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Archive for category Pakistan-A Nation of Many Faiths

THE REAL PAKISTAN

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http://amfunworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-reasons-why-i-still-love-pakistan.html

Please Visit These Great Pakistani Websites:

Articles Courtesy:

http://paksabka.com.pk/2014/03/10/be-pakistani-buy-pakistani/

http://amfunworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-reasons-why-i-still-love-pakistan.html

BE PAKISTANI, BUY PAKISTANI

Nadia Rafiq Butt.
Pakistan like many other countries is striving to get a positive image for one reason or the other. One can spell out a number of reasons. On top is sectarianism and extremism which has become plague for our society. Then is the law and order situation, frequency of murders and thefts and all such crimes. However, this doesn’t suggest that things are not under control. There are good people and good things to report. It must be admitted that human societies have their limitations. Freedom, justice and equality are only ideals. Total justice and peace is not humanly possible. Instead of looking at it in a negative way, one should look at those negatives with a glass half-full approach, and one should realize that spreading positivity instead of deprivation and scarcity would serve the cause better as we all hold responsibility being nationals to our homeland. Man will only remain on the right track if a mental discipline is shaped by education and if there is a fear of law, justice and punishment, in short dispense of justice without fear or favor. If a society enjoys justice and fair play it will surely portray soft image.
If our social, economic and administrative systems work reasonably and efficiently no harm can come to Pakistan. If all get justice and feel secure no one will think of any criminal activities. Every citizen must have confidence in its justice system. There can be no peace without justice and no civilized society without education. In the absence of justice and literacy no one can vision of credibility of sound reputation of the country.
Apparently Pakistan’s softer image is being portrayed by book releases, rock concerts and exhibitions nationally either internationally. Somehow we misunderstood the reality that the solution lies to the problems of country. We can somehow fix this problem by altering our international image of being naïve along with gratified and full of pride of our own culture and traditions. We have to come out of copying and competing others thereafter. If we can value our own culture and traditions showcasing higher values and norms with self-dignity only then we can gently put others on the track of respecting our culture and traditions in reciprocation. 
Pakistan is making all sorts of efforts to tackle deadly hazard of terrorism not only for its own good but for the whole world. Terrorism could only be defeated through dialogue, as it was the only way to eliminate terrorism where the outcome of using power would produce no positive results but would aggravate the situation. Unfortunately the western world is not giving Pakistan its due credit. It keeps on highlighting only those things through which the image of the country can be damaged and their national interests get served. More fuel is been added by next-door enemy India whose psychological warfare has always put serious harm to our country both nationally and internationally. But would it serve sensible if we keep waiting for due credit. Putting aside unhygienic debate of our war or others war enforced on our country and steered by our forces, political leaders should get our unparalleled sacrifices and unshaken resolve acknowledged by international world regardless of opposition’s propaganda which has been going since years and will keep going. 
Pakistan’s soft image can be portrayed through three resources i.e. culture economy and media. Pakistan is not being able to attract the western world through its historical and cultural heritage. Pakistan has great heritage from North to South. Tourism can bring a big change and can play a pivotal role. Cultural events, exchange programs, broadcasting or teaching country’s language and promoting country’s culture and society can be used as soft tools. Basant and Valentine’s Day celebrations will not help. We are in dire need of culture of tolerance in Pakistan but anything against the true spirit of Islam needs to be discouraged. Pakistan must think to start exchange programs between students. Teachers must be welcome from abroad to teach their language to young students in Pakistan and vice versa. Science and technology must be given high preferences. Helping other countries in disasters and emergency situations can prove our soft side instead of highlighting and pretending miseries in the greed of getting aid from international world. Government should stay alive to the issues of backwardness, unemployment and economic deprivation in the country and keep striving to address these through judicious distribution of resources.
People buy brands not products, this is an age old fact acknowledged by the researchers of the world. We need to develop our brand reputed Pakistan. Almost every other country is associated with its national characteristics. Italy is associated with style, Japan with technology, India with history and culture, so our efforts with branding must be guided to find our economic role. Here comes the question how we can package our self. The media particularly electronic media can play a major role. We need to have more of English news channels to have more international audience. Media has hyped bad news and have made it look like a demon.This does not mean that nothing good has happened or is happening. The only prevailing fact that bad news is more newsworthy than good news. Media has played a huge part in this feeling of desperation by mainly reporting bad news and harping on it. Calling the same idiots for discussions on prime time every day is hardly a way of finding solutions tour myriad problems. Media seems to be shunning every positive news because it is not sexy and gets no TRPs or advertising.We all know that publicity is what a company or individual receives when something prominent happens and when the notable event is good, the publicity usually attracts new client and gives the company something to brag about in future.We as a nation have to say that yes we are going through bad times and all of us in some way or other are contributors to this. Let’s all now resolve to get out of this rut by doing sincerely and honestly what our individual jobs are before we point fingers at others. We need to be more focused and targeted as generic strategies “Be Pakistani, buy Pakistani” “East or West, Pakistan is the best” will not work anymore. 

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129th PMA Passing Out Parade

LETTER TO EDITOR

April 19th, 2014

129th PMA Passing Out Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was really refreshing for an old soldier of the 7th PMA Long Course – commissioned February 1953 – and later PMA Ghaznavi Company Commander  (1967-69) to watch the 129th passing out parade of the PMA Kakul this morning. Many an old memory revived so vividly as if the 61 long years in between never existed ! Much has changed at the Rafiullah Drill Square since and pleasantly for the better too. The mere size of the smartly turned out parade – about 1200 cadets now against some 300 then – was highly impressive.  The Chief Guest, Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef was in his best and looked highly dignified and graceful. He had some very laudatory words for the army, its martyred heroes of the past decorated with the coveted Nishan e Haider, its present leadership like the COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif – a soldier and dedication personified – and the army’s important role in defending the integrity of the country with the entire nation ! at its back.   It was, as a matter of fact, highly reassuring and satisfying to hear such words from the PM and see the army and the ruling elite to be on the same page and frequency.  Nothing could be more than it as the need of the hour.

 

Incidentally, I believe there are female cadets also at the academy but I couldn’t find them taking part in the parade!  Why?

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)

E.mail: jafri@rifiela.com

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Pakistan Army renovate 165-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral

 

 

 

MULTAN: 

Multan’s historical monument, the 165-year-old Saint Mary’s Cathedral was renovated by the Pakistan Army in collaboration with the civil society of Multan.

The cathedral’s doors were thrown open to the public after massive renovation and repair work, which was inaugurated by Corps Commander Multan, Lieutenant General Abid Parvez.

The renovation cost more than five million rupees, which was contributed by the cantonment board Multan, civil society and from different sects.

Station Commander Brigadier Taufeeq Tahir said the cathedral was constructed in 1848, but had fallen into ruin and disrepair.

“We welcomed the renovation request of our honourable Christian community. It was not only renovated but completely rehabilitated, and members of all communities and sects are welcome here without any religious or social discrimination,” he said.

Bishop Leo Paul, who spoke on the behalf of the Christian community, paid special thanks to the Pakistan Army and civil society of multan. Addressing the ceremony, he discussed the problems of the church with Lieutenant General Abid Parvez and asked for a clean-up of encroachments and illegal buildings from the cathedral’s surroundings. He also requested for the construction of a school for the Christian community near the church.

Lieutenant General Abid Parvez appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Army team. Addressing the ceremony, he said the army would like to continue working to protect Pakistan’s assets and historical monuments.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral – newly renovated. PHOTO: EXPRESS

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