KLA Overseas Coordinator meets eminent Canadian legislators

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Overseas Coordinator of the Karachi Librarian Association (KLA), Muhammad Younis Hashmi, actively engaged in the promotion of librarianship, recently met eminent Canadian legislators which included Douglas Robert Ford Jr, who has served as the 26th and current premier of Ontario since June 2018. Zee Hamid and Sammy Ijaz were also present on the occasion. 

Ford Jr has been leader of the Progressive Conservative Party since March 2018. He represents the Toronto riding of Etobicoke North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is being hailed as Prime Ministerial candidate in the next elections of Canada. 

Zee Hamid, Member of Parliament, was elected to legislative Assembly Ontario in by-election on May 2, 2024. He represents the electoral district of Milton as a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. He was born in Karachi, Pakistan, while his family came from Bihar, India. Having immigrated to Canada as a teenager, he has a Bachelor of Mathematics and Computer Science degree from the University of Waterloo. 

Sammy Ijaz is one of the regional councillors of Milton. The 29-year-old had defeated a couple of sitting councillors in the Milton Council Race. He had won the contest for Ward 3 Regional Councillor with 38.13% of the vote, beating out 3-term incumbent Mike Cluett and 3-term town Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo. 

One of the founding members of KLA, Younis Hashmi, has relocated in Canada’s vibrant city of Milton, after having been a practicing librarian for more than four decades in his home country, working for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with distinction. He has also stayed in touch with political and social circles besides interacting with fellow professionals of his field.

Comrade Jamaluddin Bukhari remembered

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the late Comrade Jamaluddin Bukhari, who had struggled throughout his life for the cause of workers, haaris and other downtrodden segments of the society, at a function organized by Roshan Khayal Forum at Hyderabad Press Club. 

A host of speakers talked at length about his life and achievements besides throwing light on the struggles for less fortunate people of Sindh with special reference to the book authored by Syed Mukarram Sultan Bukhari on his illustrious father. 

The worthy speakers on the occasion included Mukarram Sultan Bukhari, Imdad Kazi, Dr Tausif Ahmed, Irfana Mallah, Jami Chandio, Prof Dr Riaz Shaikh from SZABIST, Sohail Sangi besides other progressive and intellectual personalities. 

They exhaustively recalled the socio-political contributions Comrade Jamaluddin Bukhari and the struggle waged throughout his life for the rights of haaris, workers, and labourers, having firm belief that extremism must be eliminated from the society. 

They showered him with praise for displaying enormous courage and fortitude throughout his life as he cared for people.

Known for calling a spade a spade, he kept highlighting the fact that the system of injustices was creating wedge among the masses and extremism should be brought to an end to ensure equal rights for everyone. 

During his 84-year eventful life, he spent as many as 21 years in prison as a punishment for his struggle for justice for downtrodden masses.

It was another befitting tribute to Comrade Jamaluddin Bukhari who is remembered from time to time after having left a legacy.

Benazir Bhutto Excellence Award instituted

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Larkanians, an association of old graduates of Larkana, has instituted the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Excellence Award to be presented to individuals of the city having earned laurels in various fields of life. 

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Larkanians held under the chairmanship of its founder and chief, Syed Munawwar Sultan Bukhari, at Larkana, on June 21. 

The meeting was held to pay glowing tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, on the occasion of her birth anniversary to recall her unmatched services for the country and its people both at the national and international levels. 

While offering prayers for the Shaheed Mohtarma, the meeting participants recalled the struggle waged by her in continuity of her great father Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, also a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, for downtrodden masses and the suppressed classes of people, against hunger and poverty and above all bringing fame to the country at various international levels. 

In the historic meeting, unanimous decision was taken that the award will, among others, presented to the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and the head of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardar,i for unwaveringly following the footsteps left by Shaheed Mohtarma. 

The awards will also be presented to Larkanians having rendered laudable services in armed forces, foreign affairs, judiciary and administrative fields besides media, sports, social welfare, human rights etc. The date of the award ceremony, to be held in Karachi, will be finalized in light of the availability of the recipients.

Dewan Motors launch electric cars in a glorious ceremony

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News and Features Services)

Way is paved for assembling and later gradual manufacturing of electric cars and bikes in Pakistan with the launching of electric cars by the Dewan Motors Limited (DML), a reputed name in the automobile sector, at a glorious launch ceremony at the Convention Centre of DHA Golf Club on June 4. 

The Chairman of Senate, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, also a former Prime Minister, was the guest of honour as hundreds of participants from various walks of life celebrated another remarkable achievement by Pakistan. 

Speaking on the occasion, he acknowledged and applauded the ground breaking initiative undertaken by the Yousuf Dewan Companies (YDC) in the automotive sector. 

“The establishment of a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly plant equipped with cutting-edge robotics technology, signifies the strength and capabilities of the company,” he remarked. 

He was confident that, based on its reputation and track record, the YDC will not only meet but exceed the expectations, paving the way for Pakistan to become a major player in the global automotive market. 

The Senate Chairman extended his support for the ecosystem being incorporated into the automotive industry, particularly the emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. 

“As we move towards a greener future, it is imperative that we prioritize eco-friendly practices and technologies,” he emphasized. 

He described the YDC’s commitment to this cause as commendable and sets a positive example for other industries to follow. 

“Indeed, the year 2024 marks the beginning of a new era in the automotive industry we applaud Chairman Dewan Yousuf and the YDC for taking the first bold step into this future,” he complimented. 

Earlier in his welcome address, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui announced the YDC collaboration with KIA of Korea and HORNI of China, two of the global leaders in the automotive and technology sectors respectively. 

“This partnership makes a significant milestone in our quest to revolutionize the automotive landscape and pave the way for a sustainable eco-friendly future. We are on the cusp of a transformative journey, one that will not only redefine Pakistan’s automotive industry but also prosper our nation towards a brighter and more sustainable future with the vision of an electric Pakistan-a Pakistan where innovation thrives, where economic growth is fueled by sustainable practices and where we lead the charge towards a greener tomorrow,” he elaborated. 

Dewan Yousuf stated that in the coming years, Pakistan will not only witness the assembly of small electric cars but also emerge as a key player in the global electric vehicle market. 

“We are laying the groundwork for a robust infrastructure that will support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles across the country. This includes the establishment of charging stations in strategically positioned throughout Pakistan. 

Dewan Yousuf shared that the YDC was building an entire ecosystem, from production to consumption with sustainability at its core. 

“We envision Pakistan as a hub for battery manufacturing, leveraging our resources and expertise to produce cutting-edge battery technology. This will not only reduce our reliance on imports but also create employment opportunities and foster technological innovation within our borders,” he hoped. 

He mentioned that first step towards the goal had already been taken by renewing their partnership with KIA and commencing the assembly of the Horni in Pakistan. Earlier the Senior Vice-President of KIA Corporation, IK Tae Kim, and Consul General of Korea, Yi Sung Ho, also spoke at length on the occasion. 

The memorable ceremony was largely attended by Ambassadors, Consul Generals, and dignitaries from financial institutions and stock exchange besides the movers and shakers from various sectors of automotive sector. 

On this occasion, two agreements were also signed for manufacturing batteries for electric cars and establishment of charging stations in Pakistan. 

Dewan Motors has launched Honri Ve, its first small electric vehicle (EV) with the collaboration of Eco-Green Motors Limited. The vehicle was revealed during the ceremony and the guests were allowed to inspect its different features.