Pakistani is exactly a race, but I challenge you to provide objective proof of that statement.

I can't and hence the pretty much as I was certain that I would be out intellected (is that even a word??) rather quickly!

Given that there seems little scientific agreement on the concept or boundaries of 'race', the best I will accept is 'heritage' or perhaps 'ancestry'.

Treating half the human race as insignificant property remains stone age thinking, no matter who's doing it.

It seems a very odd and inflammatory generalisation to make, knowing that you have nothing to back it up. It's not about intellect, it's just about common sense.

But I do have something to back it up, the report from a respected Muslim, and I suspect a man with heritage from the or near to the area in question, who is also a prominent figure in most of the nastiest things that go on with people to whom he can relate most closely - Nazir Afzal.

Common sense was used, I can find many things to back up the oppression of women in Pakistan. There was nothing odd about it, it would have been inflammatory if it was aimed at the populous in general but again it was given in the context of an explanation for actions.

Are you practicing to be a British journalist JC, as you have clearly removed both the light heartedness and the context from my comment.

It looked to me as though you were saying that Pakistani men in general have a fetish for power over women, which was why I was a bit taken aback. If that's not what you meant then fair enough. If it is, then it's not a very light-hearted accusation (to my mind...)

The line you quoted was light hearted.

It's great how meanings of words get lost in textation, without a face or a vocal tone we have to decide what the intent is of the typee (yet anther word that doesn't exist but should, yet we see twerk in the fappin' dictionary).

And indeed "fap"...

Point taken, BM, apologies for taking it too seriously. We have a lot of Pakistani friends and MrsC used to work as head of diaspora comms for the FCO for Pakistan (and briefly Afghanistan), so I'm a bit touchy about people sticking the boot in, as they often do!

Did anyone see this?

4od - Pakistan's Hidden Shame

Defend that if you will.

I don't think anyone is denying that there is a problem with some men in Pakistan. But then there is a problem with some men in all societies.

What they are denying is that it is a problem with all Pakistani men, or that there is a problem with all Muslim men.

Precisely, Pete. I notice that Daniel was entirely silent in response to the Guardian article that doesn't share his world view.
Exploitation happens everywhere and is especially prevalent in areas suffering from poverty. It explicitly is not a problem by those who genuinely follow Islam any more than paedophilia plays a legitimate role in Catholicism.

Don't sweat it Jim, I work with people from kashmir, punjab area and Sri Lanka. They are all as horrified as the rest of us but admit it happens. One guy I work with vowed never to go back to Pakistan again, although proud of his family heritage he says 'bradfords mi 'ome innit'.

Another gang at it . Hope they are found guilty and deported into outer space ? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...urns-abuse.html

Why are these people not treated like the pheadophiles they are??
It's always trafficking, abuse etc but never as sex with a child. They're nearly always children, look at all the celebs that are hammered for much less.

One for Jim:
I don't know why people keep getting worked up about immigration..

All my neighbours are English
All the kids in the local school are English
All the local shops are owned and run by English people

I love it here in Spain.

Well, our neighbours are all Spanish, although we know plenty of British people (Scots and Welsh included)
About 10 of the kids in the local school are English-speaking (being Norwegian, Russian, American, etc)
None of the local shops are English owned (though we can get British products if we want).

There are more Ecuadorians, Moroccans and Romanians in Spain than Brits.

And yet everyone seems really chilled. Go figure.

OK. So I played on a stereotype, but it does make a point in the context of the thread.

I must admit I'm quite jealous of your bravery, my wife wants me to be an accountant in the uae, but I don't have the balls to do it.

What are you scared of?

A 4 year old, a 9 year old and a 12 year old.

If it was just me, or me +1 then fine. To up root children, for the younger ones not to be "British" but a multi national - I dunno, maybe I'm making excuses..... My wife's 100% up.for it. Rak is like a home from home!

Jimbo, you're up late to say it's the end of the Weekend!

The two little ones isn't so bad but school fees in secondary education is pretty damned expensive. I wouldn't worry so much about the schooling, you can choose what curriculum you like and put them in that school so a UK school has UK teachers and teach to the British curriculum. They will receive a better education here than at home.

Send me a PM if you want more info.

I've heard good things about alot of it, apart from the bills! I know some employers sponsor (if that's the right term) upto and including all children through school but alot is position dependant.
We've been thinking / talking about it for about 18 months now, I just can't seem to pull that last bit of enthusiasm out to just do it!

Thanks for the PM offer, I may take that up!