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Table of Contents:

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
Brief History ............................................................................................................. 1
Significance ................................................................................................................ 2
Green Revolution and Pakistan ............................................................................ 2
Impact of Green Revolution .................................................................................. 3
Impact on Agricultural Production ..................................................................... 3
Impact on Agricultural Production ..................................................................... 3
Benefits of Green Revolution ................................................................................ 3
Impact on Employment ........................................................................................ 3
Indirect Effects Of Green Revolution ................................................................. 4
Impact on Social and Political Environment .................................................. 4
Policy and Green Revolution ............................................................................. 4
Weaknesses of the Public Policy ..................................................................... 4
Steps to achieve optimal production level .................................................. 4
References .................................................................................................................. 5










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Introduction


Friday as Holiday


Question: Every now and then the weekly holiday issue in Pakistan comes up. My
questions are: Why is it Islamically important to have a holiday on Friday? Surah
Jumuah also tells us to spread to find the bounty after the Jumuah prayer. Which
social and economical factors support the opinion for having holiday as Friday? What
is main disadvantage or loss if there is of a weekly holiday on Sunday?

Answer: The issue of a weekly holiday has unfortunately assumed too much
importance. Our religious clergy insist that Friday should be declared a weekly
holiday. In this regard, what needs to be appreciated is that the Shari ah is absolutely
silent on this issue. It has left the matter of weekly holiday on the discretion of human
beings.
The important thing for a Muslim to realize is that even in the regular five daily
prayers, the assigned times have special significance, and they are not just
coincidental. For Fajr, one is supposed to wake up from sleep in order to praise and
thank His Lord for blessing him with the opportunities of another day, and thus,
starting his day with the name of Allah. The time of Zuhr coincides with the time for
afternoon naps for some or parting from professional obligations for others, as
does Asr. Maghribmarks the setting of the sun, when darkness prevails over the skies,
and again, remembrance of Allah is essential to realize the wisdom behind changing
of days and nights. The Isha prayer, then again, calls upon the believer to return to
Allah before finally heading for sleep.
The point to dwell on is that Allah does not require His people to leave aside all
worldly affairs and indulgences throughout the day. It is just the prescribed times at
which He expects us to remember Him through the ritualistic salah. Same is the case
for Jumuah prayers the difference being the obligation of offering these prayers in
congregation. As Allah says, that is best for you, if ye but knew! One very important
benefit is the stress laid on the importance of good relations among Muslims, in the
larger interest of the community.
Aside from the above-mentioned, it is up to the state to decide whether it supports
a holiday on Fridays or not. The institutions set-up for making socio-economic
decisions are best equipped to gauge the advantages and disadvantages resting with
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each opinion. As long as Islamic ideals are not sacrificed, and the sanctity
of Jumuahprayers is maintained, one cannot complain on religious grounds, to the
best of my knowledge. In Pakistan, the idea of observing a holiday on Sundays instead
of Fridays was to facilitate trade relations with Western countries, all of which operate
fully on Fridays.


Disadvantages of 2 weekly holidays in Pakistan (Oct 14th 2011)
It just goes to show how disconnected the top leaders are from the regular Pakistani.
Recently, the prime minister, in his great wisdom, announced two weekly holidays for
Pakistan, to help reduce the burden of electricity usage.

The prime minister's suggestion was clearly rejected by all the people of Pakistan who unlike
the prime minister are all interested in working hard. The PMs suggestion sounds as if the
Prime Minister of Pakistan is asking the people of Pakistan to work less.

This is a contradiction of our great founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's famous
saying "Work, work and more work".

Also, two weekly holidays on Saturday and Sunday create a major disadvantage for the
banking and financial sector of Pakistan. Since the world is closed on Sunday and Pakistan
normally has a half day on Friday, giving a holiday on Saturday would reduce Pakistan's
working days to 4 per week.

Therefore I would like to request the honourable prime minister, to please think about the
costs of this decision for Pakistan before implementing it. And I would also like to request
the honourable chief minister of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa to please disregard this "suggestion"
of the prime minister and allow the banks and businesses to be open on Saturday so we can
work more.

SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER

Peshawar

Printed Pakistan Today Newspaper Oct 14th, 2011
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/10/14/comment/editors-mail/long-weekend-2/
Posted 24th November 2012 by Shahryar Khan