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Conducting manoeuvres at Kotri field firing ranges. !!
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Conducting manoeuvres at Kotri field firing ranges. !!
This is a very old pic.
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Bhowani Junction
Hamid Hussain
John Masters was a British army officer and famous author. His novels dealt with life in British India. John’s own background fully qualified him for the task. His family had long association with India going back to 1805 when his great-great grandfather came to India with 8th Light Dragoons. His great grandfather was headmster of La Martiniere school in Calcutta and his grandfather served with Indian police. His father served with 16th Rajputs while three uncles served with 34th Sikh Pioneers, 104th and 119th Hyderabad Infantry. John joined 1933 batch of Sandhurst and commissioned in August 1934. John joined 2nd Battalion of 4th Gurkha Rifles.
He left army and became a celebrated author writing historical novels about India. His observations about Indian life are amazing and famous Indian author Khushwant Singh said that Kipling knew India but Masters knew Indians. In 1954, he wrote Bhowani Junction which was an instant hit. This novel was set in 1946 around the life of an Anglo-Indian girl Victoria Jones in a rapidly changing world. She has three affairs with an Indian, Anglo-Indian and a British. The political background of the novel is India’s march towards partition and struggle between non-violent movement of Congress and violent Communists. In 1955, MGM studio decided to make an epic movie of this best selling novel. Ava Gardner was chosen for the role of Victoria Jones and British born Hollywood star Stewart Granger for the role of Colonel Rodney Savage. MGM wanted to film at location in India.
The geographic location of fictional Bhowani Junction was most likely Jhansi and Colonel Savage was Commanding Officer of a Gurkha battalion. Indian government was not comfortable with the novel’s theme and many considered it as insulting to Indians. Indian government insisted on seeing and approving the script. Indian tax collectors wanted more than fair share including twelve percent of the net world profit. MGM decided to approach Pakistan and Pakistan government offered all the asistance as well as waiving all taxes. In early1955, film crew from Hollywood and London landed in Lahore. Many scenes were filmed at Lahore railway station, Shalimar Gardens and Shah Almi market. Film crew stayed at Falleti’s Hotel and room 55; the two room suite where Ava stayed was later named Ava Gardner suite. There were many interesting incidents during crew’s stay in Lahore. One day, Ava ran out of bathroom stark naked shrieking with fear and chased by a large bat. Someone handed her a large bath towel while others chased the bat with tennis racket. A luch buffet was arranged in hotel’s garden where film crew and local elite were invited. As soon as food platters were laid out, dozens of sqwaking crows attacked the party plucking food from the paltes of guests. Many guests ran away in panic. Mathews who played the role of Ranjit recalled that one night he and Ava hopped on a tonga and went to the house of a dancing girl in the infamous street. One local recognized Ava and insisted to escort them for their safety. The musicians in their excitement tried to play the only western music they knew for their celberity guests. Ava shouted, ‘Goddammit; that’s the Isles of Capri’, can’t you play something else. Nervous musicians palyed the same song but much faster. Incidentally, Ava’s husband Frank Sinatra sang this song for his album Come Fly With Me in 1958.
There is another story that a die hard Lahori fan of Ava later managed to get the pillow from Ava’s bedroom and fifty years later still had his prized possession. In 1947, mass migration on both sides saw deaprture of Sikhs from Lahore and most Sikh Gurdwaras were closed. For one scene about Sikhs, Pakistan government opened a Sikh temple and allowed many Sikhs from across the border to participate in the scene.
Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger arrive at Lahore Airport, 1955. Photo; Nadeem Paracha. Pakistan army and police provided soldiers for the film. 5th Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles (now 10 Frontier Force Regiment) then commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Shah Khan provided officers and soldiers for the film. It was a motorized infantry battalion and part of 3rd Armored Brigade along with 5th Probyn’s Horse. Frontier Force Regiment and Frontier Force Rifles is nick named PIFFERS. Some other officers; Agha Aman Shah and Shah Rafi Alam of 5th Probyn’s Horse were also assigned to assist the film crew. Some suggest that another battalion First Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles (now 7 Frontier Force Regiment) also provided help. In fact, in movie Colonel Savage was commanding First Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles. One can see some grizzly PIFFER Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in the movie; many probably veterans of Second World War. In one scene, Victoria and Savage dance with PIFFER soldiers while regimental band is playing the tunes. There is an incident involving Lieutenant Colonel Aslam Khan and probably he was commanding 1/13 FFR. It is not clear whether it was a coincidence or someone in Pakistan army had read the novel as in novel Colonel Rodney Savage commands a fictional 1/13 Gurkha Rifles and in movie he commands real 1/13 Frontier Force Rifles. These battalions were part of 7 Golden Arrow division and in movie Golden Arrow is visible on arm of Colonel Savage. When venue of shooting was changed from India to Pakistan, Gurkha Rifles was replaced by Frontier Force Rifles and Johnny Gurkha had to make room for the Pathan. Most of the soldiers were Pathans and there are some exchanges in Pushtu in the movie. One day everything was all set for the shoot with all the crew in place and hundreds of extras ready for a major scene. A crisis situation developed as Granger’s well pressed uniform was missing. Ava Gardner was having conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Aslam Khan. She noticed that he was of same built as Granger. She suggested to Granger that ‘I just know that the dashing Colonel’s uniform would be a perfect fit for you, Stewart. Don’t you think so Colonel?’ Then, holding Colonel Aslam’s arm, she said to George Cukor: ‘We are making history here Colonel, aren’t we George?’ Years later, Stewart recalling the incident to Mahmud Sipra said, “I wonder how the good Colonel explained away Ava’s make up on his uniform.” Ava Gardner shooting a scene at the Lahore Railway Station in 1955. Photo; Nadeem Paracha.
There was an incident involving Stewart Granger and a young Pakistani cavalry officer Shah Rafi Alam. The story goes that Granger got upset when he saw Ava sitting in Rafi’s lap. The two came to blows and Rafi hit him on nose. This is folklore and not true. Actual story is totally different. An EME company was assigned for the film production providing cranes and dozers for the sets. It was commanded by an old British officer. Some British officers had decided to stay back in Pakistan on contract and this officer was part of that group. One day, this EME company failed to bring all the necessary equipment and shoot scheduled for the day had to be cancelled. In the evening, actors and some Pakistani army officers were having drinks in the lawn. The old EME Major was seen arriving to join the party. Seeing him, Stewart Granger acidly remarked that , “We had to loose the Empire with men like him at the helm.” Rafi lost his temper and strongly reacted. Some very hot words were exchanged between Granger and Rafi but there was no physical contact. Only a chap like Rafi could take such a stance not to be cowed by any celebrity.
Pakistani fans gather around the main cast of Bhowani Junction on the film’s sets in Lahore, 1955 Photo; Nadeem Paracha. Film was completed in England and Hollywood. First sneak previews caused uproar about many things in the movie including race. Inter-racial relationship was a taboo in Europe and United States of 1950s. Many scenes where Victoria kissed Anglo Indian Patrick and Indian Ranjeet were deleted despite the fact that all actors were either British or American. In novel, Patrick and Victoria narrate their experiences but in movie Colonel Savage is the sole narrator. The ending was also completely changed. In novel, Victoria finally joins Patrick but film ending was revised where Patrick dies a heroic death and Savage would come back from early retirement in England to join Victoria in India. Film director George Cukor actually cried about all these changes. He protested loudly with tears in his eyes and said, “Listen, I made a good movie here. You are crucifying this movie and turning it into a goddamn Hollywood love story, and it’s going to be crap”. Ava was in full agreement that a good film was ‘seriously damaged, oversimplified, and over sentimentalized’ after preview audiences didn’t approve of certain aspects of the film.
If Bhowani Junction was released in its original form, it was likely to become an epic film in league with Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. However, film was still a success. Ava also liked her role in the film. In her last days, Ava would watch her old movies alone. She watched Bhowani Junction and called Stewart Granger in Los Angeles asking him “were we really that beautiful, honey?” Stewart replied “You were, my sweet. You still are”. Rest in peace Ava; You are beautiful in the eyes of a whole generation enchanted by you.
Acknowledgment: Author thanks Colonel ® Aga Iqbal Shah for many details and corrections. Notes:1-John Masters. Bhowani Junction (New York: The Viking Press, 1954)2-John Masters. The Bugle and a Tiger (New York: The Viking Press, 1956)3-Ava Gardner. AVA: My Story (New York: Bantam Books, 1990) 4-Lee Server. Ava Gardner: Love Is Nothing (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2006)5-http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C10%5Cstory_10-4-2008_pg3_3Pictures courtesy of Mr. Nadeem F. Paracha from his site; http://nadeemfparacha.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/also-pakistan-ii/Hamid Hussaincoeusconsultant@optonline.netApril 10, 2013
Defence Journal, April 2013.
Hamid Hussain
John Masters was a British army officer and famous author. His novels dealt with life in British India. John’s own background fully qualified him for the task. His family had long association with India going back to 1805 when his great-great grandfather came to India with 8th Light Dragoons. His great grandfather was headmster of La Martiniere school in Calcutta and his grandfather served with Indian police. His father served with 16th Rajputs while three uncles served with 34th Sikh Pioneers, 104th and 119th Hyderabad Infantry. John joined 1933 batch of Sandhurst and commissioned in August 1934. John joined 2nd Battalion of 4th Gurkha Rifles.
He left army and became a celebrated author writing historical novels about India. His observations about Indian life are amazing and famous Indian author Khushwant Singh said that Kipling knew India but Masters knew Indians. In 1954, he wrote Bhowani Junction which was an instant hit. This novel was set in 1946 around the life of an Anglo-Indian girl Victoria Jones in a rapidly changing world. She has three affairs with an Indian, Anglo-Indian and a British. The political background of the novel is India’s march towards partition and struggle between non-violent movement of Congress and violent Communists. In 1955, MGM studio decided to make an epic movie of this best selling novel. Ava Gardner was chosen for the role of Victoria Jones and British born Hollywood star Stewart Granger for the role of Colonel Rodney Savage. MGM wanted to film at location in India.
The geographic location of fictional Bhowani Junction was most likely Jhansi and Colonel Savage was Commanding Officer of a Gurkha battalion. Indian government was not comfortable with the novel’s theme and many considered it as insulting to Indians. Indian government insisted on seeing and approving the script. Indian tax collectors wanted more than fair share including twelve percent of the net world profit. MGM decided to approach Pakistan and Pakistan government offered all the asistance as well as waiving all taxes. In early1955, film crew from Hollywood and London landed in Lahore. Many scenes were filmed at Lahore railway station, Shalimar Gardens and Shah Almi market. Film crew stayed at Falleti’s Hotel and room 55; the two room suite where Ava stayed was later named Ava Gardner suite. There were many interesting incidents during crew’s stay in Lahore. One day, Ava ran out of bathroom stark naked shrieking with fear and chased by a large bat. Someone handed her a large bath towel while others chased the bat with tennis racket. A luch buffet was arranged in hotel’s garden where film crew and local elite were invited. As soon as food platters were laid out, dozens of sqwaking crows attacked the party plucking food from the paltes of guests. Many guests ran away in panic. Mathews who played the role of Ranjit recalled that one night he and Ava hopped on a tonga and went to the house of a dancing girl in the infamous street. One local recognized Ava and insisted to escort them for their safety. The musicians in their excitement tried to play the only western music they knew for their celberity guests. Ava shouted, ‘Goddammit; that’s the Isles of Capri’, can’t you play something else. Nervous musicians palyed the same song but much faster. Incidentally, Ava’s husband Frank Sinatra sang this song for his album Come Fly With Me in 1958.
There is another story that a die hard Lahori fan of Ava later managed to get the pillow from Ava’s bedroom and fifty years later still had his prized possession. In 1947, mass migration on both sides saw deaprture of Sikhs from Lahore and most Sikh Gurdwaras were closed. For one scene about Sikhs, Pakistan government opened a Sikh temple and allowed many Sikhs from across the border to participate in the scene.
Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger arrive at Lahore Airport, 1955. Photo; Nadeem Paracha. Pakistan army and police provided soldiers for the film. 5th Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles (now 10 Frontier Force Regiment) then commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Shah Khan provided officers and soldiers for the film. It was a motorized infantry battalion and part of 3rd Armored Brigade along with 5th Probyn’s Horse. Frontier Force Regiment and Frontier Force Rifles is nick named PIFFERS. Some other officers; Agha Aman Shah and Shah Rafi Alam of 5th Probyn’s Horse were also assigned to assist the film crew. Some suggest that another battalion First Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles (now 7 Frontier Force Regiment) also provided help. In fact, in movie Colonel Savage was commanding First Battalion of 13th Frontier Force Rifles. One can see some grizzly PIFFER Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in the movie; many probably veterans of Second World War. In one scene, Victoria and Savage dance with PIFFER soldiers while regimental band is playing the tunes. There is an incident involving Lieutenant Colonel Aslam Khan and probably he was commanding 1/13 FFR. It is not clear whether it was a coincidence or someone in Pakistan army had read the novel as in novel Colonel Rodney Savage commands a fictional 1/13 Gurkha Rifles and in movie he commands real 1/13 Frontier Force Rifles. These battalions were part of 7 Golden Arrow division and in movie Golden Arrow is visible on arm of Colonel Savage. When venue of shooting was changed from India to Pakistan, Gurkha Rifles was replaced by Frontier Force Rifles and Johnny Gurkha had to make room for the Pathan. Most of the soldiers were Pathans and there are some exchanges in Pushtu in the movie. One day everything was all set for the shoot with all the crew in place and hundreds of extras ready for a major scene. A crisis situation developed as Granger’s well pressed uniform was missing. Ava Gardner was having conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Aslam Khan. She noticed that he was of same built as Granger. She suggested to Granger that ‘I just know that the dashing Colonel’s uniform would be a perfect fit for you, Stewart. Don’t you think so Colonel?’ Then, holding Colonel Aslam’s arm, she said to George Cukor: ‘We are making history here Colonel, aren’t we George?’ Years later, Stewart recalling the incident to Mahmud Sipra said, “I wonder how the good Colonel explained away Ava’s make up on his uniform.” Ava Gardner shooting a scene at the Lahore Railway Station in 1955. Photo; Nadeem Paracha.
There was an incident involving Stewart Granger and a young Pakistani cavalry officer Shah Rafi Alam. The story goes that Granger got upset when he saw Ava sitting in Rafi’s lap. The two came to blows and Rafi hit him on nose. This is folklore and not true. Actual story is totally different. An EME company was assigned for the film production providing cranes and dozers for the sets. It was commanded by an old British officer. Some British officers had decided to stay back in Pakistan on contract and this officer was part of that group. One day, this EME company failed to bring all the necessary equipment and shoot scheduled for the day had to be cancelled. In the evening, actors and some Pakistani army officers were having drinks in the lawn. The old EME Major was seen arriving to join the party. Seeing him, Stewart Granger acidly remarked that , “We had to loose the Empire with men like him at the helm.” Rafi lost his temper and strongly reacted. Some very hot words were exchanged between Granger and Rafi but there was no physical contact. Only a chap like Rafi could take such a stance not to be cowed by any celebrity.
Pakistani fans gather around the main cast of Bhowani Junction on the film’s sets in Lahore, 1955 Photo; Nadeem Paracha. Film was completed in England and Hollywood. First sneak previews caused uproar about many things in the movie including race. Inter-racial relationship was a taboo in Europe and United States of 1950s. Many scenes where Victoria kissed Anglo Indian Patrick and Indian Ranjeet were deleted despite the fact that all actors were either British or American. In novel, Patrick and Victoria narrate their experiences but in movie Colonel Savage is the sole narrator. The ending was also completely changed. In novel, Victoria finally joins Patrick but film ending was revised where Patrick dies a heroic death and Savage would come back from early retirement in England to join Victoria in India. Film director George Cukor actually cried about all these changes. He protested loudly with tears in his eyes and said, “Listen, I made a good movie here. You are crucifying this movie and turning it into a goddamn Hollywood love story, and it’s going to be crap”. Ava was in full agreement that a good film was ‘seriously damaged, oversimplified, and over sentimentalized’ after preview audiences didn’t approve of certain aspects of the film.
If Bhowani Junction was released in its original form, it was likely to become an epic film in league with Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. However, film was still a success. Ava also liked her role in the film. In her last days, Ava would watch her old movies alone. She watched Bhowani Junction and called Stewart Granger in Los Angeles asking him “were we really that beautiful, honey?” Stewart replied “You were, my sweet. You still are”. Rest in peace Ava; You are beautiful in the eyes of a whole generation enchanted by you.
Acknowledgment: Author thanks Colonel ® Aga Iqbal Shah for many details and corrections. Notes:1-John Masters. Bhowani Junction (New York: The Viking Press, 1954)2-John Masters. The Bugle and a Tiger (New York: The Viking Press, 1956)3-Ava Gardner. AVA: My Story (New York: Bantam Books, 1990) 4-Lee Server. Ava Gardner: Love Is Nothing (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2006)5-http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C10%5Cstory_10-4-2008_pg3_3Pictures courtesy of Mr. Nadeem F. Paracha from his site; http://nadeemfparacha.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/also-pakistan-ii/Hamid Hussaincoeusconsultant@optonline.netApril 10, 2013
Defence Journal, April 2013.
Xeric
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http://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=2301#pr_link2301
No PR76/2013-ISPR Dated: May 5, 2013
Rawalpindi - May 5, 2013:
NLC CONSTRUCTED UNIVERSITY BUILDING HANDED OVER TO AFGHAN GOVT
National Logistics Cell (NLC) handed over the newly constructed building of Liaqat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty Block at Bulkh University at an impressive ceremony held at Mazar-i-Sharif. The mega project of the University has been completed by NLC at the cost of 18 million dollars under Pakistan’s Bilateral Assistance Programme for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
The Faculty Block is the fourth project completed by NLC in Afghanistan. Other projects constructed by Pakistan’s premier construction company, NLC, include Allama Iqbal Faculty of Arts in Kabul, Nishtar Kidney Centre in Jalalabad and Sir Syed Post Graduate Science Faculty in Nanagarahar while work on 200 Beds Jinnah Hospital Kabul is in final stages of completion.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq gave away keys of the building to the Chancellor of Balkh University Mukamel Alokozay to formally hand over the project to Afghanistan. The Ceremony was attended by Governor Barkh Province Atta Muhammad Noor, Minister for Higher Education Dr. Obaidullah Obaid, members of Provincial Council and Wolesi Jirga, faculty staff and a large number of university students.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq underlined the need for fostering mutual cooperation and friendly relations between the two brotherly countries. He said that the Faculty will become a symbol of Pakistan’s desire and its contribution to promote higher education in Afghanistan. The Ambassador paid glowing tributes to National Logistics Cell for timely completion of the mega project which would play a major role in promoting the higher education in the brotherly country. Governor Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued support in the re-building of Afghanistan and appealed regional countries for launching similar projects in the war torn Country.
Spread over an area of 17,000 square meters, the Faculty Block has 50 classrooms having the capacity to accommodate around 3000 students, 2 seminar halls and 60 offices for faculty members besides other allied amenities. The Faculty has its own water supply, sewerage and electrical systems.
It is worth mentioning here that the completion of Project in face of heavy odds and in the difficult environment of the war-torn Country is regarded as landmark achievement of NLC by the Afghan Govt. NLC created enormous goodwill among the Afghan people through its quality construction and providing unique opportunity to local workforce to enhance their skills and expertise in construction. The Project thus paved way for strengthening the brotherly ties between both Countries with far-reaching diplomatic implications.
------------------------------
No PR76/2013-ISPR Dated: May 5, 2013
Rawalpindi - May 5, 2013:
NLC CONSTRUCTED UNIVERSITY BUILDING HANDED OVER TO AFGHAN GOVT
National Logistics Cell (NLC) handed over the newly constructed building of Liaqat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty Block at Bulkh University at an impressive ceremony held at Mazar-i-Sharif. The mega project of the University has been completed by NLC at the cost of 18 million dollars under Pakistan’s Bilateral Assistance Programme for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
The Faculty Block is the fourth project completed by NLC in Afghanistan. Other projects constructed by Pakistan’s premier construction company, NLC, include Allama Iqbal Faculty of Arts in Kabul, Nishtar Kidney Centre in Jalalabad and Sir Syed Post Graduate Science Faculty in Nanagarahar while work on 200 Beds Jinnah Hospital Kabul is in final stages of completion.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq gave away keys of the building to the Chancellor of Balkh University Mukamel Alokozay to formally hand over the project to Afghanistan. The Ceremony was attended by Governor Barkh Province Atta Muhammad Noor, Minister for Higher Education Dr. Obaidullah Obaid, members of Provincial Council and Wolesi Jirga, faculty staff and a large number of university students.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq underlined the need for fostering mutual cooperation and friendly relations between the two brotherly countries. He said that the Faculty will become a symbol of Pakistan’s desire and its contribution to promote higher education in Afghanistan. The Ambassador paid glowing tributes to National Logistics Cell for timely completion of the mega project which would play a major role in promoting the higher education in the brotherly country. Governor Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued support in the re-building of Afghanistan and appealed regional countries for launching similar projects in the war torn Country.
Spread over an area of 17,000 square meters, the Faculty Block has 50 classrooms having the capacity to accommodate around 3000 students, 2 seminar halls and 60 offices for faculty members besides other allied amenities. The Faculty has its own water supply, sewerage and electrical systems.
It is worth mentioning here that the completion of Project in face of heavy odds and in the difficult environment of the war-torn Country is regarded as landmark achievement of NLC by the Afghan Govt. NLC created enormous goodwill among the Afghan people through its quality construction and providing unique opportunity to local workforce to enhance their skills and expertise in construction. The Project thus paved way for strengthening the brotherly ties between both Countries with far-reaching diplomatic implications.
------------------------------
fatman17
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•According to the army’s top spokesman, Balochistan's Quick Response Force will be provided with helicopters in preparation for Saturday's polls.. In addition, 7,000 army troops and 55,000 Frontier Corps, Levies, and police personnel will be deployed in the region. In a visit to the region to look over security plans, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Monday reiterated calls for peaceful elections.[8]
Armstrong
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@Xeric : I can post a link to a book written by Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan (It can be read online) which documents the millions of $$$s we've spent in helping Afghanistan through various projects ! In fact here is it : Journey of Friendship - Pakistan's Assistance to Afghanistan
And now we've spent another $18mil on an Engineering block. In my conversations with Afghans both in the flesh & Afghans on the Internet - the hate for Pakistan & Pakistanis I've seen & the many statements that come from Afghanistan, I can't help but wonder whether all of it to the last dime was a waste....an absolute, incontrovertible waste.
I'd like your thoughts - @fatman17 @nuclearpak @muse @Abu Zolfiqar @chauvunist @Hyperion @Last Hope @Spring Onion @TaimiKhan @LoveIcon @Secur @haviZsultan @Areesh !
And now we've spent another $18mil on an Engineering block. In my conversations with Afghans both in the flesh & Afghans on the Internet - the hate for Pakistan & Pakistanis I've seen & the many statements that come from Afghanistan, I can't help but wonder whether all of it to the last dime was a waste....an absolute, incontrovertible waste.
I'd like your thoughts - @fatman17 @nuclearpak @muse @Abu Zolfiqar @chauvunist @Hyperion @Last Hope @Spring Onion @TaimiKhan @LoveIcon @Secur @haviZsultan @Areesh !
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DESERT FIGHTER
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Welcome to ISPR
No PR76/2013-ISPR Dated: May 5, 2013
Rawalpindi - May 5, 2013:
NLC CONSTRUCTED UNIVERSITY BUILDING HANDED OVER TO AFGHAN GOVT
National Logistics Cell (NLC) handed over the newly constructed building of Liaqat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty Block at Bulkh University at an impressive ceremony held at Mazar-i-Sharif. The mega project of the University has been completed by NLC at the cost of 18 million dollars under Pakistan’s Bilateral Assistance Programme for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
The Faculty Block is the fourth project completed by NLC in Afghanistan. Other projects constructed by Pakistan’s premier construction company, NLC, include Allama Iqbal Faculty of Arts in Kabul, Nishtar Kidney Centre in Jalalabad and Sir Syed Post Graduate Science Faculty in Nanagarahar while work on 200 Beds Jinnah Hospital Kabul is in final stages of completion.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq gave away keys of the building to the Chancellor of Balkh University Mukamel Alokozay to formally hand over the project to Afghanistan. The Ceremony was attended by Governor Barkh Province Atta Muhammad Noor, Minister for Higher Education Dr. Obaidullah Obaid, members of Provincial Council and Wolesi Jirga, faculty staff and a large number of university students.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq underlined the need for fostering mutual cooperation and friendly relations between the two brotherly countries. He said that the Faculty will become a symbol of Pakistan’s desire and its contribution to promote higher education in Afghanistan. The Ambassador paid glowing tributes to National Logistics Cell for timely completion of the mega project which would play a major role in promoting the higher education in the brotherly country. Governor Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued support in the re-building of Afghanistan and appealed regional countries for launching similar projects in the war torn Country.
Spread over an area of 17,000 square meters, the Faculty Block has 50 classrooms having the capacity to accommodate around 3000 students, 2 seminar halls and 60 offices for faculty members besides other allied amenities. The Faculty has its own water supply, sewerage and electrical systems.
It is worth mentioning here that the completion of Project in face of heavy odds and in the difficult environment of the war-torn Country is regarded as landmark achievement of NLC by the Afghan Govt. NLC created enormous goodwill among the Afghan people through its quality construction and providing unique opportunity to local workforce to enhance their skills and expertise in construction. The Project thus paved way for strengthening the brotherly ties between both Countries with far-reaching diplomatic implications.
------------------------------
What a waste.
Argus Panoptes
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But what is the alternative? Giving a free walkover to India in Afghanistan will not be good for us in the long run.
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Armstrong
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That sounds like a very regressive cycle, I'm sure if we put our minds to it we could come up with something to break out of it !
Perhaps greater perception management & taking up projects that have (a) much greater perception value & (b) a certainty that if Pakistan decides to pull the plug in the future the Project would die an almost certain death; perhaps a series of JVs.
Argus Panoptes
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Perception management works only up to a point. Substance wins every time, in the end. Even with JVs, it will take money, which is exactly what we are short of these days.
Armstrong
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Substance hasn't really been doing much for us for a while now !
Indeed JVs do requires money but thats why I'm advocating going for such investments instead of sunk costs like Engineering Blocks - They payback & greater economic integration is what will keep them on our side...philanthropy won't !
Argus Panoptes
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You make several good points, but it is not as simple as us choosing what we want to do there. There is a bidding process of civil projects controlled by the Afghan authorities, and NLC bids on those projects that are available. Once selected, things move ahead.
Any joint ventures will need to be raised at a government level, approved and then we can proceed. That is not a simple task.
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