Some make the pilgrimage to pay homage to the great sufi saint while others travel in search of spiritual fulfilment. Conspicuously absent this year was Hamid Akhund, the former culture secretary, and his clan of Karachi VIPs who are otherwise annual fixtures at the urs. Akhund, who was removed from his long-standing post a few months ago, has apparently been sidelined by his successor. It was partly due to this reason that some regular visitors to Bhit Shah seemed disappointed by this year's official arrangements. The last Refuge By M. Ilyas Khan Deprived of food and shelter, aid starved Afghan refugees are leading an inhuman existence on a 5000 - kanal stretch of land near Jolozai that is fast gaining notoriety as Pakistan's first concentration camp.
Misery knows no bounds in Afghanistan.
With the onset of the fighting season in April this year, more people are expected to leave their homes for destinations that are no longer hospitable. But the prospect of going back to Afghanistan is even more alarming to these refugees. They will never allow us to go back and start working the land again. As the guerrilla war continues, Chechen civilians are turning increasingly against the Russian occupation which has yet to bring about the kind of stability that was promised. While fighting may seem to be relatively low-key, Chechen anger is building up slowely but inexorably.