Manhaz Rahman’s memoirs hits stands

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Veteran journalist and women’s right activist Mahnaz Rahman’s memoirs titled ‘Love, Life and the Left’ has arrived. It is being acclaimed as an intimate epic about falling in love, making homes and dreaming revolutions. 

In the words of Senator Farhatullah Babar, the book Love, Life and the Left is more than a memoir. He considers it as a vivid journey through the personal and political history of Pakistan, which makes one ponder over the systemic decline of resistance in Pakistani politics, media and society. 

“Mahnaz Rahman recounts her eventful life lived at the intersection of love, politics & endurance and shines new light on the struggle of the Left in the country. With candour matched only by her grace and courage, Mahnaz Rahman traces her life through decades of activism, journalism and human rights advocacy, offering a deeply human portrait of resilience, dissent and hope,” 

Senator Farhatullah Babar, an engineer-turned-politician, wrote. Ammar Ali Jan reckons that Mahnaz Rahman’s life sheds light on the intimate entanglement between the passionate struggle for emancipation and the weight of tradition embodied in everyday norms, cultural practices, and one’s social position. Sifting through multiple identities, political hopes, passionate love and devastating defeats, the book shows what it means to hold onto principles in the midst of repression, strategic compromises, and outright betrayals. 

Shah Mohammad Marri has opined that the career of Mahnaz Rahman was defined by the courage of her writings and the clarity of her convictions and she remains a tireless guardian for women’s rights and the sanctity of the written word. 

“Written with daring honesty and truth it is both endearing and captivating. One can almost feel the pain as she relives the moments of making difficult decisions in life and love. She narrates her story but it is also the story of so many of us who lived and dreamt about the elusive revolution that would bring equality and justice to all individuals and create a peaceful, harmonious society,” Sheema Kirmani complimented. 

Anwer Sen Roy feels that Mehnaz’s memoirs provide solid and highly reliable testimony for the correction of history. “Every word of hers serves as historical evidence. This is because she was not merely a comrade; she was also the partner of a stern, uncompromising comrade, and the mother of a comrade’s children,” he observed. 

Born in Karachi on June 16, 1949, Mahnaz Rahman has been acclaimed as one of the most respected journalists and women's rights activists. She had earned the distinction of being the first female vice president of the Economics Society in the largest department at the University of Karachi. 

She started her professional journey by joining the magazine section of Daily Musawat in Karachi. Following its closure, she worked at Weekly Mahwar and later at Daily Amn. She stayed in China with her family for eight years. She wrote two regular columns, "Letters from China" for Daily Jang and "Letters from Beijing" for Weekly Akhbar-e-Jahan both of which were widely read. She also translated several works of Chinese literature into Urdu. In 1991, the Chinese government honoured her with the Friendship Award for her outstanding contributions to the country's economic and social progress. 

After returning to Pakistan, she worked with various NGOs and served nearly a couple of decades at the Aurat Foundation, including as its Resident Director Sindh. She is also an active member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). 

Mahnaz Rahman had presided over one of the sessions during the 2nd edition of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), produced by Jumbo Publishing, at the Habitt City in December 2025.

Miracle-man Moonis Alvi appointed GO Petroleum’s CEO

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The revered figure of Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, a chartered accountant, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited, also known as GO Petroleum. 

He has carved a niche across the power sector, infrastructure, capital markets, governance, and diversified industrial businesses during his illustrious career, spanning over 35 years. 

Moonis Alvi is credited to have spearheaded large-scale transformation, turnaround, regulatory, and growth mandates in some of Pakistan’s most challenging environments. He holds the distinction of being the K-Electric’s longest-serving CEO from 2018 to 2026. 

His journey at KE was centered on leading its post-privatization transformation across the full power value chain, generation, transmission, distribution, customer operations, regulation, finance, people, systems, and governance. 

The scale of this transformation included oversight of a workforce of approximately 13,000 people, monthly cash flows of over USD 150M, and major strategic initiatives including a USD 650M, 900 MW power plant, a USD 120M 500 KV to 220 KV grid and transmission line. 

Starting his professional career with KPMG, he later became a Fellow Chartered Accountant. Prior to his stint at KE, he worked as Group Director at Dewan Mushtaq Group, where he oversaw financing, restructuring, M&A, capital-market, and cross-border transaction initiatives across cement, automotive, textiles, sugar, and synthetic fibers.

His vast leadership experience of over three decades besides his visionary approach will certainly add value to his new employers, GO Petroleum, could capture bigger market share in his presence.

Usman Ahmed elected PSMA chairman

By Gul Nasreen

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Usman Ahmed of Gamalux Oleochemicals Limited, Karachi, has been elected as the chairman of the Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) while Abdullah Zaki of Zaki Industrial Corporation, Karachi, and Muhammad Aneeq of Yaqub Soap Factory (Pvt.) Ltd, Multan, have been elected as its Senior Vice Chairman and as Vice Chairman respectively. 

According to the information made avalable by the Association’s Secretary General, Syed Aijaz Ahmed, on September 21, the elections of the PSMA were held in accordance with the Trade Organization Rules 2013, as a result of which a new team of office-bearers and Managing Committee members has assumed charge for the next term of two years (2026-2028). 

The newly elected unopposed members of the Managing Committee for the term of 2026-2028 are M. Aneeq, Yaqub Soap Factory (Pvt.) Limited, Multan, Syed Shiblee Abdullah, ZIL Limited, Karachi, Sh. M. Ilyas Khurshid Soap & Chemicals Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., Hattar, Usman Ahmed, Gamalux Oleochemicals Limited, Karachi, M. Ali Zia, Mukhtar Soap & Oleo Chemicals, Karachi, Abdullah Zaki, Zaki Industrial Corporation, Karachi, Raza Naseem, Fine Daily (Pvt.) Limited, Karachi, Mian M. Adrees, Sitara Chemical Industries Limited, Faisalabad, Abdul Samad Punjani, S. S. Detergents Industries, Hyderabad, Tariq Amin Safdar, Pears (Pvt.) Limited, Karachi, M. Ahmad Yasin, Nawab & Sons, Faisalabad, and Wasim Ahmed, Daily Chemicals (SMC-Pvt) Limited, Multan.

Aziz Memon’s felicitations on Malaysia Day

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aziz Memon, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist from Pakistan, has felicitated the Malaysians on the occasion of Malaysia Day 2026, being celebrated September 16 to mark the 63rd anniversary of their federation's establishment. 

“Today, we celebrate unity, diversity and shared hopes for a stronger Malaysia. Merdeka, Malaysia!” Aziz Memon, who also happens to be the Honorary Consul General of Suriname in Karachi, declared in his official message. 

“I have had fond memories of Malaysia. They have proved to be good friends and worthy businesses partners,” Aziz Memon, Co-founder of Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL), remarked in a brief conversation with PNFS. 

It may be mentioned here that the Malaysia Day became nationwide public holiday on September 16 in 2010 while their Independence Day (Hari Merdeka) is celebrated on August 31.

Aziz Memon heading newly launched WHO Pakistan Council for partnership with public, private sectors

By Dr Beenish Khalid

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The globally respected figure of Aziz Memon has been entrusted with yet other key responsibility to head the newly launched World Health Organization (WHO) Pakistan Council for partnership with public and private sectors. 

The council was launched jointly by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Larry Lunsford, President-Elect, Rotary International, Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan, and Aziz Memon himself in Karachi on July 29. 

The presence of such high-profile personalities reflected the significance attached to the Council, at the highest levels of WHO and of the global Rotary movement, as a pioneering model of national leadership for health. The launch marked its formal establishment and the beginning of their collective work, anchored in Pakistan's own national health priorities and guided by sound governance and the standards that WHO brings as a partner.

“Let me tell you something I have learned over a lifetime. I have spent decades in business, building, competing, succeeding, and failing, and learning. But I want to speak to you about a different ledger, the one I have kept through Rotary for most of my life. Over these decades, I have given what I could: my money, yes, but more than that, my time, my voice, and my name. To the fight against polio, and well beyond it: to the health of mothers and children, to clean water, to education, and to communities in need across this country,” Aziz Memon remarked in his speech on the occasion. 

“And let me tell you plainly what that ledger shows. Nothing I have built in business has returned to me what this work has. I have watched children walk who would not have walked. I have seen mothers weep with relief at a doorstep. I have seen what a well, a school, or a clinic does to a village. This is the best investment of my life, and I say that as a businessman who knows his numbers,” he added. 

“These years also taught me what partnership really means. I have watched the WHO teams at work not only against polio, where this country has come back from thousands of cases a year to a handful, but in flood-hit districts, in nutrition wards, in immunization drives, and in the quiet work of building health systems that last,” Aziz Memon, who is also the National Chair of Pakistan PolioPlus Committee, acknowledged. 

“This Council will stand on that same breadth. Polio may be our proudest fight, but our canvas is the whole of health: safe motherhood, well-fed children, protected communities, and hospitals and clinics this nation can rely on. That is the spirit I bring to this chair,” he declared. 

“So, when Dr Luo and Mohamed came to Karachi last year with an idea, they thought they would need to convince me. They did not. The idea was right, and the moment was right: a platform where Pakistan's business leadership takes its rightful place in the health of its own people, with the WHO as our trusted partner. I said yes before they finished,” Aziz Memon disclosed. 

“And then I began to call you. My friends, my peers, even my competitors. Here is what moved me most: not one of you asked what you would get. You asked what was needed. Within days, you answered. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the leadership Pakistan is capable of. Look at who sits in this room: leaders from industry, banking, pharmaceuticals, textiles, technology, and philanthropy, from every corner of this economy. Each of you built something from conviction and discipline. This Council asks you to build with those same tools, one more time, for something no balance sheet can hold,” he concluded.

Arif Afzal Usmani shares his enthralling story of perseverance in KPC reception

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Enduring ups and downs of the highest order, journalist Arif Afzal Usmani, having fought his way for more than four decades to stay afloat and be counted as one of the respected names in the media industry, was formally recognized by Karachi Press Club (KPC), for the first time, on August 20. 

As declared in his remarks on the occasion, he felt elated by the honour bestowed upon him by the KPC whose top office-bearers were present to greet him at the boardroom where more than 30 members and guests, mostly his former colleagues and acquaintances, listened attentively. 

It was in the fitness of things that one of his closest contemporaries, Ehsan Qureshi, a former sports editor of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), and a former two-times Joint Secretary of the KPC, conducted the proceedings very professionally as he seemed to be knowing everyone present in the session rather well. 

While shedding light on the journey of Arif Afzal, he recalled the overwhelming contribution of the legendary broadcaster, Azeem Sarwar, who had mentored both of them besides numerous other youngsters who went on to succeed in sports journalism in the later years. 

Both, Arif Afzal and Ehsan Qureshi, holding the distinction of being a part of the inaugural episode of the Azeem Sarwar-classic, Aalami Sports Round Up, which went on air on the national hook-up of Radio Pakistan for the first time in June 1985. It duly became a blockbuster, breaking all previous records of listenership in Pakistan. 

Arif Afzal, now living in a posh locality of New Jersey, did not shy away from sharing that he hailed from a middle-class family of Landhi in Karachi and he had to work extremely hard to earn make ends meet. He cherished his first cheque at Radio Pakistan, which was worth Rs 50 as well as the maiden payment of Rs 25 received for his maiden article published in Daily Hurriyet. 

He disclosed about the theft of his motorbike in the late 1980s which, in the heat of the moment, left him heartbroken and he did not consider the country livable anymore although the magazine he brought out by the Club Cricket was faring very well in the market those days. 

Unable to find the suitable food of his choice, he spoke about his starvation for a few days, after landing in the United States for the first time. By his own admission, he had to wage a struggle to find a foothold in the bustling city of New York. He did not lose hope and continued to fuel his passion for writing even when doing different kind of jobs for earning livelihood. 

As many of his colleagues and friends would testify, Arif Afzal is credited to have continued working with missionary zeal despite the occasional setbacks. He has been an honest trier all along. He has not been afraid to experiment, having survived failures. Asia Tribune, a newspaper he bought 16 years ago, could still be seen and read online every day. 

Having relocated to the US more than 35 years ago, Arif Afzal expressed the desire to return to the home country for good, provided his better half, a dietician by profession, concurred.

Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari’s demise marks end of an era in Pakistan librarianship

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, one of the founding fathers of library science in Pakistan, is no more. According to the sources, quoting his family, he breathed his last in the United States of America (USA) on August 8 at the age of 90. 

His demise marks the end of an era in Pakistan librarianship. He made monumental contribution in the country’s academic history as a pioneering scholar, educator, and visionary. He was credited to have dedicated more than six decades to structure and professionalize the landscape of Library and Information Science (LIS) in Pakistan. 

Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari had served as a key early faculty member before becoming Chairman of the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Karachi, where he succeeded in shaping the careers of multiple generations of librarians. 

He founded the Library Promotion Bureau (LPB) at Karachi in August 1966. The bureau, which celebrated its golden jubilee with fanfare in 2016, appeared to have lost its momentum soon afterwards. The LPB published Urdu-language textbooks on library science besides providing resources to researchers. 

He had launched the Pakistan Library Bulletin in 1968 which was later renamed as the Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal (PLISJ). It became an internationally recognized journal which was also approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He served as its Chief Editor for more than 50 years. 

Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari authored and compiled dozens of standard textbooks, directories, and professional guides. His highly cited early works included the Pakistan Book Trade Directory of 1966 and Who's Who in Librarianship in Pakistan whose first edition was published in 1969. 

Upon retirement from the long stint of service in Saudi Arabia, he had relocated in USA but he had made it a point to visit Pakistan every year. Unlike the majority of his contemporaries, he had lost none of his zeal or passion even in his advanced age as he frequently travelled to various cities to receive first-hand information about the profession of librarianship. 

Hailed as a man of character, Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari will be greatly missed and the vacuum he has left may be impossible to fill. Sadly, the LPB and the PLISJ, the two entities which were very to his heart, are unlikely to last in his non-presence.