Cholistan Jeep Rally

After Multan , Lake Saif-ul-Mulook , Murree & other interesting visits we just made another visit , which is unbelievable. Wow !!! Atlast got the chance to visit Cholistan during the Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally. No doubt, i am unable to express the feelings which i had at the time of visit.Well no more i'll make you guys feel bore and come to the point ...

INTRODUCTION:   Cholistan Jeep Rally event arranged by TDCP( Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab) started from the the year 2005 and it got fame very rapidly. The main reason behind this was to promote southern Punjab tourist locations so that the tourists finds it an interesting destination, to show the world the history of of Cholistan and a way to introduce motor sports in Pakistan but I find only motor jeeps there nothing else.The event is annually run in the Cholistan Desert venue.  The rally helds near the Derawar Fort in Bahawalpur. Derawar Fort Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This majestic desert is 30 Km away from Bahawalpur, and comprises an area of approximately 16K sq.km, which extends up to the Thar Desert, and over to Sindh. Camel and Jeep Safaris would be the most suitable ways to travel in this desert and Tours in the Cholistan Desert give tourists the opportunity to learn and experience an adventurous life.The Jeep Rally affords an opportunity to visit Derawar Fort, the most famous among the many ancient forts that are located in the Cholistan Desert. The rally is held with cooperation of the following stake holders. • Houbara Foundation International Pakistan  • Pakistan Army  • Punjab Rangers  • Cholistan Development Authority  • Punjab Wildlife Department  • Bhalwalpur 4 wheel club (Host Club)  • Motor Sports Club Pakistan  • Bahawalpur 4x4 Club  • Punjab Motor Racing Club  • District Govt. Bhalwalpur  • Bhalwalpur Police  • Print and Electronic media  • Auto Racing Club Pakistan  • Lahore 4 Wheel Drive Club

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Branchless Banking

Branchless banking can be defined as a strategy in financially including the unbanked, low income masses. Or in other words, it is the strategy with which financial services are provided as well as expanded through the growth of technology. Branchless banking eases the clients to use banking services regularly without even physically visiting the bank branch. The common bank going reasonsof technology. Branchless banking eases the clients to use banking services regularly without even physically visiting the bank branch. The common bank going reasons such as,

·        Transactions

·        Cash withdrawals

·        Deposit

·        Paying utilities

·        Transfers

·        Balance queries

·        Insurance purchase

·        Investments

Pakistan has become one of the fastest developing markets for branchless banking in the world. One can never imagine a developing country like Pakistan treading in this path, but it actually is, from easy accessing to providing banking facilities to the inclusion of the poor in the financial banking activities, 90% of the total banking branches are availing the real time online mobile banking services in the countr

                                   This advantageous strategy is not only benefitting the urban population but also it has reduced greater number of problems faced by the people living in rural areas. The people used to rely on informal services that were too expensive for them and had no guaranteed security of funds. With the various branchless banking services like Telenor’s ‘Easypaisa’with United Bank Limited with their ‘Omni’, Zong with Askari Bank launched ‘Timepey’, and Mobilink with Waseela Bank the access to financial services in widened and Both the Urban and Rural population are being facilitated enormously. Furthermore branchless banking services by Ufone with Rozegar Microfinance Bank and Warid with Al-Falah Bank will be launched in this financial year.

              The financial landscape of Pakistan is drastically evolving in the most blissful manner, with efforts of branchless banking leading the telecommunication market by virtue of excellent network, fulfilling services and catering to the unbanked population with the business intelligence.

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IMRAN KHAN in a Single View

Imran Khan is a former Pakistan cricket team captain and a great Pakistani politician. He was born on 25 November 1952 in Lahore.  He studied at Oxford and became a Champion cricketer. He played international cricket for about 2 decades in the late 20^th century. He led Pakistan to the 1992 Cricket World Cup. After retiring from cricket, he joined Politics and formed his own political party “PakistanTehreek-i-Insaaf”. Besides his political activities he is also a Cricket Commentator, Philanthropist, Chancellor of University of Bradford and the Founding Chairman of Board of Governing of Shoukat Khanum Memorial CancerHospital and Research Center.

Imran Khan - Chairman of PTI

Imran Khan belongs to Niazi Shermankhel tribe of Mianwali. He is the son of Ikram Ullah Khan, who was a civil engineer. His family is settled in Lahore. He is the only brother of four sisters. He was educated at Cathedral School in Lahore and Royal Grammar School Worcester in England.  He was enrolled to study Politics and Economics in Keble College, Oxford. Where he graduated in Politics with a second-class degree and third in economics. His mother Shoukat Khanum belongs to a Burki family which has produced hockey players and also cricketers like Javed Burki and Majid Khan.

In his early life, Imran Khan developed an interest in Cricket, which is an extremely popular sports in Pakistan. While at University, Imran was also the captain of Oxford University cricket team in 1974. He played Test Cricket between 1971 to 1992 for Pakistan. He is among the finest all-rounder and the greatest fast bowler. He was one of the most popular captain of Pakistan and under his leadership team won the maiden Cricket World Cup in 1992.

Imran Khan with World Cup 1992 Trophy

After getting retirement from cricket, Imran founded Shoukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Lahore on 29 December 1994 in the memory of his mother “Shoukat Khanum” who died of the cancer. It is a charitable cancer hospital with 75% free care. Imran Khan is currently working as a chairman of the hospital and raise funds through charity and public donations.

In 1995, Imran Khan married Jemima Goldsmith the daughter of late British Billionaire. Jemima embraced Islam before she married to Imran Khan. As an agreement of marriage, Imran spent four month per year in England. In 2004, it was announced that they have divorced because it was difficult for Jemima to adopt life in Pakistan. They have 2 sons Suleman Khan and Qasim Khan.

In 1997, Imran Khan started a socio-political movement known as Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf. The purpose of this party is to bring justice to the country, specially via an independent judiciary. As a politician, his vision is to turn up Pakistan into a just society based on the human values by creating an independent and honest judiciary that will uphold judiciary, protect human rights and ensure the rule of law and order by promoting a merit based system. His political ideal is famous poet-philosopher Allama Dr Mohammad Iqbal.

Imran Khan has now appeared as a savor for youth and most of the young people have come together under his banner to get rid of the family politics and other ruling elites of the country. He was elected Member of National Assembly (MNA) in the elections of 2002. During his entire political career, present period is the peak hour for him and now he enjoys a strong support by people from all over the Pakistan especially his base power is the youth of the country and this is the reason that many international observers has named Imran Khan as the most favorite and beloved leader of Pakistan.

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Reality behind Valentine's day...!!!

Pagan origins of Valentine's day

The first information about this day  is found in pre-christian Rome,when Pagan would celebrate the "Feast of the Wolf" on feb,15th also known as the "Feast of Lupercalius" in honour of pastoral gol Lupercalis(who had many love affairs with nymphs and goddesses),Februata Juno(the Roman goddess of women 7 marriage), and the pan (the roman GOD of nature).On this day, young women would place their names in an urn,from which boys would randomly draw to discover their companion(without any moral restrictions) for the day,the year and sometimes the rest of their lives.These partners exchange gifts as a sign of affection and love for each other.

Likewise, virtually naked,arrow shooting picture of Cupid on valentine cards is a peculiar symbol of valentine and according to Roman mythology,is the son of Venus(the goddess  of love and beauty),who induces love in people by shooting his arrow at them.

CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE

When Christianity came onto the scene in Rome,it wanted to replace this feast with something more in line with its ethics and morality.A number of christians decided to use Feb,14th ; a day on which the Italian Bishop St.Valentine was executed by the Roman emperor Claudius 2 for conducting secret marriages of military men(forbidden to marry) in the year 270CE.According to the details,during the time of Roman Emperor claudius 2 due to the continuous infighting.Rome was the center point of wars.The declining figure of male fighters(as men would not want to leave their wives and go the bettle front) in his army forced him to impose a ban on marriages.So that young man may be persuaded to go on the battlefront. St.Valentine started performing secret marriages at that time .When his actions were revealed,Claudius threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution.

In prison,he fell in love with the jailer's daughter,who would visit him but this was a secret because according to Christian law,Priests and monks were forbidden to fall in love or marry.But he is still regarded highly by the Christians because of his steadfastness in adhering to Christianity when the emperor offered to pardon him if he renounced Christianity and worshipped the roman gods.He also offered him to be his closest confidantes and he would make him his son-in-law.

However,Valentine refused his offer and preferred Christianity.He was executed on 14th,feb 270 CE,the eve of feb15th on the festival of Lupercalis.Before he died,he wrote a letter to jailor's daughter and  the closing of the letter read as "From your valentine".These very words are used on most of the Valentine's greeting cards in commemoration of the same incident.

There atleast three different St.valentine ,all of whom are christian martyrs of feb14th.It was in the year 496 CE that Pope Gelasius officially changed the feb15th Lupercalia festival to the feb14th St.Valentine's day to give christian meaning to a Pagan festival.Pope ordered a slight change in the lottery for young women during the Pagan festival .Instead of the names of young women ,the box would contain the names of saints,men & women were allowed to draw from the box and whoever draw the name of the respective saint,he would copy his( saint's )ways for the rest of the year ...

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Lack of Health Facilities in Villages - Reasons

67% of the total population of our homeland lives in rural areas. Yet saddeningly, they do not receive even half of the health facilities the people of urban areas avail as if they are inexistant in our geographic boundaries.

The health sector has been neglected very badly by the government. Our politicians, up till now, clearly are uninterested to improve the situation.

Health facilities in Pakistan are insufficient due to several reasons elaborated below:

1. Lack of Resources: Due to limited resources, the government is unable to build hospitals and dispensaries in villages.                                                                 
2. High Population Growth Rate: As the population increases day by day, the existing healthcare facilities are not enough for the people. 
3. Doctors Unwilling to go to Villages for Service: Doctors are usually unwilling to go to villages to offer their services to the people. They feel uneasy towards the rural customs and traditions.
4. Poverty: Poverty is also another main reason for the hindrance. The miserable financial state of villagers does not allow them to spend money on health issues. They manage their dinner with difficulty. In such a case, caring for their health would be quite a luxury for them!!
5. Low Literacy Rate: People living in rural areas are usually not much educated. They do not pay much attention when someone is ill and depend upon the Maulvi Sahib to tell them Duas for cure.
6. Widespread Communicable Diseases: Some diseases are easily spread. Once a person catches it, the whole neighbourhood has the same disease.

These issues must be solved in order to provide a better lifestyle to the people living in the rural areas of Pakistan.

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Death of a True Hero - Big Loss for the Nation

Dr Muhammad Ali Shah was a renowned Orthopedic surgeon, Sindh Chief Minister special advisor and formal sports minister of Sindh. He was also a member of governing board of Pakistan Cricket Board. He was not only a distinguished orthopedic surgeon but also a good player of cricket and a promoter of sports. He was also elected as a member of Sindh Assembly from PS – 103 in the general elections of 2008 on an MQM ticket.

Dr Muhammad Ali Shah

               He was born on Oct 26^th, 1946 in Bareilly, India. His family migrated to Pakistan. He passed his intermediate examination in 1965 and then completed his graduation from DOW Medical College in 1970. He earned his MRCS fellowship from Royal College of Surgeons, England, in 1976, LRCP from Royal College of Physicians, London, in 1978, FRCS from Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow and Edinburgh, in 1978 and LMSSA from University of London in 1980.

               Dr Shah has 2 wives and three sons. He was the son of a retired judge Syed Asghar Ali Shah. He had a passion for cricket. He built a cricket stadium in North Nazimabad, Karachi, named after his father, to indulge his passion. In appreciation for his contribution in sports, he was awarded Pride of Performance in 1996, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in 2003 and Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2009. His love for sports also took him to different countries including Austrailia, UAE, South Africa, India, New Zealand, UK, USA, etc.

               He was also associated with different organizations. He was the president of Pakistan Orthopedic Association, president of Karachi Cricket Association, president of Karachi Region, PCB, president of Private Hospital and Clinical Association, president of Sindh Olympic Association and an English Cricket Commentator at Radio Pakistan.

               Dr Shah resigned from the Sindh Assembly in December on account of possessing dual nationality. He was currently serving as an advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh. Last year he successfully organized cricket matches between World XI and Pakistan XI in Karachi providing a return of international cricketers to the country when no country was willing to undertake a tour. He also had announced plans of a hockey match along the same lines.

Dr Mohammad Ali Shah with Shahid Afridi and Sanath Jaysuriya

               Dr Mohammad Ali Shah was a cancer patient. He was undergoing the process of chemotherapy in a hospital in Houston, USA. During this process he had a heart attack and left this world. He died on 4^th Febraury, 2013 in Houston at the age of 67. The death of Dr Muhammad Ali Shah is a great loss for Pakistan. His all friends and colleagues are very disappointed on his death. MQM chief Altaf Hussain expressed deep sorrow over the demise and express his condolence to his family. 

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5th February : Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day has been observed on 5^th February each year since 1990 in Pakistan as a protest against Indian control on part of Kashmir. It is a day dedicated to show Pakistan support and unity with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle and to pay homage to Kashmiri Martyrs who sacrificed their life struggling for the Kashmir’s freedom.

Beautiful Kashmir

               This day is observed by people throughout Pakistan and Azad Jammuand Kashmir (AJK). Kashmir Day was first proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmed of Jamat e Islami in 1990 in Pakistan. Since then, there is always a public holiday in Pakistan on 5^th February. It is an internationally recognized day observed by the people, predominantly Kashmiris worldwide. Special prayers are offered for the liberation of Kashmir and protests are carried out against the Indian Oppression of Kashmir.

               Kashmir dispute is a core issue between Pakistan and India. It has led Pakistan to face three wars and have devoted a major portion of their national incomes to defense budgets. World leaders have stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir Dispute between India and Pakistan to avoid an eventuality that may cause a catastrophe in the region. The long standing Kashmir dispute is a threat to Peace and Stability of the region and it is a major of cause of continued tension between the south Asian nuclear powers.

               It is Pakistan views that the International Community and Governing Bodies should force India to stop shedding the blood of innocent Kashmiris. However, the international communities except China refuse to interfere in this conflict and maintain that this matter should be resolved bilaterally. Government attaches the great importance to peaceful and durable solution of this dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolution and aspirations of the people of occupied Kashmir.

Protest against Indian Oppression on Kashmir

               Kashmir Day has a particular importance to major political and religious political parties of both Pakistan and AJK. All political parties including coalition partners of government, religious parties, opinion leader and people from different societies organized different procession, rallies, conferences and long marches.. They also advocate the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. People use different slogans to support the Kashmiri’s struggle and to express solidarity with them.

               President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Prime Minister of AJK and President of AJK Abdul Majid would issue some special messages related to Kashmir. They will express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. A convention will be held in Islamabad to pay a tribute to the Kashmir martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to get self-determination. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner in the honor of prominent Kashimiri leader of occupied Kashmir.

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YouTube Reopening.....

From November, December onwards the PTA has been ordering to unblock YouTube, but what is the actuality in their sayings remains a big question mark. Due to the blasphemous content that was being shown on this website, it was blocked in Pakistan in the yesteryear. It is understandable that our government in an act of protest blocked it, but thinking in a wider sense there could be other solutions as well if considered this matter thoroughly. This content surely did hurt each and every Muslim but being a Muslim, we should have thought wisely and taken measures that depict our feelings in decency. Blocking a whole website, yes would stop that offensive content from being shown, but would thereby dismantle the struggle of students who look up for this site in tutorials.

               There are kids who rely on YouTube for conceptually understanding, learning and gathering information regarding their subjects. And undoubtedly they assist themselves from it, some even look up to it rather than admitting themselves in an institute for learning something.

Youtube

               Keeping this in view, specific content on YouTube could also be blocked rather than closing the website. Enabling the safe mode option in YouTube is an option the individuals can take; after all it’s a loss students are facing due to its closure. Albeit, many take it for granted, but there are keen individuals there who assist themselves through it, be it technological, political, relating to projects’ information etc.

               According to a spokesman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, no orders were issued to reopen YouTube; the reason we here it’s reopening but see our limit while accessing it. Clearly, this is not the solution the PTA has taken; they can and should go for a better resolve of this problem, at least for the sake of those who really use it beneficially.

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Pakistani Oranges

Orange is a variety of citrus fruit which is cultivated extensively in Pakistani Punjab Province. 

"This fruit is large and orange in color, with 12 to 25 seeds and round in shape. It matures in January or February. Being a rich source of vitamin C, it has assumed special economic importance and export demand due to its high juice content and special flavour."

Oranges

The fruit is technically hesperidia, a kind of berry. It consists of several easily separated sections, each containing several seeds and juice cells, covered by a leathery peel, containing numerous oil glands. 

Different varieties of oranges include:

•  the sweet orange (also called Sangtareh in Urdu), 
•  the sour orange (also called Seville orange), and 
•  the mandarin orange, all rich in vitamin C.

Orange trees are evergreens, seldom exceeding 9 m (30 ft) in height. They are highly productive and it is not uncommon to find 1000 fruits per tree. The leaves are oval and glossy and the flowers are white and fragrant. Three essential oils are obtained from oranges:

Oranges dangling from the tree

• oil of orange, obtained from the rind of the fruit and used principally as a flavoring agent;
• oil of petigrain, obtained from the leaves and twigs and used in perfumery; and
• oil of neroli, obtained from the blossoms and used in flavorings and perfumes.

Oranges are cultivated in warm regions, although they are native to south-eastern Asia.

Oranges are used extensively in herbal medicines, beauty products, flower arrangements, household chores and not to forget the food industry where its juice, marmalade and cakes bring water in everyone's mouth.

The citrus is very low in Saturated Fats, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of B-complex vitamins such as Thiamin, Pyridoxine and Folate. It also contains Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C. These nutrients help in cutting risk for different types of cancers, chronic diseases e.g. arthritis, obesity and coronary heart diseases.

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Mustafa Ahmedzai - Pakistan's Blogger

If you are addicted to blogging and I.T., then you must have visited Muhammad Mustafa Ahmedzai's awesome blog "My Blogger Tricks".

"Belonging to NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi myself, it's a great pride for me to write on Muhammad Mustafa Ahmedzai - a leading Pakistani blogger by profession and a student of the same university! B-) "

Ahmedzai is a certified SEO Consultant, Computer Engineering Graduate, professional blogger and an outstanding web developer. He started blogging in August 2008 just when he completed his GCE A Levels Examination, and was denied a visa to USA for further higher studies. 

Being only 23 years old, he is a smart entrepreneur who manages My Blogger Tricks (MBT) and Smart Earning Methods (SEM), his two successful online blogs. MBT is the 3rd most earning blog in Pakistan, having an Alexa ranking of 10K.

MBT, hosted on Blogspot, focuses on blogger tips, social media, and SEO tips and was started in August 2008. The year 2011 was a milestone in Ahmedzai's blogging career when MBT was declared one of the top blogs, its ratings being increased.

SEM, hosted on WordPress, is about online earning methods. Started in 2012 by Ahmedzai, it is run by him alongwith two co-authors Nida Zaidi and Qasim Zaib.

Mustafa Ahmedzai's message to new bloggers:-

"When you intend to do something innovative in life, people will tell you that you cannot do it but when you prove that you can, the same person would ask you: How you did it? So don't give up and keep blogging humbly. Blogging requires a little hard work but a lot of patience. It lets you to communicate with a multicultural online world of 2.2 Billion people, each of them is eager to find out, what you have got to share. So respect this opportunity and work hard with sincerity. Blog only to spread knowledge and love. Give more value to Quality content, respect Copyrights, your readers and hate Blogging for money alone. I am blogging since four years but I still feel like a newbie and this is what keeps me pushing to do it more."

N.B.: Message copied from MBT.

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