History of Valentine Day - PakWatanWeb

History of Valentine Day:

"The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian Martyr.   The emperor was Claudius II.   The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians.   But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs.   He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened.   Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons.   She had been blind since birth.   Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind.   Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her.   He described the world of nature to her.   He taught her arithmetic and told her about God.  She saw the world through his eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.

"Yes, my child, He hears each one."

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night?  I pray that I might see.   I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!"  She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying.   Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell.   Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see!  I can see!"

"Praise be to God!"  Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God.   He signed it, "From your Valentine."  His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory.   He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.   It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.   Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.   On each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world."

Source: https://www.olrl.org/lives/valentine.shtml

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission - PakWatanWeb

Introduction:
	Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the national space agency, was established in 1961 as a Committee and was granted the status of a Commission in 1981. SUPARCO is mandated to conduct R&D in space science, space technology, and their peaceful applications in the country. It works towards developing indigenous capabilities in space technology and promoting space applications for socio-economic uplift of the country.

History:

In 1961, on the advice of Prof. Abdus Salam, the then Scientific Adviser to the President of Pakistan, it was decided to set up a Committee dealing with space sciences. Consequently, a Space Sciences Research Wing of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was established through an Executive Order of the President of Pakistan dated 16 September 1961, which was addressed to Dr I H Usmani, the then Chairman PAEC. The programme of rocket firings was entrusted to Chairman PAEC. Initially the Space Sciences Research Wing had the following members:

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Prof Abdus Salam, FRS - Chairman Dr I H Usmani, Chairman PAEC - Vice-Chairman Mr Sibte Nabi Naqvi, Director, Pakistan Meteorological Department - Member Dr Innas Ali, Member PAEC - Member

In September 1961, Mr Tariq Mustafa, Principal Engineer , PAEC ; Mr Salim Mehmud, Scientific Officer PAEC; Mr Sikandar Zaman, Assistant Engineer PAEC; Mr A Z Farooqi, Scientific Officer PAEC; and Mr M Rehmatullah, Regional Director, Pakistan Meteorological Department were sent to NASA for training in rocket launching.

On 07 June 1962 at 1953 hours the two-stage rocket: Rehbar-I consisting of a Nike-Cajun combination (which was earlier developed by NASA) was successfully launched from Sonmiani Rocket Range. It carried a payload of 80 pounds of sodium and soared to about 130 km into the atmosphere. With the launching of Rehbar-I, Pakistan had the honour of becoming the third country in Asia and the tenth in the world to conduct such a launching. The other countries, which had, until then, already conducted launchings of this type were: USA, USSR, UK, France, Sweden, Italy, Canada, Japan and Israel. Rehbar-II was also successfully launched from Sonmiani Rocket Range on 09 June 1962.

The data received from Rehbar-I and Rehbar-II gave scientists information on wind shear and structure in the layers of the upper atmosphere extending beyond the stratosphere. The data collected also helped in the study of cloud formation, cyclones and weather over the Arabian Sea.

A high-powered meeting was held on 25 July 1964 under the Chairmanship of the then President of Pakistan. A number of decisions were taken in that meeting including the placement of SUPARCO under the direct control of the President of Pakistan. A three-tier structure was thus created consisting of (a) the Governing Body; (b) the Executive Committee; and (c) the Technical Committee to take care of and run SUPARCO's affairs. SUPARCO started functioning independent of PAEC with effect from 16 September 1964 with Dr I H Usmani looking after its affairs as its Co-Chairman.

The structure of SUPARCO was superseded by a Government of Pakistan Resolution dated 8 March 1966 whereby SUPARCO was constituted as a separate organisation under the administrative control of Scientific and Technological Research Division (S&TR), Government of Pakistan and a revised constitution for SUPARCO was adopted in the shape of "Rules of SUPARCO" issued by S&TR Division on 19 April 1967. Air Cdre W J M Turowicz was appointed as the first Executive Director of SUPARCO (Air Cdre Turowicz was a Polish national who served in the Royal Air Force in India in WW-II and after the war, he was among those Polish Air Force Pilots who opted for Pakistan's nationality).

In 1970, after the retirement of Air Cdre Turowicz, Air Cdre K M Ahmed was appointed as SUPARCO's second Executive Director who relieved his charge in 1976 to Mr Salim Mehmud, who remained Executive Director of SUPARCO until 15 December 1979 when he resigned the service of SUPARCO. Dr M Shafi Ahmed succeeded Mr Salim Mehmud and remained in office till 15 December 1980 when the President of Pakistan appointed Mr Salim Mehmud as Chief Executive Officer of SUPARCO and asked him to submit necessary recommendations for up-gradation of SUPARCO to the status of a full-fledged Commission.

On 22 April 1981, Mr Salim Mehmud was appointed as the first Chairman of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

The President of Pakistan signed and promulgated SUPARCO Ordinance No. XX of 1981, which was issued in the Gazette of Pakistan on 21 May 1981, to provide for the establishment of a Space Research Council (SRC), an Executive Committee of the Space Research Council (ECSRC) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), granting SUPARCO an autonomous status. The then Chairman SUPARCO established three Technical Wings namely; Space Technology Wing, Space Research Wing and Space Electronics Wing. The National Assembly, ratified SUPARCO Ordinance vide Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Amendment) Act, 1987-Act No. II of 1987, providing for, inter alia, the replacement of President of Pakistan with the Prime Minister of Pakistan as the President of Space Research Council.

SUPARCO remained under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division until September 2000 for almost 20 years. During this period, only one meeting of the SRC (headed by the President of Pakistan) and 13 meetings of ECSRC (headed by the Federal Minister for Finance) were held. The last meeting of ECSRC was held on 09 September 1999. The SRC, in its first-ever meeting held on 24 December 1984, approved the Long-Term Development Programme of Space Science and Technology in Pakistan, submitted by SUPARCO, which contained projects of national importance.

Mr Salim Mehmud retired on 13 April 1989 and Dr M Shafi Ahmed took over as the second Chairman of SUPARCO. On 16 July 1990, Pakistan launched its first experimental satellite BADR-1. Dr M Shafi Ahmed retired on 16 October 1990 and handed over the charge of the Office to Mr Sikandar Zaman who retired on 19 June 1997. Dr Abdul Majid was appointed Chairman with effect from 20 June 1997.

On 10 December 2000, the Cabinet Division issued an Office Order No. 564, through its Notification No. 5/11/2000-Admin.II., whereby, in pursuance of the order of the Chief Executive of Pakistan, SUPARCO Commission was transferred from Cabinet Division to the National Command Authority (NCA); the Space Research Council and Executive Committee of Space Research Council were dissolved and were replaced with Development Control Committee (DCC) of NCA. On his retirement on 30 April 2001, Dr Abdul Majid handed over the charge of the Office of Chairman SUPARCO to Mr Raza Hussain. SUPARCO launched the second experimental satellite BADR-B on 10 Dec 2001 and is continuously working towards developing indigenous capabilities in satellite development.

Mr Raza Hussain retired on 31 August 2010 and handed over the charge to Maj Gen Ahmed Bilal.

Source: http://www.suparco.gov.pk/pages/intro.asp

Top Military Awards of Different Countries - PakWatanWeb

A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform.

Below are the lists and displays of top 3 military decorations (awards) for different countries. Starting from left is the highest award.

1. France
National Flag of France
Legion of  Honour	Ordre de la Libération	Médaille militaire
2. Germany
National Flag of Germany
Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr	Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany	Iron Cross (German Empire)
3. Great Britian
National Flag of England
Victoria Cross Medal	George Cross	Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
4. India
National Flag of India
Param veer chakra	Maha vir chakra	Ashoka Chakra Award
5. Italy
National Flag of Italy
Cavaliere di gran Croce	Grande Ufficiale	Valor Militare Gold Medal
6. Pakistan
National Flag of Pakistan
NISHAAN-I-HAIDER	HILAL-I-JU'RAT	SITARA-I-JUR'AT
7. People's Republic of China
National Flag of China
The Order of National Glory	Order of Blue Sky and White Sun	Order of the Cloud and Banner star
8. Russia
National Flag of Russia
Order of Saint Andrew Order of Saint George Order of Merit to the Fatherland Order of Lenin (Soviet Union)
9. Turkey
National Flag of Turkey
Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Honor Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Distinguished Service
10. United States of America
National Flag of USA
Air Force Medal of Honor	Navy Medal of Honor	Army Medal of Honor

Source:http://absolutewarrior.blogspot.com/2011/11/top-military-awards-around-world.html

Military of Pakistan - PakWatanWeb

Information about military of Pakistan . Names of Pakistani military chiefs .

Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee

General Rashid Mehmood

Chief of Army Staff

General Raheel Shareef

Chief of Naval Staff

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah

Chief of Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman

Source:http://www.pakinformation.com/military.html

Religions in Pakistan - PakWatanWeb

Official Religion

Islam

Religion	Percent of Total Population
Islam	96 %
Hindo	1.8 %
Christion	1.6 %
Others	.55%

Other Religions in Pakistan
Qadyani	Sikh	Parsi
Kalash	Budh	Bahai

Source: http://www.pakinformation.com/religion.html

Attorney General of Pakistan - PakWatanWeb

The Attorney General is the chief legal adviser of the government and serves at the pleasure of the President of Pakistan or till his/her resignation. The Attorney General for Pakistan is appointed under Article 100 of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan .The duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Federal Government upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character as may be referred or assigned to him by the Federal Government, and in the performance of his duties he shall have the right of audience in all courts and tribunals in Pakistan.

Attorney General for Pakistan

Salman Aslam Butt

Source:http://www.pakinformation.com/judiciary/attorney.html

Federal Judiciary of Pakistan - PakWatanWeb

Islamabad High Court

The Islamabad High Court was established under Islamabad High Court Act, 2010 after the 18th amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan..Islamabad High Court, located in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan,

Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court

Mr. Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi

Honourable Judges of Islamabad High Court of Pakistan

02-	Mr. Justice Noor-ul-Haq N. Qureshi
03-	Mr. Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui
04-	Mr. Justice Athar Minallah

Federal Shariat Court

Federal Shariat Court is is a court which has the power to examine and determine whether the laws of the country comply with Shari'a law, Federal Shariat Court is located in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The Federal Shariat Court was established by the President’s Order No.1 of 1980 as incorporated in the Constitution of Pakistan.

Chief Justice of Federal Shariat Court (Acting )

Mr. Justice Doctor Fida Muhammad Khan

Honourable Judges of Federal Shariat Court Islamabad

02-	Mr. Justice Sh.Najam ul Hassan
03-	Mr. Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan
04-	Mr. Justice Zahoor Ahmad Shahwani

Wafaqi Mohtasib of Pakistan

Wafaqi Mohtasib ( Ombudsman ) an independent institution, established under law, to provide speedy relief to the general public in case they have suffered from any 'maladministration' at the hands of any Federal Government Agency.
The Wafaqi Mohtasib's Secretariat is located in Islamabad and has eight regional offices covering all the four provinces of Pakistan. These offices are located at Karachi ,Sukkur , Dera Ismail Khan , Peshawar ,Quetta Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan.

Wafaqi Mohtasib of Pakistan  ( Federal Ombudsman )

Salman Farooqui

source: http://www.pakinformation.com/judiciary/index.html

NAB of Pakistan-PakWatanWeb

National Accountability Bureau ( NAB ) an independent institution ,under constitutionally established federal institution responsible to build efforts against corruption and prepare critical national economic intelligence assessments against economic terrorism to the Government of Pakistan .
The NAB is empowered to undertake any necessary prevention and awareness, in all means, in addition to enforce its operations against the economic terrorism and financial crimes. It was established on 16 November 1999 and its sphere of operation has been expanded and extended since. The constitution grants to launch investigations, conduct inquiries, and issues arrests warrants against the individuals suspected in the financial mismanagement, terrorism, corruptions (all in private-sector, state-sector, defence sector, and corporate-sector), and directs cases to accountability courts. Head Office of NAB is in Islamabad . NAB have regional offices in Lahore , Karachi , Quetta ,Peshawar and Rawalpindi.

Chairman NAB

Qamar Zaman Chaudhry

Source:http://www.pakinformation.com/judiciary/nab.html

Best Educational Websites - PakWatanWeb

No matter how old or young you are, there's always time to learn something new or delve deeper into a topic that really interests you. With so many free education websites out there, the opportunities to improve your knowledge and expand your horizons are endless. Make some free time because exploring these 10 brilliant websites will keep you busy for a very, very long time. Enjoy!

1. KHAN ACADEMY

WHAT: A non-profit educational website providing world-class education for anyone, anywhere.HOW: Khan Academy features a vast library of easy-to-follow educational content, replete with 5,000 micro lectures via YouTube video tutorials.TEACHER'S PET: After signing up, Khan Academy will remember what you've learned and provide at-a-glance information so you can keep track of your goals.

Screenshot from Khan Academy

2. P2PU

WHAT: A peer to peer open learning community for people to delve into various topics through online courses and study groups.HOW: Anyone is welcome to create a course or study group and share their knowledge with other users.TEACHER'S PET: For extra motivation, feedback Badges are awarded and provide a way for learners to improve their projects.

Screenshot from P2PU

3. BIG THINK

WHAT: An evolving roadmap to the best thinking on the planet.HOW: Hundreds of articles and videos tackling emerging  “big ideas” make up this knowledge forum. The relevant and actionable ideas cover themes stretching from Earth and Beyond to Extreme Biology.TEACHER'S PET: An ever-growing network of top thinkers and doers from around the world help make this site a platform for real knowledge that can be applied to the challenges of daily life.

Screenshot from Big Think

4. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE

WHAT: A non-profit, tuition-free, degree-granting online academic institution that believes access to higher education is a key ingredient in the promotion of world peace.HOW: UoPeople has managed to succeed in cutting down almost the entire cost of higher education by bringing together top academic leaders and international foundations.TEACHER'S PET: Some 200 Haitian students have been accepted to study at the University as part of a program promoting education in underserved regions of the world.

Screenshot from University of the People

5. CURRIKI

WHAT: A global community for users to create, share, and find free learning resources.HOW: Curriki contains thousands of free lessons and curricula built by educators that are shared throughout the Curriki community using collaborative networking groups.TEACHER'S PET: Geek out on the latest free education news and advice over at the Curriki Blog.

Screenshot from Curriki

6. ACADEMIC EARTH

WHAT: A comprehensive collection of free online college courses from the world's top universities.HOW: By curating links to over 750 online courses and 8,500 individual online lectures, Academic Earth gives people the opportunity to learn a whole host of topics at their own pace.TEACHER’S PET: Take on some extracurricular electives with this selection of original, thought-provoking videos.

Screenshot from Academic Earth

7. WOLFRAM DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

WHAT: A site full of interactive illustrations that add a whole new dimension to learning online.HOW: Dynamic computation technology is used to create illustrations that bring to life concepts in a fascinating way that will get you hooked.TEACHER’S PET: Create your own interactive demonstration and share it with the online community.

Screenshot from Wolfram 

8. SAYLOR

WHAT: A collection of over 300 free, self-paced, online courses.HOW: By focusing on topics centered around the highest enrollment majors in the U.S, the courses that Saylor offers are relevant and the skills gained transferable.TEACHER’S PET: Online forums provide a great opportunity for users to meet and share with fellow students, faculty, and staff.

Screenshot from Saylor

9. UNIVERSITY OF REDDIT

WHAT: The more educated older brother of every techie’s favorite social networking site, Reddit.HOW: The University of Reddit lets people share their expertise and educational materials through class lectures and videos on a unique online community.TEACHER’S PET: Spread the love - think of something you're an expert at and teach your own class to other users.

Screenshot from University of Reddit

10. ALISON

WHAT: A global online learning community dedicated to helping others develop essential workplace skills.HOW: People can gain the qualifications they need by enrolling in one of the 600 high-quality, certified, multimedia courses available for free.TEACHER’S PET: ALISON is a high achiever and has been recognized globally by UNESCO and other important international bodies.

Screenshot from ALISON

If this post helps you then entertain us with your feedback with us in comments below and don't forget to suggest this site PakWatanWeb to your friends.

Source:http://www.goodnet.org/articles/10-free-education-websites-that-will-expand-your-horizons-list