’ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری پاکستان میں سائنس، فزکس کے سرخیل بلکہ پاکستانی ایٹمی پروگرام کے ’حقیقی خالق‘ تھے۔‘ ایٹمی سائنسدان ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے یہ بات لاہور میں تب کہی جب وہ 1998 میں پاکستان کے انڈیا کے جواب میں کیے گئے ایٹمی تجربات کی داد سمیٹ رہے تھے۔
یکم جولائی 1903 میں مشرقی پنجاب کے ضلع روہتک کے ایک گاؤں کہنور میں پیدا ہونے والے رفیع محمد چودھری وائسرائے روفس آئزکس کے وظیفے پر دلی سے 140 کلومیٹر دور مسلم یونیورسٹی علی گڑھ میں پڑھنے گئے تھے۔
یہیں ایم ایس سی فزکس میں اول آئے اور تمام سائنسی مضامین میں سب سے زیادہ نمبر لینے پر طلائی تمغا حاصل کیا۔
ان کامیابیوں سے متاثر ہو کر بھوپال کے نواب حمید اللہ خان نے انھیں مزید تعلیم حاصل کرنے کے لیے برطانیہ کی کیمبرج یونیورسٹی وظیفے پر پڑھنے بھیجا۔ وہیں کیونڈش لیبارٹری میں ماہر طبیعات مارک اولیفانٹ نے چودھری کو نیوکلیئر فزکس پڑھنے کی طرف مائل کیا۔
سنہ 1932 میں رفیع محمد چودھری نے کیمسٹری میں نوبیل انعام یافتہ سائنسدان ارنسٹ ردرفورڈ کی نگرانی میں نیوکلیئر فزکس میں ڈاکٹریٹ کی ڈگری حاصل کی۔
خالد محمود عاصم کی تحقیق ہے کہ کیونڈش کا یہ ایک شاندار دور تھا کیونکہ وہاں اس دوران ایٹم اور نیوکلیئر فزکس میں بہت پیش رفت ہوئی۔
’کیونڈش لیبارٹری میں اس وقت سر جے جے تھامسن، لارڈ ردر فورڈ، آسٹن ولسن، کک روفٹ والٹن، اور سر جیمز چیڈویک جیسے سائنس دان کام کرتے تھے۔ ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری ہمیشہ اس بات پر فخر کرتے کہ وہ کیونڈش کے سنہری دور میں ردر فورڈ کے طالب علم تھے۔‘
30 سال کی عمر میں ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری برطانوی ہندوستان لوٹے اور لاہور کے اسلامیہ کالج میں فزکس پڑھانا شروع کی۔ سنہ 1935 سے 1938 تک وہ یہیں شعبہ فزکس کے چیئرمین رہے۔
سنہ 1938 میں وہ شعبہ طبیعات کے سربراہ بن کر علی گڑھ مسلم یونیورسٹی چلے گئے۔ اسی دوران ان کی شادی نور جہاں چودھری سے ہو گئی جن سے ان کے ہاں تین بیٹیاں اور چھ بیٹے پیدا ہوئے۔
وہ اولیفانٹ کی دعوت پر برمنگھم یونیورسٹی کے شعبہ فزکس میں بطور نوفلیڈ فیلو کام کرنے کے لیے دوبارہ برطانیہ گئے۔
برطانوی میگزین ’ڈاروینین‘ کے مطابق سنہ 1947 کے موسم بہار میں ڈاکٹر چودھری برمنگھم میں اولی فانٹ کی لیبارٹری میں ایک سال گزارنے کے بعد کہنور واپس آئے۔
’تقسیم کے تناظر میں بڑھتے تشدد کی وجہ سے مسلمانوں نے نئے بنے پاکستان کی جانب ہجرت شروع کر دی تھی۔ ڈاکٹر چودھری نے اپنے خاندان کو سڑک کے ذریعے علی گڑھ (روہتک سے 225 کلومیٹر) منتقل کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا، جبکہ ان کے سسرالی خاندان نے روہتک سے ٹرین کے ذریعے پاکستان جانے کا انتخاب کیا۔‘
خالد محمود عاصم کی تحقیق ہے کہ ’قیام پاکستان کے فوراً بعد اولیفانٹ نے بانی پاکستان محمد علی جناح کو ایک خصوصی خط میں نوزائیدہ ملک میں سائنس، خصوصاً ایٹمی اور نیوکلیئر فزکس کی تدریس و تحقیق کے فروغ کی ضرورت پر زور دیا۔‘
انھوں نے لکھا کہ ’اس پروگرام کے کامیاب اطلاق کے لیے پورے برصغیر میں ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری سے بہتر کوئی مسلمان سائنس دان نہیں ہے اور انھیں فوری طور پر پاکستان بلانے پر زور دیا۔‘
بانی پاکستان محمد علی جناح نے اولیفانٹ کے دلائل کے پیش نظر ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری کو خط لکھ کر پاکستان آنے کی دعوت دی۔ اس کے ساتھ ہی انھوں نے وزارت تعلیم کو حکم نامہ جاری کیا جس کے تحت پروفیسر رفیع محمد چودھری کو گورنمنٹ کالج لاہور میں شعبہ فزکس کی سربراہی کی پیشکش کی گئی۔
جب انڈیا کے وزیراعظم جواہر لال نہرو کو اس بات کا علم ہوا تو انھوں نے پروفیسر رفیع چودھری کو نیشنل فزکس لیبارٹری میں ڈپٹی ڈائریکٹر شپ کی پیشکش کی، مگر انھوں نے یہ پیشکش ٹھکرا دی۔
برطانوی میگزین ڈاروینین نے لکھا ہے کہ حکومت پاکستان کے دعوت نامہ پر ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری اپنے خاندان سمیت 1948 کے موسم گرما میں پاکستانی پنجاب کے علاقے عارف والا کے قریب ایک گاؤں میں اپنے سسرال چلے گئے۔ پھر لاہور آ کر گورنمنٹ کالج لاہور جوائن کر کے علی گڑھ یونیورسٹی سے استعفا دے دیا۔
ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کے کہنور ہی میں پیدا ہونے والے بیٹے ڈاکٹر منور چودھری اپنے والد کی مادرِ علمی کیونڈش لیبارٹری سے منسلک ہیں۔
ای میل کے ذریعے بات چیت میں ڈاکٹر منور چودھری نے مجھے بتایا کہ ان کے والد اس نتیجے پر پہنچ چکے تھے کہ ہندوستان کی تقسیم کے بعد نئے ملک پاکستان میں مسلمانوں کا مستقبل زیادہ محفوظ ہے۔
’چنانچہ 1948 میں انھوں نے مسلم علی گڑھ یونیورسٹی کے شعبہ فزکس کی پروفیسری اور سربراہی چھوڑ دی، جہاں وہ مستحکم حیثیت میں تھے اور گورنمنٹ کالج لاہور کے فزکس کے شعبہ کی پروفیسری اور سربراہی کے لیے حکومت پاکستان کی دعوت قبول کی۔‘
ڈاروینین میں ڈاکٹر منور چودھری ہی پر چھپے مضمون میں ان کے والد کا ذکر یوں کیا گیا ہے: ’اس کے بعد ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کو لاہور میں گالف روڈ پر ایک خاص رہائشی علاقے میں ایک بڑا سرکاری مکان الاٹ کیا گیا۔ اس علاقے میں اعلیٰ سرکاری افسران اور وزرا رہتے تھے۔‘
منور چودھری کے مطابق وہ ایک خیال رکھنے والے والد تھے اور چاہتے تھے کہ ان کے تمام بچے لاہور میں بہترین تعلیم حاصل کریں۔
’تاہم وہ اپنی تدریس اور تحقیق میں اس قدر مصروف تھے کہ انھیں بچوں میں سے کسی کی تربیت کے لیے وقت نہیں ملا۔ اس کے باوجود ہر بچے کی تعلیمی کارکردگی پر گہری نظر رکھتے تھے۔‘
’مجھ سمیت ہم سات بہن بھائیوں نے فزکس میں ایم ایس سی کیا۔ ایک بھائی نے کیمسٹری میں ایم ایس سی کیا اور ایک بھائی اظہر چودھری ایف ایس سی کے بعد شارٹ سروس کمیشن پر فوج میں بھرتی ہوئے اور وہیں بی ایس سی کیا۔ دو بھائی فوت ہو چکے ہیں۔‘
ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کے پوتے اور اظہر چودھری کے بیٹے عثمان چودھری اپنے دادا کی زندگی اور ان کے کارناموں پر فلم بنا رہے ہیں۔
’رفیع: دی ان ٹولڈ سٹوری‘ نامی اس فلم کا ٹیزر یوٹیوب پر موجود ہے۔ اداکار عفان وحید، سونیا حسین اور دیگر اداکار اس ٹیزر میں انگریزی، اردو اور رانگڑی زبانوں میں ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کو درپیش ملک کے انتخاب کی اسی کشمکش کی عکاسی کرتے دکھائی دیتے ہیں جس سے وہ تب گزرے ہوں گے۔
مجھ سے گفتگو کے دوران امریکہ میں مقیم ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کے 41 سالہ سافٹ ویئر انجینیئر پوتے کا کہنا تھا کہ وہ اسلام اور مسلمانوں کی صحیح عکاسی کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔
’مقصد یہ بتانا ہے کہ سائنس اور اسلام متضاد نہیں۔ دونوں ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ چلتے ہیں۔‘
ان کا مزید کہنا تھا کہ ’میں بہت چھوٹا تھا جب میرے دادا کی وفات ہوئی۔ خاندان، رشتہ داروں، ساتھیوں اور شاگردوں سے بات کر کے ڈیٹا اکٹھا کیا۔‘
فِکشن اور بائیوگرافی پر مبنی اس فلم کو بنانے کے لیے وہ اس وقت فنڈ ریزنگ کر رہے ہیں اور وہ چاہتے ہیں کہ یہ فلم اگلے برس ریلیز کر دی جائے۔
فیروز حسن خان اپنی کتاب ’ایٹنگ گراس: دی میکنگ آف پاکستانی بم‘ میں لکھتے ہیں کہ تقسیم کے موقع پر قومی طاقت کے دیگر عناصر کی طرح برصغیر کا سائنسی سرمایہ بھی یکساں طور پر تقسیم نہیں کیا گیا تھا۔
'کونسل برائے سائنسی اور صنعتی تحقیق ہندوستان بھر میں کئی تجربہ گاہوں کی نگرانی کرتی تھی۔ تاہم کونسل اور تجربہ گاہیں سبھی تقسیم کی لکیر کے بعد انڈیا کی جانب رہیں۔‘
’پاکستان کی ایٹمی کوششوں کی پہلی دہائی کیمبرج سے تعلیم یافتہ تین طبیعیات دانوں نذیر احمد، ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری اور ڈاکٹر عبدالسلام کی کہانی ہے۔ اگر رفیع چودھری بنیادی طور پر ایک ماہر تعلیم تھے، تو ڈاکٹر عبدالسلام ایک سائنسدان تھے تو تیسرے رکن ایک منتظم تھے۔ انھیں ادارے بنانا تھے اور پاکستانی سائنسدانوں کی اگلی نسل کی شناخت بنانا اور ان کی تربیت کرنا تھی۔‘
’سنہ 1954 میں ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری نے جوہری تحقیق کے لیے گورنمنٹ کالج لاہور کے شعبہ فزکس میں ہائی ٹینشن لیبارٹری کی بنیاد رکھی۔‘
'انھیں سائنسی برادری میں ’استادوں کے استاد‘ کا خطاب ملا۔ جب ان کے ایک طالب علم منیر احمد خان نے بعد ازاں 1986 میں ان کا تعارف صدر ضیا الحق سے کروایا تو فوجی آمر نے ہاتھ اٹھا کر رفیع چودھری کو پاکستان کی ایٹمی ترقی میں نمایاں کردار ادا کرنے پر سلیوٹ کیا۔‘
ڈاکٹر نور محمد بٹ (این ایم بٹ) نیوکلیئر فزکس کے ماہر ہیں اور اپنی خدمات کے لیے ستارہ امتیاز حاصل کر چکے ہیں۔ وہ پاکستان اٹامک انرجی کمیشن اور نِیلور کے انسٹیٹیوٹ آف نیوکلیئر سائنس اینڈ ٹیکنالوجی سے وابستہ رہے ہیں اوراب پرسٹن یونیورسٹی، اسلام آباد میں پرسٹن انسٹیٹیوٹ آف نینو سائنس اینڈ ٹیکنالوجی کے پروفیسر اور چیئرمین ہیں۔
وہ سنہ 1955 سے 1957 کے دوران گورنمنٹ کالج لاہور میں پروفیسر رفیع چودھری کے زیرِ نگرانی طبیعیات کے طالب علم رہے ہیں۔
بی بی سی سے بات کرتے ہوئے ڈاکٹر بٹ یاد کرتے ہیں کہ کس طرح ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری عام طور پر ’کم از کم دو گھنٹے مسلسل مکمل متحرک اور پُرجوش رہتے ہوئے لیکچر دیتے تھے اور دن میں 12 گھنٹے کام کرتے تھے۔‘
وہ کہتے ہیں کہ ’پروفیسر چودھری کے لیکچرز کا انداز سب سے جدا اور متاثرکن تھا۔‘
ان کے مطابق ’ڈاکٹر رفیع شام کو دیر گئے لیبارٹری سے باہر آتے اور طلبہ کے ہجوم میں گھرجاتے اور اس وقت ان کی خوشی دیدنی ہوتی تھی، جیسے وہ ایک نئے دن کا آغاز کر رہے ہوں۔‘
'وہ طلبہ کے ساتھ بہت ہمدردی رکھتے تھے اور ضرورت مند طلبہ کی مالی مدد بھی کرتے تھے۔ لیکن طلبہ کی معمولی سی خدمت بھی قبول نہ کرتے۔ وہ روزانہ چھ میل تک باقاعدگی سے پیدل چلتے تھے اور ان کی روزانہ کی خوراک میں تھوڑی سی اُبلی سبزیاں اور دن بھر میں اکثر چائے شامل تھی۔‘
ڈاکٹر بٹ کا کہنا ہے کہ ’اپنی وفات سے صرف دو ماہ قبل، یعنی اکتوبر میں، انھوں نے مجھے ایک خط لکھا تھا جس میں انھوں نے تین یا چار تحقیقی مقالوں کی مکمل اشاعت یا دوبارہ طباعت کی درخواست کی تھی، جن کے خلاصے انھوں نے پہلے مطالعہ کیے تھے۔ یہ جان کر مجھے حیرت ہوئی کہ وفات سے چند ہفتے قبل بھی وہ علمی سرگرمیوں میں اتنے فعال تھے۔‘
خوارزمی سوسائٹی اور انٹرایکٹ کلب کے زیراہتمام پیر 30 نومبر 1998 کو اپنے لیکچر میں ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے ڈاکٹر چودھری کو پاکستانی ایٹمی پروگرام کا ’حقیقی خالق‘ قرار دیا تھا۔
’ہائی ٹینشن لیبارٹریز میں ایک ایٹم ایکسلریٹر لگایا گیا اور حقیقی اعلیٰ سطحی تحقیق ممکن ہوئی۔ اس لیبارٹری سے تربیت حاصل کرنے والے متعدد طلبہ پاکستان اور بیرون ملک اعلیٰ عہدوں پر فائز ہیں۔ انھوں نے طبیعیات دانوں کی ایک ٹیم تیار کی جو اب پاکستان کے ایٹمی پروگرام کی قیادت کر رہی ہے۔‘
ڈاکٹر مبارک مند کا کہنا تھا کہ ’ان کے ابتدائی شاگردوں میں سے ایک ڈاکٹر طاہر حسین تھے جو میرے استاد ہیں اور دوسرے پاکستان اٹامک انرجی کمیشن کے موجودہ چیئرمین (ڈاکٹر اشفاق احمد) تھے۔‘
ڈاکٹر مبارک مند کی اس بات کی تصدیق چاہی تو ڈاکٹر منور چودھری کا کہنا تھا: ’ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند کی بات بالکل درست ہے۔ سنہ 1947 میں قیام پاکستان کے بعد زیادہ تر ہندو اساتذہ انڈیا چلے گئے اور پاکستان میں فزکس کے اساتذہ اور سائنسدانوں کی شدید کمی تھی۔ انھوں نے حالات کو بہتر بنانے کے لیے اس چیلنج کو قبول کیا۔‘
وہ کہتے ہیں کہ ’انھوں نے حکومت پاکستان کو ایک نئی لیبارٹری بنانے کی تجویز پیش کی جہاں علم میں سب سے آگے جوہری اور جوہری طبیعیات پر تحقیق کی جائے گی۔ حکومت نے ان کی تجویز اور اس نئی لیبارٹری کو قبول کر لیا، جسے انھوں نے ’ہائی ٹینشن اینڈ نیوکلیئر ریسرچ لیبارٹری‘ کہا۔ (ہائی ٹینشن کا مطلب ہے ہائی وولٹیج، جو چارج شدہ ذرات کو تیز کرنے کے لیے درکار ہے)۔‘
’ایم ایس سی فزکس کے طلبہ تقریباً 20 سے 30 کی تعداد میں جوہری فزکس میں تحقیقی کام کرنے کے لیے لیبارٹری آتے۔ تمام طلبہ کو پروجیکٹ تفویض کیے جاتے جن کی نگرانی وہ کرتے۔ ان نئے قابل سائنس دانوں نے یونیورسٹیوں اور راولپنڈی کے قریب نئے بننے والے پاکستان انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف نیوکلیئر سائنس اینڈ ٹیکنالوجی میں پوزیشنیں سنبھالیں۔ زیادہ تر ان ہی سائنسدانوں نے پاکستان کے ایٹمی پروگرام کی ترقی میں مدد کی۔‘
ڈاکٹر منور چودھری کا کہنا ہے کہ ان کے والد کو تعلیم سے محبت تھی۔ زیادہ تر انھوں نے پوسٹ گریجویٹ کلاسوں میں لیکچر دیا، خاص طور پر جوہری اور جوہری طبیعیات پر۔ ان کا ہر لیکچر دو گھنٹے کا ہوتا تھا اور ہر سال وہ اپنے لیکچر کے نوٹس نئے سرے سے لکھتے تھے۔
ہائی ٹینشن لیبارٹری بہت تیزی سے بین الاقوامی سطح پر جانی پہچانی جانے لگی۔ جب غیر ملکی سائنس دان پاکستان کے دورے پر آتے تو اس لیبارٹری کو دیکھنے کی خواہش کرتے۔ سنہ 1958 میں پرنس فلپ نے اس لیبارٹری کا دورہ کیا اور بیس سے زیادہ تجربات کا مشاہدہ کیا۔ دورے کے اختتام پر یہ جملہ ضرور سنائی دیتا کہ ’یہ دیکھ کر خوشی ہوتی ہے کہ یہاں کیونڈش کی طرح کا ماحول ہے۔‘
بعد میں اس کا نام سنٹر فار ایڈوانسڈ سٹڈیز اِن فزکس رکھا گیا۔
پروفیسر ایم اکرام الحق نے لکھا ہے کہ پاکستان میں تجرباتی ایٹمی جوہری طبیعیات کے بانی اور پاکستان کی ایٹمی صلاحیت کے حقیقی معمار ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری آج تک ایک گمنام ہیرو بنے ہوئے ہیں۔ ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کو 1958 میں 55 سال کی عمر میں 600 روپے ماہانہ کی معمولی پنشن کے ساتھ ریٹائرمنٹ پر مجبور کر دیا گیا۔
لیکن ڈاکٹر منور چودھری کا کہنا ہے کہ وہ فزکس ڈیپارٹمنٹ سے سرکاری قواعد کے مطابق 1958 میں 55 سال کی عمر کو پہنچنے پر ریٹائر ہوئے۔
’اس کے بعد وہ مختصر مدت کے لیے ہائی ٹینشن اور نیوکلیئر ریسرچ لیبارٹری کے ڈائریکٹر مقرر ہوئے۔ پھر انھیں 1965 تک توسیع دی گئی۔ اگر انھیں ملازمت جاری رکھنے کی اجازت نہ دی جاتی تو یہ لیبارٹری کے لیے تباہی ہوتی۔ ابھی بہت کچھ کرنا باقی تھا لیکن حکومت نے انھیں مزید توسیع نہیں دی، وہ اس پر ناخوش تھے۔‘
سنہ 1970کے اوائل میں انھوں نے پنجاب یونیورسٹی کے سنٹر فار سالڈ سٹیٹ فزکس میں گوشہ عافیت پا لیا۔ یہاں انھوں نے پلازما فزکس کی نئی ریسرچ لیبارٹری قائم کی۔
اس لیبارٹری میں انھوں نے یونیورسٹی کے متعدد طلبہ کو ایم ایس سی اور ایم فل کے لیے تربیت دی۔ اس کام سے متعلق بڑی تعداد میں مقالات بھی تحریر اور شائع کروائے گئے۔
ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری کی پنجاب یونیورسٹی سے وابستگی شروع ہی سے تھی۔ وہ 1960 سے 1977 تک پنجاب یونیورسٹی میں اعزازی پروفیسر کے طور پر خدمات انجام دیتے رہے۔ سنہ 1977 میں پنجاب یونیورسٹی نے انھیں تاحیات پروفیسر ایمریطس مقرر کیا۔
ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری نے نیوکلیئر پارٹیکل ایکسلریٹر کی تنصیب میں اہم کردار ادا کیا۔ 1967 میں انھوں نے سائنسدانوں کی ایک ٹیم کی نگرانی کی جس نے کامیابی سے ریڈیوآئسوٹوپس کی پہلی کھیپ تیار کی۔
جنوری 1972 میں ڈاکٹر رفیع چودھری نے ایٹمی لائحہ عمل طے کرنے کے لیے صدر ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کی بلائی ملتان ملاقات میں شرکت کی۔
پروفیسر ڈاکٹررفیع محمد چودھری نے 1932 سے 1988 کے دوران 53 تحقیقی مقالات لکھے، جو مختلف بین الاقوامی جرائد کی زینت بنے۔ شاندار سائنسی خدمات پر متعدد ملکی اور بین الاقوامی اداروں اور تنظیموں نے انھیں رکنیت، فیلوشپ یا چیئرمین شپ دی۔
ان کی خدمات کے اعتراف میں انھیں ستارہ خدمت (1964)، ستارہ امتیاز (1982) اور ہلال امتیاز (2005) سے نوازا گیا۔
چار دسمبر 1988 کو مختصر علالت کے بعد ڈاکٹر رفیع محمد چودھری وفات پا گئے۔
ہیرالڈ فرٹزش اور مرے گیل مین نے اپنی کتاب ’ففٹی ایئرز آف کوارکس‘ میں لکھا ہے کہ ’ردرفورڈ کے شاگردوں، ساتھیوں اور ان کی لیبارٹری کے ارکان میں سے 11 نے فزکس یا کیمسٹری میں نوبیل انعام پایا۔ بہت سوں نے شان دار لیکن کم مشہور کارنامے سر انجام دیے۔
’رفیع محمد چودھری تجرباتی نیوکلیئر فزکس کے سرخیل بنے اور اپنے شاگرد مصطفیٰ یار خان کے ساتھ مل کر پاکستان کے کامیاب نیوکلیئر پروگرام کی بنیاد رکھی۔‘
خوشی اور ہیجان کی ملی جلی کیفیت سے نیند نہیں آ رہی، سوچ رہی ہوں حکومت نے جو بجلی کے بلوں میں پی ٹی وی فیس ختم کی ہے اس سے ہونے والی بچت سے کیا کروں. سوئٹزرلینڈ نکل جاؤں یا ہانگ کانگ تھائی لینڈ سنگاپور کا ٹور ٹھیک رہے گا؟
احباب کی اس بارے میں کیا رائے ہے؟؟؟
:-)
قدرتی آفات سے نمٹنے والے ادارے این ڈی ایم اے کے اعداد و شمار کے مطابق صوبہ خیبرپختونخوا میں بارشوں، تیز آندھی، فلیش فلڈز اور لینڈ سلائیڈنگ کے باعث حادثات کے نتیجے میں مجموعی طور پر 21 افراد ہلاک ہوئے ہیں۔ ان میں سیاحتی مقام سوات میں ایک ہی خاندان کے وہ 11 افراد بھی شامل ہیں جو سیلابی ریلے میں ڈوب گئے تھے۔
جبکہ حکام کے مطابق سندھ میں سات اور بلوچستان میں چار ہلاکتیں ہوئی ہیں۔ ایک بیان میں ترجمان ریسکیو پنجاب فاروق احمد کا کہنا تھا کہ 26 جون سے اب تک پنجاب میں بارش اور آندھی سے متعلقہ ایمرجنسیز میں 24 افراد ہلاک اور 94 زخمی ہوئے ہیں
Managing a web server can be challenging, especially for those without extensive technical expertise. Fortunately, free web hosting control panels simplify server administration by offering intuitive interfaces and robust features.
In this article, we’ll explore the top ten free control panels for web hosting, covering their pros, cons, and installation methods. Whether you need a lightweight option or an advanced solution, there’s something for everyone. we can install any of these control panels on our high-performance Cloud Servers. While all options are supported, we particularly recommend aaPanel and CloudPanel for their exceptional balance of functionality and ease of use.
Detailed Breakdown of Control Panels
Control Panels Overview
The control panels below are diverse in features and use cases. Whether you’re a beginner managing a single website or an advanced user overseeing multiple servers, there’s a tool for your needs:
- HestiaCP: Ideal for small to medium projects with a focus on simplicity.
- aaPanel: Excellent for users who need an intuitive, all-in-one solution with modern features.
- TinyCP: Lightweight and great for basic server management tasks.
- Webinoly: Best suited for developers preferring command-line tools and performance.
- CloudPanel: Perfect for high-performance web applications on Nginx.
- CyberPanel: Designed for OpenLiteSpeed/LiteSpeed environments with additional Docker support.
- CWP: Comprehensive features tailored for CentOS users.
- ISPConfig: Powerful and ideal for multi-server environments.
- Virtualmin/Webmin: Best for managing virtual servers with robust tools.
- KeyHelp: Free, feature-rich, and user-friendly.
HestiaCP
Description: HestiaCP is a free and open-source control panel built on VestaCP. It focuses on simplicity, offering a user-friendly interface and essential features for small to medium-sized projects.
Requirements
- Operating System: Debian 10/11, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- RAM: 512MB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Download the installation script:
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hestiacp/hestiacp/release/install/hst-install.sh
- Run the installer:
bash hst-install.sh
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Easy to use, supports Apache and Nginx, integrated monitoring tools.
- Cons: Limited extensions, smaller user community.
aaPanel
Description: aaPanel offers a modern and intuitive interface for server management. It provides one-click installations for apps like WordPress and is ideal for users who need a powerful yet easy-to-use solution.
Requirements
- Operating System: CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian
- RAM: 512MB minimum
- Disk Space: 20GB
Simple Installation Process
- Download the installation script:
wget -O install.sh http://www.aapanel.com/script/install-ubuntu_6.0_en.sh
- Run the script:
bash install.sh
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Modern interface, one-click application installations, regular updates.
- Cons: Some premium features, slightly higher resource usage.
TinyCP
Description: TinyCP is a lightweight control panel designed for minimal resource usage. It’s best suited for small-scale projects and users who need a straightforward tool for server management.
Requirements
- Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04/20.04
- RAM: 256MB minimum
- Disk Space: 2GB
Simple Installation Process
- Run the installation script:
wget -qO - http://repos.tinycp.com/ubuntu/install.sh | sudo bash
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Extremely lightweight, simple interface.
- Cons: Limited features, smaller community base.
Webinoly
Description: Webinoly is a command-line-based tool designed for managing a LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP) stack. It focuses on performance and efficiency, making it a developer’s favorite.
Requirements
- Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04/20.04
- RAM: 512MB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Run the following command:
wget -qO weby qrok.es/wy && sudo bash weby
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Optimized configurations, free SSL, supports multiple PHP versions.
- Cons: No graphical interface, requires command-line knowledge.
CloudPanel
Description: CloudPanel is a lightweight control panel designed for high-performance web applications. It is optimized for Nginx and provides a simple, intuitive interface.
Requirements
- Operating System: Debian 10/11, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- RAM: 2GB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Run the installation command:
wget -O - https://installer.cloudpanel.io/ce/v2/install.sh | sudo bash
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Lightweight, Nginx-focused, free SSL support.
- Cons: Limited to Nginx, smaller community support.
CyberPanel
Description: CyberPanel is a modern web hosting control panel powered by OpenLiteSpeed. It is designed to provide high performance and offers features like Docker management and WordPress staging.
Requirements
- Operating System: CentOS 7/8, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- RAM: 1GB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Run the installer:
sh <(curl -s https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh)
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Native OpenLiteSpeed support, one-click app installations, built-in security features.
- Cons: Resource-intensive, some premium features behind a paywall.
CentOS Web Panel (CWP)
Description: CentOS Web Panel is a free control panel specifically designed for CentOS servers. It offers a wide range of tools for managing web servers and hosting environments.
Requirements
- Operating System: CentOS 7/8
- RAM: 1GB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Update your server:
yum update -y
- Download and run the installer:
wget http://centos-webpanel.com/cwp-el7-latest && sh cwp-el7-latest
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Comprehensive features, supports Apache and Nginx, user-friendly interface.
- Cons: Limited to CentOS, premium features require a subscription.
ISPConfig
Description: ISPConfig is a powerful open-source hosting control panel that supports managing multiple servers from a single interface. It is feature-rich and highly configurable.
Requirements
- Operating System: Debian 10/11, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04, CentOS 7/8
- RAM: 1GB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Follow the detailed installation guide provided on the ISPConfig website.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Supports multi-server environments, highly customizable, open-source and free.
- Cons: Complex installation, steeper learning curve for beginners.
Virtualmin/Webmin
Description: Virtualmin, built on Webmin, is a comprehensive control panel for managing virtual servers. It supports a wide range of features for web hosting and server administration.
Requirements
- Operating System: Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL
- RAM: 1GB minimum
- Disk Space: 10GB
Simple Installation Process
- Download the installation script:
wget http://software.virtualmin.com/gpl/scripts/install.sh
- Run the installer:
sudo /bin/sh install.sh
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Comprehensive feature set, active community, supports multiple operating systems.
- Cons: Interface can be overwhelming for beginners, some advanced features require a paid subscription.
KeyHelp
Description: KeyHelp is a free server administration tool designed to be user-friendly while offering powerful tools for managing web hosting environments.
Requirements
- Operating System: Debian 10/11, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- RAM: 1GB minimum
- Disk Space: 5GB
Simple Installation Process
- Follow the installation guide provided on the KeyHelp website.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Easy-to-use interface, robust feature set, free for all users.
- Cons: Smaller community, fewer advanced features compared to others.
we strongly recommend aaPanel and CloudPanel due to their exceptional balance of functionality, user experience, and performance.
Why aaPanel? It offers a sleek and modern interface with features like one-click installations for popular apps, integrated monitoring tools, and active community support. aaPanel is an excellent choice for users who want an intuitive, all-in-one solution without compromising on power.
Why CloudPanel? If performance and simplicity are your priorities, CloudPanel is the best choice. It is optimized for Nginx and is perfect for hosting high-performance applications with minimal resource usage. Its lightweight design and modern interface make it a top contender for professional web hosting.
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai is set to unveil a deeply personal side of her life in her upcoming memoir, Finding My Way, scheduled for release on October 21, 2025.
“At 15 years old, the world knew my name, but no one really knew me,” Malala wrote on social media. She stated,
Finding My Way is the most personal thing I’ve ever written — a messy, honest, and sometimes painfully funny memoir. This is not the story you think you know. It’s the one I’ve been waiting to tell.
The memoir is described by her publisher as a narrative filled with “humor, fierce vulnerability, and piercing candor,” chronicling her growth, challenges, and the pursuit of purpose while under public scrutiny.
This memoir follows her bestselling debut, I Am Malala, published in 2013, which sold nearly two million copies worldwide. Since then, she has continued to champion girls’ education through the Malala Fund, produced award-winning films, and graduated from Oxford University in 2020. Recently, she co-founded the Recess Fund with her husband, Asser Malik, to promote equity for women in sports.
Finding My Way promises to delve into her more private struggles, including her university years, her relationship with Malik, and the emotional challenges of living up to her international image. The memoir aims to illuminate her journey of self-discovery and the complexities of finding her place in the world.
The book is now available for preorder from major booksellers, and for those who think they know Malala Yousafzai, this memoir offers an invitation to meet her anew.
ترکی نے مقامی طور پر تیار کیا گیا کئی تہوں پر مشتمل فضائی دفاعی نظام ’سٹیل ڈوم‘ متعارف کرایا ہے۔ اس میں مختلف تہوں میں کام کرنے والے فضائی دفاعی نظام کے حصے ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ ہم آہنگی سے کام کرتے ہیں۔
نیدرلینڈز کے شہر دی ہیگ میں نیٹو سربراہی اجلاس سے واپسی پر ترکی کے صدر رجب طیب اردوغان نے طیارے میں صحافیوں سے گفتگو کے دوران فضائی دفاعی نظام کی اہمیت پر زور دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ ’سٹیل ڈوم‘ صرف ایک سسٹم نہیں بلکہ کئی تہوں پر مشتمل نظاموں کا مجموعہ ہے جو میزائل خطرات سے مؤثر دفاع فراہم کرے گا۔
مشرقِ وسطیٰ میں اسرائیل اور ایران کے درمیان حالیہ جنگ کا حوالہ دیتے ہوئے اردوغان کا کہنا تھا کہ فضائی دفاعی نظام صرف ایس-400 تک محدود نہیں ہے۔ انھوں نے کہا کہ ہمارے عوام نے بھی حالیہ دنوں میں اس حقیقت کو بخوبی دیکھا ہے۔
کئی تہوں پر مبنی نظام کی ضرورت پر زور دیتے ہوئے ان کا کہنا تھا کہ ’مختلف اونچائیوں پر کام کرنے والے میزائلوں کا جسم کے اعضا کی طرح مل کر کام کرنا بہت ضروری ہے۔۔۔ ہمیں اپنی میزائل صلاحیتوں میں اضافہ کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔‘
ترک صدر کا کہنا تھا کہ ہم سٹیل ڈوم نامی ایک فضائی دفاعی نظام بنا رہے ہیں جس میں کئی نظام ہم آہنگی سے کام کریں گے۔ ان کے مطابق اس میں ’مختلف اونچائیوں پر کام کرنے والے فضائی دفاعی نظام، سینسرز اور الیکٹرانک وارفیئر سسٹمز کو یکجا‘ کیا جائے گا۔
ماہرین کا کیا کہنا ہے؟
ڈیفنس انڈسٹریز کی ایگزیکٹو کمیٹی نے چھ اگست کو اپنے اجلاس میں اس منصوبے کی منظوری دی تھی۔
کہا جا رہا ہے کہ سٹیل ڈوم فضائی دفاعی نظام میں ترکی کے موجودہ اور مستقبل میں بنائے جانے والے میزائل ایک مربوط انداز میں کام کریں گے۔
ترکی کے صدارتی دفتر کی جانب سے جاری بیان میں ’سٹیل ڈوم‘ کو ایسا نظام قرار دیا گیا ہے ’جو ملک کے تمام فضائی دفاعی سسٹمز، سینسرز اور ہتھیاروں کو ایک نیٹ ورک کے تحت آپس میں جوڑتا ہے۔ یہ نظام فضا کی مکمل صورتحال کی تصویر بناتا ہے، جو فوری طور پر آپریشن سینٹرز تک پہنچائی جاتی ہے اور مصنوعی ذہانت کی مدد سے فیصلے کرنے میں بروقت معاونت فراہم کرتا ہے۔‘
یہ منصوبہ ترکی میں مکمل طور پر مقامی وسائل سے تیار کیا جا رہا ہے۔
ترکی کی ڈیفنس انڈسٹریز کے سربراہ ہالوک گرگن کہتے ہیں کہ یہ منصوبہ اسیلسن، روکیٹسان، ٹوبیٹیک سیج، اور مشینری اینڈ کیمیکل انڈسٹریز (ایم کے ای) کے تعاون سے مکمل کیا جائے گا۔
سٹیل ڈوم کیوں اہم ہے؟
سینٹر برائے اقتصدادی اور خارجہ پالیسی ریسرچ کے ڈائریکٹر سنان الگن نے بی بی سی ترک سروس کو دیے گئے ایک انٹرویو میں ترکی کی جانب سے اپنائی جانے والی اس فضائی اور میزائل دفاعی حکمت عملی کو ’بالکل درست حکمتِ عملی‘ قرار دیا۔
ان کا کہنا ہے کہ ’اس پراجیکٹ کو ایک منصوبے سے زیادہ ایک نظریے کے طور پر دیکھا جانا چاہیے۔‘
الگن کہتے ہیں کہ یہ ایک ایسا نظام ہے جو ترکی کے طویل مدتی فضائی اور میزائل دفاعی نظام کو تشکیل دے گا اور دفاعی صنعت میں سرمایہ کاری کی سمت بھی طے کرے گا۔
ان کے خیال میں ترکی کی مقامی دفاعی صنعت اس طرح کے منصوبے کو عملی جامہ پہنانے کی صلاحیت رکھتی ہے۔
’پانچ سال پہلے ترکی کے پاس یہ صلاحیتیں موجود نہیں تھیں لیکن اب ملک کے پاس مقامی طور پر تیار کردہ کم اور درمیانی بلندی پر فضائی دفاعی نظام موجود ہیں، ڈرونز تیار ہو چکے ہیں اور ترکی کے پاس اپنا سیٹلائٹ بھی ہے۔ اس لیے اس مربوط نظام (سٹیل ڈوم) کو بنانے کے لیے ترکی کے پاس درجنوں سسٹمز اور ذیلی نظام موجود ہیں۔‘
اس پیشرفت کو وقت کی مناسبت سے دیکھنا بھی ضروری ہے۔
کیا یہ ’آئرن ڈوم‘ سے ملتا جلتا ہے؟
سنان الگن کہتے ہیں کہ دنیا میں اسرائیل نے اس طرز کے نظام کو سب سے بہتر طریقے سے نافذ کیا ہے۔ ان کا کہنا ہے کہ اس کا نام بھی ’آئرن ڈوم‘ کی یاد دلاتا ہے۔ یہ ایک کامیاب اور آزمائشی ماڈل ہے۔
وہ مزید کہتے ہیں جنگی ٹیکنالوجی میں آنے والی جدت اور خاص طور پر مشرق وسطیٰ میں ہونے والی اسرائیل اور ایران کے درمیان جنگ کے پیش نظر، میزائل اور فضائی دفاعی نظام کی اہمیت بہت بڑھ گئی ہے۔
’مختصر مدت کی جنگوں میں ہم بھاری اور وسیع پیمانے پر میزائل اور فضائی حملوں کا مشاہدہ کر رہے ہیں۔‘
امریکی دفاعی ماہر ایرون سٹین بھی ترکی میں ہونے والی پیش رفت پر نظر رکھے ہوئے ہیں۔ انھوں نے بی بی سی ترک سروس کو بتایا کہ اس منصوبے کو ’مختلف قسم کے میزائلوں کے ذریعے مختلف نوعیت کے خطرات کا جواب دینے کے لیے‘ ڈیزائن کیا گیا ہے۔
وہ بتاتے ہیں کہ سٹیل ڈوم اسرائیل کے میزائل ڈیفنس سسٹم کے مختلف اجزا جیسے ’ایرو‘ اور پیٹریاٹ میزائلوں سے مختلف ہے۔
’ایسا لگتا ہے کہ ترکی کا نظام طیارہ شکن دفاع کے لیے بنایا گیا ہے نہ کہ خاص طور پر میزائلوں سے دفاع کے لیے۔‘
کیا ترکی ایس 400 استعمال کرے گا؟
’سٹیل ڈوم‘ منصوبے کی رونمائی کے بعد ترکی میں روس سے خریدے گئے ایس 400 میزائل دفاعی نظام کی حیثیت پر بحث ایک بار پھر تیز ہو گئی ہے۔
تجزیہ کار مرات یتکن نے نیٹو میں ترکی کی رکنیت کا حوالہ دیتے ہوئے لکھا کہ ایس 400 کو سٹیل ڈوم جیسے مقامی دفاعی نظام میں ضم کرنا ’انتہائی مشکل‘ ہو سکتا ہے۔
انھوں نے سوال اٹھایا کہ ’اگر ایس 400 سٹیل ڈوم کا حصہ نہیں بنے گا تو پھر ہم اس مہنگے سسٹم کا آخر کریں گے کیا؟‘
تجزیہ کار سنان الگین نے بی بی سی ترکی سے بات کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ایس 400 کی دیکھ بھال اور مؤثر کارکردگی کے لیے روسی ماہرین کی موجودگی ضروری ہے۔
ان کے مطابق ’سٹیل ڈوم جیسے نظام کی کامیابی کے لیے ضروری ہے کہ تمام نظام اور ذیلی نظام مربوط طریقے س ایک دوسرے سے مکمل طور پر منسلک ہوں اور معلومات کا تبادلہ کر سکیں۔ لیکن ایس-400 جیسا نظام، جو مقامی نہیں ہے، اس مربوط نیٹ ورک کے لیے رکاوٹ بن سکتا ہے۔‘
ترکی نے روس سے ایس-400 سسٹم 2017 میں 2.5 ارب ڈالر میں خریدا تھا جس کی ترسیل 2019 میں ہوئی۔ اس فیصلے کے بعد امریکہ نے ترکی پر پابندیاں عائد کر دی تھیں اور اسے ایف-35 لڑاکا طیاروں کے منصوبے سے بھی خارج کر دیا تھا۔
سٹیل ڈوم کب کام کرے گا؟
الگین کے مطابق متعدد مختصر اور درمیانے فاصلے کے فضائی دفاعی نظام جو ممکنہ طور پر سٹیل ڈوم کا حصہ ہوں گے، اس وقت آپریشنل استعمال میں ہیں۔
انھوں نے اس بات پر زور دیا کہ یہ منصوبہ مختصر مدت میں مکمل نہیں ہو گا اور ترکی اس دوران دیگر موجودہ فضائی دفاعی نظام کو استعمال کرے گا۔
انھوں نے مزید کہا کہ ’قومی صلاحیتوں کی بنیاد پر ایک مؤثر فضائی اور میزائل دفاعی ڈھانچہ بنانے، اس کی کامیابی کی جانچ اور پیمائش اور اسے ایک قابل اعتماد نظام میں تبدیل کرنے میں قدرتی طور پر وقت لگے گا۔‘
’یہ بھی واضح رہے کہ ترکی کو اس وقت اپنی مقامی صلاحیتوں کے ساتھ ساتھ نیٹو کی میزائل شیلڈ کا تحفظ بھی حاصل ہے۔‘
ترک مسلح افواج کے پاس اس وقت نچلی پرواز کرنے والے اہداف کے خلاف اسلسان کا تیار کردہ ’کورکوت‘ سسٹم اور کم و درمیانی بلندی پر نشانہ بنانے کے لیے ’حصار او‘ سسٹم موجود ہیں۔
اسلسان نے اعلان کیا ہے کہ طویل فاصلے تک مار کرنے والا فضائی و میزائل دفاعی نظام ’سیپر‘ سال کے اختتام تک مسلح افواج کے حوالے کر دیا جائے گا۔
The Partition of British India and the unfinished story of Kashmir in 1947 was one of the most significant and traumatic events in South Asian history. It led to the creation of two sovereign states: India and Pakistan. However, the status of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, remained unresolved and continues to fuel tensions between the two countries to this day.
Kashmir’s Ambiguous Position in 1947
Unlike most princely states that acceded promptly to either India or Pakistan, Kashmir’s Maharaja, Hari Singh, initially chose neither. At the time of Partition, Jammu and Kashmir was not part of either dominion and hence, contrary to India’s later claims, was never an integral part of India. According to the British plan for Partition, rulers of princely states were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan, ideally aligning with the wishes of their people. In Kashmir’s case, this principle strongly favoured accession to Pakistan due to its overwhelmingly Muslim population.
However, Maharaja Hari Singh delayed the decision, reportedly willing to stay independent. His refusal to decide created a power vacuum and growing instability within the state.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s Decision to Join Pakistan
It is important to mention here, an often-overlooked part of this historical episode is the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. Strategically located and culturally distinct, Gilgit-Baltistan had been leased to the British by the Dogra rulers of Kashmir. When the British left, they handed control back to the Maharaja, but this was short-lived.
On 31st October 1947, Major William Brown, commander of the Gilgit Scouts, staged a local revolt (Operation Datta Khel), declaring martial law the following day and arresting Ghansara Singh, the Maharaja’s governor. By 2nd November, the Pakistani flag was raised in Gilgit, and the region voluntarily aligned with Pakistan, a decision reflecting the local people’s political sentiment.
This event occurred well before India’s formal involvement in Kashmir, indicating that Gilgit-Baltistan’s accession to Pakistan was not the result of the broader Kashmir conflict, but a separate, localised decision based on geography, religion, and politics.
The Maharaja’s Accession to India
The critical turning point occurred in late October 1947, when tribal fighters from Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province entered Kashmir, claiming to protect the region’s Muslim population from the Maharaja’s forces. In response, the Maharaja appealed to India for military assistance. India, however, initially refused, as Kashmir had not acceded to India and was considered a foreign territory. Reluctant to intervene in what was, at the time, considered a foreign territory so soon after gaining independence, India made its assistance conditional that it would only provide military support if Kashmir formally acceded to the Indian Union. The Maharaja agreed and signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, following which Indian troops were airlifted into Srinagar.
Role of United Nations
Soon after, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru publicly acknowledged Kashmir as a disputed territory and affirmed India’s commitment to allowing the people of Kashmir to determine their future through a plebiscite. India subsequently took the matter to the United Nations, requesting intervention and a ceasefire. This led to the establishment of the ceasefire line on 1st of January 1949, now known as the Line of Control, dividing the region between India and Pakistan, pending a final settlement that has yet to occur.
The United Nations has played a central yet limited role in the Kashmir dispute. In 1948, the UN Security Council called for a ceasefire and a plebiscite to allow Kashmiris to choose between India and Pakistan. Resolutions such as UNSC Resolution 47 laid out clear steps for both sides to demilitarise the region in preparation for the vote.
However, the plebiscite was never conducted, largely due to disputes over demilitarisation conditions. Over the decades, the UN’s role has been reduced to observing and reporting, with limited success in resolving the core issue. Nevertheless, Pakistan continues to refer to these UN resolutions as the legal foundation of its stance on Kashmir.
The Legacy of Conflict
The ceasefire brokered by the United Nations left Kashmir divided, India controlled two-thirds of the territory, while Pakistan retained the remaining third. This ceasefire line, now known as the Line of Control (LoC), has remained largely unchanged. Importantly, the promised plebiscite to determine Kashmir’s future, agreed upon by both India and Pakistan has never been held. The Kashmiri people have never had the opportunity to vote on whether they wish to join Pakistan or India.
Reflections on Later Conflicts
Tensions have continued through wars in 1965, 1971, and 1999 and various conflicts in 1984, 2001, 2008, 2016, 2019 and the 2025 standoff.
Cultural and Religious Ties Between Kashmir and Pakistan
Kashmir’s Muslim-majority identity naturally aligns with Pakistan, a state created to represent Muslim interests in South Asia. Religious festivals, Islamic practices, and even political sympathies often mirror those in Pakistan. Urdu, Pakistan’s national language, is widely understood and used in the Kashmir Valley, where Pakistani media and religious broadcasts are often preferred over Indian channels.
Cultural commonalities ranging from cuisine and clothing to religious education and Sufi traditions link Kashmir more closely with Pakistan than with much of India. Public expressions of solidarity, including displays of the Pakistani flag and pro-Pakistan slogans, reflect the emotional and ideological bonds shared by many Kashmiris.
Human Rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir
The region has seen widespread reports of human rights violations, especially in the wake of insurgencies and military crackdowns since 1989. Allegations include arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, use of pellet guns against civilians, restrictions on freedom of expression, and denial of due process.
International human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently raised concerns, while India has either denied the allegations or justified them as necessary for national security. The heavy military presence and repeated internet shutdowns have further deepened public alienation.
Pakistan’s Official Position on Kashmir
Pakistan maintains that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status must be decided by its people in accordance with UN resolutions. It argues that India’s continued control of the region is illegitimate, particularly in light of the unfulfilled promise of a plebiscite.
Pakistan supports diplomatic efforts and raises the Kashmir issue in international forums, while also maintaining political and moral support for the Kashmiri people. Pakistan considers the Kashmir cause central to its national identity and foreign policy.
India’s Revocation of Article 370 and Its Implications
On 5 August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 of its Constitution, which granted Jammu and Kashmir a special autonomous status. This move was accompanied by a heavy security lockdown, mass detentions, and communication blackouts.
The revocation was widely condemned in Pakistan and viewed as an attempt to alter the demographic and political character of the region. It also drew international criticism and increased tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Kashmiri Voices and Resistance Movements
Resistance in Kashmir has taken many forms of armed militancy, political mobilisation, and civil disobedience. Since the 1980s, insurgent groups like Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba have emerged, advocating either independence or accession to Pakistan. The killing of Burhan Wani, a young Hizbul Mujahideen commander, in 2016 sparked widespread protests and is often seen as a turning point in the recent wave of Kashmiri resistance.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a coalition of various political and religious groups, has played a key role in voicing the political aspirations of Kashmiris. Prominent figures such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Yasin Malik have long campaigned for the right to self-determination. Geelani was known for his firm pro-Pakistan stance until his death in 2021, while Yasin Malik, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has been imprisoned and charged with terrorism-related offences by Indian authorities.
In recent years, peaceful civilian protests have often been met with force, leading to cycles of unrest. Despite state crackdowns, a growing number of Kashmiri youth have turned to activism and social media to highlight their grievances. Resistance also takes cultural forms, such as poetry, music, and graffiti, reflecting a deeply-rooted desire for dignity, justice, and the right to self-expression.
akistan’s defence industry has made a notable advancement with the unveiling and successful demonstration of the Shahpar-II Block II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Developed by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), this sophisticated drone showcases Pakistan’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence production and its ambitions to compete on the international stage in the domain of unmanned aerial systems.
In March 2024, GIDS held a live-firing demonstration of the Shahpar-II Block II, presenting it before high-ranking military delegations from eleven friendly nations. These included representatives from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Kenya, and Indonesia. The drone successfully identified, lazed, and engaged a target from an altitude of 14,000 feet, utilising the indigenously developed Burq air-to-ground missile (AGM). This display of precision and operational effectiveness left a strong impression on the attending delegates and confirmed the UCAV’s combat readiness.
The Shahpar-II Block II is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) platform, designed for both reconnaissance and strike missions. Measuring eight metres in length with a wingspan of 9.45 metres, it has a maximum take-off weight of 1,075 kilograms. It can carry a total payload of approximately 243 kilograms, divided between its internal bay and underwing hardpoints. In terms of performance, the drone boasts a cruising speed of 157 kilometres per hour and can reach a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour. While its surveillance missions can last up to 20 hours, its armed endurance is estimated at around 12 hours. The service ceiling for surveillance operations is approximately 23,000 feet, while armed operations can be conducted up to 21,000 feet.
One of the key strengths of the Shahpar-II Block II lies in its integration with a versatile array of indigenous munitions and payloads. The live demonstration featured the Burq AGM, which is already a proven weapon in Pakistan’s arsenal. GIDS also revealed plans to introduce additional payloads such as the Burq-II missile, which features a 20-kilogram warhead with an effective range of 12 kilometres. Other upcoming systems include a lighter version of the Burq missile and a series of laser-guided bombs optimised for UAV deployment, likely including the LGK-50 series. Furthermore, the drone is fitted with the Zumr-2 HD electro-optical payload, which provides high-resolution real-time imaging and thermal vision capabilities, praised during the demonstration for its clarity and stability.
Crucially, GIDS claims that the Shahpar-II Block II offers greater capability at a more affordable price point compared to the internationally popular Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone. The Pakistani system’s cost-efficiency and modular design make it a viable alternative for countries seeking strategic autonomy in unmanned warfare without the high cost of Western or Turkish systems. Moreover, development is already underway on an indigenous electronic warfare (EW) pod with jamming capabilities, intended to further enhance the Shahpar-II’s survivability and electronic countermeasure functionality in complex threat environments.
The origins of the Shahpar programme trace back to earlier UAV efforts, with design cues drawn from platforms like the Chinese CH-3. However, the Shahpar-II Block II reflects significant design maturity and independence. Though some external resemblance remains, the drone has evolved substantially in both its structural and systems architecture. The addition of satellite communication (SATCOM) compatibility and the move toward wholly local production mark a shift from dependence to sovereignty in drone development.
The strategic value of the Shahpar-II Block II extends beyond national security. By showcasing the system to foreign delegates, Pakistan is clearly positioning it for the export market. Given the rising demand for UCAVs across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, particularly among countries with limited defence budgets, the Shahpar-II Block II could become a key export product for Pakistan’s defence industry.
In summary, the Shahpar-II Block II UCAV represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s defence innovation. Its blend of affordability, combat effectiveness, and indigenous technology makes it a compelling addition to the global market. As the country continues to refine its unmanned systems and integrate electronic warfare capabilities, the Shahpar-II may emerge not only as a national asset but as a competitive player in the broader landscape of modern aerial warfare.
Declaring one’s love for the internet these days is about as groundbreaking as proclaiming a fondness for breathing air. It’s not the sort of confession that’ll get you noticed at parties. And in an era where most of my peers were baptized by the digital gods of Myspace, Xanga, and AOL Instant Messenger, it’s nearly a universal mantra.
But here I am, laying it bare anyway: I love the internet.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I took the plunge into this love affair. But if I were a betting man, I’d wager it was everything all at once that was the crucible of a lifelong journey of being “online.”
Let me explain.
A quick history: You, me, and the internet
Act 1
Rewind the tape back 22 years — I stumbled into a lifelong bond with two strangers I met around an obscure digital campfire, a low population message board dedicated to a very specific Christian ska band. I’d wake up, listen to the dial tone howl from the family computer, and check for new threads and messages.
Over time our conversations strayed from bad music to good friendship. And as kids did on the internet back then, we plotted on taking the leap from pixels to reality and meeting up at a music festival headlined by the band we’ve been bonding over. I’m not sure why my parents let me meet strangers from the internet. Maybe I didn’t tell them my plans, but I’m glad they did.
What ensued was not just a decade of festival pilgrimages but a life. In our post-festival era, our bonds weathered the seasons of life: weddings, the arrival of children, joyous peaks, and the inevitable valleys. Even just a month ago, I took a long drive to their state. We spent time drinking cheap beers, laughing, and smiling until my face hurt. Thank you, internet.
Act 2
In 2004, I ventured into the unknown and pieced together my first website — a digital monstrosity born out of the primordial ooze of Geocities. I didn’t know at the time but this wasn’t just a one-off; it was the opening act of lifelong web creation.
Side by side with one of my best friends, we embarked on a grand adventure in World Of Warcraft, leading a guild not merely as teenagers, but as digital Guild Masters, and we convinced ourselves we needed an online presence to make it real.
The website wasn’t good, but it also wasn’t just for kicks — it was our command center, our digital roundtable where the currency of choice was pixels shaped into gold, loot, and above all else, our guild rules.
We didn’t just run a guild; we orchestrated a group where attendance and DKP (if you know you know) were displayed with pride, all laid bare on the homepage in a poorly built HTML table for the world to see. I remember standing up in the glow of the basement, the hum of the CRT, our faithful companion, as I took a swig of Mountain Dew, and declared with certainty, “It’s perfect.”
A lot of dungeons and a lot of years later, we took a flight to San Francisco to attend the wedding of our guild Rogue. Up until then he was just a voice over my headphones yelling, “I want that [insert rare item here]!”
When I got to his wedding, it took just a moment for the voice to match the face, we hugged, and stepped back, taking in the unfamiliar elegance of formal wear instead of armor and cried. Thank you, internet.
Act 3
Last but not least — if you know me, it’s not a surprise that social media oscillates between being an all-consuming fire and a source of existential angst. I know that’s a familiar rhythm for many.
But, years ago, I was pulling inspiration for a project on Instagram, searching for artists and saving the work to reference later in a pitch as creative for a new brand. The project came and went, the client chose different references, and I let that account slip into hibernation.
Later, for some reason, I logged back in and saw a post from one of the artists I saved previously. The post was silly and seemed unimportant at the time, but I commented and somehow we got to chatting. We chatted about book recommendations, foods, and art.
That conversation continued for some time through the small black mirror of my phone and then eventually we decided to go from pixels to reality (something I was already familiar with).
We made plans to meet.
We ate Japanese food that night. We attended a gallery show of a now close friend the weekend after. And then over the coming years we fell in love and got married. Thank you so much, internet.
UX & life principles
Here we are, in 2024. I still love the internet and my place in the digital world has turned into a job — I’ve been sculpting UX experiences and helping shape the way people interact with the internet on their screen for the last 16 years.
The internet I love has transformed in ways I never would have imagined back in the day. Yet, through all its metamorphoses, the core ethos remains unaltered: forge pathways and let users connect with the things they want, in the ways they wish to do so.
The tools and languages have changed. Platforms have risen and fallen like empires of old (sorry, I’m still in the World Of Warcraft vibe after that last paragraph). Yet the heartbeat of the internet persists — connection.
I’m fortunate enough now to find myself at a company that lets me continue to build the internet I love, with people who love it as much as I do. So when the opportunity arose to write about it, I started thinking back fondly of what led me here.
If I could travel back in time, and appear to my younger self as Gandalf, The White figure, this is some of the advice I’d give myself for both my career and my life.
Begin with the end in mind
This is life advice that has taken me a lot of falling down and standing back up to put into practice, but design is life and to live life is to experience design. Knowing where you’re going, be curious of how you get there, and what it will take to end where you wish to be.
In a more literal design sense, keep your lens zoomed in on the entry point and the curtain calls of the experience. People are more likely to remember the failures than the successes. A negative experience sticks more vividly in memory than their positive counterparts.
Every step is important of course, but when crafting the journey, always keep the goal in mind. Thoughtfulness in life and in design can turn pitfalls into stepping stones, ensuring the path leads not just to satisfaction, but to confirmation and connection with why they took the journey in the first place.
Creating something beautiful is worthwhile
It’s a straightforward path to create something functional, to dust off our hands, and declare victory. And maybe, by some standards, that’s enough. But the craft of breathing life into something truly beautiful holds value beyond personal satisfaction — it enriches the experiences of those who interact with it.
Life can make me feel rushed often. But it is worthwhile to fight for that last moment to add the 5% that makes 95% of the difference. That momentary pause to make the final adjustment to an experience is a force multiplier of its value.
By the numbers, a design that catches the eye does more than just please the senses — it conjures a belief in the brain that the creation before them isn’t just pretty, but more functional, more intuitive. There’s a magic in aesthetics; it confirms, convincing people of the design’s superior functionality.
Meet people where they’re at
I look back a lot of times in both work and life and think, “I wish I had listened more.”
This mantra, this commitment to listen, to truly understand and then act in a way that aligns with the needs and realities of those before me is a journey without end. If we’re not living and creating for someone, then what’s the point of making anything at all?
In my life, this means empathy, and at work crafting experiences it’s no different. Listen, become informed, do your research, and provide what is needed without assumption.
At Liquid Web, we’re putting this into practice with improvements to how our customers connect with our products, and it’ll be a constant action to improve how we execute and what is important to the people we are listening to, both as our customers and on our team.
Bottom line
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be one of many people who gets to build the internet they love with great people at my job.
Perhaps my words have danced a bit too wildly, swept up in a whirlwind of hyperbole, but it’s a tribute I hammer down on the keyboard willingly. My life is woven into the vast web of the internet — rich with memories, connections, and creations.
I consider myself lucky.
Augmented reality, or AR, is a game changer in the rapidly changing fields of education and technology.
In fact, it is transforming the traditional classroom experience. Imagine a world in which you can see sophisticated scientific processes take place, historical people come to life, and dinosaurs walk the halls. Believe it or not, this is the real-world potential of augmented reality in education, not science fiction.
We’ll go into the fascinating world of augmented reality technology in this article, examining its potential and how it could completely transform education in the future.
Overview of AR technology
Fundamentally, augmented reality offers users an immersive and participatory experience by smoothly superimposing digital information onto the physical world. By integrating digital content into their real-world surroundings, augmented reality enhances the user’s perspective. This revolutionary technology is delivered through devices like tablets, smartphones, and AR glasses.
Integrating sensors, cameras, and display devices enables augmented reality, which lets users interact with digital elements in their real-world surroundings, unlike virtual reality, which is fully digital. With the help of this dynamic integration, instructors may generate a plethora of interactive and engaging learning opportunities.
Transforming teaching methods
AR has the potential to completely transform conventional teaching strategies and provide an abundance of advantages for both teachers and students. Let’s examine a few crucial benefits in more detail.
Bringing abstract concepts to life
With augmented reality, abstract and complex ideas can be brought to life through interactive simulations and visualizations. For example, astronomy students can view and interact with virtual planets to explore the solar system and get a deeper grasp of celestial phenomena.
Enhancing student engagement
AR’s interactive nature promotes a more immersive and hands-on learning environment. Students take an active role in their education, which increases their interest in and memory of the material. AR applications with gamification features encourage further student participation, making learning more engaging and entertaining.
Promoting personalized learning
AR meets accessibility requirements and a range of learning styles. Teachers can tailor courses for each student using customizable content, creating a customized learning environment that meets their needs and preferences. Based on the student’s progress, adaptive AR systems can modify the curriculum and offer targeted support where it is required.
Exploring applications across subjects and educational levels
AR has the potential to be used in a wide range of disciplines and academic levels, improving the learning process in numerous ways.
Subject-specific applications
Augmented reality has applications in science, history, and geography, where simulations and visuals significantly improve comprehension. For instance, students studying biology can investigate three-dimensional representations of cells; students studying history can observe significant historical events firsthand; and students studying geography can virtually travel to various parts of the world.
Medical education
AR apps, which include everything from virtual dissections to interactive anatomy classes, have much to offer medical students. With the practical approach the technology provides, aspiring healthcare professionals can be better prepared and gain a more realistic understanding of intricate anatomical components.
Language learning
AR can offer immersive experiences in language learning that speed up language acquisition. By interacting with virtual environments, students can improve their comprehension of cultural idiosyncrasies and pragmatic language use. Language learners can practice in a dynamic and contextually rich environment by creating conversational simulations.
STEM education
Augmented reality has been particularly impactful in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. AR can make abstract ideas more concrete and approachable, from virtual chemical experiments to physics simulations. Mathematical equations can be visualized with the help of interactive 3D models, which can help students grasp abstract ideas more deeply.
Potential limitations, challenges, and ethical concerns
Even though augmented reality has enormous potential for education, its appropriate and successful deployment depends on addressing obstacles, ethical issues, and possible limits.
Cost and accessibility
For some institutions, the upfront costs of integrating augmented reality technology may be a hurdle. It is imperative to guarantee fair access to these resources to prevent the escalation of educational disparities. However, as technology develops, expenses should decrease, and as such AR should become more widely available.
Teacher training
To successfully incorporate AR into their teaching strategies, educators must receive sufficient training. It is imperative to provide professional development programs that equip educators with the necessary abilities to utilize this technology effectively. Working together, digital businesses and educational institutions may support training programs that prepare teachers to use augmented reality in the classroom to the fullest.
Ethical considerations
To guarantee a responsible and ethical use of augmented reality in the classroom, concerns, including data privacy, screen time, and the potential for distraction must be appropriately studied and addressed. It is imperative to set unambiguous standards and procedures that protect the privacy and welfare of pupils. Teachers should mentor pupils in responsible digital citizenship and be well-versed in the ethical issues surrounding the use of augmented reality.
Equity in education
AR integration shouldn’t worsen pre-existing educational inequities. To guarantee that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds have equitable access to AR-enhanced learning experiences, efforts must be made to close the digital gap. Establishing collaborations with governmental bodies and charitable institutions can be crucial in guaranteeing that AR technology is accessible to all.
Adoption and future outlook
Even though the use of AR in education is growing, obstacles to deployment and cost remain. Due to its obvious advantages, some fields, like medical education, have embraced AR more quickly than others. It has yet to be widely adopted at all educational levels, however.
Current state of adoption
With examples of their successful implementations, a few progressive educational institutions and schools have already included augmented reality in their academic programs. Regional variations exist in the acceptance rate, too, since many schools encounter budgetary obstacles that impede the integration of augmented reality technology.
Technological advances
Continuous technical development will probably lead to a rise in adoption. Schools may find it simpler to incorporate augmented reality technology into their classes as these devices become more accessible and user-friendly. For AR solutions to be in line with educational goals, tech developers and educators must work together.
Collaboration in the EdTech sector
Collaborations between educational technology (EdTech) companies and academic institutions can greatly aid the adoption of augmented reality. Challenges, including content development, teacher preparation, and the establishment of uniform standards for moral AR use in education can all be addressed through collaborative efforts.
Research and development
To realize AR’s full potential in education, research and development expenditures must be sustained. This entails enhancing currently available applications, creating fresh content, and investigating creative approaches to smoothly incorporate augmented reality into a range of disciplines and academic levels.
Global perspectives
While AR is being adopted in education in different ways around the world, certain nations are ahead of the curve in incorporating this technology into their educational frameworks. International cooperation can make it easier to exchange best practices and guarantee a more standardized approach to the use of augmented reality in education.
Challenges and opportunities in AR implementation
Cost-effectiveness
While some institutions may find the initial investment in augmented reality technology prohibitive, costs are gradually decreasing due to breakthroughs in both hardware and software development. Educational establishments might investigate affordable options, like utilizing current gadgets such as tablets and smartphones for augmented reality activities.
Teacher training programs
Comprehensive programs should be developed to provide teachers with the skills they need to incorporate augmented reality into their teaching methods in order to address the problem of teacher training. Teachers looking to improve their AR expertise can receive ongoing help through workshops, online courses, and collaborative learning groups.
Content development
A coordinated effort involving educators, content developers, and technologists is necessary to provide high-quality AR content. Encouragement of the development of open source augmented reality educational resources can support a community-driven strategy and guarantee a wide variety of content that fits into different curricula.
Standardization and guidelines
It’s critical to establish uniform standards for the moral application of augmented reality in education. To develop a framework that tackles privacy concerns, screen time problems, and other ethical issues associated with AR adoption, regulatory agencies, academic institutions, and industry players need to work together.
Inclusive education
All students must be able to participate in inclusive and accessible AR-enhanced learning experiences. This involves taking into account the needs of pupils from different socioeconomic backgrounds, learning styles, and disabilities. The development of inclusive augmented reality technologies can benefit from partnerships between academic institutions and accessibility specialists.
Collaboration with industry
Collaboration between the education industry and developers of AR technology is crucial to accelerating the adoption of AR in education. Industry collaborations can help create educational materials that are in line with market demands, give access to cutting-edge augmented reality solutions, and offer insightful information about new technology.
Government support
Governments play a key role in encouraging the broad use of augmented reality in education. Initiatives that develop cooperation between the public and private sectors, policy incentives, and financial support can all help to build an environment in which augmented reality becomes a crucial component of the educational landscape.
Community engagement
Involving parents, kids, and the larger community is essential to successfully using AR in the classroom. Campaigns for information, workshops, and community gatherings can increase knowledge of the advantages of augmented reality and create an atmosphere that is conducive to its use.
Bottom line
To sum up, augmented reality has a lot of potential to transform the educational experience. It can completely change education, from enabling tailored learning to bringing intangible ideas to life. Even though there are still obstacles and moral dilemmas, continued development and improved accessibility could lead to widespread acceptance.
The path toward incorporating augmented reality into education is dynamic and promises a time when learning will not be restricted by conventional limitations. The potential is endless as we stand at the nexus of education and technology, and we’re only just beginning.
Career development is built upon the choices and paths you take to surround you with the profession you want to pursue. Career development is not based on a single decision of choosing field or major you are going to adhere, instead, it is based on the different interests, financial status, and the different choices that will shape your future, leading towards different career paths.
To make sure a student, or generally anyone, takes the best decision for their career, it is essential to consider counseling with a professional career counselor. Career counseling is a process in which you investigate and bring out your strengths and weaknesses, to better understand yourself, which helps in making the best decisions for your academic and personal future. Furthermore, it also educates you about the required skills that are needed for certain majors. Therefore, career counseling is considered as important as education is. Not being educated about how to monetize the knowledge that is gained during the period of almost two decades spent learning in different institutes is equally an immense amount of waste. Also, such institutes are mainly focusing on the essay writing service through which the students can be assessed with respect to their learning and understanding.
Career counsellors help you in figuring out the best-suited career path. Everyone, be it a student or alumni, should get themselves counseled. It is rather important to get counseling at the earliest stage to deliberately take the best decisions for the career.
Students in Pakistan tend to face a number of difficulties while choosing a career path. That is largely because of the lack of availability of career counselors in different institutes and colleges. Students in Pakistan tend to make decisions based on what their peers and elders recommend which makes them confuse and puts them in a dilemma where they cannot think for themselves anymore. This leads towards students picking the wrong career path and instead of feeling inspired and motivated towards their jobs or majors, rather they face difficulties and complications in comprehending the field that they have picked for themselves, which not only demotivates them but, also extinguishes the fire of progression in them.
Although there has been a significant change in variations of jobs of different natures in the past few years, still the youth is not having access of the proper knowledge and still being in the mist of a guessing game of decisions, which leads a student towards apprehending the wrong career path that further leads towards the road of demotivation. As a result, they are not able to perform their best and even their lack of interest allows them to concentrate and be passionate about their selective field.
These are the current rates of unsuccessful students of different fields of students of Pakistan. 60% of students were unsuccessful in the field of Arts with only 39.73% of regular students passing the exam and the successful percentage of students in the field of commerce is 43.69% in the year 2016. The examination controller of the Karachi educational board mentioned about the bland and misunderstood situation “It is sad to see that since the last six years, even 50% of the total students in the commerce section have failed to pass”.
Different studies and experts in career counseling reveal that the absence of career guidance is the main source of students dropping out and failing in their examinations and the larger portion of the rest of them are unsatisfied with their career choice.
Students of Pakistan are met with three stages of major choices that could lead towards different careers. It is important that students pick subjects that they are interested in because they need to be motivated, inspired and be passionate about the career they are aiming to pursue. Following are the stages at which students have to make a career development choice.
• Matriculation studies
After successfully clearing eighth grade, students are met with a choice that will define the nature of career paths that will be available for them, in the future. The choice that they make at this stage will define the future options available for them. Students have the choices of selecting from two group of subjects namely “Computer science” and “Humanities”. Each group having different core and compulsory subjects.
• Intermediate studies
After matriculation examinations, students now are faced with the requirement of admission into different colleges and institutions to further their studies, they usually have the time span of two months to decide the field that they would opt for. What they choose for their intermediate education, will most likely define the field of their profession. Therefore, it is highly advised and urged to seek career counseling at this stage. So that they can evaluate and choose from the options, carefully. The majors they have to choose from are, Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering, Commerce, Fine Arts, General Science, and Computer Science.
• Bachelors Degree
It is again highly recommended to seek career counseling for bachelor’s degree even before the intermediate examinations. A career counselor at this stage examines your academic performance and your financial status and presents the most suitable fields and different universities to choose. These are some different majors you can graduate with a bachelors degree from, Medical, Engineering, Business Management, Mass Communication, Arts & Humanities, Media Science, etc.
To eradicate these problems, education expos and different counseling events are held more than a few times every year. They are essential for our youth’s academic development. This is how we can summarize the crucial aspects of their services;
1. They help us assess the different jobs that are in high demand.
2. Help us examine our strengths and weaknesses and unveil the best fields accordingly.
3. They help us with the essential set of skills required for a particular major.
4. Also, they evaluate our financial status and provide the best academic institution, accordingly.
Pakistan is a name that has been synonyms to various words when studied in a historical context. Considering the development of Pakistan in the recent years, it has progressed significantly. However, still, when the Pakistanis are asked about their study and work goals, they usually preferred flying out of Pakistan to a certain developed country. In addition, when a certain individual does abandon the opportunity to study or work abroad, he is bombarded with questions as to why, why Pakistan? In order to answer this question and to provide you with a different perspective of Pakistan, we have highlighted certain aspects which have been discussed below:
Immense Opportunities
Pakistan provides an abundance of opportunity to individuals, not only in terms of academics but also for professional development. The unprecedented growth of the multinational companies in Pakistan has expanded the employment opportunities in Pakistan. The industry is now inclusive of every discipline whether tech related or medicine, whether essay writers, managers, or more, you name it and Pakistan has got it all. The Pakistani event named as 2016 APICTA has won various awards, which has increased the startup enterprises number. The number of startup incubators in Pakistan is also increasing because of the financial funding by both private and multinational individuals such as Google, which has shaped an extremely vivacious and ground-breaking ecosystem.
Over the years, the advent of international students has also increased who are preferring Pakistani institutes because of their growing reputation and academic standards. The high standard education provided here has increased the international student’s enrollment in the colleges. In addition, the variety of discipline and strict educational policies further have further increased its prospects for being ranked as one of the top places for learning.
Affordability
No matter which country you choose to fly, the affordability provided in Pakistan cannot be matched. From the supplies of every day to the luxuries meal along with the standard of living, all are provided here at extremely affordable rates as compared to any developed country. In addition, the education provided in Pakistan is much more affordable as compare to another institute with the relatively same level of education that is provisioned by Pakistani institutes. An attractive and important factor as to why students should choose to study in Pakistan as every student desires high-quality education in the best package.
Strong Ethical Values
One of the prime reason for choosing Pakistan for your living, working and studying destination is the high level of values and morals its people hold on to. In the sub-continent, Pakistan is recognized for possessing high-level of ethics in work. According to the survey conducted on the belief of the individuals that hard work pays off in Pakistan, 80% of the responses were positive. In addition, the labor force in the country is further not saturated in contrast to the other countries which make the employee attrition lower.
Wrapping it up
Pakistan prospect of growth is positive, with the increasing ability and multinational assistance provided to the company, the probability of a country being counted in the list of the successful country is high. However, the decision of the individuals to study, live or work here is completely dependent on their own perception. Though the privileges Pakistan providers cannot be enjoyed in any other country and there is no stereotyping here which is faced by the individuals who travel abroad regardless of their reason for travel. Life in Pakistan is great and the reasoning for traveling that reflects the earning of high income is of vain because factually it is dependent utterly on our own capabilities and the way we put all the skill we possess to use.
Problems are to be found everywhere, no matter which country you choose to travel. Every individual is different so are their priorities and the perception of the things, therefore, we cannot categorize everyone in the same category, a happiness of the person is integral which may or may not lie in Pakistan.
Completing assignments on time without much trouble is a dream of every college student. As the end of the year approaches, the college work keeps on mounting and pressure to complete all the work builds up. This procrastination of the work pushes students towards the highest level of stress where there seems to be no way out. The management of the time should have been done more wisely but as the charm of the college life hits, the academics usually become secondary. However, to assist you in writing your college essay in just 24 hours follows these steps accurately and you are good to go.
• Step # 1 Critically analyze the question
The first step towards completion of your college essay is to critically analyze the topic stated. Build an understanding of what is being asked and then form a rough sketch of how are you going to cater to this question. Select the certain viewpoint with which you are going to answer the question and remain adamant about it throughout the paper.
• Step # 2 Collect the material
Once the decision pertaining to the question is made, fathom out the material which you are going to support the idea. Things which could be utilized for backing up the statement can be extracted from the scholarly resources available3 online, a renowned individual statement, general facts, arguments, as well as quotations. However, remember that when you in integrate these in your essay make sure to alter the sentence structure or it would be termed as plagiarism.
• Step # 3 Say goodbye to your cell phone and distractions
Your college essay cannot get completed within the certain timeframe unless and until you switch off your cell phone and get free from all the distracting things including the pillow which you are using for supporting your back. The more you limit the distraction, the more efficient and effectively your essay will get completed. It also includes declining all the offers made by friends for hanging out together.
• Step # 4 Organize the paper
Once the data has been collected, form an outline of the paper that the essay is said to follow. You can work on the standard pattern which is followed across the globe or if the institutes with which you are associated with have a predefined framework of an essay then follow that. Forming an outline will make it easy for you to incorporate the relevant information in the subset of the essay, and will cease your mind from wandering away from the subject concerned.
• Step # 5 Form a flow in the ideas
After collection of the material, and organizing of the work, another thing that must be done by the student is to correlate the pieces of information integrated. This integration should take place in such a way that a flow is formed, so that information does not seem to appear disoriented. The cohesiveness of the essay determines the strength which is reciprocated in the numbers which the course facilitator provides you with.
• Step # 6 Munch on some food
One work is greater than food, no matter how much marks it holds. The point here is not to eat thousands of dishes but to keep on munching certain healthy alternatives much keep the thought process and your hands running. An empty stomach takes the thought of an individual’s somewhere else which diminishes the college essay writing speed of the individual. Taking a break in between also refreshes the mind and makes space for some new ideas to set in.
• Step # 7 Edit and Proofread
The last step calls upon the reader to read the essay and find out the mistakes which may have occurred in a hurry. Upon recognition of the mistakes, take the corrective measures and make the necessary adjustments. The mistakes which may have resulted become the time constraint include the typo errors such as work or word, the preposition error, punctuation errors and more. Identify these and make the correction promptly in order to mitigate all the chances which provide the facilitator the opportunity to deduct the marks.
Wrapping it up
The following steps listed above are aligned together to help students get their task completed on time in order to attain high grades in the relevant discipline. However, it is still suggested that the students must avoid the practice of procrastination and should get their work completed on time which saves them from the trouble pertaining to submission of their essay. In case, due to the immense pressure faced you can connect the professional essay writers online to take you out of this situation with just a click.
Just a click and access to million things is just a glimpse of how technology has eased our life particularly the learning process. The intervention of technology has simplified the teaching and learning procedure, which sometime back were considered complicated and complex. The phrase “learning by doing”, has been coined because of the application of technology in the education sector. However, still, some individuals possess distinctive perspective relating to the technological emergence in academics. It is considered as a revolutionizing step which continues to impact the educational sector positively, some of which are mentioned below:
• Instant access
In this instantaneous world, technology has provided the education institutes with the fast-paced world through instant connection and access to match with the increasing demands. This access provides them information that goes beyond their school textbook. Within seconds, they get access to digital encyclopedias and the sources where every section and information is updated in seconds. The students also don’t have to carry the baggage of their course book as smart technology has paved its way in institutes. The teachers are also integrating the online learning activities within the classroom to provide essay help for student in their paper. Students under the guidance of the facilitator learn to conduct quality research.
• Motivates learners
Technological tool use in the classroom is flourishing. Students are more eager and enthusiastic to make use of technology in their learning. Various simulation and gaming practices are made available to students where they experience stressors which are to be faced in a real situation. The schools which cannot bear the cost or resources for sending students to actual students can now make them experience it within the school. It has also been concluded through various studies that student’s retention of the information has increased with the use of technology. The tech generation is made future ready by these experiences.
• Collaborative learning
Social media is termed as the showstopper in the technological world. It has opened doors to various opportunities to students for forming collaborations. Various groups are created, on which the information or message is circulated, projects are discussed, questions are asked and a lot more. The students can also submit their assignments online to their students, where various technological provisioned software are used for determining the originality of context to test the student understanding. Teachers and students across borders can connect to discuss the new techniques and way which are making the learning procedure effective and efficient.
• Personalized lectures
Use of smart technology in the classroom has benefited teachers and students alike. Teacher thorough it devises topics and interactive lessons to disseminate the information in an effective way. With technology, they aid in their student learning by using tools such as website, apps, videos and more, so that no disparity remains in their understanding. Personalization of the lectures has made students more willing to reach out to their facilitators for their academic endeavors.
• Facilitates special-needs students
The teaching of special-needs students which was previously considered a great challenge has now become easy. The development of the learning devices has aided them in overcoming their learning disabilities. The tools that are used by the facilitator include the speech recognition devices, tools for screen reading, sound amplifiers, and video conferencing for sign language and physically impaired students. The introduction of e-book and eye-gaze tools has also assisted the physically handicapped students as they don’t have to rely on anyone else for turning the textbook page, nor they have to carry a huge burden of the textbook which added more challenged to their already challenged educational expedition.
• Makes the future ready
Adaptation of technology in the classroom develops their technological understanding. This understanding serves as the basis for their employment as employers hire individuals who have technological competence. It also makes them critically question the facilitator of the various aspects of technology along with independent work assignments as well as making them proficient in cross-technological use. Through this technology, the student can also reach out to their desired company or employe, where they seek a job opportunity.
Sum up:
The long and tedious learning process has now made more effective and efficient. Thanks to technology, students can access their desired information 24/7. It forms a collaboration with the associated parties, motivates them, encourages them, and paves their path towards success.
Corruption is a familiar phenomenon for people in developing countries, ruled by corrupt politicians motivated only by greed and self-interest. Pakistan is one of those countries. However, the Education sector seems to be the worst affected from corrupt practices. In Pakistan, one fails to find a single department or institution that is free from the plague of corruption.
The quality of education in Pakistan has been declining for some time now, and it appears that all of the factors responsible for its loathsome condition stem from corruption! Our literacy rate has gone down from 60% to 58%, while the number of children out of school in Pakistan is second only to Nigeria.
If we intend at solving this problem, we need to identify the black sheep in our education system who are to be blamed for it.
Here are some of the chief causes of corruption in Education in Pakistan:
1- Political Appointments:
Even though, teachers are being increasingly hired through the National testing service, the political appointments are rampant. Many a times, the chancellors of higher education institutes are still given top positions in lieu of their affiliation or ties with the ruling party.
2- Ghost schools/teachers:
Ghost schools refer to such schools that exist but only on paper. Such schools have no actual presence, no teachers and no students and yet keep receiving the funding. This funding goes in the pockets of the higher officials of the education department who run such scams in collaboration with political accomplices. This phenomenon is quite prevalent in Pakistan. The same goes with the ghost teachers. According to reports, in Baluchistan alone there are 10,000 ghost teachers who receive their salaries on monthly basis, but do not go to the schools to teach. On the other hand, at least 52 ghost schools have been uncovered in Sindh.
3- Low Budget Allocation:
The budget allocation in Pakistan has always been incredibly low as compared to the allocation of other sectors such as defense or health. Pakistan spends way less on education than the other countries of the world. As a percent of GDP, Pakistan’s allocation for education was just over 2.5% for the year 2018-19.
Due to this low budget, the government has to rely on foreign aid or grants to support educational programs, which creates much room for embezzlements. For instance, USAID and UN programs have pumped billions of dollars in Pakistan to support education initiatives but Pakistan has little to show for it, since most of the money received gets wasted through corruption.
4- Lack of Government interest:
Government hardly ever shows commitment towards fighting corruption in education. There seems to be a lack of political will on the government’s part.
5- Obsolete examination system:
The system by which examinations are conducted at the primary and secondary level is such that, it paves way for corruption. Many a times, papers get leaked online, while other times invigilators are caught receiving bribes from students in exchange for letting them cheat. A robust, efficient and modernized examination system is needed to solve this problem.
6- Lack of technological advancement:
The governmental education boards still seem to be stuck in the 80s and haven’t yet been computerized. Students have to wait for hours outside the board offices to get their metric/inter certificates or other important documents. This highly inept system, creates room for bribery instead of eliminating it.
7- Low salaries of teachers:
Despite gradual increase in education budget over the years, the government has kept the salaries of teachers very low. On top of that, many a times they are not paid on time, months in a row forcing them to come out on streets protesting to get their salaries. As a result, many government teachers resort to illicit activities such as revealing the paper to students ahead of the examinations, which accounts for corruption.
8- Mega schemes:
Many of the government initiatives for education have been introduced merely as a means to gain popularity and increase vote bank rather than the improvement education itself. Therefore, many schemes like laptop and Danish schools turned out to be scams where corruption of billions was carried out. Unless government starts introducing robust and realistic measures to increase literacy rate, the situation wouldn’t improve and such gimmicks could only be the cause of more corruption in education.
Unless, the government becomes serious in tackling the root causes of corruption and coming at them with full force, the problem will persist and with time corruption will only increase, resulting in a further decline in the quality of education as well as literacy rate in Pakistan.
Pakistan continues to go through an energy crises which has only become more severe from time to time. It is not just slowing down the economy but making life hell for the majority of the citizens. The energy needs of Pakistan are around 15,000 to 20000 MW per day, however currently it is creating only around 11,500 MW, rendering a shortage of 4000 to 9000 MW per day.
With time, situation may have improved with the inauguration of many new projects and power plants, however the overall problem remains the same.
Here are some of the causes, effects, and solution to the energy crises faced by Pakistan:
Causes:
• Inefficient Power Plants:
Part of the reason, shortfall exists is inefficient and outdated power plants that are unable to generate electricity that meets the national demand. Moreover, due to cash crunch the plants are unable to operate at the optimum capacity, since they don’t have enough funds to buy the necessary amount of furnace oil.
• Electricity Theft:
Electricity theft can be termed as the mother of all evils causing the energy crises. The inefficiencies of the transmission and distribution system, cause this theft to take place, increasing the cost of supplying electricity. Instead of curbing this, the supply companies simply shift the burden of cost to the paying customers. A staggering Rs12.35bn worth of losses were reported owing to electricity theft in the Punjab area, whereas Rs16.5bn in Sindh contributing to a total of Rs59.174b throughout Pakistan.
• Lack of Dams:
Currently, the bulk of electricity being supplied comes from the hydroelectric plants and IPPs, both of whom heavily depend upon the availability of water in the dams. Therefore, whenever the water levels drop low, so does the electricity’s supply. Pakistan’s failure to construct a major dam after Tarbellawhich was in the seventies, has greatly exacerbated the problem. Just a few months ago, the water management authority – WAPDA announced that water capacity had fallen to 30%.
Effects:
• Public Unrest:
Prolonged outages of electricity as well as gas result in public unrest on a mass level creating chaos. This chaos then manifests itself into citizens coming out on streets and disturbing the law and order situation. Many such incidents have occurred, where outraged citizens caused loss of property as well as halting the economic activity. Moreover, many times students are unable to study for their exams.
• Economic Loss:
The capacity utilization which pertains to how much energy is utilized for production in factories, falls down to alarmingly low levels due to lack of energy, interruptions in supply. This renders Pakistan unable to export the surplus materials, forcing the country to import instead, resulting in the depletion of the foreign exchange reserves.
Moreover, the Independent Power Plants, that require exorbitant sums to create energy for the purpose of attenuating the shortfall, are also draining the resources of the country since they are operated by foreign companies. In the long run, this hampering of economic growth results in a low GDP.
• Poverty:
The closure of industry caused by energy failures results in the subsequent unemployment leading to high levels of poverty.In a country where already 30% of the population is living below the poverty line, this leads to further worsening of situation.
Solutions:
• Building more Dams:
It is high time that Pakistan invests in the construction of more dams, since the electricity demand is increasing every year and the current capacity of the dams is not enough in fulfilling that demand.
• Investing in Renewable Energy:
Only renewable energy can provide sustained, clean, pollution free and environment friendly electricity, which includes hydro power, wind energy, solar energy and tidal energy. Due to the advantages offered by renewable energy which includes low cost, the world has made great strides in shifting from conventional to renewable energy. However, Pakistan continues to heavily rely on furnace oil to produce electricity.
• Curbing Electricity Theft:
Electricity theft is the biggest impediment in the uninterrupted supply of electricity. Unless the government introduces large scale measures to curb this problem, by introducing strict penalties for the culprits, and getting them implemented, it will continue to be one of the major reasons contributing towards the energy crises. Such measures on the government’s part are the need of the day.
A personal statement is an important part of university applications. It is an opportunity for the applicants to show what makes them stand out. In 4000 words you need to tell your university of choice, what you have to offer. Hence, it needs to be infused with the utmost impressive writing skills you can muster. Here we have a number of personal statement tips that are sure to help out any student in this situation.
Create a draft minus the character counter
The first time you sit down to write your personal statement, do not pay heed to the word count. Let the words flow and write down everything you want to say. Once its all out, you can later crop and compress it to fit under the word limit.
Allow yourself some time
It is wiser not to rush the process. It is impossible to write a personal statement in a few hours. In some cases, it might take more than a day to finish. Relax your mind and let yourself think. You can even take a break, and then come back to the task with a fresh perspective.
Find words that express perfectly
It sounds more elegant and professional to use words that are not so common placed. Especially when you are writing to impress an academic institution. Be careful though, to not overdo it by inserting so many fancy words that it seems unauthentic.
Focus upon your strengths
Keep it in mind that through the personal statement you are proving yourself as the best candidate for the university. Write about your experiences, skills and your future goals. It is best not mention things that you didn’t end up accomplishing. Elaborate any achievements and discuss how they developed you as a learned individual.
Find an effective opening statement
Give real thought to how you are going to start. Beginning with something interesting, humorous, surprising or extraordinary certainly gives a good impression. But if you have to force yourself to write something like that then it will not get the expected results. Wait till you are truly inspired by a thought and then start working on it.
Write it in your own style
A personal statement should be all about expressing your own unique ideas and voice. To avoid unconsciously copying another person’s tone, do not read any personal statements prior to writing. It should not be following any set patterns or rules. Hence, you need to genuinely write from your own viewpoint.
Honesty is key
Do not add any false information about yourself in the statement. Unless you are fully adept in a skill it is better not to mention it. Accept yourself the way you are and express only that part on the page. Creating a false image would be the wrong way to go, and will form a bad impression in the long run.
Proofreading is important
It is essential to proofread the finished document yourself and then to ask others to do it. You can have more person than one to proofread it for you. Different people will give you different feedback which will only tend to make the final draft even better. However, also be careful in sorting out the discouraging advice from constructive one.
Read aloud
Read the finished draft aloud to friends and family. This will help you see any flaws that might not be evident through the writing process. Grammar mistakes or errors in sequence are easier to find this way.
Stop reading the statement after submission
Once you have sent in the application, its best not to read through it at least for a few months. Every time you read it you might start getting doubts about how its not good enough. Simply write in an honest way and express the real you. You will be sure to get in the university which is most suitable for your skills and abilities.
Students in need of more assistance can always hire academic writer services. Whether it is personal statements or any form of academic content we provide you with the best material. Our writers are reliable experts who collaborate with you to create content according to your requirements.
Hyvä Commerce just landed—here’s what we think.
Magento merchants are always looking for ways to simplify daily work and speed up delivery. Hyvä Commerce steps in with a new product suite built on Hyvä Theme, Hyvä Checkout, and Magento 2. It promises to improve how teams work inside Magento and how fast storefronts perform out of the box.
Our developers got early access and reviewed the code. Here’s what’s in, what’s coming, and what we’ve learned so far.
What is Hyvä Commerce (and why now)
Hyvä Commerce is a new product suite built on Magento 2, combining Hyvä Theme, Hyvä Checkout, and a growing set of tools designed to improve how merchants and developers work with the platform. It builds on the foundations of Magento, offering an intuitive way to manage content and simplify everyday admin tasks.
Here’s what’s currently included or in progress:
- A new CMS editor with live previews and lightweight content types
- Built-in image optimization tools
- An improved admin dashboard
- Hyvä Theme, UI, and Checkout included by default.
Where Hyvä Commerce fits in the Magento ecosystem
Hyvä Commerce is built on top of Magento 2 and works with both Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce. It’s designed to extend what’s already there, which means it fits with existing setups and supports gradual adoption.
PageBuilder remains fully supported. You can run Hyvä CMS on specific pages or blocks and keep the rest on PageBuilder without committing to a complete migration upfront.
For teams already using Hyvä Theme or Checkout, the upgrade path is straightforward. You can trade in your existing licenses and receive cashback toward a Hyvä Commerce subscription. And for others, it’s an opportunity to modernize the Magento experience without stepping outside the platform.
Who is Hyvä Commerce for?
From what we’ve tested, Hyvä Commerce is a strong fit for teams that want a simpler, faster way to work with Magento, without losing the platform’s flexibility. That includes:
- Merchants on Magento Open Source who want a more modern experience
- Teams already using Hyvä Theme or Checkout
- Agencies looking for faster, more intuitive ways to manage content.
It also serves mid-market and small-to-medium merchants who feel left behind as Adobe shifts its focus toward large enterprise clients. Hyvä Commerce fills that gap by offering a modern, cost-effective solution.
First Hyvä Commerce impressions from scandiweb’s team
We got early access to Hyvä Commerce and put it in front of our developers. We believe it’s shaping up to be a meaningful upgrade for merchants and developers.
Performance and usability upgrades are clear from the start. Content types are quicker to build, and the preview is accurate.
That said, it’s still early days. Several key features aren’t testable yet, and some parts of the codebase are still being built out.
If your store relies heavily on PageBuilder or custom content types, expect some migration work. Content created using the current Hyvä library won’t carry over automatically, so a transition plan is essential.
Still, the long-term potential is there. For teams who want Magento’s power without the friction, Hyvä Commerce is heading in the right direction.
Let’s break it down.
The new Hyvä CMS
The standout feature in Hyvä Commerce’s early access is the new CMS editor.
To be clear, this isn’t a PageBuilder replacement—you can run both editors in parallel and choose which one to use on each page or block. It gives teams flexibility instead of forcing a full migration.
So what’s new in Hyvä CMS?
- Real-time storefront preview—you see your edits exactly as they appear on the frontend
- Easy view switching—jump and preview how your content looks between devices, store views, or languages without refreshing
- Drafts and version control—you can save your work in progress without publishing it and revert changes with a few clicks
- Simplified content types—you can define everything in a single JSON file.
That said, content types built using scandiweb’s current Hyvä library don’t carry over. And more advanced logic, like conditional product assignment, isn’t available yet.
For now, it’s best suited for teams who want a faster, more modern way to build and manage content, and who are ready to put together a clear migration plan for existing components.
Media optimization
Hyvä Commerce introduces native media optimization features aimed at improving storefront performance and simplifying image handling across the board.
Hyvä Commerce introduces the following built-in tools:
- Automatic resizing based on usage context
- Format conversion (e.g. to WebP)
- Compression and quality adjustment
- Support at the upload stage and in code.
Although the feature is still in early development and not yet testable, the implementation looks promising. It’s a thoughtful addition that addresses real-world needs and gives teams more control over how images are handled across the site. Once fully released, it could be a valuable tool for improving performance scores and reducing page weight with less manual effort.
Image editing and dashboard tools (coming soon)
Two features included in the Hyvä Commerce roadmap are still in development, but they’re worth keeping an eye on, especially for merchant teams managing content regularly.
- Image Editor
A built-in image editor will allow quick edits directly from the Magento admin panel. Resize, crop, adjust quality, or add text without switching tools or opening a separate design program. It’s essentially a lightweight Photoshop baked into your workflow. Once available, it could streamline how teams handle visual content.
- Admin Dashboard
Hyvä is also introducing a customizable admin dashboard with ready-made widgets. The first one will track Core Web Vitals using CrUX data, giving teams instant visibility into site performance metrics without leaving the backend.
Magento (Adobe Commerce) 2.4.6 will be released on March 14, 2023. This new release promises to bring a host of new features and enhancements to the platform, making it even easier for merchants to run their online stores.
The release will include over 300 fixes and “significant performance and scalability enhancements.”
Support for PHP 8.2 will be introduced. PHP 8.1 will remain fully supported, but support for PHP 7.4 will be removed. You cannot run Magento 2.4.6 on PHP 7.4.
Magento 2.4.6 highlights
So what can you expect from the Magento (Adobe Commerce) 2.4.6 release?
Security enhancements
- 8 security fixes and platform security improvements
- reCAPTCHA validation will no longer fail during checkout when unexpected errors occur during payment processing
Platform enhancements
- PHP 8.2 is supported and PHP 8.1 will continue to work
- Support for PHP 7.4 is removed—Magento 2.4.6 will not run on PHP 7.4
- Composer 2.2.x and ElasticSearch 8.x are supported
- Redis 7.0.x is supported—Redis 6.2 remains compatible but will reach end of service in April 2024
- OpenSearch becomes the default search engine for Adobe Commerce on-premise and cloud installations; it is supported as an independent search engine for Magento Open Source
- Support for MariaDB (LTS version) remains, but upgrading to MariaDB 10.6 is recommended
- The DHL scheme is migrated from v6.2 to v10.0
- Outdated JavaScript libraries are updated to the latest versions and outdated dependencies are removed—they remain backward compatible
Performance and scalability enhancements
- Processing time is reduced when performing operations involving >100 customers segments when the Real-time Check if Customer is Matched by Segment setting is disabled
- Product grid performance is improved when the Limit Number of Products in Grid configuration setting is enabled
- Import performance is improved, allowing for imports of up to 100,000 records per minute
- Order processing performance is improved through load balancing
Accessibility updates
- The storefront experience on Venia (PWA) is made “more perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust”
- Descriptive accessible names are added to all buttons on the storefront
- All storefront functionality is made accessible to keyboard-only users
New B2B feature
- The Purchase Order for Companies feature is made available via the GraphQL API
- Multiple bug fixes
New Braintree features
- Pay Later buttons and banners are enabled for Italy and Spain
- PayLater messaging is enabled for PayPal Vault
- Fraud Protection, ACH, and LPM (Local Payment Methods) web hooks are added
GraphQL performance enhancements
- Response time is improved for queries involving categories with category permissions enabled
- Category tree rendering in GraphQL is optimized—customers with large number of categories will benefit the most
- Query response time for bulk cart operations is reduced (when adding up to 500 simple and configurable products)
Page Builder compatibility
- Page Builder v.1.7.3 is supported in Magento 2.4.6
PWA Studio compatibility
- PWA Studio v.13.0.x is supported in Magento 2.4.6
Here’s the official Magento (Adobe Commerce) 2.4.6 release notes.
Magento 2.4.6 fixed issues
Hundreds of issues have been fixed in Magento (Adobe Commerce) 2.4.6. The following are just a sample of those issues:
- Static content deployment timeout error during standard or compact deployments with different websites and locales
- Proceed to Checkout, Review Order, and Place Order buttons at checkout not working
- Screen readers’ failure to read the correct image description on the order history page
- Error when Quick Order is used to add products and available inventory is less than the quantity indicated
- Overriding other store views’ data when updating bundle products via API for a specific store view
- JavaScript console error when product quantity is more than the configured limit during a multi-shipping checkout—an informative error message is displayed instead
- Compare Products list feature not working correctly in a multi-website installation
Should you upgrade to Magento 2.4.6?
Magento (Adobe Commerce) 2.4.6 comes with new features, enhancements, and updates that make the platform more secure and stable while allowing you to run your eCommerce store more effectively and efficiently. So, yes, you should definitely upgrade to Magento 2.4.6.
Take note, however, that new releases may contain backward-incompatible changes (BICs). Hence, it’s important that you review these changes before proceeding to upgrade your store. Ensuring that third-party modules continue to work after an upgrade is crucial to avoiding any negative impact on your eCommerce operations.