Proud to be a Pakistani !

[Pracs]

<b>Pakistan's Historical Time line</b>

1. Indus Valley Civilization 3000-1500 B.C. i.e. about 1500 yrs. Independent, separate from India.

2. Aryan period 1500-522 B.C. i.e. about 978 yrs. Independent, separate from India.

3. Small semi-independent states 522-326 B.C. i.e. about 196 yrs. Under the suzerainty of Iran's Kayani (Achaemenian) Empire.

4. Conquered by Alexander and remained under his successor 326-300 B.C. i.e. about 26 yrs. Under Greek rulers, not part of India.

5. Province of Mauryan Empire which included Afghanistan 300-200 B.C. i.e. about 100 yrs. Part of India, mostly Buddhist rule.

6. Graeco-Bactrian period 200-100 B.C. i.e. about 100 yrs. Independent, not part of India.

7. Saka-Parthian period 100 B.C.- 70 A.D. i.e. about 170 yrs. Independent, separate from India.

8. Kushan rule (1st phase) 70-250 A.D. i.e. about 180 yrs. Pakistan-based kingdom ruled over major portion of north India.

9. Kushan rule (2nd phase) 250-450 A.D. i.e. about 200 yrs. Independent, separate from India.

10. White Huns and allied tribes (1st phase) 450-650 A.D. i.e. about 200 yrs. Pakistan-based kingdoms ruled over parts of north India.

11. White Huns (2nd phase--- mixed with other races) 650-1010 A.D. i.e. about 360 yrs. Independent Rajput-Brahmin Kingdoms, not part of India.

12. Ghaznavids 1010-1187 A.D. i.e. 177 yrs. Part of Ghaznavid empire, separate from India.

13. Ghorid and Qubacha periods 1187-1227 A.D. i.e. about 40 yrs. Independent, not part of India.

14. Muslim period (Slave dynasty, Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Syeds, Lodhis, Suris and Mughals) 1227-1739 A.D. i.e. about 512 yrs. Under north India based MUSLIM govts.

15. Nadir Shah and Abdali periods 1739-1800 A.D. i.e. about 61 yrs. Iranian and Afghan suzerainty, not part of India.

16. Sikh rule (in Punjab, NWFP and Kashmir), Talpur rule in Sind, Khanate of Kalat in Baluchistan 1800-1848 A.D. i.e. about 48 yrs. Independent states, not part of India.

17. British rule 1848-1947 A.D. i.e. about 99 yrs (1843-1947 in Sind). Part of India under FOREIGN rule.

18. Muslim rule under the nomenclature of Pakistan 1947-present. Independent, not part of India.

The above table reveals that during the 5000 years of Pakistan's known history, this country was part of India for a total period of 711 yrs of which 512 yrs were covered by the MUSLIM period and about 100 years each by the Mauryan (mostly BUDDHIST) and British (CHRISTIAN) periods. Can anybody agree with the Indian 'claim' that Pakistan was part of India and that partition was unnatural? It hardly needs much intelligence to understand that Pakistan always had her back towards India and face towards the countries on her west. This is true both commercially and culturally.

http//www.pakhistory.com/pakh/pakhistorictimeline.php

Source 'Historical Background of Pakistan and its People', is written by Ahmed Abdulla and edited by K. Hasan.

© Copyright by PakHistory.com

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"Failure is a word unknown to me" - M A Jinnah

[sajjad_dar2000]

Can I ask you (forum member) that what can make us proud of being Pakistani????...yes we proud to be Pakistani because WE ARE PAKISTANI apart from this there is nothing to be proud of being Pakistani.

[Pracs]

Sajjad, 9 pages of 'factual records'do not seem to convince you ?? I am sure you would have a different opinion had you been a citizen of a country-less nation - like 'Palestine' or some Banana republic like Brundi or Costa Rica. Think about it.

Its very easy to just ridicule your country, which I am afraid comes easily to us Pakistanis. I hope you go about to make a mark on this world and make us all proud,. least of all make you proud to be a Pakistani..!!

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"Failure is a word unknown to me" - M A Jinnah

[Pracs]

<b>A Conversation with Bilquis Edhi
by Faisal Abdulla</b>

Bilquis Edhi is a humanitarian and a social worker. She has been working with the Edhi Foundation since the early 60's. Edhi Foundation which was started by Abdual Sattar Edhi with the mission to provide aid to Pakistan's poor and down-trodden has become Pakistan's major relief organization under the leadership of the husband and wife team of Adbul Sattar and Bilquis Edhi. Today, in addition to services provided in Pakistan, Edhi foundation is a major resource for assisting victims of disaster internationally... more on Bilquis Edhi.

To read more visit

http//www.jazbah.org/intbilquis.php

[Pracs]

<b>‘Fastest Pakistani on Four Wheels’ </b>

In November 2005, LondonPakistani.com had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Pakistan’s newest driving sensation, Adam Khan. Adam is the principle driver for Team Pakistan in motorsport’s most recent development, the A1 Grand PrixTM.

Read our interview with Adam at one of London’s most beautiful and historical landmarks, Somerset House by Embankment

http//www.londonpakistani.com/adam_khan.asp

[Pracs]

<b>Khan signs multi-million pound Reebok deal </b>

Amir Khan has signed a multi-million pound deal with Reebok becoming the first ever boxer to work with the sportswear company.

Khan follows in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs and tennis star Amelie Mauresmo as the new face of the sportswear firm's 'I Am What I Am' advertising campaign.

Watch the video of Amir Khan's RBK Advert - Click Here

"This is an amazing thing for me; I used to look up to sports stars such as Imran Khan and now it's going to be me on the billboard," said Khan.

"I'm giving Asian kids out there a path to follow. This has given me a real boost in my quest to be world champion and I look forward to promoting boxing with Reebok in the UK and beyond."

The 19-year-old's deal will begin in time for his seventh professional fight, scheduled for the Braehead Arena, Glasgow, for March 25.

http//www.amirsfans.co.uk/news.php?id=24

[Azeem Shah Khan]

Posting this link in extreme distress.

http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4964934.stm

Regards

Azeem

[Pracs]

ASK nothing personal, just my thoughts on the above

I would'nt give it a second thought, it is just another report by another US Think Tank, tinkering their obvious and non obvious interests. I am not denying the fact that we do not have our share of problems and issues,, which any third world country has.. but I refuse to actually make any sense of this report where we are bunched alond with the likes of Ivory coast and Sudan !! Nigeria which went on a major ethnic mahem just last year is better placed than us ??? what about Columbia and places like Ethiopia !! and Afghanistan is one place up (Where the writ of the govt. ends with the boundary of Kabul), Sieral Leonne is 17, a country that has been in civil war ever since it came into being.. its got UN Troops to help it function,, of all Pakistani troops; Nepal is at 20.. yet the Royal house of Nepal is on its knees with the Maoist Rebels,.. the whole contry is in rebellious fit, I could go o but give me a break.

I am not being overtly patriotic but lets just be reasonable... just because an earthquake hits us we are down 23 places !!

How would India fair then, with insurgencies in Kashmir, Nagaland, Bihar and another three places.. How about Spain with the ETA ?? How about the US with this looming threat of terrorism !!

Think tanks such as these have been calling us a failed state since day one !! and this is the first time I have heard its name. I guess the first one to do that was none other than Nehru.. but we are here for 60 plus years and we do have achievements and Inshallah we will be here for times to come.

Pakistan Forever !!

[Pracs]

I am not exactly an ardent fan of Musharaf, but just for the record. TIME magazine has put his as one of the 100 people who shape our world !

http//www.time.com/time/2006/time100/?cnn=yes

[Pracs]

<b>Pakistan-born Muslim becomes British Navy's first non-white admiral
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE</b>

http//www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_005609.php

Fri, 14 Apr 2006, 0026

LONDON The Royal Navy has appointed its first non-white admiral, Pakistan-born Muslim immigrant Amjad Hussain, a British newspaper said Friday.

Rear Admiral Hussain, 47, is the highest-ranking ethnic officer among the 200,000 personnel of the British armed forces, The Sun said.

"I count myself very lucky to live in a country where the opportunities have been beyond my imagination," said Hussain, who moved to Britain from northern Pakistan with his mother in 1962.

He showed Diana, the princess of Wales around his frigate HMS Cornwall in 1989 and escorted Queen Elizabeth II on the Antarctic patrol vessel HMS Endurance as she reviewed the fleet off the southern English coast in June.

"Like most people I've just got on with my job. I would hate to think anybody would get promoted because of their ethnic origin," the father of three told The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling daily.

"Occasionally you used to get the odd stupid bout of name-calling but that was more in the early days.

"But it never affected me, or made any difference to my job really. When people got to know me, all pre-conceptions disappeared."

Rear Admiral is the fourth-highest rank possible in the Royal Navy, equivalent to a major-general in the Army or an Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force.

[Pracs]

On the Foreign Policy failed states index,.. just been browsing their site and lo and behold,, who among the obvious are on its editorial staff,,, an Indian !! Dear members, wherever there is slander against our beloved country we have an Indian behind the scene to 'catalyse' the whole thing, I have seen it in the press, on social foras. I have many Indian friends (whilst my time in Dubai and UK) and though they are all very chummy and friends on personal basis, they have still not accepted our status as a soverign nation.

So ASK and other members, although there is concern on the things back home and the plight of the nation in general, and that we need to do all that is in our power to mend things, there is no reason at all to be ashamed, apalled or distressed about Pakistan. Proud to be a Pakistani.

http//www.foreignpolicy.com/aboutfp/staff.php

[Pracs]

<b>The World's smallest media player by Abdul Ghani</b>

http//www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/interactivity/blog/story/2005/06/050604_mypage_media_player.shtml

Please watch this space for an English Translation soon !

[Pracs]

<i><b>I know the Earthquake is now stale news for most of us, but this piece really moved me, I am sure it will make a dent on to some of you as well</b></i>

<b>Thursday, October 27
Pieces Come Together -- A Nation Stands So Strong .. </b>

http//minigma.blogspot.com/2005/10/pieces-come-together-nation-stands-so.html


An honest confession -- I dont visit Metroblogging Karachi everyday. But im there once in a while. The specific post that im going to mention here, was missed by me, but caught by a friend of mine -- and she recommended that I should read it.

No words can explain how emotional it was -- I had tears in my eyes while I wasnt even finished reading it.
I was so overwhelmed -- so proud that I had never been before about anything. It's the pride that I take in being a Pakistani -- A Pakistani-Canadian rather. Not only the Pakistani community, not only the Indian community, but hundreds and thousands of people here in Canada -- from all around the globe -- showed a great concern, helped -- not only financially, but emotionally as well. People at my work -- every single one of them shared the pain, hoped for the best, and wished Pakistanis all the best. Pakistanis from all over the globe have come together, and proved that no matter what -- A heart of a true Pakistani will beat for Pakistan until the last beat. We've come together, and we will Insha'Allah build the nation so strong -- so strong that the nations will praise the Pakistani nation for the years to come.

I had been watching the earthquake coverages on TV all along, but nothing was as emotional as reading this specific post. Read on.
SourceMetroblogging Karachi >> Eyewitness Account From Muzafarabad

<i>Salaam Alikum, We are back from Azad Kashmir. It was a good trip - good in the sense that we came back with a feeling that a difference is being made - no matter how small there is slight progress. I had always wanted to see Neelam Valley and Kashmir quite appropriately dubbed a piece of heaven on earth by the British.

Unfortunately what I saw was the Death Valley. The past one week my faith in just about everything has been tested to its extreme. I did take some pictures that I am sending you - however I have kept them PG-13. Primarily out of respect for Allah, the dead, and the dying. Also I did not feel appropriate as I was afraid that the locals may think that their misery is a photo-opp for me. Muzafrabad is dead. There is no building standing in this capital city. The sole 2 buildings that survived will be brought down by the government in a day or two because they are unstable. Because it rained - I had seen blood flow out of crumbled buildings in a thick maroon paste as if the buildings themselves are bleeding. Something that aches the most all the children are dead. The classes started at 800 that fateful morning and those inside were all crushed. The smell of death plagues the city start to end. We had to walk a lot no matter were you go and what you do - you smell them and after a while it becomes a part of you. As I write this I can still smell it even though I have showered 3 times and tossed those clothes out. If anyone wants to see what the Judgment Day would look like I say take a trip to Muzafrabad. I have seen relatives not recognize each other. I have seen ground rejecting the dead - as there is no more room. I have seen aches, pains, and misery like no one can imagine. People walk the streets like zombies with fear and misery in their eyes. For three days following the earthquake there was no Azan or Namaz in the city - three days later the first Azan was given and people started screaming everywhere. There were sounds of Allah-O-Akbar and La’illaha every where. There sounds of screams, cries, and shouts. Everyone ran to streets some fell on the ground in sajood to pray (maybe) or just were over powered - that I do not know. Others cried and hit their heads. People hugged people and cried. In this past one week I have wanted to cry uncontrollably . . . but the people everywhere in Dheerkot, Bagh, Muzafrabad, and Balakot (and all other places too I am sure) expressed such metal in the wake of this crisis that they have kept themselves strong and all the out of towners as well. TODAY I AM PROUD TO BE A PAKISTANI I would give anything up but not this. This is what I saw Allah tested this nation by throwing world’s 4th largest earthquake at us and this nation stood-up saying Allah-o-Akbar. From Karachi to Muzafrabad there is an ocean of conveys taking aid - you can not imagine in your wildest imaginations how this nation has responded. People are virtually gambling on their lives to get aid through. When the ground shakes from quakes and after shocks Pakistanis hold hands and stand firm and say loudly Allah-O-Akbar, we came from you and to you we will return. When rocks the size of cars rain from mountains Pakistanis walk steadily saying Allah-O-Akbar, give us strength to walk. When mass graves are dug and tens of dead are lowered for eternity Pakistanis say - Allah-O-Akbar, forgive us even if we are not worthy of your mercy. When rubble is moved and dead bodies of innocent children are found I heard Pakistani mothers cry and people say “do not cry we do not understand His wisdom He is all knowing and all powerful” Today I am PROUD TO BE A PAKISTANI. Today we are a NATION tied together by one religion Islam. But things are not well. The destruction is huge 1/4th of Pakistan suffers. Medicines are needed, food stock is moderate to fare, tents and blankets are badly needed. We shall go again on Wednesday. We have found a good place to put up our camps in Muzafrabad. Those who have helped . . . I would say dig deeper.

Those who have not I would say please do not wait. Do what ever you can with whom ever you can. Here is basic info for you Muzafrabad the largest city in Kashmir was home to 500,000. 35,000 casualties, the rest 465,000 needs roughly 30KG of food / week which means - 14,000 tons of food has to be sent every week till the situation comes into control. The most a truck can take is 5 Tons and most trucks can only do 1.5 to 3 tons. Lifesaving medicines are urgently needed. I can not give you any estimate on their need.

Allah Hafiz</i>Abdurrahman

posted by Maria. I @ 1018 PM

9f0

[Pracs]

<b>Proud to be a Pakistani</b>
<i><b>By Saba Hamid</b></i>

http//www.newsline.com.pk/NewsAug2005/survey2005.htm

On August 14, all Pakistanis will take to the streets waving the national flag, dance to blaring jingoistic music and celebrate the birth of their nation. But what exactly are we celebrating?

Today, we are a nation that stands tall, but do we stand proud? What do we consider vital for Pakistan's progress? What would we change if we ruled the country? Which Pakistanis make us proud? Whom would we like to disown? Which are our proudest moments?

In this special August 14 survey, we ask fellow Pakistanis from all walks of life to share their opinions about our country. While some have answered candidly, others have chosen the path of discretion. Their responses are revealing. For example 64 per cent are proud to be Pakistani, while 22 per cent remain ambivalent and most cite the fall of East Pakistan as the nation's most degrading moment.

Our nation was formed with only the purest intentions, so what went wrong along the way?

Q1 Are you proud to be a Pakistani? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Q2 In your opinion, what were the highest and lowest points in Pakistan's history?
Q3 Which are the three Pakistanis you are proud of and three Pakistanis you are disappointed in?
Q4 You are President. Which three things would you change?

[Pracs]

<i><b>What some Pakistanis said</b></i>

<b>Rahimullah Yusufzai - Journalist </b>

A1 I am proud to be a Pakistani. No doubt there are occasions when one feels embarrassed to be a Pakistani, but one must not lose hope. Being an optimist, I believe that Pakistan could still live up to the expectations of its founders as well as its people. At 58, we are a young country. Hopefully, there is a long life ahead of us and we still have time to learn from our mistakes and do a better job of running this beautiful country. Pakistan's biggest asset is its hardworking people, who generally outperform others when they go abroad in search of a livelihood and are capable of delivering at home in the right conditions. To achieve progress, we have to put our own house in order and accept the rule of law. In the process, we would be on the way to regaining our sovereignty that has been taken away from us by the US. For that to happen we need sincere leadership, which regrettably has been in short supply in our unfortunate homeland.

A2 The highest points in Pakistan's history were the 1970 general elections, which was the only time that the country managed to hold free and fair general elections and the electorate gave a mature verdict without having to worry about engineered results. Not long afterwards, Pakistan experienced the lowest point in its history with the surrender of more than 90,000 of our soldiers to the Indian military in the then East Pakistan.

A3 Three Pakistanis who make me proud are Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam, Abdul Sattar Edhi and Imran Khan.

The three who raised my hopes and then caused me disappointment are

a) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who created political awareness among the have-nots and became a friend of the poor but soon returned to the company of his friends from the feudal and capitalist class.

b) Squash champion Jansher Khan, who was a great player but a spoilt young man.

c) Some of our journalist colleagues, who are known to everyone, for accepting political and diplomatic offices in dictatorial and non-representative governments.

A4 If by any chance I become the President, I would issue three executive orders

a) Order the armed forces back to the barracks. This is where they belong. By the same yardstick, I would see to it that everyone does his or her own job instead of interfering in things that don't concern them. As the Afghans say, "kar ahalkar la" (work according to one's profession), and that would be my guiding principle.

b) Immediately set up an independent and high-powered Election Commission in consultation with political parties, an above board accountability bureau with the authority to take action against serving and retired military and civil officers, judges, business people, media-persons and others, and merit-based public service commissions at the federal and provincial levels for hiring the best of the lot.

c) Order a raise in minimum wages, start a process of land reforms, and make the delivery of justice cheaper and quicker.

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<b>S.M. Zafar - Lawyer </b>

A1 Yes, I am proud to be a Pakistani. Having experienced Pakistan coming into existence in 1947, the then largest Muslim State, as a young man (when I was 17), I still retain the romance and vision of the Pakistan movement. When I compare Pakistan with most Muslim countries, and particularly those countries and people struggling for freedom like Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir, I do remain hopeful that the future will be ours. I have great faith in the democratic and egalitarian spirit of the people of Pakistan.

A2 Pakistan achieved its first highest point during Ayub's time, when it attained the highest rate of financial growth and international credibility regarding its development plan. Then Pakistan, which had adopted the five year development plan, was on par with upcoming economic giants like Japan and Korea. The second highest point was when Pakistan exploded the atomic bomb and became a de facto nuclear state in 1998. The third highest point is yet to be reached, when Pakistan will hold fair and free elections in the year 2007 (Inshallah).

The lowest point in our history was when a new political party known as the Republican Party was formed overnight in 1955 and all the Muslim Leaguers who were part of the Pakistan Movement became members of the new party. I treat it as the worst of horse-trading in politics. The second lowest point was when the armed forces of Pakistan surrendered on December 17, 1970 in Dhaka, and East Pakistan thereafter became Bangladesh.

The third lowest point in Pakistan's history was the day when I heard that Dr A. Q. Khan, the architect of Pakistan's nuclear capability, was detained on allegations of being involved in nuclear proliferation.

A3 I am proud of

a) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
b) Hakim Muhammad Saeed.
c) Noble Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam.
I am disappointed in

a) Governor General Ghulam Muhammad.
b) General Muhammad Yahya Khan.
c) Javed Iqbal, who murdered more than 100 children after sexually abusing them in Lahore.

A4
a) Reduce defence expenditure.
b) Increase the education budget.
c) Hold independent, fair and free elections and transfer power accordingly.

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<b>Samar Minallah -
Research anthropologist/ filmmaker </b>

A1 I am proud to be a Pakistani because deep inside I feel 'Pakistani'. No matter where I go, it is the Pakistani food, folk music, sense of humour and many other things that really touch me. It is time we understand that our culture, and us being 'different' from the rest of the world is actually our strength. Streaking our hair blonde will not conceal the fact that we remain Pakistanis to the core.

But I am certainly not proud of most Pakistanis who give a bad name and image to our country.

A2 The highest point in the history of Pakistan was the 1972 Islamic Summit Conference and the lowest point was the trial and hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

A3 The three Pakistanis that I am proud of are Abdul Sattar Edhi, Dr Abdus Salam, and Dr Maleeha Lodhi. The three Pakistanis who disappointed me the most are Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto again!

A4 If I were the President, I would

a) Change the words of the National Anthem (nobody understands them).


b) Provide public toilets for men, so that they are not obliged to relieve themselves on the roadside. (Bad for our project "Soft Image").


c) Ensure accountability for ALL in the country. (That includes the judiciary and the army).