Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Load-shedding culminates into ‘sleep-shedding’ for Bhara Kaho residents
Load-shedding culminates into ‘sleep-shedding’ for Bhara Kaho residents
By: Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD July 19, 2010: Although the dreadful genie of load-shedding is making lives miserable for people throughout the country, yet the poor and helpless residents of Bhara Kaho are the worst affected by it so much so that it has turned into ‘sleep-shedding’ for them. A few miles away from the Capital itself, the residents have to bear one hour load-shedding after every one hour of supply of electricity in the day time. But the night is no less than a nightmare for them as load-shedding is observed from 7 to 8pm, then 11 to12 midnight and finally from 2 to 4am -- making sleep a mad man’s dream.
“For the whole night you can hear dogs barking ( as it is a suburban area) along with the children yelling and shrieking for want of some cool air to breathe and save them from sweltering heat”, described Mrs. Khan, a resident of Kot Hathial on Col. Aman-ullah road.
Another resident of the same area, Saima Shaheen who recently had to go through an operation described her plight saying, “The doctor advised me to avoid heat and sweating as it can infect my stitches, but I can neither avoid sweating in the day nor at night as after every one hour the supply of electricity is cut off and I have to wake up for the whole night in order to keep the wounds dry using a hand-fan in the absence of electricity at night. I request the officials to have mercy on us during the night at least and let us have a peaceful sleep – the only luxury left for us that too seems to go beyond our reach now.”
Muhammad Abdullah Shehzad, a resident of Seri Chowk on Simly Dam Road said, “There is un-announced load-shedding throughout the day as well as night and the complaint numbers of X-EN as well as the S.D.O of IESCO are never attended by anyone if we try to make a phone call to lodge a complaint. At least they should let us sleep. I do not know who makes this stupid and inhuman schedule of load-shedding making sure that we cannot have more than two hours of sleep throughout the night. I am sure the high officials of IESCO would surely have Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) or standby generators at their homes otherwise they must have never made such cruel schedule for us.”
Azhar Mehmood, a resident of Shahpur told his account saying, “We are so much disturbed and mentally tortured by the repeated load-shedding at night that we are forced to sleep inside our car, turning its Air Conditioner on, to save ourselves from the roasting heat, suffocation and mosquitoes bites.”
A mother of two infants, Faiza Aziz, residing at Spring Valley told this news agency, “I am almost maddened by this load-shedding. For the whole night my children cannot sleep forcing me to keep awake with them. Children cry due to hot weather that gets hotter in the absence of electricity and mosquitoes add fuel to the fire by biting my children and me so generously. My husband has gone to Sindh for some business enterprise and I have to pass the nights scared, tense and if I try to lodge a complaint on the numbers written on electricity bill, these are never attended” “IESCO claims on its website that, ‘Our mission is to bring the assurance of energy to our customers, with world class quality and commitment for satisfaction as we continue in our quest for excellence.’ But it is strange that no one cares to attend the telephone numbers given as a complaint numbers to the costumers,” she concluded.
Even after the repeated attempts, the given numbers of S.D.O, X-EN were never attended. When this news agency succeeded in contacting the grid station, Muhammad Rahim, Assistant Manager (as claimed by him) of the grid station gave the statement, “We receive 3 to 4 different schedules during the week for load-shedding that we have to observe, and besides it, we have automatic switches that interrupt the power supply if the load exceeds a certain limit.” But he could not justify that why these automatic switches do not resume the supply for hours once they cut it off. He refused to explain why his bosses are unavailable to the media as well the consumers on the phone to clarify the horrifying state of affairs.
Rise in mercury
Rise in mercury: twin city residents swarm water-resorts
By: Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD July 16, 2010: After infrequent showers of monsoon, the Sun seems to grow in anger as it has been bucketing fire on the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the last few days. With mercury crossing 42 Celsius mark here on Friday, the residents rushed bubbling to the places where water is in excess in order to use it as a shield against the baking heat.
A huge rush was observed at Shahdara, Chattar, Saalgran, and Korang as families kept pouring in there throughout the day. Nisar Ali, a resident of Sector G-6, sitting with his legs dip in water at Shahdara along with two of his kids said, “This tour was not planned at all, but the blazing heat forced us to look for some cool place to safely see through the day. I love to go to Pir Suhawa and Damn-e-Koh with my family but in this heat it is almost unimaginable to go there.”
Mrs. Nisar also seconded his husband saying, “My children love to visit the Zoo but in the present roasting temperature, this water-resort is no less than an ‘earthly-heaven’ for us. The water is quite cold and it is really making life less miserable.”
Dr. Lodhi, a resident of Guwal Mandi, who, along with his family also preferred to come to Shahdara, explained the reason for coming there, “It is heat everywhere, for the last few days heat seemed to emit from my hands and feet. So I had no other option than coming here and sit in water which is really absorbing all of it. Summer is a period of enjoyment and fun for the children but the current heat wave has made it hellish for the poor little souls who can neither play outdoors nor can sit at home due to frequent load-shedding.”
On being asked about the selection of a water-resort for picnic, Aziz Ahmad, a resident of Satellite Town told, “I preferred to come to Saalgran with my family as besides being a picnic spot, it has an added advantage of water, that is in excessive amount over here, to have a soothing effect for the dry-lipped children who are throwing water on each other and having a lot of fun.”
The weather forecast too tells a burning story. So, with no ray of hope visible on weather’s horizon in the next couple of days, more families are expected to take shelter in these water-resorts in order to beat the heat.
Can life be more miserable?
Living on the edge: whose fault is it after all?
Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD July 12, 2010: Living on the edge out of their own choice, these ‘sons of the soil’ cut a sorry figure for themselves, their families and friends, and indeed the entire nation as they ‘unwind’ under the influence of intoxication, totally oblivious of their shabby surroundings.
These men do not have the courage to face the realities of life. Like pigeons, they have opted to shut their eyes on seeing the cat, little realising that man is the best of God’s creations and that he can be destroyed but not defeated.
Drug addiction is as old as human history; it may have emerged in different forms during different eras, but has been there all the while. Drugs are used under different pretexts; some use them for enjoyment while others do so to find an easy route to escapism.
In Asia, and particularly in Pakistan, the menace of drug addiction is increasing with every passing day. More than 14 million Pakistanis are wasting billions of rupees annually to inhale poisonous drugs.
The scenario gets more horrific on the discovery that most of these addicts are adolescents and ensnared by drug traffickers at an early age. No one can deny the fact that youth is the most valuable asset of a nation, and that it is on the basis of their abilities and potential that a country’s progress depends. As such, the injection of poison in the veins of these young adults is synonymous to limiting the likelihood of our country’s development. These young people will grow up to become an ugly scar on the face of the nation.
The accompanying photograph portrays an appalling manifestation of the aforementioned logic. All of them are dozing, with their eyes down. Their posture does have a symbolic significance: they are either ashamed of what they have made out of their lives or are angry with society, which has failed to fulfil its social responsibility of saving them from the brutal clutches of the drug agents who grabbed them when they were too young to understand what venom they were inhaling.
These men showcase a perfect picture of typical Waste Landers, who are no more than heaps of bones and broken images. And instead of becoming a valuable human resource, they have been turned into an undying liability for the nation. Although the entire nation is responsible for their deplorable plight, yet no one cares. We do not even cast a passing glance as we walk past them.
Security pickets in capital
Security pickets in capital
Policemen facing danger of being caught off-guardAzhar Mehmood & Aftab Alam
Policemen facing danger of being caught off-guardAzhar Mehmood & Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD, July 10, 2010: “We have been provided no arms, at all; not even official pistols. And we cannot have our personal ones without going through an unending and tiring procedure of getting an NOC,” was the response of the unarmed policemen, requesting not to be named, performing duties at a security picket in Islamabad, when this news agency expressed concerns regarding their own security.
“Official guns and pistols are short in supply as well as not trustworthy -- these are as if ‘arms or no arms’ for us!” said one of them.
Security checkposts have been established throughout the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, since terrorism started to unleash itself in big cities.
The police officers deployed at these pickets are facing numerous problems and hurdles in performing their duties as they do not have enough resources to challenge the suspicious vehicles -- neither are they provided with ammunition sufficient to silent the guns of the terrorists nor is the weaponry technologically advanced enough to defend them ‘in the line of fire’.
There is no jamming system installed at any picket in the capital.
“We do not even have fans, what to talk of jammers. I have to sit in this boiling bunker wearing a bulletproof jacket, weighing 8 kilograms, for eight hours,” said one of them.
“As per rules of service, every policeman is to be provided with a new uniform, shoes and raincoat, but I have received them just once during six years of my service,” an ASI told this news agency on condition of anonymity. “There is no laundry facility for us and we have to wash our uniforms every day due to excessive sweating in summer,” he added.
“We keep standing watchful and vigilant throughout the day wearing the same uniform -- be it the scorching heat of the summer or the chilling cold of winter. We neither have any shelter to save us from the extreme weather conditions, nor are we having access to cold water in the burning heat,” said an officer at a checkpost near Faizabad.
“To think of lavatory facility is a mad man’s dream and a luxury we cannot even think of having. We have to ‘answer the call of nature’ going deep inside the jungle or an area at a distance from these pickets”, said an ASI on duty.
Such horrific is the state of affairs of the policemen.
With dry lips and parched tongues, these ‘gladiators’ of the modern era are fighting valiantly against an unseen enemy.
“Knowing that we might be no more any moment, we perform our duty for 12 hours, 7pm-7am, eyeing every vehicle rushing towards us as our death sentence. One of our colleagues was recently killed because of unprovoked firing of motorcyclists when he signalled them to stop at a picket near Taramri, in the jurisdiction of Shehzad Town Police Station,” said a junior officer gloomily at a picket near Rawal Dam Chowk.
But their gallantry is time-tested now. Although, they are a part of the least resourceful force in the world, yet they know the art of fight in which each drop of blood falling in the lap of the motherland is valued more than a thousand blows of sword inflicted upon the enemy. They fight for honour and not for a name; for their generations to come and not for themselves. They prefer dying unnoticed than boasting the fact that they are sacrificing their lives at the altar of the war against terrorism.
“Although we suffer for the safety of the public; we remain awake so that our countrymen can sleep peacefully, we are disliked and sometimes insulted by the people who are asked to stop their vehicles for routine checking. People address us as if we are an unwanted commodity forgetting that had this deterrence not been in place, it would have provided swift and effortless entrance to the miscreants into the city,” said an officer appointed at a picket near Bhara Kahu, complaining about the misbehaviour met by them at the hands of VIPs as well as local people.
Recollecting a great hero of 1947
Recollecting a great hero of 1947Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD, July 10, 2010: Great nations remember their heroes either in history books or by making their statues, so do we -- as a nation, not far behind in paying tribute to our heroes. Pakistan Railways has done a commendable job by keeping the memories attached to a great hero of the Independence time in a safe custody at the Heritage Museum, Golra Railway Junction, Islamabad.
We all owe a lot to him as he saved the lives of more that 500 refugees, travelling in a Pakistan-bound train, by his great presence of mind and strategy.
Major S M Rafi was given the arduous task of protecting one of the many trains carrying Muslim refugees across India into the newly created nation state of Pakistan.
With ugly fires of sectarian violence raging everywhere, these were the hard times. As the train left Jaipur, Major Rafi locked the passengers inside their compartments to protect them from vindictive mobs and snipers. After a journey of some 1,200 miles, to his unbounded relief, the train reached Karachi safe and sound. In an emotional account of the journey, Major Rafi thanked God and paid a great tribute to his fellow passengers who had recited the Holy Quran throughout the long journey home.
“Major Rafi declared it as a military train and stood on guard with a gun in his hand”, said Muhammad Ramzan, the station master at Golra Railway Junction who is also the man in charge of the Heritage Museum established here. “Major Rafi was also awarded with ‘Tamgha-e-Juraat’ for his daring and great act of soldier-ship,” he proudly added.
The memories kept safe in the museum include the carriage key accompanied by a suggestive interpretation of history along with a black and white photograph of Major S M Rafi wearing his uniform and a map of the route that he followed in successful completion of this uphill task, all in original.
We all owe a lot to him as he saved the lives of more that 500 refugees, travelling in a Pakistan-bound train, by his great presence of mind and strategy.
Major S M Rafi was given the arduous task of protecting one of the many trains carrying Muslim refugees across India into the newly created nation state of Pakistan.
With ugly fires of sectarian violence raging everywhere, these were the hard times. As the train left Jaipur, Major Rafi locked the passengers inside their compartments to protect them from vindictive mobs and snipers. After a journey of some 1,200 miles, to his unbounded relief, the train reached Karachi safe and sound. In an emotional account of the journey, Major Rafi thanked God and paid a great tribute to his fellow passengers who had recited the Holy Quran throughout the long journey home.
“Major Rafi declared it as a military train and stood on guard with a gun in his hand”, said Muhammad Ramzan, the station master at Golra Railway Junction who is also the man in charge of the Heritage Museum established here. “Major Rafi was also awarded with ‘Tamgha-e-Juraat’ for his daring and great act of soldier-ship,” he proudly added.
The memories kept safe in the museum include the carriage key accompanied by a suggestive interpretation of history along with a black and white photograph of Major S M Rafi wearing his uniform and a map of the route that he followed in successful completion of this uphill task, all in original.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Locked to guard against mixing of memory and desire!
Locked to guard against mixing of memory and desire!
Aftab Alam
ISLAMABAD, July 8, 2010: The glass door of the green windowed museum, sporting the insignia of Pakistan Railways and North West Railways remains locked. On inquiry, this news agency was told by Station Master Muhammad Ramzan, “The museum is opened on request; there is no ticket for it. You just have to buy the platform ticket worth five rupees and you can enjoy the magical beauty of the platform and the museum as long as you want to.”
Inside the hall are rare items on display including 1901 rifles of Belgium, watches that were winded once a week- as told by the S.M, pendulums, a kerosene tilly-lamp also called flood-light projector, gate signal lamps, crockery, fans, arms and ammunition, surgical items used at railway hospitals, a Railway time table of 1943, separate water containers for Hindus and Muslims and a metal letter container to carry folded letters.
The wood panelled roof of the museum has antique fans, including a rare two-winged one. The British crockery on display includes spoons, forks and knives made of pure silver, however, the models of railway locomotives are newly made and not antique.
Another rare thing on display is the big glass-bottle which is claimed by the station master to be a drip. The majority of items on display belong to the North West Railways, as Pakistan Railways was called before Independence, dating back to year 1890. The attempt is to preserve and display vintage items and artifacts related to the history of railways at the Heritage Point. “The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and started in 2002,” said M. Ramzan.
“A steam safari ride to the major tourist attraction, the ancient city of Taxila on alternate days, is on cards in near future, and the project of running a tram is also in the pipeline,” he added, smilingly.
The museum displays a rare key, which was used to lock doors of passenger coaches to protect against forcible opening by extremists while carrying refugees to Pakistan through Indian stations.
A token instrument of the Khem Karan Railway Station, India, is also exhibited at the museum, which was brought as a trophy piece by the valiant soldiers of Pakistan Army, who had captured the Khem Karan Railway Station from Indians during the 1965 war. The station master rotated a lever and the silver-coloured token ball dropped out of it which according to him was used as a ‘token of authority’ for the train to move ahead.
The station master sadly told this scribe, “We keep waiting for the people to visit, but in vain. The occasional visitors are foreigners who come to see this wonderful museum.”
Museum at Golra Railway Junction is yet another example of our coldhearted approach towards our history. Nations take pride in their roots that are described in the history books and displayed in their museums. But since we consider all antiques as useless and unwanted relics of the time that are of no use to us in the fiscal sense, we discard them as a burden we have to shoulder, forcedly. These physical demonstrations of our history are kept in rooms named museums which are either locked or haunted as no one bothers to go there.
As a result, though these assets exist on earth, they never succeed in becoming our national pride. Our museums are less a heritage and more an old-age house where all useless memories are kept locked in order to guard against ‘mixing of memory and desire’.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Fighting for survival- generation after generation
Fighting for survival- generation after generation
By: Aftab Alam
With shadows of the monsoon already lurking on the doorstep, an old resident of H-11 Sector in Islamabad is busy in an effort to safely see through the rough weather conditions which is a trademark of monsoon in the country. Helping him in this endeavor is a cute little soul who bravely manages a hearty laughter under a heavy load of the loaf of mud she tries to handle. This is a scene quite common in Pakistan where it is the first priority of the have-nots to put an extra layer of mud before the setting in of heavy rains to their straw-roofed, mud-plastered houses that face a real danger of being damaged at the cruel hands of nature. This extra layer of mud protects them against leakage of the roof that may dampen the whole house.
Surprisingly, the scene is not from a far off, deprived place of the country rather it is taking place within the Capital- right under the nose of the Government whose greatest slogan still echoes in the memories of the voters of this nation- ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makaan’ ( bread, clothing and houses for all Pakistanis). Nobody is bothered about the safety of the houses of this deprived poor majority of the country.
The wrinkled face of the old man is a proof enough of the many rough monsoons he had to face throughout his life. The mud-stained clothes he wears tell a story of the man’s fate. There is a strange air of sobriety and solemnity in the appearance of the old man especially his hands- the hands that have made the foundations of this country so strong that no storm of conspiracy and corruption can dare to damage it. The way he receives the mud from the girl’s hands with affection shows his attachment to the soil of the motherland.
By: Aftab Alam
With shadows of the monsoon already lurking on the doorstep, an old resident of H-11 Sector in Islamabad is busy in an effort to safely see through the rough weather conditions which is a trademark of monsoon in the country. Helping him in this endeavor is a cute little soul who bravely manages a hearty laughter under a heavy load of the loaf of mud she tries to handle. This is a scene quite common in Pakistan where it is the first priority of the have-nots to put an extra layer of mud before the setting in of heavy rains to their straw-roofed, mud-plastered houses that face a real danger of being damaged at the cruel hands of nature. This extra layer of mud protects them against leakage of the roof that may dampen the whole house.
Surprisingly, the scene is not from a far off, deprived place of the country rather it is taking place within the Capital- right under the nose of the Government whose greatest slogan still echoes in the memories of the voters of this nation- ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makaan’ ( bread, clothing and houses for all Pakistanis). Nobody is bothered about the safety of the houses of this deprived poor majority of the country.
The wrinkled face of the old man is a proof enough of the many rough monsoons he had to face throughout his life. The mud-stained clothes he wears tell a story of the man’s fate. There is a strange air of sobriety and solemnity in the appearance of the old man especially his hands- the hands that have made the foundations of this country so strong that no storm of conspiracy and corruption can dare to damage it. The way he receives the mud from the girl’s hands with affection shows his attachment to the soil of the motherland.
Under the burden of life
Blank eyed, dry lipped: Are they alive?
By Aftab Alam
Published in the News, Islamabad on 13th July, 2010
Striding steadily under the heavy load they carry on their heads, two young girls cast a blank glance on the photographer who tries to capture their graceful gait under the bundle of wood for fueling their stoves. The expressionless faces lack the innocence that has been taken away due to continuous and uninterrupted exposure to poverty that is there since the time they were born.
Although they might be stranger to the word ‘fashion’, still they have elegance and grace in the way they are dressed. They still manage to showcase whatever is within their reach – trying to match bangles, nose pins, and dresses.
The barrenness of the background is also complementing the withered fortunes they have been eternally awarded by the deciders of their fate. Who is to be blamed? No one except us! Why we? Because we negate the basic commandments of God to share with our fellow humans what we have been blessed affluently and they are deprived.
This photograph pictures the heart of the Capital of Pakistan where every common man is enjoying the basic rights to some extent, or at least it is claimed so. Just imagine the deplorable plight of the poor people who are abiding in the hard-to-reach, far off places of the country where they have to live below the line of poverty.
By Aftab Alam
Published in the News, Islamabad on 13th July, 2010
Striding steadily under the heavy load they carry on their heads, two young girls cast a blank glance on the photographer who tries to capture their graceful gait under the bundle of wood for fueling their stoves. The expressionless faces lack the innocence that has been taken away due to continuous and uninterrupted exposure to poverty that is there since the time they were born.
Although they might be stranger to the word ‘fashion’, still they have elegance and grace in the way they are dressed. They still manage to showcase whatever is within their reach – trying to match bangles, nose pins, and dresses.
The barrenness of the background is also complementing the withered fortunes they have been eternally awarded by the deciders of their fate. Who is to be blamed? No one except us! Why we? Because we negate the basic commandments of God to share with our fellow humans what we have been blessed affluently and they are deprived.
This photograph pictures the heart of the Capital of Pakistan where every common man is enjoying the basic rights to some extent, or at least it is claimed so. Just imagine the deplorable plight of the poor people who are abiding in the hard-to-reach, far off places of the country where they have to live below the line of poverty.
UNDP releases outline of the upcoming HD report
UNDP releases outline of the upcoming HD report
published in the News
Monday, July 05, 2010
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248907
By: Aftab Alam
The year 2010, being the twentieth anniversary of the human development report, offers a prospect to re-evaluate its role in order to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
The expectations seem to be met by the Human Development Report titled ‘20 Years On: Pushing the Frontiers of Human Development’ to be published in October.
Since 1990, annual Human Development Reports have been exploring different challenges, including poverty, gender, democracy, human rights, cultural liberty, globalisation, water scarcity, climate change and mobility. This year’s report keeps ‘human’ as the central figure to development, focusing on the implications of the human development approach for development policies and strategies.
The Human Development Report has been a key force in thinking about development, not only by stressing the per capita income as the solitary gauge of a society’s progress, but also by exploring how a people-centred approach affects the way we should think about key challenges.
The reports have covered subjects as diverse as participation, cultural liberty and financing, as well as larger global challenges like cooperation and climate change.
The 2010 report aims to take this role notably further by demonstrating how placing human development at the centre of our priorities changes the ways in which we think about, devise, practice and monitor development policies planned to support empowerment, tackle inequality and deal with sustainability.
“Human development (HD) is about putting people at the centre of development. It is about people realising their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value,” is the definition of HD given by UNDP.
The anticipated outline of the report has three parts. First, a methodical appraisal of progress and setbacks in human development since the 1970s, discussing what has been achieved, what seems to work, and what are the key gaps and constraints.
The second part will re-examine the concept of human development — and its measurement, including the Human Development Index — and recommend the improvement needed to help policymakers ensure that people are at the centre of development. The third and final part would emphasise tangible implications for policy and development strategies, sketching recommendations for a new development agenda.
This way the 2010 report will hunt for expressing a schema (an outline of a plan) for transformation to fortify a ‘New Human Development Deal’ that can significantly advance development thinking and policies.
Significant emphasis will be placed on the knowledge that comes from developing countries and regions, reflecting the belief that placing people at the centre of development also implies putting people at the centre of the generation of knowledge about development, and by knowing how communities and local stakeholders understand the practice of development.
published in the News
Monday, July 05, 2010
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248907
By: Aftab Alam
The year 2010, being the twentieth anniversary of the human development report, offers a prospect to re-evaluate its role in order to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
The expectations seem to be met by the Human Development Report titled ‘20 Years On: Pushing the Frontiers of Human Development’ to be published in October.
Since 1990, annual Human Development Reports have been exploring different challenges, including poverty, gender, democracy, human rights, cultural liberty, globalisation, water scarcity, climate change and mobility. This year’s report keeps ‘human’ as the central figure to development, focusing on the implications of the human development approach for development policies and strategies.
The Human Development Report has been a key force in thinking about development, not only by stressing the per capita income as the solitary gauge of a society’s progress, but also by exploring how a people-centred approach affects the way we should think about key challenges.
The reports have covered subjects as diverse as participation, cultural liberty and financing, as well as larger global challenges like cooperation and climate change.
The 2010 report aims to take this role notably further by demonstrating how placing human development at the centre of our priorities changes the ways in which we think about, devise, practice and monitor development policies planned to support empowerment, tackle inequality and deal with sustainability.
“Human development (HD) is about putting people at the centre of development. It is about people realising their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value,” is the definition of HD given by UNDP.
The anticipated outline of the report has three parts. First, a methodical appraisal of progress and setbacks in human development since the 1970s, discussing what has been achieved, what seems to work, and what are the key gaps and constraints.
The second part will re-examine the concept of human development — and its measurement, including the Human Development Index — and recommend the improvement needed to help policymakers ensure that people are at the centre of development. The third and final part would emphasise tangible implications for policy and development strategies, sketching recommendations for a new development agenda.
This way the 2010 report will hunt for expressing a schema (an outline of a plan) for transformation to fortify a ‘New Human Development Deal’ that can significantly advance development thinking and policies.
Significant emphasis will be placed on the knowledge that comes from developing countries and regions, reflecting the belief that placing people at the centre of development also implies putting people at the centre of the generation of knowledge about development, and by knowing how communities and local stakeholders understand the practice of development.
Monsoon’s maiden shower: twin cities’ residents throng resorts and parks
Monsoon’s maiden shower: twin cities’ residents throng resorts and parks
By: Aftab Alam
(Published in ‘the News’ on June 30,2010 --
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247995
( Published in ‘ the Frontier Post on June 30,2010)
ISLAMABAD, June 29: The residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had a great sigh of relief with the first shower of monsoon bathing them to the roots after a prolonged spell of intense heat, here Tuesday.
Most of the families preferred to enjoy the pleasant weather at different picnic spots of Islamabad.
Muhammad Arshad, a resident of Dhok Syeddan, Rawalpindi who took his wife and two children for a picnic to Daman-e-Koh said, “The pleasant weather gave me a chance to come here with my family to have some nice time.”
Snober Arshad, his wife excitedly said, “Our children were having summer vacation and they demanded it time and again to take them to some resort but the intense heat forced us to stay at home. Today’s rain gave us the much needed chance to take our kids for outing.” “ We went to Rawal Dam first but then we decided to come here and we are happy that the kids are having a lot of fun,” she concluded smilingly.
Another teenage age boy, Yasir Gulfam playing ‘hide and seek’ with his cousins at Rawal Lake View Pont said while panting, “ We are having great time and pray to God that the weather remain pleasant for some more days so that we can enjoy our summer vacation to the full.”
Yasir Ahmad, a student of the local university who came to Damn-e-Koh with his class-mates said, “I woke up this morning by the sound of rain drops striking against the widow-pane of my bedroom, I contacted my friends and we have come here to enjoy the first rain of the monsoon.”
A girl named Shazia Waqar who accompanied his parents to Pakistan Monument said, “It was a much needed shower that we had this morning after a long period. Life had become so tough, dry and dull due to the scorching heat wave we had, but the first shower of rain has added rainbow to our life and we are here to enjoy.”
The resorts of Islamabad witnessed a great rush and people pouring in dozens whole day.
The first monsoon spell is expected to continue for three to four days and after a break of few days, it will persist for the whole season with intervals, according to weather reports. Whereas the monsoon has started here, people living in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will have to show patience as Monsoon will not start there before the first week of July.
By: Aftab Alam
(Published in ‘the News’ on June 30,2010 --
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247995
( Published in ‘ the Frontier Post on June 30,2010)
ISLAMABAD, June 29: The residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had a great sigh of relief with the first shower of monsoon bathing them to the roots after a prolonged spell of intense heat, here Tuesday.
Most of the families preferred to enjoy the pleasant weather at different picnic spots of Islamabad.
Muhammad Arshad, a resident of Dhok Syeddan, Rawalpindi who took his wife and two children for a picnic to Daman-e-Koh said, “The pleasant weather gave me a chance to come here with my family to have some nice time.”
Snober Arshad, his wife excitedly said, “Our children were having summer vacation and they demanded it time and again to take them to some resort but the intense heat forced us to stay at home. Today’s rain gave us the much needed chance to take our kids for outing.” “ We went to Rawal Dam first but then we decided to come here and we are happy that the kids are having a lot of fun,” she concluded smilingly.
Another teenage age boy, Yasir Gulfam playing ‘hide and seek’ with his cousins at Rawal Lake View Pont said while panting, “ We are having great time and pray to God that the weather remain pleasant for some more days so that we can enjoy our summer vacation to the full.”
Yasir Ahmad, a student of the local university who came to Damn-e-Koh with his class-mates said, “I woke up this morning by the sound of rain drops striking against the widow-pane of my bedroom, I contacted my friends and we have come here to enjoy the first rain of the monsoon.”
A girl named Shazia Waqar who accompanied his parents to Pakistan Monument said, “It was a much needed shower that we had this morning after a long period. Life had become so tough, dry and dull due to the scorching heat wave we had, but the first shower of rain has added rainbow to our life and we are here to enjoy.”
The resorts of Islamabad witnessed a great rush and people pouring in dozens whole day.
The first monsoon spell is expected to continue for three to four days and after a break of few days, it will persist for the whole season with intervals, according to weather reports. Whereas the monsoon has started here, people living in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will have to show patience as Monsoon will not start there before the first week of July.
A heritage begging to be developed as a tourist spot
A heritage begging to be developed as a tourist spot
By: Aftab Alam
Published in the News on 05-07-2010 -- can be viewed at--
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248911
A few miles away from the Shrine of Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra Sharif, is a railway junction named after the saint, having no sign board to intimate the visitor about its presence, and without a proper parking lot except the shades of the trees behind a local market.
The very first impression of the station is not impressive at all. A few steps ahead and you reach the platform without any proper entrance. But the moment you cast a passing glance on the platform you start thinking that first impression is not necessarily always the last impression. A long queue of the majestic Banyan trees on the platform seem to guard the station master’s office, the adjacent heritage museum and the people on the station against the burning heat of summer
The Golra Junction Railway Station, some 1,994 feet above sea level, is located in the southeast of the Margalla Hills and east of the cradle of Ghandara civilization, the ancient city of Taxila. The station was established in 1882 and upgraded as junction in 1912, connecting Peshawar, Kohat and Havalian.
Banyan trees, with trunks newly painted white make the platform one of the most romantic and traditional platform that portray a true Victorian age surrounding for the tourists. On the left side of the platform is a hand-crane, claiming to be tested for lifting 508kg weight in 1984. The small, stone platform of the Victorian style railway station is calm, quiet and clean. The old lampposts and benches have been given a new look by painting them. You can see very few passengers on the platform as being a small station it does not observe a large gathering even when the trains arrive here on their way to Rawalpindi or Peshawar.
Items on display at the platform include a hand pump of 1901, and a Heritage Special Train’, driven by an ancient steam engine accompanied by passenger coaches. The 110-year-old narrow gauge steam locomotive, steam cranes, saloons, passenger and freight coaches. “The saloon in green paint belongs to the Viceroy-e-Hind, Lord Mountbatten,” informed the station master.
An interesting fact about the 110-year-old steam engine is that, it has been in regular use, as early as 1990 and is still in running condition. A display model of the lane changing and up and down signal has also been installed.
But due to improper facilities and lack of promotion, Golra Junction Railway Junction has failed to attract visitors even from twin cities.
Non-availability of pure drinking water and proper food outlet may leave the visitors in the lurch that may either return back or courageously face the situation during their stay at the spot, which otherwise offers tremendous joy and pleasure to people of all ages.
The natural character of the site is rich to the extent that one can sit under the trees throughout the day, fascinated by the tranquility and serenity of the atmosphere.
As the people rarely visit the museum, no one has yet set up any food outlet in the vicinity of railway station. If managed properly, the site can present spectacular recreation to capital residents. Developing a park with proper seating and other facilities may attract more visitors to enjoy this congenial atmosphere.
Cast iron bell which previously was on display has now been put inside the museum. It was made by the O.S. Bell Co., Hillsboro, Ohio, USA.The Station Master, M. Ramzan seems to be part of this heritage because of his Victorian manners, politeness and courtesy.
By: Aftab Alam
Published in the News on 05-07-2010 -- can be viewed at--
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248911
A few miles away from the Shrine of Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra Sharif, is a railway junction named after the saint, having no sign board to intimate the visitor about its presence, and without a proper parking lot except the shades of the trees behind a local market.
The very first impression of the station is not impressive at all. A few steps ahead and you reach the platform without any proper entrance. But the moment you cast a passing glance on the platform you start thinking that first impression is not necessarily always the last impression. A long queue of the majestic Banyan trees on the platform seem to guard the station master’s office, the adjacent heritage museum and the people on the station against the burning heat of summer
The Golra Junction Railway Station, some 1,994 feet above sea level, is located in the southeast of the Margalla Hills and east of the cradle of Ghandara civilization, the ancient city of Taxila. The station was established in 1882 and upgraded as junction in 1912, connecting Peshawar, Kohat and Havalian.
Banyan trees, with trunks newly painted white make the platform one of the most romantic and traditional platform that portray a true Victorian age surrounding for the tourists. On the left side of the platform is a hand-crane, claiming to be tested for lifting 508kg weight in 1984. The small, stone platform of the Victorian style railway station is calm, quiet and clean. The old lampposts and benches have been given a new look by painting them. You can see very few passengers on the platform as being a small station it does not observe a large gathering even when the trains arrive here on their way to Rawalpindi or Peshawar.
Items on display at the platform include a hand pump of 1901, and a Heritage Special Train’, driven by an ancient steam engine accompanied by passenger coaches. The 110-year-old narrow gauge steam locomotive, steam cranes, saloons, passenger and freight coaches. “The saloon in green paint belongs to the Viceroy-e-Hind, Lord Mountbatten,” informed the station master.
An interesting fact about the 110-year-old steam engine is that, it has been in regular use, as early as 1990 and is still in running condition. A display model of the lane changing and up and down signal has also been installed.
But due to improper facilities and lack of promotion, Golra Junction Railway Junction has failed to attract visitors even from twin cities.
Non-availability of pure drinking water and proper food outlet may leave the visitors in the lurch that may either return back or courageously face the situation during their stay at the spot, which otherwise offers tremendous joy and pleasure to people of all ages.
The natural character of the site is rich to the extent that one can sit under the trees throughout the day, fascinated by the tranquility and serenity of the atmosphere.
As the people rarely visit the museum, no one has yet set up any food outlet in the vicinity of railway station. If managed properly, the site can present spectacular recreation to capital residents. Developing a park with proper seating and other facilities may attract more visitors to enjoy this congenial atmosphere.
Cast iron bell which previously was on display has now been put inside the museum. It was made by the O.S. Bell Co., Hillsboro, Ohio, USA.The Station Master, M. Ramzan seems to be part of this heritage because of his Victorian manners, politeness and courtesy.
8pm-Shutter Down - frustrating buyers and sellers alike
8pm-Shutter Down - frustrating buyers and sellers alike
By:Aftab Alam
(Published in ‘The News’ on 29-06-2010 --you can view this on
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247851
“We have won democracy after a prolonged struggle against dictatorship. It is time for the government to give us relief rather than imposing dictatorial decisions, such as this, costing 80% loss to my business” , says Izhar Khan of ‘Fashion Affairs’ who has been running this shop for the last 20 years in Abpara Market Islamabad, expressing his deep grudges against the decision to close markets at 8pm.
Government had earlier announced a comprehensive plan to overcome the energy crisis on April 22, 2010 and closure of businesses at 8:00 pm was among other decisions. Traders of Islamabad defied the government’s decision after which the government started shutting down the supply of electricity to the markets at 8pm., forcing small traders who didn’t afford to buy a generator or UPS to shutter their shops down near 8pm.
Raja Hassan, who was sitting perturbed soon after the lights were out at 8pm in Abpara Market said, “ Market do not observe complete closure at 8pm and those who can afford the generators or UPS remain open. I wait sitting idle till 10pm and then restart my business. It has cost me more than 50% loss.”
M.Qayyum said, “. No other government has ever taken such a cruel decision during my 30 years business life in the market. The closing time should be 10 rather than 8pm.”
Waseem Ahmad, at Ilmi Book Centre Abpara, said, “We are suffering10-15 % loss due to load-shedding at 8pm, what problem the government has when we are using our own generators to cater for the energy needs of the shop?”
Not conforming to the majority, M.Tariq at Modern Bakers appreciated it saying it is a landmark decision to inculcate discipline in our Nation.”
On the other hand the shoppers also feel a rush of blood when the closure time approaches and a panic can be seen on their faces.
A lady in her 70s named Ruqqyya Bibi at Super Market criticized saying “I have been residing in the capital for the last 43 Years, I still remember the golden days of Ayub Khan when everything was cheap. We have to die one day but this government has given us untimely death in the form of price-hike, load-shedding and closure of markets to destroy the business community.”
“It is too hot to shop during the day, “said Mussarat Tanweer, at Super Market as she rushed towards a closing shop to buy something.
Another shopper at Abpara Market named Saima Yaqoob , resident of G-6 Sector, said, “I am a teacher in the evening shift at a local school and return home round 7:30; my husband comes back from office in the evening. How can I buy the grocery items and other things of necessity? I don’t know what sin we have committed for which we have to pay the price!”
By:Aftab Alam
(Published in ‘The News’ on 29-06-2010 --you can view this on
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247851
“We have won democracy after a prolonged struggle against dictatorship. It is time for the government to give us relief rather than imposing dictatorial decisions, such as this, costing 80% loss to my business” , says Izhar Khan of ‘Fashion Affairs’ who has been running this shop for the last 20 years in Abpara Market Islamabad, expressing his deep grudges against the decision to close markets at 8pm.
Government had earlier announced a comprehensive plan to overcome the energy crisis on April 22, 2010 and closure of businesses at 8:00 pm was among other decisions. Traders of Islamabad defied the government’s decision after which the government started shutting down the supply of electricity to the markets at 8pm., forcing small traders who didn’t afford to buy a generator or UPS to shutter their shops down near 8pm.
Raja Hassan, who was sitting perturbed soon after the lights were out at 8pm in Abpara Market said, “ Market do not observe complete closure at 8pm and those who can afford the generators or UPS remain open. I wait sitting idle till 10pm and then restart my business. It has cost me more than 50% loss.”
M.Qayyum said, “. No other government has ever taken such a cruel decision during my 30 years business life in the market. The closing time should be 10 rather than 8pm.”
Waseem Ahmad, at Ilmi Book Centre Abpara, said, “We are suffering10-15 % loss due to load-shedding at 8pm, what problem the government has when we are using our own generators to cater for the energy needs of the shop?”
Not conforming to the majority, M.Tariq at Modern Bakers appreciated it saying it is a landmark decision to inculcate discipline in our Nation.”
On the other hand the shoppers also feel a rush of blood when the closure time approaches and a panic can be seen on their faces.
A lady in her 70s named Ruqqyya Bibi at Super Market criticized saying “I have been residing in the capital for the last 43 Years, I still remember the golden days of Ayub Khan when everything was cheap. We have to die one day but this government has given us untimely death in the form of price-hike, load-shedding and closure of markets to destroy the business community.”
“It is too hot to shop during the day, “said Mussarat Tanweer, at Super Market as she rushed towards a closing shop to buy something.
Another shopper at Abpara Market named Saima Yaqoob , resident of G-6 Sector, said, “I am a teacher in the evening shift at a local school and return home round 7:30; my husband comes back from office in the evening. How can I buy the grocery items and other things of necessity? I don’t know what sin we have committed for which we have to pay the price!”
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