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Smoking Banned in hospitals and private clinics
Minister of Health services H.E Dr. Osmama Abdulmajeed has issued an order prohibiting smoking in all hospitals, clinics and Pharmacies across the Kingdom.

 Zinda Dila -e-Saudi Arabia International Moshaira
King Faisal Specialist Hospital's Social Club and Zinda Dilan-e-Saudi Arabia has jointly organized an Urdu Mushaira to be held on Thursday 7th of March 2002. In a press conference that took place in Al-Morooj compound, the organizers, Jaffer Rizvi and Yousuf Ali informed that the Mushaira would be held in Al-Mather Park inside King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Renowned Urdu poets from South Asia, Middle East and different cities of Saudi Arabia are expected to participate. Jaffer Rizvi, who has organized various International Mushairas in the past in USA, affirmed that Zinda Dilan-e-Saudi Arabia will continue to arrange similar literary events in the future for the community.
Yousuf Ali, on this occasion told the press that entry will be strictly through invitation cards. ContactPakistan.com community is invited to attend this mega event, fill out your invitation form online at http://contactPakistan.com/Urdu/zsa/onlinereservation.htm
 

                                    Final Hajj Report
(Amir CP Jeddah) Pakistanis living in Western region are always blessed by Allah SWT to take care of Hajjis who are their friends or relatives and are here to perform Hajj. This year 2 million pilgrims arrived  from all over the world. The government of the custodian of the two Holy  mosques Shah Fhad Bin Abdul Aziz worked day and night to provide best possible service to  the guest of Allah.
Prince Abdul Majeed Said in a statement stated that all plans were well executed, thanks to the efforts of the agencies involved in Haj services. The Consul General Of Islamic Republic of Pakistan said that this year arrangements were “excellent”  by all definitions. From Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Hamid, Ex President Farooq Leghari, Punjab Secretary of Interior Brig.(R) Ejaz Shah, Ex Minister Finance Ishaq Dar, Several  Army Officers, Minister of  Hajj  Pakistan, also performed Hajj, while  Ex. Prime Minister Nawaz Shahrif with his father Mian Shahrif visited Medina during hajj period  and Shebaz Sharif  along with other family members performed Hajj.
Like every year all concerned agencies are gathering data to find problems that Hajjis or these agencies faced this year. Once such report is compiled, an action plan for next year is drawn to make sure that such problems are not repeated next year. For one such issue The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research in Makkah is currently working on developing new design for the flyover which aims at enabling the pilgrims perform this ritual with ease within the time period specified in Shariah.
This year charges for slaughtering sacrificial animals rose five times due to the lack of supervision in the slaughter houses by the municipality . The charges for  slaughtering a sheep rose from Sr 20 on an ordinary  day to SR 100 during  the Eid. On the other hand the  sheep dealers also  rose the prices of  sheep   up to  SR 800/- per sheep, while  after long negotiation they were settling 500/- per sheep. In Mina  number of pilgrims from the Russian region of Dagestan, Uzbekistan and other areas finished their rituals on Saturday and immediately got down to business. They spread out their sheets to sell various goods from their countries to cover expenses of their Hajj trip to Makkah. Most of them arrived  Makkah  by aged busses. It took them 13 days to reach Makkah from Dagestan. Subhan'Allah!
Only one fire incident was reported during Hajj. Due to use of cooking stove a fire broke out in one of the camps. However, the safety patrols were able to control and put out the fire.

A lot was there to enjoy this Eid in Jeddah. There was this music evening where artists performed "Sofiana Kalam" live. Function was attended by every Pakistani who loves folk music.
Enjoy this evening and other interesting reports in Urdu "Jeddah ki Diary" - Click here while online

   Charagh - e - Raah magazine launched
(M. Haseen Khan PCC Finance Secretary)The Pakistani Community Council (PCC) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia has taken the opportunity to congratulate and convey its sincere appreciation for the teachers and members of the governing body for publishing, for the first time, the School' magazine "CHARAGH -E-RAAH" for the current academic year. The Magazine is substantially impressive both in its get up as well as in contents. The idea is excellent and the initiative and efforts are commendable. The PCC believes that contributions such as these form the basis of exemplary institutional traditions. The PCC feels proud and happy to see the presence of a capable and dedicated team of educators and administrators who have invested their valueable time and efforts in bringing out the Magazine. The PCC has reaffirmed its continued support and cooperation and would be willing to assist the School in whatever possible ways within its means and resources for the ultimate benefit of the Pakistani community.
 Basent Mela in Dammam
(Ishaq Rana, Dammam Feb 15, 2002)  Jashn-e-Baharan or Basant Maila or kite flying festival has become a very strong tradition in the Eastern Province of KSA. This year  thousands of Pakistani gathered at Dammam Corniche and enjoyed kite flying. People flew paper kites with powdered glass coated cotton thin string called (Dor). The purpose of the competition is to go into “ Paicha” (where two or more kites strings cross) then using special flying techniques, cut the string of the other kite (s). There are different types of kites. Most popular of them are Gudha, Pattang, Lifo and decorative Gudhas and Gudhis (smaller one).
In Eastern region there are two major teams for kite flying. One is led by Mohammad Iqbal Chouhan and Mian Shafiq. They are the Chairmen of their teams and each team has captain and players who fly kites and try to cut each other’s kites. To take part in the festival Pakistanis and their families started pouring at Dammam Corniche in the morning. Right after Friday prayers thousands of people gathered there and by afternoon time the area was crowded and it looked like a big picnic party where hundreds of families were having fun. The worth mentioned thing is that to enjoy this event families and kite flyers came from other cities of the Eastern Province including Al-Jubail, Khobar, Al-Hafoof, Rahima and Abqaiq. Some even turned up from Riyadh to participate in this traditional day. The longest paicha is called “Sham Kalyan” and that is the last part of the event. Two teams fly their biggest Gudhas and each player take part in it. Before start of final match, its a tradition to distribute sweets among spectators. 

In Dammam festival thousands enjoyed it and spent the whole day flying kites. It was an interested event for Saudis and other nationals who came there to see such an exciting event where thousands were happily playing around. One can say Al-Hamdo Lillah Pakistani are live hearted people, wherever they go they introduce and enjoy their own traditions.
The name of two team players included: Team A: Iqbal Chouhan, Chairman, Sultan, Captain and Imran Vice Captain, Shahid, Saeed, Samiullah, Fouad, Afzal Mitho, Junail, Adil, Tanveer, Hamid, Asif, Hafeez, Mehar and Mohammd Afzal members. Team B: comprised of Mian Shafiq, Chairman, Ejaz Captain, Afzal Khan, Amjad Khan Jadoon, Mian Yasin, Tajamul, Amir Shaikh, Salahuddin, Mehmood Nizami, Asim Butt, Tipu Sultan and Faisal.

 Below is an extract from a daily Urdu Pakistani newspaper. Looking at what Mr. Politician is saying, I could draw two conclusions and I would like to share the same with you.
1) Is he trying to say that only wisdom is enough to run a country in this complicated nasty world? - May I remind him what our Prophet (PBUH) said about the importance of education. Yes, I know every Muslim knows what he said. But does this politician know? Won't remind him that to know such golden sayings one needs to be educated enough to understand it first!
2) He claims to bring in the USLI democracy in Pakistan
Oh well, I guess we had more than 50 years for our dear politicians to fulfill their promises. Promises they made in their public speeches. Promises that were made to over 80% of Pakistanis who's wisdom is not yet refined by simple education. What happened to those claims? And most importantly did 80% of the people who stamped their vote for Mr. Politician ever went to the person who showed him dreams of a good future and asked "Now that you have won, what happened to the promises that you made?", no they never asked because only wisdom can not teach you how to protect and get your rights. 
Mr. Politician, did someone stop you for not doing a single good thing for the nation? We all strongly believe in democracy but we also strongly believe that simple promises would not bring prosperity, peace and bla bla bla to our country. You have to personally scarify for the nation. Will you or did you?
Let me quote, he says "One can not take the right of electing a leader on grounds of his / her political, national and social contributions".
I must agree with him on this point, we should bring those people to serve our nation who have countless contributions in National, Social and political fields.
Did you lately find one? perhaps too difficult!
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Questions to ContactPakistan.com
NEVER CENSORED OR IGNORED
Questions related to our service are answered here

Number of times I have noticed at the passport section , Consulate of Pakistan
Jeddah , our ladies are standing one side, waiting for their turn and the crowd of gents  bothering them. I suggest to have a small at least 2x3 meter wooden hanger as waiting room for the ladies in that particular area. And beside this all the counter clerks should be instructed to give priority to ladies.
S MAKHDUM ALI- Jeddah
Makhdum Bhai, thanks for pointing community's attention towards this matter which obviously needs to be resolved. Your email was forwarded to the consulate general in Jeddah. We never received any reply though. Copy of this newsletter will be sent to our embassy in Riyadh. I hope someone looks into this matter.
Another option could be that some financially better Pakistanis in Jeddah come forward and do it on "Help yourself" basis. Some times it is the best option. Who ever likes to help on this issue can contact Makhdum bhai by sending a mail to Pakistan@ContactPakistan.com - He is willing to lead this initiative.

Can I put forward medical questions of private nature to the medical panel? Secondly as I know there is a published directory of Pakistani doctors in KSA, why not have this directory online so if we need their help we could contact them, after all they are our Pakistani brothers and sisters?
Abdul Shakoor Riyadh
The beauty of our virtual hospital is that you can ask any question without being shy as you are not sitting right in front of the doctor. All questions are considered highly confidential therefore, communication between our members and doctors is kept private. No records of such questions are kept once questions are answered.
Second part of your question is very interesting. We tried to convince the producers of this directory to have it online so they could help the community in the manner you indicated. But they turned down our offer back in 1999. Note that community work involves personal sacrifices such as few hours a month just for the sake of community.  Here is an extract from our book of rules;
"ContactPakistan.com is for the selfless social workers who are willing to work for the benefit of the Pakistani community. ContactPakistan.com will not accept team members who have greed for authority, self image projection and hunger for media publicity."
Now with above in mind not too many would like to join us and help others!, perhaps this was the reason they turned down our request. Anyway why to worry we are over 185,000 and we can help ourselves. Just send your question with confidence to any of our doctors.

Site should have custom rules of Pakistan says Iqbal Ashraf from Riyadh
Ashraf bhai we have a complete section on the custom rules, please visit
http://www.contactpakistan.com/PakEmbassy/baggagerules/baggage.htm

Our Legal chamber, Students / Parents counseling, Dr PC, Virtual Hospital, Investment Center and special requests in various sections are only available to CP Members - Join the United Pakistan where only humanity matters!
This newsletter is NOT published on main site and sent exclusively to our members in KSA

Asif Zaheer From Jeddah
 

"I have purchased Lahore with my life, By giving my life for Lahore, Actually I have purchased another Paradise," Empress Nur Jahan

LAHORE is a Municipal city, has been the capital of Punjab for nearly a thousand years, and the administrative head-quarters of a Division and District of the same name. It is situated one mile to the south of the river Ravi, and some 23 miles from the eastern border of the district. The city is built in the form of a parallelogram, the area within the walls, exclusive of the citadel, being about 461 acres. It stands on the alluvial plain traversed by the river Ravi. The city is slightly elevated above the plain, and has a high ridge within it, running east and west on its northern side. The whole of this elevated ground is composed of the accumulated debris of many centuries. The river, which makes a very circuitous bend from the East, passes in a semi-circle to the North of Lahore.
Lahore has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It is a fine place to watch the world rush by. The improbable mix of painted trucks, cars, bullock carts, buses, handcarts, scooters with whole families. A classical city, according to the words of Nur Jahan.
City of braves that holds proudly the flag of bravery ""Purchim E Istaklal".

There is an ancient Punjabi adage,
"One who hasn't seen Lahore, hasn't been born!"  Lahore is "Queen of cities"; others are "like a golden ring, she the diamond."
Share with us your part of Pakistan
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LAST WEEK QUESTION AND ANSWER
Question in our last newsletter was!
Name the Pak Pilot who destroyed Five Indian Hunter aircrafts in less than a minute over Sargodha during 1965 war?
The Answer was B: Squadron Leader M. M. Alam
We received 588 entries. Correct answers were 512 and computer draw has declared Umer Khurshid from Jeddah, the winner of Feb. 15th Quiz. Congratulations Umer!

M.M. ALAM Mohammad Mahmood Alam, who was born in 1935 in the state of Bihar, Western Bengal, is so far the top scorer fighter pilot of PAF. In the war of 1965, he shot down nine Indian planes (five in one sortie) and damaged another two. On September 6, 1965, during an aerial combat over enemy territory, Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam, in an F-86 Sabre Jet, shot down two enemy Hunter aircraft and damaged three others. For the exceptional flying skill and valor displayed by this Squadron Leader, Alam was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat [The Star of Courage]. On September 7, 1965, Alam is said to have destroyed five more enemy Hunter aircraft in less than a minute, which remains a record to this today. Overall he had nine kills and two damages to his credit.
It is worth quoting an Indian author here from his book Fiza'ya, regarding this remarkable achievement of M. M. Alam: "The claim of shooting down five Hunters within 30 seconds by Squadron Leader M. M. Alam OC No. 11 Squadron (F-86F), if true, would be a feat unprecedented in the annals of jet air warfare, probably in the history of all air warfare. A Luftwaffe pilot in WWII downed five Soviet aircraft in a single sortie, but no one (except M. M. Alam) could claim five in the space of less than a minute."Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam is awarded a bar to his Sitara-i-Juraat.