Matric Board Urges Affiliated Schools to Submit Examination Forms Before March 14

Karachi, March 10, 2025 – The Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), Dr. Noveed Ahmed, has once again instructed affiliated schools to ensure that their students submit examination forms before March 14, 2025, for the upcoming annual matriculation exams.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized that students who fail to submit their forms on time will not be allowed to appear in the examinations. He further clarified that no school will be permitted to send examination forms after the deadline under any circumstances.

Additionally, the board has made it mandatory for schools to submit the examination forms along with complete registration details. Schools failing to comply with this requirement will have their students' results withheld.

The BSEK chairman urged all students and schools to strictly follow the given instructions to avoid any inconvenience.

Akbar Ali Khan elected AMUOBA President, appointed SSUET Chancellor

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Akbar Ali Khan, son of the distinguished Engr Zakir Ali Khan, has been elected as the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), thereby assuming the position of Chancellor at Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET). He succeeds Jawaid Anwar as the university’s fourth Chancellor.

SSUET was established in 1993 under the leadership of its founding Chancellor, Engr Z A Nizami. Following his passing in 2013, the role was subsequently held by Engr Adil Usman and Jawaid Anwar. Akbar Ali Khan now takes over this prestigious position, continuing his family’s legacy of service to the institution.

The AMUOBA elections, held after a decade, witnessed the Zakir Ali Khan Panel securing victory over the Alig United Panel with a margin of 158 to 130 votes. Following his election, Akbar Ali Khan chaired the first Executive Committee meeting of AMUOBA, during which key office bearers were elected. Adil Askari, Atif Nazar, and Mohammed Yamin were appointed as Vice-Presidents, while Jaffar Nazir Usmani was elected as the General Secretary.

In his inaugural address, Akbar Ali Khan emphasized the need to move beyond past conflicts and focus on the future. He acknowledged the unwavering support of his allies during challenging times, stating that their steadfastness was more valuable than mere celebrations of victory. He stressed the importance of collective and united efforts to achieve the institution’s objectives, pledging to take all necessary steps to ensure the progress of SSUET.

During the Executive Committee meeting, significant decisions were made to address the pressing issues facing SSUET. Akbar Ali Khan underscored the responsibilities now resting on their shoulders and reiterated his commitment to the university’s growth and the welfare of its students.

General Secretary Jaffar Nazir Usmani reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening AMUOBA and its affiliated institutions. Similarly, Vice President Adil Askari stated that the newly elected body’s top priority would be the advancement of AMUOBA and SSUET, while upholding the principles laid down by their predecessors. He expressed his belief that the spirits of Z A Nizami and Zakir Ali Khan would be gratified by the emergence of leadership that respects and honors their legacy.

The faculty and staff of SSUET extended a warm welcome to the new Chancellor, pledging their full cooperation in achieving the university’s mission and vision. In a significant administrative move, Vice-Chancellor Dr Munawar Hussain was relieved of his responsibilities, with Dr Jaffar Nazir Usmani taking over the charge.

With a renewed leadership and a commitment to progress, AMUOBA and SSUET look forward to a promising future under Akbar Ali Khan’s stewardship.

Railways annual sports gala kickoff at Lahore on June 4

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shoaib Adil, General Manager of Railways’ Welfare and Special Initiatives and President Pakistan Railways Sports Board, has described sports as world’s most powerful moral and social power whose utility and importance has always been in every era since the ancient eras. 

He made these observations on the eve of Railways annual sports gala which start from June 4 at the Railways Sports Complex located in Lahore’s Garhi Shahu. He pointed out that while food, work and comfort were the necessities of life, sports were like a pillar which guaranteed the strength and stability of life.

“In every part of the world, people of all ages, gender and all status of life have been participating in sports whether collectively or individually,” he stressed. 

Shoaib Adil observed that in today’s era, while mobile phone or the smartphone was the source of wide relations and acquisition of knowledge, it had affected the human health as well and it’s imperative to divert the energies towards healthy activities overcoming the unnecessary utilization of cellular phones. 

The sports, he viewed, while serve as mean of providing peace, comfort and delight on one hand, these refresh the human mind on the other.

“In the field of sports, people make their practical lives successful and in view of this they have introduced 12 new sports academies in its Sports Complex where any person of any gender or age can take admission and make their living happy and healthy,” he said.

Dignitaries laud NLA President’s efforts

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, was lavishly praised by the dignitaries in their speeches during the World Book & Copyright Day event held at the Junagadh Lawn on May 21. 

Prof Farhat Hussain Khan, Chairperson, Library & Information Science department, University of Karachi, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Advisor, NLA, Ijaz Hamdani, President, Sindh College Librarians Association, and Aftab Farooqui, Founder, Citizen Library Liaison Association, were among the speakers in the ceremony. 

All the worthy speakers applauded the efforts of President Muzaffar Ali Shah for making the NLA one of the most efficient entities which was organizing events after events for the benefit of the librarians’ community. 

The NLA Advisor, in particular, highlighted the strenuous endeavours of the President who was braving all odds to accomplish his cherished goals. 

“Let’s salute him for his continued efforts despite facing enormous challenges at every step. His resilience needs to be complimented. He has been leading the NLA by example and he deserves to be recognized for his selflessness and awesome work ethics,” Khalid Mahmood reckoned.

NLA on the move, globally

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) has continued making strides during the past year and their key officials could be seen on the move trying to make things happen for their community of librarians. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and its Secretary, Anwar Hussain, had a detailed session on May 12 with the Association’s Information Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, who is working as the Chief Librarian at the Sindh High Court in Karachi. 

The NLA officials discussed the plans to organize more activities in the coming months and their subsequent coverage in the conventional and social media. They assessed the possibilities of broadcasting their events live on Facebook in future to enhance their outreach. 

Meanwhile the Association’s Overseas Coordinator, Younis Hashmi, has reached Canada where, upon arrival at the Pearson International Airport, Toronto, he was warmly received by the engineers of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Irfan Bablani and Irfan Riaz, both of whom had debuted in Karachi. 

It may be recalled that Younis Hashmi had worked as librarian at the PIA Head Office in Karachi for as many as 42 years before his retirement. Since then he has relocated in Canada.

He has had a telephonic discussion with the NLA President on May 12 in which the matters relating to the Association’s working in North America and other countries were deliberated at length.

NLA, KPC and Rotary Darakhshan join hands to hold Women’s Day seminar

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A seminar ‘Role of Libraries in Women Empowerment’ is being organized by Literary Committee of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) with the collaboration of National Library Association (NLA) and Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) at the KPC Auditorium on March 26. 

Syeda Shehla Raza, Deputy Speaker, Sindh Assembly, will be the keynote speaker while the seminar will also be addressed by Munazza Abidi, Senior Vice President, NLA, Farheen Mahmood, Vice President, NLA, Asma Hassan, motivational speaker and author, Dr Aftab Imam, District Governor, Rotary International, and Jahangir Moghul, Charter President, RCKD. 

The session, to be held from 3 to 5 pm, will be moderated by A H Khanzada, former Secretary, currently heading the KPC’s Literary Committee, and he will be assisted by Syed Khalid Mahmood, Advisor, NLA, and President, RCKD. 

The seminar is being held as a part of the International Women’s Day celebrations to highlight the significance of libraries for the women folks in particular.

NLA’s office-bearers meet on Pakistan Day

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The office-bearers of the National Library Association (NLA) held a meeting in Karachi on the Pakistan Day (March 23) to discuss matters relating to their ongoing and future projects. 

The meeting was presided over by the NLA Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, and attended by Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah (President), Munazza Abidi (Senior Vice President), Farheen Mahmood (Vice President), Anwar Hussain (Secretary General), Hira Yaseen (Joint Secretary) and Muhammad Ibrahim (Information Secretary). 

“The basic purpose of the meeting was to review the reports of our previous programmes besides deliberating on the events to be organized in near future. Such brainstorming sessions are a part and parcel of our strategic plan as we move forward to accomplishing our cherished goals,” the NLA President remarked.