IT was disturbing to read the article, ‘Ahlan Wasahlan, Al Bakistan!’ by Sheharyar Rizwan (Images, March 23). According to the writer, many people in various cities of Punjab have switched over from the officially-specified number plates for their cars and motorcycles to ones which have the words ‘Al Bakistan’ and even ‘Al Bunjab’ written on them.

It seems that some people, either in their zeal to appear different, or to look more Arab and better Muslims, seem to forget the meaning of Pakistan and Punjab. As we all know what Pak is, and that Pakistan means ‘The land of the pure,’ while Punjab means ‘The land of five rivers.’

On the contrary, the word Bak, or more correctly Baak, which exists both in Persian and Urdu, means der, khauf, andeisha, according to my Urdu dictionary, Feroz-ul-Lughaat, which may be translated as fear and worry. Thus, Al-Bakistan would mean ‘The land of fear’. Given the current state of affairs created by terrorism, it incidentally happens to be applicable in this sense, but not as a proper replacement for the country’s name. Al Bunjab has no meaning at all and fails to convey the five rivers’ background.

The Chief Minister of Punjab and the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court are requested to take notice of this spoilage of names of our dear country and its largest province and declare it illegal.

K. Chaudhry
Karachi