Major Abid - A hero to his last breath!Unfortunately the Pakistan Army has been the butt of Public Criticism during the last few years, but the people forget that the Pakistan Army and its valiant soldiers have always been injecting the fresh blood in the national polity by their inimitable sacrifices, be it the floods or the earthquake or the war against the enemy. Same spirit of sacrifice and valour is being exhibited in the ongoing struggle against the militants. The heroic story of Major ABID MAJEED bears testimony to this reality.
Year of Training - 2009COAS has declared year 2009 as "Year of Training", which has commenced with effect from 1 February 2009 with the aim of reinvigorating training culture in the Army. It is desired that the focus of training during the year should remain at battalion level while at the formation level we should continue as a full spectrum force for conventional tasks and Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). Conceptual parameters have been given and year has begun...


Year of The Soldier - 2008The Chief of Army Staff had dedicated 2008 as ‘Year of the Soldier’. The objective of this plan was to improve the standard and quality of life of a soldier in tangible terms. This is a wholesome concept, which shall ensure that Army’s priorities in terms of funding reflect this new direction. Four key areas were identified viz : family accommodation, proper ration scales, well stitched uniform and education facilities.

The Pakistani Society and Culture

Islam
. Islam is practised by the majority of Pakistanis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. . Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. . During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.

The Family
. The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity.. It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbours. . Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business. . Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. . The family is more private than in many other cultures.. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Pakistani's wife or other female relatives. . Families are quite large by western standards, often having up to 6 children.

Hierarchical Society
. Pakistan is a hierarchical society. . People are respected because of their age and position. . Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat, and in general are treated much like royalty. . Pakistanis expect the most senior person, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. . Titles are very important and denote respect. It is expected that you will use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name.

junaid jamshed

Six killed in Peshawar twin blasts;

PESHAWAR: At least 6 persons were killed and 100 others injured in two consecutive bomb blasts occurred in populated locations in Peshawar on Thursday. Dozens of vehicles and shops were destroyed.Two terrorists were killed in the ensuing search operation undertaken by the police in the area upon receiving information regarding presence of suspected persons.The blasts occurred in Qisa Khwani and Kabari Bazar within two minutes of each other.Saifullah, Imtiaz, Muhammad Naeem, Javed Khan and an unidentified child are among those killed in the incident.The first blast occurred in shops of electronic goods while the second one ripped through Qisa Khwani market.The injured were rushed to the nearby hospitals where emergency has been declared.The eyewitnesses say the explosion at Qisa Khwani happened as a bomb planted in a car parked outside the market went off.Later, police embarked on a search operation in the area on information of presence of suspected persons. This led to an encounter between the suspects and heavily armed contingents of police. The police, led by CCPO Safwat Ghayoor, undertook operation at two buildings and managed to arrest two terrorists while as many miscreants were killed in the action.IG Police NWFP, Malik Naveed who arrived on the spot, lauded the police efforts and thanked the Peshawar people on cooperating with the police.President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, NWFP Governor Owais Ghani, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti, Chief Minister Balochistan Aslam Raisani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira and other leaders condemned the incident in strongest terms.

Lahore suicide blast

LAHORE: The suicide car bomb blast at Rescue-15 building adjacent to CCPO Office killed 24 people and injured over 200 others here in Civil Line area on Wednesday.The injured have been shifted to different hospitals of the city where medical aid is being provided to them.President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the blast.According to sources, gunshots were being heard near the blast site for minutes before a speeding red van laden with explosives broke the barriers outside the Rescue-15 building and blew up with a loud blast, bringing down the entire building.The suicide bomber intended to target the office of the CCPO, sources added.Explosives weighing 100 kilograms were used in the explosion which was followed by gunshots in the area with intervals while four suspects were arrested from the blast site.Windowpanes of the nearby buildings and houses were shattered and 15 vehicles were destroyed as thick smoke clouded the blast site.Rescue activities were kick-started after the blast and the injured were whisked away by ambulances to Meo, Gangaram and Services hospitals.Machines are being used to recover people trapped under the debris. Six of the ten bodies brought to Meo Hospital were of policemen while two bodies are beyond recognition