Livestock sector plays a very important role in Pakistan’s economy. It contributes 11.6 percent in national GDP and 55.1 percent of agriculture share. There are approximately 32.7 million buffaloes in Pakistan which constitute about 15 percent of the world buffalo population. There are five known buffalo breeds in the country named as Nili, Ravi, Nili-Ravi, Kundi and Aza Kheli. Nili-Ravi and Kundi are the two main breeds with 38 percent and 25 percent of the total population, respectively. Traditionally, animals are purchased and sold on the basis of physical appearance and no system of record keeping exists at field level. However, type and conformation are very important where ‘type’ is a term commonly used to describe the physical qualities of an animal. Linear type traits are considered the basis of all modern type classification systems for describing the dairy animals. Linear classification is based on measurement of individual type trait instead of opinion. Generally, farmers use type classification as a management tool in breeding and selection decisions. Type traits are very important because they are correlated with milk production. One of the objectives of the study was to standardize method for buffaloes to select animals with proper body characteristics suitable for milk production. Nili-Ravi buffalo herds maintained at five Livestock Experiment Stations in Punjab and some private breeders were utilized in this study. The results are as under: Skin thickness has been found under the genetic control and can be improved through selection and breeding keeping in view its importance and demand in the leather industry. The negative genetic correlation of skin thickness in the neck region with 305 days milk yield advocates the thinking of farmers about the negative correlation of skin thickness with milk yield. It may be used for indirect selection for improved milk yield in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. The following points are suggested for farmers at field level: Record keeping is the basic need for improvement in any business. Farmers should start record keeping of their animals including date of purchase or birth, dam number (Mother), sir number (Father), date of pregnancy, name or number of bull used for pregnancy, date of calving, sex and number of new born calf, milk recording once a month and date of dry. These records will help the farmer to keep or cull that buffalo. Buffaloes with good type and body conformation even somewhat costly at initial stage are better milk producers and produce more milk on life time basis. Nili-Ravi buffaloes of relatively heavy size, more body length and girth, wedge shaped with angular and well sprung ribs, more body weight and with thin skin are better milk producers and should be selected and purchased accordingly.
Elections are just around the corner. The campaign of political parties is gathering its swing. The political leaders, at least those who are claimants of being stalwarts, are using cheap slogans and language in public rallies. Their language cannot be watched on TV with family around. One political starter has gone so low that he reminds me of age-old deceased Mazhar Shah of Punjabi films fame. As such our country is now devoid of all consumable resources the only thing left was little decency and this election and electioneering is going to wash away even decency. AMJAD HABIB MIRZA Lahore
It is regrettable that the laws have been manipulated to favour the rich who commit criminal offences but get light sentences while the common people that engage in petty stealing end up spending long years behind bars. Lawyers have perfected many ways of evading justice through frivolous injunctions. Lawyers file such motions for all sorts of vexatious issues. Lawyers usually apply such methods, nowadays frequent boycotts and strikes, to stall court processes and that is a crude abuse of court process. Corruption has assumed a dangerous dimension among the court personnel of district judiciary to the essence that lawyers seek injunction to prevent law enforcement agents from arresting or prosecuting suspected criminals. Is there anyone take notice of this manifest subversion of the rule of law, chronic corruption, abuse of professional ethics and moral bankruptcy in our district courts? HASHIM ABRO Islamabad
I want to draw the attention of the Chief Election commissioner of Pakistan towards a serious problem faced by old aged voters. The number of old aged voters is hardly around 28 % of total number of voters of Pakistan. These people always make a good decision and their 23 % votes can decide the success of suitable candidates. Very few people go to polling stations to cast their vote. This is due to the lack of respect, no rules and regulations and lack of insecurity. I will request the election commissioner of Pakistan that a separate list of old aged voters should be prepared and kindly made special arrangement for the collecting of their votes from their homes by introducing mobile polling stations. I hope that our chief election commissioner of Pakistan will surely solve the most serious problems of old-aged voters of Pakistan for holding a fair election in Pakistan. RAJA GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN ADOWALIYA Rawalpindi
Since the creation of Pakistan, it has faced a number of problems. All of these issues are major and badly affect our society. It is undoubtedly connected with so many resources directed towards the educational improvement, which is given at low priority. This is evident upon examination of Pakistan’s overall literacy rate of 37.8% (50% for men and 24.4% for women). A poorly educated population is unlikely to participate in family planning or any other form of population control. Poor educated population makes Pakistan a poor choice for the foreign investors. Furthermore, the extremely low literacy rate among Pakistani women (24.4%) tends itself to a society where most women never enter the labour force, creating less incentive for them to limit the size of their families. Government should take a keen interest on this major issue because without education our country will not survive in this modern world. MUHAMMAD SALIK Karachi
The Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, maintained that general elections would be held in the country on May 11, 2013, and that nobody should harbor any suspicions and misgivings on this count. He termed the general elections as a golden opportunity which could usher in an era of true democratic values in the country. The Army Chief’s assured that Pakistan Army stands committed to wholeheartedly assist and support the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections. It would play a pivotal role in rebuilding the confidence of political parties. Now with the assurance for conduct of fair, free and timely elections from Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), all political parties contesting the elections must participate in it wholeheartedly and focus on steering the country out of its current multidimensional predicaments. M FAZAL ELAHI Islamabad
Undoubtedly, youth are the backbone of a nation. So in order for a nation to progress, it is imperative that a proper system of education be implemented. There are many problems that this country is facing such as corruption, inflation, constant power outages and unemployment. It is extremely disheartening to see how the situation is unfolding. The good thing is that youth of today is aware of its rights and responsibilities. Pakistani youth has a major role to play in the upcoming elections 2013. Young voters are likely to play a deciding role in the upcoming general elections with over 34 percent of voters aged less than 31 years, according to statistics obtained from the Election Commission of Pakistan.
I went to the Garden Town passport office in Lahore where I witnessed high level corruption in the ‘Islamic’ Republic of Pakistan. There is a room for elite class and persons of their own. The poor people are always a part of the line system. Those people who can pay Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 easily can get their passport in two days. Due to mismanagement I have still not received my passport. On the other hand, the agent always asks me for Rs 10,000 for the delivery of the passport. I request the authorities to solve this issue as soon as possible and deliver the passports of all the poor people in this country who, like me, cannot afford to pay another Rs 10,000 after paying the passport fee.
The entire nation should be head over heels in love with PML (N) to read the golden words of Maryam NAWAZ SHARIF that her party, the NAWAZ League is against dynastic politics. Further, to ensure that people in this country could care less about issues and matter, Ms. Maryam Nawaz further stated that her joining the politics has cleared the misperception that PML (N) was against participation of women in politics. As if that were not enough, Mian Sahib in response to a question from a journalist regarding empowerment of women first said what he suggested and then went on to rant that PMLN would ensure supply of gas to all so that women can diligently fulfil their duty to prepare food for husband and children. RAJA SHAFAATULLAH Islamabad
At present the gravest problem that Pakistan is facing is terrorism. It has become a headache for federation and a nightmare for public. This daunting situation is caused due to several factors which are social injustice, economic disparity, political instability, religious intolerance and international conspiracies. Terrorists have distorted the real image of Islam before the world through their heinous acts. On account of these attacks Pakistan is suffering from ineffaceable loss ranging from civilian to economic. Attacks on security forces personnel are executed at the sponsorship of hostile intelligence agencies. Such anti state elements must be singled out and brought to lime light to defeat evil agendas of our enemies. Pakistan has sacrificed the most in the ongoing war on terror; criticizing Pakistan’s efforts at national/international forum will be counter-productive to the overall objectives of war on terror. AHSAN IQBAL Karachi
The series of bomb blasts that triggered a new wave of violence across the city has made the life of people more difficult. It has made us feel like we live in a war zone. If this is a war between two mind sets then why should a common man suffer it? Why it could not be resolved through dialogues? Is the life of a common man so worthless that anyone can shoot a bullet or blow him up in a blast? These are the questions of a common man, who suffers the most in political instability, who is targeted for any dispute among two groups and who had been the victim of arsenal attacks. This is a common man whose life is in danger. The government should take possible measures to stop this violence. OMAIMA KHALID Karachi
PPP-P, founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is already disintegrated. They have been in power in the last five years. Not only that the economy, the political standing and the law and order situation cannot be more deplorable, but also that some of acts of the government remains unanswered. PML-N, spearheaded by Mian Nawaz Sharif and others, it has assumed the shape of a private (un)limited company. Been in power twice before, the good thing to their credit is the nuclear test. PTI is led by Imran Khan. So far we have heard words like tsunami and cricket and Shaukat Khanum and Namal University, Imran is making tall promises with people with little guarantee for successful implementation. ANP and MQM. Both these parties have a strange setup. Dictated and lead by their so-called ‘saviours’ of Pakistan sitting abroad, they are hardly political parties in true nature. AMJAD HABIB MIRZA Lahore
I am a student and I have used YouTube for help in my studies but now face problems due to the ban on this website. YouTube was banned, based on blasphemous content but the government should understand that students suffer badly because of this ban. Not only this it is also a free medium of information for people but also plays a pivotal role in religious education. As a result of this ban on YouTube, several websites are also inaccessible for users in Pakistan. Even those outside of the so-called ‘liberal-fascist’ viewpoint are now beginning to understand that the months-long ban on YouTube is suspect. Top international universities put their lectures on YouTube and this is a great opportunity for students of developing countries such as Pakistan. I request the government and especially the PTA to see the bigger picture and lift the ban immediately so that, at least, students don’t get affected in their studies.
According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan was the third highest growing economy after China and India in Musharraf’s era. Other indicators include a drastic decrease in poverty, growths in CNG fuel, information technology and telecommunication sectors. Musharraf even played a significant role in transforming the infrastructure of this country. Four dams (Subakzai, Gomalzam, Khurram and Tangi) were constructed during his period. He initiated the plans to work on seven motorways in different areas of Pakistan; some were completed during his period and others remained under construction. Advanced Gwadar port, Kachi Canal Project, Lyari Expressway and a 650km long coastal highway are also among the many achievements of Musharraf’s period. Media enjoyed the liberation during his era. I think it’s unfair to stop Musharraf from contesting the elections. To conduct free and fair elections, everyone should get a chance. OMAIMA KHALID
A bill to facilitate reproductive healthcare and health rights have been approved by the national assembly giving a hope to the country to equally access basic reproductive and health facilities. This is no doubt a welcoming step to promote and protect these rights in accordance with the Constitution and international commitments made by the Government of Pakistan. With the effective implementation of the approved bill, everyone would have access to information related to reproductive rights and responsibilities within a gender perspective free from stereotyped and discriminatory practices. These interventions would surely be beneficial especially for younger generation as this information will improve their knowledge of modern contraceptives to reduce chances of infecting with various diseases. Now, government departments and media should play their roles in translating these words into reality for the promotion of basic youth rights in the country. AMINA SARWAR Islamabad