International Student coming to King&#x27;s this fall.

Another example for why wwe should talk to each other and not just about it...

Reply 22

OP

I absolutely agree. Misconceptions are so damaging. Another misconception is that Pakistan is full of gun totting religious zealots, they make up about 5% of the population.

The religious parties have only ever received more then 3% of the vote once, that was in 2002 in protest to the US actions in Afghanistan/Iraq. They got about 10%, but were sidelined. The 2 largest parties are the PML K (centre-right economics) and the PPP (the Peoples party), a left wing, quasi socialist group.

Draconian measures by religious idiots were thrown our by our President (He's excellent, moderate, educated...a class act. Dresses immaculately too I must add). :biggrin:

But we too have our stereotypes, for instance the Germans are a race of super-efficient engineers, who make beautiful cars*. :smile:

* Which my dad adores and keeps.

Reply 23

I've always admired the multilingualism of South Asian peoples...you speak 3 major global languages, English, Punjabi, and Urdu...that is impressive. What are you going to be studying Red?

Reply 24

Pervez Musharraf has a tough job though, trying to keep so many competing interests contented all at once.

Reply 25

OP

International Relations. :smile:

(MA)

We have to learn languages to communicate. Our nations are so ethnically and linguistically diverse, 5 distinct groups each with there own tongues, foods, customs. Many a time, English is the only language we have in common...

If I was smarter, I'd try and learn Spanish, German and Arabic. But I'm too lazy. :smile:

Reply 26

red_alert

But we too have our stereotypes, for instance the Germans are a race of super-efficient engineers, who make beautiful cars*. :smile:

* Which my dad adores and keeps.

Lol, and that when there are far too few people who start studying Engineering. We'll need to "import" thousands at the latest in 2020.

Reply 27

OP

dismal_laundry

Pervez Musharraf has a tough job though, trying to keep so many competing interests contented all at once.

Yes he does have a tough task, but its made much easier by the fact that the vast majority of Pakistanis dont want a religious theocracy. If we did, we'd have voted those guys in at some point in our 60 year history. We havent, we wont.

Secondly, Musharraf has the support of (a) the Armed Forces and (b) the business community and also the intellegensia.

We try hard to show this true reflection of our nation, but obviously we need to hire some extra PR men from one of those New York PR firms. :biggrin:

Reply 28

OP

Jammertal

Lol, and that when there are far too few people who start studying Engineering. We'll need to "import" thousands at the latest in 2020.

Engineering is not popular there? I have heard that only once, from a Colonge resident.

Just keep the cars rolling of the production line. As a guy let me assure you that when it comes to cars, globally German = Quality in the eyes of many millions. Even more then Japanese, save the top of the range Honda's.

Reply 29

red_alert

Yes he does have a tough task, but its made much easier by the fact that the vast majority of Pakistanis dont want a religious theocracy. If we did, we'd have voted those guys in at some point in our 60 year history. We havent, we wont.

Secondly, Musharraf has the support of (a) the Armed Forces and (b) the business community and also the intellegensia.

We try hard to show this true reflection of our nation, but obviously we need to hire some extra PR men from one of those New York PR firms. :biggrin:

Is it the case that a majority of the officer corps come from NW Frontier Province? That's difficult too because there are ancestral links with peoples in S. Waziristan, I've read, and there was all that fighting there last year.

Reply 30

red_alert

Engineering is not popular there? I have heard that only once, from a Colonge resident.

Just keep the cars rolling of the production line. As a guy let me assure you that when it comes to cars, globally German = Quality in the eyes of many millions. Even more then Japanese, save the top of the range Honda's.

I don't care about cars- as long as they take you from A to B and keep the economy going... :biggrin:

Studying Engineering is my plan B if I haven't found a job 5 years after I graduate. :biggrin:

Reply 31

OP

dismal_laundry

Is it the case that a majority of the officer corps come from NW Frontier Province? That's difficult too because there are ancestral links with peoples in S. Waziristan, I've read, and there was all that fighting there last year.

I wouldnt think so Dismal. The biggest ethnic group in the nation is my own, that is to say Punjabi, at about 45-50% of the country. I'd imagine the officer corps reflects the national composition. Pathans (NWFP folk) are about 25% of the OC I'd imagine, but there is no split loyalties between the nation and some rebel tribesman.

Pathans are famous for there loyalty, there warrior spirit. They have always served with great distinction.

Jamm,

I hold much the same view on cars. Its my father who teaches me all these bits of information. He adores cars. I have to pretend to!

Engineering is a good choice. :smile:

Reply 32

I would really like to visit Pakistan! It sounds really fascinating.

Reply 33

Jam cars do need to be safe though. German cars have a really good rep on that score, the Benz is built like a tank. Some of my friends have started driving, and some parents have bought them really old Benzes because of this.

Reply 34

dismal_laundry

Jam cars do need to be safe though. German cars have a really good rep on that score, the Benz is built like a tank. Some of my friends have started driving, and some parents have bought them really old Benzes because of this.

Hehe, always forget about this since all the German cars are quite safe. :p:

Aren't you allowed to start driving at the age of 16? :confused:

Reply 35

Yes...although DC has started raising the age and conditions in slow steps. It's really expensive because of the insurance though, and unless you really need a car...

Reply 36

Really? How much? Mine was €2,000.

Reply 37

I'm not sure, because since I took a bus and then walked to school, and since we live in the city and don't need a second car, we never considered it at this stage, and didn't price it. But we've heard that the insurance expense of a new teenage driver is very considerable.

Reply 38

OP

dismal_laundry

I would really like to visit Pakistan! It sounds really fascinating.

Do visit. It has incredible history in the region that is now Pakistan. Indus Valley civilization, Mongols, Mughals, Alexander the Great went thru the area enroute to Persia, and the British Raj too. Incredible architecture, mind blowing landscapes and breath-taking monuments.

Add to that its very safe, its so rare to hear of any harm to tourists. Its a mecca for mountain trekking, white water rafting down the Indus, ect ect.

Pakistan is a dazzling nation of immense natural beauty and a hospitable people who help make any trip there a gaurenteed good time. :smile:

Reply 39