عرب اسلامی روایت کے برصغیر پاک و ہند میں تفسیر نگاری پر اثرات: عہد رسالت تا خلافت عباسیہ کے تناظر میں اختصاصی مطالعہ

It is an established fact that the mainthrust driving force  of all Islamic disciplines is the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who appeared in the Arab Peninsula, spreading the rays of divine wisdom throughout the globe. He emerged and prevailed the Prophetic message in such a vivid style that the whole humanity confessed his lasting impressions. The Indian sub-continent has also been one of the impressed territories despite of having no direct social, cultural or religious relationships, yet some approaches from Indian sub-continental Rajas and presentations of gifts to the Prophet (PBUH) have been recorded in the history. Historians have expressed the reality that before Muhammad bin Qasim, a numbers of companions of Prophet reached India and played a pivotal role in making the suitable ground for embracing Islam. Hence, the Arab epistemological tradition engraved in the core of Indian hearts which consequently, reappeared and emerged in the classical exegetical literature of sub-continental scholars, such as Shah Waliullah and his off shoots both in India and Pakistan. This paper has been specifically articulated to explore the Arab impression on exegetical writings in the sub-continent

The Present Status, Potential and Contribution of Various Non Wood Forest Products in the Earthquake Prone of Northern Belt of Pakistan

The role and potential of Non Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) to contribute towards livelihoods of the poor and its capacity to rehabilitate problem hit communities, has been explored. Present research was designed to monitor the “Status, Potential and Contribution of various NWFPs in the Earthquake Prone Northern Belt of Pakistan”. The research findings provide an insight to quantify NWFPs, role in uplift of the socio-economic conditions of districts Mazzafarabad (MA) and Bagh (B). The study also focused on marketing potential of NWFPs in livelihood improvement of the community. The methodology included using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. At the outset, quadrat and transect methods were applied to estimate inventory of NWFPs determining frequency, cover and density of important NWFPs. A well designed questionnaire was used as an instrument to quantify the contribution of NWFPs in economic status of the 200 respondents sampled from the study sites (100 from each district). The results of the study and projected modeling pertaining to socio-economic variables suggested that age, education, land holdings and income predicted significant involvement in collection, processing and storage of NWFPs. Most important NWFPs included, Gucchi (Morchella esculenta), Masloon (Polygonum alplexicaule), Atees Patrees (Aconitum heterophyllum) , Kuth (Saussurea lappa), Banafsha (Viola odorata) having pronounced impact on the livelihood of the forest dwellers. There were 82 % respondents involved in collection, perceived as most important NWFPs being useful for income and health curing. NWFP harvesting, processing and collection designated as family business. Exploitation of important NWFPs was mostly done manually; harvested quantities ranged below 01 kg and mainly utilized for domestic purposes. Most of the NWFP collection was done in August and September based on maturity period of the produce. Season and absence of relevant tools and lack of training led inhabitants harvest up to 1kg of the NWFP for domestic consumption and selling. Collection was mainly done in August and September except mushrooms which mature in March-April. Because of the primitive and manual methods employed there were losses incurred in collection, processing and storage of NWFPs. Marketing of NWFPs was another aspect needed due consideration, poor marketing did not allow real returns to reach respondents because of almost all selling of NWFPs to middlemen who in turn fetch lion’s share by transporting produce to retailer, whole sale dealers and to exporters. NWFPs are important in their contributions towards livelihoods of the respondents in that it increased income attainment, meet health expenses, provide medicine for family, help to repay loans, provide money for child education, used for household consumption, help to get credit and used for extending gifts and other benefits. Income attainment, meeting health expenses and medicinal uses of NWFPs, however, reported as major contributors towards livelihoods of the inhabitants. Deforestation had negative impacts on NWFP collection in that it reduced income, caused problems in regeneration and reforestation activities as well aided in floods prevalence and land sliding problems. The study concluded with emphasis on public private partnership in rendering sustainable harvesting, conservation and value addition of NWFP for greater profits and establishment of cottage industry for employment opportunities for youth and women. A need was felt for mechanism of market information and access of producer to all market chains. The study also made recommendations of extension strategies for popularization of NWFP harvesting technologies and value addition based on people perceptions, beliefs and socio-economic profile. Lastly, conservation efforts were needed to minimize negative effects of deforestation. Keywords: NWFPs; Livelihoods; Deforestation; Employment.