AKU-IED, Sindh Government establish a landmark partnership for inclusive education

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In a move set to reshape how Pakistan educates children with disabilities, the Sindh Cabinet has approved a five-year partnership between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED). The Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently at the Chief Minister House in Karachi. 

The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, who witnessed the signing, called it “not merely an agreement” but “a solemn commitment to every child with disabilities in Sindh that their dreams matter, their potential is recognized, and their future will no longer be limited by barriers." 

The partnership will establish an Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKU-IED, for training, research, and innovation that will house sensory rooms, therapy spaces and dedicated resource centres. The initiative aims to train more than 2,000 educators and, through them, reach an estimated half a million school children over the next five years. 

According to UNICEF, an estimated 96% of children with disabilities in Pakistan are out of school, with Sindh bearing a large proportion of this burden due to poverty, gender disparities, and limited functional accessibility. Overall, Sindh has 7.4 million out-of-school children, where disability acts as a major compounding barrier to attendance. 

"For too long, children with disabilities have been invisible in our education system. Today, we are making a promise to every family in Sindh that their children matter,” Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui, Secretary of DEPD, stated.

The initiative's most ambitious commitment is workforce transformation. AKU-IED will deliver modular courses, Training-of-Trainers programmes, and certification pathways to more than 2,000 educators. Its Bachelor of Education degree will offer specialization in inclusive education with monthly stipends. 

Beyond training, the collaboration establishes a province-wide research and advocacy agenda: baseline assessments, implementation evaluations, and annual policy commissions to inform government decisions. Biennial SEN conferences and policy seminars will convene experts and advocates, while public education campaigns will produce multimedia resources, toolkits, and community sensitisation initiatives to shift mindsets about disability inclusion. 

"This is not just an institutional milestone. It is a commitment to every child in Sindh who has been waiting for an education system that sees them, hears them, and empowers them," Professor Farid Panjwani, Dean, AKU-IED, reckoned. 

The Government of Sindh will provide grant funding, while AKU-IED contributes expertise and institutional resources. The SEN Unit will develop a strategic roadmap designed to sustain impact well beyond the five-year term. 

“The true measure of an education system is whether it reaches those who have historically been left furthest behind. By preparing teachers and schools to educate children with special needs, this partnership will help to ensure that all our children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President, AKU, recognized. 

The partnership envisions a Sindh where every child, regardless of ability, finds belonging, understanding, and empowerment in their classroom, a future now within reach.

AKU launches pediatrics manual to strengthen child healthcare

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aga Khan University (AKU) has launched the AKU Manual of Pediatrics, a free, locally developed clinical resource created “by clinicians, for clinicians” to support the diagnosis and management of common childhood conditions in Pakistan. 

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Developed in collaboration with the AKU's Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, the manual provides evidence-based guidance for pediatricians, family physicians, medical officers, residents, and other healthcare professionals and is available free through the AKU Manual website and mobile application. 

The manual was unveiled at a ceremony attended by the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, as chief guest. 

"Strengthening Pakistan's health care system requires practical, actionable, evidence-based solutions that support our health care professionals. The AKU Manual of Pediatrics is an important step towards improving the quality and consistency of child health care, and I commend Aga Khan University on this valuable contribution," the Federal Health Minister noted. 

The ceremony brought together leaders from government, academia, professional bodies, and the healthcare community, including representatives of the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI), Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), together with pediatric leaders and healthcare professionals. 

Developed by the AKU's Centre for Clinical Best Practices with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, the manual provides 88 evidence-based clinical practice guidelines across 14 pediatric subspecialties. 

It is designed for pediatricians, family physicians, residents, medical officers, and other health care professionals, offering bedside-ready, point-of-care guidance tailored to Pakistan's context. Its Editor-in-Chief is Dr Adil H Haider, former Dean of AKU Medical College. 

The programme featured keynote addresses and a panel discussion on the role of locally developed guidelines in improving pediatric care and outcomes, before the official digital launch. 

“The AKU Manual of Pediatrics reflects a deeper purpose: to place reliable knowledge in the hands of those who care for children. When clinical decisions are guided by evidence, informed by global science, and rooted in local realities, we move closer to a health system in which every child has a fairer chance at life and health,” the AKU President, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, observed. 

"Science is universal, but practice is always local. When evidence generated elsewhere needs to be applied in Pakistan, it needs to be understood, adapted and trusted. Our manual is a step towards bridging that gap," Prof Dr Fyezah Jehan, Chair of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at AKU, added. 

The manual is available free of charge through a mobile application and the University’s website.

Which is stronger, fear or guilt?

By Zara Waqas

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Guilt is like a heavy sack on your back. “Just remove the sack”. “Pretend it isn't there”. Guilt is the strongest thing a person can ever feel. It makes people rethink their decisions, it makes breathing in peace feel impossible. It is impossible to not just think about it. 

You get reminded of it every single second you have to yourself. “I could have done better or why did I even do that. May be, I shouldn’t have done it”. 

Guilt can be expressed in many ways, crossing someone, ruining someone's day or even more complex expressions. It's like an endless sea. However much you try to get out, it just swallows you whole and the thing is, there is no way to get out of it. 

You are in the middle of the sea, stranded. No way to go, endless water, waves which make you feel stronger guilt. As you try to get to calm water, the waves just follow you and attack right as you were getting peace. 

There is no way to get out. Stop running. “How do I stop running” and I have to face it. “I can’t face it” you can’t. You keep running away from it, regretting every single second of your life which led you to that moment. The waves hit you stronger every single time. No escape. You try to distract yourself. Go out. 

Hang out with friends. Help your mom in the kitchen. Write in your journal. Watch a vlog. But when you get a moment to rest, you are reminded about that moment again and again. 

Late at night, you can't sleep. You toss and turn, repeatedly. You get hit with stronger waves. You can't find any distractions so all the waves hit you all at once like a wrecking ball. Every single decision you make, you overthink it. “Will I mess up again? Or “Am I making the wrong decision again?” You can't get a moment of peace. This is a shame. 

Although there is healthy guilt. You do something wrong and you get pushed to make it right. Sometimes, that guilt never ever leaves. There are two types of guilt, one makes you grow and the other makes you criticize yourself again and again. 

Guilt makes you replay moments again and again in your brain. It increases stress levels and makes you think like you are the person in the wrong even though sometimes it isn’t your fault at all. 

Guilt is pretty strong and sometimes, people can’t handle it at all. It is better that we start to control it rather than to try and finish it. 

Fear is also a very strong emotion. The real question is: which is stronger? I just told you about guilt. Let's talk about fear now.

Fear is a very important emotion in which you feel some kind of danger, or you get a feeling that this isn’t right. That this is not good. 

Fear is sometimes, rarely useful. It can help you from taking decision, sometimes these decisions are bad ones. You think about them because the idea of it makes you shiver in fear. You feel something wrong and the brain quickly tells you about it and passes the message to the muscles. 

Your blood starts pumping faster, your heart is racing, your mind is overworking itself with the endless possibilities on what will happen. Fear of heights, dark spaces, being alone, fast cars, long words, failure, rejection, judgement, dogs, animals, bugs, open spaces, enclosed space and the list could go on forever. 

Fears can go from the simplest of things to the most complex things. Understanding your fears is very important. Most people say “overcome” your fears. But that's not really possible is it now? 

You fear something, when you come across it, your body immediately gives you signals, your brain starts working rapidly and fear isn’t something you can stop just like guilt. You can’t stop these two emotions. 

A difference between the two is that fear is a future threat. And guilt is something that has happened in the past. Fear is like being scared, nervous and not ready to face things. Guilt is feeling an unhealthy amount of remorse and regret. 

These both combine usually. For example, you lost someone in the past and it might have been because of you and that brings you guilt. But it also brings you fear of ever losing someone again. 

You can think of guilt and fear as twin sisters, some differences included. Then there is their elder sibling. Shame. Shame can pull inwards both of these emotions and turn them into something else entirely. 

It mixes with guilt and makes you criticize your own self. “I did something bad to I am bad or that is a huge problem to I am the problem”. It mixes with fear the same way: “I don’t feel good, I don’t feel safe to maybe I am too weak” or “I feel like throwing up in enclosed spaces to I am just a cry baby”. 

These two emotions mix with shame to trap you in an endless cycle, or a loop. Which one do you find stronger?

Tariq Zakaria urges duty cuts to overcome LABSA shortage

By Gul Nasreen 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Vice Chairman of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA), Tariq Zakaria, has pointed out that detergent, soaps and allied products manufacturing industry was facing an acute scarcity of Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid (LABSA) HS Code 3402.3100. 

“LABSA is a key raw material used in the production of detergents, dishwashing liquids, soaps, and other cleaning products. The shortage has significantly disrupted production and increased manufacturing costs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” he observed in a press release. 

“The custom duty of this raw material is 10% besides sales tax 18%, income tax 5.5% and regulatory duty of 4% while for commercial importers an additional sales tax of 3% and income tax is 6% are imposed. The government must consider and accommodate commercial importers to serve the national companies by importing sulphonic acid,” he appealed. 

Tariq Zakaria regretted that the national manufacturers of LABSA were currently unable to produce sufficient quantities to meet the growing demand of the domestic industry due to shortages of the required raw materials, as a result of which many manufacturers were operating below capacity, while others were struggling to continue production. 

“Industry representatives have urged the Government of Pakistan to take immediate measures to address this critical situation by abolishing the anti-dumping duty and regulatory duty on the import of LABSA. Removing these duties would reduce production costs, stabilize the supply chain & help manufacturers continue producing essential household cleaning products at affordable prices,” he reckoned. 

“The industry has also requested the Government to allow commercial importers to import LABSA and supply it to local manufacturers producing detergents, dishwashing products, and other finished cleaning products. This step would help overcome the current shortage and ensure uninterrupted industrial production,” the PSMA Vice President added. 

“Furthermore, industry representatives have emphasized that existing policies and incentives largely benefit multinational companies, while Pakistan's small & medium enterprises receive limited support despite playing a vital role in employment generation and industrial growth,” he concluded.

Pakistan neglected, India invested in Railways: Ashfaq Khattak

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“Pakistan’s railway system has suffered for decades because of low government investment and poor policy priorities, while India has continued to modernize its network, a former senior Pakistan Railways official said during a televised discussion.” 

This was brought to light by Muhammad Ashfaq Khattak, former General Manager (Operations) of Pakistan Railways in a recent interview. He did not mince words in confessing that the country’s railway infrastructure, locomotives and rolling stock had not received enough investment since the 1970s 

“Pakistan Railways currently earns about 150 billion Pakistani rupees (around $400 million) a year but continues to face a large financial deficit. It was no longer treated as a national priority,” he regretted. 

He felt confident that better investment and management could reduce losses and improve services. 

Ashfaq Khattak pointed out that Pakistan had inherited a much smaller railway network than India after the 1947 partition, adding that while both countries commenced their journeys with similar railway systems, India continued investing in new tracks, signalling, electrification and freight transport, while Pakistan focused more on road transport. 

He also observed that the proposed Main Line-1 (ML-1) modernization project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the country’s first comprehensive railway upgrade plan but did not move forward as expected. Indian commentator 

Anil Nakra revealed that India has expanded investment in railways, including high-speed rail, hydrogen-powered trains and dedicated freight corridors due to the continued government funding which helped improve safety, efficiency and manufacturing capacity. 

He also referred to discussions held more than a decade ago about possible railway cooperation between India and Pakistan, including the supply of locomotives. He reckoned that the political tensions prevented the proposal from moving ahead. 

Ashfaq Khattak was of the opinion that Pakistan should consider purchasing railway equipment from any country, including India, if it is technically suitable and competitively priced. 

However, he added, that the procurement decisions should be based on overall costs, maintenance requirements and long-term value rather than transport distance alone. 

Both the panellists concurred that improved railway infrastructure could lower transport costs, support economic growth and strengthen regional trade if political conditions improve. 

Ashfaq Khattak, who is a Professor at the Centre of Excellence in Transportation/Railway Engineering at Pak Austria Fachhochschule-Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, further said that the structural reforms were needed in Pakistan Railway by reverting back to five-member Railway Board, comprising of professional railway officials belong to infrastructure, rolling stock, traffic and operations and finance. 

He firmly believed that one factor which contributed the most to the success of Indian Railways was its decision-making process by a five-member Railway Board, fully backed and supported by the governments in accordance with the Railway act. 

The enlightening discussion concluded with the observation that Pakistan’s railway system still possessed significant assets and experienced professionals, but sustained government investment and long-term planning would be needed to modernize the network and restore its competitiveness.

Enthralling experiences at Golra Railway Station

By Zara Waqas

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A visit to the Golra Railway Station was very much in our plans prior to reaching Islamabad for the recent trip with my family. Because, if you are in Islamabad and desire to explore some place which is historic and provides you with great experience, you should definitely visit the Golra Railway Station. 

The station is also called Golra Sharif as it is named after a historic village on the outskirts of Islamabad by the name of Golra Sharif. As you know, the village is very famous and known for the shrine of a Sufi saint which attracts many visitors throughout the year. 

Many people think of Islamabad as a modern city, having been developed not very long ago. But places like Golra Sharif are much older than Islamabad itself and reminds us that the area where the new city has evolved has many rich historical roots. 

 In the start, I kind of had some conflicting thoughts. My head was filled with questions what if it's not a good experience or what would be my reaction if I don't enjoy it? 

Should I skip it and just go back to the hotel? Well, let me just say that I felt glad for not having listened to such notions and opted to visit the railway station. 

We reached the station in the morning, around 10:30 am. There were many galleries. We got the tickets and our guide met us at the first gallery. The first gallery was basically a museum full of information everywhere. 

There were many things which were shown again and again, each time they were updated and had newer structures such as kerosene lamps. There were many people around as well, one man was pulling a cart, one was sitting down next to a table, there were many old vintage types of furniture pieces as well, there were many tables and timelines showing the advancements of stations and railway trains. 

This gallery wasn’t particularly historic if you see it with my point of view, though it was very nicely presented. Honestly speaking, I felt like this one just bored me because there were many writings and things which we could only see. Are you getting me? 

Next, we went outside and saw the guide opening a part of the train on the tracks, we went inside. The guide told us that these cabins dated way back to when important people like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and many others used it for transportation. They boarded this exact train. 

The guide informed us that everything is from the past and that they only added some curtains and painted it with the same shade. Now, this was way more interesting. I couldn’t believe actually standing in the place where so many eminent politicians, leaders and important people had also stood in the past. 

There were very narrow rows, leading us from one room to another. There were whole sofas, a separate bedroom, a bathroom with all the actual things, the tiles were rusted and looked very old, that piqued my interest. There was also a meeting room, where actual people stayed and talked about important matters. That is so mind blowing, isn’t it? 

Next, we walked next to real railway tracks and got information from the guide that there was a train arriving at 11:20 am and that usually all trains were exactly on time. We thought that maybe we could wait until the train arrives to see it. 

We went to the other gallery, next to it, and found a small snacks and drinks shop from where we purchased some chilled water bottles since the heat rays were piercing our skin harshly. We walked across these huge trees. 

The guide then briefed us that these were the giant Banyan trees which are older than Pakistan itself! They are more than a hundred years old. It felt like this tree knew everything. It experienced such historic times which we read about and learn in school today! Isn’t that crazy? 

We reached the next gallery. It was a bit smaller but packed with crazy facts which had many historical instruments regarded as very important during the period of British rule. 

The two things which I liked more, were a siren and an instrument which was used when there was a need for workers on the train to assist them immediately. It was very loud and the sound was so cool! The siren was used when there was a medical emergency or any other kind of urgency, the train master would ring the siren so that everyone would get news that there is something wrong. It looked so intriguing! 

These things were used because at that time, there were no radios or phones. So, the station masters used different instruments to coordinate trains. 

One detail I noticed, if you stand under the banyan trees very quietly while a train comes zooming past, it feels like you have teleported into the early 1900’s. 

Like you are seeing the past while standing under a very historic tree who has seen it all. We waited for the train. It was a few minutes above arrival time when we felt the ground rumbling as the train came to a stop. Passengers got on and off swiftly. Then the train started moving again. It was beautiful experience to see it in action myself. 

As I overheard, most people come here during the golden hour. The atmosphere becomes ethereal. The gold painted into the sky, the stone buildings, rusty tracks all add up together to create a masterpiece of a landscape. 

I loved this experience and I felt ecstatic having had the chance to see it with my own eyes. If you ever come to Islamabad, please do squeeze time to visit Golra Sharif Railway Station and see history with your own eyes!!

Raisa Adil’s well-deserved appointment as Principal Information Officer

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The well-deserved appointment of Raisa Adil, a versatile bureaucrat, as the Principal Information Officer (PIO) at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the Government of Pakistan has been hailed by the knowledgeable circles. 

It’s not often when the government moves are so warmly greeted but Raisa’s selection for the coveted post has been welcomed because of her proven track record as well as her eagerness to work proactively. 

Throughout her career, she has been regarded as a capable and energetic officer. She is likely to rise to the occasion again while discharging duties in the new challenging role. 

Her appointment as the PIO at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also sends positive signals and reflects the government's commitment to strengthening communication between the state and the media. 

A firm believer of letter her work to do the talking, the soft-spoken Raisa is all set to deliver once more. Her extensive professional experience, administrative competence and deep understanding of media affairs is expected to further strengthen relations between the Government of Pakistan and the country's media fraternity.

Revisiting Islamabad for sightseeing, learning

By Zara Waqas

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Our federal capital, Islamabad, has now become a most picturesque metropolis. It has transformed into one of the most breathtaking urban centres, packed with natural beauties. 

A resident of the historic city of Lahore by birth, I have been fortunate enough to visit different places of our astonishing country regularly since my childhood. 

Although the hilly terrains of Northern areas, for obvious reasons, generally occupy the top slot when it comes to selecting the destination for enjoying our summer vacations but, by consensus, this time we chose Islamabad and the surrounding areas for a change. 

The decision turned out be a masterstroke as we got another opportunity to explore the various aspects of our capital city. As you all know, Islamabad, like our other major cities, Karachi and Lahore, has also expanded phenomenally over the years. 

Unlike the past, lots of noise could now be heard in Islamabad too. Gone are the days when it was a quiet town where the life seemed to have gone to standstill after office hours.

 

There was a time when it looked like a haunted place during weekends and holidays because many of its occupants used to return to their respective homes. 

In the past, only a handful visitors were known to be coming to Islamabad and that too purely for work purposes. Either they were thought to be reaching here to take care of their appointments in the diplomatic enclave or they had some work at the secretariat. 

These were believed to be the major reasons for setting feet in the federal capital. Islamabad has grown, developed and improved very rapidly to turn into a high-density metropolis. 

The city's built-up area has expanded phenomenally from 2,693 hectares in 1990 to over 18,400 hectares in a matter of just a few decades. 

During the latest trip to Islamabad, I visited the Pakistan Monument Museum upon the advice of my parents. They reckoned that it would be a great idea to go there and I agreed promptly mainly because it is such an important landmark. 

It became the highlight of my tour and let me tell you about it. The sun was scorching hot as we reached there. We first climbed up the stairs to see the Pakistan Monument Museum and now I will like to share with you about my experiences which might be of some interest to you. 

Being a writer by heart, I love the idea of narrating the stories which could prove informative for the readers. 

In the same spirit, let me try to pass on some information about the various aspects of my visit to the museum. I hope that many of you will be encouraged to go there and see it all yourself. 

The Pakistan Monument, called Yadgar-e-Pakistan in Urdu, is located on the Shakarparian Hills. It overlooks the whole of Islamabad and it presents legit a wonderful view. It is also regarded as Pakistan’s most recognizable landmark. 

The monument is shaped like a blooming flower, having four main petals. These four main petals symbolize the four main provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KPK). 

From my point of view, I think the petals tell us that everyone should be united irrespective of their own cultural traditions. It symbolizes unity and harmony. 

There are carvings on the petal. The carvings showed many other recognizable landmarks, historical pictures, culture, achievements, Khyber Pass, Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Mosque and many others as well.

Since the weather was sizzling hot outside, we quickly returned downstairs and made our way to the Pakistan Monument Museum. 

When we went inside the museum, we were instantly met with many galleries, structures, an overlook, pictures, monuments of all the old civilizations such as the Ghandara Civilization. 

There were many structures made also depicting the medieval Europe period, Quaid-e-Azam as a lawyer, many pictures of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah, and many other important people. 

Then we saw a whole separate two rooms showing ‘Allama Iqbal Relics’ and ‘Quaid-e-Azam Relics’ which were well and truly great. You must try to visit this segment to gather further details. 

The museum is spread over two floors. The second floor even had two cars which were supposedly used at that time period. Though they looked so new, amazingly. 

It is a kind of spot all of you must try to visit to enhance your knowledge about our beloved country. In fact, you can come again even if had come here earlier, for refreshing and reviving your memory.

Overall, I must say that Islamabad is a fantastic place and we were able to enjoy every minute of our stay in the federal capital.

It was time well spent there as we roamed around various locations and created new memories. I will like to go there again and again. 

Ziauddin University, KEC jointly organize workshop on mental health, well-being of media professionals

By Dr Beenish Khalid 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ziauddin University and the Karachi Editors Club (KEC) jointly organized a workshop on the mental health and well-being of media professionals, particularly journalists who regularly face stress, trauma, and challenging field conditions, titled “Protecting the Mind Behind the News: Building Psychological Resilience in Journalism” on July 7. 

The workshop was conducted by Prof Dr Jamshed Ahmed, Psychologist at Ziauddin University. It turned out be an enlightening session as the resource person shared practical techniques for stress management, building emotional resilience, and maintaining psychological well-being in high-pressure environments. 

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the psychological challenges faced by reporters and journalists, promote healthy coping strategies, and encourage resilience while covering demanding assignments.

“Our journalists dedicate themselves to informing society, often at great personal cost. We believe that protecting their mental well-being is just as important as strengthening their professional skills. Through such initiatives, we hope to promote awareness and foster a culture that values psychological health within the media fraternity,” Amir Shahzad, Head of Public Relations & Communications, Ziauddin University, remarked while highlighting the importance of the initiative of their institution. 

Mubashir Mir, President, KEC, was appreciative of the joint project, observing that the journalists frequently worked under immense pressure and that discussions on mental health were indeed essential for building a healthier and more resilient media community. 

Bringing to light the importance of continued support for media professionals, Manzar Naqvi, General Secretary of the KEC emphasized the need for regular awareness session that equipped journalists with practical tools to manage workplace stress and emotional challenges. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood and Iqbal Jamil were prominent among the senior journalists on the occasion and they praised the collaboration of the KEC and Ziauddin University in producing such a wonderful programme, aimed at providing the much-needed guidance to the media professionals about their health.

The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, allowing the participants an opportunity to share their experiences and interact with the expert. Certificates were also distributed among the participants by Prof Dr Jamshed Ahmed and Amir Shahzad on behalf of the hosts.

HR fraternity mourns demise of Zafar Aziz Osmani

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The community of the professionals in the field of Human Resources (HR) in Pakistan has lost one of its gurus as Zafar Aziz Osmani breathed his last on the morning of June 26 at Karachi where he was also laid to rest later in the day. 

Innumerable condolence messages have kept pouring in on the various social media forums, describing it as a huge loss for the HR in Pakistan. He has been hailed for having stood as a towering figure in Pakistan’s corporate ecosystem. 

He was also been credited for redefining the strategic value of HR, showing businesses that human capital is the ultimate competitive advantage. He indeed fulfilled the definition of an HR icon and was greatly revered for his insights, warmth, and dedication to enhance capacity-building. 

His enviable abilities of steering major national transformations, with class, wisdom, and unmatched brilliance are also being acknowledged. 

As one of his former colleagues pointed out that some people leave behind more than memories, they leave behind a legacy. 

Zafar Aziz Osmani was a man of remarkable wisdom, positivity and an inspiring spirit. A true mentor, guide whose encouragement and leadership touched countless lives. He was very rightly also acclaimed as one of the institution builders. 

His legacy will indeed endure through the institutions he helped transform and the countless professionals whose lives and careers he inspired. His contributions to Pakistan's corporate sector and the HR profession will remain a lasting source of inspiration for generations to come.

Zafar Aziz Osmani was also an ardent lover of sports and he made telling contributions while heading sports divisions of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and K-Electric. He was invited as the chief guest in the launching ceremony of Ehsan Qureshi's book on World Cup 1999 during which he impressed everyone with his knowledge about cricket. Little Master Hanif Muhammad alongwith celebrated journalists, Gul Hameed Bhatti and Munir Hussain, were also present at the stage in that memorable event at the Karachi Club.

Immortality could be a curse rather than a gift

By Zara Waqas

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Close your eyes for a while, give yourself a couple of minutes to think, if you had an ability or a supernatural power, that you are immortal, what would be your first thought? “This is great! I get to live my life without the fear of leaving anything behind” or maybe you would think “this is so bad! I won't live a normal life with the fear that I might die, or that I won't be able to leave my life for the afterlife”. This is your choice, because they are both pros and cons of being immortal. 

What is immortality? Immortality is living forever. You cannot escape life. Neither, you can have access to the afterlife which you go to after death. If you ponder that, one day you wake up. You glance around in your surroundings, everything is exactly the same as yesterday, the day before yesterday, the year before, centuries pass, you see the same thing every day. 

There is a fear that you might not find your purpose in life, or even better explained, how would you cure your boredom? The same life every single day for centuries. You would get bored of it wouldn't you? Passing by the woods for like the hundredth time, "I have seen these paths so much”. 

There is another perspective, travel across the world, but for that you need to work all life to collect money. Your whole life, all your affirmations, all your dreams, all the things you want to accomplish, like travelling the world, trying new food every day, going to every restaurant in the world, making sure you don't miss anything and you keep on going through these lists, you keep working all your life, silently drowning in the growing expenses, grocery bills, electricity bills, medical bills, you are all alone with all the expenses because no one else is immortal around you, you are the only one with this curse that some will call a gift.

This is like a coin toss, yet the coin flips again and again for eternity, you get me? One moment, you're living your life, eating something new, getting a new car, a yacht, and you're happy. The next moment, you're drowning in a sea which is endless. 

There are many sharks in this sea, you stretch your neck up, trying to shout for help. Your eyes dart around, no one is there, you're all alone, drowning in things no one else knows, no one else cares, no one wants to be with a freak who is immortal and cannot even die. 

They think you will survive drowning, they don’t understand that this isn't just a sea, this is an endless sea, every time you drown, you give up, you revive and do something nice, then you drown again, trying to grasp the feelings of happiness, but you can't. 

And you know that, you want this all to be over, you want to live a normal life. But you can't. This is irreversible, you are immortal and there is nothing out of this. It's endless, reversing, happening again and again. You're living the same life forever. And there is nothing you can do about it. You get older, a thousand, two thousand, new health problems, new issues, you try to live your life like you had planned on doing thousands of years ago. But now you cannot do anything but desiccate. Immortality is a curse. Not a gift. It should never be mistaken as a gift.

Greenwich University officials discuss academic cooperation with Azerbaijan

By Iqbal Jamil 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A delegation from the Greenwich University, led by its Chancellor, Dr Seema Mughal, and accompanied by Director Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), Dr Rab Nawaz, met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, His Excellency Khazar Farhadov, in Islamabad to explore avenues for academic collaboration and educational partnership between the two countries. 

During the meeting, both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen educational ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan through institutional cooperation and academic exchange programmes. 

Ambassador Khazar Farhadov assured the delegation of his full support and facilitation in establishing partnerships between the Greenwich University and leading universities in Azerbaijan. 

He emphasized the importance of fostering academic linkages through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), joint academic programmes, collaborative research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programs, language promotion activities, internships, and socio-cultural and educational visits. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Seema Mughal highlighted several areas for future collaboration. She proposed the development of 2+2 academic pathway programmes, the introduction of Greenwich University’s Pre-University Foundation Programme, educational development and capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced access to international qualifications. 

She further identified teacher training, curriculum development, quality assurance, and quality enhancement as key areas where educational institutions in Pakistan and Azerbaijan could work together for mutual benefit. 

The meeting concluded on a positive note with both sides expressing a strong commitment to promoting academic cooperation and strengthening educational partnerships between the two countries. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, Dr Seema Mughal presented a commemorative memento of Greenwich University to Ambassador Khazar Farhadov as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

Japanese Consulate’s gift of books to Greenwich University

By Iqbal Jamil

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Hattori Masaru, donated 110 books to the Greenwich University as a part of the Read Japan Project at an impressive ceremony held in Karachi. 

The books were donated through the initiative of the Nippon Foundation and have been placed at the Japan Resource Centre, a specially designated section within the Greenwich University Library. 

Speaking at the book handover ceremony, Hattori Masaru remarked that the objective of the Read Japan Project was to promote a deeper understanding of Japan around the world through books. 

He encouraged students to read the donated books covering various aspects of Japan, including its history, culture, politics, and sports, to gain greater knowledge and insight into the country. 

The Consul General also urged students to take advantage of scholarship opportunities available for higher studies in Japan. 

Addressing the ceremony, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Greenwich University, Dr Naveed Mughal, described Japan as a remarkable example of nation-building and development. He highlighted the importance of utilizing the donated collection and encouraged students to read the books to enhance their understanding of Japan’s achievements and contributions across different fields.

Governor Fahad Sikandar begins his tenure with a bang

Dr Beenish Khalid 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Chaudhary Fahad Sikandar, District Governor 2027-2028, Rotary International District 3271, has begun his innings with a bang. He showed his intentions very clearly by arranging a fabulous meetup of President Nominees at the Karachi Gymkhana on June 5. 

He was the pivot around which the whole ceremony revolved, although officially it was hosted by the Rotary Club of Shahrah-e-Faisal Karachi. The participation of nearly 100 Rotarians spoke volumes of his organizational skills. 

Although the past as well as the current governors were accorded far too much recognition, exceeding the global Rotary protocols, the night belonged to Fahad Sikandar, who stole the limelight with his excellent presentation skills.

The President Nominees, who will be a part of Governor Fahad Sikandar's team, were thoroughly appreciative of the efforts of their versatile leader who is expected to bring about the much-needed change in Rotary affairs in Pakistan.

Digital edition of Rotary District Directory for 2027-28 unveiled

Dr Beenish Khalid

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Chaudhary Fahad Sikandar, District Governor 2027-2028, Rotary International District 3271, has already created waves and the launch of the digital edition of the Rotary District Directory during the President Nominee Fellowship Meetup at Karachi Gymkhana on June 5 was declared as a pleasant surprise. 

Very rightly, he was lavishly praised for the initiative on the occasion as the directory was unveiled in most spectacular of fashion in the presence of the cheering Rotarians. 

As pointed out by the various dignitaries, present on the occasion, collecting and compiling data from the different clubs has always remained a challenging proposition even for the most resourceful of Rotary leaders but Fahad Sikandar proved the point that he indeed desires to let his work do the talking.

By bringing out the directory more than an year before the start of his tenure, he has provided adequate time to his team members to plan something big when they take charge their respective responsibilities on July 1, 2027.

A chapter is over with Pervez Iqbal’s death

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Hundreds of his former colleagues, contemporaries from the different walks of life, close friends and family members gathered to bid farewell to Pervez Iqbal, hailed as one of the trailblazers in the advertising and marketing industry, who passed away on May 30. They attended the funeral prayers held later the same evening at the Sakeena Masjid and he was buried in the DHA Phase-VIII Graveyard in Karachi. 

Senator Dr Sarmad Ali, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), and Managing Director, Jang Media Group, was particularly moved by the sad demise of Pervez Iqbal, whom he described as a highly respected professional, a gentleman of great warmth and integrity, who will be dearly missed. 

Another large turnout was also witnessed during the dua for the departed soul, which was organized at his residence, located on the Zulfiqar Street in the DHA Phase-VIII on May 31. They condoled the death of Pervez with his brother, Shahid and Arshad, and son Asim. 

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Bashir Memon, Senator Javed Jabbar, Talib Syed Karim, Asad I A Khan, Syed Jawaid Iqbal, Naveed Moghul, Jamal Mir, Iqbal Munir, Zulfiqar Ramzi and Arshad Nawab. 

They were unanimously firm in their belief that Pervez Iqbal’s death will certainly leave a vacuum in the advertising and marketing industry and his contributions will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ever-smiling Pervez Iqbal is no more

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The family sources have confirmed that Pervez Iqbal breathed his last on the morning of May 30. He had been laid low by a protracted illness for quite sometime but he was courageous and articulate enough to continue working professionally with his trademark smile, and enthusiasm, from the basement of his residence in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Karachi. 

Indeed, the advertising fraternity has lost one of its most committed professionals with his demise. Having worked at the famous Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), he was the founding CEO of the Big Bang Communications Limited (BBCL), which had come into being in the 1990s. 

He and his company rose to fame from a modest beginning with the ICC World Cup 1996 assignments as they proved their mettle by adding value to the mega cricket event, co-hosted by Pakistan. They built a big reputation as event managers, besides their growing engagement in the advertising and marketing arena. 

The imposing structure of the BBCL House, located on Khyaban-e-Jami, was a testimonial of their resounding success in the 2000s but the steep decline in business during the later years saw them shrinking and the slide did not stop. Once operating from the multistoried building of their own, the BBCL had to relocate to a much smaller rented premises. 

Being a great fighter, Pervez Iqbal tried his level best to keep his company afloat, primarily for the sake of his large team which he was reluctant to layoff, but his strenuous efforts could not yield the desired results. He worked for long hours which took its toll on his health. Although, he battled the ailments with a smile but the damage had been done. 

He will be remembered for years to come for having played a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s advertising, marketing, and event management landscape. Under his leadership, the BBCL had successfully executed numerous large-scale campaigns, activations, and events for both national and international brands, setting benchmarks that many in the industry aspired to follow.

Recalling Aziz Memon’s historic meeting with Nelson Mandela

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

October 12, 1992 was a Red Letter Day in the history of Pakistan, as Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest-ever leaders of the world, touched down in Karachi for a brief visit. 

He had been released from the Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, on February 11, 1990, after serving 27 years as a political prisoner for opposing apartheid. He had spent exactly 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island. 

His freedom had signalled the dismantling of the apartheid regime and culminated in him becoming the country's first Black president. 

Aziz Memon, one of Pakistan’s most charismatic personalities, a proud recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his services in the social sector, fondly remembers the chance to meet the great Nelson Mandela on that evening of October 12, 1992 when the business community of Karachi arranged a party to greet the most popular South African leader. 

Soon after their brief meeting, Nelson Mandela had quite generously invited Aziz Memon to visit him in South Africa which he did just a few months later. 

Nelson Mandela has been revered the world over for his resilience and commitment to peace and reconciliation prevented a civil war, ultimately earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and the presidency in 1994. 

He had returned to Pakistan for a second, official state visit in May 1999, where he addressed a joint sitting of Parliament and publicly thanked the Pakistani people for their staunch international support during the darkest days of the anti-apartheid movement.

Remembering Nawabshah’s icon Hakim Muaz Pirzado on his 56th death anniversary

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 56th death anniversary of Hakim Muhammad Muaz Pirzado, the inventor of the famous ‘Muaz Thadal’ of Nawabshah, was celebrated earlier this month. He was recognized as a distinguished physician, scholar, and social and political figure. 

He was known to be a man of great character who, through his words, actions, and integrity, became a source of inspiration and guidance for society. He was considered as a role model, leading the community towards the path of progress. 

Hailing from the intellectual tradition of Dar-ul-Irshad at Pir Jhanda, he was a student of the great scholar Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi. He was originally named Muhammad Panah Pirzado, but at a later stage, he was renamed as Muhammad Muaz Pirzado by his teacher, who had made him a central figure in his circles. 

He was born in 1896 in the village of Chhatan Shah near Qatal Shah in Sakrand Taluka, into the home of a hardworking man, Haji Muhammad Arif Pirzado. He received his early education from a local teacher, Akhund Walidad, and later graduated from Dar-ul-Irshad in Pir Jhanda, where he studied Persian, Arabic, and Sindhi under Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi. 

Following his teacher’s advice, he went to Lucknow to study traditional medicine (Tibb), where he earned a four-year degree. Later, he served as a teacher at the Tibbiya College in Delhi under the renowned physician Hakim Ajmal Khan. 

He returned to Sindh and opened his clinic in Kharadar, Karachi, in 1917. He actively participated in the Khilafat Movement, which led to the closure of his clinic and his imprisonment for one year in 1921. After his release, he moved to Tando Adam and opened another clinic, which was also confiscated by the authorities. Eventually, he settled in Nawabshah, where he established his permanent residence and clinic, which became famous as ‘Muaz Dawakhana.’ 

Hakim Pirzado possessed a dynamic personality. Alongside his medical practice, he actively participated in political and social movements. In 1919, he joined Jamiat Ulema and played a significant role in the Khilafat Movement. He also contributed to the struggle for the separation of Sindh from Bombay. 

He was a strong advocate of non-violence, inspired by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, and actively promoted Hindu-Muslim unity. He was actively involved in Nawabshah’s local politics and social affairs. He contested municipal elections and won, serving as a member of Nawabshah Municipality for four consecutive terms. 

When Jawaharlal Nehru visited Nawabshah, Hakim Muaz Pirzado, as a municipal member and district president of Congress, presented him with a welcome address. Being the son of a laborer, he strongly advocated for the rights of workers and farmers. After the partition, he joined the Sindh United Front due to his progressive ideas. He was imprisoned under the Safety Act in 1951. 

After his release, he actively participated in the movements of Hyder Bakhsh Jatoi’s Hari Party and the National Awami Party. However, in the 1960s, he withdrew from politics and focused entirely on his medical practice. 

Hakim Muaz Pirzado was a compassionate and generous person, who often treated poor patients free of cost and provided shelter, food, clothing, and education to orphaned and needy children. He also played a historic role in the establishment of the well-known madrasa ‘Tafheem-ul-Quran’ in Nawabshah in 1953. 

He was not only a great religious scholar but also a highly skilled physician. He invented several herbal medicines, syrups, and remedies. Among his most famous creations was ‘Thadal’ later named ‘Muaz Thadal’ by his son Hakim Muhammad Munir Pirzado. 

This drink created waves to be recognized as ‘Mashroob-e-Mehran’ and it became popular in different corners of the world. He also authored a book on medicine titled ‘Bayaz-e-Hikmat’ which was preserved in manuscript form with his descendants. He passed away on May 15, 1970. He is buried in Haji Naseer Graveyard in Nawabshah.