Tension between Pakistan and India

A MONTH since the Mumbai attacks, tension between India and Pakistan is not abating. While the war hysteria drummed up in the media on both sides has subsided, it would be a mistake to write off the possibility of conflict. In fact, with two of the world’s largest armies on both sides of the border, conflict is always a possibility — the key is to minimise that possibility at all times. At the moment a dangerous stalemate seems to be developing: India wants Pakistan to act against militants on the basis of circumstantial and political evidence that has convinced the international court of public opinion; Pakistan is demanding proof that will stand up in a court of law. The Pakistani position has some merit; after all, convictions on the basis of scanty or faulty evidence are often overturned by the superior judiciary on appeal. Moreover, Ajmal Kasab’s confessions while in police custody cannot be used in even Indian courts because of laws that prohibit the use of statements that may have been elicited under coercion.The two countries must find a middle ground however. The Mumbai attacks underlined the need for inter-state cooperation on anti-terrorism measures. The subject is part of the eight baskets of the five-year-old composite dialogue, now put on hold by India. A joint framework for dealing with terrorism cases such as Mumbai can address the legal, technical and political issues that currently inhibit cooperation. India should reconsider its stance on the composite dialogue and both countries must work with more urgency to develop an anti-terrorism framework. For its part, Pakistan must understand that a purely legalistic, technical response to the Mumbai attacks will not wash. Nor will superficial measures against the Jamaatud Dawa and affiliated groups impress the outside world, particularly India and the US. There are two distinct issues here: one, to find and prosecute all those who may have been involved in the Mumbai attacks; two, to uproot the jihadi networks that nurtured the individuals responsible. A firm effort by the Pakistan state to address the latter issue will go some way to reducing the tension on our eastern border, and buy time for India and Pakistan to find a way of bringing those involved in the Mumbai attacks to justice. Failing that, we will remain in dangerous uncharted territory. Memories of past Indian restraint will push its government to do something more this time; national pride may force Pakistan to retaliate. The losers will be the people of both countries.

Islamic Period

Islamic Period
The light of Islam penetrated in this part of the world as early as 712 A.D from the west with the Arab General Muhammad bin Qasim and during the 10th century A.D from the north with the Turk Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznah ( better known as Mahmud Ghaznavi).
Islam replaced the early way of life of worshipping idols and introduced new philosophy of faith in one God. With Islam in came a new culture in this land from Arabia and Central Asia. Hence, a new type of architecture, hitherto unknown in this area, was introduced. Tens of thousands of Mosques, Madrasahs, tombs and gardens were created by the Muslim rulers all over the Sub-Continent. The new style of Islamic architecture prevailed and matured in this land for over a thousand years. The direct influence of the Muslim Rulers was not only confined to the architecture; their food added a variety of new dishes in the Sub-Continental cuisine. The national dress of Pakistan,“ Shalwar Qamiz” is also a direct gift of the Muslim Turks.
Since the mother tongue of the Muslim Rulers was Arabic, Turkish and Farsi, it was only natural that the local languages of the Sub-Continent were greatly influenced and new language was introduced. Thus the most important contribution of the Muslim rulers to this land is a new language ‘Urdu’ which became the national language of Pakistan since its independence in 1947.

Gandhara Civilization

Gandhara Civilization
Pakistan is the land which attracted Alexander the great from Macedonia in 326 B.C., with whom the influence of Greek culture came to this part of the world. During the 2nd century B.C., it was here that Buddhism was adopted as the state religion which flourished and prevailed here for over 1000 years, starting from 2nd century B.C., until 10th century A.D. During this time Taxila, Swat and Charsaddah (old Pushkalavati) became three important centres for culture, trade and learning. Hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh both in Taxila. It was from these centres that a unique art of sculpture originated which is known as Gandhara Art all over the world. Today the Gandhara Sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of England, France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan together with many private collections world over, as well as in the museums of Pakistan. Nevertheless, the zenith of this Gandhara Art is one and only "Fasting Buddha" now on display in Lahore Museum , Lahore.

War: is it good or bad.

The current environment between India And Pakistan creats high tension in the region. Indian leadership shows much agression and threatenining that they have the ability to attack Pakistan. while Pakistan, on the other side Pakistan saying that we have the capabilty to defend ourself at any cost.

War is not the solution of anything. War has long effect on either side. As we are underdeveloping country, we are already facing lot of problems, this could be another desasteriouse for our people.

So both the country should start dialouge and resolved all the issue through dialouge.

mehargarh8000bc

Indus Civilization
This land also witnessed the glorious era of Indus civilization about 8000 years B.C when the first village was found at Mehargarh in the Sibi District of Balochistan comparable with the earliest villages of Jericho in Palestine and Jarmo in Iraq. Here, during in 1980’s, the French and Pakistani archaeologists have excavated mud built houses of the Mehargarh people and their agricultural land known for the cultivation of maize and wheat, together with polished stone tools, beads and other ornaments, painted jars and bowls, drinking glasses, dishes and plates.
The archaeologists believe that by 7000 B.C., the Mehargarh people learnt to use the metal for the first time. From the first revolution of agricultural life the man moved to another great revolution in his social, cultural and economic life. He established trade relations with the people of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and the Arab world. He not only specialized in painting different designs of pottery, made varieties of pots and used cotton and wool but also made terracotta figurines and imported precious stones from Afghanistan and Central Asia. This early bronze age Culture spread out in the countryside of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
This early beginning led to the concentration of population into the small towns, such as Kot Diji in Sindh and Rahman Dheri in Dera Ismail Khan district. It is this social and cultural exchange that led to the rise of the famous cities of Moenjodaro and Harappa, with largest concentration of population including artisans, craftsmen, businessmen and rulers.This culminated in the peak of the Indus Civilization which was primarily based on intensively irrigated agricultural land and overseas trade and contact with Iran, Gulf States, Mesopotamia and Egypt. Dames were built for storing river water, land was cultivated by means of bullock-harnessed plough - a system which still prevails in Pakistan, granaries for food storage were built, furnace was used for controlling temperature for making red pottery and various kinds of ornaments, beads of carnelian, agate, and terracotta were pierced through and above all they traded their finished goods with Central Asia and Arab world. It is these trade dividends that enriched the urban populace who developed a new sense of moral honesty, discipline and cleanliness combined with a social stratification in which the priests and the mercantile class dominated the society.
The picture of high civilization can be gathered only by looking at the city of Moenjodaro, the First Planned City in the World, in which the streets are aligned straight, parallel to each other with cross streets cutting at right angles. It is through these wide streets that wheeled carriages, drawn by bulls or asses, moved about, carrying well-adorned persons seated on them appreciating the closely aligned houses made of pucca-bricks, all running straight along the streets. And then through the middle of the streets ran stone dressed drains covered with stone slabs - a practice of keeping the streets clean from polluted water, seen for the first time in the world.