Barrister Sarah gifts painting for permanent display at central jail

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Barrister Sarah Asim Khan created a painting titled ‘Lady Justice of the ATC Bar in Karachi’ which has now been gifted by her for permanent display in the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) Bar Room at Central Jail, Karachi. 

In the presentation ceremony, Barrister Sarah handed over her painting to the General Secretary of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), Advocate Rehman Korai. The KBA Joint Secretary, Advocate Imran Aziz, was also present on the occasion. 

The painting depicts Lady Justice wearing the Pakistani flag, featuring moon and star as well as Jasmine, the national flower of Pakistan. The painting is themed on cultural diplomacy.

Barrister Sarah, besides pursuing her career as a lawyer, is quite passionate about painting and she has already held a couple of exhibitions in which the creative effort was generously praised by dignitaries and other art lovers. 

Eminent journalists shed light on fake news in engaging discussion at Greenwich University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A few of the big names of the media industry candidly shared their views during a highly engaging panel discussion titled ‘Navigating Fake News in the Digital Era’ which was organized by the Department of Media, Art and Design at the DHA campus of Greenwich University on May 22. 

The panelists, during the two sessions, which included the likes of Manzar Naqvi, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Mazhar Abbas, Mubashir Mir and Muhammad Nazakat Ali, enlightened the gathering with their thought-provoking narratives. 

The moderators, Iqbal Jamil and Dr Sundus Basharat Ahmad, handled the team of leading journalists, editors, and media professionals impressively as they addressed the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the current digital landscape. 

The event drew a large audience comprising students, scholars, and media practitioners who participated in meaningful discussions on journalistic ethics, digital literacy, and the evolving responsibilities of the media at the university auditorium. 

The panel discussion was divided into two insightful sessions. Moderated by Dr Sundus Basharat Ahmad, Assistant Professor and Programme Manager, International Relations, at DHA Suffa University, the panel featured Mazhar Abbas, Senior Journalist and Columnist, Geo News and Daily Jang, Mubashir Mir, Senior Journalist, Analyst, and Resident Editor, Daily Pakistan, Tariq Moin Siddiqui, Bureau Chief, Geo News, and Syeda Hoor Shumail, Editor-in-Chief, Pakistan State Time. 

The session focused on the rapid spread of misinformation and emphasized the ethical obligations of media professionals to ensure fact-based, impartial, and transparent reporting. It was also explained how the media outlets were bound to take the word of the authorities in certain matters like war between countries. 

Veteran broadcast journalist, Iqbal Jamil, moderated the other session which explored the role of digital journalism and media literacy in combating fake news. 

The panelists included Manzar Naqvi, Editor-in-Chief, The Financial Daily, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Author, Journalist, Blogger, and Analyst, Muhammad Nazakat Ali, Chief Editor, KarachiObserver.com, and Ali Asghar, Senior Journalist, PTV. 

The learned speakers shared real-world examples and stressed the need for robust strategies to identify and counter fake news on social media and other digital platforms. They called for enhanced media literacy and joint efforts by media institutions, academia, and civil society to cultivate critical thinking and ensure information integrity. 

It was highlighted that people in general were getting reluctant to believe the information coming from digital media until the same was being reported by a credible source like established newspapers. 

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which the participants were allowed to engage directly with the panelists. A few probing questions were also asked which were dealt coolly and logically. 

In closing remarks, Iqbal Jamil, along with Dr Uzma Qazi and Dr Sabir Ahmed of Greenwich University, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting responsible journalism and announced plans to continue hosting similar initiatives to support ethical media practices.

The panel discussion on such a relevant and burning issue was indeed a wonderful initiative on part of Greenwich University and their students generally felt enlightened and educated after attending it.

Khalid Mahmood, Nazakat Ali enlighten audience on blogging, digital media

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Syed Khalid Mahmood and Muhammad Nazakat Ali enlightened the august gathering of jurists, journalists, scholars, teachers and students about the popular subjects of blogging and digital media during one of the panel discussions organized by the Karachi Editors Club (KEC) at the Iqra University, Karachi, as part of World Press Freedom Day celebrations on May 3. 

The seminar entitled Media Justice comprised of five different panel discussions, which lasted about an hour each, engaging the participants with lively interactive sessions where the learned panelists replied to the probing questions in convincing manner. 

Mubashir Mir, President, KEC, delivered a thought-provoking introductory address while Professor Rashid Akbar, Head of Media Sciences department at Iqra University, formally welcomed the guests and dignitaries present on the occasion. 

Barrister Shahida Jamil, Senator Nehal Hashmi and Zia Awan, a Supreme court lawyer and activist, stole the limelight in the opening session which was about the role of media and judiciary. 

The proceedings were enlivened in the second session as the trio of Syed Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Nazakat Ali and Syeda Hoor Shumail appeared on the stage for session on digital media. 

Khalid Mahmood, a blogger for more than 17 years, updated the audience by briefly touching the history of blogging since its advent in the 1990s besides sharing his own experiences in candid manner. 

Nazakat Ali explained the phenomenal rise of digital editions of newspapers over the years while also mentioning about the decline in the print versions. He recounted how Karachi Observer, which was launched as a monthly magazine in 1988, switched over to its digital edition to become more accessible to its readers. 

Yaseen Azad, former President, Supreme Court Bar Association, highlighted the burning issues in the panel discussion on media laws and ethics, which was moderated by Mubashir Mir. 

Munawwar Mirza, a seasoned journalist, and Imtiaz Khan Faran, former President, Karachi Press Club, fearlessly shared their views in the interesting session on fake news, moderated by Iqbal Jamil of KEC. 

Manzar Naqvi, Secretary, KEC, moderated in the fifth and final session of the day in which educationists Dr Samreen Bari Aamir and Dr Sidra Ahmed were the panelists besides Irum Tanweer, Director General, Press Information Department, Karachi.

Finally, the dignitaries and the panellists joined in the KEC cake-cutting celebrations at the stage with its office-bearers. The KEC has turned nine and it has the plans to grow big in future.

Barrister Sarah proposes formation of committee for prevention of cruelty against animals

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Barrister Sarah Asim Khan has proposed the formation of a committee of lawyers and police liaison for the prevention of cruelty against animals in an effort to unite legal and law enforcement professionals to combat animal cruelty in all the divisions of Karachi. 

“Pakistan has made international commitments to improve animal welfare, notably through the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW), which emphasizes humane treatment and protection of animals. By expressing support for the UDAW, Pakistan aligns itself with global standards for animal rights,” she pointed out. 

“Locally, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1890 serves as the primary legislation, though it is outdated and inadequately enforced. Recent reforms in 2022, including a ban on animal testing and increased penalties for cruelty, mark significant progress in enhancing animal welfare laws. However, challenges remain, such as limited public awareness and insufficient enforcement mechanisms, necessitating ongoing efforts for comprehensive legislative updates and effective implementation,” Barrister Sarah remarked in the proposal. 

The objectives of the proposed committee of lawyers and police, according to her, included facilitating arrests, FIR registrations, and public exposure of offenders. 

“Let us collaborate with shelters for injured animals and raise awareness about animal rights in Islam and promote kindness towards animals in schools, mosques, and community centres,” she added. 

Barrister Sarah declared that the membership of the proposed committee will be open to all interested lawyers and police officers, with no limit on membership while a board will oversee operations, ensuring effective networking and resource utilization. 

“Nominal membership fees will cover administrative costs, while offenders will be liable for animal medical expenses. The jurisdiction of the committee will be all districts of Karachi,” she concluded.