IEP holds condolence meeting for Z A Nizami

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the late Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami at a condolence meeting held under the auspices of the Institution of Engineers at its Karachi Centre on April 13.

   

The emotionally charged speakers, on the occasion, highlighted the various facets of the life, achievements and the services of Engr Nizami for the development of the city of Karachi and particularly for the promotion of cause of engineering education in Pakistan. 

Addressing the gathering, the newly elected President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and the Chancellor SSUET, Engr Adil Usman, described Engr Nizami as a person of unmatched and outstanding qualities. 

He acknowledged having learnt a great deal due to his long and close association with Engr Nizami when the latter was Director General of KDA, President of AMUOBA and as Chancellor of SSUET. 

Engr Adil Usman revealed that it was in 1986 when upon the request of the Aligarhians, Engr Nizami assented to become the President of AMUOBA and he turned it around with his unmatched to transform the Association into a dynamic and vibrant organization. 

He recalled said an outstanding quality of Engr Nizami was that he always helped the less privileged people regardless of their cast, colour and creed and it was because their prayers for him that Allah granted him so much of respect. 

Chancellor Adil Usman reckoned that Karachi as it is today was because of the vision of Engr Nizami and his services for rehabilitating the poor masses through various housing schemes will always be remembered. He said it was an unprecedented that never in his life, Engr Nizami said “No” to anyone approaching him for help. 

He pointed out that the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) came into being in 1988 and it was raised on a plot earmarked by Engr Nizami for the purpose and also for a project which was literally translated to become an engineering university in 1994 which gives a true reflection of his unmatched vision. 

The voice of Chancellor Adil Usman choked while stating that the 16th Convocation of the SSUET was the last official function attended by Engr Nizami notwithstanding the fact that he was so physically weak but only the love for the university made him not to miss the occasion. 

Homage was paid to Engr Nizami by Engr Jamshed Rizvi, President IEP, and Engr Mian Sultan, Secretary IEP, who specially flew from Lahore to attend the meeting. 

Engr Jamshed Rizvi recalled his as well as of his father’s association with Engr Nizami, observing that he had been the true follower of great educationist and reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. 

He said that the establishment of an engineering university in the name of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was an accomplishment of Engr Nizami which no ordinary mortal could have performed. He described Engr Nizami an institution in himself and adding that his death has created a big void which cannot be filled in years. 

Engr Mian Sultan described the SSUET as “Sadaqa-e-Jaria” for Engr Nizami and urged the upcoming engineers to follow suit to leave a legacy in their lifetime. He advised the IEP Karachi Centre to name one of their convention centres after Engr Nizami. 

Engr Ayaz Mirza, Secretary, IEP Karachi, remarked that Engr Nizami was always willing and happy to be of help to the cause of the engineering community, having consistently extended moral and financial support to the IEP in carrying out its activities for the welfare of budding engineers. 

He remembered Engr Nizami as a man of positive attitude and unmatched vision and it’s time for the young engineers to derive inspiration from him. 

Speaking on behalf the family members of his father, Mr Farrukh Nizammi, shed light on various facets of the life of Engr Nizami as father, as an administrator and as an educationist and said they will not be able to come out of state of shock for a long time. He said he was a loving father, an ardent administrator and a dedicated server of the cause of education. 

Engr Mohammed Shafiq, a former Controller of Buildings and now a PEC Consultant for SSUET, turned emotional when he spoke about the loving and affectionate attitude of Engr Nizami. He believed that whenever the history of Karachi will be written, Engr Nizami’s name will be on the top. 

Others who also spoke on the occasion included Engr Zafar Zuberi, former President IEP, and Engr Gulzar Memon, ex-Chief Engineer KWSB. At the end of the speeches, Dua-e-Maghfirat was offered for the departed soul. 

The condolence meeting was also attended by the family members of Engr Nizami including his sons and daughter who came from Washington to take care of his father and remained with him till he breathed his last on April 7.