Mohammed Ali Jinnah's 134th Birthday

134 years ago today,
Qaid e Azam -
Mohammed Ali Jinnah
was born in Wazir Mansion, Karachi district, of lower Sindh.

As we celebrate the birth of Jinnah,
I would like to wish all Christians in Pakistan and around the world, a very merry Christmas.

Birth of our founder: 1876

Today marks the birth of Mohammed Ali Jinnah or as he is widely known as in Pakistan as, Qaid e Azam (Great Leader).

Jinnah was born on 25th December 1876 and died on 11th September 1948

Keeping in mind the idea that Mohammed Ali Jinnah wanted for Pakistan, that Pakistan is for everyone irrespective of their colour, caste or creed, I would like to wish all Christians a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Heritage Foundation Pakistan

Whilst browsing I stumbled upon this organisation on the web: Heritage Foundation Pakistan. It's helping to safeguard the nation's treasures - historical monuments and such. Admirable work.

"The Foundation has been instrumental in saving a large number of heritage treasures and, as UNESCO team leader 2003-2005, oversaw the stabilization of the endangered Shish Mahal ceiling of the Lahore Fort World Heritage site."

Yes, even buildings need saving. I posted last month about a hostoric building in danger, see here. So would you care if someone thought it would be OK to demolish a place that held valuable memories for future generations? Do we need to place more importance on the preservation of history in Pakistan?

If you live in Karachi or want to drop by, here are the contact details:

Heritage Foundation
E-6, Fourth Gizri Street
DHA 4, Karachi
Pakistan
Tel: (92 21) 5834215, 5837521; Fax: (92 21) 5863474
Email: info@heritagefoundationpak.org
Web: http://www.heritagefoundationpak.org/

Census and Yr2051

My first post on this blog ..

Did you know after Independence, the first census of Pakistan was conducted 9th February in 1951? It was decreed that a census would be taken once every 10 years. So in the year 2051 we should be able to see census information about our ancestors since it will be 100 years from the very first census. Due to privacy laws, personal information can't be made public to protect the privacy of living individuals. Its quite a long wait for anyone wanting to know about their ancestors at that time. Who knows if the Pakistan government will have kept that information safe..

What were your ancestors doing in 1951?
In 1951, my father would have been born in Pakistan. So I'm guessing he will be on the census or perhaps not if the census was not carried out properly. My grandfather and grandmother would have been in their early 20s having just recently been married.

Pakistan Census History
1) February 9 1951
2) 1961
3) 1972 - delayed due to war with India
4) 1981
5) March 8 1998 - population census begins in the country
6) 2002

Update: According to a news article the sixth National Census is to be taken in 2009, beginning with a 'House Listing Operation' from April 27 continuing till May 11. The second phase of the Census which will cover 'Population & Housing Census' will be carried out in October, 2009.
Does that mean the above information is incorrect? Was there no Census taken in 2002?