Radio professional remembered

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Tributes were paid to Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Bilgrami, a renowned radio professional and retired Deputy Controller of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), who passed away recently 

His colleagues recalled the memories of late Bilgrami at a condolence meeting held at the Old Broadcasting House of Radio Pakistan at M A Jinnah Road, Karachi. 

The 71-year old Bilgrami had passed away after a protracted illness leaving behind a widow a son and a daughter to mourn his death. 

The meeting participants offered fateha and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

SSUET student gets USAID Fulbright Scholarship

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Syed Mustafa Jamal, a student of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. 

The SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, has appreciated Mustafa Jamal for this great achievement and wished him greater success in his future career.. 

With BS degree in Biomedical Engineering from Sir Syed University, Mustafa Jamal was selected from among 1700 candidates for the scholarship and is set to leave for US for higher education, according to a statement issued recently. 

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Fulbright scholarship covers tuition, required textbooks, air fare and health insurance.

SSUET plans to launch new courses

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology has chalked out plans to introduce new courses. "In order to meet the present day demands, the university will introduce new courses and technologies including BBA, MBA and Management courses for engineers,” the SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, announced during a recent meeting. 

He said that the university, as per its charter, had the authority to launch new courses and technologies. The SSUET was the first in Pakistan to introduce the discipline of Bio-medical Engineering while four new technologies in Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Architecture and Electrical Engineering were added to existing courses in Computer, Civil, Telecommunication, Bio-Medical Electronics engineering besides Computer Science. 

He pointed out that a large number of graduates were benefitting from short certificate courses like Project Management Professionals, Web Engineering, PHP MySQL, Graphic Designing and Web Designing already being run by Continuing Education Programme of the Sir Syed University. 

Speaking about admission policy, Chancellor Jawaid Anwar said that the admission process was passing through the last phase. The merit list was issued as per schedule and the admissions were successfully done on pure merit through a transparent procedure. 

He added that the admission process will be completed as per schedule on January 8, 2016, after which new the academic session will get underway. 

The Chancellor recalled that January 8 was a day of great significance in the history of South Asia as it was on this day that Mohammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College was founded in Aligarh by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan that set the direction of Muslims of subcontinent towards scientific education. 

"Being the true followers of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's ideology, we established SSUET and Aligarh Institute of Technology to carry forward the mission of great educationist and reformer to promote modern education,” Chancellor Jawaid Anwar stated.

Police to provide foolproof security to polio workers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Inspector General Police, Sindh, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, has issued directives for providing due security to polio drops administering teams during the anti-polio drive starting from December 9 to 17.

He directed that East, West and South Zones be divided into sectors and sub-sectors with extra ordinary security measures to be provided under the supervision of concerned SSPs for polio teams. 

He instructed that deployment of police commandos with polio teams be ensured in categorized sensitive Union Councils/Areas.

A report compiled by the police said that overall 4325 police commandos/personnel drawn from will perform security cover to the SSU, Rapid Response Force, Sindh Reserve Police, Counter Terrorism Department, Sindh Crime Branch, Anti-Encroachment Cell, Shaheed Benazirabad Elite PoliceTraining School Razaqabad, and Police Training College Saeedabad/RTC Hyderabad, Jam Nawaz and PTC Shahdadpur besides existing force from Zones, Districts and Police Stations. 

This has been done to provide foolproof security to health workers, doctors and other staff as part of polio teams, particularly in areas of sensitive union councils. These teams will administer polio drops in various parts of union councils of Karachi in coordination with stake holders.

The IGP directed that during this period, there should be effective mobile movement of police on motor cycles besides snap and random checking at different points with strict vigil at entry and exit points along with intelligence.

Police intensifies action against crime

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

According to a report submitted to the Inspector General Police, Sindh, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, as many as 1357 terrorists/criminals were killed in police action during 823 days of Karachi Operation. 

The report added 73,072 culprits were arrested during this period since September 5, 2013. It also said that during this period police had 4,143 encounters with the criminals/terrorists and busted 2117 organized gangs. 

During the period under review, police claimed to have recovered 1437 kilograms of explosive material, 31 suicide jackets, 15 IEDs, 1808 bombs/hand grenades, 20 LMGs, 438 SMGs/KK, 289 shotguns/repeaters, 348 rifles and 16910 pistols/revolvers/mouzers.

SANA condemns killing in San Bernardino

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the killing of innocent people in San Bernardino, California, and demanded of the Government of the United States for gun control laws to abstain such type of incidents causing loss of precious lives.

The SANA’s Central President, Jamil Daudi, General Secretary, Noorunissa Ghanghro, and other members of Executive Council also condemned the massacre. 

The SANA Executive Council, in a statement, said that every other day mass shooting incidents in the United States were causing distress, unrest and terror among the citizens, and now time is up to come up with some concrete measures to control these incidents and save precious human lives.  

The SANA leaders, expressing deep sorrow and sympathy with the families of victims, said that although the killer couple seemed to be Muslims but relating the incident with religion will be unjustified. 

“The SANA and Sindhi community of North America, affirms at large to work for peace and harmony at all level to extend a safe and secure atmosphere to our young generations, and demands from the Government of United States for measures to prevent such mass killings at the hands of cruel people” the statement concluded.

Ombudsman rescues medical student

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The intervention by the Provincial Ombudsman Asad Ashraf Malik, helped a female student to get back about half a million rupees which she had deposited in a public sector medical university as admission fee.

The student, Asra Zafar had deposited Rs 441,600 in a public sector university as admission fee but later she changed her mind and got admission in another university and sought the refund of the deposited a mount which, however, was declined by the university. 

She approached the Provincial Ombudsman with whose efforts, the university paid back the deposited amount and handed a cheque for Rs 441,600 to Ombudsman. 

The Ombudsman Asad Ashraf Malik handed the cheque to the complainant student in his office.

PNSC considers greater employment opportunities to PMA cadets

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), with the collaboration of the Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA), is considering providing more employment opportunities to the PMA cadets.

In this connection a high level joint meeting of both the organizations was held with the senior officials in attendance. Arif Elahi, Chairman, PNSC, and Commodore Syed Akber Naqi, Commandant, PMA, headed their respective delegations. 

The meeting constituted a three-member committee headed by Brig Rashid Siddiqui and comprising of Zaheer Baber and the Commandant, Marine Academy, as its members. 

The committee has been assigned to the task of developing a new recruitment system for the PMA cadets, with the cooperation of DG Ports and Shipping. 

The meeting decided that a conference of private marine training institutes and the heads of Merchant Navy organizations will soon be convened. 

It was also suggested that the private shipping companies be persuaded to provide employment to the PMA cadets, the number of cadets who sign on and sign off on the PNSC ships be raised from 18 to 30. These cadets may also be provided employment at harbor crafts and harbor rovers. 

It was  decided that during training these cadets will be paid scholarship (stipend) sponsored by the PNSC. The committee considered awarding scholarship of Rs one lac per head to the five position holder cadets of the PMA. The PNSC has offered financial assistance for upgrading physics and chemistry labs of the PMA.

It was also decided that only those institutions having ample experience of shipping would be allowed to impart training so that the practice of awarding certificate without any training is to discourage and brought to end. A committee comprising of the PNSC shipping experts would redesign the syllabus. 

The PNSC Chairman emphasized that the regulatory authority be reactivated particularly in the matters concerning the PMA. He also stated that he will get this matter investigated as to why the PMA cadets were not getting employment on foreign vessels. 

The participants of the meeting included PNSC’s Director Administration, Brig Rashid Siddiqui, Director, Ship Management, Zaheer Baber Qureshi, PNSC’ Manager Training, Commodore, Muhammad Aslam Rana and Hafiz Amin Nizami, the President gold medalist of the PMA.

Raeesuddin Paracha appointed Federal Insurance Ombudsman

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammad Raeesuddin Paracha, a Grade 22 officer of the Federal Government, has been appointed as Federal Insurance Ombudsman at its headquarters in Karachi.

He was administered oath of office for a four-year term by the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, at an impressive ceremony held in Islamabad recently which was attended by Senior Government Officials and dignitaries. 

Raeesuddin Paracha has a vast service experience in various government positions at the federal and provincial levels. 

Revered as a highly professional officer, he has served in the Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights as well as in the Ministry of Textile Industries, besides having worked as Executive Director State Life Insurance Corporation. He has also served as Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Sindh in different departments. 

He had received a Master’s Degree in Statistics from the University of Karachi in the year 1979 and subsequently he cleared the competitive examination in the year 1982.

He successfully participated in the training course in Public Administration organized by National Institute of Public Administration in 2003 and the National Management Course offered by National Management Collage, Lahore in 2010. 

He was also certified by the Executive Development Institute, National School of Public Policy, Lahore, upon the completion of the Executive Programme on Improving Government Performance in 2011.

SSUET VC condoles Jamiluddin Aali’s death

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Vice Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid H Rizvi, has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of noted writer, poet and literary figure, Jamiluddin Aali.

In a condolence message, Dr Rizvi recalled the monumental services of Jamiluddin Aali and observed that his death has created a big vacuum in the literary circles of the country which will be difficult to fill. 

Jamiluddin Aali was the recipient of three awards from the Government of Pakistan, President’s Pride of Performance Gold Medal in 1992; Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Urdu Literature) in 2003, and Kamal-i-Funn Award. 

He remained the chairman of the Urdu Dictionary Board for three years. Besides dohas, Jamiluddin Aali was revered for ghazals, poems, lyrical ballads and geets. 

His immortal patriotic songs included 'jeevay jeevay Pakistan', 'aye watan kay sajeelay jawano', 'mera pegham Pakistan', 'hum ta ba abad saee-o-taghayyur kay wali hein' and 'itnay baray jeevan sagar main'. 

The Vice-Chancellor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to Allah to rest the departed in eternal peace.

AIT secured top three positions in Annual SBTE Examination 2015

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) has once again secured top three positions in DAE Biomedical Technology, in Annual Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE) Examination 2015.

Bismah Inam secured 1st position with 80.71%, Sadaq Shahid got 2nd position with 80.46% and Rida Taqi gained 3rd position with 80.37%. 

The AIT has been achieving this distinctive honour for the last three consecutive years which is definitely a great achievement by AIT students and the credit goes to Nazish Tariq, HOD, and faculty member of Bio-Medical department who have made consistent efforts to bring out the commendable performance by the students. 

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Jawaid Anwar, has congratulated with the position holders, the Principal AIT and the other staff members on bringing more laurels to the institution.

Railways make train journey more comfortable

New coaches in the AC and economy classes have been attached with the Karakoram Express train on November 24. These coaches will also be having certain value additions. 

In the AC coaches, water dispenser has been made available besides the installation of LEDs and the availability of wifi services while in the economy coaches, curtain has been provided in each gallery of six berths to make the journey of the passengers more comfortable and secure. 

Moreover public address system with an arrangement of Azan has also been installed. 

The Chief Operating Superintendant of the Pakistan Railways, Mahmood Hassan, alongwith the Deputy Superintendant of Karachi, Haseeb Burgari, visited the station and examined the coaches.. The DCO Karachi and other departmental officers were also present on the occasion.

Sindh Police makes foolproof security arrangements

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Inspector General Police, Sindh, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, has directed that besides recording of majalis and processions on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) at the range, district and zonal levels, steps be taken for strict vigil at procession routes and parking areas besides police patrolling in targeted sensitive areas, snap checking and advance e intelligence collection and its timely sharing. 

He directed that all possible steps should also be taken for continuous watch on places of majalis and procession routes besides technical sweeping, scanning and clearance from bomb disposal squads. 

The IGP called for preparing security measures on the basis of inner and outer cordon of central Chehlum processions under close coordination between police and other law enforcing organizations.  

He instructed that every step be taken for removal of encroachments, abandoned or out of order vehicles in the way of processions, He called for extraordinary security measures on the day of Chehlum for small and major processions and the majalis to be held besides deploying snipers at selected high rise buildings on the route of central procession. 

He directed that special responsibilities be entrusted to police commandos, reserved and anti-riots platoons, special and crime branches.

US Vice Consul General briefs shipping companies on visa procedure

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) organized a briefing regarding the hurdles in obtaining US visa. The US Vice Consul General, James Allman Gulino, briefed the shipping companies regarding the hardships faced in obtaining US visa. 

The Economic Officer of the US Consulate in Karachi, Richard Rasmussen, PNSC’s Chairman, Arif Elahi, PNSC’s Executive Director, Brig Rashid Siddiqi, Director Ports and Shipping, owners of private shipping companies and their representatives attended the briefing. 

Gulino, speaking on the topic of visa policy and procedure, provided the attendants with the details regarding obtaining US visa and told them that one doesn’t have to face any undue delay or difficulty if he or she has a machine readable passport, SSB and is registered at the agent. 

“The applicants have to face difficulty if they lack the eligibility, don’t follow the standard procedure, provide invalid or incomplete documents or fail to provide required information,” he explained. 

The representatives of shipping companies requested that the procedure be made easier, some regulations should be relaxed and undue delay in issuance of visa be done away with. Speaking to media, 

Arif Elahi, Chairman PNSC, said that the main purpose of the briefing was to understand the matters related to US visa and give the Pakistani shipping companies proper orientation so that their cadets or deck cadets may face no undue difficulty at US ports. 

“The cadets passing out from Pakistan Marine Academy do not get jobs because of not having the US visas. The US visa gives them an additional international advantage as they can enter ports in many countries without any hindrances. This increases their chances of getting lucrative jobs,” he added. 

The PNSC Chairman also said that in order to obtain visa, one has to satisfy the visa officer with proper related documents. He related suggestions to make the visa process easy and curtail the difficulties of seamen with reference to documents.

PNSC signs agreement with Faysal Bank

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has successfully swapped its loan of Rs 3.3 billion with another loan on soft terms with a repayment period of four years on low mark-up. As a consequence, the PNSC has saved tens of millions of Rupees.

In this respect, a signing ceremony was held in the PNSC Building on November 18 which was attended by Senator  Kamran Michael,  Federal Minister Ports and Shipping, Arif Elahi, Chairman, PNSC, Tayyaba Rasheed, Head of Investment Banking Faysal Bank, Jarrar Haider Kazmi, General Manager Finance,  PNSC, and other officials of the two organizations.

The agreement was signed by Bilal Asghar, Head of Corporate Investment Banking on behalf of Faysal Bank and Imtiaz C Agboatwala Executive Director, Finance, signed on behalf of the PNSC.

On this occasion Arif Elahi, Cjairman, PNSC, informed that the agreement has enabled the corporation to repay the outstanding loan and replace with a loan on softer terms, saving substantial financial cost.

Veteran mathematician Prof Dr Rana Khalid Naeem passes away

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The mathematics department of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, (SSUET), and the Karachi Mathematical Association (KMA) have condoled the sad demise of Prof Dr Rana Khalid Naeem, a former Chairman of the mathematics department of the University of Karachi, who passed away the other day. 

The meeting was presided over by the SSUET’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, who is also the President of the KMA. 

He recalled the services of Dr Rana Khalid in the field of mathematics and highlighted his achievements and contribution towards the promotion of mathematics. 

The President and members of KMA offered Fateha and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to the family and the circle of friends to bear the great loss.

Sindh Chief Secretary, Ombudsman meet

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The Chief Secretary, Sindh, Mohammad Siddique Memon, called on the Provincial Ombudsman, Sindh, Asad Ashraf Malik at his office and discussed matters of mutual interest. 

Chief Secretary Sindh
Mohammad Siddique Memon

 

The Sindh Ombudsman, Asad Ashraf Malik apprised the Chief Secretary about functioning of the Mohtasib office and improvements brought about for providing speedy justice to aggrieved people at their doorsteps. 

 

Sindh Ombudsman
Asad Ashraf Malik

He urged the Chief Secretary to direct all the provincial departments for implementation of decisions of Ombudsman on priority basis so that administrative justice was provided to the people of Sindh. 

 

The Chief Secretary assured every possible help and assistance for implementation of the Sindh Ombudsman decisions at the earliest. He said that he will issue instructions in this regard in the next meeting of secretaries.

Witnesses Protection Act to be implemented

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi,

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

 

The measures for implementation of Witnesses Protection Act (WPA) came under discussion at a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of IG Police Sindh, Ghulam Haider Jamali.

 

The Additional IG CTD, while spelling out the spirit of WPA, highlighted its significance in the existing scenario.

 

Addl. IG Traffic, Addl. IG CTD, Addl. IG Karachi, DIG Headquarters, DIG DL, DIG Crimes, DIG RRF, DIG CTD, AIG Finance, AIG Administration, AIG Legal and other officers attended the meeting.

                . 
It was decided to establish the Witness Protection Unit (WPU) to be headed by Addl. IG CTD, as required under the Act while the provincial home department will be approached to actualize the physical establishment of WPU. 

 

"Till the physical functioning of WPU, it is imperative to convey to Additional IG Karachi and all Range DIGs to ensure protection to witnesses, particularly those connected with high profile cases as an immediate measure and in ordinance with the spirit of WPA," the IGP directed

          

IGP Jamali constituted a committee under Addl. IG CTD with DIG Headquarters and DIG Administration, Karachi Police and SSP CTD Aamir Farooqi as Secretary of the committee, to frame rules for WPU's working at the earliest.

31st SANA Convention organized in Houston

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 31st Annual Convention of the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), spanning over three days, was held recently in Houston, Texas. The moot was largely participated by literary and political personalities from all over the world. Around 600 families participated in the latest SANA event.

The leaders of North American Sindhi origin renewed their commitment to contribute positively to boost the image of their country and Sindh at the world level and serve the motherland with complete dedication.

On the concluding day, a general body meeting of SANA was held in which the central President Jamil Daudi, General Secretary, Noorunissa Ghanghro, Vice President, Canada, Maqsood Soomro, Vice-President, Youth Wing, Bakhtawar Hafiz, and Treasurer, Ali Hassan Bhutto, apprised the members about one year progress report. 

On this occasion Zafar Agha presented progress report of SANA Fame Fund scholarships being given to deserving and poor students of Sindh for completion of their education. 

The SANA decided to increase the number of scholarships to maximize the opportunities of quality education for the youth of Sindh. 

The Sindh Skill Development project was also discussed under which the educated youth are extended job oriented skill development along with opportunities of employment overseas. Sohail Ansari presented report on Thar Potable Water project.

On the last day various sessions and panel discussions were arranged in which the SANA decided to connect the youth of North America and Sindh through social media for knowledge sharing and each other's professional buildup.  

Need was stressed to teach Sindhi to the young generation of North American Sindhi families so that they were kept connected with their culture and heritage. 

A seminar on health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression among youth was also arranged by Dr Hafeez Abbasi.

Another important session was a debate in which renowned intellectual, educationist and author Aaqil Shah spoke about the major issues of Pakistan. 

The concluding session recognized volunteers and local organizers with the presentation of Life Time Achievement awards to world renowned vocalist Abida Parveen. 

The Consul General of Pakistan in Houston, Afzal Mahmood, also spoke to the gathering and appreciated the activism of Sindhi community of USA and particularly in Texas to improve the image of Pakistan in this society. 

On the occasion the artists coming from Pakistan, Humaira Channa and Shaman Ali Mirali, rocked the event with their famous songs and mesmerized the audiences who dances on their songs with great enthusiasm.  

On the second day of event a political session was also arranged to discuss the real issues of Sindh and Pakistan which was addressed by Ayaz Latif Palijo, Mahtab Akbar Rashidi, Zulfiqar Halepoto, Mohammad Ali Mahar and Lakhu Lohano.

A session on Information Technology was also arranged in which experts including ex-President SANA, Iqbal Tareen, apprised young generation about the opportunities ofemployment and entrepreneurship in the field of IT.

A literary gathering was addressed by distinguished laureates and literates from Sindh including ex-chairperson Sindhi Language Authority, Dr Fahmida Hussain, noted drama and story writer Noorul Huda Shah, noted poet Aakash Ansari, Secretary General of Sindhi Literary Association Dr Mushtaq Phull, Professor Mukhtiar Samu, Dr Saleem Memon and others. 

A session on education was addressed by noted educationist Syed Rasool Bux Shah, Saleem Memon, Asghar Soomro, Aijaz Turk and others.

The noted heads of media houses in Pakistan including chief of Hum TV, Sultana Siddiqui, head of Sindh TV, Dr Karim Rajper, head of Mehran TV, Ghulam Nabi Morai and noted columnist Asghar Soomro spoke on “The Role of Media" in an egalitarian society in Pakistan which was moderated by Khair Mohammad Kolachi. 

On the opening day, a session was dedicated to discuss the issues of Sindhi women. Mahtab  Akber Rashidi, Noorul Huda Shah, Dr Fahmida Hussain, Sultana Siddiqui, Nicolita Talpur, and General Secretary SANA, Noorunissa Ghanghro, regretted that even in this era of computer and information technology, a huge majority of Sindhi women are living without basic rights and looks still living in a stone age.  

The speakers urged the educated people of Sindh to provide maximum opportunities of education, health and employment to their daughters and womenfolk without which no society can survive and compete to the global challenges.