Daily Times

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Newly Merged Districts Affairs, Industries, Commerce and Technical Education, Dr. Aamer Abdullah Wednesday said that Tribal Research Cell is an important heritage for the availability of authentic records related to the historical background of the merged districts and former tribal areas of the province while directed the relevant authorities to preserve the available historical record and other written materials in the cell.

He said that the authorities should submit a reasonable development scheme for approval so that to not only ensure the long-term preservation of records available in the research cell, rather make the availability of these historical materials and literature possible for researchers through online facilitation.

He expressed these views during a visit to the historical Tribal Research Cell, established under the Home and Tribal Affairs Department in Namak Mandi here.

During the visit, the minister inspected various parts of the research cell and checked the historical records and official files of the pre-independence and post-independence periods related to the affairs of tribal areas, former states merged into the province and neighbouring country Afghanistan.

Speaking on this occasion, he described the cell as a very important asset for the convenience of researchers from a historical and research point of view, and directed to get support from the Archives Directorate to preserve all the old records here, while digitizing all the records of the cell.

He also directed to prepare a PC.1 and submit it within a week time regarding technological facilitation of digitizing the old record available in the cell.

The minister asked the authorities to also contact the UN organization UNESCO, in terms of getting assistance for the preservation of such a historical record.

He emphasized on the cataloging of historical files and written collections in the cell and asked that the cell should contact the relevant departments of the University of Peshawar to get the support of researchers in utilization of such historical records. The minister also stressed to begin digitizing the records of the cell by scanning the old records in a phase-wise manner.

He described the poor condition of the cell’s existing building as unsatisfactory and directed that the possibility of shifting the records to the existing government buildings should be evaluated and a report in this regard be submitted to him to save the records from losing.

It merits mentioning that the Tribal Research Centre was established in 1971 under the supervision of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, with the aim of preserving the old history and official records of the former tribal areas, the states merged in the province and the former tribal areas under the administration of the province.

Beside, having a vast archive of the history of the tribes of these areas, the cell also has the records of around 5,000 government files, gazetteers and history books onward from the British period, which is a vast collection of literature for researchers in these fields. APP

Iqbal’s doctrine of self-reliance, self determination for progress: NA speaker

Speaker National Assembly, Raja Pervez Ashraf Wednesday said that Pakistan can achieve sustainable progress by embracing Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s doctrine of self-reliance and self-determination. He said this while paying deep respect to Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the eve of his 146th birth anniversary through a message.

The Speaker noted that Iqbal not only envisioned a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent but also provided a blueprint for the nation’s enduring growth and development through his philosophy of “Self” (khudi). He was a visionary leader with the ability to see beyond surface-level phenomena and discern underlying events as they unfolded. Raja Pervez also recalled Iqbal’s staunch support for the Palestinian cause. He vigorously rejected Zionist claims to Palestinian territory and emphatically opposed the establishment of a Jewish homeland at the expense of the Palestinians. Iqbal also posed the question, “If Jews have a right to the land of Palestine, why do Arabs not have a claim to Spain”?. He urged the Muslim Ummah to unite and exert every effort to safeguard Islam and Muslims worldwide. The Speaker emphasized that the eminent philosopher and thinker, through his poetry and speeches, stirred the conscience of Muslims. He motivated them to reclaim their lost glory through dedication, commitment and unity. Iqbal placed special emphasis on the youth and placed his hopes in them to instigate positive change within society. “Iqbal’s message of love, hope, and unity was universal. Let us adhere to his principles both in words and deeds to tackle the challenges confronting our nation”, he said.