Pakistan Link - October 23, 2015

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Friday, October 23, 2015

VOL. 25/43 - 9 Muharram 1437 H PAGE 8

Hillary Clinton Vs Bernie Sanders at Las Vegas Nawaz Briefs Kerry on India’s Destabilizing Role in Pakistan Washington, DC: Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday apprised US Secretary of State John Kerry about the destabilizing role of Indian intelligence agencies in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Balochistan and Karachi.

Three separate dossiers containing evidence of Indian involvement in subversive activities were handed over to the US side by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

Secretary Kerry had called upon the premier at Blair House in Washington DC. During the meeting, the prime minister also reiterated the peace initiatives that he had put forth during the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

Prime Minister Sharif also briefed Secretary Kerry on the outstanding achievements of his government in the last two years, especially in the economic sector and the internal security domain.

Secretary Kerry assured the premier of continued US coopera-

ROLE, P28

Pakistan to Push for Holding T20 World Cup outside India Islamabad: Islamabad will launch a diplomatic offensive against New Delhi and seek change of venue for the upcoming International Cricket Council’s World T20 tournament scheduled to be played in India next year in the wake of security threats posed by Hindu extremist groups.

This follows the cancellation of the Kabaddi World Cup by the government of Indian Punjab scheduled for November following violence triggered by the desecration of the Sikh holy book.

Activists from far-right Hindu group Shiv Sena on Monday stormed into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offices in Mumbai and shouted anti-Pakistan slogans just as the BCCI president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan were to discuss the possibility of a bilateral cricket series.

“The recent incidents clearly show that India is no more a safe CRICKET, P28

US & Canada $1.00

PAGE 13

PAGE 11

Dilip Visited Pakistan Twice On Secret Mission

New National Security Advisor to Be Appointed

Terrorist Networks Destroyed: Nawaz

For news, updated round the clock, visit

www.PakistanLink.com Islamabad Won’t Accept Limits on Tactical Nuclear Arms

electricity is to be added to the national grid by 2017 to overcome the energy crisis, Radio Pakistan reported.

“While international institutions are acknowledging the gov-

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to tell US President Barack Obama Thursday that Pakistan will not accept limits on its use of small tactical nuclear weapons, officials said on Wednesday.

The country insists smaller weapons would deter a sudden attack by its bigger neighbor India.

But the United States worries tactical weapons may further destabilize an already volatile region.

Sharif and Obama are due to meet on Thursday.

The United States wants Pakistan to commit to not using tactical nuclear weapons but Islamabad wants to keep its options open as a way of deterring a potential Indian attack, said Maria Sultan, head of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute.

Pakistan says the United States is demanding unreasonable limits on its use of nuclear weapons and not offering much in return apart from a hazy promise to consider Pakistan as a recognized recipient of nuclear technology.

“Pakistan’s nuclear program

NAB Authorizes Probe against Senior PPP Leaders

NAB Has Opened another Chapter of ‘One-Party Accountability’

Islamabad: The National Accountability Bureau initiated corruption probes against PPP’s senior leader and former education minister of Sindh, Pir Mazharul Haq, for allegedly causing a loss of up to Rs6 billion to the national exchequer by illegally appointing 13,000 teachers in the Education Department, Sindh.

This decision was taken at the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of NAB on Wednesday, which was presided by NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.

The accountability watchdog also ordered inquiry against former federal minister Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan and former MNA Asma Alamgir for alleged accumulation

Dubai: Pakistan People’s Par-

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses members of the Pakistani-American community in Washington, DC

Washington, DC: The network

of terrorists in Pakistan has been destroyed, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

“Pakistan gave many sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the government is committed to root

out terrorism from the country,” PM Nawaz stated while addressing the Pakistan-American community in Washington.

Asking all stake holders to join hands in the development of the country, PM Nawaz said 3,600MW

NETWORK, P28

NAB initiated inquiry against Pir Mazhar ul Haq, Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan and Asma Alamgir

of assets beyond known sources of income, read a statement issued by NAB. During its meeting, the NAB chairman or-

dered probe against the PPP leader and his aides over the alleged illegal appointment of 1,300 teachers in the Sindh education

department, causing huge loss to the national exchequer, the statement added.

Inquiry was also au-

PPP, P28

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LIMITS, P28

ty (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Wednesday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has opened another chapter of ‘one-party accountability’ today.

“For NAB everything is hunkydory all across the country with the exception of People’s Party,” Zardari said in a reactionary statement that came on the heels of NAB’s decision to undertake inquiry into alleged corruption by the PPP’s provincial ministers and MPAs. Mr Zardari exhorted not to forget that history will keep the account of what is going on today and warned of dangerous consequences as its result.

In a derogatory remark, the PPP Co-chairman said the NAB had better shut down all its offices in the country and move to the People’s Party Secretariat.

“NAB through its decisions against Arbab Alamgir, Asma

ZARDARI, P28

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OPINION

P4 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

Pakistan Link

Celebrating Angus Deaton in 7 Tweets

President

n By Dr Adil Najam

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Y

es! I am very happy that Angus Deaton was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Economics. Finally!

I was delighted when I heard that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences had decided to award The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for 2015 to Prof. Angus Deaton - Scottish born, Cambridge University educated, Professor at Princeton University. They announced that it was “for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare”.

Indeed. As the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences pointed out in their citation: “More than anyone else, Angus Deaton has enhanced [our understanding of individual consumption choices]. By linking detailed individual choices and aggregate outcomes, his research has helped transform the fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and development economics.”

This is very true. His main contributions to economics have been improving the data and the analysis, especially at the microeconomic (household) level, that shape our understanding of poverty and of inequality. But what endears him even more to someone like me is the optimism that he derives from this empiricity. Specially, since so many empiricists derive anything but that. This is best captured and represented in his magisterial tome, The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality (Princeton University Press, 2013).

The New York Times review of the book by David Leonhardt (‘The Cokeyed Optimist,’ December 19, 2013) has been much quoted today, especially for describing Angus Deaton’s central message as “deeply positive, almost gloriously so.” Others seem as moved by that message. Bill Gates, for example, suggests that “if you want to learn about why human welfare overall has gone up so much over time, you should read The Great

n By Shahid Javed Burki

A

s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approaches the American capital, he should be prepared to answer some of the questions he is likely to be asked. He should also be prepared to ask some of his own. Even if not questioned directly, he should be ready to provide his assessment of where the western part of the Muslim world is going in terms of political and social development.

I define the Muslim world’s western part as the landmass that begins in Morocco in the west and ends with Bangladesh in the east.

This is where the majority of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslim people live. A large number of countries in this area are in turmoil. There is military conflict in several of them.

The four-year-old Syrian war has been one of the bloodiest in recent history. An estimated 300,000

Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality.”

Leonhardt’s review of the book deserves to be read again. He starts, as the start should be by quoting Deaton opening sentences: “The greatest escape in human history is the escape from poverty and death. For thousands of years, those who were lucky enough to escape death in childhood faced years of grinding poverty.”

He goes on to point out that “The Great Escape of Deaton’s title refers

more powerful than high incomes.”

The conclusion, and the irony of the conclusion, is explained by Angus Deaton in his summary of the book: “The world is a better place than it used to be. People are healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Yet the escapes from destitution by so many has left gaping inequalities between people and nations.”

But it is the reviewer’s conclusion that we should pay heed to as we understand Deaton and his Great Escape: “It is true that many of today’s

“The world is a better place than it used to be.

People are healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Yet the escapes from destitution by so many has left gaping inequalities between people and nations.” to the process that began during the Enlightenment and made progress the norm. Scientists, doctors, businessmen and government officials began to seek truth, rather than obediently accept dogma, and they began to experiment. In Immanuel Kant’s definition of the Enlightenment: ‘Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own understanding!’”

For Angus Deaton, as Leonhardt points out, “Knowledge — which is to say education — is humanity’s most important engine of improvement.”

And that “rising education is the most powerful cause of the recent longevity boom in most poor countries, even

biggest problems, including economic growth, education and climate, defy easy solutions. But the same was true, and much more so, about escaping centuries of poverty and early death.

It was hard, and it involved a lot of failure along the way. The story Deaton tells — the most inspiring human story of all — should give all of us reason for optimism, so long as we are willing to listen to its moral.”

Great empiricist that he is - and precisely because he is a great empiricist - he defies the narrowness of those more beholden to their (quantitative) method than to the purpose (and policy implications) of their enquiry. As

What Nawaz Should Tell Obama

people have already been killed and tens of thousands of more will die.

Half of the country’s population of 18 million have left their homes and are seeking refuge in the neighboring states. Close to a million have either already entered Europe or are headed that way. If most of these get accommodated, they will change the demographic profile of the continent.

Vladimir Putin’s Russia has jumped into the fray and has significantly increased his country’s military presence in Syria. The Russian air force is carrying out an intense bombing campaign in the areas that are now under the control of anti-Assad forces. Moscow’s official position is that it is hitting the Islamic State (IS) but the real target seems to be the forces the Americans were helping so that they could overthrow the Assad regime in Damascus. There is some fear that the stage is being set for another serous confrontation be-

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tween Russia and America. Moscow’s sudden involvement is testing what some analysts are calling the “Obama Doctrine of Restraint”.

And then there are the worrying developments in Afghanistan which led the United States to decide that it will not abide by the timetable laid down by Barack Obama according to which all American forces will pull out by the end of 2016, a few weeks before he vacates the White House. Under pressure from the Afghan government, Washington has decided not to leave the country altogether.

Whether this decision will impress the dissidents in Afghanistan, only time will tell.

A front page article in The Washington Post by Sudarasan Raghavan, a highly respected journalist of Indian origin, who knows the Muslim world well, paints a horrifying picture of the pain that is being inflicted by the extremists in Afghanistan. His story ap-

someone who works on inequity he can tell the story of worsening global inequity with passion and conviction but without denying the story of human progress within which that inequity has grown.

The mind that can keep those ideas together is a mind that can make other important connections too. For example, the connections that lead him to realize that Foreign Aid has mostly failed to promote even economic growth, let alone development.

The “central dilemma” is that when the conditions needed for development are present, countries do not need any aid; and when they are not, aid ends up being not very useful, sometimes actually harmful.

The preoccupations of Angus Deaton have been what the preoccupations of microeconomists are. That he has also applied some of these to my country, Pakistan, makes me happy. Though, of course, his conclusions are not exactly endearing.

This, from a 1992 World Bank Paper he co-wrote with Franque Grimard on “Demand Analysis and Tax Reform in Pakistan.”

Reportedly, he hopes that “carefulness in measurement” will be his legacy. That is a big wish, but I hope that some of the things that are not central to his “major contribution” to the field will also become part of that legacy. For example, his work on ‘happiness’ with Daniel Kahneman - psychologist, fellow Princeton professor, and winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics.

There is, of course, going to be so much more to the career and contribution of any Nobel laureate than what has been highlighted above.

“Real” economists may not even consider what I have highlighted here as great contributions. That may well be so. But, to me, especially from a policy world perspective, this is what I know and respect him for.

If only more scholars could develop the ability to be “careful in measurement” while not losing the ability to think big, think bold.

(Adil Najam is the Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and former Vice Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). He tweets @AdilNajam)

peared on October 15, the day the Pentagon took the decision to prolong America’s stay. The extremists who identify with the IS have captured some territory around Jalalabad, not far from the border with Pakistan. That this would happen was predicted by President Ashraf Ghani in his long conversation with me in early May. “Pakistan military actions in their northern areas OBAMA, P28

Views and opinions express e d by authors and contributors in articles, letters, opinion pieces, reports, advertisements, etc appearing in Pakistan Link and Urdu Link are their own. The paper neither shares nor endorses them and thus should not be held responsible for the views/opinions of the writers & advertisers.

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OPINION

P6 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015 n By Bisma Tirmizi

W

atching a political debate on CNN is one thing, sitting 30 feet away from all five Democratic presidential candidates and listening to them live, is another. Sometimes we just happen to be at the right place at the right time, and I was one of the lucky 1,300 audience members inside the Latour Ballroom at the Wynn, Las Vegas, on October 13.

The stage was electric, as was the debate. The face-off was pitched to be essentially between the two frontrunners, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, though Mike O’Malley managed to get mildly noticed. Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee, the remaining two candidates seemed to be lost in translation and policy; Webb appeared to be rather argumentative and aggressive about not getting enough play-time, and Chafee just a plain old mild-mannered guy, who did not seem cut out to be a politician.

Clinton came out surefooted; her posture strong and demeanor confident. Were there moments in the debate when she lost her balance? No, not from my vantage point. She may slightly have tripped on the question implying that her presidency could be considered a dynastic one, but managed to compose herself quickly, bringing in the woman card. Her control of the stage was impressive, she answered in a measured

Hillary Clinton vs Bernie Sanders at Las Vegas

tone and maintained a relaxed body language for the length of the debate. The only moment where she could have lost her footing was when she was questioned about the Benghazi emails, and there Bernie Sanders reached out for help: “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails,” gaining bonus points for his chivalry. The email scandal is popularly believed to be the brainchild of the GOP, and Sanders shot it down, entirely to the delight of Clinton and her supporters.

Clinton certainly seemed knowledgeable and well-prepared.

She wasn’t cocky and came out with just enough lightness of wit to keep the audience engaged and comfortable. Grandpa Bernie, on the other hand, was very likeable.

His impassioned stance of “let’s do

good for the common man” hit a chord. He has been touted as the socialist Democrat, who wants to foster equality and help the poor and the middle class. He is being

Sometimes we just happen to be at the right place at the right time, and I was one of the lucky 1,300 audience members inside the Latour Ballroom at the Wynn, Las Vegas, on October 13 seen as the candidate who will turn the heat on Wall Street. His stance on social security, healthcare and college tuition echoed the policies of European countries, such as Sweden and Norway, where the

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latter two are free. Are these issues relevant to the lives of all Americans? Yes. Are the policies Sanders advocating doable? Maybe. He appeared authentic, his ideology extremely left of centre, and he also appeared invested in improving the lives of the ordinary American.

There is heart in his campaign, and if elected, he could turn out to be the common man’s president.

Sanders is right when he says that the gun control issue has to be handled with measure. Drastic pronouncements on the issue may be attractive, but are wholly unrealistic. Clinton and O’Malley challenged Sanders on his stance on gun control, to which he responded with some exasperation, frustrated at their stubbornness of not understanding the American gun love, and therefore maintaining their wilfully unrealistic poli-

cies on gun control. The one area where he lagged behind entirely was on foreign policy, and that is his Achilles heel.

George W Bush’s high-handedness and trigger-happy foreign policy led to two disastrous wars.

Barack Obama’s policy of minimal engagement has led to another kind of crisis, making clear that a cerebral and diplomatic American influence and presence is essential for a stable world. Being the most powerful country in the world comes with its disadvantages; hence the candidates need to have a well-defined foreign policy. Being domestically invested will only take them so far when it comes to constructing their longterm legacy.

One of the key moments of the debate was O’Malley’s closing statement. It was powerful and strong, and talked about the America of tomorrow, where race, colour and religion can become a thing of the past.

There was much disagreement among the candidates on various issues, including immigration, gun control, Wall Street regulation, and how to deal with Russia, Iran and Syria, amongst many others. However, the five players were dignified at all times.

There was no “carnival barking” as O’Malley so right put it, or petty personal attacks. Hence, what we got to see was an authentic Democratic debate in the superficial environs of Las Vegas. Maybe next time, the Republican circus can come to town and feel right at home. (The writer is a storyteller at heart and a journalist by profession. She is based in the US)

OPINION n By Dr Mohammad Taqi

T

Florida

he controversy over the largest death toll in the modern history of hajj is not over yet. The Saudi Arabian government has drawn unprecedented criticism for its management of the hajj with calls for not just overhauling how the pilgrimage is managed but also who should do it.

The calls have ranged from asking the Saudis to oversee the Hajj in a more consultative manner to outright demands for creating a protectorate consisting of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, independent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The former head of Saudi intelligence and once the Kingdom’s ambassador to the US, Prince Turki al-Faisal, finally weighed in saying in an interview with the Associated Press (AP) last week, “Oversight of these holy places and the hajj is a matter of sovereignty and privilege and service.” The influential Saudi prince has a point.

Calling for a “Vatican-like” protectorate is as fashionable as it is impractical and does not factor in how jealously the Saudis guard their sovereignty. Indeed, why would an established regime give up its control over the cities that bring it tremendous prestige, legitimacy and revenue? And in the unimaginable instance that the Saudis do give up their control over Mecca, who is to say that the next demand will not be the resort town of Taif next door?

The Islamic Republic of Iran, hun-

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P7

Perils and Politics of Pilgrimage dreds of whose citizens perished in the stampede, has been most vocal about the Saudi control of hajj. One doubts, however, that Iran would give up control over the shrines under its sovereignty if the shoe were on the other foot. While the criticism of the Saudi handling of hajj is justified, using it as a pretext to call for regime change opens not just another can of worms but takes away from the legitimate focus on the cultural, religious and organizational mess that the Saudis have made out of the pilgrimage and related activities. For example, the same AP that carried Prince Turki al-Faisal’s interview also reported shortly before it that “the new tally in the Saudi hajj disaster shows at least 1,399 killed”.

The politics over pilgrimage seem to be burying the perils of pilgrimage instead of actually highlighting and mitigating them.

Unlike most mega-crowded events elsewhere in the world, the hajj is unique in that it is a series of elaborate time and space-sensitive rituals in which hundreds of thousands have to converge at a handful of spots in rapid succession, making crowd control a nightmarish scenario. It is quite an experience to see the completely deserted Mina off-season and then observe a sea of humanity pushing, shoving and literally stepping over each other during hajj to get to the Jamarat (the site to symbolically stone Satan). People are camped out not just in makeshift accommodations but also on streets, in parked vehicles or even under them. It really is a temporary migration of millions and not enough

facilities to support them. Whatever its spiritual aspects, Hajj is certainly a physically arduous journey with people dead tired from days

The Kingdom is not exactly known for transparency and, sensing both real and trumped-up turmoil, has gone into an external and internal denial mode, which is exponentially more dangerous. It would still perhaps be more helpful to engage the Saudis over the perils of pilgrimage rather than getting bogged down in politics over it of travel, lack of sleep and proper hydration in many cases and the scorching sun taking its toll too. The

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bottlenecks around the Jamarat, despite the massive remodeling done since 2006, are well-known. My own experience is that the Saudi officials often stop large crowds for hours on end when approaching the Jamarat. Whatever the reason for the stoppage, it really is suffocating to stand so tightly packed that one can hardly move an arm, in the sweltering heat, especially if one runs out of water. People getting desperate, losing their temper and ready to run others over is not merely a possibility, it actually does happen. Other areas where disaster is waiting to strike, God forbid, are the Sa’ee area inside the Kaaba Grand Mosque, the Jamarat escalators and the ArafatMuzdalifa-Mina monorail with its perilous pedestrian ramps, double shutdown entrances and the sheer numbers getting packed in the railcars like sardines. The Kaaba mosque complex itself has no well-

marked, functional fire or emergency exits. If there are any disaster protocols, ordinary pilgrims neither know about them nor follow them simply due to the staggering numbers. Unless both safety measures are cranked up and the number of pilgrims drastically reduced, current Saudi infrastructure does put thousands of lives in mortal danger.

The Saudis do not, however, appear keen on curtailing the number of pilgrims as it simply means boatloads of foreign exchange, especially at a time when the oil prices are at their lowest in a decade. In fact, the Kaaba grand mosque complex expansion underway is supposed to accommodate two million people at a time. That would mean a hazardously higher number of people through the aforementioned chokepoints, making future disasters a matter of statistical probability. And then, of course, all this expansion comes at the cost of Mecca’s rich cultural and religious heritage, which has been displaced by a five-star hotel/shopping mall/clock tower standing over the Ottoman-era Ajyad Fort, a fourstar hotel over the house of the first caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), and, appallingly, a set of toilets over the house of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) first wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA). Ziauddin Sardar’s 2014 monumental work ‘Mecca: The Sacred City,’ which merits a formal review, chronicles these travesties and some but one really has to see it to believe it. That the Saudis had captured Mecca and Medina in bloody campaigns is as lawful or unlawful as any other conquest in the world but the cultural purge they have carried PILGRIMAGE, P24

OPINION

P8 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015 n By Narjis Fatema

A

Karachi, Pakistan

s a Muslim, he knew that using someone else’s property without permission or rightful authority is not permissible. Yet, today we see mosques being built ‘in the name of Islam’ on property that belongs to someone else

It’s that time of the year again. The one in which we start a social media debate about mourning versus sending out New Year greetings. It’s Muharram; after all, that’s what the sacrifice of Karbala was meant for, wasn’t it?

Harsh, you say? Well so is reality.

In recent times, well, since the advent of social media, people have taken to their keyboards to voice otherwise offensive views without any fear whatsoever or any inkling of tolerance. Since the past couple of days, my Facebook newsfeed, blogs online and Twitter timelines have been replete with sectarian conflict.

New Year greetings are spewed venom against due to their ‘celebratory’ impression and Muharram statuses are gutted with comments on the so-called ‘biddati’ rites of Ashura.

And amidst all this chaotic fingerpointing the one thing that stands out loud and clear is our ignorance pertaining to our own religion.

While scholars continue to encourage a critical and analytical understanding of the event of Karbala and continue to decry how the media only conveys the ritualistic aspect

Should I Say “Happy Islamic New Year”? of the story, we are left with a whole array of confusion. The superficial, and exceedingly immature, debate goes to show just how much we crave a clearer understanding of the most revered sacrifice in human history.

Imam Hussain’s (RA) sacrifice has left a strong message for us all and yet we do not pay heed. For example, not many people are aware that Imam Hussain (RA) purchased the land of Karbala from the tribe of Bani Asad and then gifted it back to them. He had foreseen the battle awaiting him and bought the land to ensure that he and his companions were buried there and that when their loved ones came to visit their graves, they would be treated with respect and honour. He did it to ensure that the owners of the land did not suffer any detriment.

He did not hide behind the excuse that he was being forced to camp there or that he would not be responsible if the land were rendered useless for its owners. He did not say that he was fighting for the cause of Islam thus any land was God’s land. No. As a Muslim, he knew that no matter what the situation, using someone else’s property without permission or rightful authority is not permissible.

Yet, today we see mosques being built ‘in the name of Islam’ on property that belongs to someone else. Yet, today we carry out Muharram congregations throughout the country without any thought to damage done to the property of others.

When Hur invited Imam Hussain (RA) to Kufa, the men in Hur’s army were exhausted and desperately thirsty. Despite knowing that they were the enemy force, Imam Hussain instructed that water be taken out of his limited supply and be given to Hur’s men. How many of us even bother to shake hands with those we dislike?

Anyways, Hur then deceivingly led Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions to the desert land of Karbala. When Yazid heard that Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions were forced to camp on the land of Karbala, he sent his army to surround them completely. After failed negotiations to try and convince Imam Hussain (RA) to give an oath of allegiance to Yazid, the army blocked all supply routes to the land leaving not even one drop

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of water with Imam Hussain (RA) or his companions. Mothers and their children suffered from thirst.

Yet, they waited in patience.

Any ‘rational’ person would have deprived their enemy of water and saved it for his/her own family instead Imam Hussain (RA) followed the words of Islam in letter and spirit. And we all know that Islam teaches more than just rationality, it teaches morality.

Yet today, we let our rationality dominate our morality. We forbid our servants from eating before we ourselves have eaten. Yet today, we do not stop to think how thirsty a policeman may be standing in the heat manning our chaotic traffic.

Are you still trying desperately to separate these acts of justice and morality in your head and excusing yourself from following the real es-

sence of Islam? Are you still creating that dichotomy in your head between a Sunni and a Shia?

When Hur saw that the children of the Imam Hussain’s (RA) caravan were suffering from extreme thirst, because the army he was serving had prohibited water and food supplies from reaching his camp, he felt a sense of guilt overcome him. He remembered the act of Imam Hussain (RA) had bestowed upon his army, despite his deception. That night he went to Imam Hussain (RA) to repent.

Imam Hussain (RA) could have made Hur pay for his crime, but following the footsteps of his Grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the spirit of Islam, he opted for forgiveness rather than vengeance.

Yet today, we kill, maim and burn innocent, unarmed people in the name of religion. We are divided in the sophomoric debate of ‘us’ and ‘them’, while Imam Hussain (RA) provided access to his camp to an enemy soldier at night because he believed in atonement and forgiveness. Yet today, when we get into an accident on the road we stoop to brawls before even talking about what happened. Yet today, in our race to be proven right about religion, we forget what religion actually is.

With the widespread sectarian disarray around the globe, there is a dire need for us to move beyond the ritualistic aspect of Karbala. It is time for us to sit down and learn about our own religion. It is time for us to reflect over its social, economic, ethical and political YEAR, P28

OPINION

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P9

Modi’s Policy Blunders and Delusions of India as a “Superpower” n By Riaz Haq

“

CA

If you (India) want to run with the big dogs, you have to stop pissing with the puppies”. - Robert Blackwill, Ex-US Ambassador to India

What Mr Blackwill said about India back in 2006 still rings true with Modi’s foreign policy team’s poor handling of Nepal. In a piece titled “Has Narendra Modi’s foreign policy bubble burst” a BBC report summed up the situation in the following words: “For many in India, Narendra Modi is seen as the country’s best brand ambassador. That’s quite apparent from his many overseas visits in his first 16 months in office - he has generated plenty of interest, airtime and drawn adulation from the extensive Indian diaspora. But that may not be enough in sustaining relationships in the neighborhood, as he is fast finding out.”

India’s Regional Ties There seems to be emerging a consensus that Prime Minister Modi’s “Neighborhood First” policy announced at the time of his inauguration last year appears to be on the verge of collapse.

The Hindu Nationalists’ foreign policy spearheaded by former RAW Chief Ajit Doval is causing

weapons.”

rapid deterioration of India’s relations with most of its neighbors ranging in size from China and Pakistan to Maldives and Nepal.

Written during Prime Minister Modi’s recent US visit, including a large reception given by Indian Americans in Silicon Valley, an opinion piece by policy analyst Jyoti Malhotra concludes as follows: “So as the prime minister charms America, flanked by his two key aides Ajit Doval and S Jaishankar, the thought surfaces: Let him also spare a thought for India’s crisisridden neighborhood”. der

India’s Biggest Policy Blun-

India threw away its substantial conventional military edge over Pakistan when the Hindu Nationalist government of Atal Bihari Vajapayee decided to carry out its nuclear tests in 1998. It gave Pakistan the justification it needed to go nuclear a few weeks later, thereby achieving balance of terror with its much larger neighbor with a huge conventional military.

Indian analyst Krishna Kant explains his country’s policymakers blunder as follows: “Nuclear weapons have reduced Pakistan defense cost while we (India) have been forced to spend tens of billions of dollars to acquire latest military hardware in a bid to retain the edge. Its shows in the defense budget of the two coun-

tries since 1999 nuclear blasts. All through 1980s and 90s, Pakistan was spending around a third of its government budget and 5-6%

pected to decline to around 2.5% in the current fiscal year, slightly ahead of India’s 2%. This is releasing resources for Pakistan to in-

Written during Prime Minister Modi’s recent US visit, including a large reception given by Indian Americans in Silicon Valley, an opinion piece by policy analyst Jyoti Malhotra concludes as follows: “So as the prime minister charms America, flanked by his two key aides Ajit Doval and S Jaishankar, the thought surfaces: Let him also spare a thought for India’s crisis-ridden neighborhood” of its GDP on defense, or about twice the corresponding ratios for India. After going nuclear, Pakistan’s defense spending decelerated and its share in GDP is ex-

vest in productive sectors such as infrastructure and social services, something they couldn’t do when they were competing with India to maintain parity in conventional

Ajit Doval’s Rhetoric against Pakistan Kant argues that the Hindu Nationalists blunders in the past have severely limited India’s policy options vis-a-vis Pakistan. Here’s how he concluded his Op Ed in Business Standard: “In this environment, a hard talk by Mr Doval followed by a high-decibel drama by the government on the National Security Advisor’s talk between the two countries seems nothing more than a show for the gallery.

The audience may be applauding right now, but claps may turn to boos as the public realizes the inconsistencies in the script and the pain it inflicts on the hero.”

Summary Hindu nationalists’ superpower delusions have led them to policies that are hurting India’s position in South Asia region and the world. No amount of hard talk

by Ajit Doval can change this fact.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has recently said: “India and Pakistan need sustained engagement to realize the vast potential of benefits of liberalization of trade and investment in the South Asian region.”

Modi and Doval need to listen to Mr Singh. India’s best bet is to engage with Pakistan as well as other neighbors on a sustained basis to deal with the realities as they exist.

Encouraging Future Predicted for Pakistan’s E-commerce n By Junaid Ahmad

T

he world of ecommerce has recently emerged and progressed at an astonishing pace in Pakistan with many new and existing organizations, businesses, and customers.

The ecommerce industry is booming throughout the region, with India’s leading ecommerce website, Flipkart, raising a record US$1 billion in investment and Alibaba’s – China’s ecommerce giant – market capitalization estimated to be over US$250 billion.

Pakistan, although a late entrant to the world of ecommerce, has recently recorded a massive rise in online shopping trends and other ecommerce businesses. Such exponential growth trends over the past few years – with US$30 million being spent on online purchases currently – depict a highly positive picture for the future and the size of Pakistan’s ecommerce market is expected to reach over US$600 million by 2017.

With many new online ventures springing up rapidly and existing businesses recording unprecedented growth rates, there is still a lot that needs to be done to reach the true ecommerce potential of the country and compete with other big players of the region. Several factors are responsible for drastically changing shopping trends over time and driving the growth of ecommerce in Pakistan.

Internet penetration in Pakistan One of the most important factors in the equation is the rate of inter-

net penetration in Pakistan. Pakistan’s internet enabled population is limited to around 30 million users today. It is expected to rise to 56 million by 2019.

Pakistan’s much-awaited entry into 3G and LTE services in 2014 has increased internet accessibility and will also most likely propel the growth of online purchases. Statistics from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveal that the total number of thirdgeneration (3G) mobile subscriptions have risen up to 10.3 million in 2015.

The number of 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) subscribers also increased to over 68,000.

In the next five years, 28 percent of the country’s population is estimated to have internet access. With increased access to the internet and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, marketing trends are also rapidly changing and transforming the way opinions are now being shaped.

This will not only transform shopping trends but also significantly impact several other ecommerce arenas, such as online job hunts through Rozee.pk which has facilitated job hunts for over 1 million people, and land, property and rental transactions via Zameen.pk, to name a few.

Access to smartphones Along with increased internet penetration, 73.2 percent of the entire population also has access to mobile phones. There is also a recent surge in smartphone usage with an estimated 9 million smartphone users in Pakistan. Internet-enabled smartphones have dramatically increased the ease of internet access and made online businesses much more accessible for all.

Both the rise of internet penetration and the declining costs of smartphones have accounted for this rapid

the need for specialized online stores, such as AaramShop, PakistanGrocery and Doorstep.pk.

These trends provide ample growth opportunities for emerging online business, as well as potential exploration and growth avenues for courier services by association.

rise in smartphone usage in Pakistan.

Many Chinese brands have launched sophisticated devices at a fraction of costs associated with the world’s leading mobile phone brands, which has augmented mobile penetration across the lower income strata of the country.

With such easy access to the internet via affordable smartphones, ecommerce trends in the country are expected to boom in the near future.

Online modes of payment Even though Cash-on-Delivery (COD) payment methods continue to remain widely popular in Pakistan and account for more than 95 percent of online purchases, other promising initiatives such as branchless banking (Telenor’s Easy Paisa, Zong and Askari Bank’s Timepey, Mobilink’sMobicash etc.) and Inter Bank Fund Transfer (IBFT), are also underway.

Many banks and Telecom operators have introduced the concept of branchless banking, and the number of branchless banking agents facilitating offline payments for online purchases have recently tripled, making it much more convenient to transfer money in a secure environment.

www.PakistanLink.com

Online merchants now have much greater access to merchant accounts that enable them to collect payments electronically via the 12 million debit cards in circulation in Pakistan.

Moreover, with more and more banks now offering consumers internet banking payment facilities, a vast volume of payments is made through IBFT which enables consumers to electronically transfer funds directly from their online bank accounts to online stores.

Logistics and delivery infrastructure Delivery giants such as TCS and Leopard, as well other couriers, are providing COD delivery services across 150 cities nationwide.

The fact that 35 percent of the total 70,000 COD parcels are delivered to cities other than the urban cities of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, depicts the potential of the vast untapped segment of the population outside of these urban centers that is increasingly transitioning to online shopping due to the lack of options available to rural shoppers. This has also encouraged many specialized online grocery stores to recently pop up and tap into

Growing trust and reliance on ecommerce The future of ecommerce trends lies in the ability of online businesses to gain their foothold and establish trust in online shopping and ecommerce initiatives.

There is a long way to go. With just 3 percent of the Pakistani population engaging in online shopping, several initiatives are starting with online businesses in Pakistan to reach out to their potential market, build up their credibility, and garner consumer trust.

This is especially true for risk-averse shoppers.

Online brands such as OLX have now begun to set up significant advertising budgets for mainstream media advertising, as well as targeted digital marketing initiatives through social media. Rocket Internet, which operates different ventures in Pakistan, has injected a lot of capital into the Pakistani ecommerce market.

Unilever’s recent partnership with Daraz to utilize the platform for reaching out to consumers all over Pakistan for its beauty and personal care products signifies a shift of the FMCG sector towards ecommerce as well.

Kaymu.pk has established itself as a successful online marketplace through a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) model. It has also launched a mobile phone app to provide wideECOMMERCE, P28

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PAKISTAN

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P11

‘Pakistan Has Built Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons to Counter Indian Aggression’ Washington, DC: Pakistan has

made low-yield nuclear weapons in response to India’s actions under its cold-start doctrine, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhary told a news briefing here on Tuesday.

This is the first concrete explanation from a senior Pakistani official on how Islamabad plans to deal with India’s so called cold-start doctrine, now re-named the pro-active strategy.

It is also a rare explanation of Pakistan’s decision to make tactical nuclear weapons to deal with the possible threat of Indian aggression.

Briefing the Pakistani media on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s visit to Washington, Chaudhary also said that Pakistan would not sign any nuclear deal with the United States during the visit.

National interest a priority: PM: Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed that Pakistan’s national interests will be prioritised during his upcoming visit to the United States (US).

The premier was speaking to media personnel in London, en route the US. “We will protect the national interests of Pakistan during my meetings with US leadership,” said the prime minister.

While responding to a question

on recent reports in US media regardingPakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and plans to limit it, the premier said: “We should not forget who the prime minister was in 1999 when we became a nuclear power.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also stated that concrete evidence regarding India’s sponsoring of terrorism has been forwarded to relevant people and organisations, and expressed hope that Pakistan’s concerns would be addressed.

The premier added that the incumbent government would end the power crisis facing the country before the next general elections.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed his disappointment at the attitude shown by the opposing

Pakistan, Russia Sign Agreement for Construction of Karachi-Lahore Gas Pipeline

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak signed the agreement in Islamabad

Islamabad: Furnishing a proof of

its new diplomatic strategy in the subcontinent, Russia signed an agreement on Friday with Pakistan to construct a lengthy gas pipeline from Karachi on the Arabian Sea all the way to the eastern city of Lahore.

According to multiple media sources, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Pakistani Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi signed the agreement at a ceremony broadcast live across Pakistan.

At a presser after the signing ceremony, Pakistani government officials noted that the new NorthSouth gas pipeline project would be built by Russian firm RT Global Resources (a holding company of Russian state-controlled Rostec).

The more than 1,100-kilometer pipeline will have a capacity of 12.4 billion cubic meters per year, according to Friday’s statement, and will connect liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Karachi with those in Lahore.

Based on the new intergovernmental agreement, construc-

tion of the pipeline is scheduled to be finished by late 2017. The north-south pipeline will reach its maximum capacity by early 2020, according to a statement from Russia’s Energy Ministry. The Russian statement also noted that Rostec State Corp. would invite foreign investors such as China to participate in the project.

Russia is studying funding for the project from Russian and Chinese development banks. A firm to be set up by investors will own and operate the new Pakistani pipeline over its 25-year lifetime, according to the statement.

The 12.4 billion cubic meters of gas per year that can be transported by the new gas link represents close to 30% of Pakistan’s current gas consumption According to a senior government official, Russia is putting about $2 billion into the pipeline, and its first phase should be completed by December 2017.

Analysts point out that this new Russian investment in Pakistan is related to Putin seeking new allies .

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and their repeated claims of rigging following the by-elections recently held in Punjab.

The premier will arrive in the US on Tuesday and will likely be asked to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, days after Washington said it was delaying its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

US President Barack Obama last week reversed a pledge to pull troops out as he admitted Afghan forces were not ready to stand alone against the resurgent Taliban, who briefly captured a key northern city this month.

The US sees Pakistan as one of the few sources of influence over the extremists, and analysts say Washington will use the four-day trip to urge Sharif to keep pushing for a new round of talks.

Earlier, the Foreign Office had clarified that no “deal” is being discussedbetween Pakistan and the United States.

According to earlier media reports, US has been weighing options to sign a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan.

A report in The Washington Post had claimed that the US is exploring an option that could pave the way for a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan like the one concluded with India in 2005.

New National Security Advisor to Be Appointed

Karachi: Pakistan is about to ap-

point a former general as national security advisor, tightening the powerful military’s control over security policy and negotiations with arch rival India, officials said Sunday.

Lieutenant General Naseer Khan Janjua, who retired from the military last week, will be appointed national security advisor soon and will accompany Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his trip to the United States next week, one military official and two civilians said.

The post is currently held by Sartaj Aziz, a civilian who is a close ally of Sharif. Aziz also holds the portfolio for foreign affairs.

“The army chief feels that Sartaj Sahib’s attention is divided,” a military source said. “So it has been decided that General Janjua will be appointed the national security adviser and Sartaj Aziz can give his full attention to the foreign office.”

“This is not about the PM conceding to the army chief or the army being a bully, not at all. This is about both sides deciding together.”

A military spokesman declined to comment.

www.PakistanLink.com

Pakistan Cautions US against Tipping South Asia Imbalance

Islamabad: As Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif prepared for his visit to the United States, his top foreign policy aide called upon the administration of President Barack Obama not to take steps that might aggravate the strategic imbalance in the South Asian region.

Speaking in BBC Urdu show ‘Sairbeen’, Sartaj Aziz, the prime minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs, said Pakistan had no issues whatsoever with Washington’s diplomatic relationship with New Delhi.

“However, at a time when Pakistan’s relations with India are tense, it [the United States] should at least try not to increase the strategic and traditional imbalance [of power] to the extent that it might pose a threat to the integrity of the whole [South Asian] region,” he added.

Asked about a Washington role in thawing the frosty relationship between Pakistan and India, Aziz said not only the United States but all countries of the world wanted the two countries to resolve their issues through talks. “But the important thing is that the strategic imbalance in the region does not increase,” he added.

About the visit of Premier Nawaz, Aziz said Islamabad and Washington would discuss key

bilateral and international issues, including Pakistan’s relationship with India, trade and investment opportunities as well as Afghan peace process.

With regard to the statement of an unmanned American official who had precluded a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan and said the two countries would instead hold talks on the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, Aziz said talks on nuclear security had been ongoing for some time and that the international community was satisfied with the steps taken

by Islamabad to secure its atomic weapons.

“Our first priority is our national interest and our security, and we will not make any compromise on them,” Aziz said. “As far as Pakistan’s inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group is concerned, work is also underway [for this purpose],” he added.

Aziz hoped both Pakistan and India would be made part of the group at the same time.

Talking with reference to President Obama’s announcement to slow the US drawdown from Afghanistan, Aziz said Pakistan would welcome all steps taken for stability in Afghanistan.

Aziz said President Obama had hinted that his country was ready to initiate talks with insurgents in Afghanistan. “However, the decision will have to be taken by the Afghan government. Pakistan will be ready to mediate, if Kabul desired Islamabad’s inclusion [in the process],” he said.

Aziz rejected speculation that the allegations regarding presence of Pakistan’s intelligence officials in the northern Afghan city Kunduz could affect talks in Washington. Pakistan has already dismissed the allegation, he added. “And the entire world knows Islamabad is making sincere efforts for restoration of peace in Afghanistan.”

Pakistan Well Aware of Threats to Its Nuclear Sites Washington, DC: “Pakistan has a

professional and dedicated security force that understands the importance of nuclear security,” says the US State Department.

“We have confidence that the government of Pakistan is well aware of the range of potential threats to its nuclear arsenal,” said a State Department spokesperson, Helaena White.

The statement, sent to Dawn in response to a query, indicates a recent lessening of concern in Washington about Pakistan’s nuclear program. The assurance also follows a series of reports in the mainstream US media that the United States is willing to offer a deal to Pakistan, which would legitimize its nuclear program, as a similar deal did for India.

The proposed deal, according to the US media, would also be discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Barack Obama when the two leaders meet at the White House on Oct 22. The prime minister reaches Washington on Tuesday on a two-

day official visit.

Reports about the deal followed a claim that Pakistan has the world’s fastest growing nuclear program and is capable of making up to 200 nuclear devices by the year 2020.

The claim, by the influential Council on Foreign Relations, led to speculations in the US media that this “fastest growing nuclear arsenal” was a threat to world peace as Pakistan was not strong enough to defend its weapons against possible terrorist threats.

But the media gave another spin to this story following reports that Pakistan and the United States had been “secretly discussing a nuclear deal”. Now they argue that a deal could secure those weapons by placing certain restrictions on the reach and quantity of Pakistan’s nuclear devices.

The proposed deal would also require Pakistan to work with organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency to further strengthen the security of its nuclear installations.

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PAKISTAN

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P13

Zardari Warns against Dictatorial Mindset

Aseefa and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari offer Fateha at the Karsaz monument in Karachi

Karachi/Islamabad:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saluted the slain victims of the October 2007 Karsaz blasts at a ceremony on Sunday as the party’s co-chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari, vowed not to allow anyone to undermine parliament.

In a statement issued on the eighth anniversary of the tragic bombing which had left more than 150 PPP workers dead, the PPP cochairperson and former president paid glowing tributes to those who lost their lives when welcoming the party’s former chairperson Benazir Bhutto upon her return from an eight-year self-exile.

Zardari said an important les-

son of the democratic struggle was that dictatorship reared its ‘ugly head’ in different forms and in different manifestations at different times.

“A subtle and little noticed form of threat to democracy is when institutions and individuals exceed their constitutional authority and trespass into the domain of other constitutional institutions,” he said, adding that one must be vigilant against the dictatorial mindset that seeks to drive from the rear seat.

“This tendency must be exposed and fought [against],” he said. The party, according to him, “pledges to continue Benazir’s mission to banish extremism and root

out dictatorship in all its forms and manifestations.”

The former president said parliament is a shield against dictatorship. “It must be strengthened, not undermined. The PPP will not allow anyone to undermine parliament.

Let there be no doubt or mistake about it,” he said.

Zardari recalled that eight years ago the battle lines were clearly drawn between forces of democracy and the militants and extremists. “Since then, the battle lines have sharpened. The battle must continue till it is won,” he said.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto and his sisters – Bakhtawar and Aseefa – along with party workers gathered at the Karsaz monument in Karachi to pay homage to the slain PPP workers. Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah also attended the event.

Sindh Information Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said an FIR for the incident could not be lodged during the tenure of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf despite court orders.

In her message on micro-blogging site Twitter, Aseefa Bhutto said: “Today we pay tribute to the martyrs who risked their lives to save our leader. We’ll never forget you.”

Her sister Bakhtawar also used social media to pay tribute to the Karsaz blast victims. “We pay tribute to our martyrs. To those who defined bravery. To those who ran towards the flames to protect my mother. To those whose sacrifice ensured her survival. May they never be forgotten.”

Death Toll from Mina’s Deadliest Haj Disaster Reaches 2,121

Dubai: The crush and stampede that struck the Haj last month in Saudi Arabia killed at least 2,121 pilgrims, a new tally showed on Monday, after officials in the kingdom met to discuss the tragedy.

The toll keeps rising from the September 24 disaster outside Makkah as countries identify bodies and work to determine the whereabouts of hundreds of pilgrims still missing.

The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed since September 26, and officials have yet to address the discrepancy.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdul Aziz, who is also the kingdom’s interior minister, oversaw a meeting late Sunday about the disaster in Mina, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. The agency’s report did not mention any official response to the rising death toll.

“The crown prince was reassured on the progress of the investigations,” the SPA report said.

“He directed the committee’s members to continue their efforts to find the causes of the accident, praying to Allah Almighty to accept the martyrs and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.”

King Salman ordered the investigation into the disaster, the deadliest in the history of the annual pilgrimage.

It came after a crane collapse in Makkah earlier that month killed 111 worshippers, and the twin disasters marred the first Haj to be overseen by the king since he ascended to the throne at the start of this year.

The Saudi king holds the title of

Dilip Visited Pakistan Twice on Secret Indian Mission

Khurshid Kasuri presents a copy of his book to Dilip Kumar in Mumbai

Mumbai: Reiterating that he had come to India as a messenger of peace, Khurshid Kasuri said there were three prominent people who worked for peace between India and Pakistan: Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar. “I wish Dilip Saab a long and healthy life”. He (Dilip Kumar) is the one guy who can bring India and Pakistan together. He also revealed to the press how the thespian flew to Pakistan twice by special aircraft on the Indian government’s request, to initiate peace.

Speaking on the topic “Strengthening Relationship Between India and Pakistan”, Kasuri, whose book “Neither A Hawk Nor A Dove” has hit the stands in India, recalled the 2005 India-Pakistan joint statement, which spoke of the irreversibility of the peace process.

Referring to the protests and blackening of the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni by Shiv Sena activist over the launch of book, Shah said “hate

mongers are having a field day in India today”.

“Why does a few positive words about Pakistan, turn me as the antiIndian?” The book then goes on to say that Vajpayee told Sharif that he would like him to talk to someone sitting next to him.

Asked what is preventing Pakistan from handing over Dawood, who has been named a global terrorist by America, to India, Kasuri said how can you hand over somebody who the Pakistani military and civil administration claim is not present in the country. They are in a position to manipulate news.

While talking to press afterwards, he revealed that Dilip Kumar was an Indian secret agent and he visited Pakistan twice for “secret missions”, on behalf of the Indian government. “Please do something to control this situation”.

The legendary actor said that he did not need to justify his patriotism to anyone.

Indian Woman Stranded in Pakistan to Be Repatriated

The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed since September 26

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” and the monarchy’s supervision of the Haj is a source of great prestige in the Muslim world.

Riyadh has rejected a suggestion

by Iran, its main regional rival, to have an independent body take over planning and administering the five-day Haj pilgrimage.

Iran has repeatedly blamed the disaster on the Saudi royal family, accusing it of mismanagement and of covering up the real death toll, which Tehran says exceeds 4,700, without providing evidence.

“The lying and hypercritical bodies, which claim to (be promoting) human rights, as well as the Western governments, which sometimes make great fuss over the death of a single person, remained dead silent in this incident in favor of their allied government,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday, according to a transcript on his website.

“If they were sincere, these self-

proclaimed advocates of human rights should have demanded accountability, compensation, guarantee for non-recurrence and punishment for the perpetrators of this catastrophe.”

Iran and Saudi Arabia are deeply divided on a host of regional issues and back opposite sides in the wars in Syria and Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been at war with Iranbacked rebels, known as Houthis, since March.

Saudi Arabia has meanwhile been targeted in gun and bomb attacks by an affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group, which holds a third of Iraq and Syria in its self-declared “caliphate”.

Like Al-Qaida before it, the IS group views the Saudi royal family as illegitimate.

The count of the dead from the Mina crush and stampede comes from state media reports and officials’ comments from 30 of the over 180 countries that sent citizens to the Haj.

www.PakistanLink.com

Karachi: An Indian woman who was stranded in Pakistan for years but couldn’t confirm her name or identify her family, is set to go home after a Bollywood movie galvanized a campaign to bring her back.

Identified only as “Geeta,” the details of how she arrived in Pakistan, when she was just a child, are sketchy. One local media source said that she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express at a Lahore railway station by Pakistan Rangers.

Her purported family lives in Bihar province, in the east of India and over a thousand miles from Pakistan.

Now 22, she may have been in the country for as long as 11 years, living in a Karachi shelter run by the Edhi Foundation. Not knowing her true name, the workers at the shelter re-christened her Geeta.

She was handed to the shelter by local police and the Pakistan Rangers, Faisal Edhi, Trustee of Edhi Foundation, told CNN. “The Indian Embassy has issued

the travel documents to Geeta and Pakistan has given her permission to travel to India,” he said. “She will leave Karachi on October 26.”

At a weekly briefing, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khallilullah reiterated his counterpart’s statement.

“We have completed all formalities on our part for repatriation of Geeta,” he told journalists. “The Indian side has already been informed accordingly. We, therefore, are waiting for response from the Indian High Commission regarding the mode of her return.”

Attempts to repatriate her have been stymied by her significant speech and hearing difficulties -- she was unable to give her real name, identify her family or, indeed, where she was from.

The news of her whereabouts first surfaced in 2012 when officials from the Indian Consulate in Islamabad met her in Karachi but the campaign to bring her home really gained momentum after the success of a blockbuster Bollywood movie, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” which deals with a similar subject -- Shahida, a deafmute Pakistani girl trapped in India.

The movie, which stars Salman Khan, one of the subcontinent’s most popular actors, has brought the case unprecedented prominence.

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OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P15

Pakistan Leveraging United States and China’s Interest in the Region n By Abdul Qadir Memon Islamabad: The consensus of the US and China on the economic and trade integration in this region has created optimism among policy circles in Pakistan to upgrade its dwindling infrastructure in order to leverage the strategic location for trade and transit.

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring much-needed investment and would connect mainland China with the Gwadar port via a 3,000-km road and railway link in Pakistan. China has two important strategic reasons to commit to this initiative.

China’s interest: China is looking to develop an alternative maritime link with Asia and Europe to reduce its reliance on its present maritime link through straits of Malacca in the South-China Sea. This route would also considerably reduce time for goods to reach the European markets and the east coast of the US. China is also looking to develop its western region which is economically less developed. The connectivity through Pakistan would make export-related manufacturing goods, which is the mainstay of the Chinese economy, financially viable for the Chinese industry.

US working on similar lines: The US is also embarking on an ambitious initiative through multilateral donor agencies for funding infrastructure projects and facilitating the creation of regional trade blocs with the policy objectives of creating economic opportunities to bring stability in the region.

An uncertain future: The US policy surfaced in 2011 through the policy vision called the ‘New Silk Road’ where US was envisaging political and economic stability in Afghanistan, after its troops withdraw from the region.

Another important strategic objective was to support the landlocked Central-Asian republics and Afghanistan connect with the sea ports of South Asia so as to provide them options other than relying on Russia for trade.

US companies show interest in Pakistan: The Chinese policy is advocated through the policy vision of ‘One Belt One Road’ where connectivity to Gwadar port is an important component. The vision envisages China’s road connectivity through Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and Europe. China will also develop maritime linkages of Chinese sea

Sukkur: Leader of the Opposi-

An important strategic objective is to support the landlocked Central-Asian republics and connect Afghanistan with the seaports of South Asia

ports with Africa through Suez Canal.

Competing for influence: The analysts believe that other than trade and energy security needs, an important motivating factor for China has been its exclusion from the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP) which is seen as a US-led initiative to deepen its economic integration in the Asia Pacific region.

According to recent media reports, the TPP negotiators have reached a consensus to implement the free trade agreement which would create one of the biggest free trade areas in the world and would constitute 40% of the world’s GDP and one third of global trade.

Whether ‘One Belt One Road’ was in response to America’s push for TPP or vice versa, some experts see it as a new great game.

However, the recent public statement made by US policymakers saying that the New Silk Road should not be seen as a competition to China’s ‘One Belt One Road’, but rather as a partnership initiative, should comfort policymakers in Pakistan, since the country enjoys close relationships with US and China.

It is important for Pakistan to facilitate these upcoming initiatives for which the most important factor is ensuring security.

US keen to invest in economic corridor projects: Pakistan government’s commitment to ensure security for the development of CPEC clearly reflects the clarity of vision to leverage these opportunities.

On the regulatory framework, it is important for Pakistan to improve

its trade facilitation measures in order to compete with regional ports.

Recently, the transit business from Pakistan has shifted to the ports of Iran due to increase in transit costs for Afghan traders. The Chabahar port in Iran, located 70km north of Gwadar, is the main competitor.

CPEC- a window of opportunity for Pakistan: Iran and China have also contributed to the development of Chabahar port that now caters to substantial volumes of Afghan transit trade that were previously coming from Pakistan. A recent study by the Asian Development Bank on trade facilitation on Border Customs Posts (BCPs) at Chaman and Torkham, which are included in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) trade corridors, does not portray an encouraging picture as Chaman and Torkham land border stations were below the regional border stations on goods clearance time. Pakistan has recently acceded to the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. Pakistan has also acceded to the United Nations transit convention (TIR convention). These two international instruments provide benchmarks for trade and transit facilitation.

The timely implementation of these conventions would improve Pakistan’s trade and transit facilitation and improve its competitiveness, which would help realize the policy vision of Pakistan as ‘hub for trade and transit in the region.’ (The writer is a development professional with over 20 years of experience with public and development sector)

Survey Reveals Nawaz Most Popular Leader Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz

Sharif has been declared the most popular and accepted leader in Pakistan by the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency.

The prime minister remains the most trusted leader with an approval rating of 75 per cent; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan garners an approval rating of 49 percent, while Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari gets 27 per cent approval rate.

Respondents have given above 50 per cent approval rating to the independence of media (64 per cent),

‘PM Should Have Taken Parliamentary Leaders into Confidence Before US Visit’

effectiveness of Supreme Court (56 per cent), trust in favorite political

party (56 per cent), performance of independent cabinet (52 per cent), and democratic oversight of security sector (51 per cent).

The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) had the highest approval with 70 per cent of the respondents rating the party’s competence highly; approval ratings of the PTI and the PPP stood at 44 per cent and 36 per cent respectively.

Only 30 per cent of the respondents believe the 2013 general election to be somewhat to completely rigged at the end of the second year, compared to 37 per cent in the first year.

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tion in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has asserted that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have taken the parliamentary leaders of different political parties into confidence before proceeding on his visit to the United States.

Talking to journalists here, he hoped that the prime minister would discuss Afghanistan and India issues with the US president and officials. Khursheed said that some

federal cabinet ministers had been creating an awkward situation for Prime Minister Nawaz by reviving the dead issue of the construction of Kalabagh Dam. He said that the people of three provinces had rejected the project and the assemblies passed resolutions over the issue. He urged the prime minister to take notice of the propaganda over Kalabagh Dam. He said that he had not yet contacted Dr Asim Hussain – former petroleum minister, who is in the custody of Rangers for alleged corruption.

He said that if the local bodies elections were to be postponed for five to 10 days due to Muharram, it would not affect the election process. Talking about the Karsaz incident, he said that it was the result of a security lapse of the then government.

Khursheed said, “We all salute the martyrs of the Karsaz incident, indeed all the martyrs of democracy, and vow to carry forward the democratic and egalitarian mission of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party as envisioned by its leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.”

Government Asks SC to Lift Ban on Hunting of Houbara Bustard Islamabad: The Pakistan federal government has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider a ban on hunting houbara bustard by foreign dignitaries, saying the restriction was adversely affecting the country’s already-weakened relations with the Gulf states in the wake of turmoil in the region.

“The petition involved a question of fundamental importance having direct bearing upon foreign relations of the federation with the Gulf states,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pleaded in a petition last week seeking a review of the August 19 verdict.

A three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by the then Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, had ordered the the federal and provincial governments not to grant licenses or permits to hunt the endangered bird in the future.

But the government argued that the matter concerned the country’s external affairs, matters the superior courts usually avoided interfering with.

Cherished tradition: The review petition pleaded that falconry is a significant feature of Pakistan’s relations with Middle Eastern countries. Falconry is not merely a sport for Arabs, but also one of their most cherished customs and recognized as a cultural heritage by UNESCO. For over four decades, the petition recalled, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been extending invitations to Arab dignitaries for the sustainable hunting of the houbara bustard through falconry, in view of Pakistan’s strong fraternal and diplomatic relations with Gulf countries. The permits were issued following a strict code of conduct issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Since inviting Arab dignitaries to hunt in Pakistan was a “cornerstone of foreign policy”, in continuance of past practice, foreign dignitaries were invited to Pakistan for the 2014-2015 hunting season.

The petition contended that under the provincial wildlife laws of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the respective provincial governments have statutory power to remove any category of wildlife from the schedule of protected animals.

In Balochistan, the houbara bustard is a game animal under the Balochistan Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act 2014 and the hunting of this species is permissible under the law, subject to certain conditions.

By placing a complete ban on the hunting of the houbara bustard, the Supreme Court had overstepped beyond the scope of law since the vires of provincial wildlife laws were admittedly never in question. Besides, none of the provisions of these laws was struck down by the court for being unconstitutional, the review said.

Sustainable resource use: It is a well-established principle that the conservation of wildlife species in natural habitat can only be achieved through the sustainable use of natural resources, the petition said, adding that International Union for Conservation of Nature recognized that the economies, cultures and well-being of all human societies depend on the use of biodiversity, rather than constructing artificial distinction between people and nature.

By placing a complete ban, the apex court has negated well-settled norms of the world community for the sustainable use of natural resources, the petition said.

Moreover, the foreign dignitaries brought with them considerable finances which were exclusively used for the development of the people in the areas where they hunted. Locals are also persuaded to arrange for the breeding of the species and, often, a large number of the birds are released.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 - PAKISTAN LINK

WOMENS WORLD

WOMEN

P16 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

makeup artist and stylist Raana Khan who gave her a very minimalistic, fresh and glowy bridal look for her special day. Her eyes were kept subtle and light, and rose pink rouge was used for the lips. And her hair was done in a Grecian style with lots of twists at the back. Syra's overall look was contemporary with an eastern touch.

Ayeza Khan Ayeza is one actress that looks gorgeous whether she wears less makeup or a lot of it. And she also went to Natasha Salon for all her wedding occasions who gave her a glamorous traditional look with a twist. The team at the salon gave her ultra copper and gold shimmery eyes, with chiselled contouring and tomato red lips. Her bridal look was topped off by a textured side braid which made her look just stunning.

Ainee Jaffri We have seen her in various dramas and advertisements. She is beautiful and she also looked amazing on her big day. Ainy Jaffri chose a glorious Faiza Samee ensemble for her 'baraat' and her makeup and hair was done by Natasha Salon. On her wedding day, she was given deep black and dark grey/gold smokey eyes with a deep rosy pink blush.

Sarwat Gilani Sarwat wore a bridal dress that was designed by the most talented and famous designer Bunto Kazmi. She accessorised her whole look with delicate jewellery. The wedding makeup of Sarwat Gillani was done by Sabs Salon. Her eyes were kept a little light using gold tones that was paired with red lips. She surely looked beautiful in the traditional Pakistan modern bride look.

Sanam Saeed She looks breathtaking on the ramp and stole our hearts by her brilliant acting skills in various drama serials. Sanam recently tied the knot. She got her natural makeup done from Anam Farooq Khan at Tariq Amin. Winged eyeliner, subtle shadow on the eyes were paired with rosy cheeks and pink lips. Sanam Saeed wore a whimsical, classic white ensemble that belonged to her mother on her nikkah ceremony and she surely looked spectacular!

Maheen Karim She is one of our favourite designers and her creations are surely out of this world. For her big day this talented designer also chose Natasha Salon for her bridal look. Maheen Karim's eyes were kept smokey using antique gold grey and bronze hues. Coral

By M. Shirazi edding season is on!

One of the most important occasions in a woman's life is her wedding day.

One cannot deny the fact that all eyes are on the bride on this day.

This is the reason that every girl dreams to look absolutely gorgeous and picture perfect on her big day. And that goes for our celebs too. After all, our celebrities are our idols and we want to follow them especially when it comes to style and fashion.

Wondering what we are talking about? Well, this time around we are featuring some of our favourite celebs who looked stunning on their wedding days. Read on to find out more about these gorgeous girls!

W

Syra Yousuf This young and pretty girl has won many hearts with her talent.

She is VJ turned actress who tied the knot a few years back. She wore a Sania Maskatiya outfit in lovely hues of pink. Syra opted for

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The colour for her lip was a deep shocking pink orange that gelled well with her bridal outfit. Her hair was tied in a beautiful thick fishtail that was roped on the side to complement her jewellery!

cheeks were paired with a hot orange lip colour! Her stunning Bunto Kazmi outfit was beyond perfection and her jewellery was the cherry on the cake making Maheen look like royalty.

COMMUNITY

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P17

Community Link Friday, October 23, 2015

VOL. 25/43 PAGE 18

PAGE PAGE23 17

egum PAGE 18

Stirring Qawwali at AAA Gathering in Washington

9 Muharram 1437 H

Conviction of Stalwarts Who Created Pakistan

Why I Apologized to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

For news, updated round the clock, visit

www.PakistanLink.com

Film on Islam at the National Cathedral in Washington

“

n By Brianna Curran

I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation,” presidential candidate Ben Carson stated when asked about America’s religious pluralism and its relation to government. As Islamophobia continues to plague Republican presidential debates and as anti-Islam rallies occur throughout the country, Islam has reached its pinnacle in receiving harsh criticisms from politicians, civilians, and the media alike. But a religion whose doctrine calls for peace, tolerance, and love should never be the subject of torment and controversy, and these criticisms shed light on the lack of understanding that the West has for Islam and for Muslims. As the United States and Europe have been called upon to provide refuge for hundreds of thousands of Syrians fleeing unrestrained terror in their home country, it is imperative that these regions begin the conversation about Muslim identity, true Islam, and its compatibility with the West.

I attended one such event on October 15th at St. Alban’s Parish, a prestigious organ of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. As one of the most prominent symbols of Christianity in the United States, it is unusual to associate DC’s architectural tribute to European Christianity with Islam. However, as I learned last week, the Cathedral’s leadership and parishioners have made it a priority to extend their hand to the Muslim community and enrich their understanding of Muslim identity in the West, and they achieved this through presenting a screening of Ambassador Akbar Ahmed’s most recent cinematic venture, Journey Into Europe. As Ambassador Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University and former Pakistani High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, and his team travel throughout Europe’s most historic regions, they explore the intricacies of European identity, seeking to answer the question, “Is Islam compatible with the West?” The answer, as the documentary shows, is overwhelmingly yes.

With a full house, the event included such VIPs as the BBC’s Jane

Left: Ambassador Akbar Ahmed introduces Journey Into Europe. Right: A section of the distinguished gathering with Reverend Dr Carol Flett and Begum Zeenat Ahmed seated in the front row

O’Brien, former Pakistani Senator Akbar Khawaja, Paul Smith, Director of the British Council, as well as senior German diplomat Stefan Bress and directors from the Muslim Women’s Association of Washington, DC. Reverend Dr Carol Flett introduced the event and Ambassador Ahmed, speaking passionately on the vitality of interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding between religions in today’s globalized society. Reverend Flett understands this imperative step, as she and Ambassador Ahmed have worked together as friends and colleagues since the September 11 attacks to build interfaith bridges, helping the community to create the first Abrahamic Summit in DC together.

She opened the film by highlighting the Syrian migrant crisis and the urgent need for Europe to recognize Muslims’ positive contributions to society and to understand Islam, so that Europeans can welcome their new neighbors with open arms and make strides towards peace.

Following Reverend Flett’s introductory speech, Ambassador Ahmed discussed the wide scope of cultures throughout Europe. Many people were very accepting of Muslims and of immigrants, and welcomed them into their countries without a second thought. However, there were also those who led antiIslam protests, who defaced mosques

and harassed peaceful Muslims living in their neighborhoods. Ambassador Ahmed took great care in his field research to incorporate the entire spectrum of sentiments on Islam and immigration in Europe, a feat that took months of dedication.

The response from the packed audience was unanimous: exuding empathy and enthusiasm, the spectators praised the film and inquired as to how they could get involved to make a difference.

“Ambassador Ahmed, I thought, had reached the pinnacle of his career with his last work, The Thistle and the Drone. How very wrong I was. This work is a step even further to test people to learn about religion. It is ilm – everything is based in knowledge,” Ziad Alahdad, a former director of operations for the World Bank said.

“I have no words to express, it is not about any one set of religions, it is about pure humanity,” Senator Khawaja expressed.

“Your film is a compelling, gracious, thoughtful study and we’re proud to be involved in it,” said Paul Smith, USA Director of the British Council of his participation in aiding the development of the film.

For myself in particular, I was incredibly moved by the film. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, feeling inspired by Muslim Parlia-

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mentarians and their courage in giving the minority population a voice in government; I was infuriated and hurt by leaders of far right-wing parties who unfairly equated Islam with terrorism, and who expressed these views by storming mosques and harassing Muslims. I teared up with empathy as Amadou, a young 16year old refugee from the Gambia describes his dreams of education and work, and his reality of starvation, homelessness, and brutality from strangers. I felt truly swept up on this journey into Europe, and motivated to do my part in spreading tolerance towards Muslims.

As an American millennial, I view today’s society as a turning point, and a critical one. My generation is faced with a choice between using our unique access to information in a manner that advocates for tolerance and inclusion, or using it to enhance the voices of those that promote hatred and hostility towards the “other.” This is the dilemma that the world faces today, and I believe that it is imperative that we amplify the voices of those like Ambassador Ahmed and the passionate audience members who participated in Thursday’s discussion.

Finding our humanity and our equality has been a challenge since the beginning of time, but today is different. Today we can read about

the stories of hardworking and peaceful Syrian families and their treacherous journeys towards freedom from thousands of miles away; we can see the photos of children barely surviving and donate at the click of a button. Today we have no excuse to generalize, we have no excuse to fear what we do not understand. The information is at our fingertips, and it is critical that we take the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to appreciate our differences.

As people in a position of influence like presidential candidates Ben Carson and Donald Trump continue to shed a negative light on Islam, it regresses this progress of acceptance that peaceful Muslims and nonMuslims have made over the years. In order to move forward in a positive manner, it is necessary to start this conversation and work to understand each other. As Journey into Europe delves into the complexities of Islam, immigration, and identity in Europe, we can all take away the purely human experience that is shared equally throughout the world: the desire to be loved, to be accepted as you are, and to be happy.

(Brianna Curran is a senior at American University studying International Studies with a focus on Peace and Conflict Resolution strategies in the Middle East and North Africa)

COMMUNITY

P18 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

Stirring Mosay Naina Milai Kay Qawwali at AAA Gathering in Washington n By Zafar Iqbal, PhD

C

hhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milai kay is a famous line of a qawwali, composed seven centuries ago by Hazrat Amir Khusrau, which has been enthralling audiences for hundreds of years in the Subcontinent. Making their debut, as qawwal in the Washington area, Sunny Diwan and party staged an excellent performance by singing it and other famous qawwalis. In the elegant setting of the Community Center, with the magnificent Turkish mosque in the backdrop, they entertained the audience for nearly five hours. The enthusiasm and appreciation of the audience often found expression in individuals showering the artists with money, reenacting an old South-Asian tradition. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the evening and actively participated by clapping all the way through the performances. The fancy auditorium, with excellent acoustics, next to a mosque, all added to the pleasure of the audience and added to the delightful ambiance of the evening.

A cold, drizzly evening and overall inclement weather did not discourage more than 150 lovers of qawwali to come out and attend the Mehfil-e-Sama, organized by the Aligarh Alumni Association, Washington DC (AAA), on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at the glit-

tering Turkish Community Center auditorium at Lanham, Maryland.

Attendees included members of diverse Indo-Pak cultural and literary organizations like the University of Karachi Alumni Association, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Hindi Association

The Conviction and Character of One of the Stalwarts Who Created Pakistan

B

n By Karim Raza

orn in 1919 Delhi Begum Bilqees Jahan grew up in a city which in the early decades following her birth was not only the capital of the then mighty British Empire but also the hotbed of the burgeoning Independence Movement to free India from the yolk of that formidable empire in whose boundaries “the Sun never set”.

Delhi was also the cradle in which socio-political giants of the stature of Mohammad Ali Jauhar and his brother Shaukat Ali were incubating and nurturing the panIslamic Khilafat Movement to keep the Umma stay solidified under one entity with Allama Iqbal, a product of Aligarh Muslim University located in the close vicinity of Delhi, harkening the Muslims to get united from the banks of the River Nile to the boundaries of Kashgha.

Those decades during which Begum Bilqees Jahan acquired proficiency in Urdu, Persian and English and grew up from adolescence to her dynamic beautiful youth were also the decades when the Indian National Congress Movement was discarding and burning the British Textiles shaking the foundations of the mightiest Imperialist Great Britain and a large section of the Muslims of India fearing deprivation at the hands of the Hindu majority after the British departure from the sub-continent were dreaming of launching a movement for a separate homeland which they launched and succeeded in realizing the dream.

In my various conversation which many a times turned into heated, animated debates with Amajan, my mother-in-law, Begum Bilqees Jahan, stuck to her sanguine conviction and ex-

pressed unequivocal commitment to the ideology of Pakistan and her indomitable faith in the future of the land of the pure.

I always wondered how a person whose family sacrificed so immensely its numerous highly wealthy enterprises and assets in migrating from India to Pakistan never complained of the losses.

Coming from the family of an entrepreneurial father who created immense wealth in Delhi, Simla and its vicinity and was leading the lifestyle which was the envy of the Nawabs and the Rajas.

Then losing all that with the willful decision to move to Pakistan to build the cherished homeland I never heard a complaint against the movement for Pakistan.

She surely was proud of the fact that her uncle who was also her father-in-law was the Chief Justice of the State of Bahawalpur since the pre-partition days and that her family member following the then highly prestigious legal profession brought seven judges to the courts in the Punjab of Pakistan.

Along with her husband, who was the Director of Industry in Karachi since pre-partition days, she devoted her energies and resources in settling the refugee relatives and non-relatives. Their

palatial home on Love Lane in Karachi was an open house for the immigrants to take refuge.

She lived a great life as a caring matriarch with a daring feminist stance. Her faith in Allah and His Messenger was rock solid with a Sufi’s faith in Wahdatul Wajood following the Chishti Silsila as a very special ‘Mureed’ of Hazrat Baba Zaheen Shah Taji reverentially addressed as Beguma Apa by all in the Silsila.

She leaves behind four daughters, one son, two sons-in-law and numerous grand, great grand children.

CAIR to Honor Dr Suzanne Barakat

D

r Suzanne Barakat is the sister of Deah Barakat who was tragically murdered in February 2015 with his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and her younger sister Razan AbuSalha.

Amid the tragic killings, Dr Barakat emerged as one of the prominent American Muslim figures, acting as the lead voice for her family and American Muslims at-large, challenging the ignorant hate and fear of Islam and Muslims.

She appeared in over dozens of national media outlets courageously voicing the fear and concerns American Muslims have in light of rampant Islamophobia.

Professionally, Dr Barakat is a resident physician at UCSF – San Francisco General Hospital.

HONOR, P28

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of Washington, and the American Muslim Institution, and others.

Welcoming the artists and audience, President Farzana Farooqi briefly appraised the gathering about the activities of the Association. She informed that the Association has been in the forefront

of organizing high-quality literary and cultural activities for the last 40+ years. It was this Association, which started the tradition of international mushaira in North America. “Famous lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar and other poets from India, Pakistan and other countries will share their poetry in this year’s mushaira scheduled on 7th November,” she added.

Introducing the artists the coordinator of the program, Masood Farshori, said that qawwali was a special form of musical performance to praise revered aulia (saints) for their good work. He said that the Sunny Diwan orchestra had established reputation as ghazal and light music singers, but qawwali was a venture into a new territory for them. The main artist, Sunny Diwan, was accompanied by Aqeel Bhatti (tabla), Naeem Peter (second tabla), Sheldon John (harmonium and background singer), and Patrick Bashir (keyboard and background singer).

The event concluded with brief remarks by the SecretaryGeneral, Mohammad Akbar, who thanked the audience, the artists, and volunteers for great success of the program.

Act to Change – A White House Campaign against Bullying

n By C. Naseer Ahmad

T

he White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders launched the “Act to Change” - a nationwide public awareness campaign, on October 15, 2015, in partnership with the Sikh Coalition and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), to address bullying, including in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

According to a White House email, this campaign is backed by a diverse coalition of supporters including media platforms and national nonprofit organizations, and the “Act to Change” campaign aims to empower AAPI youth, educators, and communities with information and tools to address and prevent bullying.

The Act To Change website has a clear and unmistakable focus. It asks every website visitor some basic questions: “Have you been bullied or know someone who has? Been teased for the way you look, what you wear, what you eat, where you’re from, how you talk, or other stereotypes? It’s not okay. Know that you are not alone and together we can make a difference. Learn about it.

Talk about it. Stop it.” The website

is a call to action prompting the visitors to take the pledge to stop bullying.

Echoes of this vigorous campaign have been felt on social media such as Twitter which can be searched via the social media tag #ActToChange. This coordinated campaign will “provide AAPI youth and community members with platforms to share their stories, engage in dialogue around bullying awareness and prevention, and “Take the Pledge” to join the #ActToChange movement.”

Since bullying can have severe social consequences, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), within the Department of Health and Human Services, is also engaged in this campaign to prevent bullying.

As part of the campaign during the month of October 2015, “video testimonials, music playlists, and blog stories provide messages of empowerment and support from AAPI athletes, artists, entertainers, and community members.” The White House Initiative recognizes that “one in three AAPIs does not speak English fluently,” therefore “the campaign offers resources in multiple languages: Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.”

COMMUNITY

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P19

First Joint Masjid Futsal (Indoor Soccer) Tournament

Winners

Stars MVP Omar Dweik Best Goalie Eid Youssef

Under 30 1st: ISLAMIC CENTER OF IRVINE 2nd: ISLAMIC CENTER OF NORTH VALLEY

Over 30 1st: ISLAMIC CENTER OF INLAND EMPIRE 2nd: MASJID AL-ANSAR (WEST COAST I.S.)

MVPs from ICIE 1. Tariq Melbeth 2. Akram Elbahi Best goalie, Hussam Sulaiman.

Under 16: 1st: ISLAMIC CENTER OF HAWTHORNE 2nd: CHINO VALLEY ISLAMIC CENTER

Best GoalieYoseph Ghazzal MVP Ahmad Rakha

Under 19: MVP Ayman Hamideh 1st: ISLAMIC CENTER OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Best Goalie Farooq Gibani 2nd: SLING TV

Under 10 & Under 12: 1st: Eid Festival Group 2nd: MASJID AL-ANSAR (WEST COAST I.S.)

Under 8th: 1st: JOINT MASJID TEAM (yorba linda, rancho) 2nd: ISLAMIC CENTER OF INLAND EMPIRE

O

n October 4th, 2015 around 250 players from various mosques of Southern California got together to participate in the First Joint Masjid

Futsal (indoor Soccer) Tournament.

The tournament was organized by the Southern California Muslim Community Organization. It proved

to be another mega event successfully arranged by SCMCO, which happens to be an umbrella organization of mosques in SoCal and strives to bring the Muslim community

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closer by way of social activities.

The tournament was held at the American Sports Center.

SCMCO congratulates winners of the First Joint Masjid Futsal Tour-

Best Goalie Abdul Ameen (ICIE) MVP .Rayan

nament 2015.

SLING TV was the main sponsor for this event. Ms Zainab Ali, Marketing Manager of Sling TV, graced the event with her presence.

COMMUNITY

P20 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

Incredible Response to the Million-Man-March’: Barrister Sultan

Keansburg, New Jersey: Addressing

a huge gathering of friends of Kashmir in Keansburg, New Jersey, Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, former prime minister of Azad Kashmir, announced a “Kashmir MillionMan-March” is being organized in New York on October 25 to pave the way for a just and durable resolution of the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

He said the world community was concerned about the latest situation in Kashmir which can lead the whole region of South Asia to a nuclear disaster. The world powers, including the United States, are trying to persuade both India and Pakistan to resume the peaceful negotiation to settle all disputes, including the dispute of Kashmir.

Barrister Sultan urged the Pakistani and Kashmiri Americans as well as those who believe in human rights and human dignity to participate in the “Million-Man-March” to make it a success.

Speaking via Skype, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and the keynote speaker, expressed full support to the ‘Million-Man-March.’ He thanked the people in the audience for their show of solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their willingness to help the people of Kashmir to achieve their right to selfdetermination.

Mr Malik informed the audience about the latest human rights violations taking place in Kashmir.

He said the PDP-BJP coalition government has handed over Jammu & Kashmir to chauvinists like RSS. He added that the coalition was directly responsible for the murder of innocent Kashmiri driver Zahid Rasool Butt who was attacked on October 9 by gangsters.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness and the Chairman of the event underlined that Kashmir was not a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad but an internationally recognized dispute and the dialogue process should include all the three parties – India, Pakistan and Kashmiri people. He added that in order to give Kashmiris what they demand - the right of self-determination – India must be persuaded to initiate a meaningful dialogue without any preconditions from any party.

Dr Fai emphasized that Kashmir was a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, two nuclear power states, and it deserved the attention of the world powers.

Sardar Sawar Khan, former advisor to the prime minister of Azad Kashmir said that it was our duty to support the people of Kashmir who are struggling to exercise their right of self-determination. The objective of our ‘Million-Man-March’ is to

draw the attention of the world powers to the situation in Kashmir and to exert pressure on the government of India to resolve the dispute and to stop human right violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Dr Taqdees Geelani, a renowned scholar from Azad Kashmir, said that the resolution of the Kashmir issue could enable both Pakistan and India to spend their finite resources on the development of their people rather than on defense. She expressed her admiration to the Pakistani and Kashmiri American community for being the ambassadors of peace in the United States for the cause of Kashmir. She said that it is indubitable that the Indian army has committed thousands of human rights violations in Kashmir.

Dr Asif Rehman, a prominent Pakistani-American physician, explained the role of Pakistani-American physicians in mobilizing the community to volunteer for free healthcare clinics for all, irrespective of their religious affiliations. Dr Rehman said that the United Nations has a moral responsibility to persuade both India and Pakistan to settle the Kashmir conflict through a meaningful dialogue.

Ishtiyaq Hameed, representative of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) said that the way the Kashmiri youth is confronting the Indian forces and turning the entire Kashmiri movement into a peaceful resistance not only impresses the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also the international community.

He added that today the mantle of the freedom struggle of Kashmir has been successfully passed on to the younger generation and they are resolute and determined to take it to its logical conclusion.

Sam Khan, a compassionate conservative, who became the first South Asian candidate to run for Mayor in Edison, the 5th largest town in New Jersey, said that our objective should be to motivate our community to participate in the American public square and be active participants in the civic discourse or our neighborhood. That will undoubtedly promote better understanding of our community before the wider American audience. He urged the audience to become involved in the public offices at the local level. He said that the Kashmir dispute is about the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The people should be the makers of their destiny and not India or Pakistan.

Dr Zubair expressed his unconditional moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir for a just and peaceful solution to the long-standing dispute. Dr Zubair said that we stand should to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren.

Dr Shahid Farooqi said that the

main priority of everyone should be to attract attention to the issue and to put India in a position where it has to heed to popular will. He said the wars between India and Pakistan only result in problems for the people who live in the Kashmir region.

Sardar Zarif Khan said that the Indian army is responsible for many untold atrocities but one thing is quite clear that she could not break the will of the people for their right of self-determination.

Raja Kafeel Ahmed, Editor, Kashmir Link said the participation of Pakistani American community in highlighting the issue of Kashmir at the international level couldn’t be forgotten by the people of Kashmir.

And they deserved the gratitude and appreciation of the people of Kashmir. He said the killings of innocent civilians in Indian occupied Kashmir must shake the conscience of all peace-loving people. He condemned the efforts to muzzle the press and expressed the need to restore the right to assemble and freedom of expression in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Mumtaz Khan urged the community to join hands to put an end to the atrocities in Kashmir. He felt the international community needs to pay attention to the situation in Kashmir which has been under occupation for the last 68 years.

Sidra Khan, a young Kashmiri American student recited a few verses from the Holy Qur’an.

CAIR-LA Files Suit against Use of Excessive Force by Customs and Border Protection Anaheim, CA: A CAIR-LA press

release states: On Friday October 9, 2015 the Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 77-yearold Egyptian American who was forcibly restrained, searched, injured, and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Los Angeles International Airport on February 21, 2014.

The lawsuit, filed in conjunction with the Law Office of Shafiel Karim, alleges violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, in addition to violations under the Federal Tort Claims Act, was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of Dr Abdul Salem, a 77-yearold Egyptian American professor and playwright. The lawsuit also alleges negligence by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics who were called to the scene to treat Dr Salem.

“The actions taken by Customs and Border Protection officers were unwarranted, excessive, and a serious abuse of power,” said CAIR-LA Senior Civil Rights Attorney Fatima Dadabhoy.

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Manto to Be Screened at Several Ivy Institutions

armad Sultan Khoosat’s Manto is on a roll by winning some groundbreaking accolades. After breaking records in Pakistan, the magnum opus is set to take the US by storm.

Before its theatrical release, Manto will be screened at the world’s major academic institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, Yale and University of California, Berkeley during a 10-day tour from October 16 to October 25.

The biopic had a full house screening at the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) last month.

Writer Saadat Hasan Manto was infamous for digging deep into the society, unfurling facets that most people chose to keep hidden and his biopic does justice to his struggles.

Featuring an all-star cast with director Sarmad Khoosat portraying the enigmatic writer himself, Mein

Manto also stars Sania Saeed as Saadat Hasan Manto’s wife and Saba Qamar as Noor Jehan. Humayun Saeed, Savera Nadeem and Faisal Qureshi will be seen in cameos playing the roles of famous personalities of that era.

Khoosat will also be present at all the screenings to answer queries.

Making Pakistan Proud: Student Duo Shines at CERN

The students pose with Hafeez Hoorani, DG of National Center for Physics. Hoorani is also CERN’s focal person for Pakistan

n By Riazul Haq

W

ith Pakistan becoming the first associate member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research among Asian countries this year, young scientists from the country have already started to make their mark.

A graduate of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) stood first at the summer internship program at the research facility popularly known as CERN among 45 young graduates from across the globe.

Similarly, a graduate of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) has made his mark with his exceptional theoretical and experimental skills at CERN. NUST graduate Azqa Nadeem was selected by a team for the CERN openlab summer student program from a pool of about 1,600 applicants.

In total, 40 students were selected.

Azqa was supposed to evaluate physical tokens for so-called multifactor authentication that is the process of logging into a computer system by using more than a password. “Azqa has done a great job and succeeded in selecting one out of two methods and providing good arguments [as to] why the second method is insecure and should be rejected,” said Dr Stefan Lüders, CERN computer security officer in an email to Hafeez Hoorani, director general of the National Center for Physics.

Azqa got a proof-of-concept pilot system up and running and CERN

is aiming at deploying the final version in coming months. Her presentation was voted as the best presentation out of all summer student projects. “I am more than proud of this,” Luders stated in his email.

Azqa told The Express Tribune that it was indeed a matter of pride for her to work with some of the world’s smartest people at CERN on problems that had yet to surface.

QAU graduate Muhammad Ansar Iqbal has an MSc in physics, and completed his MPhil under the supervision of Hoorani in experimental high energy physics.

He worked on compact muon solenoid (CMS) which is a generalpurpose detector at the Large Hadron Collider.

Iqbal said he was surprised to hear that one of the detectors of the collider was assembled in Pakistan.

“I was with the team to check the efficiency studies of those detectors through cosmic muon,” he said.

This year, there were eight summer students in the resistive plate chambers (RPC) at the facility.

An email from his supervisor, Anton Dimitrov, to Hoorani stated that “Iqbal was one of the really exceptional students who showed technical, theoretical and experimental skills which were well above the average level.” He also wrote that he would be glad if they could continue working with him remotely.

“He was very fast and efficient in problem solving. He performed brilCERN, P28

COMMENTARY

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P21

Film Review

Jawani Phir Nahi Aani: Movie Entertainment at Its Best n By Rafiq Ebrahim Winfield, IL

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akistani TV dramas, in general, have been acclaimed worldwide, while Indian dramas only cater to the uneducated audience who take delight in cheap comedy and lifeless incidents. The same cannot be said about Indian films. For decades Indian cinema dominated the subcontinent while the Pakistani film industry was submerged in trashes. The scenario changed dramatically when talented artistes and directors from the TV industry in Pakistan took over. They have rescued Lollywood from its deep slumber, and it is heartening to see Pakistan making remarkable movies.

The new movies are now being screened worldwide, creating awareness about Pakistani films and reaping rich financial rewards for the producers.

After Bin Roye, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani is the second film to be released in the USA and some other countries. Some years ago Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Ke Liye and Bol were released in the USA, but then it took a long time for other movies to

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make their mark and be in the class of international cinema.

When Sharif took office in 2013, one of his first acts to assert power was to build political consensus for a paramilitary operation against the criminal gangs and terrorist groups that had brought Karachi to a standstill.

Karachi, a megalopolis consisting of almost 20 million people, began its descent into hell in 2007 when it entered a protracted period of assassinations, rampant extortion, frequent acts of terrorism, and politically motivated violence.

Now, thanks to Sharif ’s security onslaught, crime is down 70 percent and security forces have wrested

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genre of comedy, and is drawing big crowds at the cinema houses

Sharif versus the Military?

n By Uzair M. Younus

akistan’s government is preparing for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s visit to Washington, DC this month. But with representing his country during a period of military growth in Pakistan, who is in charge of the country remains in question.

Jawani Phir Nahi Aani is a movie that stands by itself in the

control over areas once held by terrorist organizations.

While Karachi’s rehabilitation can be credited to Sharif ’s political concord, that tenuous amity is breaking down as the political elites of the city bicker and questions crop up over who is really in control and for what motivations.

The consensus for the military involvement began to unravel when the Karachi operation was expanded to include politically connected groups — such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — that were involved in extortion and other criminal activities. MQM chief Altaf Hussain, exiled in London, thundered against the army via his telephonic addresses. Even PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, a man who rarely lost his cool, railed against the military establishment.

Both parties shared the same view: Sharif had given in to the security establishment and ceded control of the military. The men in khaki uniforms were using this operation to weaken political parties

while using their rise in popularity to tighten their grip over the country. Some analysts and scholars have concluded that Sharif has ceded control of the country’s security policy to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff

worldwide. The story rotates around three married men (played by the writer of the film Vassay Chaudhry, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ahmed Ali Butt) completely dominated by their wives. In comes their friend Humayun Saeed, a divorce attorney, a trouble-shooter who delights in getting married couples separated. Being shrewd and scheming, he comes to their rescue. And what follows is a riot of comic sequences, punctuated with decent humor. The first half of the movie is all about the young people, while in the later half, Bushra Ansari, Javed Sheikh and Ismail Tara make you laugh to your heart’s content with their peculiar brand of comedy.

While the male cast has done well, it is the TV girls who provide glamour and charm. Ayesha Khan, Mehwish Hayat and Sohay Ali not only look stunningly beautiful on the big screen but have also acted beyond expectations.

And to sum up, one simply has to add that the songs and dances are a treat to watch.

It is hoped that more and more of such entertaining films will be produced in Pakistan to make the industry stand proudly at par with films produced in India.

General Raheel Sharif.

While the military is dominating policy, the conclusion that it has sidelined the prime minister is misguided. In fact, it is in the interest of Nawaz Sharif and his ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party to allow the security operation in Karachi to continue while maintaining some distance.

First, Sharif ’s whole ruling agenda centers around economic growth. Karachi is the country’s financial heart and its largest port.

Elites aligned with Sharif, largely centered in neighboring Punjab province’s industrial centers, need a safe environment in Karachi to grow their businesses and engage in trade with the rest of the world. If Karachi is made secure and allowed to grow economically, the economic core in Punjab from which Sharif draws his power prospers, thereby increasing his political fortunes.

SHARIF, P22

People Flock to Crocodile Shrine as Taliban Threat Recedes

he lean days appear to be over for Mor Sahib, an 87-year-old crocodile venerated by Pakistan’s tiny Sheedi community, as pilgrims once again flock to a shrine in Karachi that has been shunned for years amid fears of Taliban attacks.

The ageing reptile, his leathery skin fissured by time, waddled out of the murky water towards a crowd of visitors wearing garlands, all hoping to lure him with handfuls of sweets and choice pieces of goat neck.

The military has also been carrying out a major offensive against the Taliban movement in the northwest of the country since June, 2014, and its pursuit of militants gathered pace following the massacre of 134 school pupils in December.

“Three, four years back,

armed Taliban had become so influential that police were afraid of them ... at the nearby police station they killed 18 policemen,” said shrine caretaker Mohammed Yaseen, light glinting off tiny mirrors stitched into his traditional cap.

“Since the Rangers and police operation (in Karachi), people have

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he lean days appear to be over for Mor Sahib, an 87-year-old crocodile venerated by Pakistan’s tiny Sheedi community, as pilgrims once again flock to a shrine in Karachi that has been shunned for years amid fears of Taliban attacks.

The ageing reptile, his leathery skin fissured by time, waddled out of the murky water towards a crowd of visitors wearing garlands, all hoping to lure him with hand-

fuls of sweets and choice pieces of goat neck.

The military has also been carrying out a major offensive against the Taliban movement in the northwest of the country since June, 2014, and its pursuit of militants gathered pace following the massacre of 134 school pupils in December.

www.PakistanLink.com

“Three, four years back, armed Taliban had become so influential that police were afraid of them ... at the nearby police station they killed 18 policemen,” said shrine caretaker Mohammed Yaseen, light glinting off tiny mirrors stitched into his traditional cap.

“Since the Rangers and po-

lice operation (in Karachi), people have started to return.”

Militant attacks across the country have fallen by around 70 per cent this year.

In Karachi violence is still rife.

But police say it is getting better, with 3,082 people murdered there since the crackdown started in 2013 compared with 4,790 murders in the two years before it began.

Yaseen recalls when displaced ethnic Pashtuns fleeing fighting in northern Pakistan began flooding into Karachi after 2008.

Among them were Taliban sympathizers whose interpretation of Islam had no place for crocodiles, around 100 of which inhabit the shrine’s pond. The site closed for 10 months in 2010 and a charity fed the crocodiles in secret.

SHRINE, P24

COMMENTARY

P22 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

‘Tangey Walay Baba’ and I on the Road to Becoming a Doctor n By Dr Jamshed Bashir

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Liverpool, UK

aba would keep the reins taut, allowing the horse only a gentle, steady, rhythmic trot all the way to the school. — Dawn archives

I don’t know who found him, or what even his name was, but we called him ‘Tangey Walay Baba’, or at times, just Baba.

We met on a freezing morning, when he came to pick us up for school. ‘Chalo! Chalo!’, he shouted, knocking on our door with the wooden handle of his horsewhip. My sister Sheba and I came out slowly, shy and hesitant, and climbed onto the tanga.

We lived next to APWA School and were the first passengers; others would join on the way as we rode to our school, the Presentation Convent in the Cantonment of Jhelum.

The tanga was shared by three or four other people. But I can only remember the two pleasant girls who were daughters of the District Commissioner, and who lived in a nice big house detached from those around it, with a front garden bordered by an immaculately trimmed hedge of green bushes.

They were older than us, probably in the sixth grade, whereas I was in the second grade, with my sister a year behind me. I would move to the front to make way for the girls, who sat behind in the carriage with my sister.

Baba looked very old – ancient in fact, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out that he was only in his 50s. He had a grey moustache but no beard, sad deep-set eyes and a worldweary expression with a tinge of frustration, as if he had not been dealt a good hand by fate.

I noticed that he was wearing only a thin, white cotton kurta (shirt), white shalwar, white cotton turban around his head and a coloured thin cotton chaadar (shawl) wrapped around his body; hardly adequate to protect him from the icy winds which was cutting us to the bone. Baba asked me a couple of questions, which I answered nervously.

Then he fell quiet, concentrating on the journey, using the reins cautiously, while keeping a lookout for pedestrians trying to cross the road or cyclists attempting to push forward way ahead of us.

‘Bacho, bacho’ was his familiar refrain, but I can’t remember him swearing, although swear words are very much a part of the Punjabi conversation.

He loved his horse, a well-fed brown colt. We liked it too, but Baba would only let us touch his neck and not the face, in case he bit our hands. Baba would keep the reins taut, allowing the horse only a gentle, steady, rhythmic trot all the way to the school.

We journeyed on neat roads bordered by painted white stones placed at regular intervals, leading to ‘Chawani’, the unpolluted

suburban neighbourhood dotted by pine trees.

The only time he let his horse charge forward was on the stretch of Railway Road near Naz cinema, going uphill to the intersection with the old GT Road, with Zeelaf and another hotel across the road on either side.

Once the ascent was achieved, it was back to the usual clickety clock.

On reaching the school, Baba would rest his horse and get his feed out in a bag, while watching us cross the road over to the huge school playground.

In the afternoon, when we finished, he was there again, along with many other tangey walas waiting for their regular passengers, occasionally waving to announce his location.

Baba had a handsome young son called Bashir, who was an un-commissioned soldier in the army, like scores of other young men from poorer families.

Whenever Bashir came home for the holidays – which was only for a few days – he took the tanga out instead of his father, which was fun because Bashir made the horse sprint, not just on the ascent near the cinema, but all the way to school, overtaking all the other tangas and making us breathless with excitement, experiencing a chariot race.

‘Did Bashir make the horse run yesterday?’ Baba asked me one morning.

‘Yes’, I replied, without considering the repercussions.

‘He has picked up an injury’, he said, pointing to the horse.

‘I told him not to make him run, but he never listens,’ Baba remarked angrily.

‘Actually it was not that fast...,’ I tried to backtrack, but he remained unconvinced.

Bashir did not turn up for the next couple of days, but did appear after that, as his father probably forgave him. He raced the horse again and this time, he let me hold the reins!

I remember sitting next to Bashir and overtaking the other tangas. I don’t know if I had been bribed, but I did learn to keep a secret. When Baba asked me the next morning if Bashir had sprinted the horse, I lied. Then

Bashir left the city after being posted in Rawalpindi.

After six months, I asked Baba when his son would return again.

‘Why do you ask?’ Baba was curious.

‘Oh, just wanted to know,’ I said. The real reason, of course, was that Bashir made the journey to school so much more exciting.

‘We have been trying to get him to come back for a few days, so we could marry him, but is unable to get any holidays.’

‘Ah’, I mumbled in sympathy.

A few days later, when I asked Baba if I could hold the reins, he not only refused but

I wish to express my gratitude to Baba for his kindness, for remembering me and for taking me to school, for looking after my sister and I, and being part of those early years of my life, which flew away too quickly and without any opportunity to meet again also admonished me for asking.

‘You are too young yet. Driving a tanga is not easy; the horse does what you instruct him to do. One wrong move and we could all fall in a ditch. We could even be killed.’

He then thought for a while and said that he would let me hold the reins once we reached the school and the tanga was stationary.

‘Don’t pull! Just hold,’ he instructed.

One time, my mother, sister and I went to Peera-Ghaib (a neighbourhood on the other side of ‘Company Bagh’) to find a bricklayer for our house, when we found that Baba lived close by in a small modest house.

The house had a small square space in the middle, where the

www.PakistanLink.com

horse was being fed. He asked us to come in for tea, but we left in a rush to find the builder.

Although Baba was not a conversationalist, he did demonstrate a dry sense of humour at times. I was once singing a song, ‘Chal chaliye, duniya de us nukrey / Jithe banda na bandey di zaat hovey (Let’s go to that corner of the world where there is no other person, no other soul).’

As I repeated the lyrics, ‘chal chaliye’, Baba turned around and asked, ‘Ki karan (what for)?’ with a hint of mischief in his eye.

It must have been around the end of the fifth grade when I got a bicycle and was allowed to pedal to school instead of taking the tanga, thus saving Rs10 a month, which was significant in those days, especially as my father was jobless. When Baba was informed, he was not amused.

‘Why is a 10-year-old boy pedalling to school six miles away?’

Meanwhile, Sheba continued to go on the tanga.

Then at the end of grade six, we left the school and the town to relocate 1000 miles south in Karachi, where dad had finally found a job, after nearly three years of searching.

I didn’t see Baba before I left and returned to Jhelum only occasionally in the early years, but never got around to meeting him. I do vaguely remember seeing him on his tanga on a couple of occasions; I had waved at him once but he didn’t notice it.

His eyesight was already failing at the time he used to take us to school, and with time, it must have deteriorated even more.

Many years later, I did once visit my grandma for a couple of hours, and was disappointed to find that there were no tangas in Jhelum anymore – the Municipal Committee had decided to phase them out and replace them with auto-rickshaws.

I thought of Baba and wondered what happened to him, his horse. He was too old to learn to drive. Did he learn any new trade? How did he earn a living?

Unfortunately, there was no time to investigate as we were in a hurry to attend the passing out

ceremony of my younger brother in the army.

In June this year, nearly four decades after having left Jhelum, and three decades since moving to England (where I now live), I was on the phone with my mother in Karachi. She told me that she had seen Baba soon after my graduation in 1986, and had informed him that her son had become a doctor. Baba was delighted and said that he wished he could see me.

He never did.

‘Is he alive?’ I asked, without thinking.

‘No, he died many years ago,’ my mum replied.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of emotions and found myself overwhelmed by the warm nostalgia of yonder years; the gentle Baba, whose life and livelihood revolved around taking us, little children as we were, safely to school and back, every day without fail.

I feel humbled that he wanted to see me. Perhaps, he wanted to tell me about his failing eyesight or his painful knees, or maybe it was more than that. Perhaps, he felt proud that he had contributed to my journey in becoming a doctor.

I wish to express my gratitude to Baba for his kindness, for remembering me and for taking me to school, for looking after my sister and I, and being part of those early years of my life, which flew away too quickly and without any opportunity to meet again. (Jamshed Bashir graduated from Dow Medical College, Karachi and currently works in Liverpool, UK, as a urologist. Dawn) SHARIF FROM P21

Secondly, an ongoing security operation in Karachi keeps the two largest parties in that province, the MQM and PPP, preoccupied with more local affairs, rather than meddling in Sharif ’s PML-N national agenda. With Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) failing to prove rigging allegations against the PML-N, Sharif can guarantee relatively smooth sailing for himself by ensuring that the PPP and MQM are kept on the back burner and forced to reorganize off the national stage.

Finally, Sharif recognizes instability and violence as Pakistan’s biggest challenges. While he could have led from the front, Sharif has let the military take the lead on this initiative. This may make him appear weak in the short-term as General Raheel Sharif takes all of the praise. In the medium- to long-term, however, this strategy could pay off for the prime minister. Come election time, the prime minister can make the case that the peace came on his watch.

With the military taking such a visible lead on operations from Waziristan against terrorists groups there to Karachi, any uptick in violence can be deflected as a failed military strategy. The prime minister can then go back to his initial stance and argue for a negotiations-based settlement to the conflicts paralyzing Pakistan. A decline in the fortunes of the military would further enable the prime minister to reach out to opposition parties and argue that he was SHARIF, P24

COMMENTARY

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P23

Why I Apologized to the Legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Rafique Ahmed with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

n By Rafique S. M. Ahmed

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Los Angeles, CA

ixty-seven years ago on October 13, 1948, a beautiful and healthy baby boy was born in Faisalabad in a respectable family of qawwals with lineage going back to six centuries. The proud father, Fateh Ali Khan, named the boy ‘Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’. No one at that time had the slightest inkling that the boy would one day be regarded as the world’s greatest qawwali singer - earning the coveted title of ‘Shahenshah-eQawwali’ - and bring unbounded fame to Pakistan.

Google has paid a special tribute to the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on his 67th Birthday Anniversary with its own personal ‘Google Doodle’ to commemorate the special day of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Nusrat’s father, Fateh Ali Khan was also a well-known and respected qawwal.

Unfortunately, he died young when Nusrat was only ten years old. His last wish for Nusrat was to continue the family traditions and become a great qawwal. At a very young ad tender age Nusrat committed to fulfill his father’s last wish.

After acquiring the initial technical and professional training from Ustad Mubarak Ali, Nusrat Fateh Ali shot into prominence in 1971 with his first very popular and hit qawwali ‘Haq Ali Ali’.

In 1991, legendary Imran Khan was instrumental in introducing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to North America. In 1995, famous Canadian guitarist, Michael Brooke teamed up with Nusrat Fateh Ali and remixed his popular qawwalis with Western beat causing a great sensation in Europe and North America. All of a sudden, a new super star Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born earning unprecedented success and popularity worldwide and especially in the West. White people went crazy with ‘Musth Musth’ everywhere. Hollywood opened its doors to Nusrat Fateh Ali who provided music, soundtracks and songs for several successful Hollywood movies, including Deadman Walking, Bandit Queen, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Natural Born Colors.

Nusrat Fateh Ali produced and released 125 albums creating a world record by a single artist that was duly recorded by the Guinnes Book of World Records. The Government of Pakistan recognized his outstanding international contributions and honored Nusrat Fateh Ali with the Award for Pride of Performance. In1995, he won the UNESCO Music Award. Nusrat Fateh Ali was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997.

As he became one of the greatest singers and musicians of our time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan started developing serious health problems emanating from kidney

Imran vs Cancer magazine was so absorbing that Imran Khan forgot his lunch altogether

and lever ailments which soon became life-threatening and ultimately became the cause of his death. He died in London, England on August 16, 1997 at the young age of only 48 leaving millions of his loving fans worldwide in a state of shock, disbelief and sorrow. It was indeed, a great loss not only to his family, friends and Pakistan, but also to humanity at large.

May Allah bless him with Jannah.

My Apology to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan It was the first week of October in

Imran Khan again and assured Rafi not to worry too much since building the first cancer hospital in Pakistan was a great humanitarian cause and the Pakistani community would be forthcoming and generous in supporting this cause. I also advised him to form an organizing committee delegating responsibilities to good and sincere people. I volunteered to assume the responsibility for the publication of a magazine in only three weeks. Rafi Khan also informed me that Imran Khan would be

The doodle showed the legend singing, his left hand raised to make the letter ‘l’ in the word Google

1991 when I received a frantic call from my good friend Rafi Khan telling me that he just got a call from the captain of Pakistan cricket team and his class fellow from England, Imran Khan, who would be in Los Angeles in three weeks to raise funds from the local Pakistani community to build the first cancer hospital in Pakistan.

Since Rafi Khan did not have any prior

bringing a group of qawwals from Lahore along with Mussarrat Nazir, popular singer and former film actress from Toronto to provide entertainment at the fundraiser.

Since we were left with only three weeks at our disposal, I decided to issue a press release immediately to create awareness of the upcoming fundraiser and to kick start the sale of the tickets. Until

“I am a peddler, wandering and roaming from one village to another, in the lanes of cities, in the countries of the world, offering the message of peace, wishing to continue to do so all my life. And after a lifelong wandering when I reach my destination, may the slavery of Allah (SWT), His Prophet (PBUH) and Ali (RA) be the tiara of my head, shining like a star.” - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan experience of organizing such functions, he very passionately requested me to help him out. I had worked with Imran Khan previously on two occasions when he brought the Pakistan cricket team to play one-day international matches against India and Australia in Los Angeles. I became excited for the opportunity to work with

1991 Nusrat Fateh Ali was not well known in America. Personally I had not heard about him at all. I was under the impression that just like the Sabri Brothers, there were probably two qawwals, Nusrat Ali and Fateh Ali. Accordingly, I mentioned in my first press release that two famous qawwals from Pakistan, Nusrat Ali and Fateh

www.PakistanLink.com

Ali would entertain the audience along with Mussarrat Nazir at the fundraiser. All the wire services carried my press release without questioning anything and disseminated the information worldwide. Apparently they also did not know about Nusrat Fateh Ali that well at that time.

After a week when I received the official flyers from Imran Khan, I was astonished to discover that Nusrat Ali and Fateh Ali did not exist. There was only one qawwal - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Mentioning Nusrat Ali and Fateh Ali as two separate qawwals in my press release was a big mistake. I greatly regretted my ignorance.

Since no one noticed it, apparently no damage was done. However, I felt real bad and guilty of injustice to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. When I met Nusrat Fateh Ali at the concert and presented to him the Imran Vs Cancer magazine, edited and published by me, I told him about my stupid mistake and apologized to him from the bottom of my heart. I was extremely surprised when Nusrat Fateh Ali kept smiling and told me not to feel bad about the mistake. He also said that Fateh Ali was his father’s name who was also a great qawwal. He was happy for his father’s name being promoted in America.

Building the first cancer hospital in Pakistan for free treatment to needy and deserving people was absolutely great news for the entire Pakistani community in Southern California. The very first fundraiser to build Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Lahore was held at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton and was sold out in a few days due to the overwhelming and enthusiastic support of the community.

We had to add more tables to accommodate people who showed up at the gate.

The fundraiser was a great success. We collected a huge amount of donations for the hospital. I was also able to generate a big amount of additional funds from the advertisements in Imran vs Cancer magazine thanks to a great majority of Pakistani businesses for their outpouring patriotic support. Imran Khan was surprised to see a beautiful message from the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif in such a short time of less than three weeks. Imran Khan also told me that Nawaz Sharif is the one who has given him 20 acres of land absolutely free to build the cancer hospital in Pakistan. Imran Khan liked my magazine so much that he took one box full of Imran vs Cancer magazines along with him to Pakistan.

“I am a peddler, wandering and roaming from one village to another, in the lanes of cities, in the countries of the world, offering the message of peace, wishing to continue to do so all my life. And after a lifelong wandering when I reach my destination, may the slavery of Allah (SWT), His Prophet (PBUH) and Ali (RA) be the tiara of my head, shining like a star.” - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

COMMENTARY

P24 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

Looking for Price Appreciation? n By Saghir Aslam Rawalpindi, Pakistan

(The following information is provided solely to educate the Muslim community about investing and financial planning.

It is hoped that the Ummah will benefit from this effort through greater financial empowerment, enabling the community to live in security and dignity and fulfill their religious and moral obligations towards charitable activities) Growth stocks provide a way to invest now in companies that may be poised for future success.

While investors seeking regular dividend payments may wish to invest in income stocks, growth stock investing is a good choice for investors seeking share price appreciation. Rather than pay out sizable dividends, growth companies typically reinvest their earnings back into the business. Thus, growth companies’ revenues and earnings are expected to increase more rapidly, which generally leads to share price appreciation. For a growth investor, current income is less important than a company’s continued growth. I would like to share three examples with you, McDonald’s, Motorola, and Apple.

Here are three stocks that I bought months ago and at times it seemed like a long, long wait. As a matter of fact, I had to wait so long for GILD as most of you are aware gold has been in slumps for almost three years, it has done nothing but go down, down and some more down. I personally being a patient long term investor held my gold stock positions including physical gold with Morgan Stanley. Now the reward time comes, in the last few weeks, gold has jumped from $1150 to $ 1300 and it looks good for the long term. But I reminded myself that in order to succeed I must stick to the plan. Believe me it wasn’t easy. The wait was very, very long but as always with Allah’s blessing patience finally paid off.

Emerging-growth companies are smaller and less well capitalized than the average growth

company. As they become larger, many emerging growth companies can be found in the high-technology sector. Investors in emerging growth companies must have a high tolerance and be willing to accept greater portfolio volatility than those who invest in income stocks or regular growth stocks.

Some examples are, I bought face book $10 per share from a private angel investor. I discussed with my long time with lots of experience representative with Morgan Stanley Tom Kleinbuer he discouraged me and told me you probably blend up losing your money. Though I value his opinion as he has been in the market for decades, However in this case I decided to follow my belief and bought face book 10 $ a share. All of us know today with Allah (S.T)’s blessing face book is trading over 70 $ a share.

Growth stocks frequently trade at price-to-earnings ratios that are significantly higher than those of the market as a whole.

In other words, investors pay a substantial premium for stocks considered to offer above-average earnings growth potential. One of the challenges faced by growth stock investors is that it is often difficult to forecast earnings accurately. As a result, growth stocks tend to have extreme up-and-down price fluctuations if projected earnings are exceeded or if earnings are disappointed versus estimates.

Monitoring Growth Stocks Investors usually want to review their growth stock holdings regularly to make sure the companies’ prospects continue to justify premium price-earnings ratios.

Often, by the time growth opportunities are recognized by the general

SHARIF FROM P22

under pressure from a military keen to tighten its grip.

It is true that Pakistan’s military establishment, more popular than it has been since the 1999 coup of General Pervez Musharraf, is riding on a high. But those that remember their history would recognize that politicians have proven far more adept at adjusting to the change in fortunes and public opinions. Musharraf and his Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani also had their moments of soaring popularity, only to be disliked by their very own institutions. General Raheel Sharif might be riding on that high, but that does not mean that the men in uniforms have completely sidelined the prime minister. The ongoing security operations have been given constitutional cover by the federal government, cover that can be taken away should the political ground realities change. The power to do so lies with the prime minister, which makes him far more than a lame duck. - Foreign Policy Magazine

SHRINE FROM P21

The shrine quietly reopened in 2011, but only a handful of worshippers dared to come. Gradually, improving security meant 100 people might turn up on a busy day last year. Now crowds of more than 1,000 flock to the shrine several days each week.

The drop in violence has also raised Sheedi hopes that they might hold their annual four-day festival before the end of the year.

It has been cancelled for the last five years for fear of attack.

At the autumn celebration, four Sheedi communities slaughter goats and dance to a drum beat before the crocodiles, who are showered with rose petals and anointed with perfume and saffron.

“This year we are planning to hold the festival, so our young generation comes to know about our traditions,” said Yaqoob Qambrani, chairman of the Pakistan Sheedi Alliance.

public, stock prices have been drive up and price-to-earnings ratios are no longer as attractive. As a result, the potential for further appreciation decreases. In general, you should only consider growth stock investing if you are more interested in share price appreciation than income. If you are a conservative equity investor, you can participate in growth stocks by staying with high quality blue-chip names. If you are an aggressive investor, you can seek out opportunities among the smaller emerging-growth companies.

I have written many times before about the stop losses as soon as I buy a stock, immediately I put a stop loss depending on the stock volatility 5 % to 10 % which basically means that the amount of money I am willing to loose on this particular stock., as the stock goes up, I raise the stop loss with same percentage. Good news is sometime I hold the stock with raising stop losses for years. Key point to remember is if the stock goes down, you do not change the stop loss. Simply once it hits the stop loss, sell the stock.

These types of companies are extremely volatile. You need a very strong stomach. They are not for everyone and can be very risky.

Before you invest in any of these types of companies, please keep the following in mind: volatility, risk, and time frame. You should only invest your risk money into these types of companies. As always before investing do your homework thoroughly.

(Saghir A. Aslam only explains strategies and formulas that he has been using. He is merely providing information, and NO ADVICE is given. Mr Aslam does not endorse or recommend any broker, brokerage firm, or any investment at all, nor does he suggest that anyone will earn a profit when or if they purchase stocks, bonds or any other investments. All stocks or investment vehicles mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. Mr Aslam is not an attorney, accountant, real estate broker, stockbroker, investment advisor, or certified financial planner. Mr Aslam does not have anything for sale.)

While there is no reliable data available, estimates of the number of Sheedis in Pakistan vary widely from tens of thousands to a few million.

PILGRIMAGE FROM P7

out since is simply appalling. The irony could not have been greater when Prince Turki al-Faisal said in the same interview, “The people of Mecca are the ones who know best the territory of Mecca and you cannot take that away from the people of Mecca”. The prince’s Nejadi clan has decimated the Hejazi people and heritage of Mecca over the past century and while one certainly hopes that he will follow through on his word the Saudis clearly are digging in.

In the face of mounting criticism, the Saudi clergy calling the Mina carnage an act of God, their Hajj officials blaming it on “some pilgrims of African nationalities” and putting the number of dead at only 769, indicates that they are not about PILGRIMAGE, P28

www.PakistanLink.com

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Donate, and may Allah (SWT) give you good health.

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Exchange Rates for Currency Notes* Countries

Buying Rs.

USA

UK S.Arabia Japan Euro UAE

Selling Rs.

104.70 161.00 27.70 0.85 118.50 28.50

104.95 161.70 27.85 0.88 119.00 28.65

(*22 October, 2015) U.S. VISA AVAILABILITY IN OCTOBER, 2015 For Pakistan, Bangladesh & India Compiled by Hasan Chishti FAMILY SPONSORED PREFERENCES

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2nd Members of the professions holding advanced degree or persons of exceptional ability

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RELIGION

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P25

Breaking the Ethnic Barriers: The Islamic Way

Gems from the Holy Qur’an

n By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

O

mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).

(Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Ethnic and racial harmony is highly emphasized in Islam. Islam forbids racism, ethnocentrism, linguistic or color prejudices. These prejudices are harmful for human beings and for their societies. They create prejudice, discrimination, unfair relationship, injustice and oppression.

1. Islam teaches us that all human beings come from one and the same family: O people, be conscious of your Lord, who created you out of one soul and from it created its mate and out of the two spread abroad many men and women…(Al-Nisa’ 4:1) Allah tells us here that the human progeny proceeded from one single soul. This clearly means that all humans are linked to each other and they are members of one and the same family. Being members of the same family they are also equal: 2. Allah has honored all human beings regardless of their colors, races, languages or gender: “Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation.”

(Al-Isra’ 17:70) 3. Differences of colors, languages and ethnicities are a sign of Allah’s creative power and greatness.

This diversity gives beauty and variety to the world: And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors; verily in that are signs for those that know. (Al-Qur’an, alRum 30:22) 4. These differences are only for the purpose of knowing each other, not to despise or discriminate against each, as mentioned in Surah al-Huju-

From the translation by Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)

rat 49:13 quoted above.

According to the Qur’an, it is not the difference of color, which is bad, because that is the creation of Allah; but it is the color prejudice, which is wrong. The evil does not lie in the differences of races or tribes or ethnic groups; the evil is in racism and tribalism and ethnic prejudice.

Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- said in his famous speech during his last pilgrimage: People have descended from Adam and Adam was made out of dust. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a white over a black person … (al-Tirmidhi, Sunan, Bab al-Tafsir, hadith no. 49; Ibn Hanbal, Musnad,5:41) The Qur’an reminds us that taqwa (righteousness or God-consciousness) is the sole criteria of human dignity and honor. Nobility according to the Qur’an does not lie in the color of one’s skin, in the bones of one’s ancestors or in the material possessions or achievements which one may acquire.

Taqwa comes from a constant working of faith in one’s life. It is a generic quality, which activates one’s life under a true consciousness of divine presence, under which a person moves works and deals with other human beings. This consciousness may vary from time to time and hence those of taqwa (or the muttaqin) are neither a class in society, nor a sect, nor a religious order, but these are individuals who through their true abiding by Islamic virtues

acquire the pleasure of Allah which in turn confers upon them a place of dignity, honor, love and respect among the human beings.

These teachings are emphasized in our actions and dealings with each other. This equality and brotherhood manifests itself daily on the local level during Islamic prayers, where without any difference of race, color, or material status all Muslims stand together in the Masjid five times a day.

Masjid is the best place to break the ethnic barriers. On the global level it is also manifest when Muslims from all over the world go for the pilgrimage (Hajj).

History bears testimony to the fact that Islam has uniquely and without any parallel in world religions and civilizations overcome the problems of color and racial prejudices. A historian like Arnold Toynbee faithfully admitted that Islamic civilization was unique in establishing social and racial harmony among peoples. He said: Two conspicuous sources of danger - one psychological and the other material- in the present relations of this cosmopolitan proletariat with the dominant element in our modern Western society are race consciousness and alcohol; and in the struggle with each of these evils the Islamic spirit has a service to render which might prove, if it were accepted, to be of high moral and social value. The extinction of race consciousness between Muslims is one of the outstanding moral achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue. (Civilization on Trial, New York, Oxford University Press 1948, p.

205) Muslims must take this challenge again and should work to establish social justice and racial harmony among themselves and among all people. We can do so by working with like-mind-

www.PakistanLink.com

ed people and by taking some concrete steps in this direction.

In our homes, in our educational institutions, in our communities we must promote this virtue.

We should not only guard ourselves against any racial, linguistic or ethnic prejudice, but we should also remind each other to treat every person with respect and honor regardless of his/ her color, race, national origin or linguistic background.

1. We must promote the Qur’anic idea that all human beings are one family and that we belong to each other. (al-Nisa’ 4:1) 2. All people are equal in the sight of God and they must be equal in society.

3. Justice to all is the pre-requisite for human culture and civilization.

4. Bigotry, stereotypes and prejudice should have no place among Muslims. .

5. We are allowed to compete with each other by doing good deeds, not by putting down other because of their color, looks, racial or ethnic background.

6. We must treat each other with respect, fairness and justice. We must not discriminate against any one because of color, race or national origin.

7. We should try to increase our inter-action with people of other races and ethnic background and make deliberate efforts to involve them in our communities and programs.

8. We must watch our comments. We should not stereotype or generalize about any race, nationality or group of people. We must not say that all Arabs are that way, all Pakistanis are this way, all blacks are that way or all white do this.

9. When we dislike something, we must be careful how to say it. Suppose I do not like spicy food, I should not say, “I do not like Pakistani food.”

Rather I should say, “I do not like spicy food.” Because not all spicy food is Pakistani and not all Pakistani food is spicy.

10. Also we should not be too self-conscious about our race or color. If someone makes a comment or criticizes us, we should not immediately take it as an attack on our race or color.

Let us behave towards others and treat them with dignity and honor. Let us also enjoy the variety and diversity as a source of beauty and strength for our community, not as a problem.

About the translator: Muhammad Asad, Leopold Weiss, was born of Jewish parents in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in 1900, and at the age of 22 made his first visit to the Middle East. He later became an outstanding foreign correspondent for the Franfurter Zeitung, and after his conversion to Islam travelled and worked throughout the Muslim world, from North Africa to as far east as Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. After years of devoted study he became one of the leading Muslim scholars of our age. His translation of the Holy Qur’an is one of the most lucid and well-referenced works in this category, dedicated to “li-qawmin yatafakkaroon” (For people who think).

Chapter 85, Al-Buruuj, Verses 12-15 Verily, thy Sustainer’s grip is exceedingly strong!

Behold, it is He who creates [man] in the first instance, and He [it is who] will bring him forth anew.

And He alone is truly-forgiving, all-embracing in His love, in sublime almightiness enthroned, a sovereign doer of whatever He wills.

Chapter 85, Al-Buruuj, Verses 17-21 Has it ever come within thy ken, the story of the [sinful] hosts of Pharaoh, and [the tribe of] Thamuud?

And yet, they who are bent on denying the truth persist in giving it the lie: but all the while God encompasses them [with his knowledge and might] without their being aware of it.

Nay, but this [divine writ which they reject] is a discourse sublime, upon an imperishable tablet [inscribed]. [ 1 ] Chapter 86, At-Taariq, Verses 1-4 Consider the heavens and that which comes in the night! [ 2 ] And what could make thee conceive what it is that comes in the night?

It is the star that pierces through [life’s] darkness: [for] no human being has been left unguarded. ______________________ Translator’s Notes [ 1 ] Lit., “upon a well guarded tablet (lawh mahfuuz)” – a description of the Qur’an to be found only in this one instance. Although some commentators take it in its literal sense and understand by it an actual “heavenly tablet” upon which the Qur’an is inscribed since all eternity, to many others the phrase has always had a metaphorical meaning: namely, an allusion to the imperishable quality of this divine writ. This interpretation is pointedly mentioned by, for example, Tabarii, BaGhawii, Raazii or ibn Kathiir, all of whom agree that the phrase “upon a well-guarded tablet” relates to God’s promise that the Qur’an would never be corrupted, and would remain free of all arbitrary additions, diminutions and textual changes.

GEMS, P28

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P26 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

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OCTOBER 23, 2015 - PAKISTAN LINK

SPORTS

SPORTS

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P27

No Chance of Indo-Pak Cricket Series: Indian Media

Pakistan will not boycott T20 world cup in India: Shahryar Khan

NEW DELHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan said he is disappointed with the behavior of the Indian cricket board. However, Khan maintained that Pakistan will not be boycotting next year's ICC World T20 scheduled to be held in India.

"There is no further meeting scheduled with Indian board officials," Khan told the press.

The PCB chief further said that he did all he could to establish surety about the series in India. "All went futile due to extremist elements," he

added. PCB chairman is on official tour to India on the invitation of Indian Cricket Board. The scheduled meeting was cancelled due to protests of Shiv Sena. The Indian Board officials refused to conduct any further meeting with Khan. J

Dar, Akram, Akhtar Returning to Pakistan Over Shiv Sena Threat MUMBAI: Former Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, who are in India as part of Star Sports' commentary team for the India-South Africa series, will return home before the fifth ODI in Mumbai. The early departure is a security precaution, following Monday's anti-Pakistan protests by the Shiv Sena, a regional political party, who stormed into the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai ahead of a scheduled meeting between BCCI and PCB officials.

Akram's agent Arsalan Haider confirmed that the pair would commentate on the fourth ODI in Chennai and return on October 23, two days before the Mumbai ODI. The news broke soon after the ICC withdrew Aleem Dar, the Pakistani umpire, from the last two ODIs. An ICC release cited "Monday's incident in Mumbai where a group of extremists stormed into the BCCI office" as the reason for its decision.

On Monday morning, a short while before BCCI president Shashank Manohar and PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan were to discuss a proposed IndiaPakistan series in December, a group of 50 workers from the Shiv Sena, a regional political party, stormed into the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai,

shouting anti-Pakistan slogans and demanding the cancellation of the series.

Dar, who is a member of the elite panel of ICC umpires, had officiated in the first three ODIs, and was also scheduled to umpire in the fourth and fifth ODIs, in Chennai and Mumbai.

However, the Shiv Sena threatened to stop Dar from officiating in the Mumbai ODI, forcing the ICC's hand.

"Under the present circumstances, it will be unreasonable to expect from Aleem that he will be able to perform his duties to the best of his abilities," an ICC spokesperson said. "As such, he has been withdrawn and his replacement will be announced in due course."

Shortly after the protests, Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, was asked about the incident, and whether the board could guarantee Dar's safety.

"There was a possibility of a protest in Saurashtra too where more than 50000 spectators attended. What is the threat and what is the perception, I can't get into it," Thakur said. "India has to host the World Twenty20 in 2016 so it is the responsibility of every Indian to maintain the image that we have of appreciating and enjoying performances of even the opponents. Political issues should be kept aside." J

Pakistan Get Yasir Shah Boost Ahead of Second Test Against England DUBAI: Pakistan will be looking to fit-again leg-spinner Yasir Shah to lift their performance in the second Test against England starting in Dubai from Thursday.

Shah, regarded as a wicket-taking bowler who anchored Pakistan´s wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in the last 12 months, missed the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi with a back spasm.

But he is back to full fitness and was able to bowl without any pain in

the nets, something which Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq sees as a big positive.

"He (Shah) is back and that´s a good sign for us," said Misbah. "We missed him a lot in the first Test and his return will give us that boost in the spin bowling."

Pakistan narrowly escaped defeat after their extraordinary collapse saw them slump to 173 all out on the last day to spice up a Test which was

heading for a draw until the fifth morning.

England were denied the win as, chasing 99 in a possible 19 overs, they fell 25 runs short when bad light forced the umpires to call off the match.

Misbah said Pakistan need to improve.

"We really need to pull up our socks and the kind of fight England put we need to match them, I have confidence in my players that they can do that."

Pakistan are likely to miss key batsman Azhar Ali who returned home following the death of his mother-in-law and his inclusion depends on getting a United Arab Emirates visa in time.

Pakistan also recalled underscrutiny off-spinner Bilal Asif as cover. He was reported for suspect bowling action in Zimbabwe on October 6 but can still play pending a report on his action which will come in two weeks´ time.

Pakistan will likely to bring in Shah in place of paceman Rahat Ali. They will also hope the Dubai stadium pitch helps the bowlers after a flat pitch in Abu Dhabi saw both team piling up 500-plus totals in their first innings. J

Sehwag Formally Retires From International Cricket NEW DELHI: Virender Sehwag has formally announced his retirement from international cricket. On Tuesday, his 37th birthday, Sehwag made the announcement via Twitter, with a crisp message that said he would no longer play in the IPL either.

Recently Sehwag had revealed he would be participating in the Masters Champions League, a UAE-based Twenty20 tournament that requires its participants to have retired from all international formats, and said a formal retirement

announcement would follow soon.

He indicated that he would continue playing for Haryana till the end of the Ranji Trophy season.

"I think I'm playing first-class cricket. I'm not playing international cricket. I'm retired only, I can say that, but I have to announce officially," he said, at the MCL event in Dubai. "When I'll go back [to India] I'll think about it and announce officially that I'm retired from international cricket, all forms of the game, so you will hear very soon." J

Spurs South Africa to 18-Run Win for 2-1 Lead in ODI Series RAJKOT: De Kock, the 22-year-old left-handed opener, took advantage of a flat pitch to notch up his seventh oneday century - the fourth against India that lifted the Proteas to 270-7.

Quinton de Kock hit 103 and Morne Morkel claimed four for 39 as South Africa brushed aside India by 18 runs in the third one-day international in Rajkot on Sunday.

De Kock, the 22-year-old lefthanded opener, took advantage of a flat pitch to notch up his seventh one-day century - the fourth against India - that lifted the Proteas to 270-7.

India were restricted to 252-6 in reply, despite half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (65) and Virat Kohli, who returned to form with 77, his first substantial knock after 12 barren one-day-

ers. The win handed the tourists a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with the last two games to be played in Chennai (October 22) and Mumbai (October 25). South Africa had won the opening game in Kanpur by five runs and India drew level at Indore with a 22-run victory.

Morkel was supported by spirited fielding by his team-mates in hot and humid weather which tied down the free-stroking Indian batsmen.

Sharma, who hit 150 in a losing cause in the first match in Kanpur, shared a 72-run stand for the second wicket with Kohli after Shikhar Dhawan had fallen for 13.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then put on 80 for the third wicket with Kohli before he was

removed by Morkel for 47 with his team still needing 78 off 49 deliveries.

Morkel sealed India's fate by dismissing Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane off successive deliveries in the 46th over, both batsmen being caught at deep mid-wicket by David Miller.

Suresh Raina fell for a second successive zero, holing out in the deep against leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis (60) shared a third-wicket stand of 118 with de Kock to lift the tourists to 205-2 in the 39th over when India hit back with three quick wickets to make it 210-5 in the 41st. Du Plessis, who was caught off a Mohit Sharma no-ball when on 16, was dismissed by the same bowler to a catch at third-man, triggering the slide. J

www.PakistanLink.com www.Pakistanlink.com

PAKISTAN

P28 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015 GEMS FROM P25

[ 2 ] Some commentators assume that what is described here as at-taariq (“that which comes in the night”) is the morning star, because it appears towards the end of the night; others – like ZamaKhsharii or RaaGhib – understand by it “the star” in its generic sense……

In the Qur’anic mode of expression, attaariq is evidently a metaphor for the heavenly solace which sometimes comes to a human being lost in the deepest darkness of affliction and distress; or for the sudden, intuitive, enlightenment which disperses the darkness of uncertainty.

PILGRIMAGE FROM P24

to change the safety culture in and around the holy places, which are supposed to be a sanctuary for one and all. The Kingdom is not exactly known for transparency and, sensing both real and trumped-up turmoil, has gone into an external and internal denial mode, which is exponentially more dangerous. It would still perhaps be more helpful to engage the Saudis over the perils of pilgrimage rather than getting bogged down in politics over it.

(The writer can be reached at mazdaki@me.com and he tweets @ mazdaki) ECOMMERCE FROM P9

spread access and opportunities to existing and budding entrepreneurs.

Approximately 17.3 percent of ecommerce activities take place via smartphones.

Such marketing initiatives are generally successful in reaching out to first time consumers and generating overall awareness, acceptance, trust and credibility.

Many visionary local players such as Shophive, Homeshopping, ROZEE, Just4girls.pk, and Pakwheels, as well as giant foreign investors such as Rocket Internet with their diverse online initiatives such as Jovago, Tripda, and Foodpanda, are all swooping in to establish their market share in the emerging ecommerce industry of Pakistan within their respective domains.

Various other local and home-operated businesses have also flourished through Facebook pages as a result of rapid penetration of the internet and smartphones, COD and IBFT services and the overall growing trends of online shopping.

All these businesses have emerged in spite of barriers such as misconception and mistrust of ecommerce in Pakistan, security concerns regarding online transactions, low access to technology, low literacy rates, and limited infrastructure and logistical support.

All in all, this goes to show that the market and timing is ripe for ecommerce in Pakistan – irrespective of a few hiccups – and the industry is all geared up to create massive waves in the country, with colossal scope for innovation and improvement as well as exponential long-term growth. ((Junaid Ahmad holds an MBA Marketing degree from Lahore School of Economics. He has been working for many reputable organizations since 2010. He has a passion for creative and analytical writing. TechInAsia)

that runs along our common border. This includes the IS. These people have brought with them their families hoping for a long stay.”

With this as the background, a fair amount of time will be spent in the Nawaz-Obama meeting in the White House, discussing developments in the Muslim world. The Pakistani prime minister should be prepared to make three points in his conversation. One, the rise of religious extremism should not be treated as an expression of deeply held beliefs of Muslims across the globe. Unfortunately, this is being done by a number of candidates vying for the Republican ticket for the presidential election in 2016. One of them, a former brain surgeon, has proclaimed that Muslims are not welcome in the United States.

Their values cannot be reconciled with those of America. This kind of open talk is leading to Islamophobia in the United States as well as in Europe.

Two, Pakistan has a role to play in steadying the Muslim world.

Along with Turkey, it is one of the two countries in the western part that is moving towards a viable and fully representative political order.

Like the rest of the Muslim world, it too has a very young population which has aspirations that can only be satisfied by inclusive political and economic orders. Pakistan, in other words, could become a good example of a country that has evolved in the right direction. For it to keep moving in this desired direction, it needs support from the West.

Three, the use of force against extremism will not help. It has to be combined with social and economic progress that provides hope to the restless young populations in Muslim countries. The youth, with proper education and training, can become an asset; neglected, they will head for exit from the systems in which they live. It was their choice of exit as a strategy that led to the Arab Spring of 2011. It only succeeded in Tunisia; in other countries, the established order reasserted itself, sometimes with America’s help. America and the rest of the West need to reconsider their approach to the Muslim world.

(The writer is a former caretaker finance minister and served as vice-president at the World Bank) HONOR FROM P18

She received her MD degree and training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She later spent time on the Turkish-Syrian border, working at a makeshift polyclinic serving 20,000 refugees displaced by the on-going conflict in Syria.

Barakat has been immensely involved in research to improve mental health. She is passionate about women’s health, mental health, global health, and social justice.

CERN FROM P20

liantly his task to compare RE4 Construction with Operation data,” Dimitrov wrote in the email.

Iqbal said there needs to be a mulYEAR FROM P8 messages. It is time for us to truly fol- tidisciplinary approach to learning eslow the teachings of Islam to spread pecially when it came to sister subjects humanity and order. Stop being ig- such as physics, computer science and norant. (The Express Tribune) engineering.

“This will help our prospects in the field of research,” he added.

OBAMA FROM P4 have pushed a large number of peo- ROLE FROM P1 ple to our side of the border,” he told tion to further enhance economic enme. “All the world’s filth has collect- gagement between the two countries, ed on our side in a 60-mile stretch particularly in the energy sector.

Karachi Club to Host Halim Party on November 1 The Karachi Club will host its Annual Halim Party at the Garden Grove Park (9301 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, CA) on Sunday, November 1 at 12 noon. Friends of the Karachi Club and their families have been invited to attend the party. For further information please contact Samin Faruqui 951 830 7488.

The two leaders also discussed the security situation in a broader context and agreed that terrorism posed a common challenge to regional and global security. They reaffirmed their resolve to counter the challenge.

The premier also informed secretary Kerry of the successes of operation Zarb-e-Azab and the National Action Plan (NAP).

NETWORK FROM P1

ernment’s steps for the revival of the economy, transparency remains the top priority in energy projects,” he said.

“Pakistan and China are constructing the Gwadar port together while the government has also signed an agreement with Russia for a gas pipeline project,” he said. Besides, the government has launched a package of Rs341 billion for the benefit of farmers.

“The budget deficit has been reduced to 5.3 from 8.8 followed by the stock market which is also improving.”

The premier, who was accompanied by Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Pakistan’s representative at the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi among many others, was presented a guard of honor by a contingent of the US armed forces upon his arrival in the US. During the visit, PM Nawaz is to hold discussions on wide-ranging areas of bilateral interest with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Cabinet members.

Both sides are expected to review the current state of Pakistan-US relations and identify new areas for cooperation to expand and enrich the partnership.

The Prime Minister will also attend a business event organized by the US-Pakistan Business Council in Washington DC where he is due to address the United States Institute of Peace.

LIMITS FROM P1

is … India-centric. And it exists to make war a non-option … Tactical nuclear weapons block off this room (for war) completely,” said a security official with knowledge of Pakistan’s nuclear program “No one can dictate what kind of weapons we will make or use.”

Pakistan was working on developing a nuclear submarine, he added.

“The goal is a sea-based second strike capability,” he said, referring to a submarine that could carry nuclear warheads and strike in case land-based nuclear weapons were wiped out.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told state television on Tuesday this was a reaction to Indian threats to make a limited, lightning raid with conventional forces in case of militant attack, an idea known as

www.PakistanLink.com

the “Cold Start” doctrine.

“In India, they brought the cold start doctrine,” he said. “So we have also preserved our deterrence capability.”

Non-proliferation experts worry that country’s tactical nuclear weapons further destabilise an already volatile region.

“The smaller they (nuclear weapons) are, the more tempting it becomes to use them against a conventional force,” said nuclear physics professor Pervez Hoodbhoy.

“The development and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons is a complete change of strategy. Earlier, nuclear weapons were instruments for deterring war, but now they’re seen as weapons for actually fighting a war.”

CRICKET FROM P1

country for hosting international sporting events, including the T20 World Cup,” said a senior government official on Tuesday.

The official, who did not wish to be named, said the government would discuss the issue with the PCB and decide whether it was appropriate to send the national team for the mega event to be held in India early next year. “The PCB should take up this issue with the ICC and seek the change of venue,” the official added.

It is believed that the Foreign Office would also advise the PCB to stop ‘begging’ the BCCI for a bilateral cricket series. The foreign ministry believes the Indian government would not give the BCCI the goahead for restoring cricketing ties.

“The situation is bleak. There is no chance of resumption of cricketing ties with India in near future,” said a Foreign Office official familiar with the development.

PPP FROM P1

thorized against former provincial minister for excise and taxation Baluchistan, Muhammad Amin Umrani, accusing him of accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.

The executive board meeting also decided to authorize complaint verifications against Sindh Minister for Usher and Zakat Dost Muhammad and Sindh lawmaker Dr Abdul Sattar Rajper.

ZARDARI FROM P1

Arbab and Pir Mazharul Haq has given credence to their claims that accountability is only to be faced by People’s Party while all others fall outside the jurisdiction of NAB,” he regretted.

NAB okays investigation against more PPP leaders: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to launch investigations against several PPP leaders including its former ministers

‘Women Not Required to Cover Faces’: CII

Islamabad: In a surprising move, Pakistani clerics have ruled that Muslim women are not obliged to cover their faces. The ruling comes after some conservative women refused to have their picture taken for official documents.

The Council of Islamic Ideology, an official religious body mandated to give legal advice on Islamic issues to government and parliament, announced on Monday that it was not necessary for women to keep their faces fully covered.

There had been reports that a number of conservative women were reluctant to have their picture taken without a veil for national identity cards and passports.

“Covering the face, the hands up to the wrists and feet is not mandatory for Muslim women,” Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani, head of the Council, told media in the capital Islamabad on Monday.

The council’s announcement came as a surprise to many because of its controversial decisions in the past. Only last year, it said that girls as young as nine could be married off under Islamic law.

Farzana Bari, an Islamabadbased feminist and rights activist, hailed the council’s latest announcement. “It is a good sign. The clergy seems to have realized that their legitimacy is being challenged, and this ruling is aimed at improving their image,” Bari told the AFP news agency.

“The orthodox clerics have been put on the back foot. Look at the Supreme Court decision about blasphemy laws: it’s encouraged some clerics to come forward and speak about amending the laws,” she said, referring to a case about the murder of Slaman Taseer, the former governor of the Punjab province. Taseer was killed by his bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri over blasphemy allegations.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld Qadri’s death sentence in a historic verdict, a move lauded

by Pakistan’s liberals as an important step to tackle religious extremism and intolerance in the country.

The conservative sections of the country, however, denounced the Council of Islamic Ideology’s ruling about veils. “Pardah (covering the face) is a sign of a modest Muslim woman. It is ordered by Allah and his Prophet, hence it is compulsory in all circumstances,” Raouf Gaznavi, a Pakistani citizen, wrote on DW Urdu’s Facebook page.

Pir Mazharul Haq, Arbab Alamgir, his wife Asma Arbab, senior advisor Dost Muhammad Rahmo, MPA Abdul Sattar Rajpar and members of Sindh Public Service Commission.

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OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P29

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P30 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

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WOMENS WORLD

OCTOBER 23, 2015 - PAKISTAN LINK

ENTERTAINMENT

OCTOBER 23, 2015 – PAKISTAN LINK – P31

By: Nazneen Tariq

J

ewellery is all about rhythm and fluidity, capturing the essence and sensuality of the woman. In line with the higher demand in fashion is the growing need for costume jewellery and accessories. Fashion accessories and costume jewellery are now an integral part of our wardrobes and are witnessing new trends with coloured stones finding favour among fashion conscious women. Precision cut gemstones take on new meaning as vital, versatile and precious ingredi-

ents in fine jewellery, fashion and style. Now, people have a wide choice, thanks to the easy availability of well-designed jewellery.

In Pakistan, there are a number of designers who are making fine jewellery and Nazneen is one of them. Nazneen Tariq has been creating exquisite pieces of jewellery for the past nine years. Be it a headturning neckpiece, an elegant bracelet or a statement ring her tasteful jewellery is liked by all. Made of pure silver with rhodium of white gold adorned with precious stones; her jewellery pieces speak eloquently of Nazneen's creative skills.

Her first collection was showcased in 2006 at Grandeur art gallery in Karachi.

Since then she has exhibited her jewellery in a number of exhibitions;

fashion shows and high-end events in Pakistan; United Kingdom and the United States. Her label 'Heavenly Regalia' offers contemporary pieces of jewellery to those who want something different and classy.

According to Nazneen, "The use of diamonds and precious gems in the jewellery has been a tradition since long time. I make genuine pieces of jewellery. I aim to create beautifully crafted and high finish pieces of jewellery which give a distinctive touch to my line."

The popularity of Nazneen's jewellery can be gauged from the fact that a lot of celebrities were seen adorning her statement pieces at the 14th Lux Style Awards, which was held recently at Expo, Karachi. Nazneen

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painstakingly created and designed each piece as she knew that these pieces were going to be worn by stars.

"Designer jewellery always gives you a sense of individuality. And when it is worn by celebrities it expresses their unique personality and display a real sense of fashion," explains Nazneen.

"So, when I was asked to provide jewellery for celebrities like Nadia Hussain, Vinny, Resham, Momal Sheikh by the LSA management, I was more than happy to do so. These

are all beautiful women and they gave an extra oomph to my pieces by wearing them on the prestigious 14th Lux Style Awards," says an over excited Nazneen, who has just returned from Dubai after having another successful jewellery show there. She also shares an important tip with our readers, "The important thing is to have fun with your jewellery and recognise its versatility. With just one piece of jewellery and a clever idea, you can create a whole new look."

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P32 – PAKISTAN LINK – OCTOBER 23, 2015

GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA CAIR- LA 19th Annual Banquet

Strengthening Our Voices Saturday, November 14, 2015 5:30 PM Registration 6:00 PM Dinner & Program

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

DR. SHERMAN JACKSON American Scholar

FEATURED SPEAKERS DR. ALTAF HUSAIN

DR. SUZANNE BARAKAT

Vice President, ISNA

Sister of Deah Barakat CAIR-LA Resilience Awardee

ANAHEIM HILTON

777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

TICKETS

$65 per person $85 a er nov. 7th $600 for a table of 10 $25 per child (6 mo-12 yrs) www.PakistanLink.com

CONTACT

cairlabanquet.com 714-776-1847