Why Have This Train At All? The writer is disregarding the immense loss of life. Chowk should not publish such insensitive and rubbish articles.

Veil for vendetta Liquor sale registers rise in Vehari




By Gulzar Baig

VEHARI, Oct 23: Liquor sale is at its peak in the district as in many other parts of the province, as more and more people turn to some local manufacturers just ahead of Eidul Fitr.

The district administration and police have failed to take any effective steps to nip the evil which gains momentum during Eid days.

The illegal trade has its roots in many parts of the district, including Luddan, Machiwal, Gagoo, Mitroo, Grahamore, Chakrala, Karampur, Tibba Sultanpur, Jallajeem, Dokota, Muslim Town, Pipli adda, Sheikh Afzal, Sahooka, 9-11/WB and Thingi Colony where dozens of small factories remain operative the whole year through.

A survey conducted by this correspondent reveals that people in rural areas are making money out of the trade, as they prepare alcohol based on substandard ingredients in their mud-houses.

A liquor trader from Kehror Pakka said he had been arrested by the police several times on the complaints of his rivals.

However, all he had to do to get away with any action was pay Rs500 and few bottles of fine-quality liquor to the law enforcers.

Making no secret of his trade, he further said he and his business partner paid a monthly amount to the local police to run their business in the city and other areas of Vehari district. He said he had been running the business for the last 10 years and the sale of liquor picked up during Eid days.

“Officials of the district administration, landlords of Mailsi, Vehari, Khanewal and other adjoining areas, some politicians and commoners are among his customers who get a bottle of fine-quality liquor for Rs300 to Rs400. Some customers demand foreign brands which he readily makes available at a higher price.

Another liquor trader, who belongs to the minority community, feels no qualms of conscience in selling off the illegal product claiming that he and his family had 12 permits and stocked all their quotas of liquor for the last six months to make a buck fast on Eid.

A liquor factory owner of Jallajeem rural area said a few days ago the police raided his factory and took all the manufacturing stuff into possession, but he was let off the hook after few hours on the intervention of an influential figure.

A majority of the liquor traders, he said, were enjoying blessings of the bigwigs whom they provided liquor free of cost.

When contacted, a policeman told this correspondent that the police had arrested hundreds of traders and registered cases against them during the last one year, but the menace required much more efforts to be extirpated.

He said scores of shops, including medical stores and homoeopathic centres, sold liquor under the garb of medicines.

Answering a question, he said hardly 200 of the traders had been issued licences and they belonged to the minority communities.

It is pertinent to mention that several people fell unconscious after taking poisonous liquor in various parts of the district during last Eid holidays.

In 2003, on the occasion of Eid, eight people lost their lives after the consumption of the liquor in various parts of the district.

Another police official said it was the excise department’s duty to make sure that only non-Muslims were issued the permits.

“The police do their duty whenever they receive information about any such illegal activity; there is no question of promoting the trade as has been alleged.”



And when sane people argue in favor of legalizing alcohol and raising tax revenue, most Pakistanis tend to go bezerk.

I find it most amusing that I do not consume alcohol but favor it being legalized as the ban is not totally enforced. I favor that it should be properly enforced and a travasity of the law should not be made. Any hows, alot of my people who I know who do drink, always get upst when I say that we should legalize it and the money we raise for tactics should be used for education purposes.

It`s screwed up..

Saving Pakistan with the Constitution Traitors¡¯ Atrocities Against Humanity in Balochistan

http://firstpakistan.wordpress.com/

On August 26th, 2006 the traitor Akbar Bugti was finally hunted down in mountains of Kohlo and was killed like a dog. Akbar Bugti first killed a person when he was just 12 years old and uptill his death he killed nearly 60 persons with his own hands.

During recent days he was getting support from India via Afghanistan in the form of weapons and money to wage war against Pakistan.


Now soon Khair Bakhsh Marri and Attaullah Mengal and Akthar Mengal will be killed and then Balochistan will be on a fast track to progress and justice.

The killing of these traitors is doing justice and giving justice to those people who suffered heavily from the hands of these animals.

Below is a list of atrocities committed by these traitors against Pakistan and against Pakistani people and especially against people of Balochistan.

Balochistan is characterised with complex socio-political culture having strong feudal background and oppressive domination by few tribal chieftains.

Akbar Bugti, Khair Bakhsh Marri and Attaullah Mengal are the most prominent of these having terrorist outlook and traitors of Pakistan.

These so called Nawabs and Sardars have always opposed the development and spread of liberal values in Balochistan. They resorted to coercive and oppressive means against their opponents with no heed to any human rights. They have been using terrorism for continuation of Sardari system and have committed limitless atrocities against innocent civilians for furtherance of their own interests.

Some of the details of atrocities/terrorist activities by these Sardars are given in succeeding paragraphs.

Terrorist activities of Akbar Bugti and his associates

Human Rights Violations ¡ª Akbar Bugti utilising the money collected through illegal means (corruption, blackmailing, narco-trade and arms smuggling etc) created his own empire. He organised his own mafia of terrorists to coerce the local civilians. Maintained a private jail where he used to detain the opponents and poor people illegally for terms varying between 5 to 25 years. Average strength of prisoners in his jail used to be 150-200. He had his own court in Dera Bugti where he was the self appointed judge.

During court proceedings he used to award humiliating punishments like shaving off head and facial hair, making people stand naked in public and ordering them to walk on fire.

Some of the punishments awarded by him are:

Wadera Dhara Khan who refused to join Bugti¡¯s terrorist organisation was made to stand naked in public.

Wadera Mian Khan was made to walk on fire in September 2005, and also fined heavily. 25 other persons were also forced to walk on fire.

Due to inhuman treatment, Jamali s/o Gulla committed

suicide in Akbar Bugti¡¯s private jail.

57 persons were ordered to shave off their heads, facial hair, including eyebrows.

Defiance to Akbar Bugti¡¯s orders resulted in burning of six villages.

30 houses demolished by Akbar Bugti¡¯s terrorists.

Akbar Bugti used to impose fine of Rs. 5 lacs. 10 lashes and imprisonment in private jail for joining Frontier Corps/Army.

5 women indemnified as compensation in 2005.

300 Kalashnikovs/50,000 rounds received as compensation in 2005.

Wadera Muhammad Bakhsh Mundrani was fined Rupees 4 million and his brother Mian Khan Mundrani was made to walk on fire.

70 persons fined for various offences.

Approximately Rs 10 millions collected as fine from tribes every year. Heavy amounts collected as fines were spent for terrorism.

Murders ¡ª Since 1992, 60 persons have been murdered by Akbar Bugti and his terrorists. Some of the prominent cases are:

Amir Hamza Bugti who announced to contest elections against Akbar Bugti in 1988, was murdered by him during 1992.

Haji Han Bugti was murdered on October 10, 1993.

Muhammad Ibrahim Bugti was murdered in Karachi on March 4, 1993.

Asadullah Bugti was murdered in Karachi by Akbar Bugti¡¯s son Jamil Bugti who remains at large due to Akbar Bugti¡¯s influence.

Wadera Bashirullah Bugti, Aslam Bugti and Muhammad Ramzan were brutally murdered on March 15, 1993.

Ali Bugti and Sher Ali Bugti, relatives of Wadera Khan Muahmmad Bugti were murdered on July 11, 1993.

Ali Dost Bugti was murdered in Pat Feeder Canal area on July 23, 1993.

Munir Ahmed Bugti, Aziz Ali Bakhsh, Hassan Bugti and Nazar Ali Bugti were murdered in Karachi on July 14, 1993.

On December 13, 2005, Hazar s/o Peer Muhammad was killed by Akbar Bugti¡¯s terrorists, at Siah Koh.

Sabotage Activities ¡ª Countless incidents of sabotage have been committed by Akbar Bugti and his terrorists. Apprehended Bugti terrorists confessed their involvement in Karachi bomb blast of November 15, 2005. 339 individuals (including 110 security forces personnel) have been killed and 870 injured due to terrorists activities since January 2004. They targeted government installations, communication infrastructures and national assets. 45 attacks on railway installations carried out since January 2005. Gas Pipelines hit at 46 places since March 2005, 26 electric pylons were damaged.

Land Mine Incidents ¡ª A large number of land mines have been laid in Dera Bugti by Akbar Bugti¡¯s terrorists, in a blatant violation of human rights as per Geneva Conventions. So far 80 persons have lost their lives, 109 have lost their limbs and 21 vehicles have been damaged due to mine blasts.

Terrorist activities against law-enforcement agencies

In October 2005, Moharrar Thana Levies Rahim Bux was abducted and tortured for many days in Akbar Bugti¡¯s Fort for not paying salaries to the Bugti Levies, who remained absent from duty for many years.

In July 2005, terrorists abducted three Police personnel between Phuleji and Chattar. Later one constable was killed. Five policemen were also abducted from Shang Pir Soori Darbar.

In December 2003, Khuda Yar was abducted by terrorists near PPL gate. Akbar Bugti confessed to Ch Shujaat and Mushahid Hussain of his detention in his private jail.

Terrorist Activities of Khair Bakhsh Marri/Balaach Marri, Hayerbiar Marri, Ghazain Marri and Zamran Marri

Human rights violations ¡ª Human rights violations are a routine affair in district Kohlu where law of jungle prevails at the behest of Khair Bakhsh Marri and his sons.

Terrorist/sabotage activities ¡ª Since 2004, Marri terrorists killed four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, three civilians, injured 15 FC personnel, three civilians.

Two FC personnel were abducted while many PTCL towers and electric pylons were damaged.

22 rocket attacks against railways perpetrated.

Abductions ¡ª During 2005, four persons were abducted for ransom on behest of Balaach Marri. . Land Grabbing ¡ª Illegally occupied agriculture land of Langhani/Loharani/Ghazini tribes in District Sibi.

Deprived Ayaz son of Mir Qaisar Khan Ghazini, (nephew of Khair Bakhsh Marri) of his agricultural land in Kahan and forced him to migrate to D G Khan.

Anti-development activities

In the mid 1990s electricity and mettled road from Kahan to Sibi was sanctioned but work could not be completed due to KB Marri¡¯s opposition.

Out of 47 schools, only one is functional at Kahan.

Rural health centers/basic health units are in personal use of Marri¡¯s terrorists.

30 police personnel posted to Kohlu were performing duties as guards with Balaach Marri to avoid his wrath.

Nine Seismic Surveys and construction of road Gwadar-Turbat-Ratto Dero and Fazal Chel-Maiwand-Talli are held up due to opposition of Khair Bakhsh Marri.

Hindrance in mega development projects:

Attack on Chinese at Gwadar on May 3, 2004 killing three Chinese, injuring five Chinese and two Pakistanis.

Attack on Chinese on October 15, 2005 near Talar Camp, injuring driver of the vehicle.

Anti-settlers drive: 27 incidents of explosions/bombs blasts, 11 processions/rallies, 30 meetings, nine incidents of distribution of pamphlets, three abductions and damage to property are on record.

Anti-coal mining activities: Chamalang coal mines have been a major irritant amongst sub-clans of Marri tribe and have remained closed due to coercion of Balaach.

During 2005, coalmines in Quetta, Harnai, Mach and Sibi areas were occupied by Marri terrorists and owners were forced to pay ¡®Bhatta¡¯.

Dilband Iron Ore/Bolan Mining Company destroyed in November 2005, rendering hundreds of labourers un-employed.

Terrorist activities by Akhtar Mengal and his associates

In August 2004, six persons (including five Army men) were murdered by Akhtar Mengal¡¯s gang.

There are number of FIRs against Akhtar Mengal for threatening the police officials eg in April 2005, Akhtar Jan Mengal and his terrorists manhandled Hub SHO for not releasing arrested BNP-M workers.

In October 2005, Akhtar Jan Mengal attempted forcible closure of shops in Wadh, with the assistance of his nephew Asad Mengal. Reportedly shopkeepers did not support BNP-M during the local government elections, during the incident one person was killed and three were injured.

Akhtar Jan Mengal in collaboration with Rehman Dacoit has been coordinating (Balochistan Liberation Army) BLA¡¯s activities. Rehman Dacoit was closely associated with Atta Irani who facilitates smuggling of arms/Ammunition for BLA.

Bomb Explosion: In 2004 139 incidents, 61 killed and 175 injured; in 2005 89 killed and 221 injured in 70 incidents; in 2006 169 dead and 535 hurt in 29 incidents.

Mine Blasts: In 2004, three killed and two injured in 17 incidents; in 2005 one injured in two incidents; in 2006 83 dead and 118 hurt in 79 incidents.

Rockets firing: In 2004, two killed and eight injured in 131 incidents; in 2005 three killed and 58 injured in 103 incidents; in 2006 four dead and 27 hurt in 138 incidents.

Attacks on security personnel: In 2004, 41 killed and 41 injured in 44 incidents; in 2005 40 killed and 218 injured in 40 incidents; in 2006 29 dead and 73 hurt in 255 incidents.

Terrorist attacks against railway infrastructure

24-1-05 3 kms from Sibi Railway track damaged

26-1-05 Mashkaf (Bolan) explosion occurred ¡ª no damage

27-1-05 Mashkaf (Bolan) 3 feet railway track destroyed

7-2-05 Paro Kunri (Bolan) 2 explosions occurred ¡ª no damage

7-2-05 Quetta explosion occurred ¡ª no damage

7-3-05 Mach explosion occurred near Railway Colony ¡ª no damage

15-3-05 Mach explosion occurred near railway station ¡ª no damage

18-3-05 Mach explosion in Chiltan Express one kilied and two injured

23-3-05 Railway station (Bolan) 1.5 feet railway track damaged

24-3-05 Mach detected explosive device

12-4-05 Chadarzai (Bolan) explosion in a bogy near railway station six persons injured

30-4-05 Bakhtiarabad Sibi damaged 2 feet railway track

28-5-05 Mach explosion at railway police station ¡ª no damage

23-6-05 Mastung damaged sleepers near Mastung

14-8-05 Mach destroyed railway track

29-10-05 Quetta Mustafaabad Railway bridge dislodged

23-12-05 Mastung 5 feet railway track damaged

28-12-05 Kandhkot destroyed railway line with explosive

31-12-05 Sibi blew 90 meters railway bridge

04-1-06 Noshki Railway bridge damaged

12-1-06 Quetta bomb exploded under railway track

15-1-06 Noshki railway bridge partially damaged

20-1-06 Mach Bomb exploded damaging track

20-1-06 Noshki bomb exploded under railway track Quetta-Zahidan section

26-1-06 Mach bomb exploded near Bungalzai Colony

16-2-06 Mach Bomb exploded near Mach railway station

27-2-06 Sibi Bomb exploded on railway track-engine and bogies derailed

8-4-06 Noshki bomb exploded near Quetta -Taftan railway track, damaging track

10-4-06 Noshki bomb exploded near Killi Zangian Abad, damaging the track

14-4-06 Sibi Bomb exploded under Railway bridge near Tandoori RS, damaging bridge

18-4-06 Jaffarabad miscreants removed fish plates from railway line at Sam Shakh railway, traffic remained suspended for 2 hours

21-4-06 Sibi bomb exploded under railway bridge near Babar Katch, damaging the bridge

22-4-06 Quetta bomb exploded under railway bridge in area Dasht, damaging 10 feet track/bridge

23-4-06 Sibi bomb exploded under Sibi-Harnai Railway track, damaging the track

25-4-06 Sibi bomb exploded under two railway bridges on Sibi-Harnai railway track ¡ª no damage

1-5-06 Noshki bomb exploded under railway track near Noshki, track damaged

31-5-06 Sibi bomb exploded, under railway track at Shoori, track damaged

6-06 Quetta bomb exploded under railway track at new Saryab damaging a sleeper of the railway track

5-6-06 DM Jamali bomb exploded under railway track at Shone, damaging 6 feet track

7-6-06 Sibi miscreants blew up a railway bridge

13-6-06 Noshki bomb exploded under railway track

15-6-06 Daibandin bomb exploded under railway track near FC Fort, track damaged

28-6-06 Quetta bomb exploded under railway track near Sariab

30-6-06 Noshki bomb exploded under railway track Qta-Taftan; damaging 3 meters track

1-7-06 Quetta three bombs exploded under railway track near Spizand, damaging track

TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST GAS PIPELINES

22 March 05 - Bolan. Overhead Crossing of 12¡å pipeline at Kumbri Nullah was damaged.

31 March 05 - Sibi. 20¡å submerged gas pipeline was rendered unusable. This incident was coordinated with the president¡¯s inauguration of gas supply to Kalat on 1 April 05.

13 August 05 - Sibi, 4¡å diameter distribution main valve was destroyed.

21 September 05 - Kalat. 6¡å diameter distribution main valve assembly damaged.

3 October 05 - Kolpur Pipeline, 20¡å & 12¡å submerged gas pipelines damaged. The incident synchronized with the visit of Indian foreign minister to Pakistan.

28 October 05 - Sibi. 12¡å pipeline exploded near Damboli.

1 November 05 - Guddu. Mari Gas Company¡¯s pipeline blown up.

27 December 05 - Sui. Gas pipeline near Well Number 60 destroyed.

3 January 06 - Dera Bugti, Gas pipeline to Uch Power Plant destroyed.

15 January 06 - Midwal. Gas pipeline in Midwal area damaged.

4 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Gas pipeline blown off near Loti Gas Field.

4 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Bugti terrorists fired 50 rockets on PPL fenced area, Sui, killing six (including two Army men) and injuring four. Damage also caused to residential infrastructure.

7 February 06 - Naseerabad. Gas pipeline blown up supplying gas to Uch Power Plant.

8 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Terrorists attacked PPL fenced area and Gate-9 with 10 rockets and small arms.

13 February 06-Dera Bugti. Terrorists blew up gas pipeline of Pir Koh Gas Field.

16 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Terrorists blew up Junction point of Pir Koh Gas Plant.

Night 16/17 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Terrorists damaged Well Number 24.

21 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Bugti terrorists blew up 14¡å Gas pipeline of Loti Gas Field.

21 February 06 - Dera Bugti. Well Number 23 damaged.

22 February 06 - Quetta. A bomb damaged gas pipeline at Eastern Bypass.

1 March 06-Dera Bugti. Bugti terrorists blew up 18¡å gas pipeline in area Pat Feeder.

5 March 06 - Quetta. A bomb damaged gas pipeline near Killi Shah Din Zai.

7 March O6 - Mastunq. Gas pipeline near Killi Bacha Abad, damaged.

9 March 06 - Dera Bugti. Bomb explosion damaged Well Number 12.

9 March 06 - Dera Bugti. Terrorists fired rockets at FC Camp Loti Gas Field.

20 March 06 - Dera Bugti. Bugti terrorists blew up 30¡å gas pipeline, leading to the Punjab.

21 March 06-Dera Bugti. Terrorists engaged Loti Gas Field with rockets and damaged it.

12 April 06 - Sui/Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up 18¡å Loti Field gas pipeline disrupting supply to Pir Koh Purification Plant.

18 April 06 - Mastunq. Terrorists exploded gas pipeline near Killi Muhammad Hassani, damaging gas pipeline and disrupting gas supply to Kalat.

28 April 06 - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up main gas pipeline, Loti Gas field, disrupting gas supply to Dera Bugti.

5 May 06 - Kalat. Fararis exploded old Sui Gas office, damaging 2¡å gas pipeline.

17 May - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up a connecting pipeline of well no 25 of Sui Gas Field in Bugti Colony.

18 May-Sui/Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded main gas pipeline from Sui to Punjab.

19 May-Sui/Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded 16¡å pipeline suspending gas supply to parts of Sindh and Punjab.

24 May - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded a gas pipeline near PPL Gate 4, Bugti Colony.

26 May - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded a Gas pipeline near Tehsil Bazaar Sui, pipeline caught fire burning 60-65 nearby wooden/canvas stalls/cabin.

27 May-Sui/Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded main gas pipeline in area Pez Bogi, causing minor damage to pipeline.

2 June - Sui/Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded a gas pipeline of well No 10 at Pir Koh Gas Field.

3/4 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis exploded 16¡å gas pipeline connecting Well No 17 of Loti Gas Field damaging gas pipeline.

6 June-Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up 16¡å dia gas pipeline of wells, 12, 22, 23, 50, 52 and 57 East of Sui.

10 June-Quetta. Bugti Fararis exploded 16¡å gas pipeline near Kolpur, disrupting gas supply to Quetta, Kuchlak, Pishin and Mastung.

10 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up 16¡å gas pipeline of Well no 14, Loti Gas Field.

Night 24/25 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up an 18¡å gas pipeline in Loti More area, suspending gas supply to Dera Bugti Town,

27 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up 2 gas pipelines of Pir Koh Gas Plant with explosion in area Bahar Colony.

27 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Fararis blew up gas pipeline East of Sui, reducing pressure in Compressor Plant.

28 June - Sui/ Dera Bugti. Bugti Ferrairs blew up 20¡å gas pipeline 10 kilometres South of Sui Gas Field, partially disrupting gas supply to areas of Sindh.

Damage to electricity transmission system/pylons

Barkhan -22 December 05. Bomb damaged electric pylon near Fort Munro.

Barkhan - 22 December 05. Electric pylons blown up near Kohlu district.

Khuzdar - 26 December 05, Pylon damaged by explosive in vicinity of Baghbana Koork.

Bolan - 2 January 06. Pylon blown up near Sibi Nani.

Jaffarabad - 4 January 06. Bomb damaged electric pylons near village Bhund.

Kohlu - 5 January 06.2 Electric pylons destroyed in area Babar Tuk, Kohlu.

Naseerabad - 5 January 06. 2 Pylons damaged near village Goth Jalal Khan.

Sibi-9 January 06. Pylon damaged near Nari railway station.

Barkhan-16 January 06. Bomb damaged D G Khan-Rakhni power transmission line.

Kalat-16 January 06. Main power transmission damaged near Astan-e-Dastgir.

Barkhan -12 February 06. Electric pylon blown up near Rakhni.

Jaffarabad -15 February 06. 3 Electric pylons damaged near Sohbatpur.

Sibi -13 March 06. two Electric pylons damaged near Bibi Nani.

Mach-16 March 06. Four Bombs exploded under two electric pylons near Bibi Nani.

Sibi-22 March 06.2 Electric pylons damaged near Babar Kach, Harnai.

Bolan - 31 March 06. Four Bombs exploded near Mach disrupting supply to town.

Rajanpur-20 April 06.five Electric pylons damaged in area Goth Mazari.

Rajanpur - Night 2/3 May 06. three Electric pylons destroyed in Goth Mazari.

Kohlu - Night 10/11 May 06. A bomb exploded under electric pylon near Khutta Chowki.

Mastung - 15 May 06. 3 Electric pylons of Mastung - Quetta power transmission line destroyed.

Barkhan-2 June 06. Miscreants blew up a pylon disrupting electricity supply to Kohlu.

Quetta - 6 June 06. A bomb exploded under two pylons in Dashat Area, damaging pylons.

Sibi - 16 June 06. A bomb explosion damaged a pylon, in Sibi.

Sui/Dera Bugti - 22 June 06. two Pylons in Pez Bogi area damaged.

Naseerabad -27 June.06. A pylon near Village Hassan destroyed. Kohlu - 4 July 06. A bomb exploded under pylons in Killi Lasezai.

This year a total of 21 vehicles were attacked in which 80 people were killed and 109 injured.

Now soon it¡¯ll be the turn of other traitors to die like dogs.

Saving Pakistan with the Constitution Re: # 126

Thank you. Why dont you add me on h_ellahi@hotmail.com?

Thanks.

Saving Pakistan with the Constitution On a different wavelength, David fought Goliath not with a spear or a sword, he fought him with a sling shot.

He was offered a sword, shield ,and spear by the Israelites but he refused and wanted to fight with his own weapon.

The example from this is that us Muslims do not need to look at the West and emulate the Americans and Europeans to solve our problems but instead we need to look for domestic solutions to fight the issues of our time.

Remembering a great Pakistani: Sir Zafrullah Khan Re: # 383

How can their ever be any justification for this?

Remembering a great Pakistani: Sir Zafrullah Khan Re: # 35

There were 14 famines in India between 11th and 17th century (Bhatia, 1985). B.M. Bhatia believes that the earlier famines were localised and it was only after 1860, during the British rule, that famine came to signify general shortage of foodgrains in the country. There were approximately 25 major famines spread through states such as Tamil Nadu in South India, Bihar in the north, and Bengal in the east in the latter half of the 19th century, killing between 30-40 million Indians in the period as India`s native industries suffered almost total collapse, with its skilled artisans driven out of work while British imports flooded into the Indian markets.

The famines were a product both of uneven rainfall and British economic and administrative policies, which since 1857 had led to the seizure and conversion of local farmland to foreign-owned plantations, restrictions on internal trade, heavy taxation of Indian citizens to support unsuccessful British expeditions in Afghanistan (see Second Anglo-Afghan War), inflationary measures that increased the price of food, and substantial exports of staple crops from India to Britain. (Dutt, 1900 and 1902; Srivastava, 1968; Sen, 1982; Bhatia, 1985.) Some British citizens such as William Digby agitated for policy reforms and famine relief, but Lord Lytton, the governing British viceroy in India, opposed such changes in the belief that they would stimulate shirking by Indian workers. The first Bengal famine of 1770 is estimated to have taken nearly one-third of the population. The famines continued until independence in 1948, with the Bengal famine of 1943-44—among the most devastating—killing 3-4 million Indians during World War II.

The Famine Commission of 1880 observed that each province in British India, including Burma, had a surplus of foodgrains, and the annual surplus was 5.16 million tons (Bhatia, 1970). At that time, annual export of rice and other grains from India was approximately one million tons.

In 1966, there was a `near miss` in Bihar, when the USA allocated 900,000 tons of grain to fight the famine. It is the closest independent India came to a famine.

The increase in food to the population is also reflected in the fact that in the 50 years of British rule (1891 to 1941) the population grew by 35% (from 287 million to 389 million) whereas in the 50 years of democratic rule from 1951 to 2001 the population grew by 183% (from 363 million to 1,023 million) [2]. The fact that there have been no famines even with a population that has almost tripled makes it an even more impressive achievement for the democratic government.


Which world do you live in dude?

Britain was the principle reason for many famines which rocked India. India`s grains and rice were being exported to Britain so that prices would not be upset in Britain while millions of Indians starved!

Saving Pakistan with the Constitution Echooboom, what are your views on Jinnah?


Reviving a document whose writer was hanged by the armed forces of this country does not seem to suggest a very promising remedy for the problems facing this federation.

A fresh breeze of air is required in the political mechanisms of this country, which calls for the genesis of a new constitution and a new set of systems.

The country must be rearranged to reflect the ideals of Jinnah, the founding father, along with the consideration of the Islamic majority, whose recommendations and ideas for a state are paramount in order to create a functioning paradigm for this republic.

For all of this to be achieved, a new constitutional convention should be called upon.

We could pass the 1973 constitution with an adjustment here and there, but as long as it has been passed and signed by the dons of power today I think it will carry much more legitimacy.

Politicans such as Nawaz Shareef, Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf, Altaf Hussein, feudalists such as the Bugtis and Mazaris, amongst the industrialist politicians like Jehangir Tareen and Humuyan Akhtar along with the religious right can all sit down and create a new constitution for this country.

Urdu is our national language and it must be given more importance. I have seen people in Lahore getting admission into Oxford, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Wharton and Cornell who can not read or write their mother tongue. Reading or writting is a totally different thing, counting from 1-100 is absent from our minds today.

Urdu must be made into the language of the Supreme Court, all National Assembly proceedings must be done in Urdu.

English should be made into a twin national language of Pakistan.

If RSS in Hindustan can decide to start teaching English to all their khaki clad boys from grade 1-12 in their educational institutions (the RSS being renound for burning gift shops for selling christmas and valentine related items, burning churches and raping nuns, rejecting importation of Christian values), then I think we can also start making our people billingual by being fluent in Urdu and English. The world is becoming highly competative and I imagine a Pakistan where 150 million people can read, write and speak Urdu and English properly. This will be the Pakistan, which will make great strides in the world of I.T, industry, trade, and become into a hub of education in the future.

This is, of course, a vision and an ideal.

Malaysia is a great Islamic country with Islamic values and has transformed into a liberal democracy with a relatively free press. We too should aspire to transform ourselves.

Remembering a great Pakistani: Sir Zafrullah Khan yaser, what is the point of writing these articles?

Pakistanis, a great deal of them, or those who matter, are a bunch of salafi hypocrites with heinkein cans in their underwear who like playing a fast one on the people.

It is pointless argueing with them and there can be no conclusion to this debate because they simply will not reason.

My advise to all true patriots is that they should do their best to rise in society - which is to try to become financially viable in the Republic of Money Talks and then bring the change neccassary.

ciao.

Blowing Up People and Property is Not Islam Sadna, Arjun, and other non-Muslims interacting on this topic. What solution do you have for the Muslim world? As in, in Pakistan, washing your dirty linen in public is highly discourged. In India, the situation is quite similar aswell.

What solution do you see for the Muslim world in general and for Pakistan in paticular as far is modernization is concerned, defeating terrorism, building a strong economy, etc.

Any thing harsh imposed on the Muslim world will simply backfire. Remeber the Treaty of Versailles? It indirectly fuelled the fire so much in Germany that it led to the rise of extremism and fascism.

Tell me, what would be 5 steps you would recommend for Pakistan if you were calling the shots in this country?

Lastly, do you agree or disagree with the authors rhetorical statement that the battle should be fought in the libraries and laboratories of universities and not engaging in militancy?

Ahmadis – The Forgotten People Urstruly, I must ask you a set of questions. Please do not get offended by the nature of my questions.


Who do you and like-minded indiviuals with your self-proclaimed sense of Islamic identity think you are to have the right to judge who is or who is not a Muslim? Have you been sanctioned by a non-human authority to do so? I would be MOST interested be enlightened on this. As in, what right do you have to say to others what they can or can not believe in?

Are people such as yourself really even Muslim? I think you people should look into your own collars before acussing others of being non-Muslim. As a Muslim, I believe that I will one day have to pay for my sins in the grave. Do you and your like-minded bigots not beilieve in the grave? If you honestly believed in the concept of the grave, you would live and let live. Because then you would truly believe in the purity of your religion and adhere to the supreme principle that we all shall one day be accountable for our actions and beliefs. Do you not believe in that inherent concept which is integrated into the religion of Islam? If you do believe in it, then I demand to ask you the question, why are you so bothered about what others believe?

I dont believe what the Qidianis believe in and I do not approve of their teachings. I have the right to disagree with them but I do NOT have the right to persecute them. Her kisi ne apni kabar dekh ni hai. Live and let live man.

There are more relevant things to focus all our energies upon than theological debates my friend. Salman sits and begs for food on the streets of Main Boulevard, a girl is killed in the name of honor in interior Punjab, another is converted into another religion agaisnt her will, Bilal sleeps without food in his stomach, Amina has to live with the prospect of having no future for her, Zareen lives in a state of abject poverty with no clean drinking water... Shame on you! People such as yourself should be blamed for the condition of the People of Pakistan.

A Tale of Two Dinners A. Your not French.
B. Your not Christian.
C. Your not European.
D. Your not White.
E. Your a Pakistani.
F. You are a representative of the Pakistani people when you abroad and availing a government sponsered opportunity to go to France. You should respect our laws and the sensititivites of majority of our population.

Apostasy and Islam I think Jinnah wanted to create a state where the Muslims were in a comfortable majority but there would not be a theocratic state. Instead, it would provide Islamic civilization a haven to develop and mature in an environment built around enlightment ideals.

Apostasy and Islam Why can`t the Muslims accept the supremacy of the Holy Quran and give indiviual inteperation more weight? Then they can simply create a secular government based on Enlightment Ideals while providing safe-havens for Islamic civilization to develop culturally, intellectually, even morally.

Regards


Roon

Rethinking Foreign Policy -- Can Pakistan and India Agree? What does India gain? What doesn`t India gain?

It firstly gains a market of 150 million people. Furthermore, it can gain entry into the OIC. It can also get access to Pakistanis products, such as textiles, cement, and even eletricity. Furthermore, it can trust us more with the gas and oil pipe lines which shall be criss-crossing Pakistan one day delivering India fossil fuels. India also gets sites of religious importance opened up for Indian Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. There are hundreds of benefits which India will be receiving.

If the Europeans can put their differences aside and start a long march togards integration, then you can put your dislike of most Indians aside Yasser and allow SAARC to become into the Federation of South Asia. :P

Rethinking Foreign Policy -- Can Pakistan and India Agree? I think Pakistan will gain from integration.

Dear Mantolives, you are constantly waving the flag for the poor people and the middle class, perhaps you should register the fact that the textiles industry constitutes to over 65% of Pakistan`s exports. The well-being of our textile industry is directly linked to the well-being of millions of Pakistanis whose livelihood is glued to the survival of our textile industry. Furthermore, I enumerated a list of points on how Pakistan will benefit from integratation with India. I think it is your lack of imagination or perhaps even reasoning skills which is why you are not being able to respond to them.

Ciao.