The Pukhtoons.

“Pukhtoons insist that being a “real Pukhtoon” demands that one not just speak Pukhto, but “do Pukhto,” that is, follow the precepts of the Pukhtoonwali”

The word Pukhtoon is sometimes believed to be abbreviated from a set of traits known to be associated with Pukhtoons as a people: “P” for Patt or Family Honor, “Kh” for Khaigara means Compassion, “T” Toora or Triumph, “W” for Wafa means loyalty and “N” for Nang or Pride

Traditionally settlers and nomads of the Hindukush and Kohi-Suleman ranges, Pukhtoons are now spread all over present day Afghanistan, some parts of Pakistan, and all over the Indian subcontinent. Many Pukhtoons reside in cities including Kabul, Jalalabad, Herat, Peshawar, and Quetta.

The Government of NWFP and Balochistan, which include the two provinces of Pakistan and the Central Government of Afghanistan, are represented by this creed of people called Pukhtoons, who have a state of mind different and distinctive in its own right.

Deeply committed to their non-religious and some times irreligious traditional practices, Pukhtoons are also naively dedicated to Islam. This contrast of their belief system and its actual practice is reiterated when religion is taken as a part of traditional values, rather than subjecting historical traditions to the scrutiny of Islamic teachings.

CULTURE OF PUKHTOONS

Distinctive tribal customs and traditions are an integral part of the Pukhtoon society. Pukhtoon cultural values are reflected in a code of ethics called simply Pukhto and Pukhtoonwali (the way of the Pukhtoon).

A combination of conventions, traditions, and a code of honor known as "Pukhtoonwali" govern the social system of Pukhtoons. Through this unwritten code, the basic thread of the Pukhtoons' social fabric, Pukhtoon societies around the region lead a diverse and yet dynamic way of life.

Any argument that doesn’t make sense in a particular situation can be conveniently challenged as non-Pukhto, thereby insisting that Pukhto, the culture of Pukhtoons is highly sensible and is equally sensitive to logic. The most common argument is that of holding onto old traditions, whether right or wrong. This flux between advancement under logic and restraint under fear exercises a great influence on the actions of Pukhtoons and has been held sacred by them for generations.

It is believed that Pukhtoonwali or the Pukhtoon code of honor embraces all the activities from the cradle to the grave. Besides many micro-social practices, the Pukhtoonwali imposes a few additional obligations upon the members of Pukhtoon society, which are explained in the following paragraphs.

Hujra

As old as perhaps the Jirga itself is, Hujra is a community club situated in each village, each Khail (street) and some times owned by a well off family but shared by the whole community. Other than a place to accommodate collective ceremonies, male members of the community who hang out and associate like a larger family regularly attend hujra(s). Members of a Hujra are mostly close relatives but other people from neighborhood are also welcomed. Elderly people spend their day to enjoy hubble-bubble and chat over the tea, younger men in their spare time listen to the stories of elders and raise issues while the children keep playing around, waiting for a call from one of the elders to take a message or bring fresh tea. A guest house for male guests, Hujra also serves as a place to initiate Jirgas. Issues are put on the table, brainstormed and a consensus is developed before the issue can be put to the wider community. Hujra is considered to be a secular place but closely associated with Hujra is the role of mosque in the neighborhood. Although there are few similarities between a mosque and a Hujra, the role of mosque has gained more importance recently due to many national and regional settings tilted towards Islamization. Additionally, the role of Hujra is diminishing from community life because of the economic trends, and a faster pace of life which allows little leisure time with people to spare for community based activities. Decay in the institution of Hujra is definitely affecting the efficacy of Jirga, but this study tends not necessarily to argue for reinvigoration of Hujra; rather our focus will remain to find strengths and challenges for Jirga from where it is today and move forward.

Nanawatay

Nanawatay means repentance over past hostility or inimical attitudes and the granting of asylum. Walking down to someone under Nanawatay means having an expression or attitude of submission—a combination of humility, sorrow, and apology—and giving space to the other person to respond with “grace”, so precious to Pukhto. A party or a person wanting to apologize to another does Nanawatay. Nanawatay is thus responded to through granting asylum. Asylum implies security from the wrath of others. An expression of Nanawatay would simply oblige the other party to put aside the anger and pain so suffered during an unpleasant interaction, at least temporarily, and treat the other party with all Pukhtoon sensibilities. This creates space for a peaceful dialogue, a medium of communication not available under strained relationships. It is not obligatory to agree to a pardon in all cases under a Nanawatay, however, in most cases, a Nanawatay would mean restoration of honor for both parties. Depending on how deeply the other person might be hurt, a Nanawatay once offered can be repeated through different methods in a particular case. Taking along a goat as a gift, laying down one’s headgear, handing over a weapon, taking one’s own women and children to the opposite party are all expressions of Nanawatay. Similarly, acknowledgement of Nanawatay by the receiving party is an element of the grace embodied within Pukhto. The party may demand a more public apology, a more appropriate respite, or a more suitable restitution, but a Nanawatay once done is duly counted towards fulfilling a major obligation of Pukhto and asylum is a natural outcome of such pro-activity.

Teega

Teega, defined as a truce, is declared by the parties or by the society and is represented by a Jirga in order to avoid further bloodshed between two rival factions. Symbolized with marking of a stone, Teega represents a ground rule and defines transition from violence to peaceful negotiations between the parties. It embodies the consent of the communities and is used as a reference for the resolution of future disputes. This is also used to establish the ground rules for conduct between two or more tribes, so it takes the shape of a treaty and is tagged with specific penalties for violation. For a public issue, like the banning of aerial firing on festivals, Teega can be announced unilaterally by the society. When it is announced for warring factions, Jirga has to consult the parties, recognize their differences, analyze the situation, and impose a ban on specific activities by the parties so that more sensible options are explored. Teega, a ban on further activities of the nature, ensures the security of the lives of the warring parties and is respected by the parties in their allegiance to the larger system of Pukhto. A Teega is extended where there remain difficulties unresolved between the parties during the first period of Teega. Violation of a Teega can result in imposition of a fine on the violating party and/ or allowing the other to resort to a fiercer offensive. It is also a socially condemnable phenomenon in which the violator party is charged for nonconfirmity to their words.

In some places specific names are given to such instruments of social control. Tarr and Bandarr are used for community-imposed restrictions to suit their collective environment.

Melmastiya

Openhearted hospitality, or Melmastiya, is one of the most cherished features of Pukhto. It is closely associated with the notion of asylum, as someone seeking hospitality is considered equal to someone invited by the host. Hospitality means not only the service of food and other needs, it also means automatic assurance of an environment of security and peace prevalent in the host’s household. There is quite some symbolism attached with the phenomenon of hospitality. When Pukhtoons are asked to name their social traits that distinguish them from other societies and cultures, hospitality takes number one. This level pride and its articulation leave little room for doubts on the intent of what Pukhtoons mean by Hospitality. Pukhtoon worldview in respect of hospitality also came to limelight when negotiations regarding handing over of Osama Bin Laden to US were going on between USA and Taliban government in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s refusal to hand over Osama to the US is said to be attributed to the point that Osama was seen a guest whose handing over to US would speak negative on the identity of Afghans.

The trait of hospitality is guarded by Pukhtoons on two grounds. Firstly, it is strongly promoted by Islam. Secondly, it is argued that hospitality is a traditional and cultural etho. Most of our interviewees justified the institution of hospitality first on the historical basis and later took support of religion to substantiate their argument. Nevertheless, the sanctity associated with the phrase of hospitality is all encompassing.

Paighaur

Paighaur, or taunt, is yet another recognized perspective of Pukhtoon behavior. A sarcastic remark by peers can drive a person blindly to follow the tenants of Pukhtoonwali, leading to violence and bloodshed. Apprehension of possible Paighaur can generate internal social controls on people limiting their actions and forcing them to conform to the ethics of Pukhtoonwali. This also helps people maintain a character worthy of a good Pukhtoon. As such, a Paighaur can come from one’s own relative, like a father or mother, or even a friend, and the person receiving a Paighaur is not blamed much for the upcoming violence as a result of this instigation. Paighaur on a women or public talk about women can cause trouble for the proud Pukhtoon man.

Peace

One distinctive characteristic of Pukhtoonwali is the idea of peace and its propagation. As a virtue not only suggested by religion, Pukhtoonwali dictates its leadership to preach for peace under all circumstances. This ideal of peace leads the Jirga to gauge the corollaries of justice in an artistic way. Where enmity and revenge are the personal concerns of individuals and families; moving towards peace is the professional obligation of every elder under Pukhtoonwali. The Jirga is built on the rhetoric of peace and strives to always advance in the path of peace and peacebuilding. Due to the repeated and numerous examples of violent conflicts within Pukhtoon communities, Jirga has a sure case to plead for peace.

Pakhtoons History.

Pukhtoon history can be divided into three main phases:

Pre-Historic Times

Without deeply referencing theories of archeology, the first phase of history comprises of those beliefs that begin the narration from the pre-historic times when people lived in the caves and mountains, usually as nomads. There is no documented record of those times, but the general understanding is that people lived a remote life in the mountains of Hindukush. There is also no proof that these people spoke the Pushto language.

Middle Ages

The second layer of history moves from Alexander’s time to the Islamic times when either the people from Afghanistan were linked to Arabia or they tried to establish some link with them. Contrary theories negate this notion of a Jirga meeting the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Unto Him) as better records indicate that the people in Afghanistan were still Buddhists until a few hundred years after the introduction of Islam.

Historian Niamat Ullah says that the lack of authentic books on Pukhtoon history is due to the fact that the Prophet Musa (Moses) surpassed Pharaoh and took Jerusalem and Syria. Then Bakht-e-Nasr attacked Israelis, captured all their lands, looted Jerusalem, and exiled them from their country. The Israelis became gypsies, moving from one place to another and permanently settled nowhere. They lacked literate as well as religious activities, and if they had any activity those were relinquished gradually. They did not have means to record the events of their present and recent past.

Present Times

The third phase of the history of Pukhtoons is the most recent and the most credible one. This can go as back as far as the 17th century, but better records are available for the eighteenth century and beyond when the Russians and British were engaged in “The Great Game.” There are plenty of books written and available from western authors regarding the geography, traditions, and culture of these Pukhtoons and Afghans as the British, as well as the Russians, tried to explore the area and understand its people. Western scholars took keen interest in the Pukhtoon culture and traditions as people followed quite sophisticated, indigenous, and autonomous life style, which were difficult to handle through the regular imperial methods of Russia and the British.

The Islamic Link

These tribes followed Jewish religion until the inception of Islam. Khalid bin Waleed, a companion of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), is believed to be from this tribe. It is believed that Khalid Bin Waleed sent a message to his relatives residing in the mountains of “Ghore” to embrace Islam. These people in turn sent a delegation (Jirga) to Makkah / Madina under the leadership of one Qais to inquire about the teachings of Islam. Upon meeting with the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and being impressed with his teachings, all of them became Muslim. On their way back, a few Arab preachers of Islam accompanied them to Afghana for extending the teachings of Islam to others. In about the next forty years or so, it is believed that all these tribes in Afghana area converted to Islam.

Some historians are of the opinion that when the Arabs conquered this region, they gave this name (Afghan) to Pukhtoons due to their chatter behavior among themselves and during their Jirgas. The word afghan has been derived from Arabic language, which means chattering. “If the origin of a race can be determined on the basis of customs and traditions then Pukhtoon would be closer to Arabs. The study of Arabian and Pukhtoon society presents a remarkable resemblance particularly in their tribal organization and social usages. Both possess the same virtues and characteristics”.

The significance of history to Pukhtoons as a people is quite interesting in the cultural context, but there is no resolution of the discussion as to whether Pukhtoons are descendants of Bani Israel or of someone else. Perhaps this nostalgia is associated with the Pukhtoons pride of being a martial race. For the purpose of this work, we tend to agree that Pukhtoons, with reference to their history, try to represent in their culture and conduct a level of prudence that distinguishes them from others in the region.



The Jewish Link

Most local historians link the larger Pukhtoon tribe with the twelve tribes of Jews, who are said to be expelled from Jerusalem by the invading Bakhte-Nasr (598 BC). One of those tribes found abode in the present day Afghanistan, which is believed to be named after the grandfather of these tribes, namely “Afghana”. Some historians are of the opinion that “Afghana” was the son of the Prophet Ismail and grandson of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). Others argue that Afghana was the son of Armiya and Armiya was the son of the Prophet Taloot. While confirming the Jewish nature, some historians also narrate the story that when Nadir Shah (of Iran) attacked the Indian subcontinent and reached Peshawar, the elders of Yousufzai tribe presented the invaders with a copy of Torah in the Hebrew language along with many other things used by the Jews in their worship. The Jews in Nadir Shah‘s army recognized those things and identified these people as Jews. Abdullah Khan Hirati, a Pukhtoon historian, is of the opinion that the Prophet Taloot was the king of Jews, who had two sons, one was Afghan and the other was Jaloot. Afghan was the grandfather of the Pukhtoon tribe and that is why Pukhtoons are also called Afghans”.

History Of Mardan

Mardan is a city situated in Mardan District in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It was the part of ancient Gandhara Civilization. Most of its land is agricultural. It has one of the world's best irrigation systems, which was laid down by the British government during British Rule on subcontinent (1857-1947). There are still remains of the Gandhara Civilization, scattered in different areas of Mardan. It is also a tourist spot due to its rich culture and hospitality.
History
The area constituting Mardan district is a part of the Peshawar valley, which first appears in history as part of the Gandhara kingdom. The armies of Alexander the Great reached the Indus Valley by two separate routes, one through the Khyber Pass and the other led by Alexander himself through Kunar, Bajaur, Swat, and Buner in 326 BCE. After Alexander's departure, the valley came under the rule of Chandragupta, who ruled the valley from 297 to 321 BCE. During the reign of the Buddhist emperor Asoka, the grandson of Chandragupta, Buddhism was the religion of the Peshawar Valley. The valley saw the revival of Brahmanism after the Greeks took over in the time of King Mehanda. The Scythians and Indians followed and retained control of the valley till the 7th century CE.
Ethnicity and tribes
The dominant tribe is Yousufzai. A small number of sayyads are also there on its borders.
Famous Industries
Mardan is largely an agricultural area with a vast majority of people associated with agriculture. The major crops are wheat, sugarcane, tobacco and
maize and different kinds of vegetables. Even though the district is still largely poor and uneducated, recent years have seen major improvements in education, health and infrastructure. Manufacturing has also grown over the years and so has the financial sector where the town centre has become home to many national and some foreign banks. Besides a famous town by the name Sheikh Maltoon has also been developed in the outskirts of Mardan city where the population is ever growing with a rapid speed.
As far as industries are concerned a well established Sugar Mill is situated in Mardan and the Pakistan Railways Locomotive Factory is located near Mardan.
Army
Mardan is also home of the famous Guides Regiment, raised by Lumsdon. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the old Guides Mess at Mardan in the early 1960s. Sir Winston Churchill as a young officer stayed at Mardan for a while before he proceeded to Peshawar via the Bajaur valley.
External links
# Sawal Dher
# Mardan
# Mardan sustainable Development Networking Programme, Pakistan
Map links
# Mardan City Map (Drawing)
# Mardan City Map

Peshawer History

THE CITY OF THE SPIES...PESHAWAR

Land of Pathans...

Balahisar Fort with Peshawar city view

THE North Frontier Province, or NWFP runs over 1,100 km(680 miles) along the border of Afghanistan. Peshawar is its capital, and the Vale of Peshawar ,fertile and well watered by the Kabul and swat rivers,is its heart. This was also the heart of the ancient kingdom of Gandhara anr rich in archaeological remains. Hospitality reigns in this land of contrast and beauty. Peshawar has enjoyed the reputation of being the center of attraction for tourists since centuries. The Capital and the largest city of the North West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P), Peshawar, has enjoyed tremendous historical, Military and political importance because of the Khyber Pass which has been a vintage point as a gateway for invaders of the sub-continent. The N.W.F.P capital is divided into three sections, the old city, cantonment and a modern residential area.

Send Photo to a Friend A view of the new Peshawar city History of Peshawar: Peshawar derives its name from a Sanskrit word "Pushpapura", meaning the city of flowers. Peshawar's flowers were even mentioned in Mughal Emperor Babur's memoirs. Peshawar is old, so old that its origins are lost in antiquity, founded over 2,000 years ago by the Kushan Kings of Gandhara, it has had almostas many names as rulers. After the Kushan era, Peshawar declined into an obscurity not broken until the 16th century. Mughul emperor Babar came to Pesahwar, he found a city called Begam and rebuilt the fort there, in 1530. His grandson, Akber, formally gave the name Peshawar which means "The Place at the Frontier" and much improved the bazaars and fortifications. Earlier it had been known as the "City of Flowers" and the "City of Grain". In the days of the Kushan King it was called the "Lotus Land".Sher Shah Suri, his successor, turned Peshawar renaissance into a boom when he ran his Dehli-to-Kabul Shahi Road through the Khyber Pass. Thus Mughals turned Peshawar into "City of Flower" by planting trees and laying out gardens.Peshawar was the center of Buddist Gandhara civilization and an important place of pilgrimage. As Buddhism declined in international importance, Peshawar also fell on hard times. In the 9th century the provincial capital was shifted by the Hindu Shahi kings to Hund on the Indus. After the invasion of Mahmood of Ghazni, all traces of gentle, artistic Gandhara were lost. The great Babur marched through historic Khyber Pass to conquer South Asia in 1526 and setup the Mughal Empire in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent Peshawar not regain any of its former glories until the advent of the Mughals in the 16th century. When Marco Polo visited Peshawar province in 1275 or there about, he found a place "The people have peculiar language, they worship idols and have an evil disposition". But these days Pathan hospitality is legendary, and since conversion to Islam, worshipping idols has ceased.

Send Photo to a Friend Old House...Peshawar

General Information Population: 750,000 Area: 77 sq. km. (30 sq. miles) Climate: Peshawar climate regarded as Pakistan's healthiest climate. Winter (Nov-Feb): Min:3.89 'C(39 'F) Max.25.56 'C(78 'F) Spring (Mar-Apr) Min:8.33 'C(47 'F) Max.33.33 'C(92 'F) Summer (May-Oct.) Min:18.89 C(66 'F) Max.41.11 'C(106 'F) GETTING TO PESHAWAR: Peshawar is linked by Air to a dozen Pakistani towns and cities (including Karachi,Lahore and Islamabad-Rawalpindi), and even to Europe via Dubai.It is the last stop for the tourists on the national rail system. Bus & minibus services run between peshawar & Islamabad(three or four hours), the valleys of Swat ,Dir and Chitral to the north and,for the adventurous,the the desert towns to the south beyond Kohat. You should only visit Peshawar in cool weather; it is unpleasantly hot here from May through August.

Faisal Masjid From Margalla Hills

This is a view of great Fiasal Masjid from a hill point called Daman-e-Koh in, Islamabad. Daman-e-Koh is a popular viewing point in Islamabad. It is located in the north of Islamabad and in the middle of the Margalla Hills. It is famous because from here, panoramic views of Islamabad are available during the day and night. For more info click here.

Hi, this is my first blogging experience, inspired by my cousin Abu Shamil. But I'll going to start in a total different way, yeah its "Photo blogging".
I'm here to share some of the great snaps from my father's camera. He is very fond of traveling and photography, not only in Pakistan but also in neighboring countries.
He is also a very good writer, specially of travelogues. You can visit his blog here.
I expect that you all enjoy his photography and through comments you can also guide me for better blogging.

World renowned Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. It is one of the largest, most popular mosques of the world and a architectural masterpiece. This masjid covering an area of 5 thousand square meters and has a capacity of 300 thousand worshippers. This masjid in named on Saudi king Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, who funded nearly US$ 120 million. For more information please visit this link.

City Of Pakistan

Ayubia, NWFP, Pakistan

The photograph has been taken by Obaidullah Kehar at Ayubia National Park, Ayubia. Ayubia is a small hill station in the NWFP, Pakistan. It is located near the Murree and the Galliath. A national park is also located there known as Ayubia National Park. For more details visit there.

Hi, this is my first blogging experience, inspired by my cousin Abu Shamil. But I'll going to start in a total different way, yeah its "Photo blogging".
I'm here to share some of the great snaps from my father's camera. He is very fond of traveling and photography, not only in Pakistan but also in neighboring countries.
He is also a very good writer, specially of travelogues. You can visit his blog here.
I expect that you all enjoy his photography and through comments you can also guide me for better blogging.

World renowned Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. It is one of the largest, most popular mosques of the world and a architectural masterpiece. This masjid covering an area of 5 thousand square meters and has a capacity of 300 thousand worshippers. This masjid in named on Saudi king Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, who funded nearly US$ 120 million. For more information please visit this link.

City Of Pakistan

The Great Nanga Parbat

The above capture is of the great "Nanga Parbat". Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain on Earth. Nanga Parbat means "Naked Mountain" but it is also known as the "Killer Mountain". It is called such because a number of mountain climbers have lost their lives in the struggle of reaching its peak. It lies just south of the Indus River in the Astore District of the Northern Areas in Pakistan. For more info click here.

Banjosa Lake in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Banjosa lake is located 20 kilometers away from Rawalakot. It is at a height of at 1981 meters from sea level. Its beautiful and green surroundings are awesome and attracts everyone to go there and to enjoy the nature. This artificial lake also reflects the green forest standing along the surroundings.

City Of Pakistan

Garhi Dupatta, Azad Kashmir

The greenish landscapes of Garhi Dupatta in Azad Kashmir, in a partial cloudy day. I've added another photo of this area, to view that and for more information the link is given here.

Butterflies on an Onion Flower

This is a close capture of an onion flower, looking more beautiful with a pair of butterflies sitting on them. I haven't thought the onion flowers would be such cool, before seeing this snap by my Dad. The photograph was taken at Kummi-Kot, a small town in Azad Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan.

Sunset at Rawal Dam , Islamabad

This is a sunset captured beautifully at Rawal Dam in Islamabad, Pakistan. Rawal Dam is also known as Rawal lake and it is a famous picnic and recreation point with the facilities of boating and fishing for the people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Sunset NWFP SWABI Thandkoi

Khanpur Dam, NWFP, Pakistan

This is the Khanpur Dam and according to me, the most beautiful dam of Pakistan. Khanpur Dam is located on the Haro River near the town of Khanpur (NWFP), about 40 km from Islamabad, Pakistan. It forms Khanpur Lake, a reservoir which supplies drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi and irrigation water to many of the surrounding agricultural areas.

Golra Sharif Railway Station, Islamabad

This is a fine morning at the Golra Sharif Railway Station, near Islamabad Pakistan. The station is located in a town Golra situated just inside the capital. An interesting railway museum had been built here some years ago, where old models of railway engines and locomotives are preserved nicely. If you're nearby, you'll find much more things there.

Banjosa Lake in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Banjosa lake is located 20 kilometers away from Rawalakot. It is at a height of at 1981 meters from sea level. Its beautiful and green surroundings are awesome and attracts everyone to go there and to enjoy the nature. This artificial lake also reflects the green forest standing along the surroundings.

Showing posts with label Shahdara. Show all posts Shahdara village in Islamabad, Pakistan

Shahdara is a very beautiful place to see in Islamabad of which a little number of people know about but it can be said that the true beauty of Margalla valley is kept in this little picnic spot. It is located near Bhara Kahu on theroad going up towards the Muree fro Islamabad.

Habib Bank Plaza, Karachi

Habib Bank Plaza, Karachi

Habib Bank Plaza is located in Karachi, Pakistan. It was Pakistan's tallest building from 1963 til 2003 and remained the tallest building for 40 years until MCB Tower was completed in 2005. However, even after the MCB Tower, the Habib Bank Plaza is the second highest building in Karachi today.

Sindh, Pakistan

Moenjo-Daro, Sindh, Pakistan

Moenjo-Daro are the ruins of ancient Indus Valley Civilization which remained there about 5000 years before. Due to some unknown reasons this civilization had an end, but it is wonderful to see the broad streets, buildings of baked bricks, utensils, toys and other things made by the people 2600 BC. For more information click here.

Date-Palms of Khairpur, Sindh

This is a snap of beautiful date-palms of Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Khairpur is populated at the eastern bank of river Indus. It is a vast district but its city is 18 kilometers from Sukkur city.
Khairpur means the 'city of peace and love', and it is. The people here are kind and soft-hearted. I'm somewhere related to this place as its my father's birthplace.

Can Pakistan’s ISI sever ties with Taliban?

The United States has begun demanding rather publicly that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence make a clean break of its ties with the Afghan Taliban to help stabilise the situation in Afghanistan.

But can you force a country to act against its self-interest, despite all all your leverage, asks Robert D. Kaplan in a piece for the Atlantic. And does it make sense for an intelligence agency to break off all contact with arguably the biggest player in the region?

Since President Barack Obama placed Pakistan at the centre of his strategy to fight the Afghan war, the debate over the ISI has gotten more open and more heated. Some Pakistani officials and experts with links to the establishment have taken exception to the United States openly painting the spy agency in enemy colours, accusing elements within it of supporting the Talibam.

Kaplan argues that Pakistan’s geography as well as a history of instability makes it almost impossible for it to cut ties to the radical Islamists. Pakistan and Afghanistan have a long and unruly border and that alone would make it necessary for security agencies to build a network of contacts with the principal players in Afghanistan.

On top of that, Pakistanis tend to see Afghanistan through the prism of the country’s unending conflict with India. “When they look to the west they envison an “islamisation” of Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries with which to face off against Hindu-dominated India to the east,” Kaplan writes.

So just as Israel will not scale back settlements in the occupied territories, frustrating U.S. peace efforts, or South Korea will from time to time extend an olive branch to North Korea, undermining U.S. efforts to contain the communist state, Pakistan, another one of America’s allies is not going to act against its core interest, he says. You can tell Pakistan to stop helping the Taliban plan and carry out operations, but you can’t tell them to cut links to the militant group altogether.

But isn’t Pakistan itself threatened by the Taliban? “Quetta Burns. Karachi on Edge. Islamabad on Alert” ran a headline on the popular blog All Things Pakistan. Author Adil Najam says he wouldn’t recommend reading Pakistani newspapers for the faint-hearted. It’s a perfect storm, and if this doesn’t threaten Pakistan’s core interest what does?

[A protest in Karachi and Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani with chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committe John Kerry]

A letter for Pakistan’s Kayani from an Indian officer

A retired Indian Army officer has written an open letter to Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani that Pakistan’s The News carried this week and which is now popping up on blogs.

Colonel Harish Puri says it is incredible that the Pakistan Army allowed something as reprehensible as the public flogging of a teenage girl in the Swat Valley without lifting a finger, even though it coudn’t have happened very far from an army checkpoint.

For a force that is as professional as the Pakistan Army and which has fought valiantly in all three wars with India, and acquitted itself well in U.N. peacekeeping missions worldwide, such an “abject surrender is unthinkable,” he writes.

The Pakistan Army’s inability to jam militant radio broadcasts in the region that have helped spread their power around is equally incomprehensible, Puri, who is from the army’s Signals unit, says. (The United States has just begun a broad effort in Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban from making these broadcasts, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.)

Puri urges Kayani to act, not just for the sake of Pakistan but the entire region. “It doesn’t matter if it is “my war” or “your war” – it is a war that has to be won.”

An Indian Army oficer writing to the Pakistan Army chief is rare and the fact that the letter is published in a Pakistani newspaper even more extraordinary.

Or perhaps these are unprecedented times. McClatchy newspapers ran a story this week quoting U.S. experts as saying Pakistan was a “disaster in the making on the scale of the Iranian revolution.” Counter-insurgency expert David Kilcullen has been quoted as saying Pakistan could collapse within months.

The sense of foreboding has risen with the international cricket authorities taking away the hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup from Pakistan, citing an uncertain security situation.

The tournament is still two years away, but it didn’t stop the International Cricket Council from making an early call on the security situation in the country. The tournament will be played in co-host nations - India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

[Army chief Kayani with troops and supporters of a radical cleric in Islamabad]

India launches Israeli-made satellite for eyes in the sky

India launched an Israeli-made spy satellite on Monday that will help it keep a close eye on its borders stretching from Pakistan in the west to China in the north and east.

The launch is significant for several reasons. First off, the all-weather advanced satellite that the Israelis themselves use for surveillance on nations such as Iran is an eye in the sky that Indian security planners have been demanding for long. India has its own sophisticated satellite imaging programme that gives pretty high resolution pictures, but, as a defence scientist once told me, they tended to go a bit blind in bad weather, especially during the monsoon.

It is not just a one-way street. Last January, the Israelis wanted to launch their military satellite like the one that went up on Monday. They chose the Indians to launch it, in a show of confidence in the Indian rocket. More significantly reports at the time said the Israeli satellite was meant for reconnaissance over Iran, causing irritation in Tehran which has had long standing ties with New Delhi.

But the ground has been shifting since the mid 1990s, especially after India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power and reached out to Israel, seeking its expertise in a range of areas especially high-tech capabilities to fight militants.

For years India, home to one of the world’s biggest Muslim populations, had shunned any public dealings with Israel, and stood firmly behind the Arab bloc in its long running dispute with the Jewish state. But the BJP said India and Israel were natural allies and set about making up for the lost decades.

The Congress, which had traditionally followed a pro-Arab posture, continued the policy of deepening engagement with Israel when it took power five years ago and indeed has fast-tracked arms supplies from that country to meet the security challenges.

There also seems to be a great deal of public support for closer ties with Israel. A poll said to have been ordered by the Israeli Foreign Ministry found that Israel enjoyed the greatest support in India, ahead of the United States, Russians and Mexicans

[India launches Israeli-made satellite on Monday and file picture of protest in Kashmir against Israeli strikes in Gaza]

Pakistan Army says militants will not be allowed to dictate terms

Is the Pakistan army getting ready to act against the Taliban militants who have made the deepest advance yet into the country, seizing control of Buner district, 100 km (60 miles) from Islamabad, after taking over Swat region?

The militants began withdrawing on Friday just as quietly as they moved into the district, and it wasn’t clear what had led to the sudden withdrawal.

It came just as Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani issued a statement saying the army “will not allow the militants to dictate terms to the government or impose their way of life on the civil society of Pakistan.”

It must be one of the strongest statements yet from the army chief since the government made a peace deal with the Islamists in the Swat valley and comes on top of some rather menacing noises from Washington.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan posed a mortal threat to the world by abdicating to militants, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said relations could be affected.

A small force of less than 300 paramilitary soldiers was sent to Buner on Thursday after the Taliban advance triggered global alarm. The poorly-equipped force was repulsed, and the question obviously arose as to why the army was not going in.

It is a question that has cropped up each time the militants have acted with impunity. It came up when their threats were rewarded with a peace deal in Swat deal and again when a teenage girl was flogged in public.

Kayani said a pause in operations was meant to give conciliatory forces a chance and shouldn’t be misconstrued as a concession to militants.

Is the Pakistan army readying for an offensive? U.S. officials remain sceptical and the New York Times quotes a defense department official as saying troops from the poorly trained constabulary force were sent to Buner on Thursday because Pakistan army troops were not available. He also said the generals were reluctant to pull reinforcements off the border with India.

Pakistan, India and the election manifestos

The world’s largest democracy chooses a new government in an election beginning on Thursday, and given the fires burning next door in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the men and women who will rule New Delhi over the next five years will doubtless exert influence over the course of events.

Indeed, with the pain and anger over the Mumbai attacks of November still raw, the mood could hardly be tougher against Pakistan. Even shorn of the campaign rhetoric, the positions of both the ruling Congress and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party on Pakistan begin from common ground. No dialogue with Islamabad until it “dismantles the infrastructure of terrorism”, both parties say in their manifestos.

Full texts of the documents of the two main parties are here and here.

New Delhi’s continued refusal to resume dialogue or indeed to expand other links such as trade has caught Pakistan between a rock and a hard place, according to this piece in 2point6billion.com, a website tracking developments mainly in China and India. While Islamabad has repeatedly called for resumption of dialogue since the attacks, Delhi has refused to comply until it is assured that Pakistan will prosecute all those involved in the planning and operations.

Delhi maintains that it holds information garnered from satellite, cellular and other communications devices captured at the scene that lead to specific individuals that Pakistan has as yet failed to apprehend. Islamabad denies the charge and says it is doing everything in its power to cooperate.

The result is that the noose has tightened around Pakistan, exacerbating its already dire financial situation. Trade between Pakistan and India, which had been growing and was forecast to hit US$10 billion by 2010, has dwindled to close to zero over the past few months, with Pakistan feeling the brunt of this economic demise, says the website. Islamabad has already had to apply for a US$7.6 billion loan from the IMF in February and garnered an additional US$2.8 billion in military aid from the Obama administration just two weeks ago.

But is there a possibility that once India’s elections are out of the way, there might be a slight softening of positions? A new government will be under less pressure to be seen to be acting tough. Looking at the manifestos again, you do detect slight differences in the tone.

Here’s the BJP on Pakistan, true to its roots a touch more aggressive :

“”There can be no ‘comprehensive dialogue’ for peace unless Pakistan a) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure on territory under its control; b) actively engages in prosecuting terror elements and organisations; c) puts a permanent, verifiable end to its practice of using cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy; d) stops using the territory of third countries to launch terror attacks on India; and, e) hands over to India individuals wanted for committing crimes on Indian soil.”

The Congress on the other hand says dealing with “”terrorism aided and abetted from across our borders does not require a muscular foreign policy as advocated by the BJP.”"

Here is their plan:

“”But the Mumbai attacks have cast a long shadow on the on-going dialogue and engagement process. It is now entirely up to Pakistan to break the impasse by taking credible action against those responsible for the carnage in Mumbai. If it does so and dismantles the terrorist networks that operate from its soil, a Congress-led government will not be found wanting in its response. ”

Has the Congress, still the frontrunner in the election, left the door to dialogue slightly open?

Payee lake , Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

Payee lake is situated near Shogran in the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan. It is situated at the height of almost three thousand meters (10,000 ft). Payee is surrounded by Malka Parbat, Makra Peak, Moosa da Musalla and some other mountains of Kashmir. The peak you are seeing here is the Makra Peak. For more information about Payee and Payee lake, click here.

Payee is situated near Shogran in the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan. It is situated at the height of almost three thousand meters (10,000 ft). Payee is surrounded by Malka Parbat, Makra Peak, Moosa da Musalla and some other mountains of Kashmir. For more information about Payee and Payee lake, click here.

The Sunflower Fields of Swabi

Swabi is a district of NWFP province of Pakistan. Swabi is an agricultural area, with the main crops of Tobacco, Wheat, Sugarcane, and Corn. Farming is one of the living sources of the people in Swabi. The above photograph is one of the beautiful sunflower farms of Swabi. Captain Kernal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) also belongs to Swabi and his tomb is also located there.

Malam Jabba, Swat, Pakistan

Malam Jabba is a Hill Station in the Karakoram mountain range and it is situated in the Swat Valley, Pakistan. Malam Jabba is home to the largest ski resort in Pakistan. The resort is owned by Pakistani Tourism Development Corporation. A year before, the Malam Jabba Ski Resort was destroyed. This was due to the recent conflicts in the swat valley between government security forces with the local militants.
The above view is of the back of the resort from the top.

Shahjehani Masjid in Thatta, Pakistan

Shahjehani Masjid, Thatta is a great building of the Mughal Era and represents the true Mughal and Islamic architecture. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan.

Monument of Colonial Era

Jacobabad is my hometown, the "hotseat" of Pakistan :)
There is a monument named "Victoria Tower", built by Brigadier General John Jacob, during British Raj. Wanna more about Jacobabad? Click here.

Victoria tower in 2002.