National Museum Of Pakistan

The National Museum of Pakistan in Karachi, Pakistan, was established in Frere Hall Building on April 17, 1950, replacing the defunct Victoria Museum. Frere Hall itself was built in 1865 as a tribute to Sir Bartle Frere, a Commissioner of Sindh during the 19th century. The basic objective of establishing National Museum was to collect, preserve, study, and exhibit the records of the cultural history of Pakistan and to promote a learned insight into the personality of its people. Once the Museum was inaugurated then the Government of Pakistan deemed it wise to constitute an Advisory Council in 1950 with a primary duty to counsel the Museum on the issues of enriching its collection through new acquisitions and purchase of antiquities and works of Arts.

The Museum was shifted to the present premises (located in Burns Garden, Dr. Zia-ud-din Road) in 1970. At that time there were only four galleries in the Museum. However, at present there are a total of 11 Galleries in the Museum including an exquisite “Quran Gallery”. As a matter of fact National Museum has more than 300 copies of the Holy Quran (all are exactly the same), out of which around 52 rare manuscripts are on display in “Quran Gallery”. The Museum also contains an important collection of items relating to Pakistan's Cultural heritage. Some other galleries display Indus Civilization artifacts, Gandhara Civilization Sculptures, Islamic Art, Miniature Paintings, Ancient Coins and Manuscripts documenting Pakistan's Political History. There is also an interesting Ethnological Gallery with life size statues of different ethnicities living in the four provinces of Pakistan.

The Museum has a collection of 58,000 old coins (some dating from 74 Al-Hijra), and hundreds of well preserved sculptures. Some 70,000 publications, books and other reading material of the Archeology and Museums Department were also shifted to the National Museum so that general public could see them.

Every year National Museum holds around a dozen exhibitions on National Days and other occasions. The Museum premises also has an auditorium with 250 seating capacity.

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Armed Forces Free Buner!!!

As my last post stated there has been success in Dir as our Armed Forces killed and flushed out all the militants from that region. After that success the military started another operation in Buner to expel the militants, and now that operation is also successful. The Army killed around 50 militants, killed 2 high value targets [HVT], burned 2 collections of militant arms, and also rescued 18 frontier corp personnel out of 70 who had been abducted. Bravo to our Armed Forces! If this goes on then our country will finally get rid of the miscreants who have been disturbing our nation for more than 8 years. The article is below, be sure to check it out for more detail.

ISLAMABAD, April 29 (APP)‑ Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas on Wednesday said that 50 militants including two High Value Targets (HTV) have been killed in the on‑going operation in Buner area. “Qari Quresh and Maulvi Shahid are HVT and are included among 50 militants who have so far been killed in the operation that started on Tuesday,” he said while addressing a media briefing at ISPR Rawalpindi. Principal Information Officer Shabir Anwar and a senior officer from the Interior Ministry Mr Mazari were also present in the briefing.

He said one FC personnel embraced shahadat while three others sustained injuries in the operation. “We have been able to manage release of 18 personnel who were earlier kidnapped by the militants from the area,” he said.

However, he said 52 personnel are still in the captivity of the militants.

He said that during the operation two major dumps of arms and ammunition were also destroyed.

Gen. Athar said that the FC and Pakistan Army have been mandated by the government to restore the writ of the government and “we will make every effort to achieve the target.”

He said that militants who call themselves “Taliban” were given ample time by the government after implementation of their demands and exercised all political means to avoid any extreme option. “Launching of anti‑militant operation was opted as a last option to restore writ of the government as the militants in the area had hostaged a large number of peace‑loving people,” he said.

He said in line to avoid collateral damage, the troops are being dropped to surround the militants. He said this new strategy has been adopted in line to save the lives of the civilians who are being used as human shield by the militants.

Giving latest update, he said that up till now the area of Daggar has been evacuated from the clutches of militants and the District Coordination Officer has been air lifted to sit in his office. The communication link between the local police and FC troops has been restored.

He said that the troops are facing high level of resistance in Ambala area which mostly comprised over mountains and hilly terrain.

Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said the areas including Sultan Wala, Nawagai and Pir Baba Ziarat are still in the control of militants.

He urged the media to avoid operating in the area and not to release any footage which may harm the cause of the operation. He said “We are operating in the area where the situation is highly volatile and any carelessness could cause collateral damage to the civilians or the forces operating in the area.”

He expressed sympathies on the incident whereby a reporter of Aljazeera TV came under cross fire and received wounds. His two other colleagues survived and are being evacuated from the area to maintain their security and safety, he added.

He said that a reporter of a newspaper was released after issuing a warning that he had revealed highly sensitive information through his news report which ultimately provided an opportunity to the militants to make hostage to 70 personnel.

Divulgence of any such report which may jeopardise or endanger the lives should be avoided at all costs, he added.

During the briefing the tapes carrying statements of two youth who fell victims to the alluring statements of the militants and were being prepared to commit suicide attacks were also run. They both were arrested from the same place but hailing from different areas.

He said that both are being investigated and further details would be available in the due course.

Answering a question, he said that the militants are getting arms, ammunition and other assistance through Afghan border. He said around 60,000 troops are deployed there but the whole length of the border mostly comprising hilly terrain cannot be sealed off completely.

To another question, he said the agreement of government with Taliban in Swat is still intact and expressed the hope that things may improve after the installation of “Darul Qaza”.

The official of Interior Ministry added that the militants have yet not surrendered as was agreed upon earlier.

When his attention was drawn towards allegations of “double game” he said that the damages caused to the Security Forces of the country speak louder themselves. Such allegations are baseless and unfounded and had this true our security forces would have not inflicted damages of such a level.

He dispelled the impression that there was some lack of coordination among different government organizations operating in the area, he said all the departments and organizations are working in full coordination to carry out anti‑militant operation.

On the subject of using FM Radio by Fazal Ullah in the area, he said that the transmission of higher frequency station has been jammed while efforts are in hand to jam the transmission of low frequency channel.

He said the government is in full control of the situation.

Source: Associated Press Of Pakistan

Security Forces Pull Out A Victory In Dir

No words today, too proud of my nation's Armed Forces to put it in words. =]

DIR: Security forces killed at least 46 militants in a ground and air operation against Taliban in the troubled Lower Dir on Monday, the military said.

After a stiff encounter with the militants, the security forces have regained the control of Lal Qila and flushed out the militants from Maidan valley, district Lower Dir.

According to security sources, reportedly 46 militants were killed in last two days operation including their important commanders Maulana Shahid and Qari Quraish. The operation has been code named as "Toar Tander-I"

Before start of this operation by security forces, District Lower Dir was in a state of lawlessness. Militants were constantly attacking the security forces and government official and had closed the roads for movement of government and FC convoys.

The militants were involved in the killing of DPO Dir along with other policemen, ex District Nazim Alam Zeb and killing of 11 kids with toy bomb.

They were also abducting law abiding citizens at will and asking for huge ransom to their advantage.

In this backdrop, on the request of provincial government and people of Dir Frontier Corps NWFP launched operation Toar Trander-I on April 26.

On the first day of the operation three major encounters were carried out by FC with militants between Islamdarah and lal Qila. The final encounter was at Lal Qila and surrounding areas in which Maulana Shahid and his associates were engaged and overcome.

The militants used heavy weapons including mortars, snipers and PRG-7. Security forces were supported by Armour, Artillery and Aviation.Troops of the Frontier Corps fought with courage and caused immense damage to the militants. On April 27 search and cordon operation were conducted in Maidan Valley.

Source: Geo News

Our Nation's Leaders Take Action

A couple of days ago Chief of Army Staff General Parvez Kayani told the press that the peace deal is just a try to get the taliban to lay down their arms and bring peace to the area and if that is not achieved then the army would take action to protect it's country and it's people. And now Rehman Malik [Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs] stated the same thing. Rehman Malik also pointed out the toy bombing that happened in Dir. Our security forces took action a few days ago on request of the provincial government and people and began fighting the militants in lower Dir. They have taken control of Lal Qila and have killed numerous militants including a top commander. Throughout the fighting one of our brave security personnel was martyred. May God bless his soul and our people remember his sacrifice for his country and most importantly ISLAM. I feel very proud and happy today as things are going on the right track. Below are some articles you can check out if you want more details.

Security Forces Gain Control of Lal Qila

LOWER DIR: Security forces have seized control of the Lal Qila after fierce gunbatlle with militants in an ongoing operation in Lower Dir on Sunday. According to sources, security forces have entered the Lal Qila. On the other hand, intense firing is underway between militants and FC troops at Kala Daag and Islam Pura. Meanwhile, ISPR said in a statement that Frontier Corps have launched operation against militants in Dir on the request of the provincial government and people. Earlier in the day, security forces targeted suspected militants’ hideouts situated in Lal Qila and Islam Pura, killing a large number of militants, including a top commander. While one security personnel was also martyred in the operation.

Source: Geo News

Handful of Taliban Can't Dismiss State Writ

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik Sunday said operation in Lower Dir is not being carried out on pressure from the US administration and that a handful of Taliban cannot set aside government writ. Talking to Geo News, Malik said that the operation was initiated in Lower Dir on the request of NWFP government and that in it many militants have so far been killed. “The aim of the deal with Sufi Muhammad was to establish peace in the area and if this objective is not achieved then it is of no use,” the Advisor said adding “it was later felt that the agreement was not for peace.” “The militants have shown their hideous face and now they will not be forgiven,” he vowed. He said in the beginning the terrorists used youngsters for executing suicide attacks and now they are killing children by handing them toy bombs. It seems the militants have their own subversive agenda, he observed. The Advisor said the Taliban have no other option left than to lay down arms. If they fail to disarm themselves we will take action, he warned.

Source: Geo News

Gen Kayani vows to come down hard on militants

ISLAMABAD: As fears of an imminent march of the Taliban militants beyond the Malakand region caused shudders within and outside the country, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday rejected the notion that the peace deal through Sufi Mohammad amounted to giving any ‘concession’ to the armed Islamists, and declared that not only the Army had the resolve to take on the militants but, according to him, ‘victory against terror and militancy will be achieved at all costs’. Speaking at a meeting of top military commanders, including those directly dealing with militancy in Fata and the North-West Frontier Province, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the army chief acknowledged that doubts were being voiced about the intent and capability of the army to defeat the militants. But, he added, the army ‘never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take, to ensure safety and well-being of the people and country’s territorial integrity’. This is by far the most direct statement yet by Gen Kayani, or any other military or civilian official, about the prevailing situation and the manner in which it needs to be tackled. The statement came in the wake of reports from Swat’s adjoining district Buner, and later Shangla, of the Taliban march into the area, with clear signs the armed Islamists were trying to spread tentacles under the cover of a peace deal. The army chief’s remarks coincide with reports emanating from the outskirts of Malakand division about movement of the Frontier Corps troops and even military battalions, leaving little doubt that the army is determined to launch yet another major operation, either to eliminate the militants or to at least push them out of Buner and districts other than Swat. However, sources said, a military operation would be launched only after a clearance by the provincial and federal governments. In his statement, the army chief was quite clear about ground realities. He condemned ‘pronouncements’ by outside powers that raised doubts about the future of Pakistan and declared that the militants would not be allowed to ‘dictate terms to the government or impose their way of life on the civil society of Pakistan’. ‘A country of 170 million resilient people under a democratic dispensation, strongly supported by the army, is capable of handling any crisis that it may confront,’ an ISPR press release quoted him as saying. He reassured the people that with their support the army was determined to root out the menace of terrorism. He described the recent peace deal with Maulana Fazlullah’s Swat-based militants as an ‘operational pause’ that was meant to give the ‘reconciliatory forces’ a chance, but declared that it ‘must not be taken for a concession to militants’. Observers here see the statement by the army chief as a clear message to militants to either lay down arms or be ready for another round of battle with the army, which this time probably would be more vigorous. The statement came at a time when the Swat Taliban have made advances to areas adjoining Swat, dashing hopes that the enforcement of Nizam-i-Adl would lead to restoration of peace. Some sources in the security establishment say the army is insisting that since the militants have gone back on their pledge and have even tried to misuse the concessions given to them, nothing short of a public surrender can guarantee a lasting peace in Malakand division. A similar message has been sent to the Buner Taliban through the Sufi Mohammed-led Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi. Concerns were expressed at international level over the Swat peace deal and a possible advance of Taliban to the federal capital. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and federal ministers have indicated in recent days that the Swat peace deal will be reversed and other options will be exercised if the accord did not yield positive results and the wave Talibanisation continued. The COAS praised the army men for continuing to fight under challenging conditions, assuring that safety of the people and the country would be ensured at all costs.

Source: Dawn News

Taliban Target Children

The so called "Muslims" have now targeted children. Recently more than 7 kids were killed in Dir when a toy they were playing with exploded. They found this toy bomb near a girls' primary school in Luqman Banda village of Lower Dir town. This is sad and very disgusting. Who are they to limit anyone from gaining knowledge? Sadly this is a daily thing in taliban society. They need to understand that without women ANY society will not survive. If God treats us all the same then who are we to differ? The article is below if you want more information, all i could say is that i'm very disgusted and i do not want anyone of these "Kafirs" [infidels] in my homeland.

LOWER DIR: At least seven children of a family were killed in a bomb explosion in Lower Dir area on Saturday, police officials said.

The children had found the toy bomb outside a girls' primary school in Luqman Banda village of Lower Dir town.

According to preliminary information the explosion took place while the children were even unable to ascertain that it was a bomb.

Source: Geo News

Bagh-e-Jinnah

Bagh-e-Jinnah (or Jinnah's Garden) is a historical park in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was formerly known as Lawrence Gardens. Today, the large green space contains a botanical garden, a mosque, and Jinnah library situated in a Victorian building. There are also entertainment and sports facilities within the park that comprise of an open-air theatre, a restaurant, tennis courts and the Gymkhana Cricket Ground. It is located on Lawrence Road next to Lahore Zoo, directly across from the Governor's House on The Mall.

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Wohoo!!! Shahid Afridi Is Back!!!

After being on the silent side of batting [getting out early without making alot of runs like he used to] Shahid Afridi made a comeback yesterday with 24 runs of off 2.4 overs [16 balls]. And that wasen't just it; He took out 6 WICKETS and only gave away 38 runs while bowling! If you don't know cricket well you must be pretty confused right now lol. [don't worry whatever i just said are good things lol]. Anyway needless to say we beat Austrialia which is one of the best teams in the world and all that just a couple days when we were stripped from hosting the 2011 ICC world cup. Anway our victory should show those ICC bastards that Pakistan is one of the best teams in the world even today. The link for the full scorecard is below check it out and enjoy your day [i know i am!].

Pakistan Vs. Australia ODI Full Scorecard: Cricinfo

Daman-e-Koh

Daman-e-Koh is a popular viewing point in Islamabad. Its name is a conjunction of two words: Daman, which means center and Koh, which means hill. Daman-e-Koh therefore meaning center of the mountain. It can also be interpreted as hem of the mountain.

The viewpoint is located north of Islamabad in the middle of the Margalla Hills. It has two picnic spots, known as the "north" and "south" viewpoints, with parking available at both spots. On the north side, there is a small cafe for tea, drinks and snacks. On the south side, there is a restaurant located for lunch and dinner. The south side is a sightseeing spot from where panoramic views of Islamabad are available during the day and night. An informational board, providing basic information about Islamabad, is available. There is a plan to construct a chairlift from Daman-e-Koh to Pir Sohawa which is due to start in the near future.

In 2007, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) further developed the viewpoint by upgrading the restaurant and introducing electric-powered cars to transport tourists to and from the parking area.

A hiking path connects the zoo park located at the base of the Margalla Hills to Daman-e-Koh.

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Site Update

Sorry guys i haven't been able to post for a while as my internet connection is down, even right now i am posting from my friend's house. Once again i'm very sorry and new posts should be up by tommorow, feel free to look the the older posts [some high quality stuff in there hehe lol]. Also be sure to visit some blogs of note [on the left], if you want your blog there then you can just contact me at Captain03@live.com and i'll be sure to put some high quality stuff there.

- Allah Hafiz
Captain

What Is Wrong With Desi Teachers?!?

Recently In Multan a teacher was arrested because he brutally beaten one of his student just because she didn't do homework. She [the student] had marks all over her back and arms. And also around the same time a teacher in India a girl died in coma because her teacher had viciously beaten her because she failed to recite the English alphabet in class! What is wrong with people these days? How do you expect for knowledge to be passed down by idiotic teachers like these who don't even know how to control themselves? I mean i know how emotional South Asian people [desis] are when it comes to education but COME ON!! Anyway this is pissing me off. The articles are below if you want to check them out.

NEW DELHI: The eleven-year-old girl, who slipped into coma after she was brutally beaten by her teacher, died on Friday in a state of coma.

She was battling for her life ever since she slipped into a state of coma on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government and the Centre have promised strict action against those involved in an incident that led to an eleven-year-old girl battling for her life while in coma.

Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare Renuka Chowdhury has promised justice will be done.

An inquiry has been ordered by the Municipal Council of Delhi (MCD) into how Shannoo Khan, a student of Class 2 at ND Primary School in Narela, North Delhi, fell into coma.

An inquiry has been ordered and the principal and teacher placed under suspension.

The incident allegedly occurred when Shannoo failed to recite the English alphabet in class. Angered by this, the teacher allegedly hit Shannoo's head against the table and made her stand in the sun for over two hours. Unable to stand the heat, Shannoo fainted and was found unconscious by her younger sister, who studies in the same school.

The girl then informed their mother, Rihanna, who rushed Shannoo to hospital. Shannoo's father, Ayub Khan, who works as a waiter in a catering company, was away in Haryana for work.

Police said they had confirmed that the child was punished at school.

"We have confirmed from various sources that the child did face corporal punishment and investigations are on. We will file an FIR only after we receive the medical reports," said police official.

Source: Geo News

MULTAN: A private school teacher of Bodla Town area here, who had injured her child student brutally beating, was arrested.

Police said that the injured child Aliza, 8 has been admitted in the Nishtar Hospital, while a case under section 342 has been registered against the school teacher, Shumaila.

Source: Geo News

No Cricket World Cup In Pakistan!

As some of you might have heard Pakistan is not going to be hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The matches that Pakistan was supposed to host are now being split up by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. The reason for this action was mostly because of the Lahore cricket team attack [Links About It Below] and the security risk in Pakistan. You can go ahead and thank the Taliban and who ever organized the Lahore attacks [ahummm...India...]. It's a pretty sad day for Pakistani cricket and Pakistani talent...

Lahore Attack
Evidence Of India Behind Lahore Attack
Article Of ICC World Cup Removal Of Pakistan:

Pakistan has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of the "uncertain security situation" in the country, the ICC said.

"It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and...deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan said in a statement.

"However, our number one priority was and is to deliver a safe, secure and successful event and the uncertainty created by events within Pakistan created a huge question mark over our ability to do just that."

The ICC added that Pakistan was unlikely to resume hosting any cricket at all until 2011. It also said the World Cup secretariat would be moved out of Pakistan to a location to be decided by the organising committee. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the other co-hosts, will now share the 16 matches that were to be held in Pakistan.

Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed regret. "It's a disappointing decision but it can't be helped. Nobody wants to play in Pakistan following the attacks in Lahore," Butt said. He was referring to the attack on Sri Lanka's touring cricketers in Lahore on March 3, in which eight Pakistanis were killed and seven Sri Lankan players injured.

Pakistan were due to co-host the event with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but the deteriorating security situation has posed a serious problem for the PCB. The news came during the first day of the ICC board meeting in Dubai.

Pakistan's status as a host of international matches has been uncertain for some time - the Champions Trophy was shifted out last year and, in January, India became the latest country to cancel a tour when they pulled out of a bilateral series. However, the Lahore attack seemed to have sealed their fate on hosting the World Cup.

The attack itself also came up for discussion at the meeting, with match referee Chris Broad, who was on duty for the Test, and Sri Lanka's Mahela Jaywardane (via telephone) giving their version of what happened.

It was decided that Lord Condon, chairman of the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, would lead a task team - including ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat and directors Jack Clarke and Shashank Manohar - would conduct a review of security arrangements for all international cricket.

The review, Lorgat said, would include an assessment of whether current security protocols employed by ICC Members were adequate and, if not, how they could be improved. It would also, if necessary, approach other sports to see if there was scope for information-sharing in the way security is conducted across major events around the world.

Source: Cricinfo

Reactions

* Saleem Altaf: "I don't know what has transpired at the ICC meeting in Dubai for this decision to be taken. But it is disappointing as we were keen to host the World Cup matches and were working hard on a security plan to convince the ICC and other countries."

* Javed Miandad: "Pakistan cricket is going through bad times and unfortunately the support and understanding we expect from the ICC and other countries is not forthcoming. There was still time left for the tournament and the board was willing to do everything to keep the World Cup matches and host them safely."

* Ramiz Raja: "The World Cup is a global event and I don't think the Pakistani people will like this ICC decision. How do you expect the sport to survive in Pakistan when the ICC is isolating Pakistan as a cricketing nation. This decision will hurt Pakistan cricket no doubt about that. It is a big setback for us."

Kasab Takes Back His Confession!!!

The so-called lone survivor of the Mumbai attacks; Ajmal Kasab, takes back his confession saying that he was made to confess by force by the Mumbai police. Wow, this is really back-firing on India, first the women claiming to be Kasab's mother and now this. Anyway the article is below take a look at it and when there is an update on this situation then i'll post it up.

MUMBAI: Ajmal Kasab on trial in India for last year's Mumbai attacks wants to retract his confession, claiming it was extracted by torture, his defence lawyer told reporters Friday.

"On his instruction, a retraction application has been filed, retracting the so-called alleged confession," said Abbas Kazmi, who is defending Mohammed Ajmal Kasab.

"He's going to plead not guilty," he added.

The lawyer told reporters that Kasab claimed the confession, made to a local magistrate while he was in police custody, was "extracted out of coercion and force and it was not a voluntary confession."

He quoted Kasab as claiming he had been "physically tortured."

Source: Geo News

GC University - Beautiful Pakistan

Created In 1864, Government College University is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan. Although the college was granted the status of university by the Pakistan Government in 2002, the word college is still retained in the name for historical reasons and also because of the wide recognition of the name Government College in Pakistan. The University offers bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in a variety of disciplines. The university currently has more than 6000 students and 323 faculty members. Alumni of Government College are called Ravians after the nearby Ravi River.

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