Reviewed by: Altaf Assa

The book “Nation and Nationalism” by Stalin keenly focuses on points related to things that collectively form a nation and nationalism – which is a scientific way to serve the nation. Written by a Russian general, this book closely discusses the said theme.

He, the author, defined nation in the best way of his concept. He tells that only speaking one language does not make a group of people a nation, neither living in one soil does that work, but it is the psyche of those people which matches and makes certain people a nation. The writer proved his words with the example of British, Ireland, Australia and America, who share the same language, but they are four different nations and not one. Similarly, a nation can have more than one languages like the German nation. Baloch nation has also more languages than one but all these languages belong to one nation.

According to Stalin, history also plays a great role in the creation of a nation. Because of some big events, which happened in past, shape the people’s psyche in present. Some other historians, like Earnest Renan, have some similar opinion about nation. They say that for a nation’s formation, past events – emphasising more on dreadful past events – play a huge role. “Such hard, past events strengthens the existence of a nation in present,” they would say.

Stalin then gave an edgy touch to imperialism in his short book. He said that when the industrial revolution started in Europe, the industrialists wanted to seize their national markets: after capturing the national markets, they aimed to occupy other markets for which they needed more fuel and raw materials. So, for the sake of fuel and raw materials, they started making colonies. Powerful nations made weak nations slaves but multifold nations did not accept slavery and resisted. The author also talked about “October Revolution” and the international importance of the said revolution. He highlighted the evolution of nationalism and its peak in the following chapters.

Overall, this small book by the Russian general, Stalin, is a masterpiece and a very informative collection which adheres in us the idea of nation, nationalism, imperialism and various other correlated concepts. 

Therefore, I recommend this book to readers of this review since it gives you a lot of information regarding nation and nationalism in particular, other terms in general.

Daily Makran Times posted this review.

By: Aslam Mazar

Sport provides innumerable essential things to the individuals in shape of competition and so on. Sports like cricket, football or hockey requires communities that participate in sports and recreation develop strong social bonds. They become part of a culture of physical priority and get in safer places.

This is the small story of one of the greatest sportsmen in cricket in Hoshab area and whose job is to give his hundred percent in sport. He knows the value of sports and also the impacts in his life. In Hoshab previous month, a major grand cricket league was started and now it’s almost done.

The man is none other than Shoaib Askani who is a cricket player and is playing for one of the outstanding teams (Maadag-e-Kalat) which won the final of Hoshab League. It was the second match in this tournament. He was informed by his captain about the final match. He was serving his duty in Gwadar zero point and we know the distance between Hoshab and Gwadar is about 300km. It’s was 12:00 PM of the day, he suddenly started his motorcycle and made his journey toward Hoshab. He came here safely and played his match against opponent team and his team won the match. After the match, he started his bike and rushed back to his duty at night time.

His work made him tired, maybe, so did the cricket to him. But his zeal is outstanding. It’s very easy to listen but not a child’s play to do.
This small story of Shoaib Askani is telling the whole truth of sport lovers in this area mostly in Hoshab as people around here love sports and also respect it well. I salute these kind sportsmen who can do anything for their sports.
I urge the Government of Balochistan to pay more attention toward sports and fullfil the all requirements of the sportsmen.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By: Sagheer Murad

Balochistan is known in all over the world for its natural minerals and beautiful geography. It is also the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area but unfortunately, being rich in mineral wealth is considered the poorest. Everything from education to livelihood lags far behind the rest of the provinces. People here are still deprived of two meals a day, good health and clean water which is unimaginable in the rest of the world. Balochistan, however, has made great strides in one thing and that is drugs.

All other businesses, border, employment opportunities are all closed, but this less fortunate drug is normally transferred to the border, not the border.
Drugs were completely banned during the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq. Strict law has been enforced on both drug users and sellers. Drugs are not found anywhere in the whole of Pakistan but it is unfortunately available here. This province has a checkpoint of guards every kilometer which cannot kill even a bird. Why does it pass? These government guards ask the general public, “Where are you coming from? Where are you going? What do you do? Why are you going? When will you come back? After checking so many cards and asking, people have lost their CNIC twice a year.” Every time they make their national identity card, but these same drug addicts and dealers pass with modern weapons. No one asks?

The drug stronghold in Balochistan is Hoshab in Kech district. Drugs are available everywhere in Hoshab. There is no such shop in the Hoshab where you can’t find this fistula. You can’t find bread to eat and pen in writing will get drugs to all places.Why was Hoshab chosen for drugs? This is a question mark. Hoshab is an important city in the which comes on the way of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), very important in terms of land. More than half the population here is addicted to drugs, no one asks. If drug control is not stopped, human tragedy will be born in the whole of Balochistan including Hoshab. Who will be responsible for this? We should all get rid of this fistula together. This is not a business but to kill your children in your own hands. Take the nails of God and save your generation from this plague.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By: Kanwal Nigar

WATER shortage persists to be a huge menace, being confronted by Balochistan. Some reports estimated that 62 percent of Balochistan is deprived of safe drinking water and more that 58 percent of its land is non cultivable due to water scarcity. The situation in Balochistan is quite dire gross negligence and half hearted attempts to stem the role have led to crisis situation The unchecked installation of tube wall in large number, indiscriminate pumping and highly subsidized electricity were the main reasons for water scarcity in Balochistan
Pakistan’s water crisis is explained mainly by rapid population growth followed by climate change (food and drought), poor agricultural sector, water management, inefficient in fracture and water pollution. This wreaks aggravating internal tension between provinces.

Besides this, due to the poor planning of the government, poor masses are compelled to drink the water that is impulse In today’s many parts of the province. Women and children walk ten to eleven kilometers on average carrying buckets on their head in search for water.
The only source of water for the poor 0eople of Balochistan is rainfall.
On the other hand agriculture sector has badly been affected and innumerable farmers do not work anymore to spike the level of poverty and joblessness among the citizens.
Government needs to redress the water problem and provide efficient water to the inhabitant.

Published in Daily Makran Times

Reviewed by: Samreen Noor

Robin Sharma is an Indain author who has a master’s degree in law. Initially, he worked as a lawyer but he said that he couldn’t find satisfaction or peace in it. Later on he started his writing career at the age of 25. He showed himself as a deep understanding of life. This book is all about life lessons.

It was originally published in 1999. This book is all about valuable life lessons and simple solutions to life’s challenges. This book will compel you to think deeply about your life and surroundings that how you can find a greater meaning of your life and enjoy its journey with fullest before it is too late. Robin Sharma said ,”You need to find your calling; we must believe that we all have special talents that are just waiting to be engaged in worthy persist.”

We all are here for a unique purpose. Moreover, this book contains 101 inspirational lessons that can surely help you to improve your habits. Each lesson has shared something to teach you as well as inspirational quotations are included to crutch and tell you the real purpose of life in which you must focus on the things in that we are best.
He said, “It’s not because things are difficult that we don’t dare, it’s because we don’t dare that they are difficult. We should have the bravery to dream big for a change and accept that failure is not an option for us.”

Furthermore, the writer has also shared his personal experiences as well as he used an effective and easy language to be understood.

Therefore, I suggest everyone to read this book because it’s inspiring, encouraging and motivating. It surely leads you to the path of progress and shows you the real wisdom of life. You will face many criticisms and you are satisfied with what you are doing today and tomorrow you will die, you will rejoice and everyone will cry when you die.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By: Maria Farooq

Student of International Relations at NUML.

The Talibans were one of the primary factions fighting in the civil war of Afghanistan in the 1990s after the pull-out of the Soviet Union. This faction emerged in 1994. Mullah Muhammad Omar was their trailblazer and he had led this group until his demise. They ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and foist a stern form of Islamic Law on the country. Pakistan Taliban, which is known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are influenced by the Afghan Taliban. They are keen to topple the Pakistani government and set up an Islamic Caliphate in Pakistan.

Almost 20 years later, the Afghan Taliban recapture Afghanistan on 15th August 2021 and this takeover of the Taliban will have severe consequences for Pakistan like Human smuggling will spike in the province of Balochistan because most Afghani will try to immigrate to Pakistan illicitly, thousands of Afghan Refugees can move toward Pakistan which will also be a significant concern for Pakistan because she is not in such a position economically to aid more refugees. Iran has already sealed their borders with Afghanistan. Pakistan also trying but it is tough for Pakistan to seal their borders because its border with Afghanistan is protracted.

The utmost problematic consequence is that the TTP draws inspirational strength from the Afghan Taliban. In the past, Pakistan had handed over her bases to America and she had used these bases to slay the Afghan Taliban. Contemporary, the Afghan Taliban can provide sanctuary to Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and due to the resurgence of TTP in Pakistan peace and stability can deteriorate again in Pakistan. The leader of the Pakistan Taliban, Mufti Noor wali Mehsood had said during his talk on CNN that we will make an independent state of tribal areas of Pakistan which is a drastic menace to Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban had broken the Pul-e-Charkhi cell near Kabul and most of the captives like Faqeer Muhammad and others who are involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan has successfully absconded and now they recommence their terrorist activities in Pakistan. From onwards July 2021, they are involving in different terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The utmost conspicuously was the suicide attack on 14th July 2021 that killed nine Chinese engineers working on a hydroelectric project in Kohistan District.

In nutshell, TTP draws inspirational strength from the Afghan Taliban. They are struggling to get an autonomous state comprising of tribal areas of Pakistan where they can enforce their so-called strict Islamic sharia laws. In response, the Security forces of Pakistan will retaliate and as a result, peace and stability will deteriorate again in the imminent future in Pakistan.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By: Muneeb Maqsood

Dengue is on the upswing in Balochistan and it is wreaked by a small and dangerous mosquito; has frightened everyone. Dengue cases continue to rekindle more problematic circumstances for the province.

A report of Gidroshia news states that more than 1350 cases of dengue virus have been reported in Balochistan, more than 360 cases have been reported in Kech district and two have passed away.

The report further explains the proportion of dengue cases in some areas of Kech and Balochistan which clearly elaborates that 234 more cases in Absor, 157 cases in Sanganisar, 135 cases in Gohkdan, 121 cases in Dashti Bazaar, Malikabad reported 62 cases. There were reported 52 cases in Koshkalat, 82 cases of dengue in Tehsil Buleda, 86 cases in Tehsil Dasht while 45 cases were reported in Tump. These cases persist to upsurge with an unstoppable full-stop. Each day Balochistan is reporting more than 20 cases in each area.

Unfortunately, the nonavailability of dengue testing facilities thwart the citizens to treat them and some workers kits for dengue virus are still unavailable. People are compelled to head towards private hospitals but not everyone can afford to be tested in a private hospital. This makes people unaware whether they are infected with dengue or not.

Thus, it becomes mandatory and foremost responsibility of health minister to facilitate all the government hospitals so that common masses too have their dengue test there freely or with less cost.

Published in Daily Makran Times

Reviewed by: Wahag K.B

• 

This book was authored by Nicholas Sparks and one of the greatest books of his life.

Furthermore, one of the loveliest things about this book is that it is based on a true event. Specifically, it is the story of Nicholas Sparks’s sister whose life got debacle by cancer but still her boyfriend proposed her and desired to get marry before her demise.

The plot of the book focuses on the story that was initiated in school between Landon and Jamie. And there was being a function of various things and students were interested to participate. At these functions, Landon was supposed to interact with Jamie Sullivan. They would have romantic ties with each other during this time. When Landon had trouble in learning his line, he asked Jamie for crutch. She agreed to help him. She made him promise to not fall in love with her. Moreover, they had their practice at home after the school.

One day, he took her out for a dinner and danced with her. It was something that he had not done with someone else before. When he heard about Jamie that she had a big list of wishes that she wanted those things then he started to accomplish those for her.

As the time flew, finally Jamie told him that she had a disease known terminal Leukemia. She started to break down when she stated the statement. Landon looked as if he had no one in this entire world. As Jamie said to Landon, ” I don’t need a reason to be angry with God since everything happens for a reason.”

Landon continued to fulfil various wishes of Jamie’s list such as managing a telescope that she could see a comet. And so on, they became more aware about the nature of love.

The book ends with Jamie’s death but only before couple were married. It was the event that topped Jamie’s wish list. He himself became a great person through his memory. He also achieved goal that had set out by Jamie to be done. She helped him to focus and become a better person.

A walk to remember is an insight about the real meaning of love. It teaches us the value of love, forgiveness, patience, kindness and mercy. Love is not rude and it is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongness. It does not show evils but it always replaces the truth. To sum up, I really enjoyed reading this book and suggest you to read this book at once.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By Nizam Altaf

• 

It was a rainy day when everybody had gone at their favorite places for enjoyment, but Farad was engaged reading books on a mat under a shady tree in front of his house. Farad was a student, he was a good boy and also great at studying.

He had lots of friends at school. Ali, Riaz and Khalid who were his best friends since childhood. But after some years, they used to hate Farad and ignored him. Because they were rich, they had new cars and cycles and always went at beautiful places for excursion but Farad was a poor boy. After several days, when Farad got to know their real faces, he also started detesting them. Farad was not disappointed by their greediness. He worked harder at studying and promised himself to get more marks than them in the final examination. The exams were going to begin soon after a month. "Farad beta, come you are getting late."Called Farad's mother as he was busy arranging the pens, pages, rulers and a cardboard putting them in his bag and getting ready for the exam. It was Saturday and the first day of exam. "Yes Mom, I am coming." Replied Farad and went to the kitchen. "My dear son, come sit and take lunch." Said Farad's mother. "No Mom, I am in hurry, I just need your prayers." Farad said as he hugged his Mom. " Allah blesses you beta and wish you all the best." His mother cheered him with encouragement. Every student was in the hall as Farad came and started searching his roll number which was written one of the desks. "Yesssss! That is." Farad took a deep breath as he saw the roll number on a desk in a corner. It was Farad's wish to be in a corner where he feels comfortable. As the exam got finished, Farad did not go anywhere just waited for the results. Soon the results came and Farad was the topper to get more marks than every student in their institution. Farad was called at school by his headmaster. He went to school and he got an award by his headmaster. There were also many other students including Ali, Riaz and Khalid who clapped and congratulated him. Farad has ignored them and joyfully ran toward his home. Next day Farad was going somewhere he saw his old friends calling him. He went there and stayed quiet in front of them. They apologized for doing wrong with him. "We are really sorry for what we have done with our childhood friend. We are feeling ashamed and guilty, we are really sorry dear." Said Khalid innocently. Farad hugged them and they became true friends again.

Published in Daily Makran Times

By: Ghulam Hussain

• 

Balochistan is a blessed province of Pakistan by having many mineral resources like gold, copper, oil and many more. Balochistan is the largest and richest province among all provinces of Pakistan. It has a high population but no any facilities are present for them to have comfortable lives.

Every year thousands of students complete their bachelors across the province, and for placing them eight universities are present which is hard to place them in these universities where administration can face problems for providing quality education to them.

Moreover, Dasht is known as a Tehsil in Balochistan in West of CPEC road. Unfortunately, it has not gotten its basic needs yet, like electricity, education and road facilities. In a recent visit in Dasht made me totally tired and had no enjoyment because of ups and downs of roads and not getting electricity. I have asked Dasht citizens that why these children are playing outside instead of learning something in schools? They said that if there would be education ,they would learn, their teachers are less and present teachers don’t teach them, only tell them to sing songs. I really cried when I listened this statement.
Especially, lack of career counselling is the biggest problem of them, without having career counselling, it is hard to find their interest. It also stops the higher education losing their interest because of not having career counselling from their school lives.

Balochistan has no cancer hospitals because of which each year thousands of people die. Cancer has been attacking and killing Baloch people, because Balochistan has no any good healthcare facilities through which people would be saved from cancers. Poor people cannot afford their treatment payments of cancers in other cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Lahore and many more.

Finally, Baloch people have to get their full basic rights, because they aslo deserve being as Pakistani. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is in Balochistan, but other people are getting jobs rather than Balochs. I think government should have glances on Balochistan and have to bring great changes in Balochistan.

Posted by Daily Makran Times