tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92877162026-05-24T16:45:04.268+05:00<em>Personal File</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-41234993631044521922026-05-24T16:41:21.089+05:002026-05-24T16:41:21.123+05:00

Punjab is a gold mine for history seekers and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. What is more, people of the area are eager to help – on their own expense - when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer 'guides' who were forth coming with wealth of information. The distances in the hinterland are

Asghar Javedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15424866256218891925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-24565581541482570932026-05-22T16:44:00.000+05:002026-05-24T16:45:04.268+05:00

While planning for life after retirement, great boxer Muhammad Ali Clay decided to write his reminiscences and announced well thought out plan to pen down his memoirs. "Will you write yourself," after verification of the celebrity's plans a keen journalist asked Clay. "It is very difficult to write about self," he added. "Yes. That is why I will write about myself because who else knows me

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-28922668763259861292026-05-10T10:39:00.000+05:002026-05-10T10:39:32.942+05:00

The cluster of mud and brick houses in the plains of Punjab, Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) looks like a typical Pakistani village about 80 kilometres away from Lahore and 40 kilometres from Indus civilization ruins in Harappa. There is no gas or telephone in the village. No asphalt roads lead to it. Yet it is different, the beautiful dolls and other handicrafts made by the village folks are

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-25794046879191215982026-05-06T11:02:00.001+05:002026-05-08T09:06:38.691+05:00

Ways to Make Gen AI Work for YouAI Prompt Ideas How Are You Using A.I. at Work?&nbsp;Turn This ChatGPT Prompt Into Passive Income Stream Write better ChatGPT prompts - and get the results you want fasterChatGPT Prompts That Force ChatGPT To Think DeeperAI-powered Chatbot HistoryChatGPT Prompts To Build Your Personal Brand The Joy Of Prompting: AI Can’t Read Minds, So Learn to Spell Things Out&

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-54184010751770015712026-04-29T10:35:00.007+05:002026-04-29T11:43:14.673+05:00

50 Years of Brotherhood (May 1975 – April 2026), Seasoned by Age, Strengthened by Soul&nbsp;Tassawar Ali Rana On April 27, 2026, the 55th PMA Long Course proved once again that time only deepens the bond of comradeship. Fifty years after our journey began in May 1975, the "Fifty-Fivers" descended upon Sargodha for a day that was nothing short of superb. The overwhelming enthusiasm was visible on

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-17992404852243700282026-04-27T11:32:00.000+05:002026-04-27T11:32:13.797+05:00

Some places are so idyllic and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such place is picturesque, tranquil and pollution free town Garam Chashma (meaning hot spring) in at the edge district Chitral. The very sound of it is (sort of) strategic - the role Garam Chashma played during Russian occupation in Afghanistan not very long ago. The town is located on the bank of a turbulent torrent

Asghar Javedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15424866256218891925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-1827926877184574232026-04-20T09:21:00.000+05:002026-04-20T09:21:46.543+05:00

This article appeared in Daily The Nation The Salt Range derives its name from extensive deposits of rock salt. The Range stands as remnant of forts with bastions and temples. Exceptionally, this region maintains an almost continuous record of history that can define the evolution of society. Forts and temples surviving along the range are a reminder of how untouched many of the ancient

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-84844279300415193682026-04-17T16:33:00.000+05:002026-04-17T16:33:42.388+05:00

Village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka - a cluster of mud and brick houses - looks like any typical Pakistani village. The fact is that awareness, community work and use of appropriate technology has changed the village all together. Influence from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought by use of appropriate technology can be seen in the village together. The toys and

Asghar Javedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15424866256218891925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-67421512608637983572026-04-10T16:45:00.002+05:002026-04-17T16:47:18.845+05:00

The first thought that came into my mind after visiting Okara can be described by four words: milk, butter, mammals and farms. Peers also told me the same. Besides Harappan ruins, I did not know the area. But one thing I did know, though, was that I should be happy to say goodbye to the place. Two years later, I felt drawn to the area and its people and it was very hard for me to part. There is

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-82212753967859524602026-02-09T09:33:00.000+05:002026-02-09T09:33:33.850+05:00

This article appeared in Daily the Nation The actual “Road to Swat” bifurcates from the great Grand Trunk Road near Nowshera. About a kilometre below the highest point on the Road to Swat, the commuters can see the Takht-e-Bahi Mountains in the middle distance&nbsp;from the road. The ruins of one of the grand monastery of the past are situated on the top of a 152-meter high hill, about 80

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-3942417466649814362026-02-08T14:58:00.017+05:002026-02-09T14:37:12.634+05:00

A Joyful 55 PMA Reunion in LahoreIt was a delightful and rare surprise: three dear course mates from distant corners of the world — Altaf visiting from the United States, Mushtaq from Turkey, and Tahir Khan from Canada — all converged in Lahore at the same time. What are the odds of friends scattered across three continents gathering under one roof after so many years?This extraordinary

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-1113374812603218612026-02-01T10:21:00.000+05:002026-02-01T10:21:22.543+05:00

Standing in Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh - accumulated debris of ages - one can think of Alexander the Great, Muhammad Bin Qasim, Saints, Mystics, Sultans, Gardezis, Gilanis, Qureshis, and Khawanis. But what you see is the ageing town hall and Ghanta Ghar, Hussain Agahi Chowk - Hide Park of Multan - with the nerve jarring rattle of auto rickshaws, tangle of tonga and donkey carts vying for space with

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-22790021109479269002026-01-26T09:49:00.000+05:002026-01-26T09:49:38.190+05:00

To-ing and fro-ing, at times zigzagging, in Punjab introduces wonders and legions of what may be called the middle ground of cultural fusion of the present Punjab. The area is a gold mine for history seekers, and spiritual and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. People of the area are eager to

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-68456111964251993312025-12-27T10:49:00.005+05:002025-12-27T11:27:45.060+05:00

By Tassawar Ali Rana&nbsp;It was a whirlwind visit, but we managed to squeeze in a lovely evening (26 December 2025) with our dear colleague and comrade, Gen Munawar Sulehria, during his brief stop in town. A small but cherished gathering of 55 PMA Lahore chapter members came together for a dinner at DeSOM, sharing laughs, reminiscing, and diving into thought-provoking discussions and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-69329005015786427192025-12-17T12:52:00.006+05:002025-12-27T10:51:12.723+05:00

By Tassawar Ali Rana Yesterday evening (17 December 2025) marked a truly special gathering for the brothers of Khalid-4 from the 55th PMA Long Course. Our dear course-mate, Colonel Naveed Akbar, who is currently visiting Lahore from Canada to meet old colleagues and attend to some family matters, was the guest of honour. The K-4 lads based in Lahore came together to host a memorable dinner at

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-40426117447901057122025-12-15T10:07:00.010+05:002025-12-15T14:21:45.749+05:00

We were delighted to gather and celebrate the Walima of Arslan Tariq, son of Lt Col Tariq Fazal - a cherished friend and course mate. As is our tradition with the Lahore Chapter (55 PMA), the event provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old comrades and reminisce about shared memories.The elegant Glass Hall at Lahore Garrison Greens served as the perfect venue, complemented by

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-44012377549076151272025-11-03T10:28:00.006+05:002025-11-03T10:47:58.946+05:00

The eve of Course Mate Jalal HB’s visit to Lahore called for something special — a quiet, heartfelt gathering of old comrades. The Lahore Chapter always upholds this cherished tradition. Thirteen brother officers (Khaled Javed, Zahir Khan, Qazalbash, Fazal Chaudhry, Muhammad Athar, Youns, Saleem Sarwar, Tassawar, Israr, Abdur Rehman Dogar, Atiq Shah, Haider Raza, and yours truly) from the Lahore

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-47828355298727014682025-10-29T11:02:00.008+05:002025-10-29T16:46:02.171+05:00

For the past two years, the Lahore Chapter of 55 PMA had been facing challenges that disrupted its usual rhythm. Traditional gatherings faded, and the vibrant community spirit we all cherished began to wane. This decline was keenly felt, even at the central level. Taking the initiative, our big brother Asif, along with Ikram, stepped up to organize a heartfelt get-together at Lahore Greens. They

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-66804843378450548482025-10-20T14:10:00.000+05:002025-10-20T14:10:36.685+05:00

Asghar Javedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15424866256218891925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-31844060286216842982025-10-18T12:39:00.001+05:002025-10-18T12:39:39.424+05:00

Jamil Bravo (Canada Waley) is back in Pakistan, and oh, what a heartwarming sight, after half a century of unforgettable associations — through the highs, the lows, the laughter, and the tears that bound us like family — today, a cherished piece of the Lahore Chapter 55 PMA Long Course reunited at Bundu Khan, Liberty Branch (now in its new spot). Someone wisely whispered, "Gathering here at 8:00

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-24760541810473717502025-09-22T09:48:00.000+05:002025-09-22T09:48:05.368+05:00

Gowalmandi Food and Heritage Street has become an enriching experience in Lahore. It is a wonder what a few million rupees spent on the renovation of built heritage with balconies and angular projections lining the street some years ago have done to the ambience of the street. Lahorites have already (and justifiably) stated comparing it with lanes in Rome, Paris and Athens. More so during

Asghar Javedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15424866256218891925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-89658792143427952812025-08-22T14:15:00.001+05:002025-09-06T09:32:37.947+05:00

My Father Syed Rehmat Shah Shirazi: - 22 August 1986My Mother Syeda Munir Fatima - 27 Rajab

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-7522551976214549812025-08-18T15:13:00.001+05:002025-08-19T09:43:42.672+05:00

For Shi’ite pilgrims in Iraq's deserts, suffering strengthens faithTwelver Shiism – a branch of Islam that serves both as a spiritual and political force in Iran and beyond

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-86636380471190736512025-06-30T11:39:00.005+05:002025-06-30T11:39:48.723+05:00

Travelling on Grand Trunk Road all my life, it captured my imagination as a cultural curiosity when I read Rudyard Kipling's Kim. At the beginning of the last century Kipling called it "a wonderful spectacle.... without crowding.... green-arched, shade-flecked ... a river of life." But Pakistan's National Highway Number 5 (N-5), alias the Grand Trunk Road, or simply the GT Road, presents a

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9287716.post-65107026941941993402025-06-26T11:35:00.000+05:002025-06-26T11:35:39.307+05:00

"If you steal from one author, it's plagiarism - if you steal from two, it's research," writes American screen writer Wilson Mizner Broadly speaking, plagiarism as per the popular literature on the subject refers to use of another's work without giving credit. This dangerous trend is not new but advent of the Internet has facilitated the speed and methods used. It is a chronic problem that

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