Call for Contributors
Understanding Pakistan Project Team May 29th, 2007
The Origin and Motivation of the Idea
A few months ago, a few of us began contemplating upon an idea of writing–and hopefully disseminating–a collaborative history of Pakistan . We were motivated by a number of factors. At some level, our new found passion to read and research about various events in our history had made us acutely aware of the inadequacies of our own “formal” education in this area thus making us want to write a more complete (and perhaps unbiased) history of Pakistan. As we read more, we were also fascinated by the twists and turns–the numerous challenges and missed opportunities–in our country’s history and felt motivated by our desire to share our learning (and to learn from others) as we navigated our course through Pakistan’s 60 year old history.The two recent and upcoming events–namely the Elections of Oct. 2007 and the ongoing Judicial Drama– have only hightened the urgency for this endeavor. We absolutely believe that without learning from our past, we cannot hope not to make the same mistakes that we, as a nation, have made again and again throughout the course of our history.
This is an attempt to write a Truly Collaborative People’s History of Pakistan in in following ways:
1. Commentaries and Critiques Present and Promote Diversity of Opinions: While each week’s discussion would be anchored around a larger piece outlining the significant events and debates during a particular period in Pakistan’s history, we will also publish a series of critiques and commentaries that may agree, disagree, or add to it. These critiques and commentaries are written by a panel of experts and enthusiasts belong to diverse areas of interests, namely, public policy, political science, law, international relations, media etc. By doing so, we hope, we will develop a more holistic understanding of our history and learn to examine and appreciate it through multiple perspectives.
2. Guest Articles and Opinions bring out Unique Perspectives on Issues: In addition to the more regular commentaries and critiques, the project will also feature, whenever appropriate, guest authors who may have a special perspective on a particular issue or an era. An effort will be made to bring “on-the-ground” experience or in-depth knowledge on specific issues to the debate by inviting these on a fairly regular basis.
3. Provide a Platform for Substantive Discussion and Contribution: Finally, readers will be provided an opportunity to comment and critique the each of three kinds of contributions (i.e. the anchor piece, the commentaries, and the guest opinions). An effort, however, will be made to ensure that the comments posted on the website reflect substantive contributions to the discussion (see posting guidelines for more). Please feel free to post comments and refer this website to others you know.
While considerable work has gone into the preparation for this work and securing commitments from key contributors, we are looking for Guest Writers and Commentrators who may write one (or more) piece (~1000-2000 words) over duration of the exercise on an era or issue in which they might have a particular interest, a unique perspective, or a first-hand experience.
Should you have an interesting story to tell, a first-hand experience to relate, or an opinion to voice, we encourage you to please share with us and the rest of the world. Also, if you’d like to nominate somebody, please do so as well. Write to the Understanding Pakistan Project Team at understanding.pakistan@gmail.com.
We’re hoping to make this a truly participative process of learning and discovery for all us.
The Understanding Pakistan Team.
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Salam Athar Bhai,
Nice effort. Could we design understandingpakistan.com based on Wikipedia starndards and easy search and look and feel or better.
It would be my pleasure, if I could do anything, please do write me. I am senior software professional/technical lead having over 9 years of experience in developing software and managing large software projects. While working in various software firms in Karachi, USA and UAE, I have successfully designed, developed and managed over 30 projects using Microsoft and other technologies.
I did my B.E. Mechanical from NED University.
Syed Rafey Husain
Technical Lead
Blog: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/syedrafey
Rafaey, wonderful suggestion. Maybe we should create an “Encyclopedia of Pakistan History” based on a Wiki. It’s worth discussing and thinking through.
But for now, this is a blog-based discussion. Please do stay engaged.
Please also explore Wiki Pakistan at http://Pakistan.wikia.com, it’s an effort to document Pakistan as it exists today.
–iFaqeer
PS: I am an NEDian, too; Computer Systems, Batch ‘87-88
AOA,
Very good effort. I think it is very important that we leave behind such collected effort for future generations of Pakistan.
I would be more than willing to contribute.
I am in NY.
Allah Hafiz
Fariha
AoA Dear fellows,
A commendable effort. Hopefully we can manage to extract out action plans that should be taken by us as a nation as result of some healthy discussion and deep analysis of our troubled history.
It is the people who bring about the change in any society.
More than willing to contribute.
-Uzma
Hello
I got to know about this project from Abdalian list.
Would like to contribute in whichever way possible. I am anthropologist-historian, temp affiliated with SOAS.
regards
no
salam!
i am Marya Tariq and i am working in a research institute in islamabad,since
2 years, i am highly inspired by this project, would love to contribute.
Dear Osama
This is nice and timely effort to create conciousness regarding pakistani history which is being misinterpreted by our so called intelectuals and historians.
I aapreciate your team.
One suggestion: you should also create a page to list down books relevant to the history of Pakistan. This is very important for obvious reasons.
The following page from ATP has a discussion on books on Pakistan in English language:
http://pakistaniat.com/2007/03/05/favorite-best-books-pakistan-english/
A long overdue need and a welcome effort.
We should undertake affirmative action AND Seek Out those who have seen Pakistan being created. We are rapidly loosing that generation. They are still there BUT not for too long. Each and everyone of us knows or knows of someone who knows someone from that time. They can be invited/encouraged to chronicle in simple and candid honesty what they saw and heard.
From the viewpoint of historiography such “Oral History” would provide the foundation to build upon.
IF we can start such a system of recording Oral History, the subsequent stages and events will be regulary recorded and preserved for the future historians to benefit from.
this is a brilliant idea but i recommend you host on a better host as site is really slow in loading
The following articles on our web site would be helpful.
Ideology of Pakistan - Secular Government And Laws With Islamic Ideals For Social Justice And Morality
http://www.netvert.biz/paklink/articles/ideology.html
What Is The Cure For Fundamentalism?
http://www.netvert.biz/articles/fundamentalism2.html
Related Article
Fundamentalists in India and Pakistan
http://www.netvert.biz/articles/fundamentalism3.html
One of the main problem is that enemies of Pakistan and Islam are trying to destabilize the only Muslim country with nuclear power by hiring Afghan mercenaries for carrying out terrorist attacks in Pakistan and recruiting agents within Pakistan to fan sectarian and ethnic hatred.
Its very nice to see such a marvellous and wonderful effort for
depicting the true picture of Pakistan in front of the world.
By profession I am an electrical engineer. But besides my profession,
I’ve been involved in writing different articles time to time in Urdu & English.
I am ready to do such type of literary work for you. For example, you
can assign me some topic to search and write about. I hope I may be of
some useful activity for you.
Again congratulations on this great effort.
Hoping to hear from you.