Barrages are major river structures. During the last century there has been a marked increase in research activities all over the world including South Asian sub-continent in developing theories and practices concerning design and construction of river structures on permeable foundations. In South Asia a large number of barrages have been successfully constructed on these theories. A number of more such structures are planned. It is for this reason. The author has made an effort to present to the engineering profession a comprehensive work which is indeed a compendium of modern practice of planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of barrages in sufficient detail

One important responsibility of Oslamic ideology Council under Article 227(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is that it should make recommendations to the Government to bring the laws in force in the country to accord with the Islamic Injunctions codified in the Quran and Sunnah. Praise be to Allah that the Council has been performing this duty fully well from the day of its inception. Till mow, it has entrusted to the Government drafts of necessary amendments about 351 Federal and 206 Provincial laws

A Panel of Economists and Bankers was appoited by the Council of Islamic Ideology in November, 1977 to assist it in its work related to the remodellling of the economic and financial system of the country in conformity with the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. In accordance with the priorities set by the Council, the Panel devoted itself in the first phase of its work to evolving a framework for introduction of Zakat and Ushr in the country and submitted its Report to the Council in this regard in March, 1978. In the next phase, the Panel directed its attention to the issues and problems involved in eliminating interest from the economy and the mechanics of evolving an alternative system conforming to Sharia that should at the same time be fully capable of meeting the requirements of the contemporary situation

The Report is a product of the combined efforts of the experts in economics and banking and those of the Shari ah. This Report, besides Introduction consists of 5 Chapters with a Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations at the end. In the introductory Chapter, the Report discusses the nature and the nationale of the prohibition of riba in Islam. The first Chapter entitled "Issues, Problems and Strategy" deals exhaustively with practical considerations in applying the profit/loss sharing system, other possible devices for replacing interest and safeguards for the success of the new system. The second Chapter discusses in detail the mechanisms for the elimination of interest from the operations of the commercial banks

Culture is the spirit of a nation and the mark of its identity. It is an essential pillar in the founding of nations and their progress. Every nation has its own culture from which it derives its elements, components and attributes, by which it is characterized and to which it belongs. Every society has its own culture that characterizes it, and each culture has its own features and characteristics. Human history has known many a culture: Greek, Roman, Hellenic, Indian, ancient Egyptian, and Persian. When the Arabs held the reins of thought and culture in their hand for the whole of humanity during the seventh century A.D., a remarkable position which they occupied until the fifteenth century, the world witnessed the Arab-Islamic culture as its apogee

One of the cardinal issues engrossing prominent scholars and intellectuals and focusing the attention of prospective studies specialists as well as all those concerned with the fate of civilizational race on all levels is inter-religious coexistence. Such engrossment is ascribed to the intricate nature of the subject, as it ramifies into complex issues and generates formidable challenges that, for the most part, go beyond the religious, civilizational and cultural scope, posing broader questions pertaining to thought and opinion at large

The relationship between heritage and identity is a subject that is becoming increasingly important amid the growing risks arising from a globalization that is eroding people s cultural and civilizational specificities, as well as from the incessant international changes impacting ideas, perceptions, opinions and positions expressed by human cultures and civilizations, however their multiple backgrounds and diverse sources. This is particularly true at this critical moment in human history where identities run the risk of melting in the dominant sweeping identity

The Islamic civilization epitomizes both the treasure and the shelter. It is the treasure, given its copious contribution, over ages, in the promotion of science, literature, crafts, and arts, but it is also the shelter and the safe haven securing protection of the Nation s identity and values, and ensuring proper impetus for renovation and creativity, safeguarding, all the while, the Islamic entity and preserving it against all forms of alienation and deviation. Indeed, research on the Islamic civilization is boundless. This civilization is an open- end subject that can never be exhausted by study