Adil Najam

This picture was taken in Karachi earlier today (7 August, 2006) by atrophying and posted on Flickr.com.

Even if its was done inadvertently, I find it a very timely and appropriate billboard. Especially at this precarious time in India-Pakistan relations – note the silliness of recalled diplomats – when extremists on both sides seem to be succeeding in scuttling what had been a reasonably good process of rebuilding confidence.

Anyhow, my dear subcontinentals, please hold your sun-baked passions and enjoy the picture. Whether it was intended as such or not, I will take this as a neighborly greeting from one neighbor to another.

On behalf of all us Pakistanis, I thank you dear Amitabh. And I wish you, and all Indians everywhere, a wonderful Independence Day of your own on August 15.

Adil Najam

This newsitem in Dawn (7 August, 2006) by Bhagwandas say it all.

KARACHI, Aug 6: Over 20,000 books, including a number of precious and rare ones, of the Central Archeological Reference Library have been shifted to yet another location in the city for the fifth time in nearly a decade, it is learnt reliably on Sunday. …

The books of Central Archeological Reference Library, known as one of the best on the subject in the entire South Asian region, located on the ground floor of the department’s head office were first shifted during mid 1990s after torrential rains. The library was inundated with knee-deep rainwater that ruined a number of rare books.

The books were shifted to the exploration and excavation branch office on Sharea Faisal, where they were kept for long. Later, these books were shifted to the Flag Staff House Museum and after remaining there for some time these books were shifted back to the exploration and excavation branch.

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By S A J Shirazi

An old sleepy and dusty village Satghara lies about 20 minutes drive away from Okara in the quiet backwaters of Punjab.

The coins found at Satghara prove that the place was inhabited at the time of Kushan dynasty. On the Southern bank of River Ravi, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Though in a state of total neglect it has never been out of limelight.

Besides heritage conscious people from all over the world the village has been visited by many prominent Balcoh leaders. The reason they say is that its a “tukia nwab chrakr ki,” the last resting place of great Baloch hero Mir Chakar Rind.