Proud to be a Pakistani (Amazing Facts about Pakistan)

In the recent times due to rendezvous between political forces and media, an ugliest picture about my country has been portrayed in front of the world, a picture that holds no color or I am not wrong to say “It’s all black just black”. I’m the struggling to unveil the true picture that hold millions of colors, so bright and so shiny that can dazzle one’s eyes. If you are son of a soil, and you love your country as much as I do then you will help me fight against those who are painting your land as a black corner of this world. “Spread the truth as much as you can, fight for the right"

Pakistan meaning the “The land of pure” where each day the sun rises with a new hope, with an enduring majesty as the rays of light flushing down towards the snowcapped peaks of Himalaya’s and Nanga Parbat. A land where love finds a meaning in the heart warming hospitability of people, a land where history and ancient civilization mystifies one’s heart, a land where spiritualism unveils its mystery at the shrines of Sufi Saints. This is the land I belong to, this is the land I’ll die for and this is the land that defines my identity. The Invincible 167 Million : 6th largest Nation of the World.

World’s highest Polo ground at Shandur, Northern Pakistan.

Karakoram Highway : Eighth Wonder of the World

World’s Largest Deep Sea Port : Gwader

Khewra Mines : Second Largest Salt Mine in the World

Haleji Lake : Asia’s largest Bird Sanctuary

Thar Desert : One amongst the largest deserts in the World

The land of oldest Civilization : Indus Valley and Mohenjo-Daro

Pakistan: World's 9th Largest English Speaking Country

Pakistan: World 7th largest Pool of Scientists and Engineer

Pakistan: 7th largest Standing Arm Force in the World

Air force :Air Commodore MM ALAM has a world record of shooting down 5 Indian planes in less than a Minute

Pakistan : The Roof Top of the World

 Pakistan the land of grand mountain ranges, a land that holds 4 out of 14 most highest peaks in the world. K2 the second highest mountain in the world with all it’s grandeur symbolizing the pride and strength of the people of Pakistan.

Pakistan: K2 the 2nd highest mountain peak in the World

Pakistan: Nanga Parbat 9th Highest Peak in the World

Hunza is said to be a place ” Where Time Stops and Fairy Treads“, Kalash and Chitral are the natural wonders of the world where poetic verses find their inspirations from the beauty and elegance of high peak mountains, lush green fields and the fragrant breeze singing across the poplar trees. Some of the places which are not highlighted by the media but still due to their magnitude find their places on the World record books are ;
Aisa’s Highest Railway Station Kan Mehtarzai [2] that is located 2240 meters above sea level near Quetta.

Pakistan: Lalazar often termed as most beautiful place on earth

Back in Pakistan and loving it!

The second best decision I ever made in my life was to come back to Pakistan. The best decision I made was teaching in this country that has been labelled as the ‘most’ dangerous country in world.
Michael Kugelman, the program associate for South Asia at the  Woodrow Wilson Centre, recently wrote a blog for Dawn about the return of expats to Pakistan. He concluded the article with a question to expats about what it is like to be back.
This is a question posed to me almost on a daily basis by anyone I meet who discovers I have returned after having studied abroad.
I’m back because I am a Pakistani; I belong here and Pakistan has been great to me so far. After having lived abroad for six years, I don’t regret boarding the flight back to Pakistan for good.
While the good food and being amongst my own people feels fantastic, the best part of living in Pakistan is the amount of positive work one can do here. I didn’t want to be one of those expats living abroad who sat at the dinner table and argued about the pitiable state of Pakistan, their biggest fear being coming back.
As ambitious as it sounds, I wanted to be the one to go back and start working from bottom up. I wanted to connect with the people on ground, and understand what the root cause was for the problems faced by the locals, and perhaps help clear the mess, if there was any.
Teaching was one of the best ways to achieve all that, so I joined NUST and Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) where, of course, a month’s salary was equal to what my friends graduating from Cambridge were earning in a day!
However, an incident changed my entire perspective about the salary.
In the first month of teaching in Pakistan a student from Balochistan who studies at QAU approached me and requested if I could find him a job since he was now graduating with a Master’s degree. His next statement rattled me to the very core; it shook the ground beneath me.
He was willing to work for just Rs500 a month.
Can you imagine the desperation of this man and his family?
I realised I could no longer wait for decades to be well settled enough before I started making any real contributions to the country; the time to do ‘something’ was now – not a moment later.
QAU, where students come from all over Pakistan, has been an eye-opening experience for me. The Pakistan that most of the readers of The Express Tribune know is curtailed to Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. What they don’t realise is that there is a Pakistan out there which is diverse, liberal, and intellectual. That is the real Pakistan that people in major cities are disconnected from – a Pakistan we Pakistani’s ourselves have failed to discover.
It’s been a whole year since I started teaching here, and I really don’t know if anybody is listening but what is important to me, is that I am bringing an alternate voice to the crowd. I’m no Messiah; neither have I got any ‘revolutionary’ ambitions; I’m just another brick in the wall, like many others, playing a part to build Pakistan.
In my previous blog, I mentioned how radically different my teaching methods were, and the sort of discussions I have in my classroom. I’d consider myself successful even if a handful of minds are able to look at the world from a difference perspective after attending my lectures.
Apart from teaching, a major chunk of my time is consumed by students, counselling them in higher education, job search, training them in research, hearing them out and understanding their basic requirements; basically in letting them know you care.
Before I started working, I was forewarned. I was told to be weary of what I said in my classrooms and to be cautious of attracting the attention of mullahs, the ISI, and the likes – since the society we live in is radicalised. Well, I’m proud to say, that having taught Islamic political philosophy at QAU, having critiqued the religion down to its bones, and bashing the army and the ISI, teaching at an Army university I have not once been harassed or been picked up by the agencies.
And there is a reason. The reason is that I don’t follow any political agenda in my classrooms, and the students over the course of the semester understood that. I remind them that everything I say in class is only a perspective; I don’t know the truth, and I don’t claim to know it either. I push them to do their own research. I give them a different view and challenge them to disprove it.
I have spoken to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Jamaatud Dawa (JUD) and have interacted with people from the Army and exposed them to my views. I feel there is always a way to go about things. Pakistan has a culture and code of conduct in the society just like any other society in the world. One could do or say anything one wants, without fear of harm, as long as it is done in the right manner. Problems occur when people try to push their own agenda on to the society with complete disregard of any prevailing views.
There is a Pakistan that is shown on TV, and then there is the Pakistan where I feel an enormous amount of freedom – more freedom, at times, than I felt in the United States. I only wish more Pakistani’s from good schools could come back to Pakistan and start teaching.
Good teachers, make good nations.

30 Pakistani scientists make contribution

As many as 30 Pakistani scientists working at CERN made visible contribution in the research that has finally led to discover the Higgs boson, also nicknamed the “God particle” that travels faster than light.

According to the working mechanism, 15 Pakistani scientists used to work at the main laboratory in CERN, developed in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco-Swiss border in 1954, while remaining 15 were engaged in carrying out research work simultaneously in line with the directions given by a team of senior CERN scientists using 8 MV Pelletron Tandem accelerator facility based on sophisticated technology at National Centre for Physics (NCP).

NCP’s Director General, Hamid Saleem, told this correspondent that in all, 15 physicists, ten engineers and five lasers and opto-electronics experts contributed in the research that led to the discovery being widely considered as one of the greatest achievements in the field of science.

These scientists included Dr Hafiz Hoorani, Dr Jamila Bashir Butt, Hassan Shahzad, Taimoor Khursheed, Saleh Muhammad, Muhammad Ahmad, Wajid Ali Khan, Adilur Rehman Zafar, Ishtiaq Hussain, Waqar Ahmad, Shamoona Fawad Qazi, Imran Malik, Zia Aftab and Muhammad Shariq Khan.

He said a grid having 500 computers was set up in NCP and the Pakistani scientists have so far contributed in numerous ways including detector construction, simulation, physics analysis, grid computing, computational software development and manufacturing of mechanical equipment.

The data provided by NCP stated that Pakistan has made material contribution to the tune of 10 million dollars. It also signed an agreement with CERN that doubled the Pakistani contribution from one to two million Swiss francs. With this new agreement Pakistan started construction of the resistive plate chambers required for the CMS muon system. While more recently, a protocol has been signed enhancing Pakistan’s total contribution to 10 million dollar.

Hamid Saleem said the Pakistani scientists were also among those proud fellows who were wildly applauding the most ambitious experiment held at CERN with protons being fired in 27-km tunnel in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the universe.

He said they prepared CMS detector consisting of assembling and testing of 288 Resistive Plate Chambers, helped in fabrication of mechanical pieces at the cost much less than the European cost and designed tracker alignment and other opto-electronic related work.

It is also pertinent to mention here that CERN has given best supplier award to Heavy Mechanical Complex in recognition of its services in providing necessary equipment in the preparatory phases of the experiment.

Hamid Saleem said NCP is offering basic facilities to conduct research in various fields including centrifuge, accelerator, fission and fusion, coating and metallization, medical and pharmaceutical, semi-conductor, solar, live stock, plasma sterilization, food processing and packaging.

Pakistan's Oscar winning film to be screened in India

Pakistan's lone filmmaker to win an Oscar Aqward recently, Sharmeen Obaid is really happy! Ask her the reason, and she clarifies: "The monsoons have not quite hit Pakistan yet, so most of us are still sweltering in the summer heat! But, I am really not bothered about these heat blues! As more countries continue to screen Saving Face, our launch in India takes place next week. If you happen to be in Delhi or Mumbai please reach out to the Asia Society: Saving Face screens on the 23rd and the 24th in those two cities! It's a great occasion for me!"

Pakistan bags silver medal

LAHORE, July 16: A Pakistani student won silver medal at the international mathematical Olympiad which continued for about two weeks at an Argentinean town, Mar del Plata, and concluded on Monday.
He is Syed Waqar Ali Shah, an A-level student of Pak-Turk International School, Karachi, who competed with about 550 students from 96 countries of the world.
Pakistan had sent a batch of five students to participate in the international Olympiad held every year. They were selected from thousands of students who had participated in national mathematical Olmpiad held in October last and national science talent contest of HEC. Among them 75 students getting top positions were selected who were given two-week training at Lahore.
Further tests were held selecting 40 followed by 20 and 10 and five at the last test.
It was after such a hard series of tests they were selected for the international contest. The HEC would honour the remaining four students with special awards on their return. They are: Usama Zaid Malik of Elite International School, Islamabad, Azlan Shaukat of Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, Ms Huma Sibghat of Hamza Army Public School/College, Rawalpindi, and Dilsher Ahmad of International School of Choueifat, Faisal Town, Lahore. The team was led by Prof Dr Barbu Berceanu, a foreign faculty member of Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences of GCU, Lahore and Dr Ahmad Mahmood Qureshi of FCC University, Lahore.
ASSMA Director-General Dr A.D. Raza Chaudhry, coordinator for training of the national team, said in a statement here on Monday that this year the international contests were extremely hard and tough at all stages including the grand jury. “It is, indeed, a great achievement of a Pakistani student to win silver medal competing hundreds of students from 96 countries. The nation must be proud of the achievement,” he added.
He congratulated Syed Waqar Ali Shah’s teachers, especially his coaches, Dr Babu Berceanu and Dr Mircea Becheanu. He said this international victory had proved that Pakistani students had great talent and could also win gold medal in future. They needed expert coaching and training in mathematics. He said HEC and GCU, Lahore, had commendable efforts to raise the standard of science education, particularly mathematical science by providing the best international faculty to Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences.

Pakistani cadet wins prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ at Sandhurst

CAMBERLEY: A young Pakistani cadet won the prestigious “Sword of Honour” for overseas cadets at the annual Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst here.Officer Cadet Muhammad Talha Zahid from Pakistan Army attended the academy during 2011/12 along with cadets from well over 30 countries.
“I am the 5th Pakistani cadet to have achieved this honour since Pakistan Military Academy started sending its graduates here. I am thankful to my trainers and my family for all the encouragement they have provided. I am honoured that I was able to win this for Pakistan,” he told Geo News in an interview.

Not only this, Talha Zahid also became the first ever cadet here for a single year to have also won awards in the categories of The Best Student (Best in Over all Academics), the Best in Defence Studies and the Best in International Affairs Studies.

The second Pakistani Officer Cadet was Waleed Bashir whose Regiment was declared the best. He told Geo News: “I am honoured that I was able to attend the prestigious Sandhurst Academy. The experience was brilliant and we were able to meet cadets from all over the world. Every cadet seemed very impressed with the professionalism Pakistan army exhibits. Pakistan’s recognition this year is testimony to the fact that Pakistan Army is one of the best armies in the world.”

His Royal Highness Filed Marshal the Duke of Kent, who was the chief guest for the annual parade said Talha excelled in every area of the training and proved that he was the best cadet for the honour. Addressing more than 300 cadets, the Duke of Kent told the young cadets that soon they will join duty at the front line, including in trouble spots such as Afghanistan, and they are always expected of delivering the best professional service. He told the cadets that their success was only a one stage forward to becoming effective officers and testing conditions awaited them. He said the course at the Sandhurst was deliberately designed to bring out the best amongst the cadets.

Wajid Shamsul Hasan, High Commissioner of Pakistan and Colonel Omer Ahmed Bokhari, Army and Air Adviser attended the commissioning ceremony.Wajid Shamsul Hasan commented: “The commissioned officer has shown how Pakistan has a premium army which is becoming ever more renowned for its high professional caliber and the ethos that it teaches to the young cadets like the ones who have made their country proud here today.”

Waleed Bashir’s parents travelled from Bagh Azad Kashmir especially for this occasion. “We are overjoyed that Pakistan has won the Sword of Honour this year,” they said.

Oscar-winning Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker inspired by Canada

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy says her work is inspired by Canada's stance on many human rights issues.

The Pakistani-born journalist, who became a Canadian citizen after moving to Toronto in 2004, won the Academy Award for best documentary short.

The dual citizen was recognized for her film Saving Face, billed as the first from Pakistan to win an Oscar.

It follows the struggles of women who have been disfigured by acid attacks, usually inflicted by husbands or relatives.

Obaid-Chinoy was born and raised in Karachi but married a Canadian citizen and now splits her time between Toronto and her various filming locales.

At Sunday's Oscar ceremony, the producer took the stage with director Daniel Junge to dedicate the award "to all the women in Pakistan who are working for change."

Reached Monday in Los Angeles, Obaid-Chinoy described the win as "stunning, overwhelming, unbelievable."

"And of course, very gratifying," said Obaid-Chinoy, whose husband was also born in Pakistan but moved to Canada after studying in the United States.

"We had been getting favourable feedback from people who had gone to see the film ... but the other films that we were competing against were also tremendous films with filmmakers who had been nominated for the Academy Award before. We thought that we had a chance but certainly we didn't think we were the front-runners."

The 40-minute Saving Face follows several women who have been disfigured by acid violence and chronicles the efforts of a doctor to reconstruct their faces and restore their dignity. It airs March 8 on HBO Canada.

"I'm inspired by the stance that Canada takes on many human rights situations," Obaid-Chinoy said of the influence she's felt from her adopted homeland.

"I've been able to meet some wonderful people in Canada and ... I have a community of filmmakers that I work with in Canada often — editors and cameramen and the film community is very supportive."

During her acceptance speech at the Oscar bash, Obaid-Chinoy dedicated her win to the women of Pakistan.

"Don't give up on your dreams. This is for you," said Obaid-Chinoy, also an Emmy award-winning film producer and journalist.

Backstage, she noted that Pakistan had a vibrant film industry in the '50s and '60s but that things have since changed.

"And now my generation, there are a number of filmmakers ... trying to revive that, but it's few and far between," she said in a transcript provided by the academy.

"And I hope that this will be an impetus to getting a more flourishing film industry in Pakistan."

Obaid-Chinoy said Hollywood's star-packed bash provided a startling brush with fame after she claimed the gold statue. She said the first two people she ran into backstage were A-listers Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

"And because Angelina has a connection to Pakistan, because she's been there, it was really nice to chat with her about that and give her a copy of our film," said Obaid-Chinoy.

Pakistani girl tops Biology exam at Cambridge exam

Zoha Abdullah Malik got 1st Position in BIOLOGY all over the world in O'LEVEL exam

 University of Cambridge International Exams results

250 students to receive Cambridge awards
Islamabad, Jan 31: As many as 250 students would receive awards for exceptional performance in the University of Cambridge International Examinations, including 53 who achieved highest marks in the world and 48 who attained the highest marks in Pakistan in a single subject.

The University of Cambridge International Examinations has announced the winners of the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, Pakistan. The awards celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of secondary school learners in Pakistan in the June 2010 Cambridge Examination Session.

Additionally, learners who have achieved top results for Cambridge ‘O’ Level Statistics, which is taken during the November examination session, will be recognised for their achievements. Many schools would be hosting individual awards ceremonies to celebrate achievements of their students.

According to the information, learners who have achieved the total highest cumulative marks across a number of subjects will also be recognised for their success. The winning learners outperformed thousands of candidates worldwide who sat examinations in Cambridge ‘O’ Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International ‘AS’ and A ‘Level’ subjects so it is a tremendous achievement.

These outstanding results are recognised by employers and universities around the world as proof of academic excellence.

Cambridge’s Regional Manager for Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan William Bickerdike in his statement said, “I am very proud to congratulate learners across the country on their outstanding results in the Cambridge examinations. The results are a reflection of the enormous talent in Pakistan, not only amongst the learners but also within the teaching profession,” he said.

He said that a great deal of hard work and dedication from the learners, as well as support from their schools and families are behind these awards. “Cambridge qualifications develop independent learners, and prepare young people for success in their further studies and beyond. These learners have a bright future ahead of them, and I wish them well,” he added.

Urwat Til Vusqa and Haran Bhatti from Beaconhouse Public School System, Islamabad, topped in the world in Cambridge ‘O’ Level Examinations in the subjects of Mathematics and Religious Studies respectively. Sana Munir from the Roots Montessori and High School topped in the world in Cambridge ‘IGCSE’ in the subject of Pakistan Studies. Tanvah Hameed from Beaconhouse School System topped in the world in Cambridge International ‘A’ Level examinations in the subject of Psychology.

In Karachi Cambridge ‘O’ level examinations, as many as 15 students topped in the world in different subjects. The students who managed to bag top positions included the names of Aeman Muneeb (Additional Mathematics) from Beaconhouse School System-Jubilee Campus, Muhammad Saad Hussain (Additional Mathematics) from Beaconhouse School System-Defence Campus, Rehan Elahi (Additional Mathematics) from Karachi Grammar School, Swaleha Khalid Petiwala (Additional Mathematics) from St Michael’s Convent School, Syed Muhammad Abdullah Zehravi (Additional Mathematics) from Happy Home Secondary School, Usman Beg (Additional Mathematics) from St Michael’s Convent School, Zohaib Husain (Additional Mathematics) from Karachi Grammar School.

Besides that Ansab Wazir Ali Chopsi (Economics) from Beaconhouse School System-Jubilee Campus, Areeba Ambreen Tariq (English Language) from Foundation Public School, Suha Gillani (English Literature) from Karachi Grammar School, Aeman Muneeb ( Mathematics) from Beaconhouse School System-Jubilee Campus, Ansharah Riaz (Mathematics) from The Mama Parsi Girls’ Secondary School, Azzah Maryum Hyder (Mathematics) from Karachi Grammar School, Meiryum Muhammad Ali (Mathematics) from Karachi Grammar School and Annum Aftab (Principles of Accounts) from St. Patrick Girls’ High School topped in the world. Besides that Abdul Rafey Siddiqui (Statistics) from St Patrick High School has also topped in the world in November 2010 examination session.

Alizeh Tariq Paracha (History) from Karachi Grammar School topped in the world in Cambridge International ‘AS’ level, Tabish Jaleel Sheikh (Business Studies) from Karachi Grammar School, Arwa Snees Rangoonwala (Economics) from Karachi Grammar School and Nasir Altaf (Economics) from Karachi Grammar School topped in the world in Cambridge International ‘A’ level June 2010 examination session.

In Lahore Cambridge level June 2010 examination session, in the subject of Additional Mathematics Hamid Ali from Lahore Grammar School, Irtiza Sohail Butt from Aitchison, Lahore, Muhammad Saif-ur-Rehman from Lahore Grammar School, Mustafa Khalid from Lahore Grammar School, Saba Rahid from Lahore Grammar School bag top position.

Suhail Idrees (Biology) from Lahore Grammar School, Suhail Idrees (Business Studies) from Lahore Grammar School, Asif Yasir (Chemistry) from Ibne Sina College, Syed Muhammad Mashhood Ali Bokhari (Combined Science) from Bloomfield Hall, Umar Farooq Bhatti (Combined Science) from British Council, Muhammad Daniyal (Commerce) from Hamdard Public School, Noorzadeh Salman Raja (English Language) from Lahore Grammar School, Osama Sajid (Geography) from Lahore Grammar School topped in the world.

In Mathematics Syllabus D, Hassan Saeed from Crescent Model Higher Secondary School, Junaid Saleem from Sharif Educational Complex, Khizer Hussain from Lahore Grammar School, Mehwish Akhlaq from Beaconhouse Faisalabad Chapter, Misha Nasir Jamy from Lahore Grammar School, Mohammad Saif-ur-Rehman from Lahore Grammar School, Reesha Arshad from St Peter’s High School, Suhail Idrees from Lahore Grammar School and Syed Zaman Sajjad from Beaconhouse-Defence, Lahore, have topped in the world.

Besides that Suhail Idrees (Physics) from Lahore Grammar School, Fatima Kanwal (Second Language Urdu) from Lahore Learning Campus, Hashim Bukhari (Second Language Urdu) from Resource Academia, Muhammad Haisum Maqsood (Second Language Urdu) from Divisional Model College, Faisalabad, and Noor ul Ain (Second Language Urdu) from Divisional Model College, Faisalabad, topped in the world.

In Cambridge International ‘A’ level June 2010 examination session, Sana Waheed (Biology) from Engro Grammar School, Daharki, Rooshanie Nadia Ejaz (Geaography) from British Council, Lahore, Ahmad Sajjad Cheema (History) from British Council, Lahore, Ghazal Noor Amar (Law) from Beaconhouse Defence, Lahore, Shaiza Ahmed (Sociology) from Lahore Grammar School, Talha Bin Mohsin (Thinking Skills) from Lahore Grammar School, Abdul Sammad Nasir (Mathematics) from Lahore Grammar School, Sana Waheed (Mathematics) from Engro Grammar School, Daharki, topped in the world.

Development of nuclear weapons

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 led to Pakistan losing roughly 56,000 square miles (150,000 km2) of territory as well as losing millions of its citizens to the newly created state of Bangladesh. It was a psychological setback for Pakistanis; Pakistan had lost its geo-political, strategic, and economic influence in South-Asia. Furthermore, Pakistan had failed to gather any moral support from its key allies, the United States and the People's Republic of China. Isolated internationally, Pakistan seemed to be in great mortal danger, and quite obviously could rely on no one but itself. At United Nations Security Council meeting, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto drew comparisons with the Treaty of Versailles which Germany was forced to sign in 1919. There, Bhutto vowed never to allow a repeat. Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was "obsessed" with India's nuclear program, that is why Bhutto immediately came up with the idea of obtaining nuclear weapons to prevent Pakistan from signing another 'Treaty of Versailles' as it did in 1971. At the Multan meeting on January 20, 1972, Bhutto stated, "What Raziuddin Siddiqui, a Pakistani, contributed for the United States during the Manhattan Project, could also be done by scientists in Pakistan, for their own people." Raziuddin Siddiqui was a Pakistani theoretical physicist who, in the early 1940s, worked on both the British nuclear program and the US nuclear program. Although a few Pakistanis worked on the Manhattan Project who were also willing to return and do the same for their native Pakistan, Prime Minister Bhutto still needed to recruit and bring in other Pakistani nuclear scientists and engineers who never worked in the United States. This is where Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a German educated metallurgical engineer, came into the picture. Some of the initial funding came from oil-rich Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia.

In later years, some funding for the continuation of the nuclear development programme came from the large British Pakistani population. In December 1972, Science Advisor to the President, Dr. Abdus Salam had called theoretical physicists from ICTP to report of Munir Ahmad Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. This marked the beginning of the "Theoretical Physics Group" (TPG). Later, Pakistani theoretical physicists at Institute of Physics of Quaid-e-Azam University also joined the TPG headed by Salam. The TPG, in PAEC, was assigned to took research in the development of nuclear weapon devices, and it had directly reported to Abdus Salam. Professor Salam also had done the groundbreaking work of the "Theoretical Physics Group", which was initially headed by Salam until in 1974 when he left the country in protest. On other side, Munir Ahmad Khan began to work on indigenous development of nuclear fuel cycle and the weapons programme. Munir Ahmad Khan, with his life long friend Abdus Salam, had done a groundbreaking work in the nuclear development, and after Salam's departure from Pakistan, scientists and engineers who were researching under Salam, began to report to directly to Munir Ahmad Khan. In 1974, Munir Ahmad Khan, days after Operation Smiling Buddha, launched the extensive plutonium reprocessing and uranium enrichment programme, and the research facilities were expanded throughout the country.

In 1965, amidst skirmishes that led up to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced:
“     If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass and leaves for a thousand years, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own. The Christians have the bomb, the Jews have the bomb and now the Hindus have the bomb. Why not the Muslims too have the bomb?


In 1983, Khan was convicted by a Dutch court in absentia for stealing the blueprints, though the conviction was overturned on a legal technicality. A.Q. Khan then established a proliferation network through Dubai to smuggle URENCO nuclear technology to Khan Research Laboratories. He then established Pakistan's gas-centrifuge program based on the URENCO's Zippe-type centrifuge.

Through the late 1970s, Pakistan's program acquired sensitive uranium enrichment technology and expertise. The 1975 arrival of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan considerably advanced these efforts. Dr. Khan is a German-trained metallurgist who brought with him knowledge of gas centrifuge technologies that he had through his position at the classified URENCO uranium enrichment plant in the Netherlands. He was put in charge of building, equipping and operating Pakistan's Kahuta facility, which was established in 1976. Under Khan's direction, Pakistan employed an extensive clandestine network in order to obtain the necessary materials and technology for its developing uranium enrichment capabilities.

A new directorate, known as Directorate of Technical Development (DTD) under Dr. Zaman Sheikh and Hafeez Qureshi, was established in March 1974 by Munir Ahmad Khan. The DTD was tasked to manufacture chemical explosive lenses, trigger mechanism, and tempers used in atomic weapon. The DTD was later charged with testing Pakistan's first implosion design in 1978, which was later improved and tested on 11 March 1983 when PAEC carried out Pakistan's first successful cold test of a nuclear device, codename Kirana-I. Between 1983 and 1990, PAEC carried out 24 more cold tests of various nuclear weapon designs. DTD had also manufactured a miniaturized weapon design by 1987 that could be delivered by all Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft.

Also, Dr. Ishrat Hussain Usmani’s contribution to the nuclear energy programme, is also fundamental to the development of atomic energy for civilian purposes as he, with efforts led by Salam, established PINSTECH, that subsequently developed into Pakistan’s premier nuclear research institution. In addition to sending hundreds of young Pakistanis abroad for training, he laid the foundations of the Muslim world’s first nuclear power reactor KANUPP, which was inaugurated by Munir Ahmad Khan in 1972. Thus, Usmani laid solid groundwork for the civilian nuclear programme Scientists and engineers under Munir Ahmad Khan developed the nuclear capability for Pakistan within early 1980s, and under his leadership the PAEC had carried a cold test of nuclear device at Kirana Hills, evidently made from non-weaponized plutonium. Former chairman of the PAEC, Munir Ahmad Khan was credited as one of the pioneers of Pakistan's atomic bomb by a recent study from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London's dossier on Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.

Pakistani astrophysicist

Dr. Prof. Muhammad Shahid Qureshi or Shahid Qureshi, he is best known as Dr. M. Shahid Qureshi, is a Pakistani astrophysicist and a renowned astronomer. He is an academic and an eminent educationist from Pakistan who has published articles in the fields of astrophysics and astronomy. He is the assistant professor of astrophysics and astronomy at Karachi University and Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA), and also leading ISPA, the country's prominent institution in the field of planetary astrophysics and planetary astronomy. He previously served as an assistant professor of mathematics.

He is an avid supporter of science and technology in Pakistan and has helped directing documentaries concerning about the astrophysics and astronomy. He has also appeared in Geo Television and Dawn News frequently where he briefed the nation on Solar eclipse of July 22, 2009.

He graduated and received a B.Sc. with Honors in Applied Mathematics from Department of Mathematics of University of Karachi in 1979. He then received his M.Sc. in Mathematics from the same institution with specialization in Quantum mechanics, and Astronomy in 1983. In between, he served United Bank Limited, Karachi as a computer programmer to earn his living. In 1983, after getting his Master's degree, he joined as a fellow the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, where he joined the "Mathematical Physics Group", and did preliminary research there.

He left PINSTECH in 1984, and moved to Karachi, Sindh. He joined University of Karachi as a lecturer to fulfill his dream to become a professor of Mathematics. Under the supervision of noted quantum theorist and renowned particle physicist Dr. Khursheed Ather Siddiqui, he did his M.Phil. in Particle physics from University of Karachi, writing a thesis and covered major area in the field of "Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics". In 1989, he moved to the Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics on the directions of the then-Vice Chancellor of University of Karachi, Dr. Zafar Saeed Saifi. Qureshi did his Ph.D. in Nuclear astrophysics and Astronomy from ISPA in 2008.

His doctoral thesis is on the "Earliest Visibility of New Lunar Crescent". He has occasionally lectured in the field computational mathematics at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Currently, he is serving at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi (IBA) as the Chaiperson, Department of Mathematical Sciences of the Faculty of Computer Science.

Qureshi joined the teaching profession in 1984 at the University of Karachi. Later, he joined Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. For a brief period he also the Department of Computer Science as a full time Faculty member. Besides, he also taught as visiting faculty at various private sector Universities in Karachi including Institute of Business Administration.

He is a well-known astrophysicist in Pakistan. And, he has given numerous interviews to the media, concerning the fields of physical cosmology, astronomy, and astrophysics. He played an important role in re-establishing the Karachi University's Astronomical Observatory. As a noted space scientist at ISPA, he is engaged in research on Supersymmetric quantum mechanics, lunar phase, light pollution and solar energy.

At the Karachi University, he has maintain vital relationship with the professors from Karachi University. According to him, his professors played an important role in his life and influenced him to gain his doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics. According to an interview given to the Dawn News, it was one his professor who influenced him to gain his doctorate degrees in astronomy. He laments, "In 1990, one of my professors said that very soon Pakistan will be asking the world to send us teachers to teach mathematics and physics as we ran out of them. Today I am forwarding his message: we do not have teachers to teach mathematics and physics".

In 1983, he received his M.Sc. in applied mathematics and M.Phil. in 1995 writing his thesis on Supersymmetric quantum mechanics, from Karachi University. In 2008, he was awarded his an Ph.D. in Astrophysics and Astronomy, in which he wrote his thesis on "the effects of atmospheric conditions on crescent visibility, from the Karachi University.

He has been a vocal advocate for space research in Pakistan. Qureshi had been appeared in different Pakistani news channels and educational channels in which he has been advocating for space research in Pakistan. He has been also planned and sat up the astronomical and astrophysics events at the universities and high schools. With the help of Karachi University's Physics department, he planned a "Space Week event" in ISPA on October 31, 2008.

The event was called "Planet Watch" and a numbers of high school and college students were invited. He also delivered a lecture at the conference in which he urged: "You don’t need any equipment for astronomy. All you need is a pair of eyes and curiosity about the cosmos." As he told the students.

He concluded his lectured and later discloses that he worked as part of the team at Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics that worked on the astronomical objects, astrophysical plasma, and physical cosmology. As he explained:

"According to initial cosmology, the ancients considered the planets to be a total of seven: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun and the Moon (also considered planets). Hence, the days of the week were also seven".

Qureshi's articles have been printed in international and national physics journals. He has been a known cited researcher in the field of computer programming while studying at Karachi University. He has been researching to the fields of astrophysics in relation with elementary particle physics and published numerous papers at ISPA. In relation to astrophysics to particle physics, he, once elaborate, while giving a lectured:

"The well-known grand unification theory had two directions of research in the 1980s and ’90s. The Supersymmetric theory appeared as one of the results. The empirical predictions of which, could not be tested till today, due to the absence of laboratories. We will be able to test some predictions of the supersymmetry theory when the Large Hadron Collider functions at its full capability. Particle physics and astrophysics, along wide with astronomy, has remained to explore the nature of forces in the first place and of course which is closely related to cosmology, in which we describe the structure of the universe. So the other aspect of my research was astronomy and astrophysics."

His work has been far reaching and influential. Due to lack to researches to the fields of astrophysics and astronomy; Qureshi's work has been a vital support to an academic research in astrophysics. At SUPARCO, he also helped manufacturing and setting up the space observatory along with the Chinese scientists.

He has been supporting the Satellite Launch Vehicle project program at SUPARCO. He has been also urged that Pakistan should launch its satellites via either Sonmiani or Tilla. In an interview while discussing Pakistan's status on Satellite Launch Vehicle with noted nuclear physicist Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy. While in discussion, he urged that missiles have very roboost and effective electronics and computer system, the SLVs used the similar technology. Dr. M. Shahid Qureshi also urges that Pakistan has the basic technology to build an SLV.

He discloses the discussion with Dr. Hoodbhoy and said "If we can launch a missile up to a range of 1,500 km, why not build an SLV that can launch low-atmosphere satellites?" he said. According to Dr. M.S. Qureshi, "we can begin by launching navigation, spy and weather satellites, which can go up to 1,500 km into space. This alone can give us a lot of data that we need to buy now".

    * “Climatic Variability and Linear Trend Models for Major Cities of Pakistan”, Journal of Geography and Geology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2010.
    * “A New Criterion of Earliest Visibility of New Lunar Crescent”, Sindh Univ. Res. Jour. (Sci. Sec.), 42(1), 1-18, 2010.
    * “On Origin Theories of Ring Galaxies: Observational Data and Modelling”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed. Urdu University, Karachi, 67-79, 2009
    * “Path of Best Visibility of New Lunar Crescent”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed Urdu University, Karachi, 156-161, 2009
    * “Celestial Objects’ Visibility Concern in Karachi”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed Urdu University, Karachi, 185-194, 2009
    * “Error Minimization in Polynomial Approximation of ΔT”, J. Astrphys. Astr., 29, 363-366, 2008
    * “Assessing Polynomial Approximation of ΔT”, J. basic appl. Sci., 4(1), 1-4, 2007.
    * “Methods of Calculating Crescent Lengths”, J. basic appl. Sci., 3(2), 65-72, 2007
    * “A Comparative Study of Arithmetic Lunar Calendar, Observational and Predicted Lunar Calendar for Pakistan for Years 2000-2004”, J. basic appl. Sci., 2(2), 91-103, 2006
    * “A New Variable Step Size Algorithm for Solving Initial Value Problems”, J. basic appl. Sci., 2(1), 37-44, 2006
    * “Taqweemat aur Qudrati Mazahir”, Al-Tafseer, 2(1), 101-107, 2006
    * “A Fuzzy Mathematical Model of Maximum Likelihood Estimates”, J. basic appl. Sci., 1(2), 95-100, 2005
    * “Differential Mental Growth Model”, J. basic appl. Sci. 1(1), 11-13, 2005
    * “On the Modern Approach to the earliest Visibility of Lunar Crescent”, Kar. Un. J. Isl. St., VII(I-II), 54-76, 2005
    * “From No-Go Theorems to Supersymmetry Algebra”, Kar. Univ. J. Sc., 32(1&2), 55-62, 2004.
    * “SUSY Algebra for One Dimensional Quantum Mechanical Systems and its Application”, Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 28(2), 25-32, 2000.
    * “Generalisation of Operator Method and its Application” Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 28(1), 83-94, 2000.
    * “Solvable Supersymmetric Systems", Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 23(1&2), 27-38, 1995.

young computer whiz kid and I.T. prodigy from Pakistan

Babar Iqbal  born 2 March, 1997 in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is a young computer whiz kid and I.T. prodigy from Pakistan who started computer programming at the age of 5. He came to prominence by becoming the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in the world at the age of 9, as well as obtaining the record of being the youngest CIWA aged 9, Youngest CWNA at 10, Youngest Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) at 11 and Youngest MCTS in .NET 3.5 at 12. His work has been recognised and appreciated by President Asif Ali Zardari, the National Assembly of Pakistan, interior minister Rehman Malik as well as Microsoft. Iqbal is currently based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he is undergoing training and working with Microsoft.

He is Youngest XNA Game Developer, Microsoft Surface Developer, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) @ age of 9, Youngest Certified Internet Web Professional (CIWA) @ 9, Youngest Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA), Microsoft Students Partner (MSP) @ 11 and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) @ 12. A 10 years old Babar Iqbal from Dera Ismail Khan has set a world record in the field of computer by securing 80 percent marks in an examination held in Dubai.

According to the details, Babar Iqbal participated in the examination of Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) and grabbed a world record by obtaining 80 percent marks in it. He is the youngest world record holder in the computer field and has also qualified for the trainers programme.

Babar Iqbal has earlier set world records in the fields of Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified .NET Technology Specialist and CIW.

It is pertinent to mention here that the CWNA examination is arranged by American company wherein candidates across the world participate.

Talking to APP, Babar Iqbal said that he wants to make further progress in the field of computer adding that having set three world records he has won laurels for his country and is receiving offers from a number of world reputed US companies.

His Team Explorers Won Mobile Development Award in Microsoft Imagine Cup Gulf 2011 for application/solution touch.Edu; ‘touch.Edu’ is a multi-touch Microsoft Surface, Windows 7 tablet and Windows phone 7 based interactive learning solution helping children suffering from Learning Disabilities(LD) like reading,writing,speaking,memory,maths etc in LDs like Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia

world youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

13 Year old Unema Adil has won lauels for Pakistan with her extraordinary achievment of becoming a world youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in ASP.Net .
Umema is a shining star who has made herself recognized in different fields through her talent. She is excellent in ‘naat’ recitation and has won a total of 60 certificates and shields including four times the City District’s All Karachi Naat Competition; twice the All Sindh Naat Competition, All Pakistan Naat Competition and recently Sindh Hamd-o-Naat Award.
A student of grade eight in Mama Parsi Girls’ School, Karachi, Umema has also won the Best Talent Award for her accomplishments as well as various singing competitions.

youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs)

Arfa Karim Randhawa  (born 1995), is a student from Faisalabad in Pakistan, who in 2004 at the age of 9 years, became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) in the world. She was invited by Bill Gates to visit the Microsoft Headquarters in USA. The vice president of the Software Development Division Mr. S. Somasegar wrote about it in his blog.

On returning to Pakistan, Arfa had numerous interviews on almost all of the country's known television channels and newspapers. In August 2005, Arfa Karim received the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology, presented by the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time. She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award again in August 2005 by the President of Pakistan. Arfa Karim is also the recipient of the President's Award for Pride of Performance. This is a very high level civil award granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. Arfa is till now the youngest recipient of that award ever.

Arfa Karim has also represented Pakistan on various international forums, she was invited by the IT Professionals of Dubai for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. A dinner reception was hosted for her there, which was attended by the diagnostics of Dubai including the Ambassador of Pakistan. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various medals and awards. She also flew a plane in a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10, and received the first flight certificate.

In November 2006, Arfa was invited by Microsoft to be a part of the keynote session in the Tech-Ed Developers conference held in Barcelona. The theme of the conference was "Get ahead of the game" and Arfa was presented as a true specimen of being ahead of the game. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.

As of 2011, at the age of 16, Arfa Karim is studying at Lahore Grammar School Paragon Campus in her second year of A Levels. She suffered from heart attack and now admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

Gadani ship-breaking yard

Gadani ship-breaking yard is the world's third largest ship breaking yard. The yard consists of 132 ship-breaking plots located across a 10 km long beachfront at Gadani, Pakistan, about 50 kilometres northwest of Karachi.

In the 1980s, Gadani was the largest ship-breaking yard in the world, with more than 30,000 direct employees. However, competition from newer facilities in Alang, India and Chittagong, Bangladesh resulted in a significant reduction in output, with Gadani, today, producing less than one fifth of the scrap it produced in the 1980s. The recent reduction in taxes on scrap metal has led to a modest resurgence of output at Gadani, which now employs around 6,000 workers.

In the 2009-2010 fiscal year, a record 107 ships, with a combined light displacement tonnage (LDT) of 852,022 tons, were broken at Gadani whereas in the previous 2008-2009 fiscal year, 86 ships, with a combined LDT of 778,598 tons, were turned into scrap.

Capacity
Gadani currently has an annual capacity of breaking up to 125 ships of all sizes, including supertankers, with a combined LDT of 1,000,000 tons.
Although Gadani ranks as the world's third largest ship breaking yard after Alang and Chittagong in terms of volume, it is the world's leading ship breaking yard in terms of efficiency. At Gadani, a ship with 5,000 LDT is broken within 30 to 45 days, whereas in India and Bangladesh, it takes, on average, more than six months for breaking a vessel of the same size.

Operation
Ships to be broken up are run aground on the beach under their own power, then gradually dismantled. As the weight of the ship lessens, it is dragged further onto the beach until completely scrapped. In common with many other breakers in the region, scrapping ships at Gadani uses large amounts of local cheap labor with minimal mechanical assistance.

History
Informal ship-breaking operations occurred along the Gadani coastline prior to Pakistan's independence in 1947. After independence, a group of entrepreneurs made serious efforts to develop this casual trade into a regular industry. Despite their efforts, Gadani beach at that time lacked necessary infrastructure facilities including roads, utilities or accommodation or medical services for workers.

Realizing the potential importance of the ship-breaking industry to the national economy, the Government of Pakistan announced in 1978 a number of measures including the declaration of Gadani as a port, a reduction in import duties on ships designated for breaking-up, and a government task force to address infrastructure and logistics issues.

1969 to 1983 is considered to be the golden period of the ship-breaking industry. In the 1980s, the Gadani shipbreaking industry provided employment to over 30,000 workers directly, while over half a million people earned their living indirectly, through trade and industries which used ship scrap as raw material. It was described as the largest such yard in the world.

However, increased competition from rival ship-breaking yards in Alang, India, and Chittagong, Bangladesh, coupled with relatively high import duty for decommissioned vessels, led to a disastrous decline in Gaddani's output. After producing an average of one million tonnes of scrap in the 1980s, by 2001 the yard produced less than 160,000 tonnes and for ten months had no new vessel arrivals.

In 2001, the Government of Pakistan reduced ship-breaking duties from 15% to 10% and offered further incentives if industry activity improved. The measures have been effective, with a modest increase in employment to a total of around 6,000 workers.

Pak scholars achieve top honours in Olympiads

Young Pakistani scholars brought laurels to the country by achieving top honours in International Olympiads of Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics held in different parts of the world.

All four members of the Pakistani team won bronze medals in International Biology Olympiad held in Taiwan from July 10-17, 2011. Two students won bronze medals and two honourable mentions in International Physics Olympiad hosted by Thailand from July 10-18, 2011. Two of the four Pakistani teams won bronze medals while one of them clinched honourable mention in International Chemistry Olympiad held in Turkey from July 10-18, 2011. In the International Mathematics Olympiad held from July 16-24, 2011 in the Netherlands, one student won bronze medal and one honourable mention.

In order to encourage and appreciate the winning students, an award distribution ceremony for the 7th National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) was held at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Tuesday. The students groomed under the NSTC participated in International Science Olympiads in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

The position-holders of International Biology Olympiad included Armaghan-e-Rehman Mansoor, Numra Abdul Aleem, Urooj Imdad Ali and Saneeha Shahid. The position-holders of International Physics Olympiad included Urwa Muaz, Muhammad Umer while the honour of honorary mention has been received by Salman Azmat, Ibrahim Ahmed and Khawaja Zaigham Feroz.

The high-achievers in International Chemistry Olympiad included Syed Muhammad Saad Imran, Marium Ahmed Uqaili while Amna Rashid and Uzair Ijaz Khan received the honorary mention award. The high-achiever in Olympiad of Mathematics included Waqar Ali Syed while Hammad Ali Khan Seyal, Misha Nasir Jamy and Syed Muhammad Ahmed Ghufran received the honorary mention .

Speaking on the occasion, HEC Chairman Dr. Javaid Laghari said that it was encouraging to see that the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Careers programme, a joint venture of the HEC and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, grooms and provides avenues for international competitions for these youngsters.

this is Pakistan too!

"Astola Island" [near Pasni Baluchistan 40 km from shore]. Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island and the only significant offshore  island in the northern Arabian Sea. "Arror Rock" [near Rohri in Sindh] The shape of rock was caused by unknown natural forces. There is also a Shrine on the top. This is an amazing view of a tunnel and bridge over a river on the railway track from "Rohri to Quetta". This track passes through 20 tunnels and over 368 bridges. It's the longest Railway gradient of world, and most scenic Railway ride of Asia. Headmarala , Sialkot Mountains of Jammu & Kashmir in the background. Attabad Lake also known as Hunza Lake is a lake in the Hunza Valley of northern Pakistan. The beautiful lake was formed due to a massive landslide at Attabad village in Gilgit-Baltistan, 9 miles (14 km) upstream (east) of Karimabad that occurred on January 4, 2010. Is this Great Wall of China? No. It's Wall of Sindh in Ranikot [3 hrs drive from Karachi]. It's the part of one of the Largest Fort in World, Fort of Ranikot. Kalam Valley. It is a valley along the upper reaches of the Swat River in Swat, Pakistan. Kalam Valley is known for its waterfalls, lakes and lush green hills, and is a 270 km drive from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Kachura Lake. The Kachura Lakes are two lakes in the Skardu District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. The lakes, at 2,500 metres (8,200 ft)  in elevation, are Upper Kachura Lake and Lower Kachura Lake. This is a 'Mud Volcano'. In Pakistan there are more than 80 active mud volcanoes, all of them in Baluchistan province; there are about 10 locations having clusters of mud volcanoes. In this region, the heights of mud volcanoes range between 800 to 1,550 feet (243.8 to 472.4 m). The most famous is Chandaragup. The Great Trango Tower, 6,286 m (20,608 ft). The east face of the Great Trango Tower features the world's greatest nearly vertical drop. [aka Tallest vertical mountain of world] Located in Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Pakistan. This is one of the most difficult mountains to climb. Laila Peak, Hushe, Karakoram Range, Pakistan. It has a distinctive spear-like shape. One of the most beautiful & scenic snow covered mountain of the world. The Laila peak has been climbed only twice. This is not Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand. This is Biafo Glacier - which is a 63 km long glacier in the Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan meets the 49 km long Hispar Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,824 feet) at Hispar La (Pass) to create the world's longest glacial system outside the polar regions. Makran, Pakistan. The present day Makran derived its name from Maka, a satrap of Achaemenid Empire. Maka was an important early eastern satrapy of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. K2. It is the second-highest mountain on Earth, only after Mount Everest. It has a peak elevation of 8,611 m [28,251 feet]!!! Concordia Base Camp, Pakistan. This is the view from Concordia towards the valley of the Baltoro Glacier at dawn. On the left [Paiju peaks], middle ,[Trango towers] & on the right [Grand Cathedra]. The epic Lake Saiful Muluk. It is located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley (34°52′37.34″N 73°41′37.71″E) near Naran, Pakistan. The clarity of the water comes from the multiple glaciers all around the high basin which feed the lake. Village Halmet, Neelum Valley, Pakistan. Neelum Valley is definitely another hidden pearl of Pakistan. No other valley in Kashmir can compare this valley and even most of the Pakistanis know little about it and have little visited there. Lansdowne Bridge of Rohri, Pakistan. A marvel of nineteenth century engineering, the 'longest "rigid" girder bridge in the world' at that time, was begun in 1887. Designed by Sir Alexander Meadows Rendel, the girder work weighing a massive 3,300 tons was erected by F.E. Robertson, and Hecquet. Is this Grand Canyon or Texas? No. It's Hingol National Park of Baluchistan, Pakistan. It got Mysterious Mud mountains, beautiful blue water Hingol river, desert and deep blue Arabian sea. [3.5 hrs drive from Karachi on Makran coastal highway] Cold Desert of Skardu in Pakistan. This is one of the most beautiful tourists attraction of Northern areas of Pakistan. There are huge sand plains in Skardu. Passu Peaks, Hunza, Pakistan. Mysterious mountains stand like a wall between Hunza river and valley. Uli Biaho Tower, Pakistan. It is a peak near Trango Towers and Baltoro Glacier in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It consists of two main peaks, Uli Biaho Tower (listed by Roskelley as 19,957 feet, and by Kopold as 6109 m (20,058 feet)); and Uli Biaho Peak (Kopold: 6417 m), which as of 2006 was unclimbed. Rakaposhi, Pakistan. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani [Mother of Mist]. It is situated in the Nagar valley. Nanga Parbat. It is the ninth highest mountain on Earth and among the eight-thousanders with a summit elevation of 8,126 meters (26,660 ft). It is also an immense, dramatic peak that rises far above its surrounding terrain. Karamber Lake. Karambar Pass marks the boundary between the Chitral and Ishkoman Districts of Pakistan. The Karmabar Lake is almost 3 km long  approx and it is 4300 meters above sea level. The flowers of autumns are worth seeing on this lake. Deosaid plains � Skardu Bara Pani � Deosai Dudiptsar Lake or Dudipat Lake is a lake encircled by snow clad peaks in Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park. The lake lies in the extreme north of the Kaghan Valley

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R E H A N

The doctor who made history

Dr. Bangash said that he will continue to work on more transplant procedures in October and hopes to begin pediatric transplantation next year. – Photo by Hussain Afzal / Dawn.com

KARACHI: Dr. Tariq Ali Bangash who directed Pakistan’s first successful cadaver liver transplant at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore shares his experiences regarding the historic achievement.
The inspiring lecture was organised by Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). Dr. Bangash said that Dr. Adeeb Rizvi has always been his inspiration and his father always encouraged him to be like Dr. Rizvi and nothing else. He said that Dr. Rizvi also did the homework of the first cadaver liver transplant in Pakistan.
The cadaveric liver transplant is a process in which the liver of a deceased person is transferred into a patient. In this case, the liver was donated by Mohammad Arsalan, a 16-year-old matriculation student from Lahore. Arsalan had been wounded and was admitted to the hospital three days before the transplantation and had asked his parents to donate his liver in the case of his death.
On August 13, 2011, Pakistani media highlighted the first successful attempt of a liver transplant. A team of professionals led by Dr. Bangash retrieved the liver at 3:30 pm; the transplant process started at 9:00 pm and finished the process at 5:00 am.
Dr. Bangash said that the liver was donated to Amir Raza – a 40-year-old businessman from Sialkot.
“He showed signs of rocky progress after the transplantation and after five or six days, the patient was released from the ICU and is now back at work,” Bangash added.
From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Leeds
Dr. Bangash belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and did his MBBS in 1996. He then worked with nine experts on nine different liver transplantation approaches in Leeds UK, which is now the largest transplant center in Europe, receiving up to 450 liver recipients a year.

The doctors and paramedics at SIUT at the lecture of Dr. Tariq Ali Bangash. – Photo by Hussain Afzal / Dawn.com

Two years ago, Dr.Bangash joined the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore.
He said that the waiting list is increasing as the organ shortage is getting worse every year.
“On the other hand, transplantation of complex organs – such as liver – need huge resources and expertise; it is teamwork of a variety of professionals including nutritionists, pharmacists and even social workers,” he added.
Dr. Bangash said that he will continue to work on more transplant procedures in October and hopes to begin pediatric transplantation next year.
Responding to a question Dawn.com asked regarding his return to Pakistan despite the country’s harsh situation, he said that we should remain hopeful about our country and its future.
“There are so many Pakistani professionals around the world who are willing to return to the country and soon they will,” he added.

Pak Navy Fast Attack Craft launched

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has become the first maritime force in the region that is equipped with stealth technology after its first Fast Attack Craft (FAC) equipped with missiles was launched on Tuesday. India also launched its FAC on the same day in Kochi.
"The version Pakistan has bought has far better qualities and added features including cost efficiency and multi-role in any combat activity," said an insider. "The inclusion of the FAC-M in Pakistan navy will enhance its capacity to fight against terrorism and extremism."
According to the Pakistan Navy, the FAC-M, designated as PNS Azmat was launched at Tianjin (Xingang Chinese Shipyard) in an impressive ceremony where Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Noman Bashir was the chief guest. The vessel will be the first of the Azmat class FAC, scheduled to be delivered to the Pakistan Navy within six months.
The missile craft construction project represents a quantum leap, not only in defence production in the maritime sector of Pakistan, but also addresses a long-standing operational requirement of the Navy. The fast attack craft is equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors, including the C802A surface-to-surface missile, and has stealth features. The FAC in question has a crew of 12 to 14 sailors, less than half that of similar craft. At a unit cost of an estimated $50 million each, a Navy with limited resources could afford both the financial and manpower commitment.
Admiral Noman Bashir, who has brought several innovations in Pakistan, addressed the ceremony marking the launching of FAC-M.
Acknowledging the efforts of Chinese engineers and technicians for the construction
of FAC-M, the chief guest felicitated the China State Shipbuilding Company (CSOC), Xingang Shipyard for their full cooperation and commitment in launching the craft as per schedule and remarked that this was yet another example of the unique and unparallel relations between the two countries.
"The Pakistan-China relationship is unique and does not draw any parallel in the world.
This relationship over the years has matured in all fields, particularly in defence," he said, adding that the current geo-political situation demands further strengthening of ties between the two countries.
The CNS said that this project represents a quantum leap not only in the defence production in Maritime Sector of Pakistan but also addresses a longstanding operational requirement of Pakistan Navy.
"The collaboration in this project hopefully will open new vistas of cooperation which will be yet another milestone in defence cooperation between China and Pakistan," he said, adding that the induction of the missile craft will not only supplement Pakistan's combat potential but also afford the Pakistan Navy the opportunity to distinctly uphold its forward presence in the area of interest, contributing to a balance the power in the region.
The admiral said the environment around us warrants the Pakistan navy to be prepared to counter the forces challenging our sovereignty as well as regional peace and security.
Admiral Noman Bashir said he was confident that the construction of the second fast attack craft in Pakistan will be accomplished successfully with the full cooperation ofChina.
The Indian media has reported that India added a new warship to its fleet with the commissioning of FAC in Kochi to aid in anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea. It has been named after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as Kabra.
Vice Admiral Sushil underscored the importance of relatively smaller ships like fast attack craft for a blue water navy, saying the assets were an essential inventory in peacetime for low intensity conflicts and anti-piracy operations.
It is the eighth of a series built with borrowed technology. The main armament of the ship is a 30mm CRN 91 gun. In addition, the ship has been fitted with machineguns of various types and shoulder launched surface-to-air missiles. INS Kabra has a three-officer and 39-sailor crew.

Mushahid honoured with Cambodian Award

ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain was decorated with one of the highest awards of Cambodia at an investiture ceremony held at Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The Award, Grand Order of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was awarded for  Mushahid Hussain’s services for promoting Asian causes and bringing Asian  people closer together’. The award was presented by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, while the former Speaker of the Philippines and former Vice President of Indonesia also received similar awards.

Mushahid Hussain is the first Pakistani to be so honoured by an Asian country like Cambodia, said a press release.
Before getting the Award, Mushahid Hussain also was keynote speaker at an International Forum on “Asian Century: Challenges and Prospects”, which was attended by an audience of 500 invited guests.
In his speech, Mushahid Hussain spoke about the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan since 1979, when it helped the West win the Cold War by helping to defeat the Soviet Red Army in Afghanistan and hosted the world’s biggest ever refugee population of nearly 3 million Afghan refugees for over 3 decades.
Mushahid Hussain said 3 events in 1979 had influenced the course of modern Asian history: the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan, the Iranian Revolution and China’s historic decision to reform and open up its economy, which resulted in lifting 500 million people out of poverty within a generation, now making China the world’s second largest economy.
He also referred to the resilience and sacrifices of the Pakistani people since 9/11, when over 40,000 Pakistanis were victims of terrorism, including 10,000 from the security forces.
Regarding the financial costs of the war on terror, Mushahid Hussain said while the United States was spending $ 2.5 billion every week on the war in Afghanistan, it had promised Pakistan $ 12.5 billion aid over a 5 year period,which came to the same amount of money that the US was spending in just 5 weeks of the Afghanistan War.
He also compared the US strategy in Afghanistan with the American war in Vietnam and Cambodia in the 1970s.
Mushahid Hussain also presented a profile of 21st century Pakistan, terming it as a ‘dynamic democracy with a free media, an independent judiciary and a vibrant civil society’.
The International ‘Asian Century’ Forum was also addressed by former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, and presided over by Cambodian deputy Prime Minister Sok An. Diplomats, ministers, professors and students were among those attending the forum.