Thursday, October 29, 2015

Water Board chief promises to lift ban for new connections by Nov 15

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Managing Director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, (KW&SB), Misbahuddin Farid, alongwith senior officials of the organization, visited the ABAD House on October 29 where a meeting was held with the functionaries of the Association of Builders and Developers.


The ABAD delegation, led by their President, Mohammad Hanif Gohar, briefed the KW&SB officials about the problems caused by the ban on new water connections and route alignment to the K-IV project. 

After a detailed disucusion, a committee, comprising of two members of ABAD, was formed to coordinate with the KW&SB in order to resolve the problems being faced by the housing and construction industry. 

However, Misbahuddin Farid, Managing Director, KW&SB, categorically announced that the ban on new connection of water for builders and developers will be lifted by November 15 and those having already paid the water challans will also be provided connection by this date.

AMUOBA election fever reaches peak; presidential candidate Adil Usman vows to continue efforts for promoting education

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

With only a couple of days left, the election activities of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) have reached their peak and the Sir Syed Panel has announced its candidates, having nominated Engr Mohammed Adil Usman for the slot of President. 

The panel has also nominated Saleem Siddiqi Muhammed Afzal Kazmi and Abdus Sami Khan for the offices of three Vice-Presidents while Masood Alam will be contesting for the post of Honorary General Secretary. 

The presidential candidate, Engr Adil Usman, has vowed to continue his endeavours for the promotion of cause of education and recalled the untiring efforts made for the further development of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology during the last three years. 

He remarked that it was during this period that the landmark project of Sir Syed Tower was launched and a 6-storey new academic Block named after the founding Chancellor and President AMUOBA, Late Z A Nizami, was constructed where educational and administrative departments have started working. 

During this brief period, he pointed out, that four new technologies of electrical, software engineering, biomedical and architecture were introduced while addition of a few more new technologies was in the pipeline. 

Engr Adil Usman stated that aside from these developments steps were also taken for bringing improvement in the SSUET’s administrative and academic affairs whereby provision of modern facilities to students and teachers were ensured. 

He said that special attention was focused on surmounting the university’s financial crisis through recovery of long standing dues besides extending financial assistance to deserving students and employees. 

Engr Adil Usman reckoned that, as a result of steps taken, there had been conspicuous increase in the number of admissions under overseas quota as a result of which the deficit financial position turned into surplus.

Aligarhian Qasim Sualeh passes away

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammed Qasim Sualeh (Alig), a prominent member of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Associattion (AMUOBA) passed away here in Karachi on October 29. 

The 76-year old Qasim Sualeh was the younger brother of Salman Sualeh, Treasurer and member of AMUOBA’s Executive Committee. He has left behind widow, who is a retired professor of Urdu, and two doctor daughters. 

His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Masjid Quba, located in Block-13 of Federal-B-Area, and later laid to rest at the Alnoor Society graveyard. The funeral was largely attended by members of AMUOBA, friends and relatives. 

The soyem will be held on October 30 at his residence, B-576, Block-13 Federal-B-Area, between Asr and Maghrib prayers.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

SSUET Chancellor, VC condole earthquake victims

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The top officials of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, have offered heartfelt condolences over the deaths caused by devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan a few days ago.

Chancellor, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Hassan Rizvi, and Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, in separate messages, expressed their profound grief and sorrow to all the victims who died in the catastrophic quake in which hundreds of houses collapsed. 

“We stand together with the affected families in this hour of trial and offer every help on behalf of the Sir Syed University towards relief efforts,” Chancellor Adil Usman observed. 

“We should take it as a challenge and carry out relief efforts with complete sincerity to help the affected people,” Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Rizvi declared. 

“The loss of precious lives of men, women and children as well as colossal property damages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in particular has saddened the entire nation and our prayers are with everyone affected by the dreadful disaster,” Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, stated.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Sindhi poets honoured in Canada

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindhi Adabi Sangat, the literary association of Sindhi diaspora, hosted a welcome reception for two visiting female writers from Sindh, Irshad Abbasi and Shabnam Moti, at the Brampton Town of Toronto which was largely attended by the representatives of the Urdu-speaking and Punjabi communities as well. 

The speakers at the reception, presided over by a noted poetess, Shoro Shahnaz, talked about the decades old rich literature, culture and heritage of Sindh and vowed to promote it at all levels. They reiterated the need to encourage tolerance and human values through literature and poetry, so essential for a peaceful and harmonious life. 

Irshad Abbasi, a noted poetess and columnist, in her discourse said that she was born in the house of a great progressive politician Qazi Faiz Mohammad who taught his children to resist all ill happenings in the society. 

She was of the opinion that Pakistan in general and Sindh in particular suffered from degradation because of the declining educational standards. Shabnam Moti, also from Sindh, endorsing the views of Irshad Abbasi, regretted that in the Sindhi society woman was still being ill treated. 

“The societies flourish when women folk is granted equal status and equal opportunities so that they work shoulder to shoulder with their male compatriots something which has yet not happened in Pakistan,” she felt. 

Shabnam Moti stressed the need for promoting positive and meaningful literature besides imparting quality education to our kids to prepare them for building an egalitarian society. 

Mohammed Nadeem, Chief Editor, Pakistan Times, published from different cities of Canada and USA, Munir Pervaiz Saami, a poet and Head of Progressive Writers Forum of Canada, and Tahir Qazi, a Punjabi and Urdu writer, also addressed the gathering and appreciated Sindhi diasporas literary and social activism in the North American cities and in Toronto in particular. 

The Secretary of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat Zulfiqar Shaikh welcomed the guests and dedicated the day to great poet of Sindh Ustad Bukhari and legend leader Qazi Faiz Mohammad on account of their anniversaries on program’s day. 

Among others senior leader of Sindhi diaspora Syed Shahnawaz Shah, noted columnist and editor ‘Umeeq’ Magazine, Khair Mohammad Kolachi, President Sindhi Association of North America GTA (Toronto) Chapter Peetamber Lohano and Vishan Lohano also spoke on the occasion. 

Both the visiting poetesses and presiding personality Shoro Shahnaz enlightened the audience with their poetry while Dr Rabia Atiq Abbasi recited the poetry of Qazi Faiz Mohammad.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

IGP urges for expeditious completion of Sindh Police computerization project

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Inspector General Police (IGP), Sindh, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, has called for expeditious completion of the project computerization of service data of Sindh Police officials and personnel and setup the Central Electronic Sheet Branch at Central Police Office in this regard.

He issued the directive at a briefing in which he was apprised of the steps taken for different schemes under E-policing project and police welfare. 

The IGP directed all the Range DIGs to immediately send all relevant details to the Director Information Technology Branch, CPO, so that the Human Resource Management System is implemented in one month. 

The Director IT informed the meeting that over 35 percent of computerization work of service data of Sindh Police personnel has been completed and the rest will also be completed at the earliest. It was informed that Electronic Policing projects include online registration of FIRs; Criminals Record Management System, issuance of E-driving licences, Video Conferencing System, Command and Control System etc. and their implementation if being ensured. 

The directives were issued that Central Police Officers should be assigned responsibilities in the process for direct monitoring from Central Command and Control System in connection with the security arrangements during Muharram-ul-Haram, so that time police response could be ensured to any area or venue.

The IGP instructed that police mobiles equipped with latest cameras should be made available in all important areas besides their deployment at the Head and Tail of Muharram processions. 

The meeting was told that a sum of over Rs 500 million had been disbursed during 2014 and 2015 in connection with the payment of compensation to families of martyred police personnel besides the allotment of plots and provision of free education to their children in SZABIST. AIG Welfare, 

Erum Awan informed that besides Karachi, police hospitals and dispensaries are also functioning in Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur and Thatta and 12 other districts for provision of medical assistance to police personnel under Police Welfare Project. 

It was revealed that besides provision of medical equipment and other necessary facilities, steps are being taken for their upgradation. 

The IGP called for initiating satisfactory measures for providing modern and effective medical facilities to police officials and personnel and particularly ensure Hepatitis Screening Tests for C and B affected personnel besides ensuring vaccination of non-affected personnel.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s 198th birth anniversary celebrated

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

With only a couple of years left for the Aligarhians to celebrate Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s 200th birth anniversary in 2017, glowing tributes were paid to the great reformer and educationist on the occasion of Sir Syed Day, marking his 198th birth anniversary.

The day was observed under the auspices of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) which held a function in this regard at the campus of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi. 

Largely attended by the Aligarhians and the followers of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the ceremony was presided over by the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, and addressed by eminent speakers who included scholars, writers, critics and intellectuals. 

The speakers included noted writer, poet, and critic Prof Sehar Ansari, researcher and educationist Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, noted columnist and writer Prof Tahir Masood and noted journalist, columnist and critic, Agha Masood Hussain. 

They spoke at length on the life and achievements of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and his unmatched services and mission for the causes and renaissance of the Muslims of South Asia which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. 

Chancellor Adil Usman, described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as the founder of a new culture in South Asia which helped the Muslims to come out of a quagmire. “It was a difficult mission but, Sir Syed Syed through his devoted and missionary zeal made it possible,” he lauded. 

“He set the direction of the Muslim society which was indeed a tough work to do at that crucial time of the history,” the Chancellor remarked. 

Engr Adil Usman, particularly referred to the construction of Sir Syed Tower on AMUOBAs land opposite Arts Council of Pakistan and described it as a great achievement, He announced that the Tower named after the visionary, will be completed within the stipulated time, thus materializing the dream of the Aligarhians. 

He described the construction of 6-storeyed Z.A. Nizami Block at the SSUET as another accomplishment, adding that it has been completed in a record time and as a result academic activities also started here. He credited the success to all Aligarhians who deserved appreciation. 

The Chancellor made it clear that the objective of Sir Syed Tower was not to get financial benefits, but the revenue to be earned from this project will be spent on the cause of promotion of education. He pointed out that SSUET has a very experienced faculty which made it an institution of international standard. 

In his speech, Prof Sehar Ansari recalled his recent visit to USA and said that Sir Syed’s Mission was being vigorously promoted by Aligarhians living in North America and Canada which reflects that Sir Syed’s movement is alive both in the East and the West. 

He called upon the new generation to follow the mission and footsteps of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in order to encounter the ever changing conditions and meet the challenges of the current world order and thus provide a hope for new morning. He said that Sir Syed had a broadminded personality who followed wisdom 

He said that during his visit he informed the Aligarhians about the activities of AMUUOBA, particularly the role of SSUET, construction of Sir Syed Tower and AMUOBA’s magazine ‘Tehzib’ which was vigorously applauded in their meetings. 

The eminent researcher and educationist, Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, described Sir Syed as an epoch-making figure who greatly influenced the generation after him. He particularly referred to his services in the field of science through the Scientic Society established by him and said its rays reached Europe. 

Dr Waqar said that Sir Syed propagated national aspirations through his magazine ‘Tehzib-ul-Ikhlaq’ and promoted two nation theory when the Hindus called for making Hindi the national language and as a result whereof the MAO College and Aligarh Muslim University came into being. 

Prof Tahir Masood said that Sir Syed saved the Muslims of South Asia from downfall and it was because of him that the dream of an independent land for Muslims could come true. He referred to the allegations leveled against Sir Syed by his opponents and said that he was the one who exposed the imperialists through his magazine Tehziful Ikhlaq. 

He said the institution he established produced people like Mauulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hasrat Mohani, Liaquat Ali Khan and scores of others. Eminent journalist, writer, columnist and anchor, 

Agha Masood Hussain, through his discourse said that the mission and thoughts propagated by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan were unmatched and it was through his sheer wisdom that he created awareness among the Muslims to take course to modern knowledge.

He recalled that Sir Syed was aware of the adverse affects of mercantile economy being introduced by East India Company and, therefore, prepared Muslims to protect themselves from its horrible effects. 

Earlier Arham Mushtaq and Shah Zeb Rehmani, two SSUET students, made beautiful speeches in Urdu and English on the life and achievements of Sir Syed which drew great applause from the audience, while Editor Tehzib, paid poetic tributes to the great reformer. 

The function culminated with vote of thanks proposed by the General Secretary AMUOBA, Masood Alam and singing of traditional ‘Tarana-e-Aligarh’ by SSUET students in unison with Aligarians

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Naushaba inducted in AMU committee

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Naushaba Tasneem, a senior Aligarhian from Karachi, Pakistan, has been inducted in the International Advisory Committee, set up by the office of Alumni Affairs of the famous Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), located in the Indian city of Aligarh. 

She is the only member of Aligarh community from Pakistan who has been taken on the committee. 

The 20-member committee is composed of eminent Aligarhians from different parts of the world. They include renowned professionals and academicians. Besides the Karachi-based Naushaba, other members taken on the committee include Dr Nadeem Tarin, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) Ameer Ahmed, (Dubai, UAE), Er. Sayad Naveed, (Washington, USA), Dr Shaheer Khan, (Northern California, USA), Dr Masood Akhter, (Winsconsin, USA), Dr Muhammed Ahmed Badshah, (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Syed Ali Rizvi, (Boston, USA), Syed Perwaiz Hafri, (Houston, USA), Suhail Ahmed, (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Syed Qutub-ur-Rehman, (Dubai, UAE), Mohammed Ali Akbar Khan, (Bahrain), Fasihuddin Khan (Australia), Dr Zargham Zia, (Birmingham, UK), Khursheed Hasan, London, UK), Dr Muhammed Mansoob Khan (Brunei), Ehtesham Rizvi Canada), Akhlaq Khan (Qatar), Aley Ali (Australia) and Abdul Aleem (Sharjah, UAE). 

The AMU, now a public university, was originally established by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College had become the Aligarh Muslim University in 1920 

According to the 2014 Asia Ranking of Times Higher Education, the AMU was ranked third among the universities in India.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Sindh Ombudsman meets LG Minister

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindh Minister for Local Government, Nasir Hussain Shah, met Provincial Ombudsman, Asad Ashraf Malik, at his office and discussed matters related to his ministry and the institution of Ombudsman.

Asad Asharf Malik, apprised the Minister of the performance of his institution and explained how it was ensuring dispensation of administrative justice to aggrieved complainants. 

He informed that that a large number of cases under investigation in his secretariat were against the local government department in which many decisions had been given for implementation but unfortunately their compliance was still pending.  
The Minister assured the Ombudsman that he would see that the decisions given were implemented at the earliest so that grievances of the complainants are redressed. 

The Ombudsman also apprised the Minister that a number of seminars had been organized in the interior of Sindh to enlighten the people about the working of his institution and the efforts being made to come up to their expectations as well as providing them adequate information how their problems can be resolved. 

The Minister asked the Ombudsman to provide a list of decisions pending implementation for perusal and action. The Provincial Ombudsman thanked the Minister for taking interest and offering cooperation in dispensation of justice to the aggrieved.

Library Association should have own library

By Prof Dr Nasim Fatima
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Library Association (PLA), an elected national body, is holding a conference in Lahore on October 12 and 13. It has its set-up in the headquarters as well as all the four provinces. It also has presence on the web. 

The PLA is credited to have established computer centres, alongwith its offices, in all the provincial capitals. A few of them are working actively while the others haven’t got moving at the desired pace yet.

With the PLA gearing up for a high profile event here are some observations and suggestions from my side, coming from a senior professional, library scientist, author and researcher: 

Each PLA office should establish a library with books and e-books. They should have computers with internet facility. These will serve as resource centres for the PLA members as well as the retired senior citizens. 

The PLA should devise a strategy to collect donation of books from individuals. Such books may be collected, processed and retrieved at the demand of the PLA members. 

The PLA office-bearers should create a post of PLA Centre Librarian to look after the library matters under the guidance of the headquarters. 

All the PLA Centres in the various provinces should be linked with the headquarters electronically. Each provincial chapter of the PLA should acquire the historical documents about the Association and after its scanning they me stored in an honourable manner for the benefit of the historians and researchers of future. 

The PLA publications should be preserved manually as well as mechanically so that they could be accessed conveniently by the users. 

The PLA Headquarter should be in touch regularly with its provincial offices who should be motivated and guided to approach the concerned authorities in their respective provinces for grants and funds to run the PLA Centre libraries. 

The library associations in quite a few countries of the world have libraries of their own. Similarly the PLA, with the assistance and support of the government, can make things happen in this regard. It will be a service for the cause of the profession besides service to the society in general.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

ABAD hails removal of lease ban

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Mohammad Hanif Gohar, has appreciated the removal of ban on leases on KDA and KMC lands.

He praised the role of the Sindh Minister for Local Government, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, who during his visit to ABAD House the other week, had promised to remove the ban on leases. 

The Administrator Karachi, Sajjad Abbasi, Director General SBCA, Mumtaz Haider, MD KW&SB, Misbahddin Fareed, had also attended the meeting. 

The ABAD Chairman reckoned that this step will be very helpful in providing housing facilities to the people of Karachi as the ban which was imposed on July 31, 2015 was causing immense difficulties to the public. 

Hanif Gohar expressed his gratitude to the Karachi Administrator and the Metropolitan Commissioner, Samiuddin Siddiqui, for issuing directives to the District Registrar for opening the leasing process in jurisdiction of KMC and KDA.

SSUET observes Liaquat Ali Khan’s anniversary

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The eminent speakers paid glowing tributes to Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, and spoke on his life and achievements at a seminar organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, in connection with the observance of Liaquat Day.

Addressing the seminar, SSUET Chancellor, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, observed that Liaquat Ali Khan truly inspired people with his strong character, firm conviction and unwavering determination. He had the ability to solve people’s problems and motivate them to national causes, he added. 

He pointed out that the Sir Syed University, named after the great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, was specially observing the days of our national heroes and freedom fighters to recall and keep the younger generation posted of their services and infuse in them the spirit to work zealously for the country with positive approach and patriotic zeal. 

In his speech, noted journalist and a former Sindh Information Minister, Agha Masood Hussain, remarked that Liaquat Ali Khan established the Pak-China friendship in 1951 just before his death because he knew that China was going to be a super power in future. 

“During his visit to USA as Prime Minister of Pakistan, when Liaquat Ali Khan was asked by the American higher ups that what kind of help he needed from America, he said he only wanted Pakistan’s security, nothing else,” Agha Masood recalled and added that the late Premier was against the division of Bengal and Punjab because he had anticipated heavy massacre of Muslims. 

Renowned scholar, Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Raza Kazmi, said that if Pakistan had not come to existence, the Muslims of South Asia would have been reciting Geeta instead of Holy Quran. 

Mehfooz-un-Nabi Khan of the Quaid-e-Millat Memorial Society referred to Liaquat-Nehro pact and described it unique in the history in a way that diplomats of both the countries were allowed to visit affected areas to compose the report. 

Former senior producer PTV, Nazir Channa, stated that Liaquat Ali Khan was not a leader, but a statesman. He stood for the solidarity of Pakistan and sacrificed his life for the country.