About Our Pakistan

[prettygirl 0]

::+:: AbouT OuR PaKisTan ::+::

Official Name : Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Conventional short form:Pakistan

In reality, and verified by numerous sources, Pakistan is a composition of two words "PAK" and "ISTAN". PAK is a word of Persian and Urdu and it means "Holy/Pure/Clean" and "ISTAN" stands for "HOMELAND". Then the true meanings come to "Homeland of Holy People".

Father of the Nation : Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Independence Day : 14 August (1947)

Republic Day : 23 March (1940)

Head of State : Asif ali zardari

Prime Minister

Head of Government : Syed yousf razr galani

Capital : Islamabad

Area : Total: 803,940 sq km

Land: 778,720 sq km

Water: 25,220 sq km

Land boundaries : Total: 6,774 km

Border Countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km

Population : 135,135,195 (July 1998 est.)

National Language : Urdu

Official Lanaguage : English

National Flower : Jasmine

National Game : Hockey

National Bird : Chakor Partridge

National Currency : Pak Rupee; Rs. 1 = 100 Passa

[Emaad 56]

very Weldone prettyGirl

:yes:

[kamal 82]

Gr8 sharing Pretty Girl

[chinky 31]

Nice....Pretty

[Ramz 8]

vry Gud Preety girl NYC wrok.. EDIT UR POST AND add our national flag =)

Edited July 28, 2010 by Ramz

[SimpleRayyan 4]

nice sharing preety

[Amaya 3]

hmm..really nice to see this thread....

[shahabi 23]

ahan really informative post

keep it up pretty!!!

[prettygirl 0]

thanks all of u

[Ramz 8]

Provinces of Pakistan

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent State on 14 August 1947. It comprises four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier and Balochistan, besides the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Islamabad is the federal capital. Over 97 per cent of the country's population is Muslim.

Pakistan covers an area of 796,095 sq.km. lying between latitude 24 degree and 37 degree North and longitude 62 degree and 75 degree East. The country borders Iran on the West, while India in the east, Afghanistan in the north and north-west and the People's Republic of China in the north-west to north east.

Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and north- western high mountain ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months from April to September are very pleasant. The vast plains of the Indus Valley are extremely hot in summer and have cold weather in winter. The coastal strip in the South has a temperate climate. There is general deficiency in the rainfall. In the plains the annual average ranges from 13 cm. In the northern parts of the lower Indus plains to 89 cm. In the Himalayan region. Rains are monsoonal in origin and fall late in summer.

The years since independence have continued to be a period of discovery for Pakistan, as it realized the tremendous growth resources. These years have seen a steady rise in industrialization and modernization of the traditional agricultural sector. With the new economic liberalization, use of modern technology and ambitious export aspirations, Pakistan is poised to join the realm of the fastest developing industrialized countries of Asia.

There is an ever-increasing demand for quality in the international market, and young enterprising Pakistanis are eager to avail the extremely bright prospects for trade. Government incentives to exporters are a further encouragement to local entrepreneurs to explore new markets beyond the borders.

Four Provinces of Pakistan

• Punjab

• Sindh

• Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa

• Balochistan

[Ramz 8]

Punjab

Chief Minister Punjab

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif

Chief Minister Punjab as of

June 08, 2008

Governor Punjab

Mr. Salman Taseer

Governor of Punjab as of

May 15, 2008

HISTORY

The land of 5-rivers, population-wise the largest, and once known as the granary of east, the Punjab is the lifeline of Pakistan.

To the north of the Punjab is the NWFP (North West Frontier Province) and the Federal capital area of Islamabad. To the north east is the Azad Kashmir. To its east and south is India (Indian Punjab & Rajesthan). To the south west is the province of Sind. To the west is Baluchistan Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The province is predominantly on level plain. There are, however, some mountainous and hilly areas in the northwest and extreme southwest. There is also a plateau adjacent to the mountains known as the Potohar plateau and a desert belt in the south eastern part known as Cholistan.

All the major rivers of the country namely Indus, Jhelum, Chanab, Ravi, & Sutlaj flow through this province. They originate from the Himalayas and pass from north west to south west. They are primeval in nature and the volume of water increases in summer after monsoon rains, resulting sometimes in floods.

Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan. According to 1998 census, the population of the Province is 7,25,85,000. The population density is 353 persons per square kilometer as compared to the national figure of 164. It contains several major cities of the country: Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Gujranwala.

ECONOMY

Punjab economy is mainly agricultural, although industry makes a substantial contribution.

The province is playing a leading role in agricultural production. It contributes about 68% to annual food grain production in the country. 51 million acres is cultivated and another 9.05 million acres are lying as cultivable waste in different parts of the province.

Cotton and rice are important crops. They are the cash crops that contribute substantially to the national exchequer. Attaining self-sufficiency in agriculture has shifted the focus of the strategies towards small and medium farming, stress on barani areas, farms-to-market roads, electrification for tube-wells and control of water logging and salinity.

Punjab has also more than 48 thousand industrial units. The small and cottage industries are in abundance. There are 39,033 small and cottage industrial units. The number of textile units is 11,820. The ginning industries are 6,778. There are 6,355 units for processing of agricultural raw materials including food and feed industries.

Lahore and Gujranwala Divisions have the largest concentration of small light engineering units. The district of Sialkot excels in sports goods, surgical instruments and cutlery goods.

Punjab is also a mineral rich province with extensive mineral deposits of coal, rock-salt, dolomite, gypsum, silica-sand. The Punjab Mineral Development Corporation is running over a dozen economically viable projects.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Punjab has been the cradle of civilization since times immemorial. The ruins of Harappa show an advanced urban culture that flourished over 5000 years ago. Taxila, another historic landmark also stands out as a proof of the achievements of the area in learning, arts and crafts in bygone ages.

harrapa

The forts, palaces, gardens, mosques, mausoleums, are eloquent reminders of the great tradition in Muslim architecture. They remind of the glorious Muslim tradition in the area which bequeathed to the province a culture which is essentially Islamic in nature.

harrapa

The structure of a mosque is simple and it expresses openness. Calligraphic inscriptions from the Holy Quran decorate mosques and mausoleums. The inscriptions on bricks and tiles of the mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1320 AD) at Multan are outstanding specimens of architectural calligraphy. The earliest existing building in South Asia with enameled tile-work, is the tomb of Shah Yusuf Gardezi (1150 AD) at Multan. A specimen of the sixteenth century tile-work at Lahore is the tomb of Sheikh Musa Ahangar, with its brilliant blue dome. The tile-work of Emperor Shah Jahan?eign is of a richer and more elaborate nature. The pictured wall of Lahore Fort is the last line in the tile-work in the entire world.

PEOPLE OF PUNJAB

Because of its strategic location in the Indian sub-continent, wave after wave of migrants poured into the area and settled on its fertile lands and today, although originally belonging to the Aryan stock, the people of Punjab are descendants of the Iranians, Turks, Afghans and Arabs who came individually or in groups.

The people of Punjab ethnically belong to a pluralistic pattern of life. But they have a common identity. They have one common faith islam and they proudly share its glorious traditions in their thought and conduct. In their religious sensibility, in folklore, in regional and domestic culture and in their hopes and aspirations the people have a common identity.The dialects spoken in different regions of the land have a common vocabulary and a shared heritage. The people of Punjab have also a shared spiritual experience which has been disseminated by Tassawwaf and can be witnessed on the occasion of the remembrance-fairs held on the Urs of great Sufi Saints.

The people mutually share a living tradition of values. Their traditional hospitality and love for strangers is an obvious feature of their character and behaviour. They are loving people and know the courteous way of returning love to others.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF PUNJAB

The culture of Punjab derives its basis from the institution of sufi saints. The sufi saints spread Islam and preached and lived the Muslim way of life. People have the funs and festivities to commemorate these traditions. The fairs and festivals of Punjab reflect the entire gamut of its folk life and cultural traditions. These mainly fall in three categories consisting of (i) religious & seasonal fairs/festivals, (ii) devotional fairs or Urs and (iii) industrial and commercial fairs.

Religious fairs are held on special days of Islamic significance like Muharram, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Eid-ul-Fithr, Eid-ul-Azha and Shab-e-Brat. The main activities on these special occasions are confined to congregational prayers and rituals. Melas are also held to mark these occasions.

The fairs held at the shrines of Sufi saints are called Urs. They generally mark the death anniversary of the saint. On these occasions devotees assemble in large numbers and pay homage to the memory of the saint. Soul inspiring music is played and devotees dance in ecstasy. The music on these occasions is essentially folk and appealing. It forms a part of the folk music through mystic messages. The most important Urs are: Urs of Data Ganj Bukhsh at Lahore, Urs of Hazrat Mian Mir at Lahore, Urs of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar at Pakpattan, Urs of Hazrat Bahaudin Zakria at Multan, Urs of Sakhi Sarwar Sultan at Dera Ghazi Khan, Urs of Shah Hussain at Lahore, Urs of Hazrat Bullehe Shah at Kasur and Urs of Hazrat Imam Bari (Bari Shah Latif) at Rawalpindi-Islamabad.

A big fair is organized at Jandiala Sher Khan in district Sheikhupura on the Mausoleum of Syed Waris Shah who is the most loved Sufi poet of Punjab due to his work known as Heer Ranjha.

Exhibitions and Annual Horse Shows in all Districts and National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore are held with the official patronage. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the biggest festival where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held. It not only encourages and patronizes agricultural products and livestock through the exhibitions of agricultural products and cattle but is also a colorful documentary on the rich cultural heritage of the Province with its strong rural roots.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The crafts in the Punjab are of two types: the crafts produced in the rural areas and the royal crafts which flourished in the urban centers particularly in Lahore. The former include cotton textiles, basketry, embroidery etc. while the latter are tile and woodwork skills, ivory, silver and gold work, naqqashi and architectural crafts.

Hand knotted carpets of fine quality are made in Punjab since the Mughal period. Emperor Akbar in the 15th century established the first factory in Lahore. While carpets were made for the rich, rough rugs (known as namdas) were made by the common people for their own use. Lahore is the center of hand-made carpets.

Since ancient times the weavers of the region have produced colourful fabrics of silk and cotton. The hand-woven cotton cloth like khaddar of Kamalia, are popular. The cloth woven on handlooms is either block printed or beautifully embroidered. Multan is famous for beautiful hand-woven bed covers.

PUNJAB FOLKLORE

The folk heritage of the Punjab is the traditional urge of thousands of years of its history. While Urdu is the official language of the Province, there are a number of local dialects through which the people communicate. These include Punjabi, Pothohari, Seraiki, Jatki and Jangli. The songs, ballads, epics and romances are generally written and sung in these dialects.

There are a number of folk tales which are popular in different parts of Punjab. These are the folk tales of Mirza Sahiban, Saiful Maluk, Yousuf Zulaikhan, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahinwal, Dulla Bhatti, Poran Bhughat, and Sassi Punnu.

The mystic folk songs include the Kafees of Khwaja Farid in Seraiki, Punjabi and Shalooks by Baba Farid Shakar Ganj. They also include baits, dohras, loris, Sehra, and Jugni.

The most famous of the romantic love songs are Mayhiah and Dhamaal, Jhoomar, Bhangra and Luddi. Punjabi romantic dances include Giddha, Dhola and Summin.

PUNJAB MUSIC

Classical music forms are an important part of the cultural wealth of the Punjab. The Muslim musicians have contributed a large number of ragas to the repository of classical music.

Among the Punjabi poets, the names of Sultan Bahu, Bullehe Shah and Mian Muhammad Waris Shah and folk singers like Sain Marna and Tufail Niazi, Alam Lohar, Inyat Hussain Bhatti, Mamzoo Gha-lla, Akbar Jat, Arif Lohar and Hamid Ali Bela are well-known. In the composition of classical ragas, there are such masters as Malika-i-Mauseequi (Queen of the Music) Roshan Ara Begum, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Salamat Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.

For the popular taste, however, light music, particularly Ghazals and folk songs, which have an appeal of their own, the names of Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Nur Jehan, Malika Pukhraj , Farida Khanum and Roshen Ara Begum are well-known Folk songs and dances of the Punjab reflect a wide range of moods: the rains, sowing and harvesting seasons. Luddi, Jhoomer, Bhangrah and Sammin depict the joy of living. Love legends of Hir Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, Sohni Mahenwal and Saiful Muluk are sung in different styles

Edited August 6, 2010 by Ramz

[Ramz 8]

History of Sindh

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

The province of Sindh has been designated after the river Sindh (Indus) which literally created it and has been also its sole means of sustenance. However, the importance of the river and close phonetical resemblance in nomenclature would make one consider Sindhu as the probable origin of the name of Sindh. Later phonetical changes transformed Sindhu into Hindu in Pahlavi and into Hoddu in Hebrew. The Greeks (who conquered Sindh in 125 BC under the command of the Alexander the great) rendered it into Indos, hence modern Indus.

PREHISTORIC PERIOD

The Indus valley civilization is the farthest visible outpost of archeology in the abyss of prehistoric times. The areas constituting Pakistan have had a historical individuality of their own and Sindh is the most important among such areas. The prehistoric site of Kot Diji in Sindh has furnished information of high significance for the reconstruction of a connected story which pushes back the history of Pakistan by at least another 300 years, from about 2,500 BC. Evidence of a new element of pre-Harappan culture has been traced here. When the primitive village communities in Baluchistan were still struggling against a difficult highland environment, a highly cultured people were trying to assert themselves at Kot Diji one of the most developed urban civilization of the ancient world that flourished between the year 25,00 BC and 1,500 BC in the Indus valley sites of Moenjodaro and Harappa. The people were endowed with a high standard of art and craftsmanship and well-developed system of quasi-pictographic writing which despite ceaseless efforts still remains un-deciphered. The remarkable ruins of the beautifully planned Moenjodaro and Harappa towns, the brick buildings of the common people, roads, public-baths and the covered drainage system envisage the life of a community living happily in an organized manner.

EARLY HISTORY

The earliest authentic history of Sindh dates from the time when Alexander the Great abandoned his scheme of conquest towards the Ganges, alarmed at the discontent of his soldiers. He embarked a portion of the army in boats, floated them down the Jhelum and the Chenab, and marched the remainder on the banks of the river till he came to the Indus. There he constructed a fleet, which sailed along the coast towards the Persian Gulf with part of his forces, under the command of Nearchus and Ptolemy, whilst Alexander himself marched through Southern Baluchistan and Persia to Seistan or Susa. At that time Sindh was in the possession of the Hindus, the last of whose rulers was Raja Sahasi, whose race, as is reported by native historians, governed the kingdom for over two thousand years. The Persian monarchs were probably alluded to, for in the sixth century BC Sindh was invaded by them, They defeated and slew the monarch in a pitched battle and plundered the province and then left. Eight years after his accession to the Persian throne, Darius I, son of Hystaspes extended his authority as far as the Indus. This was about 513 BC.

The Arab conquest of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Qasim in 712 AD gave the Muslims a firm foothold on the sub-continent. The description of Hiun Tsang, a Chinese historian, leaves no doubt that the social and economic restrictions inherent in the caste differentiations of Hindu society had however, gradually sapped the inner vitality of the social system and Sindh fell without much resistance before the Muslim armies. According to Al-Idreesi, the famous city of Al-Mansura was founded during the reign of Mansur (754-775 AD) the second Khalifa of the Abbasid dynasty. Khalifa Harun-al-Rashid (786-809 AD) was able to extend the frontiers of Sindh on its western side. For nearly two hundred years since its conquest by Muhammad Bin Qasim, Sindh remained an integral part of the Umayyad and the Abbasid caliphates. The provincial governors were appointed directly by the central government. History has preserved a record of some 37 of them.

The Arab rule brought Sindh within the orbit of the Islamic civilization, Sindhi language was developed and written in the naskh script. Education became widely diffused and Sindhi scholars attained fame in the Muslim world. Agriculture and commerce progressed considerably. Ruins of Mansura, the medieval Arab capital of Sindh (11 kms south east of Shahdadpur) testify to the grandeur of the city and the development of urban life during this period.

In the 10th century, native people replaced the Arab rule in Sindh. Samma and Soomra dynasties ruled Sindh for long. These dynasties produced some rulers who obtained fame due to judicious dispensation and good administration.

Sindh was partially independent and the scene of great disorders till late in the sixteenth century when it failed into the hands of Emperor Akbar, and for a hundred and fifty years the chiefs paid tribute, but only as often as they were compelled to do so, to the Emperor at Delhi. Later the Kalhora clan claiming descent from the house of Abbas and long settled in Sindh produced religious leaders of whom Main Adam Shah attained prominence in the 16th century. His descendants continued to gather large following and this enabled them to capture political power in the north western Sindh under the leadership of Mian Nasir Muhammad. This happened in the 2nd half of the 17th century. By the turn of that century, foundations of the Kalhora power were firmly laid in the northern Sindh under the leadership of Mian Yar Mohammad. During the reign of his son, Mian Noor Muhammad, lower Sindh with Thatta as its capital came under the Kalhora administration (1150 A.H).

Under the banner of Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur, the Balochis defeated the last Kalhora ruler Mian Abdul Nabi in the battle of Halani in 1782 AD. Talpur Amirs regained the parts of Sindh (Karachi, Khairpur, Sabzal Kot and Umar Kot) which the last Kalhora chief had conceded to the neighboring rulers. By eliminating the foreign interference, which had plagued the Kalhora rule, and by their essentially democratic way of governance, the Talpurs were able to take the people into confidence and thus achieved

Great many things within a short period of 60 years. They built up an excellent system of forts and outposts guarding the frontiers, extended the irrigation system, encouraged scholarly pursuits and educational institutions, and promoted trade and commerce internally as well as with the neighboring countries.

The British who came to Sindh also as traders became so powerful in rest of the sub-continent that in 1843 Sindh lost its independence falling prey to the British imperialistic policy. The Talpurs were defeated on the battlefields of Miani, Dubba and Kunhera and taken prisoners. The conquerors behaved inhumanly with the vanquished as they did with the Muslim rulers in India. Charles Napier who commanded the troops subsequently became the first Governor of the province of Sindh.

The British had conquered Sindh from their bases in Bombay and Kutch and their supporters were Hindus. Therefore, Sindh was annexed to the Bombay Presidency in 1843 and a constant policy to subdue the Muslim majority and to lionize the Hindu minority in Sindh was followed. Trade and commerce, Services and education became monopolies in the hands of the minority whom with the support of the rulers wrought havoc on Muslims. Within a few years forty percent of the Muslim land holdings passed on to the Hindu creditors. It was after a long struggle that the cause of Sindh was supported by the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah when he brought in his famous 14-points the demand of Sindh's separation from Bombay Presidency. H.H. Sir Agh Khan, G.M. Syed, Sir Abdul Qayyum Khan (NWFP) and many other Indian Muslim leaders also played their pivotal rule that was why the Muslims of Sindh succeeded in getting Sindh separated from the Bombay Presidency in 1936.

[Ramz 8]

CULTURE AND LITERATURE

Sindh is a repository of varied cultural values and has remained the seat of civilization and meeting point of diverse cultures from times immemorial. After Independence on August 14, 1947 with the influx of Muslims from India, its culture has progressively assumed a new complexion. Sindh’s cultural life has been shaped, to a large extent, by its comparative isolation in the past from the rest of the subcontinent. A long stretch of desert to its east and a mountainous terrain to the west served as barriers, while the Arabian Sea in the south and the Indus in the north prevented easy access. As a result, the people of Sindh developed their own exclusive artistic tradition. Their arts and craft, music and literature, games and sports have retained their original flavor. Sindh is rich in exquisite pottery, variegated glazed tiles, lacquer-work, leather and straw products, needlework, quilts, embroidery, hand print making and textile design. According to renowned European historian H.T. Sorelay, Sindhis had not only contributed to literature but also to astronomy, medicine, philosophy, dialectics and similar subjects.

Melas (fairs) and malakharas (wrestling festivals) are popular. Falconry, horse and camel breeding and racing are characteristic pastimes. Sindhi fishermen float earthen pots to catch the palla fish in the Indus, bullock cart racing and cockfighting are also typical of the province.

Genuine love for fellow beings, large heartedness and hospitality constitute the very spirit of Sindhi culture and it is the association of the cultural elements that elevate it and keep aloft its banner among the contemporary cultures of South-Asia. Having lived for centuries under the changing sway of various dynasties i.e. the Arabs, Mughals, Arghuns, Turkhans and Soomras, Sammahs, Kalhoras and Talpurs, Sindhi culture is a fusion of multiple culture patterns. These splendor and enrichment are reflected in Sindhi art and architecture, habits and customs. The old tombs and buildings in Thatta, Sehwan, Hyderabad, Sukkur and the excavations at Bhambore, Brahmanabad and Debal bear ample evidence in support of the above statement. These places fostered in their environment, some of the best cultural values which were handed down to the inhabitants of the adjoining areas. Today, these values form the very foundation of Sindhi culture.

The Sindhi language has pure Sanskrit basis and is closely related to the ancient Prakrit. Its alphabet contains fifty-two letters. The Rev. Mr.G. Shirt of Hyderabad, one of the first Sindhi scholars, considered that the language is probably, so far as its grammatical construction is concerned, the purest daughter of Sanskrit. It has small sprinkling of Dravidian words, and has in later times received large accessions to its vocabulary from Arabic and Persian. After the advent of Islam, a number of Sindhi scholars not only wrote books in Arabic on various aspects of Islam, but also composed poetry of a high order in that language. During the rule of Soomras and Sammas, Sindhis produced excellent poetry, and amongst the earliest and best-known poets we find the name of Syed Ali and Qazi Qadan both of Thatta and their younger contemporary, Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi, the great-grandfather of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.

Qazi Qadan (870-985 A.H.) introduced Philosophy into Sindhi poetry. He has in his poetry laid great emphasis on purity of mind and the study of the self. In one of his verses he says, "Even if you master thoroughly the great Arabic works Qudoori and Kafia you will only be like an ant sitting within a well in a limited environment knowing nothing of the world outside".

Then comes Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi. In 98 couplets he has explained the intricacies of human philosophy. In one of his couplets, he says "The best way of Living in the world is to give your heart to the beloved and be bodily connected with fellow human beings".

Shah Latif and his contemporaries, Shah Inayat, Muhammad Moeen Thattvi lsso Mian and Misri Shah, were also pioneers in the field of the well-known Sindhi Kafi Lyric. Others who contributed to kafi were Qasim, Hyder Shah, Fazil Shah, Pir Mohammad Ashraf, Assooran and Qaleech Beg. Misri Shah is considered to be the undisputed monarch in the domain of Kafi. The term Kafi was originally taken from Shah Abdul Latif's waie, which correspond to Ghazal. Sachal Sarmast added glory to Kafi in his lyrics.

POETRY

After the advent of Islam, a number of Sindhi scholars not only wrote books in Arabic on various aspects of Islam, but also composed poetry of high order in that languages. It is presumed that these scholars also wrote in their own language. During the rule of Sumras and Sammas, Sindhis produces excellent poetry, and amongst the earliest and best-known poets, we find the name of Syed Ali and Qazi Qadan both of Thatta and their younger contemporary, Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi, the great-grand father of Shah Abul Latif Bhitai.

Long before the British rule, under the influence of Persian poetry, the Sindhi poets borrowed many ideas from Persian poets. There were, however, some poets such as Mohammad Qasim, Murtaza Thattavi, Gul Mohammad Gul, Syed Gada, Hafiz Hamid, Mir Abdul Hussain Sangi, Zaman Shash and others who, in spite of having adopted Persian forms, derived their inspiration from the classical Sindhi poets. Theirs works have, therefore been popular among the masses, as well as people of more sophisticated tastes. Others, who continued to compose in indigenous styles, using the Sindhi language in its purest from, include Misree Shah, Mahdi Shah, and Hafiz Shah. Sahibdion Shah, Wali Mohammad Leghari and Hammal Faqir.

Qazi Qadan (870-985 A.H.) of Sehwan was the Sindhi poet who introduced philosophy and mysticism into Sindhi poetry. He has in his poetry laid prate emphasis on purity of mind and the study of self. In one of his verses he says: " Even if you master thoroughly the great Arabic works Qudoor and Qafa you will only be like an ant sitting within a well in a limited environment, knowing nothing of the world outside.

Kafi the Shah and his contemporaries, Shah Inayat, Muhammad Moeen Thattvi, Isso Mian and Misri Shah, were also pioneers in the field of the well-known Sindhi Kafi Lyric. Others who contribute to Kafi were Qasim, Hyder Shah, Fazil Shah, Pir Mohammad Ashraf, Assooram and Qaleech Beg. Misri Shah is considered to the undisputed monarch in the domain of Kafi. The term Kafi was originally taken from Shah Abdul Latif's waie, which corresponds to ghazal. Sachal added glory to kafi in his lyrics. After Khalifo Gul Mohammad a host Sindhi poets contributed to the development of the ghazal. The following poets deserve special mention: Qasim Shamsuddin Bulbul, Mir Abdul Hussain Saangi, Bewas Lekhraj Kishanchand Aziz, Zia Fani, Farid, Fakir Abdul Rahim of Groroh and Hafiz Mohammad Hayat.

Humour Shamsuddin Bulbul was the first poet to introduce humor in Sindhi poetry. He can very well be compared to Akbar Allahabadi.

In this field Mohammad Hashim Mukhlis and more particularly Mirza Qaleech Beg, the father of modern Sindhi poetry and prose have left an indelible mark. The latter’s humor is much more polished and constructive. " Saudai Khan" is a modest collection of his poetry dealing wit the experiences of life and the ravages of time. The book is in two volumes, and each column consists of homage paid to his ancestors and guide. He composed only 14 ghazals in Urdu.

SHAH ABDUL LATIF BHITAI

Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (1689-1752) perfected Sindhi poetry both in from and in content and is reckoned as the peerless master of Sindhi verses. The most salient feature of his poetry is Sufism, which he had presented with dexterity in his famous work, Shah Jo Risalo. The main characteristics of Shah Leif's poetry is that it is a ‘remarkable record of God-intoxicated man’s longing to rise above his level of life in order to meet his Maker". He had a command to express and interpret the joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations of the people of Sindh. Shah Latif's poetry depicts nature and its manifestations in a most vivid and vivacious manner. He had composed beautiful verses on the river Indus, the shining surface of lakes and the barren ranges of hills. He had also versified on the behavior of the sea and the boats and boatsmen living on the shore of the sea. He was the most prolific writer and poet of his age. His poetry is deeply rooted in the soil of Sindh, yet it has a universal appeal.

So great is the impact of his immortal work on Sindhi literature that one hears its distinct echo in all the poetry produced by later generations. From the time of shah Latif to the British conquest of Sindh, there were a large number of Sindhi poets, such as Mohammad Zaman of Luwar, Abdul Grohari, Sachal Sarmast, Bedil, Bekas, Sami, Pir Ali Gohar Asghar (Pir Pagaro), Roohal Faqir, Pir Asghar Ali, Pir Ghulam Shah Rashidi and Sabit Ali Shah Sabit, whose works a still to be found. During the days of the Sumras, the Sammas and later on during the Kalhora and the Talpur period, Sindh was the court languag.

SACHAL SARMAST

Sachal Sarmast (Abdul Wahab) is another Sufi poet of distinction who composed verses on philosophy and Sufism. He was at home in a number of languages and composed poetical pieces in Arabic, Sindhi, Saraiki or Multani, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Persian. His poetry is replete with Divine Love. It is on Monotheism, the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon him). He also composed poems of high order in Urdu and Persian. The great Sufi poets-Attar, Jami and Roomi influenced him.

Hiis Sindhi poetry encompasses a wide range of subjects and possesses its own individuality. He perfected a great deal of old style i.e. Abyat and Dohas greatly in vogue before hi, While Shah Latif enhanced the standard of Sindhi to the highest level of excellence in style, diction and subject matter, Sachal Sarmast took the lead in raising the standard and level of kafi, ghazal and marsia in /Sindhi poetry. Unlike Shah Latif, whose compositions are woven around local and folk themes, Sachal has touched on all Great Sufi saints, fountains of knowledge and learning, besides the most popular folktales of the Indus valley. The images, similes, metaphors and allegories employed by Sachal give him a prominent place in Sindhi literature after Shah Latif.

It was in the British period that really good prose began to be produced. Syed Miran Mohammad Shah-I of Tikhar, Diwan Kewal Ram, Ghulam Hussain and Akhund Latifullah are among the early prose writers. But Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Beg can rightly be called the father of modern Sindhi prose. He is said to have written or translated from other languages about 400 books of poetry, novel short stories, essays etc.

"Diwan-e-Qaleech" is a collection in alphabetical order of his poetry in Sindhi. In contains about 433 verses. Another work of importance is his translation of Rubaiyat-e-Omar Khayyam in which he has followed the same meter as employed in the original Persian work. This translation has filled an important gap in Sindhi literature.

Music the patronage of music in Sindh started wit the advent of Muslims. In 72AD; when the famous Arab General Muhammad Bin Qasim was engaged in his conquest of Sindh, the Sammas of Central Sindh gave him a rousing reception. Headed by musicians, playing the Dhol-and-Shahnai, "Orchestra", and skilled dancers giving their performances, they came to greet Muhammad Bin Qasim, who echoed the whole show. The grandeur of the musical performance and the big crowd impressed a lieutenant of Muhammad to such an extent that he suggested to the General that their army should pray to God that such a powerful tribe had been subjugated so easily. Muhammad who had a good sense of humor". The Dhol-and-Shahnai performance whish has been the traditional " Orchestra" of Sindh, before and since 8th century AD. Is most popular throughout the province even today.

Interest in the classical ‘Hindustani’ as well as the indigenous music in Sindh reached its height in 16th century during the reign of the Turkhan rulers, Mirza Jani Beg and his son Mirza Ghazi Beg. Both the father and the son were great patrons of poets like the famous Talib Amuli and others, and of numerous musicians who invented new musical forms, naghams, and a variety of tunes. Both the rulers were accomplished musicians themselves. Their capital Thatta was the rendezvous.

SINDH THROUGH THE CURRENT CENTURY.

Before the World War II when the grip of the British colonial rulers was still very strong and there were hardly any signs that the foreign occupants will leave the Indian sub-continent, it was the Sindhi leadership which rose against the imperialists and launched a multi-faceted freedom movement. On the one hand Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi launched a militant revolt, called "Hur Movement", against them and on the other a peaceful Pan-Islamist campaign paved the way for the independence of Sindh from the yoke of the Bombay Presidency. The people of Sindh also taook active part in Khilafat Movement and other such movements launched by the people of the Sub-continent. In fact, certain historians believe that the movement for the separation of Sindh laid the foundation stone throughout the sub-continent for a greater homeland for the Muslims of India. This campaign for the separation of Sindh succeeded in 1936 and provided impetus to the Muslim league which was again led by a democratic statesman from Sindh widely known as Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It also want to the credit of Sindh province that its Provincial Assembly first ever resolved in favour of Pakistan. Although Jinnah could not survive long after the inception of Pakistan, yet he strongly spelled out broader democratic and human principles to be followed by his successors in the newly created state of Pakistan. Although, soon after his death the reigns of the county were usurped by the vested interests and in the coming years the people of Pakistan had to undergo longer spells of sufferings.

Today the province of Sindh is an amalgam of various sub-continental and middle-eastern cultures. It was specially after the independence that millions of Indian Muslims from the minority province migrated to Sindh and made it their permanent home. The amalgamation of their culture into the rich Sindhi traditions has progressively assumed a new complexion. Both the communities of Sindhi and Urdu-Speaking inhabitants of Sindh have, during the last half-century, shared their values and traditions, literature and Language, entered into inter-marriages and lived in harmony for the progress of their motherland.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Ramz

[Ramz 8]

3 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of the most legendary places on earth. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as it is and was popularly known, of all Pakistan's Provinces, is arguably the most diverse ethnically, the most varied in terrain and sports a vigorous cultural spectrum.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa conjures up a world of valour and war, of rugged men and mountains, of tribesmen shaped in a heroic, hos¬pitable mould. Gateway to the Subcontinent, since times immemorial, it has witnessed migration-waves of peoples,campaigns of conquerors, flow of innumerable caravans of commerce, influx of intellectuals, artists, poets and saints from the north into its fertile valleys and onwards to the plains of the Punjab, Sindh and beyond the Indus to South Asia.

The routes which figured as corridors of invasion and arteries of international traffic brought not only men and material but also ideas which fertilized all of India. Over the centuries this area was instrumental in the spread of many concepts and intellectual thought. Buddhism found its finest expression here in the Gandhara civilization. And from here it spread northwards to pollinate Central Asia, north-east to China, Japan and the Far East. Then came Islam with its unique transforming sweep.

Throughout the ages, Pukhtun tribes, the Afridi, the Bangash, the Durrani, the Khattak, the Mahsud, the Orakzai, the Toori, the Wazir and the Yusufzai, have left their indelible imprints on the pages of history. Other tribes are the Marwat, Mohmand, Gandapur, Swati, Tareen, Tanoli, Jadoon and Mashwani. The Afghan, the Pukhtun and the Pathan are three names of the same people despite shifting political bound¬ aries. In this terrain many civilizations have mixed and min¬gled, risen and were razed. Its inhabitants have excelled in countless fields of endeavour.

Perhaps this area has seen more invasions during the course of history than any other region in the world. In the more recent past Sikh and British invaders from the south met their toughest adversaries in the Frontier. The unsure hold of Sikha Shahi "Sikh Rule", and the uneasy control of the British Raj speak volumes for these intrepid and freedom¬loving people. It was a contentious extension of the Kingdom of Lahore under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Then for almost five decades it remained a part of the Punjab Province during the Raj. In 1902 it was finally accorded separate status. This was the one Province in which the imperial enter¬prise seemed to falter and fray. The Pathans have been con¬quered by many an imperial authority but never truly vanquished.

And yet these valiant men and women of the Frontier gave their all to the Independence Movement and a sovereign Pakistan.

Apart from the Pathan tribes, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to diverse ethnic groups and languages. In the northern highlands such languages as Khowar, Hindko, Kohistani, Shina, Torwali,Kashmiri, Kalasha and Kaghani are spoken. The influx of Afghan refugees has brought Ghilzai and Durrani tribes and hundreds and thousands of Farsi speaking Tajiks and Hazaras who have settled here. Nearly all the inhabitants of the Province are Muslim with a Sunni majority, a minority of Shias and Ismailis and a sprinkling of Animists or Shamanists.

Today Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spread over 74,521 sq km, has a population of over 22 million. It comprises of three major administrative parts. One part, composed of settled areas, consists of the districts of Abbottabad, Bannu, Battagram, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Haripur, Kohistan, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Peshawar and Tank. The second known as PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas) has a population of 831 ,000 and consists of Malakand Agency and the districts of Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Buner, Shangla, and the pocket of Kala Dhaka / "Black Mountains", Kohistan (previously part of Swat State) and the State of Amb, now submerged in the Tarbela Dam reservoir.

The third part, FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), is spread over 27,220 sq km and has a population of 3,764,000. It comprises of seven Tribal Agencies and six Frontier Regions. The Tribal Agencies are Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. The Frontier Regions include F.R. Bannu, Central Kurram, F.R. Dera Ismail Khan, F.R. Kohat, F.R. Lakki, F.R. Peshawar and F.R. Tank. These are directly controlled by the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

History

In 1901 NWFP was declared as a Chief Commissioner Province and thirty-one years later in 1932 its status was raised to the Governor Province. In 1937, the Government of India Act 1935 was enforced in NWFP and NWFP Legislative Assembly was formed. The first session of parliament was summoned on 12 March 1946 under the Chairmanship of Sardar Bahadur Khan while Nawabzada Allah Nawaz Khan was elected as Speaker and Lala Girdheri Lal as Deputy Speaker on 13 March 1946. The total number of members was 50. This Assembly was dissolved in 1951 and the number of members was increased from 50 to 58.

Old NWFP Assembly Building After the creation of Pakistan, the first Election in NWFP Legislative Council was held on 15 December 1951 and the session of the Assembly was summoned on 10 January 1952 for the oath taking ceremony. Nawabzada Allah Nawaz Khan was again elected as the unopposed Speaker and Khan Muhammad Farid Khan as Deputy Speaker on 10 July 1952. Following the declaration of one unit on 3 October 1955, the Country was divided into two provinces, West Pakistan and East Pakistan and the Legislative Assembly Building was declared as Peshawar High Court. After the dissolution of West Pakistan dissolution in 1970, the NWFP Provincial Assembly was restored. The legislative Assembly became a Provincial Assembly through a presidential order known as legal framework order 1970. After the restoration of the Provincial Assembly in 1970, General Elections were held for the NWFP Provincial Assembly on 17 December 1970. At that time the number of member’s seats in the Assembly was 43 out of which 2 seats were reserved for women and only one for minorities. The first session of the Assembly was summoned on 2 May 1972 in the hall of Pakistan Academy for Rural Development, University Town Peshawar. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan Khattak was elected as Speaker and Arbab Saifur Rehman Khan as Deputy Speaker on 2 May 1972.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Ramz

[Ramz 8]

Attractions

Tourism Potential Investment Opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Nature has gifted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with rich cultural and tourism friendly environment. It has the potential of becoming a big tourist attraction in the world, due to its scenic beauty, geographical location, climate and natural resources.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is exceptionally rich in terms of multitudes of tourist attraction. The essence of this attraction is visible from the remarkable natural picturesque comprising beautiful rivers, splendid water falls, spell-bound lakes mostly in the mountainous region and green valleys in most parts of the province. Due to its geographical location, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa has had been a confluence of different civilizations which flourished and vanished with the passage of time.

The quasi contiguity of the province, with the Central Asian states and with xiangiang province of China attracted many migrants, businessmen, warriors and fortune seekers in different ages for settlement. The interaction among different races and their co-existence led to a rich cultural heritage. The glimpses of such heritage are evident from the Ghandhara archaeological sites at Gur Khattree Peshawar, Takh-Bahi (Mardan), Seri Behlol (Mardan), Shabaz Gari (Mardan) Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat), and collection of Ghandhara art preserved at Swat Museum, Chakdara museum (Dir Lower) and Peshawar museum.

• The total area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 100200 sq.km

• Northern Zone: A mountainous region full of natural picturesque having 5 small and big rivers.

• Mid Part: It comprises of Peshawar Valley, a seat of different civilizations.

• Southern Zone: Rugged dry hills and vast gravelly plains with patches of alluvial agri fields.

• North of province is exceptionally rich in picturesque and alluring landscape, exotic valleys and dense pine forest.

• The natural lakes and thick forests of the province are safe heaven for eco tourism.

• Ghandhara remains testify the rich cultural heritage of the province.

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE PROVINCE

The province is broadly divided into three different zones with their peculiar physical stratum. The northern part of the province is adorned with beautiful valleys having 5 rivers running roughly north to south inter alia the Chitral, Dir, Swat, Indus and Kaghan. These valleys are on the northern edge of the monsoon belt, fairly green and partially wooded in their southern sections. The mid part had been the seat of the ancient civilizations particularly Peshawar remained the hub of activities for different civilizations including Buddhist Hindu Shahi, Sikh, Islamic and British culture all having their mark on the city. The southern part of the province is below the monsoon belt and consists of low, rocky mountain and wide, gravely plains. The important cities and areas of the province are described for the convenience of the reader.

HAZARA REGION

The region of Hazara is like a door to heaven, opening up to visitors a world replete with natural beauty. It was a favourite gateway from the plains into Kashmir during Mughal, Durrani and Sikh rules. It is a large area some 10,000 sq. km. The world famous Karakoram Highway starts from Havelian, a town in this region at a distance of 101 km from Islamabad. The mighty "Lion River" Indus or Abasin flows through the entire length of Hazara. It is strategically located between the Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir, Punjab and the rest of the North West Frontier Province. Hill stations collectively known as the Gallis and the Kaghan valley are the best known parts of Hazara. Pakistani and foreign tourists throng its cool and serene valleys during sizzling summer.

HARIPUR

Located at 81 km from Islamabad on Hasan Abdal-Abbottabad road, Haripur was founded in 1822 by Hari Singh, a general of Ranjit Singh's army. He was the Governor of Hazara in 1822-23. A fort built by the Sikhs called Harikishan Garh is at present being used as a police station. There is also a British cemetery.

ABBOTTABAD

Abbottabad is named after its founder James Abbot, Hazara's first British Deputy Commissioner. It is at a distance of 121 km from Islamabad via Hasan Abdal. It is 1220 meters above sea level and is situated at the crossroads of most of the areas of tourist interest in Pakistan like Nathiagali, Murree, Thandiani, Kaghan valley, Swat valley, Skardu, Gilgit and Khunjrab. Taxila, one of the most important archaeological treasures of the subcontinent is not very far from here. There are two hills towering above Abbottabad, Shimla Peak and Sarban Peak. There are very fine panoramic views of the town and its surroundings from Shimla Peak. The famous Pakistan Military Academy is on the hill to the north-east side of the town. Shimla Park located on a nearby hill with a pine forest is well worth a visit. Abbottabad has still a very British air with its European style bungalows, the club, the church and the cemetery.

THANDIANI

Thandiani means "cold" in the local language. Therefore being a cool place it got the name of "Thandiani". It is 2700 meters above sea level on a small plateau surrounded by pine forests. This beautiful spot can easily be approached from Abbottabad, which is 24 km away. It is totally unspoiled and has the loveliest of views of all the hill stations of Pakistan. The scenery here is breathtaking and superb.

NATHIAGALI

Nathiagali clad in pine, walnut, oak and maple trees, is the prettiest hill resort in the Galiyat region. It can be approached both from Murree and Abbottabad. It is 34 km from Abbottabad as well as from Murree. Nathiagali is 2501 meters above sea level and is surrounded by lush green lofty mountains. The British tried to create a little England here with its small timbered churches, parks, bungalows and the Governor's House. Breathtaking landscapes, spring water and fresh air make it one of the most peaceful hill stations in Pakistan.

DUNGAGALI

This beautiful tourist resort is situated on the slopes of Mukshpuri Hills. The hills are wooded and present a beautiful view. Behind.Dungagali stands Mukshpuri, one of the highest peaks in the area (2800 m).

AYUBIA

A cluster of four small hill stations of Khanaspur, Khairagali, Changlagali and Ghora Dhaka is called Ayubia and was named after President Ayub Khan who belonged to Haripur district of Hazara. The complex is spread over an area of 26 km. The central place of Ghora Dhaka has a chairlift, which gives a panoramic and mesmerizing view of the surroundings.

MANSEHRA

Mansehra is named after Man Singh, its Governor General under Ranjit Singh. This town is at a distance of 24 km to the north of Abbottabad. It has a very lively bazaar. The major tourist attraction of Mansehra are the three granite boulders on which edicts of Ashoka the Great have been inscribed. This great Mauryan king ruled this area in the 3rd century BC. After his conversion to Buddhism he tried to dictate a new morality based on piety, moderation, tolerance and respect for life.

KAGHAN VALLEY

Out of the numerous beautiful valleys of Hazara, Kaghan is the most attractive of all. A holiday retreat with alluring scenic beauty, the Kaghan valley is about 160 km long and between two to four thousand meters above sea level at various places. Towering peaks of Himalayan Range, glaciers, water falls and crystal clear water of the lakes are still in a pristine state and make the valley an unspoiled paradise. Kunhar river with plenty of trout fish flows through the valley and has the villages of Balakot, Kaghan, Naran on its banks. The nomads take their flocks of cattle to the high pastures of the Kaghan valley in spring and bring them down again in autumn. Their women are colourfully dressed.

BALAKOT

Balakot is the gateway to Kaghan valley. Balakot itself is 72 km from Abbottabad. This beautiful small town is located on the banks of Kunhar river. Journey from Abbottabad to Balakot is a charming experience. The road passes through beautiful green hills and thick forests. The views are spectacular especially between Attarshisha and Garhi Habibullah. A famous battle was fought here between the Sikh Army and Mujahideen in 1831. The Mujahideen leaders, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Hazrat Shah Ismail Shaheed lie buried here along with other martyrs.

SHOGRAN

Shogran, one of, the most beautiful plateaus in the whole area is situated at a distance of 33 km from Balakot via Kawai. From there a jeep track leads to this tranquil summer retreat of superb climate and spectacular views. The air is impregnated with the scent of flowers and the pine forest around. It is at an altitude of 2326 m and mighty peaks of Himalayan Ranges such as Musa ka Masalla (4419 m) and Malika Parbat (5290 m) are visible from here.

NARAN

About 86 km from Balakot lies Naran, the main attraction of the Kaghan valley. This town is situated on the banks of Kunhar river at an altitude of 2498 m at a point where the valley widens. The river is wider and quieter here. There is a very good view downstream, with some tree-covered islands in the foreground. It is a starting point for lake Salful Muluk, Battakundi, Lalazar Plateau, lake Lulusar and Babusar Pass. Outstanding attraction of Naran is its air of peace and serenity.

LAKE SAIFUL MULUK

It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Naran at an altitude of 3500 m. It provides an excellent view of the 5290 m high Malika Parbat (Queen of the Mountains). The lake and its surroundings have a touch of unreal about them and are breathtakingly lovely. There is a charming legend about a prince called Saiful Muluk who fell in love with a fairy of the lake. The lake is named after the prince. The best way to reach the lake is to walk but you may also take a pony or a jeep.

BABUSAR PASS

Babusar Pass is at a distance of 80 km from Naran. It is on the way to the pass that the Kaghan valley's scenery becomes most dramatic. Battakundi is at a distance of 16 km from Naran and provides access to Lalazar Plateau, lake Dodiputsar and lake Lulusar which is the biggest natural lake in Hazara and the source of Kunhar river. From Babusar Top mighty Nanga Parbat (8126 m) can be seen on a clear day.

MALAKAND AND SWAT REGION

The Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan covers one third of the total area of the Province. The region is further divided into Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla Districts and Malakand Agency. It's distinctive features make the area a "Tourist's Heaven".

MALAKAND

The area has a reich history, covering thousands of yers. Alexander the Great traveled through the region in 327 BC. The famous Gandhara Buddhist Civilization later flourished in the valleys of Swat and Dir, There are many stupas and Buddhist settlements in the region. The Famous Chinese travllers Huein Tsang and Fa Hien came here for learning and a great Buddhist missionary Padma Sambhava, belonging to Swat traveled to Tibet to spread Buddhism.

A forest around Malakand gives a very refreshing view. Malakand is a fertile valley surrounded by hills moderately cold in winter and pleasant in summer. An excellent road extends from the main Malakand Highway to Swat.

NIMOGRAM BUDDHIST STUPAS

While travelling from Chakdara towards Saidu Sharif, one reaches Landakai. About 7 km from here, a road leads towards Nimogram, which is further 21 km away. A Buddhist monastery is situated here on the top of a hillock, giving an overall view of the area. There are three main stupas, surrounded by a number of small votive stupas. Dressed stones have been used in the construction and bear similarity to Andan Dheri monastery.

SHINGARDARA STUPA

About three kilometres from Barikot, one gets a glance of a magnificent Buddhist stupa on the right side. This stupa is perhaps the only one, whose dome is complete. The period of its construction is estimated between third and fourth centuries AD. Just about one and a half km away from this stupa, one can see large figures of Buddha carved on the rock.

MINGORA

Mingora has been an important trading centre for the last 2000 years. The bazaars are interesting to explore for semi precious stones, hand-woven and embroiled clothes, shawls, bedsheets, woodwork, tribal jewelry and antiques of different kinds. The hills having the world famous "Emerald Mines" are located to the north of the town.

SAIDU SHARIF

Saidu Sharif and Mingora are twin cities. Saidu Sharif has several government buildings, the Swat Museum, the Tomb of Akund of Swat and the archaeological remains of the Butkara Buddhist Stupa.

SWAT MUSEUM

This museum is situated between Mingora and Saidu Sharif. The archaeological finds belong to Gandhara Buddhist art of Swat. The samples of local embroidery, jewelry and carved wood objects are on display.

MARGHZAR

Marghzar is a small town situated at the foot of Mount Ilam about 13 krn away from Saidu Sharlf. It is famous for its White Marble Palace, built by the Wali-e-Swat in early 1940's. The palace now serves as a hotel. While going towards Marghzar, a road turns to Islam Pur, which is famous for its woodwork, shawls and blankets.

MIANDAM

This is one of the upcoming hill resorts, about 56 km away from Saidu Sharif. The surrounding area.offers natural beauty, with forests, orchards, mountains and streams which can be enjoyed by hiking.

MADYAN

Madyan is a tourist resort on the banks of Swat river. It is 1312 m above sea level. The town is famous for handicraft, embroidery and antique shops. A trout hatchery is also located here. Many beautiful side valleys can be approached from here. The distance of Madyan is 56 km from Saidu Sharif.

BAHRAIN

The town of Bahrain is situated 66 km from Saidu Sharif and is 10km from Madyan. It is another popular riverside resort, with bazaars worth exploring for their handicrafts. The surrounding area has beautiful valleys and is suitable for hiking. The mosques and buildings are worth seeing for wooden carved pillars and other fixtures.

KALAM

Kalam is the main town of Swat Kohistan. It is about 40 km north of Bahrain. Kalam is inhabited by Kohistanis having their own language and customs. Beautiful valleys of Ushu (2286 m), Utrot (2225 m) and Gabral (2550 m) are accessible from here through thick pine forests. The 6257 m high snow capped Falaksair Peak is clearly visible from Matiltan (3000 m). Lake Mahodand is about 23 km beyond Matiltan valley. The rivers offer good chances for trout fishing.

DIR AND CHITRAL REGIONS

CHAKDARA MUSEUM

The Chakdara Museum is situated about one km from the fort. It has an excellent collection of Buddhist Gandhara Art, from first to seventh century AD. It helps people to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area.

CHURCHILL PICKET

Close to the Chakdara Fort, a picket crowns the hillock towards the west. This is known as the Churchill Picket because Winston Churchill came here during the Pathan Revolt of 1879. This place was used by him for sending reports. He was then a war correspondent.

KALASH VALLEYS

The world famous Kalash People live in the three valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur. The Kalash are an ancient tribe and have a religion and a culture of their own. They have many festivals around the year during which the men and women perform colourful dances. The major festivals are Chilamjusht, Phool and Chawas.

CHITRAL

Chitral is the "Jewel of the Hindukush" guarded by the majestic Trichmir Peak. The famous town of Chitral is situated about 322 km from Peshawar. It is also connected to Peshawar by air. The whole area is mountainous, having green valleys and the towering Trichmir Peak (7700 meters) of the Hindukush. The Chitral Fort is one of the famous monuments of the town. There is also a palace inside the fort and a beautiful mosque outside the fort. All the foreign visitors to Chitral must register with the police on their arrival. Chitral is about 322KM (10 hours jeepable journey) from Peshawar. Daily two flights are available from Peshawar to Chitral.

KALASH FESTIVALS

Joshi or Chilimjusht (14th and 15th May) This festival is held in spring, when girls pick first flowers of the year. The days are marked by dancing, visiting each other and exchanging flowers, milk and milk products.

Utchal Mid July) It is celebrated to mark the harvest of wheat and barley. The celebration lasts for two days, which includes dancing, singing, and feasting.

Phool 20th to 21st December) The festival is to mark the reaping of grapes and walnuts harvests. (Subject to weather conditions).

Chowas (18th to 21st December) Chowas is a winter festival celebrated to welcome the New Year. The entire population remains indoor. It is celebrated by feasting, drinking and merry making until the elders, who sit on hill top watching the sun reaching the orbit, then declare the advent of the new year. They come down from the hills, light their torches, perform their dance and sacrifice goats at the altar.

Nauroze (21st March) It is celebrated in ltkuh, Mastuj, and Turikho Mulkho by Ismailis, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan.

Chitral The date for celebrating the Chitral Festival is fixed every year. The

Festival eminent features are Polo matches, equestrian sports, wrestling, tug-of-war, colourful folk dances and music by the Kalash with exhibition of the local handicraft.

GARAM CHASHMA

Also known as "Hot Springs". The village by the same name is about 45 km to the north west of Chitral. The jeep journey takes about 3 hours. These hot springs contain sulphur in their water which is good for healing skin diseases, headache and other pains and gout. The village has a big market, where the caravans from Badakhshan bring precious stones and other products. The town gives a look of "Caravan Sarai". It is also famous for "Patti" a typical woolen cloth.

SHANDUR PASS

The world famous Shandur Pass is about 3738 m above sea level and lies midway between Chitral and Gligit. The distance from both Chitral and Gilgit is about 168 km. These areas remain snow- clad in winter and turn into a green heaven during summer. There is a big lake in the area. One can approach the Shandur Top by jeep from either side. The traditional Polo Tournament between the Gilgit and Chitral teams is held here every year in the month of July. Foreign tourists and natives come to see the festival.

PESHAWAR:

It is the capital of the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa is a frontier town and quite different from any other city in Pakistan. It has a modern university, first-class hotels, international banks and one of the best Museums in Pakistan. The Bala Hisar Fort overlooks the mass of narrow streets in the old town and the elegant Mughal Mosque. One the other side of the railway is the cantonment, its wide treelined streets bordered by gracious administrative buildings and spacious bungalows in large gardens.

MAHABAT KHAN MOSQUE:

The beautifully proportioned Mahabat Khan Mosque is at the top of the hill on the fight; a narrow gateway between the jewellary shops leads onto its large courtyard. Built in the 1670s, the Mughal mosque is orthodox in design, with an ablution pond in the middle of the open courtyard.

GOR KHATRI:

The Gor Kharti is a large Mughal caravanserai at the top end of Sethi Street. The caravan serai was built on a spot that has been a holy place for nearly 2,000 years. In the 2nd century AD it was a Buddhism declined it became a Hindu shrine.

PESHAWAR MUSEUM:

The Peshawar Museum has one of the best collections of Gandhara Art in Pakistan, all well arranged and labelled. Sculptures illustrating the life of Buddha are laid out in chronological order. The fasting Buddha here is even more haunting than the one in Lahore Museum. There is also an ethnological section, the Hall of Tribes, With wooden carvings form the Kalash people in Chitral and a Muslim Gallery.

JAMRUD FORT:

Jamrud Fort, made of rough stonework and faced with mud plaster, was built by the Sikhs in 1823 on the site of an older fort.

SPHOLA STUPA:

Sphola stupa, of the second to fifth centuries, stands on the right of the road above the railway at the village of Zarai, 25 km from Jamrud. The stupa has a high hemispherical dome resting on a three-tiered square base. Beautiful Gandharan sculptures were found here when the site was excavated at the beginning of this century some of which are now in the Peshawar Museum.

KHYBER STEAM SAFRI :

The Khyber Railway from Peshawar to Landi Kotal is, for rail enthusiasts, a three-star attraction. It has 34 tunnels, which add up to five km of darkness, as there are no lights on the train, and crosses 92 bridges and culverts.

BALA HISAR FORT:

Located on the entrance of Peshawar on left side of G.T. Road, Bala Hisar is an old fort constructed by the British Government. Since partition it is occupied by the army.

CHOWKYADGAR:

It was earlier a Monument designed by the local authorities . However very recently it has been redesigned and reconstructed by PDA.

QISSA KHWANI BAZAR:

This place is famous for its specialized bazaars as well as its name is said to have come from the old caravans passing by this place and narrating their journeys to those present and other caravans.

Mardan:

Mardan, 60 km north-east of Peshawar is famous as the birth place of the Guides the Queen's Own Guide Corpos, an elite British regiment of North-West Frontier soldier-spies founded in the 1840s. The town itself has little to offer but it acts as a base point for seeing a concentration of Buddhist and other ancient sites of Gandhara civilization.

TAKHT-I-BHAI:

By far the best and most complete of all Gandhara ruins are those of the 7th century AD. Bushiest monastery, spectacularly placed on a rocky hill 15 km north-west of Mardan. It was excavated (and stripped of statuary and friezes) from 1907 to 1913, and later reconstructed. From the top of the hill behind the monastery on e can see down across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side, and up to the Malakand Pass and the hills of the Swat on the other Surrounding the monastery on the ridge above it to the south, and on the spurs to the east and west, are the ruins of private houses, some of which are three storey high. Federal Archeology department is the administrative authority for the operation & maintenance of the old relics. It is also on UNESCO list and is a National Heritage.

SHAHBAZ GARHI AND THE ASHOKAN INSCRIPTIONS:

Shahbaz Garhi is located 13 km east of Mardan on the road to Swabi. Sown a dirt track to the right, a few meters, are the famous Ashokan inscriptions, carved in two rocks on a hill about 300 meters to the left. The Ashokan inscriptions date from the 3rd century BC and are the oldest surviving writings of any historical significance in the Subcontinent.

At Shahbaz Garhi 12 edicts are carved on the rock, two on another, Shahbaz Garhi is important to Buddhists because f its association with prince Sudana, or Buddha in one of his previous incarnations, Sudana means of noble charity; the area is still popularly know as the Sudana Plan.

JAMAL GARHI:

The ruins of a monastery and a beautiful courtyard of stupas are on a hill-top overlooking the village 15 km north of Mardan. The view including Takht-i-Bhai and Shahbaz Garhi, is especially grand at sunrises sunset.

KOHAT:

Kohat is basically a cantonment with in it is the Garrison Town. The main road by passes it, but it is worth going through the centre to see the old British establishments.

TANDA DAM:

This site has been selected for a restaurant presently under construction by the corporation within the protected area of the Wild Life Park there.

KHUSHAL GARH:

This rest house located on main Pindi Kohat road has been transferred to the Corporation and has been offered for lease to the private sector through print media.

D.I.KHAN:

D. I. Khan is the getaway to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa for the tourists entering Pakistan from Balochistan and Punjab. Majority of the tourists entering from the western border on motorbike follow this route to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa . Most of them however just pass through D.I. Khan. There are two ancient sites, one is on Chashma Road know as "Kafir Kot" just 1 km towards left near Bilot Head Works, and the other is Rehman Dheri, which is about 25 km on the Bannu Road, very few people know about it.

AMUSEMENT PARK:

On the west bank of river Indus near Hotel Midway an amusement park may be developed for local residents. This is easily approachable and in the evening local communities stroll on the river side. The river side is very crowded on Fridays when families come for a picnic.

KAFIR KOT FORTS:

On the way to Chashma Barrage (from D.I. Khan), The Southern Kafir Kot Fort stands on low (Marwat) hills and is clearly visible from the road. Kike the Northern Kafir Kot Fort, 38 km further up the Indus, it was built at the time of the Hindu Rajput Kingdom (8th to the 10th century) and was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghaznavi in the 11th century. Neither fort was rebuilt.

As the Southern Kafir Kot Fort there are three main temple and shrines on the same plinth. THe carving deep chiselled and reminiscent of Mayan sculpture, is fine and well preserved.

The Northern Kafir Kot Fort is about 6 km north of the western end of Chashma Barrage. The fort commands a splendid defensive position. It covers a rubble-strewn area of about 25 hectares (62 acres). Inside there are four temples, two badly eroded, the others intricately carved. The best preserved walls including a fate, are on the north side of the fort; the walls are about 8 Meters (20 feet) high.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Ramz

[Ramz 8]

Economy

Industrialization has commanded a central position in all the five-year plans in the development/growth of the Pakistan's economy as manufacturing provides job opportunities to the population, technical advancement and capital mobilization. As far as Pakistan's GDP is concerned, after Agriculture, Manufacturing is a second important sector of economy contributing towards national income and is source of generation of employment. The importance of manufacturing sector has increased tremendously during recent years, in the wake of rampant poverty, over population, job scarcity and increase in import bill in industrial manufacture items. Therefore, manufacturing through local & foreign investments in manufacturing sector is the important strategy being followed by the present Government to stabilize the economic base of the economy through a network of industrial units, in large, medium and small-scale industrial units throughout the country, particularly in leftover and rural regions of the country.

People and Tribes

The Frontier is populated by a large variety of tribes, sub-tribes and clans, each with its own network of ties but unified by the collective of being called Path an or Pukhtun, imbued with the characteristic force of character, bravery and shrewdness. Over the years, however, the larger towns have become a mix of various other peoples from Afghanistan, Kashmir and the rest of Pakistan, just as many Pathans have migrated to, or work in, the larger towns of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan.

The Pathan way of life still maintains the age-old, time-tested code of behaviour known as Pukhtun Wali. Honour, revenge and hospitality are the cardinal principles while the jirga, or tribal assembly, plays a potent part in the resolutionof issues according to riwaj or tradition. The practices of"Nikkat", "Lungj" and "Moajjab" are still strong, binding and regulatory. "Nikkat" means pedigree lineage and determination of privileges and liabilities in accordance with the recog¬nized tribal or sectional shares. The society is based on "naffa wa nuqsaan" or "benefits and losses". Under this system rights and obligations are equally shared by the tribes and sub-tribes. Tribal society is, thus, inter-linked through kin¬ship, cohesion and common causes.

The presentation of "Lungi" or "turban of honour" is an effec¬tive measure to control and acknowledge tribal elders. These Lungi-holders along with the Maliks or chiefs provide the socio-political power structure of the tribal society. The sys¬tem of Lungi-holders was introduced by the British to acknowledge services rendered to the Government, in emu¬lation of the khilat, robe of honour, bestowed by Mughal emperors. The Lungi-holders worked as important links between the administration and the tribes. The Maliki system is hereditary and devolves on the son with regular benefits. The Lungi system is slightly lower in importance than the Maliki.

A tribe, by and large, lives together in a compact area usually called qillay, or is scattered and lives in an extended joint-family system. Some tribes, such as the Wazir, live in cluster of houses within one boundary wall called kat. In tra¬ditional establishments, male members have a separate mosque and sitting place called a hujra.

Among the smaller distinct ethnic groups are the Kalash and the Wakhi people. The latter are spread over the Wakhan Corridor in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and China. Ismaili Shiite Muslims by faith, they are found in the Yarkhun Valley in the north of the Province. Nomadic, they make extensive use of horses and yaks as beasts of burden. Some Wakhis live above the winter snow-line, well above the tree-line, and send their livestock to lower pastures in winter. Wakhis liv¬ing at high elevations, burn heather, emergent vegetation from wetlands and peat for fuel. They also use peat, moss and stone to construct their houses.

Religious influences have been pervasive and permanent in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Following the spread of Islam by the Sufis and scholars, charismatic personalities emerged to exercise spiritual and temporal influence on the minds and the lives of the inhabitants. During the time of Mirza Kamran, and of Mirza Hakim after him, there arose in the mid-sixteenth century two leaders. One, Sayyid Ali Shah of Tarmez still known to countless pilgrims as Pir Baba, was a Hanafi Sunni. The shrine of Pir Baba situated beside a mountain-stream in Buner remains a place of pilgrimage and the most hallowed shrine in all Frontier. The other, violently heretical, was Ba-yazid, or Bazid, Ansari, the founder of the Roshaniyya movement. He called himself Pir-i Roshan, the "Saint of Light", and was by his enemies parodied bitterly as Pir-i Tarik, the "Saint of Darkness". The orthodox still refer to his followers as Tarikis.

One of the most remarkable Pathan to emerge from the pages of history was Sher Shah, of the Suri tribe. He dominated South Asia with his extraordinary administra¬tive qualities and a visionary approach to all things practical. Born as Farid Khan in the southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around Tank, he became known as Sher Khan when he killed a lion. A man of adventure and courage he exhibited military prowess in Bihar and Bengal initially. When Emperor Humayun was on the run during the battle with his brothers for the crown of the fledgling Mughal empire, Sher Khan seized the empire, and styled himself as Sher Shah. One of the most progressive of all South Asian rulers his initiatives were to have immediate benefits as well as spawn divi¬dends for succeeding rulers. He constructed the legendry Great Trunk Road that fig¬ures in Rudyard Kipling's stories, especially his novel Kim. This several thousand¬mile long artery, from Peshawar to Lahore to Calcutta, with a branch from Lahore to Multan, was lined with shady trees and provided water-wells and caravanserais at regular intervals. These were reinforced with an efficient pony-post service and effective security network. Thus the safety of merchants and travellers across the length and breadth of the empire was ensured. He re-organized the management of land and the revenue collection system. The standardized metal chain, the jarib, he introduced was used by the Mughals, the Sikhs and the British. To this day the patawaris, the petty land-revenue officials, all over Pakistan and India use this con¬venient device. His reforms resulted in greater mercantile activity and filled the coffers of the imperial treasury.

Sheikh Malee preceded Khushhal Khan Khattak by a century or two, and is credited with achievement in different fields. The fertile lands of Swat had been a source of tedious own¬ership disputes. He laid down principles and settled them accordingly. Although the original record of land, Daftar-i Sheikh Malee, has been lost, adherence to his principles per¬sists to this day not only in matters of division of land and water rights but for his words of wisdom. Khushhal Khan mentions the esteem in which Sheikh Malee was held.

Another extraordinary Path an was Ahmad Khan Abdali who ruled over all of present Afghanistan, the Frontier Province and the tribal belt. He led the Pathans to defeat the Marhattas at the Battle of Panipat in t 76 t, restored the Dehli throne to the Mughal king and extended his hold beyond Attock to Lahore and Kashmir.

The realization of the Pathan ethos led to an impetus in all sectors of life. Three personalities tower above all others during the British period. Harold Deane, George Roos Keppel and Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum. All three left an enduring" legacy. Harold Deane (d. 1908) as young Assistant Commissioner had made his mark in the Yusafzai sub-divi¬sion of the Peshawar district, where he commanded the respect and affection of the Yusufzais through his courage and fortitude. He went on to play an important role in the creation of Malakand Agency. As the first Chief Commissioner of the new Province, Deane was able to uti¬lize the goodwill he had created to broader ends. He is remembered for reversing the old policy of punitive expedi¬tions, by military forces against tribes, which involved indis¬criminate burning of villages and crops.

Roos-Keppel who started his career in a British regiment, was a man of strong character, served in Kurram and Khyber as Political Agent and commanded the militia. An accom¬plished linguist, he spoke Pashto fluently. His frequent inter action with the populace through tours and jirgas and durbars contributed to enhancing the Pathan sense of unity and common cause. He was, according to Caroe, "A Pathan among Pathans." With Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum he laid the foundation of the Islamia College, Peshawar, an enduring tribute of their foresight and wisdom. Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum (d. t 937) became the Province's first Minister in 1932. Along with Muhammad Akbar Khan of Hoti, another leading citizen of the Province, he was nominated to the Central Legislature at Dehli. He was also member of the Round Table Conference in London and is revered for his services to education and civil society. Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum "became the chief architect of that synthesis of Pathan with British practice which enabled a foundation to be laid for the political edifice within which the Frontier took its place as bastion of West Pakistan."The influence exerted by Islamia College was especially significant because it prompted the Pathans to look beyond their narrow tribal concerns to the greater future of the Pathan community. It also laid the foundation of responsible government and was instrumental in propelling the Muslim League in this region when the movement for freedom began under the dynamic Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Quaid-i Azam visited the Islamia College thrice and not surprisingly willed his assets to three educational institutions, one of which was the Islamia College, Peshawar.

In the annals of bravery sepoy Ali Haider (1913- 1999), who was born in the Shahu Khel village of Kohat, ranks high. Of the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, he won the Victoria Cross at the age of thirty-one during World War II. Despite being wounded and under heavy machine-gun fire, he crossed the Senio River near Fusignano in Italy, put the enemy's machine-gun out of action and two strong-points out of order, wounded two enemy troops, caused the surrender of the rest and enabled his Company to cross the river and establish a bridgehead.

Another Pathan to win the highest award for gallantry, on a different front in a later time, was Captain Kamal Sher Khan Shaheed. He was awarded Pakistan's highest medal for bravery, the Nishan-i Haiderj"The Mark of the Lion", posthumously. He is the only one to be conferred this honour from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the Kargil con¬flict on the Line of Control (LoC), he set personal examples of courage while inflict¬ing heavy losses on the enemy. He defended the five strategic posts, at the height of some 17,000 feet at Gultary, and repulsed numerous Indian attacks. After many abortive attempts, the enemy on July 5 ringed the post of Capt. Kamal Sher Khan with the help of two battalions and unleashed heavy mortar fire. Despite all odds, he led a counter-attack but he was hit by machine-gun fire and embraced Shahadat/martyrdom.

The Frontier has produced a long list of personalities eminent in the political field.Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan (b. 1882) popularly known as Dr. Khan Sahib, the elder brother of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, trained as a medical doctor and joined the British Indian army. However, when Ghaffar Khan started the struggle against the British, Dr. Khan Sahib resigned and became active in politics. He started his own political party, Afghan Islahi Jirga j "Afghan Reforms Committee" in 1917 and renamed it Tahrik-i Khudai Khidmatgar I "Movement of God's Servants" in the 1920' s. In 1930 he joined the Indian National Congress. After Independence Dr. Khan Sahib became the Chief Minister of NWFP under President Sikandar Mirza. He died tragically at the hands of an assassin in 1957.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988), popularly known as the "Frontier Gandhi", was a most colourful pre-Partition politician. A personal friend of Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru, he wore homespun clothes in emulation of his mentor. He fired the imagination of the tribals and the city-dwellers with his candid speeches and endeared himself to them with his rough and ready manner. Committed to the Indian National Congress, he was instrumental in creating pro-Congress goodwill which was effectively challenged by the rising Muslim League resulting in the referendum in favour of Pakistan. Ghaffar Khan continued to be venerated as a fearless Pathan nationalist till his death several decades after Independence.

Even before Pakistan, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan (1901-1981) was an active mem¬ber of the Central Legislative Assembly representing the Congress Party of NWFP.

Born in Chitral of Kashmiri parents, he was called to the Bar in England in 1926 and returned to participate in the struggle for freedom. Disillusioned by the Congress politics, he joined the Muslim League in 1946 and succeeded Dr. Khan Sahib as Chief Minister of NWFP after Partition. Twice Chief Minister of NWFP, he initiated important development works such as the Warsak Dam and the Kurram Khari Dam at Bannu. He established the Peshawar University, the third after the Universities of Punjab and Sindh. He served as the Minister for Industries in the Central Government during 1953-54 and was elected to the National Assembly in the elec¬tion of 1970. His lasting contributions are the land reforms in favour of the poor and the spread of education.

Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar (1899-1958) was one of those personalities who played an important role before, as well as after Independence. He organized the people of the Frontier for the Muslim League's cause of Pakistan and later became the first Pakistani Governor of the Punjab Province. Born at Peshawar he graduated from Edwardes College, read for a Law degree at Aligarh University and as a practising lawyer became active in politics. He met the Quaid-i Azam when he visited Peshawar in the late 1930's. He won a seat in the elections of 1936-37 to the Provincial Legislative Assembly for the Muslim League. When the interim govern¬ ment was set up in 1946 under Jawahar Lal Nehru, Nishtar, as Minister of Communications, was one of the five Muslim Ministers. An accomplished man, a poet of Urdu and Persian, Nishtar has the distinction of being buried in the precinct of the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation in the former capital of the country, Karachi. .

The first military ruler to dominated Pakistan and set the tradition of military inter¬vention in politics, was Muhammad Ayub Khan. Born in the village of Rehana in the Haripur district, he joined the British Indian army as an officer in 1928 and trained at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. He was the first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army and became the Defence Minister of Pakistan in 1954. When martial law was imposed by President Sikander Mirza in October 1958, Ayub Khan was appointed the Chief Martial Law Administrator. It was not long before, after a bloodless coup, Sikander Mirza was ousted and exiled. Ayub Khan became the President. From a General he elevated himself to Field Marshal. He contested general elections against Ms. Fatima Jinnah, the sister of the Quaid-i Azam, and won with an unconvincing majority. He introduced the idea of "Basic Democracy" which died with his removal from office. Ayub Khan's eleven years were a period of great economic and material progress. Much needed land reforms were car¬ried out to benefit the landless and small farmers, to take the country out of the feudal system. Industrial base was laid to augment the predominantly agro-based economy. New mega-infrastructural projects like the Mangla Dam and the new capital Islamabad were started. The concept of the "Five-Year Plans" was successfully implemented. Banking and financial institutions thrived. Justifiably the "Decade of Progress" was celebrated.

The spirited defence in September 1965, following the attack by the Indian armed forces, was perhaps his finest hour. His speech galvanized the two wings of the nation to meet the challenge of a far larger, Soviet-supported, invading enemy. The civilian and military cooperation during those few critical weeks was unprecedented. Never since, in subsequent moments of crises, has it been even remotely equalled. The Treaty of Tashkent with India and the unrest in East Pakistan led to his undoing. His political acumen was seriously chal¬lenged by his nemesis, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who played Macbeth to his Duncan.

General Yahya Khan succeeded Ayub Khan, first as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army and then as President. He was a Pathan of the Qizalbash tribe and was born in Peshawar. His only redeeming feature was the hold¬ing of the first and fairest general election in Pakistan. This initiative spawned forces which he could, but did not, con¬trol. Unused to political ways and byways, he blundered. ,As a key player during the late sixties and early seventies, the sound and fury of the times led him to watch a disastrous civil war and preside over a historic catastrophe. Pakistan, a country that millions in both wings had sacrificed to realise, was truncated. And an independent Bangladesh emerged from the smoke and ashes of East Pakistan.

Ghulam Ishaq Khan (d. 2006) will be remembered in history and the annals of administration as a glowing example of bureaucratic professionalism. His slow and steady rise from a lowly position in the revenue department to become the President of Pakistan speaks volumes for his scion of the Bangash tribe settled in the village of Ismail Khel near Bannu. His tenacity, intelligence, political savvy and becoming discretion held him in good stead. He remained bursar of the Islamia College Peshawar and was selected by Abdul Qayyum Khan, Chief Minister of NWFP, as his principal secretary after Independence. A dependable bureaucrat, he was appointed Chairman of the country's Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. He served as federal secretary of several ministries. Chairman of the Senate when General Zia-ul Haq was killed in an air-crash, he took over as a President of Pakistan and was confirmed in that office by the first woman Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. However, differences surfaced regarding good governance and the Bhutto Government was dismissed and fresh elections held. The government under the next Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif was also dismissed but subsequent events led to the resignation of both Prime Minister and President. During the years of his Presidency, he founded an institute named after himself, at Topi in Swabi district. The Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Institute of Technology is a centre of excellence and has brought a remote area into the educational mainstream.

Education

Education is Key to Development. A country cannot develop economically unless her literacy rate is accelerated. This is one of the important factors regarding being less developed in the world. Pakistan is one of the countries in the world, which invest 2.3 % of the G.N.P in education sector with vast human resources base with abundance of talents. Efforts had been made and are ongoing to boost up literacy rate to capitalize the human resources through the economic tools of efficiency of labour to make break through in the vicious circle of poverty.

Information regarding literacy ratios in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with comparison to other Provinces has been included.

It is assessed that the educational coverage presented in this chapter is in-sufficient to provide a broad based bench mark statistics, required for planning purposes which revolves around targets envisaged for universal literacy of 5-9 years population by the turn of the century. The set of statistics relating to evaluation of Developmental targets can only be attained when all enrolment through private, public, corporate, Federal Govt: and Provincial institutions plus all these pockets being utilized to disseminate literacy are covered.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Ramz

[Ramz 8]

Balochistan

History

Balochistan has an eventful history dating back to the Stone Age. Recent research and archaeological excavations at Mehrgarh have revealed 9000 years old civilization. Human settlement pattern at Mehrgarh was unparalleled and unique, inaugurating the distinct shift from a hunting gathering to a settled life for the first time in human history. Domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and perfume export were modern features of Mehrgarh civilization. Alexander the great passed through Balochistan in 325 B. C. After his death Balochistan came under the rule of Selecus Nicator whose descendents lost power to the Graeco-Bactrians. The province has also witnessed the march of a number of great conquerors and warriors such as Macedonians, Arabs, Ghaznavies, Mangols and Mughals in the past.

The Muslim rule began in 712 A.D. The parts of Balochistan which were ruled by the Arabs were called by them Turan (Jhallawan area) having capital at Khuzdar and Nudha or Buddha (Kachhi). In the 11th century, Balochistan fell into the hands of Nasir-ud-din Subuktagin marking the beginning of Ghaznivid dynasty. Ghorids succeeded the Ghaznivids. In 1219, it was annexed to the dominion of Sultan Mohammad Khan of Khwarizm (Khiva). The year 1223 saw the danger of the Yellow Peril, the Mongols, in the south of Mekran. In the 1595 it became a part of the Mughal Empire and later Nadir Shah of Persia captured it . Ahmed Shah Durrani of Afghanistan was successful to establish his rule in 1747. The Khanate of Kalat emerged in 1758 when Nasir Khan-I revolted against the Afghans.

The Muslim rule was followed by the British rule in 1839. Two Afghan wars between 1839 and 1879 helped the British to consolidate their power in Balochistan. Sir Robert Sandeman, who later became the Chief Commissioner of Balochistan, was the architect of British strategy in the region and he negotiated a number of treaties with the Khan of Kalat during 1854 to 1901. Through these treaties the British Government gained control over the leased territory of Chaghi, Bolan Pass, Quetta and other areas. The princely states of Mekran, Kharan, Lasbela and a little later Kalat state acceded to Pakistan after it came into being in 1947. In 1955, Balochistan was merged into one unit of West Pakistan. After the dissolution of one-Unit, Balochistan emerged as one of the four new provinces of Pakistan.

[Ramz 8]

Culture and Heritage

PEOPLE

A number of tribes constitute to make people of Balochistan. Three major tribes are Baloch, Pashtoon and Brahvi. The Balochi speaking tribes include Rind, Lashar, Marri, Jamot, Ahmedzai, Bugti Domki, Magsi, Khosa, Rakhashani, Dashti, Umrani, Nosherwani, Gichki, Buledi, Sanjarani and Khidai. Each tribe is further sub-divided into various branches. The tribal chief is called Sardar while head of sub-tribe is known as Malik, Takari or Mir. Sardars and Maliks are members of district and other local Jirgas according to their status. The Baloch, believed to have originally come from Arabia or Asia minor, can be divided in to two branches: the Sulemani and Mekrani as distinct from the Brahvis who mostly concentrate in central Balochistan. Among the eighteen major Baloch tribes, Bugtis and Marris are the principal ones who are settled in the buttresses of the Sulemania. The Talpur of Sind aIso claim their Baloch origin.

Brahvi speaking tribe include Raisani, Shahwani, Sumulani, Bangulzai, Mohammad Shahi, Lehri, Bezenjo, Mohammad Hasni, Zarakzai (Zehri) , Mengal and Lango, most of these tribes are bi-lingual and are quite fluent both in the Balochi and Brahvi Languages. The Pashtoon tribes include Kakar, Ghilzai Tareen, Mandokhel , Sherani, Luni, Kasi and Achakzai.

LANGUAGES

Balochistan, despite its scarce population, has an uncommon racial and tribal diversity. Most of the people in the cities and towns understand and speak more than two languages. In adddition to Balochi, Pashtoo and Brahvi, the majority of the population understand and speak Urdu, the national language. In Kachhi and Sibi districts, people speak Seraiki and Sindhi. Quetta city, the confluence point of all linguistic groups accommodates not only Urdu, Balochi, Pashtoo, Brahvi and Sindhi speaking people but Punjabi, Darri and Persian speaking ones as well. Dehwar tribe of Sarawan sub-division in Kalat, also speaks a language derived from Persian.

CULTURE

Cultural landscape of Balochistan portrays various ethnic groups. Though people speak different languages, there is a similarity in their literature, beliefs, moral order and customs. The cementing factor is religion which provides a base for unity and common social order.

Brahvi, Balochi and Pashtoon tribes are known for their hospitality. Guest is accorded is held in high esteem and considered a blessing from God. Better off people even slaughter sheep or goat for their guest. Sometimes, it so happens that where there are more houses, the guest is assumed to be the guest of the whole village. This open heartedness is the loving feature of the tribal people and is not as deep in the city or town dwellers.

Another adorable feature of Balochistan culture is faithfulness and sincerity in all relationships. There is no place or respect for unfaithful people in prevalent moral order. If fidelity is reciprocated with disloyalty or betrayal it is never forgotten.

MARRIAGES

Marriages are solemnized in presence of Mullah (a religious teacher) and witnesses. Life partners are commonly selected within the family (constituting all close relatives) or tribe. Except a negligible fraction of love marriages, all marriages are arranged. Divorce rate is very low.

A lot of marriage rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes, the takings of “Valver”, a sum of money paid by the groom to his to be wife’s family, also exist. But this custom is now gradually dying out since it has given rise to many social problems. The birth of a male child is taken as a source of p ride since he is though t to be the defender of this family and tribe.

DRESS

The mode of dress among the Balochi, Pashtoon and Brahvi tribes is very similar having a few minor dissimilarities. Turban is the common headwear of the men. Wide loose shalwar (a bit similar to loose trouser) and knee-long shirts are worn by all. The dress of the woman consists of the typical shirt having a big pocket in front. The shirt normally has embroidery work with embedded small round mirror pieces. Big ‘Dopatta’ or ‘Chaddar’, a long rectangular piece of cloth cascading down the shoulders and used to cover head, are used by the women.

FESTIVALS

There are religious and social festivals celebrated by the people of Balochistan. Two major religious festivals are Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. On these festivals people adorn their houses, wear new dresses, cook special dishes and visit each other. Eid-Meladun-Nabi is another religious festival. It is a celebration of the Holy Prophet’s birthday. Numerous colorful social festivals are also source of jubilation. Sibi festival that traces its roots to Mehergar, an archeological site of ancient human civilization, attracts people from across the country. It is attended by common folks, ministers and other government officials. Folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other amusing activities present a perfect riot of color. Buzkashi is a peculiar festival showing valour of Balochistan people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.

[Emaad 56]

:yes: :yes: :yes:

[prettygirl 0]

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i realy like it

[Ramz 8]

:yes: :yes: :yes:

:hug:

nice ramz bro

i realy like it

jazakAllah Sis =) =)

[mubeenalum 0]

Great to see a thread like this Great info, Great Post.

[sho_shweet 657]