Light Within

Congratulations to Tariq Khan, Agha Umar Farooq, Zahir ul Islam and Salim Nawaz from 55 PMA Long Course on their very well deserved promotion to the coveted rank of lieutenant general.

Lower image sent by Zafar Iqbal Durrani shows Gen Salim, Gen Agha and Durrani in Questa on Sep 30, 2010 

Peersada brothers with Tikedar (contractor) Iqbal from Harappa

Years ago, SPARC had taken up the initiative to refresh the importance of mud as construction material and to sensitize the general public in this respect. Currently, the Mud Housing Project is being implemented by SPARC in Lahore.

Mud is not a construction material of the past; only steel, concrete and bricks have pushed back such useful construction material, (this is a story in itself.) Considering the enormous costs of cooling and heating the current form of buildings, it becomes quite clear that mud is environmentally friendly, energy efficient and biologically far superior than any other construction material.

In order to realize the initiative, SPARC was successful in arranging foreign support as well as a local architect, who is working since the year 2000 in South Western Punjab, and together with DGFK (German Society for the Advancement of Culture, Berlin), it has been giving prizes under the Preservation of Cutural Heritage program for the best maintained Mud House, Brick House and the most interesting Design.

Now in the realization phase of the initiative, it was important to gather financial and organizational support as well as participants open to new ideas, which was made easier through provision of land by the Peerzada Group near their cultural complex. The planned mud rooms are to be used by the handicraft workers as sleeping quarters in the night while they work in Workshops during the day.

Example of appropriate technology (solar cooker) will also be available for demonstration purpose and in order to be independant of the public technical infrastructure.

This combination was also greeted by the universities Punjab University, COMSATS and BNU, who find it useful for involvement of students in practical projects like construction and physical measurements that are part of the Mud Housing Project.

Generally speaking, the Mud Housing Project comes at a time of extreme flooding misery around the River Indus and therefore unintended becomes current in its own right. There are, however no demonstrated examples of the concept, which can contribute to experience and which can be adjusted for example for usage in the crisis regions.

The initiative described above is small, but it has a large potential: Help in the Indus Basin flood hit areas is of course a priority, but the construction methods in the urban areas are to be examined closely in terms of energy consumption. Mud housing is normally ground floor construction, but there are also interesting mud house examples in double story construction. A project of experimental construction is therefore required for a more exact evaluation and experimentation of this and other aspects of mud housing.

Personally speaking, I can’t handle sewer repair (and best is not to handle the problem personally because it is a job of those who are trained to do that). Plumbing seems difficult and the specter of leaking water is scary. Similarly, we all have experienced problems with their hot water at one time or the other. Whether you have a leaky tank, insufficient hot water, or no hot water at all, we can repair or install a new water heater. Best would be to ask an experience plumber – the one who is at call all the time, night or day.

Similarly, you need a professional plumber when you need an electrician in a hurry. Imagine what leaking water and natural gas leaks can do. Buildings and things in them can be damaged quickly from a small water leak. You should know who the best plumbing service near you is and whom you can call when you need sewer repair. Approach your local plumbers whenever the problem arises and leave the rest to them.

When I was a little boy {Excuse me, Jalal says this), there was no entertainment except sports or listening to radio. With no TV, internet or a mobile phone by my side, the life was still very romantic and exciting, since we had hobbies. Yes, in those days, everyone had a hobby. Whenever we went visiting, the elders in order to start a conversation with the young ones, would often asked as to what their hobby was. Those days, children loved reading, so do most even today (though number has declined manifold), and collected coins, match boxes, first day covers, autographs and of course the most revered hobby – the stamp collecting. So like many others I also ventured to start collecting stamps.

My major source of stamps came from my father. He was then the head of Interpol in Pakistan and had his mail coming from all over the world. And every envelope had a stamp for me. So that was the start. And soon my small homemade album was bustling with beautiful stamps from all over the globe. To my surprise, one day one of elder brothers, who himself was an avid stamp lover, gifted his collection to me. That was a big treasure, containing very old and rare stamps. Today some of those are almost 50-80 years old. So my album started to swell. I then started utilizing my meager pocket money to buy stamps. I still remember one vendor by the name of Ruby Stamps located in Urdu bazaar Lahore, en route to my school. So I would always stop y and buy a few stamps and then it used to be an impatient journey back home to put the stamps into my album and admire my collection.

Anyone who has assets and or concerns online needs the best web host. The importance of efficient and sound web hosting cannot be over emphasized. The demand has given birth to so many web hosting companies that have different claims to fame. Whereas this situation has gives choices to those who want web hosting services, it really is difficult to choose the best among the plethora of service providers. That is where Web Hosting Rating comes in. They help users to choose the right web host for their personal or business sites.

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Imagine this: Economic growth has plunged down from an annual average of 7% in the mid 2000s to 4.4% last year. Unemployment is estimated to have risen to over 15%, and inflation, currently 13%, and the proportion of people living below the poverty line has fallen from 34.5% to 17%, according to the World Bank. And now the flood 2010 has made matters much worse.

Irony, is that the sufferings of people of this country have already been relegated while government is playing change game. Does anyone remembers that millions of people are homeless and living under trees without any help. How will this so called change, which everyone is talking about, help them.

Is flood bringing in change? No. Flood is not bringing that constitutional change we keep hearing about in all evening shows and in the statements of everyone. Though the victims of recent floods are now destitute and are cursing the top leadership openly but, resilient as they are, they have always been sacrificing on one pretext or the other. They will live through this difficult time as well.

The only constitutional change inside the parliament I can think of is the removal of the Prime Minister goes. At present, no one has vote bank in the parliament to bring ‘No Confidence Move’ and remove him. The only possibility is to remove the prime Minister technically. He can be asked why he (his government) has failed to implement the judicial decisions in true letter and spirit.

This will leave us with numerous daunting questions? What next? Rather who is the next?

What you do when your bathroom faucet spring leaks, your sewer line backs up, water line bursts or you are confronted with any other plumbing emergency? You need a local licensed plumber right away to take care of the problem and put the things in right order.

Go to Coral Springs Plumber - local plumbing service that has a 24 hour service ready to help you and solve the problems. Approach them and they will send an emergency technician to your home. He will diagnose and fix your problem as soon as possible and put your house in normal order.

And while Boca Raton Plumber come to help, you need to turn off the water valve. By stopping the water flow you lessen the chance you will warp your floor or damage any wood fixtures. Shut off valves to your bathroom water lines are normally located under the sink. Turn the knob(s) clockwise to shut the water-off. This will work for most bathroom related plumbing emergencies. If it’s a burst pipe, you’ll have to turn the water line to your entire house off. The location of the valves varies from home to home. Find yours and turn it off for the same reasons listed above.

Now you need to call an emergency plumber. Hialeah Plumber will give you great service quickly. When you don’t have time to shop around, you can rely on local Plumbing to give your plumbing expert care and maintenance.

Recognizing Diabetes as the Global Epidemic of the 21st century and looking at the high prevalence of the debilitating diabetes in the region, the First International Diabetes Summit will be hosted in United Arab Emirates in Dubai on the 8th & 9th October with the support from the GCC Health Ministers Council& The Council of Nursing and Nursing Specialization for Cooperation Council States.

Twenty Five international experts from the world's leading diabetic centres including Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, CEO Health Policies Affairs at the Ministry of Health and, Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil The Regional Adviser from World Health Organization, Prof. Tawfik Ahmed Khoja, The Executive Director of the Executive Board of the Health Ministries Council for GCC, Dr. Fouzia Zaid Al Naimi, Secretary General of Gulf Nursing Council, Mrs. Fatima Abdul Wahid Al Ahmed - Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gulf Nursing Council, Dr. Abdulrahman Salem Alkuwari, The President of the Gulf Group for the Study of Diabetes, Qatar, Prof. David Owens from the University Hospital Llandough, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Twaim, Vice president of The Saudi Pediatric Association, Dr. med. Gerhard Klausmann from Germany, Dr. Mariam E. A. Al Hajeri, The Vice President of Bahrain Diabetes Society, Mr. Yahya Al Sheedi - President of the Emergency Nursing Council and more will gather at the conference that will be held at Moevenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach.

The International Diabetes Summit will gather more than 200 Doctors, International, National & Local Diabetic Associations representatives, National Health Authorities, Diabetologists, Endocrinologists to highlight the rising prevalence of diabetes and its complications in the world in general and in the Middle East in particular, discuss of the recent issues related to prevention, management and treatment of diabetes, develop global and national strategies to reduce the socio-economic burden of diabetes and to create a network of committed global and regional key opinion leaders are the main goals of this function.

The conference is accredited by Ministry of Health, UAE and the Council of Nursing and Nursing Specialization for Cooperation Council States. Hence, the conference participants will receive credit and it will be part of their further education.

Summit will be launched by the opening remarks from the Chair Dr. Fatma Al Marashi (Medical Director of University Hospital, part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center in Dubai, Dr. Al Marashi is the U.A.E. representative in the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Diabetes Control Committee in striving to control the rising number of diabetes cases in the area and she is the Chairperson of the U.A.E. National Diabetes Control committee (UAE - NDCC), in the Ministry of Health

The 2nd Day of the Summit will be opened by and Professor Peter Schwarz (Head of The Division of Prevention and Care of Diabetes at the Department of International Medicine III, University of Dresden, Germany) and he is coordinating European Prevention Initiative "IMAGE" and is members of the experts groups of the International Diabetes Association in.

"As organizers we hope this gathering of the world's eminent experts on diabetes will raise awareness among medical professionals on diabetes care, address public concerns on how to meet their requirements and assist decision makers in taking necessary steps in prevention and care of diabetes," said the event's manager, Doaa Said.

As per the fabulous response towards the event, which will take place on 8th -9th October 2010, it is already confirmed that this highly successful event will follow up with its 2nd Annual series.

Excuse me, Jalal HB writes this:

My friend SAJS is very nostalgic about his past – his childhood days when he would jump in the canal flowing next to his village, like all others kid of his village did in the summers. He would watch children playing pebbles, a favourite game in the villages, or perhaps he also joined in and bagged all the pebbles from others (or perhaps lost all of his own and went sobbing home).

When he grew up, he was put to the village school that was the day when a writer was born far away in a small village near Mandi Bahauddin. He would often write small words on the sand, which probably made a theme for him to write a book later in his literary life. He had a passion for reading and writing since his childhood, I would say and this is what reflects from most of his posts. Perhaps for this reason, he loved writing letters and sending eid cards to his friends and family when he moved out of his village for higher education. In one of his recent posts, he has expressed his love for these greeting cards and has also displayed a greeting banner I once drew and posted on the notice board of our academy where we both happened to be undergoing training.

Now that the times have changed, and so have the habits and way of life of people even in the rural areas. People who once used to listen to the songs from the Urdu and Punjabi films on the radio and commentary on cricket and hockey matches played in and foreign lands are now glued to the 24 hours run TV channels. Listening to radio is no more the priority. During Shirazi’s youth, the black and white PTV only aired its programmes from 6-11 PM with a weekly break on Wednesday perhaps.

We had few good prgrammes to watch everyday rather than the Urdu dramas full of family feuds and intrigues by the otherwise not-doing-anything women folk of our families.

Those were the days when life was simple and compassionate. People loved to write letters to their near and dear ones and waited for the postman to deliver the replies or “re” of todays. And we also send greeting cards on Eid. Children would throng the greeting cards stalls opened on every corner of the street and buy cards on behalf of their families. And am sure so did SAJS.

But now times have changed, as these change in the lifespan of every generation. Fashion has changed too. We now see women wearing long shirts, lose from bottom, as did women in the 50s. The LPs that we grabbed in our youth and played on the turn tables have been replaced with CDs and even USBs directly inserted into car AV paying devices or even stored in the cell phones. While once we waited for the post man for letters and eid cards - now we wait for SMSs and E-Mails instead, as technological developments have overtaken human emotions.

This change is necessary as inertia in life leads to boredom and stagnancy. So let the life take its own course. But at the same time it is also good to recall old memories and feel nostalgic about it as this is what remains when one has gone past its prime youth.

So say good bye to old habits, traditions and way of living - who knows what is in the store for next year?

Marryam Chaudhry is an intuitive strategy and change management specialist facilitating the business sector by tactically devising Management and Marketing plans to maximize profits and achieve organizational objectives. She is a strategic management consultant and caters to the corporate sector by facilitating strategy planning and implementation.

She has been exclusively interviewed and featured in an international women CEO magazine “Silk Endress” and is also well known at the national level as a thoroughbred professional. She has firsthand experience of problems faced by expanding organizations and has helped them through with her fast paced solutions, creative techniques/ideas coupled with her expertise in Management & Marketing areas.

She was born and raised in USA and travelled all over USA, Canada and in the UK. Marryam is a Gold Medalist MPA from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad. Strategic planning, Organizational Development, capacity building, Strategic Marketing, branding and HR are her key focus areas.

Well, well, now that we've gotten that erudite part of Marryam Chaudhry's profile out of the way, here's the more human, less quantifiable description of Marryam, the blogger and a pretty old blogger. She had started blogging in 2008 and I had the fortune to meet her in Lahore Bloggers Meet held at LUMS on November 24, 2008. She, very aptly, is exploring the virtual word, new forms of social media and online culture ever since and has already come a long way.

Marryam Chaudhry called on me yesterday. Having so many aces up her sleeves, I could see that she is up to something bigger and newer. While we wait for her newer exploits in the online world, let me say that there is so much that she can do. More will come on this; and soon.

Traveling through Pakistan countryside away from the main highways, it is best to keep remember that petrol stations are few and far between on relatively deserted roads. Also the road, drive slowly and keep close to the edge of your road when encountering large trucks. Watch out for animals transport and animals on the road. Be sure your motor vehicle is roadworthy. You do not want to suffer a breakdown anywhere back o’ Bourke, ie, away from civilization. Or else be ready to what happened to us while going to see the mosque in Bhong.

After having famous ‘Doodh Mesu’ from a hotel in Sadiq Abad, we turned off the Road towards village Bhong. In the areas as the harvest approaches, the traveller, especially in the irrigated tracts, ride through endless expanses of waving crops of different shades of colour, out of which the villages seem to rise like islets in an ocean of green. After the harvest all is changed: the dull brown of the fields is relieved by the trees, solitary or in groves and avenues, and by the hamlets and village ponds. Or one sees the haystacks and threshers kicking off dust.

The modern demographic trends are changing the relations between rural and urban areas. Insufficient infrastructure, non-existing civic services and lack of opportunities in rural areas have increased rural-to-urban migration. There is a lack of human capacity in the Punjabi villages in general.

Bhong Mosque is famous the world over. Late Rais Ghazi Mohammad, the direct descendent of Abbasi family of Bahawalpur and landlord of a large estate, began the mosque project in 1932 in Bhong village, the most important of the scattered villages on his vast property. The mosque was to be the most glorious building in his palace compound which also included a smaller mosque, a madrasa and rooms for students.

The work of specialists gathered from all over Pakistan and India (master masons and craftsmen from Rajasthan, calligraphers and painters from Karachi), the compound was designed and constructed over a period of nearly 50 years. And it is. Broadly assorted in their use of sources, the builders have combine stylistic elements from Lahore, as well as Iran, Spain and Turkey, and combined them with almost all known elements of the time. Materials and crafts used range from the traditional (teak, ivory, marble, coloured glass, onyx, glazed tile work, fresco, mirror work, gilded tracery, ceramic, calligraphic work and inlay) to the modern and synthetic (marbleised industrial tile, artificial stone facing, terrazzo, coloured cement tile and wrought iron). Only traditional materials were used in the mosque interiors. Gold leaves have been used for the intricate decorative work in the mosque which has made it famous. It is a site worth visiting for its beauty and the stylish calligraphic work.

The Bhong Mosque stands on a majestic citadel like a pearl. It is a part of a complex that consists of a prayer hall, library, a madrasa, and residential dormitories for students and visitors. The complex is utilized by the local population. The madrasa is functional, although with less importance than in the past when students came to the school from as far as Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Bhong Mosque received the Aga Khan International Award for Architecture in 1986. In the words of the jury: “Bhong (Mosque) enshrines and epitomises the popular taste in Pakistan with all its vigour, pride, tension and sentiment. Its use, and misuse, of signs and symbols expresses appropriate growing pains of architecture in transition.” Earlier, the shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam was given the prestigious Aga Khan award. The Tughlaq built shrine marks the climax of Multani architecture and is surprisingly original.

Since conference of award, the Mosque has become a site of interest for architects from all over the world. “To many architects and intellectuals, the Bhong Mosque complex is a product that negates the very purpose of an architectural enterprise rooted in the deep understanding of the culture,” writes steering committee member and architect Ismail Serageldin. “To many others, it is a wonderful, exuberant structure that evokes an almost palpable joie de vivre, and that represents a bow to the prevailing taste of its users,” stated (along with the majority’s final thoughts and statements) by Hans Hollein and the Turkish architect Mehmet Doruk Pamir in their work. Much more have been written by the international architectural press about the mosque that is a thing of beauty.

The Aga Khan International Award for Architecture, established in 1977 by His Highness the Aga Khan, recognises examples of architectural excellence that encompass contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation, as well as landscaping and environmental issues. Through its efforts, the Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies in which Muslims have a significant presence. The award enhances the understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture as expressed through architecture. Through its efforts, the Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies in which Muslims have a significant presence.

Beyond the architectural wonder and potential for development of pollution free, serene and quite sleepy place, the village is a dwelling where farmers live like rustic in the face of modern urban attractions and in the state of total neglect. Main bazaar is lined with modest shops selling meat, sweets, fresh vegetables and other commodity items. There are few hotels. Sturdy tonga is the vehicle of convenience here for going to and coming from place to place. But the moment some automobile passes through the bazaar, it kicks thick clouds of dust that keep hanging for some time before it settles on eatables on sale in the open.

Tractors, Suzuki pickups and small tucks are edging out animal drawn carts seen roaming on the dusty trails and tracks of rural Pakistan now. But animal power can not be written off in and around Bhong village. Bullocks, donkeys, horses and camels drawn carts still move large quantity of freight in rural areas (as well as cities). They go where trucks can not go; they are cheap; they are invaluable when speed is not important. They have not outlived their utility so they will be with us for at least another 50 years.

Similarly, agricultural implements like axes; hatches, shackles and ploughs produced by village lohar (blacksmith) are being replaced by modern farming machinery. The tradesmen like lohar, tarkhan (carpenter), nai (barber) and darzi (tailor) traditionally working in the villages since centuries - mostly paid in the form of grain at the end of each rabi and kharif seasons - are no more pursuing their vocations. They are putting their children in schools for education, instead, And, without the agricultural land holding, it is easier for these tradesmen to shift to the cities. But the Bhong Mosque will stay there for ever for people to come and see.

It is on our way back that only seven kilometers from the National Highway, engine of our vehicle (RKR Toyota Jeep) coughed and died down. Driver opened the bonnet, fiddled around some and gave a blank look. Every one else also tried to figure out what has happened but no results till Captain Jamal pointed out that we should also check the petrol level. That was it. The driver was sent to get the petrol with empty container hanging at the back of the vehicle on a local bus who came after one and half hour. And while waiting under a shady tree, we had a cribbing and bickering session.

Riding powerful motorbikes have been my passion since I started riding. That is why I can say with experience that safety should be a prime concern of any rider. I strongly suggest that the riders should take the highways only after they have all safety precautions in place.

Thanks to LeatherUp.com that they offer all motorcycle safety products like leather jackets, helmets, motorcycle boots and more from some top brands. Explore their neatly laid out site and see what all they are offering and what all you need from them. LeatherUp.com is known for providing the highest quality products and the best service to their customers at the lowest prices possible (see their discounted prices). Their prices are most affordable because they procure everything straight from factories without involving any middleman and they buy huge quantities.

Given my own preferences, I liked Joe Rocket motorcycle apparel for sport bike riders on display there. Explore the section and you will find some of the best motorcycle jackets for men and women, helmets, vests and gloves. I also explored range of Fieldsheer motorcycle gear on display at LeatherUp.com. They also have something for every taste.

Most riders carry a Motorcycle Saddelbags on my long hauls. They are a great convenience and useful to carry what they need on the road. Cortech 21-Liter Strap Mount Tank Bag is on my own wish list. The bag has four external zipper pockets and one mesh pocket that suite my requirements. See complete features on the site).

Motorcycle riders must have a look at LeatherUp.com and take advantages of what they are offering.

They say money can buy every thing except love. This is not true. You cant buy petrol even if you have money, at least not in Lahore.

Now petrol is deficient in Pakistan, particularly the situation is getting critical in Lahore. It has been nine days that people are not getting petrol. Auto owners are seen pushing their big big cars with bug big tyers to the closest petrol station where they find “Petrol is Not Available” and find a long queue of cars already waiting for their turn. Today, I was shocked when lined up in one of the longest queue I have seen in life, I saw a very young son pushing a car and an old father steering it to the station. Once they reach the station, they get little quantity of petrol (depending upon the logic and wishes of the petrol station administration).

Lahories are used to different type of shortages! They have experiences and are used to electric shortages, sugar shortages, floor shortages, CNG shortages and above all shortage of will and skills in those who have been placed to rule, govern and run the country. But the going gets difficult when they adjust to one shortage and the next starts.

Blame it on any thing but such situations are nothing but lack of responsibility, lack of will and mismanagement. Some one sitting pretty might ask people to ‘live under these difficult times and sacrifice more but I am wondering till when people of Pakistan will keep sacrificing and facing challenges on the name of patriotism. I am afraid, the time may be up any time soon.

Previous: Where to go from here?

Son of Zafar Iqbal Durran (aka ZID) Sub Lt Aamir Ali Durrani's got married on September 12, 2010 at Quetta Club in Quetta Cantt. Walima was on Sep 14, 2010. Image Major Zaffar Iqbal Durrani, Sub Lt Aamir Ali Durrani (the Bridegroom) and Maj Gen Agha Farooq. [Thanks JalalHB]

The champagne corks are not yet flying, but American arms makers are surely readying them for take-off. The Obama administration is expected within days to notify Congress of plans to sell Saudi Arabia weaponry and logistics worth as much as $90 billion over the coming decade, in what would amount to America’s biggest-ever weapons sale. The orders reportedly include 84 F-15 long-range combat aircraft and scores of attack helicopters, along with naval vessels, advanced air defence systems, and contracts to refurbish the kingdom’s large existing stocks of American arms.

If approved, the package of sales would not only tilt the balance of conventional weaponry in the Persian Gulf decisively against Iran, whose suspected bid to acquire atomic bombs frightens its Muslim neighbours as well as Israel and the West. It would signal the return to normal of America’s tight, 70 year-long alliance with Saudi Arabia. This had frayed following the revelation that 15 of the 19 hijackers who attacked American cities on September 11, 2001 were Saudi nationals. Fearing congressional opposition, Saudi Arabia had in recent years sought weaponry from other sources.

Approval of the sale would also mark a significant change of tack by Israel, which has often swayed American politicians against bolstering Arab arsenals. Its supporters appear mollified, this time, by the prospect of seeing Iran, which Israel now regards as its most pressing threat, squeezed. Israel, which in any case has received $3 billion a year of free American arms for three decades, has reportedly received assurances that, as in the past, the new Saudi weaponry will come stripped of advanced features that might challenge Israel’s technical superiority.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest and richest of Iran’s Arab opponents, already out-punches the Islamic Republic in the air. It flies fewer planes, but they are newer and better than Iran’s 300-strong aerial fleet of Russian and 1970s-vintage American jets. With 72 new British-made Typhoon multi-role fighters also on order, the addition of new American squadrons would bring the kingdom’s combat strength to some 400 top-of-the-line aircraft. The Saudis have earned poor marks for fighting skill in the past, and Iran’s military planners appear, in any case, to emphasize asymmetric warfare and guerrilla tactics more than conventional combat. Still, the mass of force lining up against the Islamic Republic, including beefed-up Arab armies, American air bases and muscular Western fleets, looks increasingly formidable. Sadly, of course, this may only make a nuclear option look sweeter to Iran’s rulers. [Thanks to Perviaz Munir Alvi for pointing out The silly talk of "Muslim Ummah" and the realities on the ground] 

People are often confused as to why they need help running their companies. The truth is they don’t, they are the ones who need to make the decisions that will take their company forward. It is your company and no one should tell you what to do. However, what you do need is more information and support that will allow you to make the best decisions. The more information and data you have available to you, the easier it will be to make the right decision. Business intelligence is using all the data you can to make the right decision for your company. This can include facilities management and energy management support. The key to these things is not only running a company correctly, but having the right information. When you manage several facilities you will have to make a lot of decisions that will impact every part of your business. However, if you do not have the proper information, or broken down information based on each individual facility, you will usually make a mistake or wrong decision.

Let’s say a big problem you are having is that you are spending too much money each month on energy. An energy management solution would be to figure out what costs you so much money, is it when your business is opened or closed? Are there things that can be done to cut the costs of energy usage without hurting your business? Theses are all things you can find out with the proper business intelligence and they can help your company move forward.

Rauf was in Canada. This gave a chance to 55 PMA long Course members to get together (image with thanks to Jamil Braveo and Jalal HB).  I am asking Jamil to send in more details.

In today’s oftentimes materialistic society, retail stores play a crucial role in satisfying the growing needs for both the consumer and the manufacturer. Manufacturers make the products, and the consumers buy the products, usually from retailers. These days, consumers are able to locate everything they could ever want, while manufacturers are making sure of their products are getting the degree of exposure that prompts the consumer to buy, buy, buy. Some people argue that online shopping is taking over, however, the truth of the matter is that many people still prefer to physically shop at retail locations for several reasons; one being the pleasure of going out to stores to aimlessly shop. Another reason is that people really enjoy going to the actual store so they have the opportunity to look at a product and examine it before actually buying it. In addition, consumers hate waiting for products. Even though online shopping has gotten much easier to purchase products, you still have to wait a day or so to get it. So, eliminate the wait – get your product in the stores TODAY! Below are a couple of stores that offer a supreme shopping experience, a store you’ll actually want to go to…

Nordstrom store locations are popping up everywhere in the United States and is considered by most to be a top fashion retailer. A Nordstrom store offers a wide variety of clothing products including jewelry and shoes for great prices. Though some consider Nordstrom a “Snooty” type of store; catering to higher end clientele, the ambience of a Nordstrom store is second to none and is considered one of the top shopping destinations among fashionistas in the United States. According to customers, the main factors that make Nordstrom better than its competitors is that they offer a wider variety of products, great prices, and superior customer service.

While Nordstrom offers the ambience to its customers, Office Depot stores offer more of a technical flare to its products; where finding a computer, a desk, and desktop stationary can be purchased from one location. In the United States, Office Depot stores are usually found in most major cities and customers prefer it, not only for the huge selection of products, but because of the large amounts of brand name merchandise. Office Depot stores are also known for great customer service and expertise that goes with each and every product line.

Many Underground station locations are fairly new to the U.S., however, it hasn’t stopped this innovative retailer from producing some of the best styles in footwear. Underground Station store locations are usually comprised of many styles of footwear to cater to the large amounts of people who want to purchase their shoes all in one place. Specializing in athletic and casual footwear, today most Underground Station locations offer a supreme selection of products within their niche, teamed with a friendly staff to assist you with finding whatever style of shoe you’re looking for.

I am a card collector, and despite general shift to electronic greetings, I used to get a lot of Eid cards every year. I did not get a single on this year.

Insecurity - financial, social and or personal – has dampened the elation and excitement associated with Eid-ul Fitr. Never ending series of terror blasts, who know who is next, and unprecedented price hike had already forced the people into a trance like situation. Over and above, disaster caused by the catastrophic floods 2010 has drilled the last nail in the coffin. The economic effects caused by floods 2010 has lead to  rise in the cost of living ultimately restraining the celebratory activity associated with this day of religious and social joyousness.

Mere aziz hamwatno! Let’s live up to the occasion. Send greetings to your loved ones, family and friends. Let the current situation, how bad it may be, not stop us from celebrating Eid with religious fervour and cultural fanfare. On this occasion, let us join those who have lost their loved ones as a result of 'imported' terrorism, or those who have been displaced by flood 2010 and are away from their homes.

We need to get out of the grip we are caught in. We need to live up to the challenges. No?

While the city’s health authorities have not yet come up with a comprehensive plan to combat a possible epidemic of dengue fever, government and private hospitals in different parts of the metropolis have reported a sharp increase in the admissions of patients suffering from the mosquito-borne disease during the last couple of weeks, reports dawn.

Senior physicians told Dawn on Thursday that more than 200 cases of dengue fever had been brought to hospitals during the last one week though the monthly average was around 10 previously.

Dr Nasim Salahuddin, an expert on infectious diseases, said that the situation was alarming and health authorities should ensure all preventive and curative measures on time to avoid fatalities and curb the number of severe cases resulting from the dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dr Bushra Jamil of the Aga Khan University Hospital said that the AKUH had been receiving about a dozen of dengue patients on a daily basis. She said that there had been an increase in number of dengue cases over the recent weeks. She added that August, September and October were peak months as far as reporting of the dengue fever cases was concerned, as weather favoured breeding of mosquitoes during these months.

The relevant government departments had already been updated on dengue prevalence following which the city government health department in a meeting discussed a possible outbreak of the disease and sought help from government and private hospitals representatives in addition to its resolve to make the fumigation staffs functional at the earliest.

However, a source in the city government said that fumigation teams were deployed by their respective town administrations at the relief camps set up for internally-displaced persons in the city. Since the flood-affected people remained their primary concern, the breeding fields of mosquitoes in many parts of the city remained out of focus, added the source.

An official said that massive fumigation campaigns could be carried out only after Eid holidays. At present, field workers are busy in fumigating areas around mosques where Eid prayers would be offered on Saturday, the official added.

Another source said that the dengue surveillance cell of the Sindh health department, which received data from about half a dozen hospitals, had already enhanced its activities on a recent directive issued by Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmad. The cell that used to receive reports about eight to 10 admissions every month had recorded admissions of around 220 dengue patients during the last 10 days, the source added.

However, official in charge of the cell Dr Shakil Mullick said a rise in reporting of dengue fever cases had been observed in the past as well. But, he said, the cases were not being reported by all hospitals and laboratories which were handling dengue patients.

Previous: Cure for Dengue - Papaya Juice, Dengue Updates

Briefing a high-level meeting headed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani (Chief Ministers, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, services chiefs and other high level bureaucrats  were also present in the briefing), Federal Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh warned that government would not have enough money to pay the salaries to the government employees after two months.

Abdul Hafeez Sheikh used phrases like complete economic breakdown, teetering on the brink, heading for an ‘abyss’, teetering on the brink, debt stood at about Rs.8.75 trillion, which had increased by a massive 46 percent from Rs.6 trillion two years ago, the country is on the edge of insolvency, government had put a freeze last year on borrowing from the State Bank of Pakistan but it ended up with more than Rs40 billion borrowing, after the 7th National Finance Commission Award, the provincial governments should stop looking towards the centre for financial handouts even in emergency situations and should start playing their own part and to stop further bleeding. 

It seems that we all have heard this and much more already. This is a common knowledge. No?

Time Photo of the week

It was 6th of September many years ago in 1965 when the defence forces of Pakistan stood united to beat back an aggression from its easterly neighbour. For seventeen days, the aggressor tried to outscore defence forces of Pakistan despite having an upper edge in numbers and weaponry, but failed and finally had to withdraw after the Tashkent Declaration signed by the two countries with the assistance of the then USSR.

Today, the defence forces of Pakistan are facing yet another enemy – much bigger and stronger in its might. This enemy that doesn’t differentiate between the rich and the poor and takes it along whatever comes its away. But the resilient defence forces, specially the Pakistan Army, have come to brave this enemy – the flash floods of 2010 that have been devastating Pakistan since July. The relentless relief operation undertaken by Pakistan Army, assisted by the Navy and the Air Force, is simply commendable. At a time when the civil government’s efforts seem not more than peanuts, there stands one institution well organized and equipped to save the people of the flood hit areas. Hundreds and thousands of people have been evacuated by the efforts of the Pakistan Army and arrangements made for the lodging.

The large scale Pakistan Army relief operation is spread over from Swat in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south – in fact the complete stretch of Pakistan. While the post flood operation is continuing in upper Sind, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhua, the relief and rescue operation continues in lower Sind as flood water is now battering the area with its full might and momentum.

All ranks of Pakistan army, right from top to a soldier are engrossed in rescue relief operations round the clock. The Air Force is using its air fleet to transport tones of relief goods while the Navy is using its boats, hovercrafts and helicopters to rescue stranded and the marooned. Not only this, the men of Pakistan Army are sharing their own rations with the flood victims besides helping them a temporary abode in the countless number of tent villages erected by the army.

And the spirit of people of Pakistan is no lesser than that of September 1965, when they supported the armed forces with whatever they had. And not only this, they also helped the people of the war affected areas and treated them as their own. The same spirit is being seen today. Everyday hundreds of truckloads are sent by the NGOs and philanthropists to sustain the flood victims. Besides workers, volunteers and doctors have reached the far flung areas to provide every possible assistance to their brethren in distress.

The nation is united once again to beat back the floods and are determined to sacrifice their comfort for the relief of the flood victims. It is also heartening that the world community also responded handsomely by providing relief goods, helicopters, medical units and mobile hospitals, besides monetary assistance. Although a lot has been done, much more is still needed to be done. As we are asked to do more in our assistance in war on terror, the world community also needs to do more today for us.

I salute my soldiers and people for helping the flood victims, despite being engrossed in fighting the militants, and hope that the government would now take over to rehabilitate the flood victims back home through the aid received from the world community. The nation rightly expects, from the people it voted for during the last elections who are now sitting in the government and constituting the opposition, a very transparent use of the monetary assistance by ensuring no pilferage of the money and the stores so that every victim receives his right share for embarking upon a new life from the scratch. I hope the nation and the flood victims will not be disappointed by the government.

Sada-e-Khalk -- Nakara-e-Khuda is an old adage and it is proven true. What common people think and say is always correct and true. Reason: they have no prejudiced and have no biases. They express what they see and feel and their saying always carry a lot of wisdom. Only if someone listen to them in this din!

Living in faster lanes of live these days, sitting together is far less than it used to be in old times when people were not glued to tubes and computer screens. Yet a group of friends [Mobabisr Khalid, Umar and more] lives in the same locality where I live and they still make it a point to sit together in an open space in front of our home every evening and share what is happening with each other. We also crib against mismanagement of government, misdemeanors of politicians, and mishaps of nature.

Other day one of the friends informed that anything can happen in a country where a set of dummy newspapers can be published for the president to show him “sab accha.” Where one [ex] Prime Minister inaugurates provision of Sui Gas in her own constituency, ignites the flame amidst cheers of a happy crowd and where there never was Sui Gas supply. A slander had been buried and flam produced to show it to the Prime Minister. Similarly, anything can happen in a county where completion of a huge sewerage system is inaugurated by the same Prime Minister without anything on ground. What is more, even in this age of media attention, where the Prime Minister is shown cutting tapes and distributing relief in dummy camps and where relief goods are being distributed in villages that are out of flood zone and never touched by water.

In future I will share some of what I listen here under label of Sada-e-Khalk. Please stay tuned.

Like other parts of the globe, World Hijab Day was observed across the country on Saturday to raise awareness about the rights of Muslim women, including wearing hijab. World Hijab Day is observed on September 4 to mark the gruesome murder of hijab-clad Egyptian woman Marwa Al-Sherbini by a German racist in courtroom that sent shock-waves among Muslims. Jama’at-e-Islami Women Wing organised rallies and demonstrations in major cities including Lahore to mark the day.

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The death toll has mounted to 47 in the suicide attack on Yaum-al-Quds rally at Meezan chowk, Quetta on Friday while over 80 others have sustained injuries, Geo News reported. According to police, a large crowd participating in Yaum-al-Quds rally being taken out under the auspices of Imamia Students Organization (ISO) came under suicide attack when it reached at Meezan Chowk. Al-Quds day is an international annual event held by the Shia community opposing Israel's control of Jerusalem and showing solidarity with Palestinian Muslims.

This panicked the crowd as some armed men also resorted to open fire. Sources put the number of bodies brought to different hospitals at 46. Of these 30 were shifted to CMH, 12 to Civil Hospital and 4 in Bolan Medical Complex. The officials said that about 10 to 15 kilograms of explosive material was used in the attack. “The head of the suicide bomber, appears to be an Uzbek and in the age bracket of 20 to 22 years, has been taken into custody,” said SP Investigation.

Some miscreants opened fire outside the Civil Hospital, creating difficulties for the medical staff to provide first aid to the injured, some of whom are said to be in serious condition.

Meanwhile, enraged people set on fire 5 vehicles after the suicide attack.

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Pakistani officials say three suicide bombs have exploded during a Shiite religious procession in Lahore, killing four people and wounding more than 80. The explosions took place at three separate sites amid a traditional mourning procession.

Khusro Pervez, the top administrative official in Lahore, said the number of dead could rise. Footage of the first explosion shown on a news television showed a small blast erupting amid a crowd of people on the street followed by a large plume of smoke.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the blasts in a statement and said the attackers would not escape justice.—Agenices

An AK-47 with Saddam Hussein's image on it is displayed at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hundreds of Iraqi items looted from museums and archaeological sites across the country have been returned to Iraq - Time photo.