Discoveries of Empire
Wednesday 31 July 2024
In July 1798, the minarets and domes of Cairo emerged shimmering in the heat before the eyes of Napoleon’s troops as they marched south along the Nile River. Some ways away, amid the rock-strewn desert, stood the pyramids. The West was already acquainted with these strange ghosts of the desert that were ancient even when Herodotus wrote his nine-volume Histories in the middle of the 5th century BCE. But little was known about them beyond the fact that they were royal burial sites.
Now, for the first time, these peculiar apparitions became the subject of scientific inquiry, thanks to the 175 ‘learned civilians’ that were part of Napoleon’s train. They came with scientific equipment and a veritable library containing every book, ancient and contemporary, then available in France on the Nile valley.
Read more »Labels: Archaeology, Book of Days, Books, Salman Rashid
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, July 31, 2024,
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In Memory of Lt Col Arshed Khokhar
Today, July 31, 2024, marks the third death anniversary of our beloved brother, Lt Col Arshed Khokhar. To honor his memory, the Lahore Chapter Coordination Committee and fellow comrades (Zahir Khan, Atique, Athar, Younas, Ali Akbar, Shirazi) paid respects and offered 'Fatiha', on behalf of 55 PMA Long Course, by visiting his and Mrs. Khokhar's graves at Bahar Shah graveyard, near the Golf and Country Club in Lahore, at 1740 hours.
The group also visited Cavalry Ground graveyard, where they offered 'Fatiha' and prayers for Saleem Soomro, his family, and paid their respects at the final resting place of (our WTO) Col Talat Umar."
Labels: Men At Their Best, Tribute
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, July 31, 2024,
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Housewife
Tuesday 30 July 2024
In military contexts, a "housewife" (also known as a "hussif" or "hussy") refers to a small sewing kit or pouch containing basic sewing tools, such as:
- Needles
- Thread
- Buttons
- Scissors
- Thimble
- Safety pins
This kit was traditionally issued to soldiers, especially in the British Army and other Commonwealth countries, to enable them to perform basic repairs on their uniforms and equipment.
The term "housewife" in this context dates back to the mid-19th century, when soldiers were expected to be self-sufficient and able to make basic repairs to their clothing and gear. The kit was seen as a way to help soldiers maintain their appearance and uniform standards, much like a housewife would manage household chores.
Over time, the term "housewife" became synonymous with the sewing kit itself, rather than the person performing domestic duties.
Labels: Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, July 30, 2024,
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Urdu Column in Army Magazine Hilal
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Labels: In Print, Information Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, July 30, 2024,
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Say it with flowers
Monday 29 July 2024
Flowers surely bring people together. Blossoms can fuel a flaming passion, calm a fit of raging jealousy, comfort a living being or earn a living. Presenting flowers is a romantic social folkway. Aside from romantic and literary delights, there is commerce in flowers too.
The town of Patoki is one of the most famous places in Pakistan for growing flowers. The town has one of the biggest clusters of flower, fruit, and decorative plant nurseries in the country. Growing flowers and tree plants and selling them is a major business concern in this sleepy town situated in the suburbs of Lahore.
Read more »
The town of Patoki is one of the most famous places in Pakistan for growing flowers. The town has one of the biggest clusters of flower, fruit, and decorative plant nurseries in the country. Growing flowers and tree plants and selling them is a major business concern in this sleepy town situated in the suburbs of Lahore.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, July 29, 2024,
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Children are never satisfied
Sunday 28 July 2024
Sheik Manzoor Ilahi was commissioner Bahawalpur when Nawab of Bahawalpur was alive and Nawab of Kalabagh was the Governor.
Sheik Manzoor Ilahi writes: I was going to attend Commissioners’ Conference in Lahore when the Nawab of Bahawalpur sent for me and asked to convey to the Governor that the agricultural reforms should not be imposed upon Abbasi family in his life because he knows better how to look after the interests of his protegee. I got the chance to approach the Governor at a dinner hosted by him at the end of the conference. Nawab of Kalabagh was sitting sandwiched between American Council General and the British Deputy High Commissioner when I overheard the Governor telling them, “I have told Mr. President so many times that no kind of democracy is feasible in this country.”
The Governor was opposed to the democracy which President Ayub Khan was about to give to the masses through the 1962 constitution. When I gave him the message of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, the Governor spontaneously said, “Please tell Nawab Sahib to leave the issue alone. Children are never thankful for whatever their parents do for them.”
I was surprised.
No one knows what destiny has in store for anyone. Nature was speaking through the mouth of the Governor it seems (The Governor was murdered by his son.)
Extract from Light Within by Abbas Khan
Labels: Parenting
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, July 28, 2024,
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Alcove that I love
Saturday 27 July 2024
I live here with the peacocks?
Labels: Lahore School
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 27, 2024,
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How to upload the pdf file to blogs
Readers here know that I am on eBooks as well. Today I have had the pleasure of sharing two eBooks with readers online. In the process I learned how to share pdf files using blogger blog upload the pdf file to blogspot. BTW, I use blogspot and I wish blogspot have the upload file function. That is a must now. Curiosity lead me and I could find a solution for my friends. There are two easy ways: 1) Use Google Group or 2) Upload to Ziddu.com.
Best is that you create a “Google Group” account – http://groups.google.com and find it is easy. I have uploaded a book here. Go explore.
Labels: Fine Art of Blogging
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 27, 2024,
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Chillianwala Chase
Friday 26 July 2024
To-ing and fro-ing, at time zigzagging, in Punjab introduces to wonders and legions of what may be called middle ground of cultural fusion of the present Punjab. The area is gold mine for history seekers, spiritual and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. People of the area are eager to help – on their own expense - when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer 'guides' who were forth coming with wealth of information.
Situated near Mong, Chillianwala is a historic village that played an important role in the history of the South Asia. It was a battle ground where British and Sikh forces fought one of the decisive battles in the history of the Subcontinent in 1849. The quiet village has not changed much since then. Only slowly old agricultural methods are changing and tractors and wheat threshers are seen in please of bull driven ploughs. Painted double story houses are coming up where used to be conventional mud houses. Land is excellent with record carrying capacity and the display of seasonal crop is very powerful.
Read more »Labels: British History, Sikh History, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, July 26, 2024,
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Garam Chashma
Thursday 25 July 2024
Some places are so idyllic and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such place is picturesque, tranquil and pollution free town Garam Chashma (meaning hot spring) in at the edge district Chitral. The very sound of it is (sort of) strategic - the role Garam Chashma played during Russian occupation in Afghanistan not very long ago. The town is located on the bank of a turbulent torrent known as Luthko Gol that is full of trout; about two hours drive from Chitral City.
As the Fokker Friendship hovers over Chitral before committing to landing, one can see the beautiful sights through window of small aircraft: red roof houses dotted on the hill contours, alpine trees, and fruit orchards. Chitral airport is built in one of the serene gorges of the River Kunar. I stayed at the deepest place in district Chitral known as Mir Khanni - over seventy kilometers from Chitral. As per the plans that I had made to see different sights in Chitral valley during free brakes in the schedule of my assignment, I boarded a passenger Mazda that was ready to go to Garam Chashma right from the airport early one April morning.
Read more »
Labels: Chitral, Garam Chashma, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, July 25, 2024,
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Love online
Wednesday 24 July 2024
I miss letters and greeting cards. A letter delivered by a postman, with its lines of handwriting, loops and angles that give a reflection of personality and, perhaps, secrets tucked inside the letters. Waiting for the postman to find a letter is old fashioned but many cherish still. Then opening letters, reading, and reading them again. There is a romance in writing and receiving letters that seems almost entirely lost to people particularly those who inhabit the cyberspace in this information era.
Read more »Labels: Eid Greetings, Greetings, Internet, Society
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, July 24, 2024,
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Apathy towards native trees pushing them towards extinction by Nabeel Anwar Dhakku
Labels: Environment, Indigenous Culture, Rural Culture
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, July 24, 2024,
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“Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be" in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
Labels: Literature
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, July 22, 2024,
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With Dr. Senta Siller
With Dr. Senta Siller and Ilyas on the bank of Lower Jhelum Canal near my village Mong {place is called 8 RD}.
Labels: Personal
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, July 22, 2024,
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When dreams come true
Saturday 20 July 2024
The first thing that I saw hung on the wall of his office was a framed verse of revered Pushto poet Khushal Khan Khattak. It said, "Right you love me deeply and immensely but what should I do that it still is not enough for me." Gulzar is a newspaper forwarding agent who works on contracts with different publishing houses to dispatch their publications to the newspaper agencies, which further arrange their mass circulation. I first met him in his office cum residence a decade ago. That was a place from where he arranges the dispatch of newspaper and periodicals to the agencies in over 200 stations (including remote villages, towns and small cities). He uses railways, road transport and airlines of that purpose. He has employed 11 workers, one motor rickshaw and a Suzuki pick up for the job. He has two telephones in the office and of course carries a cell phone.It takes a lot far a man to admit but over a period of 10 long years of our associations, Gulzar Baig has displayed a great courage in revealing the emotional trauma of his childhood, contempt and malice with which he had been treated and his undying obsessions.
Labels: Chasing Life, Profile
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 20, 2024,
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Single and Looking
Friday 19 July 2024
Things have changed far too much too fast. Writing about self no more seems difficult in this digital age. Exploring unlimited cyber expanses these days one cannot move much without reading variety of profiles, personal ads and statements. Readers soon are lured (or need) to upload their own, exceptions apart. Glut of matching and dating Websites (it seems as if every one in the world is 'single' and 'looking' out there) encourage and offer guidelines to write and some social networking sites also provide descriptive questionnaires or fill in the blank forms asking users to select what is most appropriate options about their appearance, interests, age, activities, likes and dislikes and some time more intimate things. This is one of the biggest trends not only in youth trying to extend their social circles and grab some attention but also for many others. Sophists article reads, "Almost 150 million people visited online dating sites in the month of January alone."
Read more »Labels: Chasing Life, Profile
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, July 19, 2024,
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Hazrat Ali (AS) on inclusive governance
Raza Rumi
Imam Ali (AS) had written a comprehensive letter – articulating principles of public policy – for the guidance of the newly appointed Governor to Egypt, Maalik al Ashtar. In this fascinating directive, Ali (AS) advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all. There is a timeless applicability of this famous letter. Selected passages from the text are reproduced below:
Religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realising the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you .
Read more »Imam Ali (AS) had written a comprehensive letter – articulating principles of public policy – for the guidance of the newly appointed Governor to Egypt, Maalik al Ashtar. In this fascinating directive, Ali (AS) advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all. There is a timeless applicability of this famous letter. Selected passages from the text are reproduced below:
Religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realising the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you .
Labels: Governance, Politics
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, July 19, 2024,
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Gogera Heritage Trail
Thursday 18 July 2024
People travel for many reasons; to see the things they can not see at home, to get away from the routine of life and work, to meet interesting people, to study different cultures and or to seek spiritual solace. For last decade, village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD known as Dolls Village) has become a unique village to attract large number of foreigners. Only in year 2000 travelers (including experts in different fields and social workers) from 40 different countries visited this village. And, most houses in TGD have built guest rooms for visitors who come here and stay as paying guests in homely atmosphere – clean linen, local cuisine and traditional hospitality. From Gogera one can ride a traditional horse drawn Tonga or an auto rickshaws to TGD on Gogera TGD Heritage Trail.
History and archeology make for good tourism that is largely a function of prosperity. The more money people have the more of it they will spend on travel and other intellectual pursuits. Today, worldwide tourism is an unprecedented 4.4 trillions dollars industry expected to be 10 trillions by 2010. Now once every beach, airport and other conventional tourist spots feel crowded like a cinema hall, people are constantly looking for quiet, unique and brand new destinations. Millions of tourists come to Asia every year. But the irony is that out side world does not know about Pakistan or has a distorted image of it; hence tourists cannot plan to visit. After all, Pakistan has much more to offer than many other countries combined together.
Read more »
History and archeology make for good tourism that is largely a function of prosperity. The more money people have the more of it they will spend on travel and other intellectual pursuits. Today, worldwide tourism is an unprecedented 4.4 trillions dollars industry expected to be 10 trillions by 2010. Now once every beach, airport and other conventional tourist spots feel crowded like a cinema hall, people are constantly looking for quiet, unique and brand new destinations. Millions of tourists come to Asia every year. But the irony is that out side world does not know about Pakistan or has a distorted image of it; hence tourists cannot plan to visit. After all, Pakistan has much more to offer than many other countries combined together.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, July 18, 2024,
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Nothing is more peaceful than having no interest in others business.
Labels: Chasing Life
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 13, 2024,
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Memories of the Flood 2010
Friday 12 July 2024
This article appeared in daily the Nation
After wreaking havoc across the country, the flood waters have slowly surged south along the Indus River, leaving the survivors with numerous daunting issues. According to raw estimates, the worst flood in the history of the country killed more than 1,750 people, forced out at least 10 million people from their homes, and caused over $43 billion in damage. The tour of sodden districts highlights more losses and more worries.
The flood began in July. The swollen waters then poured across the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province in the northwest before flowing south into Punjab and Sindh. It is feared that floods may have dangerous long-term effects on the stability of the country.
Labels: Flood economics, Floods, Floods 2010
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, July 12, 2024,
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True Blue
Thursday 11 July 2024
Multan retains in many respects the historic form of the medieval city — the towering citadel of Multan known as Qillah Kohna Qasim Bagh with its noble monuments sheltering the dense and compact walled city shrines and bazaars below. Its history goes back to pre Islamic and possibly to that of Indus valley civilisation and even beyond.
The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Read more »The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Labels: Blue Pottery, Multan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, July 11, 2024,
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National University of Modern languages
Wednesday 10 July 2024
Earlier, I learnt most of what I have known throughout my life during early stages from my parents and in the primary school. My teachers in small village primary school taught me reading, writing, counting and other basic skills required to lead a successful life. I have never forgotten the efforts of junior Vernacular Teachers to instill some kind of discipline in me. They also taught me about giving, sharing, enjoying, commitment, helping, smiling, trying and caring in addition to the academics.
Labels: NUML, Personal, Russian Language
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, July 10, 2024,
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The Apricot Road to Yarkand
Sunday 7 July 2024
The Apricot Road to Yarkand
is a spellbinding tale of journey from Shigar Valley to Yarkand in the North, over the glaciated Muztagh Pass by Salman Rashid. The author is master of conveying what seems to be going on in his heads in gripping prose that is never clichéd.
is a spellbinding tale of journey from Shigar Valley to Yarkand in the North, over the glaciated Muztagh Pass by Salman Rashid. The author is master of conveying what seems to be going on in his heads in gripping prose that is never clichéd.
First, a word about the author. Salman Salman is Pakistan's foremost travel writer. His passion for writing is matched by his passion for photography. His research, range of visual subjects and narratives make a remarkable and powerful combination. In addition to eight travel books, his work appears in leading English language journals. In The Apricot Road to Yarkand, Salman Rashid has also told how he switched his career in the army to become a full time researcher and a writer. (I keep thinking how Salman Rashid would have been in 'appreciation of tactical situations' on battle grounds if he was still in army?)
Salman Rashid is a historian in the truest sense. He writes from a knowledge standpoint as opposed to a position biased toward the dominant paradigm and its conquests. A moving writer, Salman reminds the heart of its search for power in a world which has forgotten its purpose for existence. As usual, Salman Rashid, 54 when he undertook the journey, delivers a ton of current information all based on historical research. No one else seems to have half the energy of this man. What is more, Salman Rashid is currently translating the book into Urdu language.
In The Apricot Road to Yarkand, Salman Rashid recounts his journey from Shigar Valley to Yarkand and he does so in frank and honest terms. Result of sixteen years of dreaming about everything that sits on the historic route from Baltistan to Yarkand, The Apricot Road to Yarkand is an epic to the essence of exploring mighty
mountains, but it is also about of the cultural, geological, and biological make up of mountains, people of that area, human behavior in difficult situations, and history; and about joy of watching purple-gray clouds spreading out like an atmospheric ocean in all directions as far as the eye can see.
mountains, but it is also about of the cultural, geological, and biological make up of mountains, people of that area, human behavior in difficult situations, and history; and about joy of watching purple-gray clouds spreading out like an atmospheric ocean in all directions as far as the eye can see.
Alan Hovaness once wrote, "Mountains are symbols of mankind's search for God," and Allen Ginsberg told us, "Things are symbols for themselves." In The Apricot Road to Yarkand, Salman Rashid allows the mountains to be symbols of the seeking soul and at the same time symbols of themselves - they are encountered as we internalize them in our quest, and they are encountered as they really are: cold, hard, lonely, mighty and sometime hazardous.
The Apricot Road to Yarkand inspires its readers to explore the less explored areas and experience for themselves what only a few had the fortune to discover. Well-written and wonderfully presented, the book is a must read for anyone remotely interested in mountains, adventures or for those who want to find out why a chunk of land was handed over to our best friends. I highly recommend it.
Labels: Books, History, Muztagh Pass Expedition, Salman Rashid, The Apricot Road to Yarkand, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, July 07, 2024,
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Your First Year Of Retirement: 5 Things To Expect
Labels: Retirement
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, July 06, 2024,
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Virtual Communities
Thursday 4 July 2024
Virtual world is seamlessly getting into real world. Social side of technologies is making the World Wide Web much more localized by bringing like-minded people together and in the process creating closely knit online communities.
Combination of features like worldwide accessibility and instantaneous communication has made it possible for backpackers, globetrotters and other curious from all over the world to join together at different online platforms to exchange information, experiences and plans in their favorite pursuit; travel.
Subscribers range from the professional travel writers to hardcore travelers and adventurers and commoners who are simply interested in reading online. Travel communities are accessible by millions of interested people all over the world.
Read more »Combination of features like worldwide accessibility and instantaneous communication has made it possible for backpackers, globetrotters and other curious from all over the world to join together at different online platforms to exchange information, experiences and plans in their favorite pursuit; travel.
Subscribers range from the professional travel writers to hardcore travelers and adventurers and commoners who are simply interested in reading online. Travel communities are accessible by millions of interested people all over the world.
Labels: Virtual Communities
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, July 04, 2024,
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Men at Their Best
Monday 1 July 2024
Always eager to get together, during COVID conditions, meeting of the course mates was only possible on the arrival of Salim Nawaz from Karachi, on the visit of Jamil Bravo from Canada and Nadeem Gilani from USA. Whatever the reason, we do not like long gaps between course mates meeting.
Thanks to Sir Asif, the Central Course Secretary, Zahir Khan, Muhammad Athar and Abbas Malik from Lahore Chapter who are always busy finding ways and excuses for us to stay connected, an accompanied get to gather was announced for 27 July 2022 evening. Some 70 plus members and their spouses attended. (Who else could boast this attendance other than Lahore Chapter?)
The highlights of the evening were attendance of (late) Alizai’s wife and his handsome son Ammar. Mrs Mustafa Maan, Mrs Dr Aamir, Mrs Baloch and Mrs Ijaz were also contacted by Zahir Khan but they could not make to the Club for personal reasons. Lahore Chapter has a very living tradition to invite families of our deceased brothers on such occasions. They are part of us. They always will be.
GM along with his Mrs and son come from Sahiwal and Kalyar as usual came from Sargodha. Special mention of Iqbal and Munir Butt (who are unwell) was made and prayers were offered for their quick and complete recovery.
Thanks to Zahir Khan, Muhammad Athar and Malik Abbas - the soul of Lahore Chapter – who like always made the get together (accompanied) possible; nicely laid out venue (DHA J Block Club, Golf View Hall), good food and lot of talks. Unanimous impression is that the spirit of 55 PMA and that of Lahore Chapter is alive. There are simply no signs of any of them getting old. They, perhaps, never will.
Labels: 55 PMA, Get Together, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, July 01, 2024,
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