spending the money. This approach is not contributing towards improving student performance. Correcting the inefficiencies is not simple. A blueprint of a model school cannot be reproduced and handed over to those at the helm of affairs. It must be understood that we must turn to new organisation and new incentives to improve schools for achieving sustainable development.
Introduction of performance incentives has been dealt extensively in the literature. Introduction of these incentives is the most likely path to improvement of schools. Research scholars have suggested several ways to introduce these incentives but none has been tried extensively. There is strong evidence available in favour of establishing good schools although translating this goal into policy is not so easy. I personally believe that providing quality schools should be very high on the policy agenda of any government. The continued expansion of low-quality schools often thought to be a step on the path both to high access and to high-quality schools may actually be a selfdefeating strategy. Athar Mansoor
WORLD IN FOCUS
National Affairs
12-08-2012 Dawn Afghans met key Taliban leader held in Pakistan: Afghan officials have held secret talks with the Taliban's former second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is in detention in Pakistan, in a move which could help rekindle stalled peace talks with the militants. 12-08-2012 The News OBL commission wants IB under interior ministry: The commission formed to probe into the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad has recommended that the government put the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the control of the Interior Ministry instead of prime minister. 12-08-2012 Daily Times Mrs Pakistan 2012 crowned Mrs Asian International: Mrs Pakistan 2012 Fahmina Omair was crowned the prestigious title of Mrs Asian International at the Singapore Conference Hall. This is Pakistan's first international victory since the beauty pageant's debut in the international arena in 2001. 13-08-2012 Dawn Call to seek Indian NoC for Bhasha dam rejected: The government is contemplating a plan-B to arrange funding for the $12 billion Diamer-Bhasha dam project after declining an Asian Development Bank suggestion that Pakistan should secure a no-objection certificate from India to seek multilateral funding for the project. 16-08-2012 Dawn Terrorists attack Kamra air base: Militants, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, carried out a brazen attack on the Minhas base of the Pakistan Air Force at Kamra.
16-08-2012 Dawn Breather for govt in NRO case: A five-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa put off for an indefinite period the hearing of a government petition seeking review of the court's July 12
order which directed the prime minister to comply with its judgment in the NRO implementation case. 16-08-2012 Dawn Ecnec approves Rs 287b railway project: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), in a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh, approved a record Rs. 662 billion for 45 projects out of which Rs. 287 billion were approved for the loss-making Pakistan Railways, including a Japan-funded Rs. 246 billion Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project. 16-08-2012 The News Speaker forms commission for new provinces: Acting Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi constituted a 14-member commission for the creation of new provinces in Punjab, in pursuance of the message received from the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and authorisation by the National Assembly on July 11, 2012. 17-08-2012 The News No joint Pak-US NWA offensive, says Gen Kayani: Pakistan made it clear that a joint Pak-US action in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) was unacceptable to the people and armed forces of the country, adding that if an offensive was undertaken, national interest would be the prime consideration in arriving at a decision. The Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, stated this in categorical terms when the US Centcom Commander General James N. Mattis met him. 17-08-2012 The News Rodolfo J. Martin new 'Dean of Diplomatic Corps': Ambassador Rodolfo J. Martin Saravia of Argentina has assumed the assignment of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of Pakistan and the Foreign Office has accorded him the formal recognition. 17-08-2012 The News Seedlings at NYCIFF: A Pakistani film Seedlings managed to bag two awards in the categories of Best Lead Actress (Aamina Sheikh) and Best feature filmaudience choice award at NYCIFF. The movie was nominated for seven categories. 18-08-2012 Tribune Khairpur student wins prize for using tea to clean wastewater: Shadab Rasool Buriro, a tenth grade student of the Pak-Turk International School in Khairpur, won silver at the GENIUS (Global Environmental Issues-US) Olympiad, for his project: The removal of harmful pollutants from industrial waste water by the use of tea waste. 24-08-2012 The News PCS officers to be inducted into DMG/PAS cadre: On the recommendations of Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, the federal government has decided to induct PCS officers into DMG/PAS cadre for the purpose of mitigating the grievances of PCS officers especially of Balochistan. 26-08-2012 The News Tiwana named goodwill envoy of Egypt: Pakistani youngster Muhammad Waqas Tiwana, recipient of the prestigious Global Young Leaders Award by the International Presidential Scholars Council, has been appointed as the first-ever goodwill ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Pakistan. 27-08-2012 Dawn
Kazmi gets bail and freedom: Former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi was released on bail after 17-month incarceration for his alleged involvement in Haj corruption case. 27-08-2012 The News LGS wins Best School Award at Harvard UN moot: Lahore Grammar School (LGS), Defence Branch, has won one of the top three Best School awards at the prestigious Harvard Model United Nations (HUMN India 2012) Conference held in Hyderabad India. 28-08-2012 Dawn Babar to head commission on provinces: PPP Senator and Presidency's spokesman Farhatullah Babar was unanimously elected chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Creation of New Provinces in Punjab. 28-08-2012 Dawn Singapore allowed to quit port contract: The Singapore Port Authority (SPA) and its partners National Logistics Cell and AKD group have finally been allowed to quit the Gwadar Port's 40-year management and development contract after the government's failure to transfer 584 acres of land in adverse possession of Pakistan Navy at the mouth of the port to pave way for its takeover by China. 30-08-2012 Tehran Times Both leaders stick to their stands: The long-awaited meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held on the sidelines of the NAM summit achieved little beyond the former reiterating the desire for close bilateral relations and improved trade and the Indian leader saying stressing the need for Pakistan to act firmly against militants blamed for Mumbai attacks. 30-08-2012 Dawn SC throws NAB out of Arsalan case probe: In an apparent balancing act, the Supreme Court accepted a review petition of Dr Arsalan Iftikhar against its own order and at the same time granted a much-needed stay in favour of property tycoon Malik Riaz of Bahria Town.
31-08-2012 Dawn President calls for new role of NAM: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a new role for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to address the challenges of the 21st century. Addressing the 120member NAM summit on its concluding day, the president said Pakistan would be pleased to actively contribute to the strengthening of the movement, whose member states represented nearly two-thirds of the UN members and comprise 55 per cent of the world population.
01-09-2012 Dawn India allows investments from Pakistan: India overturned a ban on foreign investment from Pakistan, the Indian commerce ministry said. The move is aimed at building goodwill amid a renewed push for peace. 04-09-2012 Dawn Accord with Germany on security dialogue: The foreign ministers of Germany and Pakistan signed an agreement in which the two countries committed to a strategic dialogue on security issues, particularly regarding Afghanistan. 05-09-2012 Dawn OGDC discovers oil, gas reserves: The state-run Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) announced discovery of new reserves in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which would boost its daily oil output by about 8 per cent. The country's total oil production has increased to about 72,500bpd against the total consumption of about 300,000bpd. 05-09-2012 The News Pakistan ranked 124 among 144 economics: Amidst rampant corruption and poor governance, Pakistan has been ranked in the bottom 20 of the 144 economies around the world in The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013. 06-09-2012 Dawn SC orders information ministry to freeze secret funds: The Supreme Court ordered to freeze secret funds of the federal ministry of information and broadcasting. 08-09-2012 Dawn Pak, India shy away from core issues: Notwithstanding the bonhomie exhibited at the Foreign Office at the conclusion of the foreign ministers' meetings, it was more than apparent that both sides were dissatisfied for their set of core issues not having been addressed adequately over the past two years. 08-09-2012 Dawn Visa restrictions relaxed: Pakistan and India signed a landmark liberalised visa pact, introducing for the first time visa on arrival for senior citizens, tourists and pilgrim visa and one-year multiple entry visa for businessmen. 09-09-2012 The News WAPC approves membership of Press Council of Pakistan: The Executive Council of World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) has approved the membership of Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) in its annual meeting at Morogoro, Tanzania. 10-09-2012 Dawn Electronic money order: Pakistan Post introduced online electronic money order (EMO) enabling people to transfer cash in seconds. The new online money order has been introduced in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Muzaffarabad, Sialkot, Quetta, Hyderabad and Peshawar. 10-09-2012 Dawn President signs SEZ Bill: President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill, 2012 after which it is expected that a network of such zones/industrial areas will be established in different parts of the country to facilitate local and foreign investors.
10-09-2012 Daily Times India allows direct investment in Pakistan: The Reserve Bank of India has removed restrictions on overseas investment by India parties in Pakistan. In a circular issued on September 7, the Reserve Bank of India has stated that henceforth overseas direct investment by Indian parties in Pakistan would be considered and approved as per the relevant regulations and norms.
International
11-08-2012 The Washington Post TV host Zakaria suspended for plagiarism: Author and TV star Fareed Zakaria of CNN and the Time Magazine, an expert on South Asian affairs, was suspended by the two news organisations for lifting paragraphs from a New Yorker magazine article. 12-08-2012 The China Post Bangladesh jails 124 sportsmen over 2009 mutiny: More than 120 Bangladeshi sportsmen including top internationals were jailed for their role in a bloody 2009 mutiny. 12-08-2012 The Globe and Mail UN launches initiative to protect oceans: The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced an initiative, called the Oceans Compact, to protect oceans from pollution and over-fishing and to combat rising sea levels which threaten hundreds of millions of people.
12-08-2012 Cairo Times President removes top generals in Egypt: Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi ordered the retirement of the defence minister and chief of staff and cancelled the military declared constitutional amendments that granted the top generals wide powers previously reserved for the head of state. Mr Morsi also ordered the retirement of the commanders of the navy, air defence and air force. He also appointed a senior judge, Mahmoud Mekki, as vice president. 15-08-2012 Myanmar News Myanmar names navy chief as new vice president: Myanmar's parliament appointed the navy chief to replace a regime hardliner as one of the country's vice presidents. 58-years old Admiral Nyan Tun, who has a reputation as a political moderate, was selected by the military personnel who make up one quarter of the legislature and have the right to choose one of the two vice presidents. 16-08-2012 Daily Chronicle Ecuador grants asylum to Assange: Julian Assange won asylum in Ecuador, but he's is no closer to getting there. The dramatic decision by the Latin American nation to identify the WikiLeaks founder as a political refugee is a symbolic boost for the embattled ex-hacker, but legal experts say that does little to help him avoid extradition to Sweden and does much to drag Britain and Ecuador into an international face-off.
16-08-2012 Al Arabiya News OIC suspends Syria; Iran unhappy: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) suspended Syria, citing President Bashar al-Assad's suppression of the Syrian revolt, but there was little support for direct military involvement in Syria at a summit of Muslim leaders in Makkah. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi criticised Syria's suspension as he left Makkah, saying it was contrary to the organisation's charter. 17-08-2012 The Global Times Ban confirms Brahimi's appointment: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon confirmed the appointment of veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi as UN and Arab League envoy, replacing Kofi Annan. 17-08-2012 The Times of India Coal scandal threatens Indian PM: India's auditor suggested the government lost billions of dollars by failing to auction valuable coal mining rights in a damning report that implicated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. 17-08-2012 The Guardian Russia jails Pussy Riot protest punks for two years: A Moscow court handed a two-year jail sentence to three feminist punk rockers who infuriated the Kremlin by ridiculing President Vladimir Putin in Russia's main church. 18-08-2012 The China Post China's Yu crowned Miss World: Miss China won the coveted title of Miss World, triumphing on home soil during a glitzy final held in a mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert.
19-08-2012 Top News Today New world record set at mobile phone throwing contest: A Finnish teenager has smashed the world record and probably his phone in this year's annual mobile-phone throwing contest in Finland. Eighteen-year-old Ere Karjalainen launched a phone the amazing distance of 101.46 metres. 22-08-2012 India Times India allows concessions on 264 items: The Indian cabinet has approved 30 per cent cut in the Sensitive List maintained under South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Agreement and trade concessions have been allowed on import of 264 items from non-least developed countries (NLDCs) which included Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 22-08-2012 Global Times
Russia becomes 156th WTO member: Russia crowned a tortuous 18-year campaign by becoming the largest country outside the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to formally join the world's premier free trade club. The Geneva-based institution's 156th member had spent years harbouring deep suspicions about what a flood of better western products and services might do to the country's fitful recover from its late Soviet malaise. 23-08-2012 Irish Times Arctic sea ice shrinks to record low, by some estimates: The area of ice in the Arctic Ocean has thawed to a record low, surpassing the previous 2007 minimum in a sign of climate change transforming the region. 23-08-2012 The New York Times NASA's Mars rover makes first test drive: NASA's Mars rover Curiosity made its first test drive, leaving wheel tracks near its landing spot now dubbed Bradbury Landing in honour of late science fiction author Ray Bradbury. 23-08-2012 Cairo Times Egypt bans detention of journalists before trial: Wielding his extensive legislative powers for the first time, the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, has outlawed the pre-trial detention of people accused of press crimes, effectively freeing one of his toughest critics, a newspaper editor who was detained just hours before the law was passed. 24-08-2012 The Philippine Star Philippines names first woman chief justice: The Philippine president appointed Maria Lourdes Sereno as the 24th Supreme Court chief justice, the first woman to head the country's highest tribunal and praised her ability to lead the court after her predecessor was removed for constitutional violations. Ms Maria has been an associate justice on the 15-member tribunal since August 2010. She will serve on the court until retirement at 70. 24-08-2012 The Independent Kyrgyz president disbands broken coalition cabinet: Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev signed a decree, which came into immediate force, formally disbanding the volatile Central Asian republic's government after the ruling coalition collapsed. 24-08-2012 Khaleej Times UN launches 'Heritage of Astronomy' portal: Observatories in Britain, France and the United States, a pharaonic temple in Egypt, a 3,000-year-old pillar in China and a 1920s tower in Berlin have been inscribed on a UN-backed heritage list for astronomy. 24-08-2012 The Independent Anti-Islam warrior jailed for 21 years in Norway: Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik was jailed for a maximum term when judges declared him sane enough to answer for the murder of 77 people last year. 25-08-2012 The New York Times Court asks Samsung to pay Apple $1bn in damages: Apple won more than $1 billion in a massive US court victory over Samsung, in one of the biggest patent cases in decades. A jury in San Jose awarded $1.049 billion to the US technology giant. 26-08-2012 The Washington Post Over 200 Nato bases in Afghanistan closed: Nato has closed more than 200 bases in Afghanistan and transferred nearly 300 others to local forces, a concrete step towards its 2014 target of handing
over security responsibility. 26-08-2012 The News Star NAM meeting in Iran calls for ridding the world of N-arsenal: Iran opened a world gathering of non-aligned nations with an appeal to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The week-long gathering will be capped by a two-day summit of Non-Aligned Movement leaders. NAM at a glance: Founded on 1961 in Belgrade (25 newly independent countries formally founded the NAM). Founding Leaders: 1. Yugoslavia's president, Josip Broz Tito 2. Indonesia's first president, Sukarno 3. Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser 4. Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah 5. India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Members:120. Observers: 17 countries & 7 Organisations. First Summit1961 Belgrade. Pakistan joined in1979. Current Chairperson:Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Iranian President. Summits till 201-16. 27-08-2012 The Daily Herald Romanian MPs seal president's reinstatement: Romanian lawmakers sealed President Traian Basescu's return to office nearly a week after the country's top court invalidated an impeachment referendum. The centre-right president still has to wait for the court's decision to be published in the official gazette before he can officially resume his duties. 27-08-2012 The New York Times NY Times to sell About.com: The New York Times Co. has agreed to sell its information website About.com for $300 million to IAC, a conglomerate headed by mogul Barry Diller. The two firms announced the cash deal, concluding the effort by The Times to sell off non-core assets. About.com will join IAC's assets such as Match.com, Ask.com, College-Humor, and CityGrid Media. 27-08-2012 The Progressive Unprecedented US arms sales driven by worried Gulf nations: Weapons sales by the United States tripled in 2011 to a record high, driven by major arms sales to Gulf allies concerned about Iran's regional ambitions, according to a new study for US Congress. Overseas weapons sales by the United States totalled $66.3 billion last year, or more than three-quarters of the global arms market valued at $85.3 billion in 2011. 28-08-2012 The Standard Nato names Norwegian 'ambassador for women': Nato named a female Norwegian diplomat in a new role created at the nuclear-armed military alliance to promote the role of women in ending conflict. Mari Skare, already an envoy to Nato, was named Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. 29-08-2012 The Independent UN atomic agency creates 'Iran Task Force': The head of the UN atomic agency has approved the creation of a special task force to better monitor Iran's controversial nuclear programme. 29-08-2012 The Telegraph World's largest marine park unveiled: The world's largest marine park, a vast swathe of ocean almost twice the size of France, was unveiled by the Cook Islands at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum. Prime Minister Henry Puna said the 1.065 million square kilometres (411,000 square miles) reserve is the largest area in history by a single country for integrated ocean conservation and management. 30-08-2012 Tehran Times
Morsi slams Assad govt, Ban castigates Iran: Egypt's new president said that Bashar Assad's oppressive regime has lost its legitimacy and told an international conference in Tehran that the world must stand behind the Syrian rebels. The rallying call by Mohammed Morsi making the first visit to Iran by an Egyptian leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution showed the huge divide between Iran's stalwart support of Assad and the growing network of regional powers pushing for his downfall. 30-08-2012 Global Times Uzbekistan lawmakers vote for ban on foreign bases: Uzbekistan lawmakers approved a foreign policy bill which bans the creation of foreign military bases in the Central Asian country or its participation in military blocs. 30-08-2012 The Telegraph Australians implant 'world first' bionic eye: Australian scientists said they had successfully implanted world's first bionic eye prototype, describing it as a major breakthrough for the visually impaired. 01-09-201 The Guardian Iran, N. Korea declare 'we have common enemies': Iran and North Korea have signed an agreement to cooperate in science and technology, Iranian media reported, and Iran's supreme leader declared that the two countries had common enemies. 02-09-2012 The Telegraph US stops training Afghan personnel: The US military has suspended training of about 1,000 Afghan personnel while the Americans review the process of vetting new recruits following a spike in deadly attacks on international troops last month, officials said. 02-09-2012 Gulf Today Anchorwoman with scarf appears on Egypt's TV: An anchorwoman wearing scarf read the news on Egypt's state television for the first time, reflecting a shift in official media since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent rise of Islamists. 02-09-2012 The Cairo Review Egypt retires 70 generals: The Egyptian government has announced that 70 generals of the country`s armed forces are to be retired. However, six of the generals would retain their positions on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf). 02-09-2012 Sudan Tribune World's newest nation S. Sudan names UN envoy: South Sudan has appointed its first ambassador to the United Nations. Francis Deng, a respected scholar and former special adviser to the UN Secretary General on the prevention of genocide, has been appointed South Sudan's permanent representative to the United Nations. 03-09-2012 Gulf Times 'Ready for war' Armenia threatens Azerbaijan: Armenia warned Azerbaijan it was ready for war as tensions soared between the ex-Soviet foes after Baku pardoned and promoted an Azerbaijani officer who axed an Armenian soldier to death. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev last week immediately pardoned Ramil Safarov after he was extradited from Hungary, where he had been serving a life sentence for the 2004 killing. 04-09-2012 The Guardian
Cabinet reshuffled in UK; Warsi removed from top party post: The British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced his first major cabinet reshuffle in his Commons office in an attempt to get the Tor-led government on track in the run-up to the next general election in 2014. Baroness Warsi has been removed from her role as Conservative Party co-chairman in David Cameron's first major reshuffle of the coalition government. 06-09-2012 The China Post Myanmar lawmakers unseat judges in charter row: Myanmar's parliament ousted nine constitutional court judges in the culmination of a long-running standoff that observers say exposed growing political rivalry within the regime. 06-09-2012 Daily Mail New super-earth discovered around red dwarf star: A new super-earth has been discovered in the habitable zone around the red dwarf star Gliese 163. Astronomers found it using the European Southern Observatory HARPS telescope (or High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher). It has been billed as Gliese 163c, and has a mass of 6.9 times that of Earth and an orbital period of 26 days. 06-09-2012 Global Times Brazil world's largest crack market: Brazil is the world's largest market for crack and the second for overall cocaine use, researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) said. 07-09-2012 New York Daily News US puts Haqqanis on terrorist list: The United States designated the Haqqani network a foreign terrorist organisation but said the action would have no impact on Pakistan. 07-09-2012 The New York Times US judge rejects new rules for Guantanamo lawyers: A US federal judge rejected a new set of rules proposed by the Obama administration that would have placed added restrictions on lawyers' access to Guantanamo Bay detainees. 07-09-2012 New York Daily News Obama accepts Democratic nomination for second term: Barack Obama accepted his party's nomination for president with a prime-time convention address that asked Americans to give him four more years at the White House. 07-09-2012 The China Post One million people commit suicide every year: One million people die by their own hand each year, accounting for more deaths than wars and murders put together, the World Health Organisation said, calling for urgent action to address the problem. 07-09-2012 The China Post Myanmar passes new law to attract foreign investors: Myanmar's parliament passed an eagerly awaited new law aimed at boosting foreign investment in the former pariah state, which is emerging from decades of military rule, a lawmaker said. 08-09-2012 Global Times S. Korean film 'Pieta' wins top prize at Venice: South Korean director Kim Ki-duk's shocking drama Pieta has won the Golden Lion for best film at the 69th Venice Film Festival. The Silver Lion for best director went to Paul Thomas Anderson for The Master. The film's stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, shared the prize for best actor during the ceremony. The best actress award went to Israeli actress Hadas Yaron, for her role in Fill the Void.
09-09-2012 Iraq Daily Times Iraq's fugitive VP gets death: Iraq's fugitive Vice President Tareq al Hashemi, a top critic of Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging, in a decision likely to renew political tensions. 09-09-2012 The Sunday Times Sri Lanka's ruling party wins local elections: The Mahinda Rajapaksa-led United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has emerged as the single largest party in elections to three provincial councils in Sri Lanka. 09-09-2012 The Bangkok Post Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council formed in Bangkok: The Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) has been officially established in Bangkok and the body is intended to help regional peace efforts in a fast-moving and more complex world. 09-09-2012 The Washington Post APEC leaders pledge to battle Europe crisis: Pacific Rim leaders pledged to fend off the deepening damage from the European crisis and revive flagging growth in the region by supporting open trade, overhauling their economies and strengthening public finances. The 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum wrapped up an annual summit meeting in Vladivostok, the Russian seaport, vowing to work together to support growth and restore confidence in shaken financial markets. The region accounts for about half of all world economic activity and 40 per cent of world trade. 10-09-2012 Gulf Today Kabul gets control of over 3,000 detainees: The United States formally handed control to Afghanistan of more than 3,000 detainees at the controversial Bagram prison, but disagreements remain over the fate of hundreds of inmates. 10-09-2012 San Francisco Chronicle Study offers hope for tailor-made cancer drugs: The first large and comprehensive study of the genetics of a common lung cancer has found that more than half the tumours from that cancer have mutations that might be treated by new drugs that are already in the pipeline or could be easily developed. SPORTS 12-08-2012 The Guardian Asadauskaite wins last gold as curtain falls on Games: Lithuanian Laura Asadauskaite beat Briton Sam Murray to the gold in the women's modern pentathlon to round off the 16-day sporting extravaganza as London prepared to bring down the curtain on the 2012 Olympics. 14-08-2012 Global Times Kvitova overcomes wobble to claim Montreal title: Petra Kvitova overcame a mid-match slump to claim her first title of the season with victory over China's Li Na in the Montreal Cup.
16-08-2012 Dawn Pakistani skier honoured at British Columbia Hall of Fame: Pakistani skier Mohammad Abbas has bagged a different distinction at the international level with the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame putting his handmade wooden skis on display. 17-08-2012 The Telegraph Old cricket Australia disbanded: Australian cricket's custodians have voted themselves out of their own jobs, formally approving the introduction of a smaller, nine-person Cricket Australia board, with three independent directors to be appointed at the annual general meeting in October. 18-08-2012 The Japan Times Japan's Arashiro wins Tour of Limousine: Japan's Yukiya Arashiro, riding for the Europcar team, won the Tour du Limousin despite finishing locked on the same time as French rival Jeremy Roy. 19-08-2012 The Straits Times Olinga La Liga's youngest scorer as Malaga take winning start: Sixteen-year-old Fabrice Olinga made history when he became the youngest ever player to score in La Liga, grabbing the only goal as Malaga clinched a 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo. 19-08-2012 Shanghai Daily David claims her second Australian Open crown: Malaysia's Nicol David won her second Australian Open crown when she beat England's Laura Massaro in straight games. 22-08-2012 Toronto Sun Garcia seals Ryder Cup berth: Sergio Garcia snapped a four-year PGA Tour title drought with victory at the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina that secured him a spot on the European Ryder Cup team. 22-08-2012 The Guardian Ruthless South Africa snatch top Test ranking from England: South Africa replaced England at the top of the world Test ranking after defeating the home side by 51 runs at Lord's to win their three-Test series 2-0. 22-08-2012 The Straits Times Federer beats Djokovic for fifth Cincinnati crown: Roger Federer won his sixth title of the season as he beat Novak Djokovic in a battle between the top two players in the world at the Cincinnati Masters. 24-08-2012 Dawn Pakistan clinch tri-nation series: Pakistan Women won the Tri-Nation Women's One-day Series by defeating Bangladesh Women in their second match in Dublin, Ireland.
24-08-2012 The Washington Post Armstrong stripped of Tour wins, banned for life: The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said it was stripping Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banning him for life, dismantling one of the cycling's greatest careers. 26-08-2012 The Star Loeb wins Germany title: France's Sebastien Loeb won the Rally of Germany to claim his ninth win here in a decade with Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala second and Mikko Hirvonen finishing third.
26-08-2012 Times of India Ton-up Chand guides India to U-19 World Cup glory: Unmukt Chand became only the third batsman in history to score a century in an ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final as India defeated Australia by six wickets to win the U-19 World Cup. 26-08-2012 Bangkok Post Abraham is new world super middleweight champion: Germany's Arthur Abraham is the new world WBO super middleweight champion after his unanimous win over compatriot Robert Stieglitz. 27-08-2012 Global Post Lydia youngest LPGA winner at 15: New Zealand's Lydia Ko became the youngest champion in the history of the LPGA Tour to capture the Canadian Women's Open. 28-08-2012 Khaleej Times Amla pulverises England with another record knock: Hashim Amla inflicted another recordbreaking hundred upon England with a majestic innings of 150; the highest individual score in oneday matches between the two countries. 30-08-2012 The China Post Records tumble as China takes first gold: World records tumbled in the pool and on the cycling track, as the first day of competition on at the London Paralympics got under way and China won the Games' first gold medal. 30-08-2012 The Star Curtain falls on Clijsters career as Murray cruises: Kim Clijsters' illustrious singles career drew to an emotional close when the former world number one was knocked out of the second round of the US Open by Britain's Laura Robson.
02-09-2012 Sydney Morning Herald Geale wins split verdict to dethrone Sturm: IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale of Australia defeated Felix Sturm on a split decision to take the German`s WBA title in their unification bout. 03-09-2012 Dawn Pakistan bag silver in Asian Beach Netball: Pakistan netball team went down fighting against arch-rivals India 20-13 in an exciting final of the Asian Beach Netball Championship to earn a silver medal. 03-09-2012 Times of India Kohli, Dhoni guide India to series win: Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni bailed India out with an unbroken 96-run stand that took the hosts to a five wicket victory in the second and final Test for a clean sweep in the series against New Zealand. 03-09-2012 Gulf Daily News Dubai names Maradona as football ambassador: Argentinean football legend Diego Maradona, sacked in July as coach of Dubai's Al Wasl, has been appointed as Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai under a deal inked at a media conference. 04-09-2012 Dawn Maxwell, Hussey inspire Australia to ODI series win: Glenn Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 56 from 38 balls and Mike Hussey hit 65 as Australia beat Pakistan by three wickets in the deciding third match to clinch the One-day International series 2-1. 06-09-2012 Brisbane Times Cowdrey seizes historic 11th swim gold: Swimmer Matthew Cowdrey became Australia's most decorated Paralympian, smashing his own world record as the claimed an historic 11th gold medal. 08-09-2012 Dawn Pakistan hold nerve to beat Australia, win series: Pakistan held their nerve to win a thrilling Twenty20 International against Australia off the final ball of a super over after the match finished in a tie. 08-09-2012 The Guardian Hurdler Merritt sets world record as Bolt, Blake win easily: Olympic champion Aries Merrit of the United States broke the world record in the 110 metres hurdles while Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake won their sprints in the final Diamond League meet of the season. Merritt clocked 12.80 seconds, beating the mark of 12.87 set in 2008 by Cuban Dayron Robles, achieving a seasonlong obsession in his last race of 2012. 09-09-2012 Gulf Times Klitschko stops Charr to keep title: Ukraine's Vitaly Klitschko retained his WBC world heavyweight title when the referee stopped the contest against Manuel Charr in the fourth round after the German sustained a deep cut above his right eye. 09-09-2012 The Independent Pistorius shines as China make history: South Africa's Oscar Pistorius ran away from the field in a record-setting win in the men's 400 metres T44 final at the London Paralympics, giving him his first individual gold medal of the Games.
09-09-2012 The Armenian Observer Baku to host 2016 Chess Olympiad: Azerbaijan won the right to stage the 42nd edition of the Chess Olympiad in 2016 at the capital city of Baku, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced. 09-09-2012 Los Angeles Times Andre Ward retains titles in style: Andre Ward knocked down Chad Dawson three times before winning on a technical knockout in the 10th round to defend his WBC-WBA super middleweight titles to the delight of his hometown crowd. 09-09-2012 Herald Sun Griffin scores biggest golfing win of career: Australia's Matthew Griffin scored the biggest win of his professional career with a single stroke victory at the Charity High1 Resort Open in South Korea. 10-09-2012 The Guardian Paralympics close in spectacular style: Britain's spectacular summer of sport ended with the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. China finished top of the medal table, bagging 95 goals in their 231-medal haul with Russia (36 gold, 102 overall) and hosts Britain (34 gold, 120 overall) in second and third respectively. 10-09-2012 New York Times Armenia dethrone Russia at Istanbul: Armenia dethroned holders Russia to win the open event of the 40th World Chess Olympiad. 10-09-2012 San Francisco Chronicle Agassi inducted into Court of Champions: Andre Agassi reminisced about that first US Open trip 26 years ago, when he showed up rocking a spiky, fluffy, two-tone mullet. The two-time winner was inducted into the US Open Court of Champions at Arthur Ashe Stadium before the women's final.
10-09-2012 Washington Post Serena tames Azarenka in epic US Open final: Serena Williams beat number one Victoria Azarnka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in a dramatic US Open final to capture her 15th singles Grand Slam title. 10-09-2012 Boston Herald Shin wins Kingsmill Golf Championship: Jiyai Shin beat Paula Creamer with a par at the ninth hole of sudden-death, winning the Kingsmill Championship in the longest playoff involving two players in LPGA history.
Muhammad Usman Butt
The World has Achieved the First Target of the MDGs

With reference to the target of poverty alleviation set in the MDGs, Pakistan's performance is disappointing when viewed in the perspective of National Poverty Line, but it is an outstanding performance when seen in the context of International Poverty Line.
Poverty may be economic or in the form of the non-fulfilment of basic human rights. But in both cases, it receives its toll from humanity. For this very reason, 1.29 billion people are living in the developing countries, with the daily income of less than 1.25 US dollars, are the victims of deprivation, despair and despondency. Besides this, 1.59 billion people living in 106 countries of the world, are deprived of basic human facilities. International Day of Poverty Eradication is observed each year on October 17, for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the people who are afflicted with economic and multi-dimensional poverty. The importance of international efforts aimed at poverty alleviation can be imagined from the fact that eradication of extreme poverty and hunger was described as the first goal among the UN Millennium Development Goals. This target was to be achieved between 1990 and 2015. Leaders all over the world agreed that the people having the daily income of less than $1 should be regarded as those living below poverty line. For a few years, starting from 1990, the World Bank anchored absolute poverty line as $1 per day. This was revised in 1993and till 2005, absolute poverty was $1.08 a day for all countries on a purchasing power parity basis, after adjusting for inflation to the 1993 US dollar. In 2005, after extensive studies of cost of living across the world, the World Bank raised the measure for global poverty line to reflect the observed higher cost of living. Now, the
World Bank defines absolute poverty as living on US $1.25 (ppp) per day. In view of the severe energy crisis, precarious law and order situation, soaring prices and uncertain employment opportunities existing in Pakistan, are there any chances of its improvement in the global ranking with reference to poverty?
If the daily income of one US dollar is regarded as the yardstick of measuring poverty line, the target of alleviating this type of poverty, as mentioned in the Millennium Development Goals, was achieved in 2008, because in 1990, the ratio of people having the daily income of less than one US dollar was 30.8 per cent, which was reduced to 14 per cent by the year 2008. But now, as mentioned earlier, the definition of international poverty line has been revised and according to the new definition, people with the daily income of less than $1.25 are included in the list of those living below poverty line. If we consider the question of poverty alleviation in line with the revised definition, in a note issued by the Development Research Group of the World Bank in January 2012, it was reported that despite the global financial crisis, developing countries achieved the MDG 1 in 2010. As compared to 1990, the ratio of such poor people in the population has been reduced to half. It is a major achievement with reference to global efforts aimed at poverty alleviation. But the progress of developing countries at the individual level, tells a different story. For instance, in Pakistan, the national poverty line is the daily intake of 2350 calories. When measured by the standard of national poverty line, Pakistan's performance is disappointing with regard to poverty alleviation, but from the standard of international poverty line, its performance is excellent. According to the official statistics, in 1990-91, 26.1 per cent people of Pakistan were living below the national poverty line. In other words, they did not have the daily intake of 2350 calories. But in 2005-06, 22.3 per cent population of the country was living below the national poverty line. Under the Millennium Development Goals, the government aspires to bring down this number to 13 per cent by the year 2015. The question is that if in 15 years, we were able to reduce our poverty only by 3.8 per cent, how can we reduce it to 13 per cent in just 10 years time? But at the same time, if we keep in mind the international poverty line which is the daily income of $1.25, in 2005, Pakistan achieved the target set in the Millennium Development Goals regarding poverty alleviation. In 1991, 65 per cent people of Pakistan were living on less than $1.25 per day. But in 2005, this number was reduced to 23 per cent. By the year 2008, it was further reduced to 21 per cent. During that year, the number of people in Pakistan living on less than $1.25 was 35 million, but in 1991, it was 72 million.
Availability of employment opportunities, increase in income and reduction of prices are some of the challenges faced by the poverty alleviation efforts all over the world. In this connection, Pakistan is also under tremendous pressure. But in spite of that, as a result of poverty alleviation efforts, situation in Pakistan is better than that of several developing countries. According to the
statistics given in the World Bank's report known as World Development Indicators, issued in 2012, Pakistan stands at 76 with reference to national poverty line, in the 106 countries of the world, whose statistics are available. Among the south Asian countries, Sri Lanka is the only country where the ratio of the people living below national poverty line is less than that of Pakistan, while the situation of the remaining south Asian countries is even worse than that of Pakistan. With reference to the international poverty line, among the 124 countries of the world, whose statistics are available, Pakistan stands at 48. The ranking of other South Asian countries is as follows: Bangladesh 25th, India 26th and Nepal 42nd. It means that as compared to Pakistan, other south Asian countries have a higher per centage of poor population. But now, Pakistan faces such huge problems as precarious law and order situation, sky rocketing prices, severe energy crisis and uncertain employment opportunities. In the presence of such multiple factors, can Pakistan hope to improve its rating in the global ranking of countries with regard to poverty alleviation? This question is a bitter reality that confronts us now. The fact is that in view of the reduced economic activities in the country, the already meager resources have become even more limited; and even these extremely limited resources are increasingly difficult to be used in public welfare and development programmes on account of rampant corruption. As a natural consequence, basic human rights are not available to a large number of our people. For this very reason, almost half of the country's population is deprived of basic human rights, as shown in the multi-dimensional poverty index, prepared on the basis of the ten indicators of living standard, health and education. According to the UNDP's Human Development Report 2011, 49.4 per cent of Pakistan's population is facing multi-dimensional poverty. According to the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Index, prepared by the Oxford University's Department of International Development, 58.5 per cent people of Balochistan, 58.5 per cent people of KPK, 56 per cent people of Sindh and 43.8 per cent people of Punjab are confronted by multi-dimensional poverty. Besides this, 19.1 per cent people of Balochistan, 14.2 per cent people of KPK, 10.2 per cent people of Punjab and 9.3 per cent people of Sindh are vulnerable with reference to multidimensional poverty. The ratio of Pakistan's population which is further vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, is 11 per cent. Due to this reason, in the Human Development Index prepared by the UNDP, Pakistan stands at 145 among 187 countries of the world, with reference to human development. Pakistan's ranking is fifth among the eight south Asian countries with regard to human development. It is included in the list of those countries which are characterised by low human development. People all over the world, who are deprived of economic and basic human rights, are desirous of getting a better treatment from their people friendly governments and capitalists, so that, instead of leading a miserable and woeful life, they too may be able to lead a calm, comfortable and peaceful life. And this is the real objective of observing the international day of poverty alleviation. Muhammad Atif Sheikh
SECOND SOURCE OF SHARIAH SUNNAH/HADITH
Sunnah and hadith/traditions are technically same. There are three types of the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), i.e. Sunnat-ul-Qaol, Sunnat-ul-Fael, Sunnat-ul-Taqreer. Sunnat-ul-Qaol is comprised of the sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAWW).
Sunnat-ul-Fael consists of actions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and Sunnat-ul-Taqreer means/implies those actions that were performed by the companions in his presence and the Holy Prophet (SAWW) did not prohibit their performance. It was a kind of tacit approval. The second source of Islamic Jurisprudence or Shariah is the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Sunnah literally means way or path and technically it is comprised of sayings and actions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). The Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) are the primary sources of shariah whereas all the remaining sources of shariah such as Ijmaa/Consensus of Opinion, Qiyas/Analogical deduction, Istihsaan, Istidlaal etc. are the secondary sources of Islam because they are derived from the primary sources. The life of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) is the role model for all Muslims because it is the practical form and explanation of the Holy Quran. In this regard Allah Almighty declares in verse No. 21 of Surrah Ahzaab Chapter the Confederates, For you is the best example in the life of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Similarly, once the companions inquired from the mother of believers Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the life/character of Holy Prophet (SAWW); she replied, The life/character of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) is the Holy Quran. life/character of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) is the Holy Quran. Sunnah and hadith/traditions are technically same. There are three types of the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), i.e. Sunnat-ul-Qaol, Sunnat-ul-Fael, Sunnat-ul-Taqreer. Sunnat-ul-Qaol is comprised of the sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Sunnat-ul-Fael consists of actions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and Sunnat-ul-Taqreer means/implies those actions that were performed by the companions in his presence and the Holy Prophet (SAWW) did not prohibit their performance. It was a kind of tacit approval. The sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), i.e. his sayings and actions that are in reported form are known as hadith or traditions. There is another classification of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) which is on account of authenticity and is based upon the period of compilation. In this regard the period of compilation of traditions has been divided into three parts, i.e. the period of
Companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), the period of Successors, i.e. Tabeen and the period of Successors of Successors, i.e. Tab-e-Tabeen. On this basis there are three kinds of traditions:i. Continuous traditions ii. Well-known traditions iii. Isolated traditions Continuous traditions are those traditions which are reported in all the three periods of compilation by an indefinite number of narrators. These traditions are the most authentic and are having undisputed nature. Well-known traditions are those that are reported by a large number of narrators in two consecutive periods of compilation. In respect of authenticity these traditions are superior to the isolated ones but inferior to continuous traditions. Isolated traditions are those traditions that do not fulfil the requirements prescribed for the first two kinds of traditions such as those traditions which are reported in one period of compilation. Whenever the text of the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (SAWW), he would recite it in the assembly of Muslim men. Later, he would repeat the same text in the special assembly of women. There is an other kind of traditions which are known as Hadith-e-Qudsi that are comprised of those sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) which commence with the words 'Allah Almighty says'. An example of Hadith-e-Qudsi is Allah Almighty says each act of human beings is for them but fasting is for Me and I would give reward for it.
The difference between compilation of the Holy Quran and hadith is that the Holy Quran was compiled under the supervision of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and different methods for preserving the Holy Quran were taught by him to the companions under divine commandment; whereas, the compilation of the traditions was carried out by the companions on the basis of their personal endeavour. The compilation of the Holy Quran was carried out under the supervision of state whereas the compilation of hadith was not undertaken under official auspices and was the result of sincere and dedicated personal efforts of Companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Great care and attention were exercised in the compilation of the traditions. During the life time of Holy Prophet (SAWW), the Muslims did not feel the need for compiling the sunnah as he was himself present among them but soon after the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), need for collecting traditions was felt. Even during the life time of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) some companions had reduced to writing a number of traditions. In addition to it certain documents were written down under the directives of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) such as the Charter of Madina which is comprised of 52 articles. A number of such documents as well as letters of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) to different individuals and rulers are extant. Among the companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) important narrators of traditions were Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As,
Anas ibne Malik, Abu Hurayrah, Abdullah bin Umar, Abdullah bin Abbas, Jabbir bin Abdullah Ansari, Saad bin Malik, Abu Saeed Khudri and the mother of believers Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them) etc. Some of these companions had written down thousands of traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). Hundreds of traditions about household life of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) have been reported by Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) because she was a literate lady having impressive memory as well as knowledge of the Holy Quran and being the beloved spouse of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) she was having the closest relation with him. After the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), the companions used to inquire from her about sunnah/ways of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and religious issues especially about family matters. The task of compilation of traditions continued during the age of companions, successors of companions and successors of successors. In this context tremendous services were rendered during second and third century after Hijra. The founders of four Sunni Schools of Jurisprudence played an important role in the compilation of traditions. Imam Malik wrote the book Mota which contains 300 traditions. Imam Hanbal wrote the book Masnad which is a collection of about 30000 traditions. Under divine commandment, the Holy Prophet (SAWW) recited the whole of Holy Qur'an twice in front of companions during the last Ramadhan of his life in order to leave no room for mistakes in its text. The era of these four scholars of jurisprudence was followed by the era of scholars of traditions during which the six books of traditions were compiled. This important and hectic exercise was undertaken in the second half of the third century after Hijra. These six books are collectively known as Seha-e-Sitta that mean the six correct ones. The authors of these six books of traditions Seha-e-Sitta are Muhammad Abu Ismail al-Bukhari, Abu Hussain Muslim al-Nishapur, Abu Essa alTirmzi, Imam Abu Daud, Muhammad ibn Yazeed al-Maja, Abu Abdul Rehman al-Nisai. They devoted their lives and energies for collecting traditions and for verifying their authenticity and authority after applying strict tests. For example, Imam Bukhari who is the author of Sahih Bukhari collected a huge mass of about half a million traditions and after an hectic exercise he gave space to only 7563 traditions in his book on account of their authenticity. The traditions reported in Seha-e-Sitta and earlier books are based on rationality and correct narration of a statement. Each tradition is having a chain of narrators that culminates on the Holy Prophet (SAWW). For example, if Imam Bukhari says that he heard a tradition from his teacher Imam Hanbal which was heard by him from other narrators and that last narrator heard it from a companion of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), who heard it directly from Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW), then we are having the books of the intermediary narrators and we can easily check that tradition in those books which can verify the veracity of that tradition. The rationality of traditions implies that no tradition of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) is in contravention of a verse of the Holy Quran and rules of common sense/prudence. Without traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), Islam is incomplete and cannot be comprehended, as the Holy Quran gives us only the guidelines about basic tenets of Islam whereas the detail are expounded in the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). For example, the Holy Quran makes it obligatory upon the Muslims to establish salat/Service of worship but how salat has to be offered has not been elaborated in it and has been enunciated in the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (SAWW). The same is the case with other rituals and laws of Islam such as Zakat, Fasting, and Pilgrimage etc. Furthermore as the Holy Quran is the direct revelation of Almighty Allah, the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) are indirect form of revelation as the Almighty Allah says in verse No.3 and 4 of Surah Al-Najam/Chapter the Star, The Holy Prophet (SAWW) does not say any thing of his own. He says only those things that are revealed upon him. Atta ur Rehman Khilji
The Rumi of Kashmir Mia Muhammad Bakhsh

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh is one of those poets who enriched not only Punjabi language by contributing great pieces of literature, but also he added value to the world literature by writing Saif-ul-Mulook; an epic that has been inspiring millions since it was published for the first time.
In Punjab, he is sung with a peculiar folk style that complements his own idea Dudh ander jay khhand ralaayay, mittha honda doona. That is, his poetry is like sweet milk; and the sweetness is multiplied when stirred in the sugar of style. Mian Muhammd Bakhsh, was born in 1830, in Kharri-sharif, situated near Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. It had been a hard task for researchers to find out his original date of birth. They do not find his date of birth in books, journals or in any hand written material of that period. However, most of the researchers agree that it must be sometime around 1830. The only resource for getting his right date of birth is in his few couplets from his Mathnavi Safar-ul-eshq, famously known as Saif-ul-Mulook. sunn muqadass Hijri dassan, baraaN tay satt dahaay, Satt utay do hor Muhammad apar oss theeN aahay, Umar musannaf dee tad-aahi, tinn daahay, tinn yakkay. Pehn vaddi farmaandi eho, pattay Rabbay nooN pakkay He says: It was the Islamic month of Hijrah and the year was 1279, my elder sister told me that I was 33 when I completed the epic Saif-ul-Mulook; however the realty rests with Allah. HIS EARLY EDUCATION: Mian Shamas-ud-Din, father of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, was a successor saint of Peera-ShahGhazi, known as Damrri Waalay. He was a Sufi and a scholar too. He sent his sons (Mian Bahawal Bakhsh, the elder brother of the poet and Mian Muhammad bakhsh to Sammawal Sharif at the
Dargaah of Hafiz Muhammad Ali for his early education. He studied religious sciences, Hadith, Fiqqah, Logic and Literature. It is said that from his childhood, he used to get inspired by nature, music and literature. One day when he, along with his elder brother, was singing Zulaykhaa by Jami, there was a Sufi saint Hafiz Nasir who was sitting around, upon listening to the captivating singing of the duo, he could not help appreciating. He called them in and asked to sing Zulaykhaa again. They sang it for him and came back. After few days Hafiz Nasir called them in and requested to sing the same yet again, but this time Mian Muhammad Bakhsh put forth a condition; he said, we would sing it for you, but you would have to pray for us to attain the Knowledge. Nasir said, guaranteed! HIS POETIC BEING: Mian Muhammad Bakhsh was a genuine artist. His soul was a poem. Poetry danced in his veins as blood. He used to write letters to his friends in couplets, poems, long poems in his childhood and in youth. His skills in language spanned from Persian to Urdu and from Punjabi to Arabic. HIS PENNED WORKS: Mian Muhammad bakhash penned a number of books. Tragically, most of them are not available to us anymore. However, we come to know of his works through the list Mian Muhammad Bakhsh provided at the end of his epic Qissa-e-Mirza Saahiban. The list is: 1) See-harrfi. 2) BaraaN-Maah. 3) Sohni-MahiNwaal. 4) Tohfa-e-Meeran. 5) Qissa Sheikh Sinaan. 6) Nayrang-e-Ishq. 7) Qissah Shah Mansoor. 8) Sheereen Farhaad. 9) Tohfa-e-Rasooliya. 10) Sakhi Khawas Khan. 11) Mirza Saahibaan. 12) Qissa Sassi-Punnhu. 13) Hidayat-ul-Muslemeen. 14) Punj-Ganj. 15) Tazkra-e-Muqimee. 16) Heer Ranjha. 17) Safar-ul-Ishq(Saif-ul-Mulook) 18) A commentary on the Arabic classic Qaseeda Burda Shareef by Al-Busiri. 19) Gulzar-e-Faqr.
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh left extensive works but his Mathnavi Safar-ul-Ishq guarantees him an ever-lasting fame. Saif ul Mulook is sung by the folk singers and pop singers with zeal and zest. The captivating poetry of the epic enthralls the audience wherever and whenever it is recited. There is hardly any shrine in the Punjab where the epic is not sung to the visitors. Looking at the popularity of and the love of people for Saif ul Mulook, it seems that the Almighty has granted his plea: Baal chiraagh ishaq da, mera roshan karday seena..Dill day divaay dee rushnaaee, jaaway vich zameena. That is, O Lord! Kindle the lamp of Ishq (real love) and enlighten my heart, let the light of my heart spread all over the earth. On the 7th of zilhajj 1324AH (1907AD) our original and inspirational poet breathed his last. He was buried in Kharri Sharif, next to the mausoleum of his grandfather Damrri wali Sarkar. Bushra Sheereen
Cricket Inc.
SHANE WARNE'S PREDICTIONS & LALIT MODI'S BUSINESS MODEL
This article was sent to the press even before the quarter-finals hadn't been played yet. And the champion would have clinched the trophy by the time you'd be reading these lines. Going through these so-called predictions shall be, therefore, more meaningful for our readers. No genuine and professional cricketer can really buy this T-20 is an anyone's game argument. They prepare for every moment. They have come to the conclusion that two good partnerships take them to a respectable total and to have that respectable total, they need to play six productive overs on the loss of 2 wickets. They need to keep the board moving with a positive approach for rest of the match. And while bowling, slow-deliveries and following-the-basics do well for them. It is a safe game plan which can always be revised to counter an abnormal situation. They always have different contingency plans for the unfavorable situations. However the business plan talks differently There was a series of upsets before the start of the fourth T20 World Cup. Pakistan had never won any match against India in any of world cup contests but did manage to win the warm-up match. Ireland, a minnow of the cricket world beat a Test side (Bangladesh); and England, a team of allrounders, won the game against a team of specialists, Australia. These results actually broadcast a message to the spectators that they should finish their pending tasks before the world cup and should get ready for the exciting and nail-biting matches of a fast-forward version of modern cricket, T20. Interestingly, these upsets helped me recall Shane Warne and Lalit Modi's tweets which indicate as to how this world cup tournament will go. For instance, Warne tweeted on the 16th instant, Cricket followers! my four semi-finalists for 20/20 world cup: India, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka. Who do you guys think will be final 4? Was it merely a prediction or something beyond a prediction as he did about England-India match in ODI World Cup 2011 when he tweeted, My predictionA tie. This prediction turned out to be the accurate one and stunned the entire world. Shane Warne is not the Paul Octopus but he likes to predict and is famous for his predictions too. He has paid for his predictions in India though when he and Mark Waugh predicted about the pitch behaviour before a match. That forecast was not made public then. Information was shared with a bookie actually which was leaked, investigated and brought to justice later on. Since then, Warne has become a future-telling machine which predicts after keeping all the probabilities in mind, i.e. strengths and weaknesses of the teams, weather and pitches' conditions, spectators' influence on the game, bookies' interests and above all, the business models. If you take Warne's predictions as merely predictions, please revisit your stance. You will have to inculcate an acute business sense before analysing the tweets of Shane Warne and a gentleman from Gujarat we know as Lalit Moodi. For making the point easily comprehensible, let's divide cricket into two eraspre-IPL era and post-IPL era. Pre-IPL era shall be remembered as a witness of cricket flourishing as sport. Whereas, the post-IPL era as truly an entity of business. To get to the core, you need to observe as to which business model suits the most to attract customers and the stakeholders. Just have a glance at Lalit K Modi's tweet on unpredictable matches of IPL-5. He said, But we can't say really what is tough and what is
easy in IPL! Yeh IPL hay boss!!! Anything can happen!! (just feel the intensity of this 'anything') This unpredictability has become the USP (Unique Selling Point) of the business we call the modern cricket. And the business model that is in practice and that earns millions of dollars for the investors is: ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND THE STAKEHOLDERS VIA UNPREDICTABILITY. Frequency of unpredictable matches was never this much high until the IPL was introduced. The phrase You cannot say anything about results in T20 as it is anyone's game has attained the status of the universal truth. Spectators, cricketers and organisers, everyone talks of the unpredictable side of the matches which keeps them glued until the match is over. Ironically, for a keen spectator with an insight mentioned above, this unpredictability is an easily predictable phenomenon of the modern day cricket, especially the T20s. This unpredictability has become the USP (Unique Selling Point) of the business we call the modern cricket. And the business model that is in practice and that earns millions of dollars for the investors is: ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND THE STAKEHOLDERS VIA UNPREDICTABILITY. Under the flag of Unpredictable Anything can happenand anything means literally, ANYTHING This 'unpredictable' aspect of the teams raises a question; can thought process of a professional cricketer and a spectator be the same? No genuine and professional cricketer can really buy this T20 is an anyone's game argument. They prepare for every moment. They have come to the conclusion that two good partnerships take them to a respectable total and to have that respectable total, they need to play six productive overs on the loss of 2 wickets. They need to keep the board moving with a positive approach for rest of the match. And while bowling, slow deliveries and following the basics do well for them. It is a safe game plan which can always be revised to counter an abnormal situation. They always have different contingency plans for different situations. However, the business plan talks differently. Modi's first tweet, Anything can happen says all about the unpredictable side of the south Asian cricket. However, more from him will guide more about successful business plans of cricket; when he talks about IPL-6, he tweets;
True test of BCCI/IPL management will be if they are able to garner the revenue as per business plan As per business plan - all sponsor contracts need to deliver double the value to stakeholders IPL management should wake up and ensure it is able to bring the confidence back with the sponsors. They need to at minimum double the value
World Cup business plan looks nearer to the one which was used in IPL-5. That business plan was all about having nail-biting matches, unpredictable results, new heroes and executing a tournament that ensures a win-win situation for all the stakeholders. Fourth T20 World Cup and IPL-5 have few similarities such as: It is being played at a land which is influenced by the Indian corporate sector, Indian board and Indian media. Cricket in south Asia usually means cricket in India or with the help of India. Sri Lankan Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League were not possible without the involvement of the Indian businessmen and the Indian Board. IPL-5 model is the most successful business model where you have lots of nail-biting matches and unpredictable results. To understand this plan, just recall IPL-5 and World cup matches held in India last year Such results attract millions of spectators and hundreds of stakeholders and the bookies who influence cricket at this side of the globe directly or indirectly. Unexpected results do not mean that the entire tournament or matches were scripted but the question is why Anything can happen at this side of the globe? Is it just about the game or the stakeholders, or the spectators' interest or about the external powers which make sure that nothing goes according to the expectations? This expecting the unexpected philosophy surly generates better revenue and keeps the options open for everyone, however what surprises me is the fact that it never forgets to ensure a berth for one team in final four of the tournaments played at south Asia. Warne's final four are India, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka but my final four are Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa. I rate Australia and South Africa higher than India and West Indies because of their match-winner bowler squad. Any team can win a low-scoring match if it has strikers. Pakistan and Sri Lanka also have match winners but India has always been struggling with their bowling and the West Indies are also depending on Gayle more than anyone else. Imran Khan, Ian Chappell and Adam Gilchrist agree that not batsmen, but the bowlers win the matches for a team. The batsmen only complement the bowlers' hard work. One lethal spell of a match-winner can change the results. Surprisingly, the IPL business model is based on batting which attracts customers and stakeholders more than any other model. Reason? Simple! The probabilities with a bowler for a ball bowled are far lesser than those with the batsmen can dot a ball, score a single, double, triple, hit a four, hit a six etc. The number of runs scored is in hundreds, whereas, wicket fallen are 10 at most. Apparently, it is the very successful model which was used in World Cup 2011. If India sneezes, the whole world catches a cold, said Geoffrey Boycott. I believe, entire modern cricket especially which is played in South Asia revolves around India. My final fours are those who play competitive cricket at any soil and in whatever conditions. However, Warnes final four, I am afraid, shall prove to the real ones, for he knows the businessstained dynamics of the modern cricket better than I do. To prevent the cricketing world from catching a cold, I will also go with the first names from Warnes prediction, regardless of the fact that they play without match-winning bowlers. Ahmad Fuad
Asthma Interesting Facts And Recent Trends

There are certain myths associated with the disease, like, it is a psychological disorder and the sufferer can produce the attack in order to gain attention. Asthma could be caught from the person who is suffering from it. The patient taking treatment of asthma becomes an addict of the medication and many others. All of these are just myths with no logical basis...
The condition is known to exist since ancient times. The Egyptian Papyruses are found to contain the written prescription of heating and inhaling some herbal mixtures as treatment of it. The term Asthma is derived from Greek word aazein meaning panting, i.e. rapid shallow breathing; a characteristic feature of asthma. There are certain myths associated with the disease, like, it is a psychological disorder and the sufferer can produce the attack in order to gain attention. Asthma could be caught from the person who is suffering from it. The patient taking treatment of asthma becomes an addict of the medication and many others. All of these are just myths with no logical basis. From past to present in different phases of understanding by clinicians, the disease, on one hand has been tried to be treated with anti depressants and with owl's blood mixed with wine, on the other. But ultimately found to be an inflammatory disease of airways resulting in chest tightness, a wheeze or whistling sound with breathing and coughing. These symptoms appear when the susceptible persons are exposed to certain trigger factors. Most commonly these triggers are present in the form of allergens in air pollutants, dust mites, pollen, pets, synthetic carpets, curtains, and certain processed foods. As a result of hypersensitivity to these allergens immune cells present in lining of airways, secrete excessive secretions hence the airways become swollen and narrowed. The tightening of small muscles around airways also contributes in narrowing the passages. As a result, breathing becomes difficult specially exhaling. Around 235 million people worldwide are suffering from asthma and about 255,000 die of it annually. Asthma had once been a disorder of upper class and was common in the developed world. During the last few years, asthma has taken the form of almost an epidemic in lower middle class
belonging to developing countries of Third World. In Pakistan nearly two million people are suffering from the disease of which 20 to 30 per cent are children. This number has been estimated to rise five per cent annually. The number of new cases and the yearly rate of hospitalisation for asthma has increased up to 30% over the past 20 years. Even with advances in treatment, asthma deaths among young people have more that doubled. In Pakistan nearly two million people are suffering from the disease of which 20 to 30 per cent are children. This number has been estimated to rise five per cent annually. There are certain aspects of the modern environment that are acting as contributing factors for the rise in prevalence worldwide. This includes Industrialisation resulting in increased air pollution. Excessive use of processed foods which contains chemicals (allergens) as preservatives. Centrally heated and double-glazed houses (ideal breeding grounds for house dust mites). Use of synthetic materials in carpets, curtains, brushes and brooms, etc. Though asthma like other allergic tendencies are inherited and tends to run in families yet the rise in occurrence of asthma specially in children is reported to be associated with certain risk factors like Exposure to allergens during pregnancy (for example from foods in the mother's diet) that may sensitise the unborn baby's immune system. Low vitamins E, C and A intake during pregnancy is likely to be associated with development of asthma in the baby born by the age of five with poor lung function. Infections such as colds during early life that cripple the baby's immune system. Being born at a time of year when the pollen count is high. Being exposed to cigarette smoke in the uterus or early life - babies whose mothers smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma. Keeping the increasing load of the disease and the abovementioned observations regarding the association of certain risk factors with development of asthma in view, the scientists are searching for better and more effective ways to treat rather prevent asthma in addition to the routine treatment options like inhalers (bronchodilators) etc. In this regard one is to determine the genes involved in asthma that may eventually lead to a cure. An interesting research is being conducted in UK. That is, the scientists have made "super-soups" by judicious tweaking of ingredients for expecting mothers. These super soups are made from natural resources and are rich in certain elements whose association is observed in less development of asthma. These super nutritious soups will be given to expecting mothers three times a week and the results would be recorded in the new borns accordingly. Lets see how well the experiment works. We might then get an easy and effective way of preventing asthma. The writer is the assistant professor of Anatomy at King Edward Medical University. She can be contacted as: ________ Dr Mah Jabeen Muneera
Austerity Measures Don't Work for Individuals, Businesses, or Governments

There is a popular belief that reducing spending will solve all of our state's financial problems. People who hold this belief obviously haven't thought through the statement very carefully.
Let's consider a few simple examples so that everyone can understand what the problem with austerity measures is. Suppose that a middle-aged person has enjoyed a prosperous career with a competitive middleincome salary and good benefits. One day, his boss lays him off. Despite his best efforts to find a job, he remains unemployed for quite a while. The nest-egg he had saved for retirement is gone. He has nothing left but the bills keep coming in. The worst bit of advice one could give him is to cut back on your expenses. He probably has cut back on all expenses, leaving just food and shelter costs to carry on. Cutting back on expenses can only do so much for the individual before other measures have to be implemented to improve one's financial position. Businesses are no different than individuals on this count. When a business is failing to connect with customers, two things are usually to blame (1) overspending or (2) the product/service offered is not good. Failing businesses typically believe that overspending is causing the business failure. So, businesses cut back on spending. The trouble is that it's likely that the business is not overspending but that the product or service offered is poor when it is compared with its competition. Business owners rarely think of this as the root cause of the business failure because they're delusional. Business owner thinks, Well, I like my product/service and other people are just like me, so others like my product/service. It's hard for business owners to find out that their
product/service is not at par with current standards. Again, as with individuals, for businesses to succeed it is not enough to cut back spending. Other measures must be implemented for the business to prosper. If austerity measures don't work for individuals and they don't work for businesses, why in the world would we think they should work for governments? To some people's minds, governments ought to be run like businesses, and they believe that those most qualified to run for office are former business owners, investors, etc. So no part of this argument should be anything new to these highly qualified individuals. They should know that cutting funding for educational opportunities or cutting funding for transportation projects is not going to solve the financial crisis. Given what is mentioned above about the failure of cutting spending for businesses and individuals to succeed, the same should apply to governments. It is incumbent upon politicians to find new and innovative ways of improving the products of government and the services it provides to citizens. If the government fails to do this, then all the spending cuts in the world wouldn't solve the financial crisis. Don't take whatever is said to be correct. Listen to what others have said. For example, people like Warren Buffett (whos quite wealthy) suggest that it is in dire economic times when one ought to risk investing. Investing when stocks are priced low and when real estate is priced lower than it has been, etc., will likely result in ones eventually making some money. Nabeel Niaz
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