Another Feast of Colours at Karachi’s Canvas Art Gallery

Jumbo Editorial Team

 The Canvas Art Gallery, leading the way in the promotion of arts and artists, has become the talk of the town by hosting yet another group exhibition in Karachi which has been described as a Feast of Colours which will continue until August 8.

The artists whose work is on display include, among others, the likes of Bashir Mirza, Gulgee, Ahmed Pervaiz, Iqbal Husain and Jamil Naqsh. The newcomers like Quddus Mirza, Mohammad Zeeshan and Moeen Farooqui are also making waves of sorts. 

Iqbal Husain’s delightful oil-on-board landscape is one of the major attractions, having a kind of serenity to the whole scene that appears surreally real. The artist has been able to personify the greenery in the picture. 

The verdant land and trees come across as living objects in a tranquil background. Another eye-catching exhibit on display is Ahmed Pervaiz’s. The artwork done in mixed media, according to the curator of the exhibition, is an early 1970s piece. The creative vigour with which he used to paint is evident in the painting.

Gulgee’s swirling colours, infused with the spiritual aspect of life, reiterate his position as one of the significant artists of his generation, as does Bashir Mirza with his non-objective, symbolic work. Canvas has done it once more. 

Founded by Sameera Raja in 1999, Canvas has been recognized as one of the leading art galleries in Pakistan which remains committed to the discovery, support, development and promotion of Pakistani art and artists. 

It has served to focus on the new art of Pakistan, particularly by the modern and contemporary artists. 

The Canvas Art Gallery, located in Clifton, has been proudly displaying works of cutting edge nature and experimental quality, ranging from paintings, sculptures, digital prints to installations and video installations.

With two shows a month, Canvas is a stimulating and unique visual arts venue with a constantly changing inventory of approximately 1,000 original works by more than 100 established and emerging Pakistani artists. 

The iron-willed Sameera Raja, who was trained as an architect from the famed National College of Arts, Lahore, has worked exceptionally hard to evolve Canvas which also has collaboration with a number of galleries in USA, UK and Middle East in order to promote contemporary art of Pakistan. 

Her future plans include publishing a series of books/monographs on Pakistani art and artists.

She deserves to be credited for having put together a really marvellous art gallery in Karachi.

New tigers bring more attraction at Karachi Zoo

Jumbo Editorial Team

The Karachi Zoo, which is also known as the Karachi Zoological Garden, is located on Nishter Road and Sir Aga Khan III Road in Karachi and it is the oldest zoo in the country after the Lahore Zoo.

The administration of the Karachi Zoo was recently handed over of a pair each of white tiger and Bengal tiger adding to the attraction for the people who reach here from even the farthest corners of the metropolis. 

There were more people in attendance than usual as animal lovers from other cities of the country also thronged the zoo after they got the news of arrival of white tigers through the print and electronic media. 

The KMC Administrator, Mohammad Hussain Syed, announced on the occasion that the induction of new animals and birds to Karachi Zoo and Safari Park will continue and soon more zebra, rhino, giraffe and hippopotamus would arrive in these facilities.

The Director General Technical Services Altaf G. Memon, Senior Director Culture, Sports and Recreation Mohammad Rehan Khan, Director Zoo Dr. Muhammad Kazim and citizens in good numbers were also present on this occasion. 

The people, particularly kids, expressed pleasure on seeing the newly arrived tigers through an acrylic glass enclosure and just in front of them. 

The KMC Administrator described it as a refreshing addition to the zoo announced to hold a contest for naming the white tigers. 

He invited children below the age of 10 years to suggest the most beautiful name for the pair and win Rs 10,000. He also requested the civil society to join hands with KMC in the betterment and development of Karachi Zoo into a modern zoo. 

He further asked them to form a management committee comprising of electronic media representatives, journalists and distinguished citizens so that the feeding to captives and the facilities at zoo could be monitored.

 

Mohammad Hussain Syed observed that the animals and birds needs natural environment with well quality feed continuously. 

He announced the veterinary hospital at the zoo would soon be equipped with the latest equipments.  

The KMC’s Senior Director Culture, Sports and Recreation, Rehan Khan, while giving a briefing on this occasion said the white tigers were imported from South Africa which is the country of origin of this species. Karachi Zoo is the first zoo of the country where a pair of white tiger was inducted. 

Historically the Karachi Zoo was established in 1878 and it was then known as 'Mahatma Gandhi Garden.’ After the creation of Pakistan in 1947 the name was changed to 'Karachi Zoological Gardens' and it has been called 'Karachi Zoo' in short. In 1861, the zoo was transferred to municipality by the government. In 1878, the municipality placed the zoo under a trust to be developed out of public subscription. Later, the zoo was once again opened to public in 1881.

Karachi’s famous Hill Park to be restored to original shape

Jumbo Editorial Team

The Hill Park, situated on a hilltop surrounded by the residential area of Block 6 of PECHS, has been one of the most popular recreational spots in Karachi over the years. It houses amusement arena, fast food centres, restaurants, an artificial lake and other facilities which attract a large number of people to have an outing with their families.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has planned to restore the Hill Park to its original state by undergoing a reconstruction plan at a cost of Rs250 million. 

A new hiking track will be developed alongside the boundary wall of the park after removal of the encroachments around it. 

The KMC Administrator, Mohammad Hussain Syed, during his recent visit to the Hill Park along with other municipal officials, took notice of a damaged water supply and the poor sewerage system in the park, which was established in the 1960s. 

Under the development plan, in the first stage water supply and sewerage system will be restored with the construction of an underground and overhead reservoir so that tree plantation and greenery could be made possible in the park.

The electrical system of the park was also found not in working condition which caused darkness through the park’s corridors and on the internal roads and the citizens have been facing trouble due to this shortcoming. 

The KMC Administrator has directed the Director General Parks to immediately install new wires and electric poles with light-emitting diode (LED) lights for restoration of the lighting system in the park. 

While visiting the View Point spot of the park, he gave instructions for reconstruction of important spot of the park. 

He recalled that this View Point was like the famous Daman-e-Koh in Islamabad from which the whole capital city could be looked at from a vantage point, similarly the visitors of Hill Park could see the Karachi City from the View Point.

He also gave directions for restoration of greenery in all the parts of the park with the reconstruction of pathways and the central lake, installation of iron grill around the lake and restoration of old fountain in the Bano Park. 

The Director General Parks briefed the administrator about the development plan for the Hill Park. 

He said that the hilly area of the park would be filled with plantation to give it a look similar to the jungle. Seating arrangements would be made under these trees and corridors of the park would have dim lights. 

He added that the roads and internal corridors would be re-carpeted and the Sindh Government would be approached for providing funds for the installation of a security wall around the park.

Aftab Memon’s appointment as Managing Director boosts PRACS

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

Aftab Memon, a Grade 20 Officer of Pakistan Railways Service, has been appointed as Managing Director of the Pakistan Railway Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS) upon the completion of National Management Course at Staff College, Lahore.

He has served Pakistan Railway at various senior positions including Office of Divisional Superintendent Lahore and Karachi besides holding various positions at the Railway Headquarters. 

He has a vast experience in railway operations particularly in freight operations at Karachi besides administration and management.

His appointment as the helmsman of the PRACS has been hailed and it’s being expected that the organization will benefit immensely from his expertise. 

His vast knowledge of the Railways affairs combined with his capabilities to meet the challenge should be helpful in boosting the performance of the PRACS.

He has also served in Sindh Government as Director General Local Government. As DS Railway Lahore and Karachi, he was instrumental in curbing the menace of black marketing of tickets and ticketless travelling, mismanagement of reservations of seats besides achieving highest revenue earning records.

Soon after taking charge as MD of the PRACS he revealed that his priorities will be to acquire more projects for the PRACS in Pakistan and also outside besides improving the service of trains being run by his organization. 

It may be recalled that the Pakistan Railway Advisory & Consultancy Services Limited (PRACS) was incorporated in 1976 as a private limited company under the repealed companies Act, 1913. In the year 2002, it was converted to a public limited company under the Companies Ordinance, 1984. 

The Chief Executive of the company is the Managing Director who has full autonomy, subject to the control of Board of Directors, of running and operating day to day business affairs. The PRACS provides a wide range of services in the fields of civil Engineering, commercial management of passenger trains as well as passenger reservation and ticketing, Rail Cuisine, Mechanical engineering and Electrical engineering. 

Since its inception, the PRACS has successfully completed over 200 assignments pertaining to the said disciplines, including feasibility studies, projects management, providing services, coordination, field surveys and consultancy at national as well as international level.

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima’s accomplishments add value to Sindh Archives

Jumbo Editorial Team 

The improvement and strengthening of the Sindh Archives have earned laurels for the provincial government. Team leaders, directors and coordinators worked hard for accomplishing the arduous task of providing accessibility to the rich treasures of information.

They have made the precious resource material accessible to researchers of history, culture, archaeology, police, political science, language and literature besides other disciplines. 

Mahboob Ali of the IT department supervised the development of software for archival record information retrieval system after Prof Dr Nasim Fatima had laid the foundation by preparing the software manual upon the request of the Director. 

She supervised the Finding Aid Section and during the last six years she prepared 35 Finding Aids in the forms of index, bibliography, catalogues of special materials and of half a dozen personal collections.

A former Chairperson of the Library & Information Science department of the University of Karachi, she also prepared union list and news clips index besides having supervised a PhD thesis on Sindh Archives by Shamshad Ahmad which was published from Germany. 

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima authored a number of research oriented introductions on Finding Aids, some of which were published in the HEC approved journals. 

She has spearheaded the team which prepared the catalogue of the Sindh Archives Reference Library of about 36,000 books, maps and journals alongwith personal collections of Mumtaz Bhutto, Dr N B G Qazi, Pir Ali Mohammad Rashidi, Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch, Sharif-ul-Mujahid, Khalid Shamsul Hasan and a few others.

The archival record volumes data and contents of 43 files were also bound during Roshan Ali Kanasro’s tenure as Director of the Sindh Archives who was also credited to have shifted the library and IT department in a new building with the old one undergoing a process of renovation. 

The Chief Librarian suggests that more library and information scientists are needed to render library services successfully. 

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima has proposed that a bank of letters of dignitaries be established as a museum in library and a periodical section with online index deemed essential. 

The project of Sindh Archives is indeed a successful one, having given a new lease of life to the precious documents of the yesteryears which have been preserved for lifetime. The Sindh Archives was established as a full-fledged entity in 1988. 

It was boosted by Abdul Hamid Akhund while serving as Secretary Culture to the Government of Sindh in the 1990s and during this period it was shifted to its present premises in Clifton, in close vicinity of the Federation House.

Prime Minister Parvez Ashraf desires promotion of tourism in Pakistan

Jumbo Editorial Team

Mir Shahjahan Khetran, Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) called on Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf in Islamabad on July 24 to discuss promotion of tourism in the country, especially along the coastal highway in Balochistan.

During the meeting MD PTDC appraised the Prime Minister about the issues related to the Corporation and their possible remedies. 

The Prime Minister desired that the PTDC should continue its efforts for promotion of tourism in the country especially in areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, having greater attraction for the tourists, so that better employment opportunities can be created under the policy of the government.

He urged the PTDC to mobilize all its resources to promote tourism in the country, having been blessed with so many outstanding features that remain significant.

The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the MD PTDC in promoting domestic and international tourism in Pakistan. 

Upon the request of MD PTDC the Prime Minister promptly issued the directives to the concerned quarters to urgently release the necessary funds to enable the Corporation to continue working without monetary constraints. 

The PTDC, incorporated in 1970 as a public limited corporation, is owned by the Government of Pakistan with its principal objective being the promotion of tourism in the country.

Karachi’s SSUET-like institution planned in Bangladesh

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

The General Secretary of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), Bangladesh, Prof Dr Shah Kausar Mustafa has vowed to establish a university in Bangladesh on the pattern of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), having been founded and managed in Karachi by the Pakistan chapter of AMUOBA.

The Dhaka-based educationist expressed the commitment in this regard while addressing the Aligarhians and faculty members in a reception hosted in his honor during a recent visit to the SSUET. 

He described the establishment of the SSUET a virtual fulfillment of the mission of great reformer and educationist, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Hailing the SSUET as a model institution, he lauded the services rendered by Chancellor Z A Nizami and the late Zakir Ali Khan. 

“Their name will remain alive all along with the mission of Sir Syed. They have set an example by setting up such a great institution,” Prof Kausar Mustafa observed. 

“I am keenly working along with my compatriots for the establishment of a university on SSUET’s pattern in Bangladesh,” he stated and hoped that with the Aligarh spirit he has within him he will succeed in his mission.

 

On the occasion Absar Mustafa, another guest from Aligarh described Sir Syed University an ideal educational institution and said the quality of its laboratories are impressive. 

Noting that merit was strictly observed while granting admissions Absar Mustafa called for efforts to grant greater admissions to foreign students so as to spread SSUET’s identity world over. 

He informed that all possible facilities were being provided to students at Aligarh Muslm University where students were charged only Rs 9 as hostel fee along with water and electricity. 

Welcoming the distinguished visitors, the Convenor Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) Engr Mohammed Adil Usman (Alig) said that the Aligarh spirit is imbibed in our souls and is our real guide. He said every success can be achieved, if it is followed in letter and spirit. 

Speaking on the occasion, the SSUET Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed Husain Rizvi, welcomed the mission of Prof Dr Shah Kausar Mustafa for establishment of the SSUET-like institution in Dhaka and assured him of all support and cooperation in this regard.

Pakistan-India Social Media Mela 2012 brings hopes and smiles

Jumbo Editorial Team 

The Pakistan-India Social Media Mela 2012, a gathering of social media enthusiasts from the two neighbouring countries, was organised in Karachi by PeaceNiche, in collaboration with the United States Consulates in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.

The Social Media Mela was recognized as a meeting point of some of the finest minds in social media for a two-day extravaganza nurturing dialogue, thought leadership, and critical engagement with entrepreneurs, journalists, activists, and creative professionals from Pakistan, India and beyond. 

The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik, having complained previously about receiving abusive comments on Twitter, was all smiles when he met with the organisers of the Social Media Mela 2012 for a chit-chat.

Rehman Malik was greeted as a hero for the social media when he stepped in to help the Indian delegates visiting the Mela get their visas in time. 

“I genuinely believe that if we have to go looking for friendship, we must go next door rather than searching for friends far away from our region. The government is definitely looking forward to getting it started,” he remarked. 

The sessions were mostly insightful and informative but the off-session activities, where the participants got the chance to interact with some amazing people from different walks of life, were equally pleasing.

Some of the more memorable sessions dealt with online activism, the role of social media in the education sector, the use of non-profit for non-profit organisations, online activism, Pakistan-India relations, ‘Slactivism’, the impact of party politics on social media, internet censorship, cyber-bullying and Twitter as the new newsroom. 

The lively discussion on how to use and not use Twitter as a tool for journalism gained plenty of input from journalists in the audience. 

The first day ended with a qawwalli session featuring Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad, the best qawwals in Asia. They enthralled the crowd with their renditions of Sufi poetry.

Noted journalist Beena Sarwar talked about Pakistan and India, and learning to trust each other. 

She referred to a survey which showed that the people of the Sub-continent want to meet and travel between the two countries, but there are no tourists’ visas. 

The end of the second day was marked by the hilarity of stand-up comedian Sanjay Rajoura. His act left the audience rolling on the ground with his observational comedy about Facebook albums, Indian Cricket and some social peculiarities. 

It was a unique event that gave faces to those people who have just been known to each other through the networks like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. The tremendous effort by Sabeen Mahmud and her team at PeaceNiche was applauded as was the role of the US Consulate staff for their co-operation and hospitality.

KMC urges UK-based investors, firms to invest in Karachi

Jumbo Editorial Team 

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has urged the UK-based investors and international firms to invest in the city so that the people could avail job opportunities along with the promotion of local trade and economy.

The KMC Administrator, Mohammad Hussain Syed, made the offer while meeting the ruling Conservative Party Co-Chairperson, Sayeeda Warsi, in her office in London. 

The KMC Administrator, visiting UK along with senior officials of the Sindh government, stated that Pakistan, particularly the city of Karachi, possessed a lot of potential for foreign investment and it offered lucrative profit for international firms and brands. 

He recalled that in the last decade, many of the international brands and multinational companies launched their outlets in Karachi, which have been running successfully.

He said that being a port city, Karachi also held the status of an international city where millions of people from the business community and trade and industrial sector visit it regularly. 

"These activities result in more business and commercial activities in Karachi compared to other cities of the country," he said.

The KMC Administrator informed the UK business community that the infrastructure development was in progress in Karachi and the city’s Circular Railway System would be restored by mid of 2013 besides the launching of the Bus Rapid System with the construction of new road corridors in the city adding that the Corporation would spend a huge amount this year on the progress and development of the city.

The Co-Chairperson of the Conservative Party, Sayeeda Warsi, said on the occasion that Pakistan was a developing country where investment could be made in various sectors including education, health, industry and trade and she would feel pleasure on seeing the UK-based investors launching business ventures in Pakistan which would also help in raising the standard of life of the local people. 

She said that the women in Pakistan must also play their role in commercial and social activities as they were half of the whole Pakistani population, mentioning that there’s no dearth of talent in Pakistan and the talented youth can get success in each and every sector.

9th My Karachi Exhibition 2012 further boosts city image

Jumbo Editorial Team 

The ninth edition of My Karachi-Oasis of Harmony Exhibition, the flagship annual event Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), was organized at the Karachi Expo Centre from July 13 to 15.

My Karachi 2012 was attended by local and foreign exhibitors displaying their products at more than 200 stalls in four exhibition halls. 

The foreign delegates from Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka took part in the three-day mega event. The largest presence of foreign delegate was from India with 20 exhibitors led by Ashok Kumar Bharat, former President of the Mumbai Chamber of Commerce Industry (MCCI), displaying their products and services. 

My Karachi 2012 was inaugurated by the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on July 13. He called upon the need to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which he termed as unavoidable for industrialisation and growth of trade in the country.

“The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Commerce International and the business community should extend special emphasis to promote the SME sector as I would recommend the concerned circles of the government to establish more SME zones with one dedicated SME zone for women entrepreneurs,” he observed in his inaugural address, pointing out that the government has taken measures to improve law and order in the city, bring down cost of doing business and cut utilities expenses. 

“My Karachi Exhibition has proved successful to portray the image of Karachi with flying colours as a hub of financial activities in Pakistan as well as a promising land of opportunities,” the Chief Minister reckoned.

He congratulated the KCCI and its President Mian Abrar Ahmad and the entire team for taking such a positive and constructive initiative, which in his opinion would not only provide a very attractive business avenue, both to the local and foreign investors to exhibit their products and help promote trade, but would also help to strengthen the image of Karachi as a peaceful city. 

He recognized the high level business delegations from India and Afghanistan having come to Karachi to participate in the My Karachi Exhibition 2012 and to meet their Pakistan counterparts for business-to-business meetings. 

The Sindh Industries Minister, Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, disclosed that an effluent treatment plant will be completed at Kotri Industrial Area with Turkish support next month.

The chief of the Indian delegation stated Karachi and Mumbai were two major commercial cities in the region and collaboration between their chambers of commerce will boost trade in a big way. 

The President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mian Abrar Ahmad, recalled that My Karachi the Oasis of Harmony Exhibition having become a mega event held every year, after its successful launch in 2004 adding that the prime objective of this exhibition is to project true image of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular and to promote trade and industry in Karachi and elsewhere in Pakistan and abroad.

SSUET appreciated by CIEC for swift action

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

The Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC) of the Sindh Government have appreciated the efforts of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for implementation of its recommendations after its last visit.

The CIEC made this observation in its Fifth Inspection Report of June 2012 following its visit to the University in October last year. The 6-member Committee, headed BY Dr S M Qureshi, had carried out inspection of the University on October 20, 2011. 

The committee was assisted by members of Experts Sub-Committees for the Departments of Bio-Medical, Electronic, Telecommunication, Computer and Civil Engineering and Computer Science. 

The Chairman CIEC expressed the Committee’s satisfaction with regard to the compliance of its recommendations and stated that the interaction during visits by CIEC gad built-up more and more confidence between CIEC and the University as a result of which the University had progressed further and acquired “5 stars” rating of the CIEC. 

The members of Experts Sub-Committees in their overview expressed general satisfaction on the overall performance of the University and in this regard mentioned positive improvements in general in case of all the departments.

In its report the CIEC Chairman also appreciated the elaborate presentation given by the Registrar while Acting Vice-Chancellor explained queries made by CIEC members with regard to functioning of the University to their satisfaction. 

He, however, suggested creating a greater feeling of ownership among the teachers and employees of the university while the teachers to be encouraged to go locally or abroad for training and acquiring of Ph.D. degrees to end the blockage of their further promotion. 

During its inspection the Committee made major observations with regard to the establishment of the University, physical facilities, academic programs, enrolment, admission eligibility etc, admission criteria, Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D programs, scholarships/free-ship, research and development, quality assurance. 

It was informed that the University has acquired membership of International Association of Universities and had signed MOUs with 11 foreign universities for linkage in various aspects. 

It was communicated that about 40 percent of total students were awarded financial assistance/scholarships every year and in this regard Rs 40 million were allocated for scholarships and another Rs 10 million for financial assistance in the year 2011. They were also intimated that a total amount of Rs 217.4 million was provided as scholarships and financial assistance to 12,819 students during the last 15 years.

SSUET dedicate chair in name of Qamarussalam Khan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami, has announced the establishment of a chair at the University in the name of Late Brig (Rtd) Qamarussalam Khan.

“The decision has been taken in recognition to the services of Brig Qamar for the cause of education,” Engr Z A Nizami announced while speaking at a memorial function organized by the University on the first death anniversary of Late Brig Qamar, who was also a member of the University’s Board of Governors since its inception. 

Chancellor Nizami also announced to attribute the University’s Liteary and Cultural Forum, after name of Brig Qamar who was the founder and head of the Forum and brought a name to the university through the Forum’s activities. 

On the occasion speakers paid glowing tributes to late brigadier for his services for the University as well as Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association. The entire family members of Brig Qamar including his widow, sons and daughters also attended the memorial meeting.

Chancellor Nizami recalled the great contribution made by Brig Qamar for the causes of SSUT and AUOBA and said he was so committed that he attended his last meeting of the Board of Governors on wheel chair about a week before his death. 

He recalled that when former President General Pervez Musharraf had come to this university as chief guest of the annual convocation and when he saw Brig Qamar in the reception line, he addressed as “Sir” saying that he had remained his teacher. 

Chancellor Nizami said that Brig Qamar had a long list of achievements to his credit including the establishment of Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) which came into being due to his untiring efforts. He said that name of Brig Qamar will remain memorable in the history of SSUT for all times to come. 

In his brief speech, Tabinda Javed, daughter of Brig Qamar, who arrived from Canada, stated that she and all other members of the family will always remain proud of services of his father during her studentship a Aligarh, as a protagonist of Pakistan Movement and finally in the Armed Forces and here in this university. 

Khumar Farooqi, Convenor of the newly named Brig Qamarussalam Khan Literary, Arts and Cultural Forum recalled his 4-year long association with Brig Qamar and said he found him very sympathetic and God-fearing person who loved every one. 

He said basically his focus all the time remained on propagation of cause of education. Saeed Ahmed Siddiqi, a most senior Alaigarhian said that heart and soul of late Brig Qamar always remained imbibed with the spirit of atriotism and Eman. 

He recalled his active participation in the 1945-46 election as a member of Aligarh Muslim Students Federation and recalled that if Muslim League had failed in winning the election, Pakistan would not have come into being. 

Col (Rtd) Yazdani, a close compatriot of Brig (Rtd) Qamarussalam also spoke on the occasion. Later Chancellor Nizami, along with the family members of Brig Qamar unveiled the plaque naming Literary, Arts and Cultural Forum after the name of Brig Qamar.