Pakistan’s image has rather suffered during the last two decades or so. The country’s recent history has been riddled with grave problems which may be attributed to certain domestic inadequacies and foreign manipulation. Pakistan has had a hard time overcoming these deficiencies and has now reached a stage where the nation may be called progressive, aiming for peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan’s problems started with the Afghan crisis in December 1979 when Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. Mujahedin and tribal groups, with the backing of the United States responded by mounting armed opposition to the Soviet presence and the Afghan Government. As Afghanistan plunged into civil war in early 1980, governments around the world eagerly lined up to offer political and military support to the various factions. Madrassas became recruiting grounds for the mujahedin. “The war left behind an uneasy coalition of Islamist organizations intent on promoting Islam against all non-Muslim forces,” writes Huntington. “It also left a legacy of expert and experienced fighters, training camps and logistical facilities, elaborate trans-Islam networks of personal and organization relationships, a substantial amount of military equipment including 300 to 500 unaccounted-for Stinger missiles, and, most important, a heady sense of power and self-confidence over what had been achieved and a driving desire to move on to other victories.”
Undoing this fiasco has not been an easy task. The madrassas have been reformed and a law has been passed to have them registered. The schools produce a stream of unemployed young men, wholly dependent on the support of others. They have skills only to be imams or assistants at mosques, despite the fact that there are not enough jobs in these areas for them. Either more schools must open, thus expanding the problem, or the young men are sentenced to perpetual unemployment. But now with the reforms in place, they will be able to earn a livelihood by pursuing careers not exclusively dedicated to religion and can hope for a better and prosperous future.
The first and foremost challenge the world is facing today is the threat of terrorism. Pakistan remains committed to challenging extremism and rooting out the evil of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan has raised the issue of addressing the root causes of terrorism several times to eradicate the menace. The job would be difficult if the West continues to deny that the horrific London bombing had anything at all to do with Iraq. With episodes such as Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, the Muslim perception grows that it is not a war against terror but a war against Islam. With proper support from the West, terrorism would gradually die down.
Pakistan and the US have maintained warm relations historically. The U-2 spy plane piloted by Gary Powers, brought down over the former Soviet Union in 1960 had taken off from Pakistan. President Richard Nixon had made his historic trip to China because of Pakistan. Communism was defeated in Afghanistan because Pakistan had sided with the United States and, today, the war against terrorism was being waged with the help and support of Pakistan.
The US Administration has committed to forge a long-term and broad based relationship with Pakistan. The 5 year economic and security assistance package valued at $ 3 billion and declaration of Pakistan as a major non NATO ally demonstrate this commitment. The challenge is to convert the present Pakistan-US partnership into a long-term and broad-based relationship. To become enduring, Pakistan-US relations must broaden to include strategic, defence, development and other issues and bilateral programmes should enjoy multi-year commitments.
On 8th November, the United States renewed its blacklist of eight countries considered violators of religious freedoms which did not include Pakistan. Religious tolerance is growing in Pakistan which has come a long way since President Musharraf introduced the concept of enlightened moderation. Pakistan has now asked the United States to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Ed Gillespie, a senior Bush aide supported the issue and said on 6th November that the US should conclude an FTA with Pakistan to help it overcome the negative effects of earthquake that killed about 80,000 people and displaced millions. An FTA establishes unimpeded exchange and flow of goods and services between trading partners regardless of national borders. Pakistan being a Major Non NATO Ally is hopeful that the agreement may materialise in the near future.
There is a need to resolve all political disputes with India. While the Confidence Building Measures between the two countries are progressing satisfactorily, India has not been keen in addressing the core issues. For decades, India has defied with impunity all the UN resolutions on Kashmir. A massive Indian military campaign has been on, especially since the start of the popular Kashmiri uprising in 1989, to usurp the basic rights of the Kashmiri people. Killing, torture, rape and other inhuman practices by nearly 600,000 Indian soldiers are a norm of the day in Indian Held Kashmir. Such inhuman practices are an impediment in eliminating violence from the area.
Pakistan is pursuing policies aimed at global harmony and peace. It remains firmly committed to the goal of achieving general and complete disarmament. Whether the question is of total elimination of weapons of mass destruction or the regulation of small arms, Pakistan believes that the core principle and objective of disarmament should be to assure equal security for all states, regardless of their size and status.
Following the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in May 1998, Pakistan has acted with restraint by declaring a unilateral moratorium and offered India a regional test ban treaty. Pakistan proposed to India the concept of a strategic restraint regime in South Asia based on the prevention of nuclear and ballistic missile race, avoidance of nuclear conflict, risk reduction mechanism, formalizing the moratorium on nuclear testing, non-induction of Anti-ballistic Missile (ABM) and Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) systems and maintaining the deterrence capability at the lowest possible levels. Pakistan has also proposed a No-War Pact and an agreement on mutual and balanced reduction of forces and armaments. India has not acted positively to these overtures.
Pakistan does not have any problem with the CTBT in principle. It is important that India also comes on board the CTBT, sooner rather than later, without rescinding its moratorium on further nuclear testing. Pakistan should not be expected to remain oblivious to changes in the regional environment that have a direct bearing on its security requirements. Pakistan is unilaterally and irrevocably committed not to transfer sensitive technology, material and equipment to any third country. Like other Non-Aligned countries, Pakistan believes that the peaceful uses of nuclear technology should not be made subject to undue restrictions. Transfer of such technology to the developing countries, under safeguards, would help accelerate their socio-economic development.
Pakistan ratified the International Convention on Nuclear Safety on 30 September 1997. The Convention seeks to strengthen international technical cooperation in enhancing safe operation of land-based civil nuclear power plants and envisages provision to all members’ states technology and expertise in nuclear safety through the IAEA. Pakistan ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in October 1997. All obligations under the Convention are being fully complied with. A National Authority has been set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the focal point for CWC matters.
Democracy is flourishing in Pakistan and women are encouraged to participate in the election process. 17% seats are reserved for women in Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies. Their representation in local governments has been increased to a minimum 33%. Minorities are empowered through the revival of joint electorate and reserved seats of minorities. A three-tier Local Government (LG) System was introduced on 14th August 2001. At every tier of the LG women have been guaranteed at least 33% representation. Peasants and minorities have 5% reserved seats.
Women are free to participate in all walks of life. Their numbers have risen dramatically in all fields and in the media. There are more women in media than ever before, particularly in the English print media as well as in the new TV channels, including top positions. Women also hold senior editorial positions in the news departments of private television channels, as well as at Pakistan Television. There are women directors of feature films as well as advertising agencies.
Pakistan is focusing on President Musharraf’s strategy of ‘enlightened moderation’ which is a two-pronged strategy. The first part is for the Muslim world to shun militancy and extremism and adopt the path of socioeconomic uplift. The second is for the West and the United States in particular, to seek to resolve all political disputes with justice and to aid in the socioeconomic betterment of the deprived Muslim world. There is a need to understand that the root cause of extremism and militancy lies in political injustice, denial and deprivation. Political injustice to a nation or a people, when combined with stark poverty and illiteracy, makes for an explosive mix. It produces an acute sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. A nation suffering from these lethal ills is easily available for the propagation of militancy and the perpetration of extremist, terrorist acts. It should also be understood that it is not Islam as a religion that has created militancy and extremism but rather political disputes that have led to antagonism among the Muslim masses. The West should also contribute towards the concept of enlightened moderation by helping in resolving political disputes with justice.
Pakistan has emerged as a nation with a new image. The country is working for a prosperous future. Well being of the masses, security and stability are high on the agenda. Pakistan believes in the comity of nations and with current policies has made valuable contribution towards a healthy and peaceful environment in South Asia. It remains the responsibility of the United States and the West to keep Pakistan engaged and assist in the noble cause.

Khorezm Mamun Academy
Aftab Raza Khan

In history of human civilization people of the whole word had contributed to the creation and development of science and culture. Central Asian region had also made significant contribution for the development of human civilization. During medieval times there were many scholars and scientific schools in Central Asia and Mamun Academy in Khorezm is one of the bright examples.
The resolution of 32-session of the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 and decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 9 November 2004 on “Celebration of 1000-Anniversary of Khorezm Mamun Academy” had promoted worldwide studies on famous medieval academic school and raised broad public awareness on rich scientific and cultural legacy of Uzbekistan.
Political stability, economical and social development of Khorezm at the end of 10th and the beginning of 11th centuries as well as fruitful relations with Mamun Academy in Baghdad created favorable conditions for creation of scientific school in Gurganch (present Urganch).
In 992 new ruler of Gurganch Aby Ali Mamun came to the power. During his ruling many scholars were invited to the court for creative activity. The tradition in Khorezmshakh’s court had been continued and favorable conditions for scholars were developed by his son Aby Khasan Ali bin Mamun (999-1009) and Abu Abbos Mamun bin Mamun. The minister of the court, Abu Husain Akhmad bin Mukhammad as-Sakhliy, who was very found of science, literature and poetry, made a decision on institulization of scientific gathering into form of Khorezm Mamun Academy.
There is no precise information in medieval sources on exact date of creation of Khorezm Mamun Academy. However, there are evident facts in medieval scientific sources that Abu Raykhon Beruni and Abu Ali Ibn Sino (Avicenna) came together for scientific studies in Gurganch in 1004. That is why we could suggest that Academy was existed even before thanks to the favorable conditions provided by the Khorezmshakhs rulers.
Despite to the fact that Khorezm Mamun Academy functioned till 1017, many academic studies in the field of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, physics, geography, mineralogy, history, philosophy, literature, linguistics, jurisprudence and other fields were developed. Particularly in astronomy, corrected astronomic tables on stars and planets movements and new astronomic equipments were elaborated. Having used such new equipment Beruni forecasted and observed lunar eclipse in 1004.
Studies in mathematics were carried out by Abu Mansur bin Iroq, Beruni and Abu Khayr Khammor. Ibn Iroq, teacher of Beruni, wrote about 30 academic books in mathematics and astronomy. Beruni himself, among his 150 books, wrote articles in mathematics and astronomy. Theorem on properties of isosceles triangle was proved by Abu Khayr Khammor and it was well-known as “Theorem of Khammori” (“Ash-Shakl al-Khammori”).
The both Beruni and Ibn Sino had contributed to the development of chemistry. Beruni proved links between comparative weight of substance and its chemical properties in his article on “Comparative Weights”. Ibn Sino carried out chemical experiences in transmutation of substances and its results were reflected in article “Tractate on Philosophy Stone”. It is well known that article was appeared in Khorezm in 1005.
Abu Sakhl al-Masihiy, Abu Khayr Khamor, Ibn Sino and Beruni were carried out studies in medicine. In particularly, Abu Khayr Khammor was well-known as “Second Hippocrates” for his innovative theoretical studies in following fields of medicine: human anatomy, diets of elderly people, methods of medical experiment, food substances and epilepsy. Abu Sakhl al-Masihiy was famous for his practical studies in medicine. Ibn Sino, despite of his short five year stay in Khorezm (1005-1010), wrote very important article in medicine on “Injuries Treatment” (“Daf al-mador”).
Researches in geography were mainly related with name of Beruni. From the age of 16 he has spent time for measuring of geographic latitude of various sites and for example, he calculated geographical latitude of Kyat town in Khorezm. In 994 he succeeded to measure precise deflection value of ecliptic plane of Bushkanz village (in between western bank of Amudaryo river and Kyat town) in respect of equator. In 995 Beruni had started studies on creating of image of the Earth in form of globe. It was the first imagination of the Earth as globe with relief. Beruni wrote scientific article in various fields of geography such as natural geography, hydrology and mineralogy.
Khorezm Mamun Academy was famous also by its academic studies in social sciences. Philosophy was deeply studied during correspondence between Beruni and Ibn Sino. Both scholars expressed their views on philosophical ideas of Aristotle on the limit of the world. Beruni and Ibn Sino were in favor of existence of other worlds and other cultures.
Researches in history science were broadly presented in Khorezm Mamun Academy. In order to continue academic traditions Beruni wrote the book on “Famous Personalities of Khorezm” or “History of Korezm”. Unfortunately, book was not preserved and main part of the book was reflected in the book of Abu Fazl Baykhakhiy “History of Masudi”, which was devoted to the sultan Masud Gaznaviy. Moreover, we could find out information on history in other books of Beruni, such as “Monuments”, “Knowledge” (“At-Tafhim”) and “India”.
According to the books of as-Saolibi “Amazing Information” (“Latoif al-maorif”, 10th-11th century) , as-Samoni “Book on Predecessors”(“Kitab al-ansob”, 12th century), Yokut al-Khamaviy “Encyclopedia of Writers” (“Mujam al-udabo”) and others. Khorezm Mamun Academy was also well-known as center of literature and arts. There were many poets and writers who performed in Khorezm Mamun Academy, such as Akhmad bin Mukhammad bin Sakhriy, Abdullokh bin Khamid, Abu Sayid bin Shabib, Abu Khasan bin Mamun, Abu Abdullokh at-Tokhir, Ibrokhim Raqqoniy. Minister at the court of Khorezmshakhs as-Sakhliy himself wrote poems and regularly organized contests in literature in the Khorezm Mamun Academy.
During this epoch linguistic-scholars of Khorezm Mamun Academy developed grammar of Arabic language and vocabulary, which was considered as important tool of scientific communication .
Khorezm Mamun Academy was re-created in Khiva by Decree of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in 1997.