Monday 25 April 2011
Friday 25 March 2011
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE
Lahore
Home of thousands,
teeming bazaars,
shouts of merchants selling their wares,
bustle of people haggling
the age old practise,
no simple exchange of money and goods here.
Visitors from all over the world come
for learning, trade or just to see.
Quiet gardens,
where friends and family go to find peace
amidst the scented flowers.
Elegant houses of the well-to-do,
not so well off,
down to the hovels of the poor in their grinding poverty,
worse of all,
the homeless,
the beggars,
young and old alike,
children and grandparents.
Why is this?
In every land the same.
We come, we see,
a few pennies given to ease a conscience that cannot make much difference in a life.
But does our pain for the misery make a difference?
To us?
To them?
No.
Everyone has one life,
we can only live it the way we see best.
Why are we here?
Why are they there?
Our life is a gift
from God.
We must live our life to the level he has placed us.
HE put us here.
Who are we to question?
Lahore is London, Calcutta, Munich, Paris.
Inside, people are no different,
whatever their origin.
Lahore,
where I, as a
foreigner,
also feel at home.
Lahore
Home of thousands,
teeming bazaars,
shouts of merchants selling their wares,
bustle of people haggling
the age old practise,
no simple exchange of money and goods here.
Visitors from all over the world come
for learning, trade or just to see.
Quiet gardens,
where friends and family go to find peace
amidst the scented flowers.
Elegant houses of the well-to-do,
not so well off,
down to the hovels of the poor in their grinding poverty,
worse of all,
the homeless,
the beggars,
young and old alike,
children and grandparents.
Why is this?
In every land the same.
We come, we see,
a few pennies given to ease a conscience that cannot make much difference in a life.
But does our pain for the misery make a difference?
To us?
To them?
No.
Everyone has one life,
we can only live it the way we see best.
Why are we here?
Why are they there?
Our life is a gift
from God.
We must live our life to the level he has placed us.
HE put us here.
Who are we to question?
Lahore is London, Calcutta, Munich, Paris.
Inside, people are no different,
whatever their origin.
Lahore,
where I, as a
foreigner,
also feel at home.
Related hubs
- The shrine of Madhu Lal Hussain
Historically the city of Lahore is called the Garden of Mughals or heart of Pakistan. It has a history dating back to 3,000 years. Ruled and plundered by a number of dynasties and hordes, the city has seen... - pakistan pictures
PART I Having sorted through hundreds of pictures, (most of them taken myself, others on line) I have finally attempted to capture the 'essence' of Pakistan after my recent trip there.....one I shall never... - Shalimar Garden, Lahore, Pakistan
Shalimar Garden, Lahore, Pakistan There are three Shalimar Gardens, one in Kashmir, one in Delhi and one in Lahore. I have visited the garden in Lahore and although much of its former beauty is long gone,... - The Monkey Boy
Monkey boy,Pakistan The Monkey Boy Dirty, ragged and hungry hopeless, he stands there in the street. His monkey more hopeless, more desolate than he, cowers in the corner by the store....
List Of All Prime Ministers Of Pakistan
In Pakistan, Prime Minister is the Head of Government of Pakistan. Pakistan prime minister is elected by members of the national assembly of Pakistan. Mostly prime minister is the head of the party which gets the majority of seats. Prime Minister appoints the cabinet of Pakistan. Prime Minister of Pakistan can be removed by president of Pakistan through dissolution of the National Assembly and trigger new elections in Pakistan. Liaquat Ali Khan is the first prime minister of Pakistan. Yousaf Raza Gillani is the current prime minister of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto is the first and only female prime minister of Pakistan.In this hub there is list of prime ministers of Pakistan and we discuss about them.
First Pakistan Prime Minister: Liaquat Ali Khan
Name: Liaquat Ali Khan
Birth Date: 1 October,1895
Death Date: 16 October 1951
Birth Place: Karnal
Took Prime Minister Office: 14 August,1947
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 October,1951
Liaquat Ali Khan was the 1st Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 1 October 1895 at Karnal. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 14 August 1947 to 16 October 1951.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 56 on 16 October 1951 at Rawalpindi.
Birth Date: 1 October,1895
Death Date: 16 October 1951
Birth Place: Karnal
Took Prime Minister Office: 14 August,1947
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 October,1951
Liaquat Ali Khan was the 1st Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 1 October 1895 at Karnal. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 14 August 1947 to 16 October 1951.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 56 on 16 October 1951 at Rawalpindi.
Khawaja Nazimuddin
Second Pakistan Prime Minister: Khawaja Nazimuddin
Name: Khawaja Nazimuddin
Birth Date: 19 July,1894
Death Date: 22 October,1964
Birth Place: Dacca
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1951
Left Prime Minister Office: 17 April,1953
Khawaja Nazimuddin was the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 July 1894 at Dacca. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 October 1951 to 17 April 1953.He was also the Governor General of Pakistan from 14 September 1948 to to 17 October 1951.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 70 on 22 October 1964 at Dacca.
Birth Date: 19 July,1894
Death Date: 22 October,1964
Birth Place: Dacca
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1951
Left Prime Minister Office: 17 April,1953
Khawaja Nazimuddin was the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 July 1894 at Dacca. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 October 1951 to 17 April 1953.He was also the Governor General of Pakistan from 14 September 1948 to to 17 October 1951.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 70 on 22 October 1964 at Dacca.
Muhammad Ali Bogra
Third Pakistan Prime Minister: Muhammad Ali Bogra
Name: Muhammad Ali Bogra
Birth Date: 19 October,1909
Death Date: 23 January,1963
Birth Place: Bogra
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 April,1953
Left Prime Minister Office: 12 August,1955
Muhammad Ali Bogra was the 3rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 October 1909 at Bogra. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 April 1953 to 12 August 1955.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Shia Islam religion. He died at the age of 53 on 23 January 1963 at Dacca.
Birth Date: 19 October,1909
Death Date: 23 January,1963
Birth Place: Bogra
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 April,1953
Left Prime Minister Office: 12 August,1955
Muhammad Ali Bogra was the 3rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 October 1909 at Bogra. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 April 1953 to 12 August 1955.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Shia Islam religion. He died at the age of 53 on 23 January 1963 at Dacca.
Chaudhry Muhammad Ali
Fourth Pakistan Prime Minister: Chaudhry Muhammad Ali
Name: Chaudhry Muhammad Ali
Birth Date: 15 July,1905
Death Date: 2 December,1980
Birth Place: Jalandhar
Took Prime Minister Office: 12 August,1955
Left Prime Minister Office: 12 September,1956
Chaudhry Muhammad Ali was the 4th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 15 July 1905 at Jalandhar. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 12 August 1955 to 12 September 1956.He also served as Minister of Finance from 24 October 1951 to 11 August 1955. He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 75 on 2 December 1980 at Karachi.
Birth Date: 15 July,1905
Death Date: 2 December,1980
Birth Place: Jalandhar
Took Prime Minister Office: 12 August,1955
Left Prime Minister Office: 12 September,1956
Chaudhry Muhammad Ali was the 4th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 15 July 1905 at Jalandhar. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 12 August 1955 to 12 September 1956.He also served as Minister of Finance from 24 October 1951 to 11 August 1955. He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 75 on 2 December 1980 at Karachi.
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
Fifth Pakistan Prime Minister: Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
Name: Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
Birth Date: 8 September,1892
Death Date: 5 December,1963
Birth Place: Midnapore
Took Prime Minister Office: 12 September,1956
Left Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1957
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was the 5th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 8 September 1892 at Midnapore. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 12 September 1956 to 17 October 1957. He was from Awami League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 71 on 5 December 1963 at Beirut.
Birth Date: 8 September,1892
Death Date: 5 December,1963
Birth Place: Midnapore
Took Prime Minister Office: 12 September,1956
Left Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1957
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was the 5th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 8 September 1892 at Midnapore. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 12 September 1956 to 17 October 1957. He was from Awami League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 71 on 5 December 1963 at Beirut.
Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar
Sixth Pakistan Prime Minister: Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar
Name: Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar
Birth Date: 15 September,1897
Death Date: 26 September,1960
Birth Place: Ahmedabad
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1957
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 December,1957
Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar was the 6th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 15 September 1897 at Ahmedabad. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 October 1957 to 16 December 1957. He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Sunni Islam religion. He died at the age of 63 on 26 September 1960 at London.
Birth Date: 15 September,1897
Death Date: 26 September,1960
Birth Place: Ahmedabad
Took Prime Minister Office: 17 October,1957
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 December,1957
Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar was the 6th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 15 September 1897 at Ahmedabad. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 17 October 1957 to 16 December 1957. He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Sunni Islam religion. He died at the age of 63 on 26 September 1960 at London.
Sir Feroz Khan Noon
Seventh Pakistan Prime Minister: Sir Feroz Khan Noon
Name: Sir Feroz Khan Noon
Birth Date: 18 June,1893
Death Date: 9 December,1970
Birth Place: Punjab
Took Prime Minister Office: 16 December,1957
Left Prime Minister Office: 7 October,1958
Sir Feroz Khan Noon was the 7th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 18 June 1893 at Punjab. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 16 December 1957 to 7 October 1958. He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 12 September 1956 to 17 October 1957 in Pakistan. He was from Sunni Islam religion. He died at the age of 77 on 9 December 1970 at Nurpur Noon.
Birth Date: 18 June,1893
Death Date: 9 December,1970
Birth Place: Punjab
Took Prime Minister Office: 16 December,1957
Left Prime Minister Office: 7 October,1958
Sir Feroz Khan Noon was the 7th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 18 June 1893 at Punjab. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 16 December 1957 to 7 October 1958. He also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 12 September 1956 to 17 October 1957 in Pakistan. He was from Sunni Islam religion. He died at the age of 77 on 9 December 1970 at Nurpur Noon.
Nurul Amin
Eighth Pakistan Prime Minister: Nurul Amin
Name: Nurul Amin
Birth Date: 15 July,1893
Death Date: 2 October,1974
Birth Place: Shahbazpur
Took Prime Minister Office: 7 December,1971
Left Prime Minister Office: 20 December,1971
Nurul Amin was the 8th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was also the 8th vice president of Pakistan.He was born on 15 July 1893 at Shahbazpur. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 7 December 1971 to 20 December 1971.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 81 on 2 October 1974 at Rawalpindi.
Birth Date: 15 July,1893
Death Date: 2 October,1974
Birth Place: Shahbazpur
Took Prime Minister Office: 7 December,1971
Left Prime Minister Office: 20 December,1971
Nurul Amin was the 8th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was also the 8th vice president of Pakistan.He was born on 15 July 1893 at Shahbazpur. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 7 December 1971 to 20 December 1971.He was from Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 81 on 2 October 1974 at Rawalpindi.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Nineth Pakistan Prime Minister: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Name: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Birth Date: 5 January,1928
Death Date: 4 April,1979
Birth Place: Larkana
Took President Office: 20 December,1971
Left President Office: 13 August,1973
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan.He also served as the 4th president of Pakistan. He was born on 5 January 1928 at Larkana.He served as Prime Minister of Pakistan from 14 August 1973 to 5 July 1977.He was president of Pakistan from 20 December 1971 to 13 August 1973.He also served as 7th Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Minister of Foreign Affairs.He was from 4 April 1979.He was Muslim by religion.He died at the age of 51 on 4 April 1979 at Rawalpindi
Birth Date: 5 January,1928
Death Date: 4 April,1979
Birth Place: Larkana
Took President Office: 20 December,1971
Left President Office: 13 August,1973
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan.He also served as the 4th president of Pakistan. He was born on 5 January 1928 at Larkana.He served as Prime Minister of Pakistan from 14 August 1973 to 5 July 1977.He was president of Pakistan from 20 December 1971 to 13 August 1973.He also served as 7th Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Minister of Foreign Affairs.He was from 4 April 1979.He was Muslim by religion.He died at the age of 51 on 4 April 1979 at Rawalpindi
Muhammad Khan Junejo
Tenth Pakistan Prime Minister: Muhammad Khan Junejo
Name: Muhammad Khan Junejo
Birth Date: 18 August,1932
Death Date: 16 March,1993
Birth Place: Sindhri
Took Prime Minister Office: 24 March,1985
Left Prime Minister Office: 29 May,1988
Muhammad Khan Junejo was the 10th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 18 August 1932 at Sindhri. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 24 March 1985 to 29 May 1988.He was from Pakistan Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 60 on 16 March 1993 at Islamabad.
Birth Date: 18 August,1932
Death Date: 16 March,1993
Birth Place: Sindhri
Took Prime Minister Office: 24 March,1985
Left Prime Minister Office: 29 May,1988
Muhammad Khan Junejo was the 10th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 18 August 1932 at Sindhri. He was prime minister of Pakistan from 24 March 1985 to 29 May 1988.He was from Pakistan Muslim League political party. He was from Islam religion. He died at the age of 60 on 16 March 1993 at Islamabad.
Benazir Bhutto
Eleventh Pakistan Prime Minister: Benazir Bhutto
Name: Benazir Bhutto
Birth Date: 21 June,1953
Death Date: 27 December,2007
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 2 December,1988
Left Prime Minister Office: 6 August,1990
Benazir Bhutto was the 11th and only female Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was born on 21 June 1953 at Karachi.She was prime minister of Pakistan from 2 December 1988 to 6 August 1990. She was again selected prime minister of Pakistan from 19 October 1993 to 5 November 1996.She also served as Minister of Finance,Minister of Defense and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party.She was from Pakistan Peoples political party. She was from Islam religion. She died at the age of 54 on 27 December 2007 at Rawalpindi.
Birth Date: 21 June,1953
Death Date: 27 December,2007
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 2 December,1988
Left Prime Minister Office: 6 August,1990
Benazir Bhutto was the 11th and only female Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was born on 21 June 1953 at Karachi.She was prime minister of Pakistan from 2 December 1988 to 6 August 1990. She was again selected prime minister of Pakistan from 19 October 1993 to 5 November 1996.She also served as Minister of Finance,Minister of Defense and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party.She was from Pakistan Peoples political party. She was from Islam religion. She died at the age of 54 on 27 December 2007 at Rawalpindi.
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif
Former Pakistan Prime Minister: Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif
Name: Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif
Birth Date: 25 December,1949
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 6 November,1990
Left Prime Minister Office: 18 April,1993
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif was the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 21 June 1953 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 6 November 1990 to 18 April 1993. He was also prime minister of Pakistan from 17 February 1997 – 12 October 1999 and 26 May 1993 – 18 July 1993.He was from Pakistan Muslim League political party.
Birth Date: 25 December,1949
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 6 November,1990
Left Prime Minister Office: 18 April,1993
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif was the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 21 June 1953 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 6 November 1990 to 18 April 1993. He was also prime minister of Pakistan from 17 February 1997 – 12 October 1999 and 26 May 1993 – 18 July 1993.He was from Pakistan Muslim League political party.
Zafarullah Khan Jamali
Former Pakistan Prime Minister: Zafarullah Khan Jamali
Name: Zafarullah Khan Jamali
Birth Date: 1 January,1944
Birth Place: Baluchistan
Took Prime Minister Office: 21 November,2002
Left Prime Minister Office: 26 June,2004
Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the 13th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 1 January 1944 at Baluchistan.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 21 November 2002 to 26 June 2004. He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Birth Date: 1 January,1944
Birth Place: Baluchistan
Took Prime Minister Office: 21 November,2002
Left Prime Minister Office: 26 June,2004
Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the 13th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 1 January 1944 at Baluchistan.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 21 November 2002 to 26 June 2004. He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Former Pakistan Prime Minister: Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Name: Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Birth Date: January 27, 1946
Birth Place: Gujrat
Took Prime Minister Office: 30 June,2004
Left Prime Minister Office: 20 August,2004
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was the 14th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 27 January 1946 at Gujrat.He was prime minister of pakistan from 30 June 2004 to 20 August 2004. He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Birth Date: January 27, 1946
Birth Place: Gujrat
Took Prime Minister Office: 30 June,2004
Left Prime Minister Office: 20 August,2004
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was the 14th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 27 January 1946 at Gujrat.He was prime minister of pakistan from 30 June 2004 to 20 August 2004. He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Shaukat Aziz
Former Pakistan Prime Minister: Shaukat Aziz
Name: Shaukat Aziz
Birth Date: 6 March,1949
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 20 August,2004
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 November,2007
Shaukat Aziz was the 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 6 March 1949 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 20 August 2004 to 16 November 2007. He also served as Minister of Finance of Pakistan from 12 October 1999 to 15 November 2007.He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Birth Date: 6 March,1949
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 20 August,2004
Left Prime Minister Office: 16 November,2007
Shaukat Aziz was the 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 6 March 1949 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 20 August 2004 to 16 November 2007. He also served as Minister of Finance of Pakistan from 12 October 1999 to 15 November 2007.He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Muhammad Mian Soomro
Former Pakistan Prime Minister: Muhammad Mian Soomro
Name: Muhammad Mian Soomro
Birth Date: 19 August,1950
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 16 November,2007
Left Prime Minister Office: 25 March,2008
Muhammad Mian Soomro was the 16th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 August 1950 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 16 November 2007 to 25 March 2008. He also served as 4th Chairman of the Senate in Pakistan.He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Birth Date: 19 August,1950
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 16 November,2007
Left Prime Minister Office: 25 March,2008
Muhammad Mian Soomro was the 16th Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 19 August 1950 at Karachi.He was prime minister of Pakistan from 16 November 2007 to 25 March 2008. He also served as 4th Chairman of the Senate in Pakistan.He was from Pakistan Muslim League Quaid political party. He was from Islam religion.
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Current Pakistan Prime Minister: Yousaf Raza Gillani
Name: Yousaf Raza GillaniBirth Date: 9 June,1952
Birth Place: Karachi
Took Prime Minister Office: 25 March,2008
Yousaf Raza Gillani is the 17th and current Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was born on 9 June 1952 at Karachi.He is prime minister of Pakistan since 25 March 2008. He was also the 15th Speaker of National Assembly.He was from Pakistan Peoples political party. He was from Shia Islam religion.
OBSTACLES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan inherited an extremely narrow economic base at the time of Partition in 1947 Since then, the Government of Pakistan is making rigorous efforts to build up infrastructure and productive potential of the economy through the process of development planning. The start for preparing the country for future advancement was made by launching a Six Year Development Programmer (1951-57) named as Colombo Plan. The Plan was suspended two years before its completion due to the repercussions of Korea War. In addition to the Colombo Plan, Five other Five Year Development Plans were drawn up and implemented. The Sixth and Seventh Five Year Plan are complete. The 8th Five Year Plan (1993-98) has been implemented.
If the economic performance since 1947 is evaluated, the overall results are not very encouraging. The per capita income at market price is only 925 dollars per year in 2007 in Pakistan. The major portion of the population is just above the poverty line (poverty line 23.9%) The disturbing feature of the economy is that whatever economic growth has been achieved, it is accompanied by unequal distribution of wealth. |This has created social tension in the country and has slowed down the rate of economic growth. Pakistan has devised various strategies to quicken the tempo of economic development but it has not been able to break the vicious circle of poverty and enter into take off stage. The main obstacles which have affected the rate of growth in Pakistan are grouped under following heads.
(1) Economic obstacles (2) Social and cultural obstacles (3) Administrative obstacles. These obstacles are now discussed in brief:
(2) Fiscal deficit. Another serious constraint in economic development is the higher levels of budget deficits. The overall budget deficit was 8% of GDP in 1990-91. It was brought down to 5.4% in 1999-2000. The present government has succeeded in bringing its down to 4.2% in 2006-07. The large fiscal deficits reduces the capacity of the government to spend on key development activates.
On the revenue side, the tax GDP ratio stands at around 9.5% during the last several years. It is mainly attributable to narrow tax base, inelastic tax system, complex tax laws, heavy reliance on foreign trade taxes, large tax exemptions and incentives, tax evasions, weak tax administration etc. On the expenditure side, defense and bebt serving are taking a very major share of the current revenue.
(3) Banking and Financial Sector in Crisis. The second major economic impediment to economic development was that the public sector banks and development financial institutions (DFI's) were mainly in crisis. Excessive bank credits, large scale defaults in payment of loans were great fault lines of the economy. The poor performance of the financial sector had adversely affected development in various sectors of the economy till 2000. However, due to rapid economic growth from 2000 onward, the banking sector is earning profits. The investment of the banks is mostly on consumer products.
(4) Persistent deficit in balance of payments. Another important obstacle to economic development is the persistent deficit in the balance of payments over the years.
(5) Financing the budgetary gap. Oneof the serious factor distorting the fiscal system and obviously economic growth is the huge amount of borrowing to finance the budgetary gap. The budgetary gap is financed through three sources (i) External borrowing, (2) Domestic non bank borrowing, (3) Borrowing from the banking system. Excessive bank borrowing creates inflationary pressure in the economy.
(6) Deficiency of Capital. Deficiency of capital is an important obstacle in the way of economic development. If a country is to achieve rapid rate of economic development, it must save at-least 25% of GDP each year. In Pakistan, the rate of national saving is very low. It is about 16.1% of GDP which is hardly able to maintain current per capita level in the country.
(7) Scarcity of Foreign Exchange. Pakistan, like other developing countries, is foreign trade oriented. It is concentrating mainly on the export of cotton, carpets and manual labour leather, rice, sport goods. The excessive dependence on export of a few items has made the economy unstable and is a great obstacle to economic growth, which are mainly primary commodities. The increase in the prices of imported goods and their rising flow in the country is a big strain on the foreign exchange resources.
(8) Rapidly Growing Population. The population is growing at the rate of about 1.8% annually in Pakistan. As a result of the rapid increase, the proportion of dependants below the age of 15 years and above the age of has gone up to 73% which is a great burden on the meager resources of the country and a big obstacle to economic development.
(9) Low Level of Technology. One of the obstacles to economic development in Pakistan is the use of low level of technology in various sectors of the economy. We do not stress and even do not recommend that Pakistan should adopt most modern and sophisticated technology. The technology to be applied in Pakistan should be appropriate to the conditions prevailing in the country. For instance we should preferably use cheap sources of energy, simple farm equipment, smaller plants and scale of machinery etc suitable to the local conditions.
(10) Dualistic Economy. Dualism is an another important obstacle to economic development in Pakistan. There is a vast regional disparity in income. The use of technology differs from sector to sector and region to region. There are differences in the social customs, habits and attitudes towards work of the people living i different provinces of the country. The occurrence of dualism stand in the way of optimum utilization of factors.
2. Social and Cultural Obstacles:
The socio-cultural attitudes of the people also stand in the way of economic development of our country. In Pakistan, more than 50% of the people are illiterate. They are ignorant of the development taking place in their own country as well as in the world. society. The people are mostly conservative in their habits. They feel pride in the native culture and are generally not receptive to foreign methods of production. People lack self confidence and initiative. The joint family system, though on the decline, has also killed the sense of initiative and the incentive to work. The caste system functioning mostly in terms of occupation tailors, carpenters, goldsmiths, etc restrict occupational and geographical mobility. The occupational classification which is mostly village centered impede the economic development. The religious beliefs of the people condemning the accumulation of wealth, dependence upon fate and the will of God only are also obstacles to economic growth. People forget here that God has also said, ''Your duty is to do and then put the result in the hands of God.''
The unnecessary expenditure on marriages, deaths, births, litigations, class pride etc. has reduced domestic saving and has adversely affected economic progress. About half of the population comprises women folk. Our social taboos and customs prevent them from working and improving the standard of living. The basic needs of the people remain largely unsatisfied. We do agree here that socio-cultural factors have impeded economic progress. We should not forget here also that the adoption of socio-cultural attitudes of the West have brought down the quality of life as well.
3. Political and Administrative Obstacles:
For accelerating the rate of economic development, there should be political stability in the country. If there is a change in the government set up due to elections, or of dictatorship, the planning job done by the previous government should not be altered altogether.
The planning machinery and all others involved in administration should be loyal to the country. They should be competent sympathetic and honest in the performance of the duties assigned to them. In Pakistan, since its inception, there are rapid changes in governments. Each government which came into power condemned the planning work done by the previous governments. They framed their own plans, formulated their own strategies of development and left the claim without achieving the targets of the Plans. The history of planning show that with the exception of the Faith Five Year Plan, all other Plans have failed to achieve their targets. The overall line of the planning machinery in Pakistan is bureaucratic rather than professional. The administration working in various departments is generally weak, incompetent and unsympathetic. Self interest is dominating over national interest which is a great barrier to economic development. Another administrative obstacle line the way of economic development is that we have not so far been able to decide about the nature of economic system to be adopted in Pakistan. Mixed economy, Socialistic economy. Islamic economy all are talked about but nothing concrete has actually been practiced. There should be clarity on this fundamental issue so that planning is drawn up according to the socio-economic objective of that system and a path of development laid out.
Remedial Measures for Economic Development
We have discussed the major obstacles to economic development. The practical means of setting aside the barriers to economic development are now to be stored out. It is a big challenge to the planners. We are of the opinion that if following measures are right earnestly applied, the rate of economic development can go up.
(1) Expanding the tax base. For expanding the resource base, it is necessary that the coverage of indirect taxes be reduced. In designing the tax reforms, care has to be taken to minimise burden on the common man. The share of direct taxes has also to be increased.
(2) Tax on agriculture income. The government can raise more revue by brining the agriculturists income in the tax net on proper footings.
(3) Self reliance. Pakistan is knee deep in foreign debt. If we are really desirous of increasing the rate of economic development, we shall have to lessen our dependence on foreign assistance. The strategy of self reliance, as far as possible, should be followed for financing development projects.
(4) Export led growth. For the rapid development of the economy, the strategy of export led growth should be carefully chalked out. The production of value added goods on large scale, having comparative advantage in production will greatly solve the problem of limited size of the domestic market. The production of import substitutes at home will save the precious foreign exchange.
(5) Industrialization. Another approach to development planning within the framework of mixed economy is to give priority to the establishment of those industries which meet the basic needs of the various sectors of the economy. The production of improved basic agricultural implements will greatly help in raising the agricultural production.
(6) Strategy of self management. In communist countries, the development planning is being decentralized. Development planning is declared a right and obligation of the planning agents. The system if adopted in a coordinated manner shall help in quickening the tempo of economic development in this country.
(7) Development of agricultural sector. The Government of Pakistan, in view of the importance of agriculture in the national economy, is attaching high priority to the development of this sector. Expanded credit facilities, provision of fertilizer, pesticides and improved seeds are the right steps in improving agricultural production which contributes 20.9% of GDP and accounts for 46% of foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan.
(8) Improvement of the infrastructure. A great deal of improvement in the means of transport, power, roads, banking, education, etc. has to be made for economic development.
(9) Constitutional cover. The state owned industrial units which are being privatized and other private units should be given Constitutional cover. The state of uncertainty of their nationalization again be removed once for all.
(10) Stable fiscal and monetary policies. In order to accelerate the rate of economic development, the fiscal and monetary measures should be carefully chalked out There should not be frequent changes after a few months in the import and export policies, revision of taxes etc.
(11) Promoting Technology. For economic take off, it is very essential that we take effective steps in promoting science and technology. The technological development will help in keeping our products and exports competitive in the world market.
(12) Administrative Reforms. There should be far reaching administrative reforms in the country. The professionally qualified personnel should be inducted and assigned specific targets to be achieved in the allocated sectors. There should be reduction in the administrative expenditure also.
(13) Development of physical and human capital. Development of physical infrastructure, roads, railways etc. and increased investment on education, health and nutrition etc. can play a dominant role in increasing economic development in the country.
(14) Slowing the rate of population growth. High rate population growth (about 1.8%) is also intensifying constraint on the development of savings, foreign exchange and human resources. If we want the qualities of human life, prosperity in place of poverty, education in place of ignorance, health in place of illness, environmental beauty in place of deterioration, we shall have to take measures to control the family size.
During the last four years, the government has identified five key sectors for promoting economic growth and bringing it to the level of 8% growth rate. These sectors include (i) agriculture (ii) housing and construction (iii) small and medium enterprises (iv) information technology and (v) oil and gas sectors.
If the economic performance since 1947 is evaluated, the overall results are not very encouraging. The per capita income at market price is only 925 dollars per year in 2007 in Pakistan. The major portion of the population is just above the poverty line (poverty line 23.9%) The disturbing feature of the economy is that whatever economic growth has been achieved, it is accompanied by unequal distribution of wealth. |This has created social tension in the country and has slowed down the rate of economic growth. Pakistan has devised various strategies to quicken the tempo of economic development but it has not been able to break the vicious circle of poverty and enter into take off stage. The main obstacles which have affected the rate of growth in Pakistan are grouped under following heads.
(1) Economic obstacles (2) Social and cultural obstacles (3) Administrative obstacles. These obstacles are now discussed in brief:
1 Economic Obstacles
(1) External debt: There was a rising trend in external debt which posed a serious threat to the economic future of the country. During the last five years, serious efforts are being made to reduce the external liabilities as far as possible. The external debt even now stands at $ 38.8 billion in 2007.(2) Fiscal deficit. Another serious constraint in economic development is the higher levels of budget deficits. The overall budget deficit was 8% of GDP in 1990-91. It was brought down to 5.4% in 1999-2000. The present government has succeeded in bringing its down to 4.2% in 2006-07. The large fiscal deficits reduces the capacity of the government to spend on key development activates.
On the revenue side, the tax GDP ratio stands at around 9.5% during the last several years. It is mainly attributable to narrow tax base, inelastic tax system, complex tax laws, heavy reliance on foreign trade taxes, large tax exemptions and incentives, tax evasions, weak tax administration etc. On the expenditure side, defense and bebt serving are taking a very major share of the current revenue.
(3) Banking and Financial Sector in Crisis. The second major economic impediment to economic development was that the public sector banks and development financial institutions (DFI's) were mainly in crisis. Excessive bank credits, large scale defaults in payment of loans were great fault lines of the economy. The poor performance of the financial sector had adversely affected development in various sectors of the economy till 2000. However, due to rapid economic growth from 2000 onward, the banking sector is earning profits. The investment of the banks is mostly on consumer products.
(4) Persistent deficit in balance of payments. Another important obstacle to economic development is the persistent deficit in the balance of payments over the years.
(5) Financing the budgetary gap. Oneof the serious factor distorting the fiscal system and obviously economic growth is the huge amount of borrowing to finance the budgetary gap. The budgetary gap is financed through three sources (i) External borrowing, (2) Domestic non bank borrowing, (3) Borrowing from the banking system. Excessive bank borrowing creates inflationary pressure in the economy.
(6) Deficiency of Capital. Deficiency of capital is an important obstacle in the way of economic development. If a country is to achieve rapid rate of economic development, it must save at-least 25% of GDP each year. In Pakistan, the rate of national saving is very low. It is about 16.1% of GDP which is hardly able to maintain current per capita level in the country.
(7) Scarcity of Foreign Exchange. Pakistan, like other developing countries, is foreign trade oriented. It is concentrating mainly on the export of cotton, carpets and manual labour leather, rice, sport goods. The excessive dependence on export of a few items has made the economy unstable and is a great obstacle to economic growth, which are mainly primary commodities. The increase in the prices of imported goods and their rising flow in the country is a big strain on the foreign exchange resources.
(8) Rapidly Growing Population. The population is growing at the rate of about 1.8% annually in Pakistan. As a result of the rapid increase, the proportion of dependants below the age of 15 years and above the age of has gone up to 73% which is a great burden on the meager resources of the country and a big obstacle to economic development.
(9) Low Level of Technology. One of the obstacles to economic development in Pakistan is the use of low level of technology in various sectors of the economy. We do not stress and even do not recommend that Pakistan should adopt most modern and sophisticated technology. The technology to be applied in Pakistan should be appropriate to the conditions prevailing in the country. For instance we should preferably use cheap sources of energy, simple farm equipment, smaller plants and scale of machinery etc suitable to the local conditions.
(10) Dualistic Economy. Dualism is an another important obstacle to economic development in Pakistan. There is a vast regional disparity in income. The use of technology differs from sector to sector and region to region. There are differences in the social customs, habits and attitudes towards work of the people living i different provinces of the country. The occurrence of dualism stand in the way of optimum utilization of factors.
2. Social and Cultural Obstacles:
The socio-cultural attitudes of the people also stand in the way of economic development of our country. In Pakistan, more than 50% of the people are illiterate. They are ignorant of the development taking place in their own country as well as in the world. society. The people are mostly conservative in their habits. They feel pride in the native culture and are generally not receptive to foreign methods of production. People lack self confidence and initiative. The joint family system, though on the decline, has also killed the sense of initiative and the incentive to work. The caste system functioning mostly in terms of occupation tailors, carpenters, goldsmiths, etc restrict occupational and geographical mobility. The occupational classification which is mostly village centered impede the economic development. The religious beliefs of the people condemning the accumulation of wealth, dependence upon fate and the will of God only are also obstacles to economic growth. People forget here that God has also said, ''Your duty is to do and then put the result in the hands of God.''
The unnecessary expenditure on marriages, deaths, births, litigations, class pride etc. has reduced domestic saving and has adversely affected economic progress. About half of the population comprises women folk. Our social taboos and customs prevent them from working and improving the standard of living. The basic needs of the people remain largely unsatisfied. We do agree here that socio-cultural factors have impeded economic progress. We should not forget here also that the adoption of socio-cultural attitudes of the West have brought down the quality of life as well.
3. Political and Administrative Obstacles:
For accelerating the rate of economic development, there should be political stability in the country. If there is a change in the government set up due to elections, or of dictatorship, the planning job done by the previous government should not be altered altogether.
The planning machinery and all others involved in administration should be loyal to the country. They should be competent sympathetic and honest in the performance of the duties assigned to them. In Pakistan, since its inception, there are rapid changes in governments. Each government which came into power condemned the planning work done by the previous governments. They framed their own plans, formulated their own strategies of development and left the claim without achieving the targets of the Plans. The history of planning show that with the exception of the Faith Five Year Plan, all other Plans have failed to achieve their targets. The overall line of the planning machinery in Pakistan is bureaucratic rather than professional. The administration working in various departments is generally weak, incompetent and unsympathetic. Self interest is dominating over national interest which is a great barrier to economic development. Another administrative obstacle line the way of economic development is that we have not so far been able to decide about the nature of economic system to be adopted in Pakistan. Mixed economy, Socialistic economy. Islamic economy all are talked about but nothing concrete has actually been practiced. There should be clarity on this fundamental issue so that planning is drawn up according to the socio-economic objective of that system and a path of development laid out.
Remedial Measures for Economic Development
We have discussed the major obstacles to economic development. The practical means of setting aside the barriers to economic development are now to be stored out. It is a big challenge to the planners. We are of the opinion that if following measures are right earnestly applied, the rate of economic development can go up.
(1) Expanding the tax base. For expanding the resource base, it is necessary that the coverage of indirect taxes be reduced. In designing the tax reforms, care has to be taken to minimise burden on the common man. The share of direct taxes has also to be increased.
(2) Tax on agriculture income. The government can raise more revue by brining the agriculturists income in the tax net on proper footings.
(3) Self reliance. Pakistan is knee deep in foreign debt. If we are really desirous of increasing the rate of economic development, we shall have to lessen our dependence on foreign assistance. The strategy of self reliance, as far as possible, should be followed for financing development projects.
(4) Export led growth. For the rapid development of the economy, the strategy of export led growth should be carefully chalked out. The production of value added goods on large scale, having comparative advantage in production will greatly solve the problem of limited size of the domestic market. The production of import substitutes at home will save the precious foreign exchange.
(5) Industrialization. Another approach to development planning within the framework of mixed economy is to give priority to the establishment of those industries which meet the basic needs of the various sectors of the economy. The production of improved basic agricultural implements will greatly help in raising the agricultural production.
(6) Strategy of self management. In communist countries, the development planning is being decentralized. Development planning is declared a right and obligation of the planning agents. The system if adopted in a coordinated manner shall help in quickening the tempo of economic development in this country.
(7) Development of agricultural sector. The Government of Pakistan, in view of the importance of agriculture in the national economy, is attaching high priority to the development of this sector. Expanded credit facilities, provision of fertilizer, pesticides and improved seeds are the right steps in improving agricultural production which contributes 20.9% of GDP and accounts for 46% of foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan.
(8) Improvement of the infrastructure. A great deal of improvement in the means of transport, power, roads, banking, education, etc. has to be made for economic development.
(9) Constitutional cover. The state owned industrial units which are being privatized and other private units should be given Constitutional cover. The state of uncertainty of their nationalization again be removed once for all.
(10) Stable fiscal and monetary policies. In order to accelerate the rate of economic development, the fiscal and monetary measures should be carefully chalked out There should not be frequent changes after a few months in the import and export policies, revision of taxes etc.
(11) Promoting Technology. For economic take off, it is very essential that we take effective steps in promoting science and technology. The technological development will help in keeping our products and exports competitive in the world market.
(12) Administrative Reforms. There should be far reaching administrative reforms in the country. The professionally qualified personnel should be inducted and assigned specific targets to be achieved in the allocated sectors. There should be reduction in the administrative expenditure also.
(13) Development of physical and human capital. Development of physical infrastructure, roads, railways etc. and increased investment on education, health and nutrition etc. can play a dominant role in increasing economic development in the country.
(14) Slowing the rate of population growth. High rate population growth (about 1.8%) is also intensifying constraint on the development of savings, foreign exchange and human resources. If we want the qualities of human life, prosperity in place of poverty, education in place of ignorance, health in place of illness, environmental beauty in place of deterioration, we shall have to take measures to control the family size.
During the last four years, the government has identified five key sectors for promoting economic growth and bringing it to the level of 8% growth rate. These sectors include (i) agriculture (ii) housing and construction (iii) small and medium enterprises (iv) information technology and (v) oil and gas sectors.
Travelling down Mall Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Mall Road in Lahore is also known as Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Asam for Mohammed Ali Jinnah, one of the founders of Pakistan and its first prime minister.
This hub is only about a part of Mall Road which is one of the longest roads in Lahore. There are many buildings of historical and cultural value. Many are from Mughal and colonial times. Most of them were built in the time of the British Raj.
Like all other parts of the city, Mall Road has something of everything. There are the huge banks and commercial buildings, shops of all shapes and sizes, tea stands set up at the side of the road, boys carrying sacks picking up rubbish to see if they find something of value that they can sell to earn a living.
Normally, Lahore is alive with people, noise, traffic and smoke from vehicles. Many drivers seem to think their engine in not working right unless they see a plume of blue. It is very unusual to see an empty street but some of the photos in this hub are silent, there is a hush in Lahore. It is a holiday and that is why there is no traffic. The shops are closed except for small stands like the one shown which make tea and serve snacks.
There are many places in the Road, including:
Lahore Museum
Lahore Zoo
National College of Art
Government College
Zamzama, that is Kim's Gun, famous from Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Punjab Library
Punjab University
Lahore Stock Exchange
Punjab Assembly
Tollington Market
Wapda House
Lawrence Gardens
Awain-e-Iqbal
Quite a few of these places I visited when I was in the city. One place which was very interesting is somewhere that is normally quite ordinary, but in Mall Road there is a KFC restaurant which is run entirely by deaf people. On the walls are pictures of sign language. I am glad that I had a chance to go there because it was something I have never experienced anywhere else. It was another thing that I could add to my list that is good about Pakistan.You can read about it here:
http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/s-259.htm
Anarkali Bazaar is a place I like too. It is named after a slave girl who was said to have been buried alive behind a wall for having an affair with the king's son. You can read more about her here on this site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarkali
The bazaar has almost everything anyone could need. But not all shops there will bargain. At the shoe shop I bought 2 pairs of shoes for 250 rupees each and the man there said they were cheap enough and he would not reduce them. He would not have bargained and I would have left without them if I had been determined. The same shoes sell in England for at least £20 so I would have been foolish to complain at paying £2.
The Communist Party of Pakistan has a huge hammer and sickle on the roof. They are only allowed to put up a sign in Urdu but it is unmistakable.
I visited the Punjab Public Library. It was built in 1884, they have thousands of books and over one thousand old manuscripts. I especially liked the open sided reading rooms. They are built in the Mughal style which favoured such constructions because they are cool in the summer heat.
It is near to the Lahore Museum which is really the wonder house Rudyard Kipling called it in his book Kim. His father John Lockwood Kipling was one of the curators at the museum.
http://www.thepotteries.org/did_you/002.htm
But no museum built in Victorian times would be complete without a statue of the Queen herself. The museum deserves a hub all its own and I plan to write one.
Tollington Market was built in 1864 to house exhibitions of arts and crafts of the Punjab. In the 1920's it was changed to a market. In 2005 when I first was in Lahore the building was being refurbished and is now a museum. Unfortunately, I did not visit it but on my next visit certainly I will.
As I have already said this is only a small portion of Mall Road, there is so much more. You can see the boy in the tree, the view from the GPO and the signs of wealth and also poverty. Even the poor people have a smile for a photographer as you can see on the faces of the boys with the sacks.
Mall Road has many faces and it would take thousands of words to describe even just this one road in the huge city of Lahore. Lahore is a place that you must experience in person. You cannot learn about it from a few words on a page. I sit and think of it and hear it in my memory. I show these few pictures so you can get a taste of it but it is not enough. You must live and breathe it. The beauty, richness of buildings and landscapes, also the dirt and poverty, the history and modern buildings and life. It makes me homesick for it. I have only been there twice but it certainly had a profound effect. That is one thing about Pakistan. People who visit either love it or hate it. If you love it you want to keep going back.
This hub is only about a part of Mall Road which is one of the longest roads in Lahore. There are many buildings of historical and cultural value. Many are from Mughal and colonial times. Most of them were built in the time of the British Raj.
Like all other parts of the city, Mall Road has something of everything. There are the huge banks and commercial buildings, shops of all shapes and sizes, tea stands set up at the side of the road, boys carrying sacks picking up rubbish to see if they find something of value that they can sell to earn a living.
Normally, Lahore is alive with people, noise, traffic and smoke from vehicles. Many drivers seem to think their engine in not working right unless they see a plume of blue. It is very unusual to see an empty street but some of the photos in this hub are silent, there is a hush in Lahore. It is a holiday and that is why there is no traffic. The shops are closed except for small stands like the one shown which make tea and serve snacks.
There are many places in the Road, including:
Lahore Museum
Lahore Zoo
National College of Art
Government College
Zamzama, that is Kim's Gun, famous from Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Punjab Library
Punjab University
Lahore Stock Exchange
Punjab Assembly
Tollington Market
Wapda House
Lawrence Gardens
Awain-e-Iqbal
Quite a few of these places I visited when I was in the city. One place which was very interesting is somewhere that is normally quite ordinary, but in Mall Road there is a KFC restaurant which is run entirely by deaf people. On the walls are pictures of sign language. I am glad that I had a chance to go there because it was something I have never experienced anywhere else. It was another thing that I could add to my list that is good about Pakistan.You can read about it here:
http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/s-259.htm
Anarkali Bazaar is a place I like too. It is named after a slave girl who was said to have been buried alive behind a wall for having an affair with the king's son. You can read more about her here on this site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarkali
The bazaar has almost everything anyone could need. But not all shops there will bargain. At the shoe shop I bought 2 pairs of shoes for 250 rupees each and the man there said they were cheap enough and he would not reduce them. He would not have bargained and I would have left without them if I had been determined. The same shoes sell in England for at least £20 so I would have been foolish to complain at paying £2.
The Communist Party of Pakistan has a huge hammer and sickle on the roof. They are only allowed to put up a sign in Urdu but it is unmistakable.
I visited the Punjab Public Library. It was built in 1884, they have thousands of books and over one thousand old manuscripts. I especially liked the open sided reading rooms. They are built in the Mughal style which favoured such constructions because they are cool in the summer heat.
It is near to the Lahore Museum which is really the wonder house Rudyard Kipling called it in his book Kim. His father John Lockwood Kipling was one of the curators at the museum.
http://www.thepotteries.org/did_you/002.htm
But no museum built in Victorian times would be complete without a statue of the Queen herself. The museum deserves a hub all its own and I plan to write one.
Tollington Market was built in 1864 to house exhibitions of arts and crafts of the Punjab. In the 1920's it was changed to a market. In 2005 when I first was in Lahore the building was being refurbished and is now a museum. Unfortunately, I did not visit it but on my next visit certainly I will.
As I have already said this is only a small portion of Mall Road, there is so much more. You can see the boy in the tree, the view from the GPO and the signs of wealth and also poverty. Even the poor people have a smile for a photographer as you can see on the faces of the boys with the sacks.
Mall Road has many faces and it would take thousands of words to describe even just this one road in the huge city of Lahore. Lahore is a place that you must experience in person. You cannot learn about it from a few words on a page. I sit and think of it and hear it in my memory. I show these few pictures so you can get a taste of it but it is not enough. You must live and breathe it. The beauty, richness of buildings and landscapes, also the dirt and poverty, the history and modern buildings and life. It makes me homesick for it. I have only been there twice but it certainly had a profound effect. That is one thing about Pakistan. People who visit either love it or hate it. If you love it you want to keep going back.
Thursday 24 March 2011
Thursday 17 March 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)