Valima ceremony of Majid Mahmood held at KPC

Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh/Minister for Mines & Mineral Development, Mr Imamuddin Shoqeen, attended the valima ceremony of Mr Syed Majid Mahmood held here at the Karachi Press Club the other day.

Karachi gang rape shocks Karachiites

It took the gang rape survivor less than 24 hours to realise that she was better off withdrawing her statement, so badly did the government and police manage the case.

Twenty-something K and her acquaintance S, in her mid-30s, were driving in a blue Suzuki Alto on Khayaban-e-Qasim in DHA Karachi when three to four men in a car rammed into them from the back. The small car dived into a ditch, the women were dragged from the car, abducted and K was gang raped while S was beaten. They were then dumped back at the spot. M, one of K’s friends, took them to hospital from where the case was taken up.

DIG South Iqbal Mehmood confirmed that the medico-legal report stated that rape had indeed taken place. “The report has been reserved for now and will only be released on Tuesday,” he said. S was beaten and needed 17 stitches, added Citizens-Police Liaison Committee chief Ahmed Chinoy. He told The Express Tribune, “Since there was no medico-legal officer (MLO) at Jinnah hospital they were then taken to Services hospital where the MLO examined the girl and also took samples for DNA testing. The initial report does say that she was raped.” Police Surgeon Dr Hamid Parhiyar said K’s clothes have been handed over to the police. DNA samples have been dispatched as well. Dr Sumayan, who carried out the chemical examination, has declined to comment.

K’s friend M registered the First Information Report (FIR) No. 585/10 under Sections 365-A (kidnapping) and 375/34 (gang rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code at Darakshan police station. It states that there were three to four unidentified men who committed the crime. The complaint was, however, withdrawn late Monday night.

At the Darakhshan police station, where the statements were recorded, a veritable media circus had broken out. Not one to be left out, information adviser Sharmila Farooqui arrived and after attempting to speak to K, met the media at about 7:30 pm. Against all internationally adopted procedures, the adviser not only named the rape survivor but went on to express scepticism and describe K as extremely “hyper” and “rude” as she did not want to speak to anyone. “She’ll beat you with a stick if you go meet her!” Farooqui exclaimed.

The adviser told the media that K had said that she would think about giving names and addresses after mulling over them through the night. Amid a rash of questions, Farooqui discussed M’s statement that led to the FIR. M’s statement was automatically assumed to be K’s version of the events, that she went to a “party” and was raped after she emerged from it. “But this is her version,” said Farooqui. She went on to make the judgement that K’s statements had been “contradictory” because her friends had given different statements and locations.

“You will understand it later [after investigations are through],” Farooqui answered to further badgering from the media. “We’ve understood it a little… Uss [her statements] mein jaan nahi he. Thora sa he.”

Farooqui said that K was blaming the police and politicians for inviting the media. “A perfectly normal person would panic with so much media around,” the adviser admitted.

K was not willing to share details of where she lived, the address of the supposed party she had attended and other information. S was also not keen on divulging any details.

Adviser Farooqui and the CPLC’s Chinoy went on to stress that the rumours of a gang operating in DHA were not true. “There is no such thing. It is an individual, isolated case,” Farooqui said. She expressed sympathy for the police. “The bechara DIG has been sitting here for four hours,” she remarked.

Chinoy, who also spoke to K, said, “She was calm. However given the amount of media present, given what happened, she was disturbed and said that she had not been treated fairly [mere sath insaaf nahi hua he].”

While officials admitted that the medico-legal report showed that K had been raped, the prevailing consensus at the police station was that the women were at fault and were ‘blackmailing’ someone by filing the FIR. When asked about K’s profession, DIG Iqbal Mehmood huffily replied, “She says she is a model.” He then went on to disclose personal biological details about her.

At the police station, there appeared to be an effort to portray that the alleged victims were ‘call girls’ and one of them was involved in ‘trafficking women’. Much was made of the “fact” that the women had reportedly attended a party and that one of their statements did not match.

“The victim is not ready to inform the police about the culprits and she is not even answering when the police ask her from where she was returning home at midnight,” said SHO Rana Amjad. “We did not register the case on the complaint of the victim but we lodged the FIR over media pressure.” The women had not spoken to any media personnel and had left the police station while reporters were amassed outside.

The small car, which had been hit by the alleged perpetrators’ car, stood in the parking lot at the police station. Its front and rear ends had received extensive damage and the windshield was smashed.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, a female police surgeon with 15 years of experience, who works with rape survivors admitted at Jinnah hospital, Civil hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, said: “We keep asking the (alleged) victim questions and slowly take them into confidence in order to get the whole story. Every now and then we revert to the same questions in order to check for continuity… In some cases the woman may be severely traumatised and when questioned by the police may succumb to pressure.” Dr Mubarak Ali, a medico-legal officer at Civil hospital, also said a victim’s story changes if they get scared of the police.

PPI reported, however, that both women came to the police station on Monday at about midnight and informed the police about the case.

According to this report, the police took them to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) for medico-legal formalities. CHK MLO Dr Qarrar told PPI that the initial report suggested that the woman was raped.

Clifton SP Tariq Dharejo told The Express Tribune that the DIG was forming a special investigation team to investigate the matter. The mobile phone records are being pulled as well.

with additional input by mahnoor sherazee

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2010.

Karachi transporters to keep vehicles off the road

President of
Karachi Transport Ittehad,
 Irshad Hussain Bukhari

City transporters, fearing their vehicles would be impounded by law enforcement agencies for blocking intersections of MA Jinnah Road during the congregations and main processions of Muharram-ul-Haram, have decided to keep the vehicles off the road, The Nation has learnt here on Tuesday.

President of Karachi Transport Ittehad, Irshad Hussain Bukhari informed that law enforcement agencies would take over the buses and minibuses forcibly after 7th of Muharam and place them at sensitive places to block areas from where the Muharrram processions would pass.

He said if any driver or conductor offers resistance, they are immediately detained.

He said police have started to impound vehicles however he declined to give exact figures of how many vehicles have been taken over.

He said, last year the law enforcement agencies detained over 150 vehicles for security reason and used them for blocking roads.

He said to avoid such an occurrence and as safety measure it had been decided to withdraw vehicles.

Irshad Hussain Bukhari expressed serious concern about the safety of the public transport vehicles adding that last years, unidentified miscreants torched their 50 vehicles which were used as road blocks during the main processions of Aashura of last year.

He further said that Sindh Government did not give compensation to the affected bus owners and once again it had started holding vehicles forcibly. According to information available Karachi police every year on the crucial days of Muhram-ul-Harram get hold of the public vehicles, cargo containers, goods transport vehicles, in order to place them for the security purpose at different intersections of the main MA Jinnah Road from where the processions of the Muharram-ul-Haram would pass.(Nation)

Crackdown in Karachi: More than 300 including Taliban leaders arrested

Rangers have arrested more than 300 terrorists, including Taliban leaders after conducting a search operation in Manghopir, Karachi.

Rangers sources said that they had arrested a terrorist, Zain-ul-Abedin, a few days ago and initiated the search operation on information provided by him in Manghopir and its surroundings areas, early Tuesday morning.

Sources say that the Sindh government had received information from secret agencies that terrorists have planned terror activities in Karachi during Muharram-ul-Haram. (SAMAA)

Karachi Bar Elections: Mohammad Aqil elected as President, Haider Imam Rizvi as Secretary

Mohammad Aqil

64th annual elections held in Karachi Bar Association (KBA), Mohammed Aaqil has been elected for the office of presidency while Haider Imam Rizvi has been elected Secretary of the association, Geo News reported.

The 64th annual elections of KBA were held in City Court on Saturday where only journalists and law practitioners were allowed entry.

Haider Imam Rizvi

It is pertinent to mention here that a number of 58 candidates took part on as many as 21 seats in KBA.

Victorious advocate, Mohammed Aaqil, won with a big margin as he secured 1708 votes against his front running opponent Naeem Qureshi, who got 1565 votes.

Over 60 percent turnout was recorded for the first time in KBA elections on Saturday wherein a total of 3429 votes were cast.

An unorthodox participation was noticed in KBA polls owing to provincial holiday and extraordinary security measures around City Court, which contributed massively in bring the voters to polls.

All Russian aircraft at Pakistani airports grounded

All Russian aircraft at Pakistani airports have been grounded. The move comes after a Russian-made Ilyushin IL-76 cargo plane operated by a Georgian company Sunway airlines crashed in a residential neighbourhood of Karachi, killing eight crewmembers and three men on the ground.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Pervez George told The Express Tribune that apart from four AN-26 cargo planes at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, several other aircraft in Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad have been grounded for “technical reasons.”

Elaborating, George said the technical reasons could mean anything from technical faults in the aircraft to invalid travel documents and unspecified cargo.

There is no restriction on Russian aircraft landing in the country. However, once they land, they would have to go through stringent checks and prove their valid documents, the spokesperson said, adding that the new directives come from the ‘top’. George said all grounded planes were being thoroughly checked at the moment. “We can terminate the license of the airliner if we find that all procedures have not been followed.”

A senior civil aviation official, who wished not to be named, said that previously the operating procedures for such cargo planes that mostly arrived from the UAE and Afghanistan were very relaxed. So much so that no Pakistani engineers had checked for technical faults in the last aircraft that crashed and the cargo was also not checked.

Russian consulate press attaché Alex Zenkoe said the Pakistani authorities have not informed the diplomatic mission about the restrictions in writing, though he admitted that ‘some verbal’ communications has taken place. Zenkoe also said that the IL-76 was being operated by a Georgian airliner Sunway, so why the restrictions on Russian airplanes. He questioned why his country’s aircraft were being singled out when almost any plane in the world could crash, including the recent Airblue tragedy in Islamabad that involved an Airbus aircraft.

George clarified that the restrictions would not apply on commercial airliners. “Only non-scheduled flights would be affected by the new directives,” he said.(ET)

MQM gets record number of hides of sacrificial animals’

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has made record collection of hides and skins of sacrificial animals from across the country, said the Chief Trustee of Khidmat Khalq Foundation (KKF), Syed Mustafa Kamal.

Talking to the media persons on Friday at the main collection point of the party at Nazeer Hussain Medical University, Federal B Area, he said that people have donated hides of sacrificial animals in record number not only in Karachi but also in other areas of the country.

Accompanied by Rabita Committee members Shoaib Bukhari, Raza Haroon, Wasay Jalil, Tariq Mir and others, the former city nazim said that MQM received good and very positive response.

He further elaborated that the MQM had set up collections points at Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Okara, Sheikhupura, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bhawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mianwali.

While in Sindh province, he said, 19 zones including Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Sanghar, Tandoallahyar, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Umerkot, Thatta, Nausheroferoze, Badin, Larkana, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Dadu, Qambar, Shahdadkot, Kashmore and Jacobabad, hides were donated by the people.

In the Balochistan province, the hides were collected from Quetta, Bolan, Naseerabad, Sibi, Pishin, while in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa collections were made from Abbottabad, Mansehra and other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan including Iskardu and Ganchi etc.

He said that the MQM will set up hospitals, educational institutions and other welfare projects through the funds raised from the collection of hides and skins. 

Turkish rental power plant reaches Karachi

KARACHI: A Turkish rental power plant has reached, through a ship, at Karachi Port on Thursday.

According to details, this rental power plant has been acquired under a five years’ contract by the Government of Pakistan.

This ship installed power plant will remain docked at Karachi Port and from the same place it will supply 250 mega watts daily to Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) through WAPDA.

The official opening of the plant will be done by the Federal Water and Power Minister, Raja Parvez Ashraf. SAMAA

Shoaib Siddiqui plans to take bowling from urban to rural Sindh

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh, who has been the motivating force in making things happens on a fast track as far as the activities of sports at the provincial level are concerned, has vowed to take the sport of bowling, popular sport of the urban areas, to the interior regions of the province.

Shoaib Siddiqui, who had taken over the chief of the sports department of Sindh in October 2008, firmly believes that it’s the fundamental right if every citizen to have access to the sporting facilities.

More significantly he also reckons that the government, besides the corporate sector, has a responsibility to create the sports infrastructure to let the common man engage himself in healthy activities.

The visionary and responsible government officers like him, who believe in meeting the challenge and overcoming the obstacles, are the ones who bring about a change despite the shortcomings in the system. It’s easier said than done.

Shoaib Siddiqui gladdened the hearts of the enthusiasts of the sport of bowling by supporting one of their tournaments recently which was organized by the Sindh Tenpin Bowling Association with the venue being the bustling Thunder Pins housed in Millennium Mall which is one of the favourite destinations for the youth of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and other adjoining areas.

It was the first ranking bowling event to be staged in Pakistan, made possible by the Sindh Sports Board (SSB). It was a major accomplishment for the organizers who had also made an appearance in the 13th Sindh Games 2010 held in Karachi.

The inaugural Sindh Inter-League Bowling Tournament 2010 was acclaimed as a success story with about 50 bowlers having registered in the masters and amateur categories. The outstanding performers of the landmark three-day were rewarded with cash prizes besides certificates and trophies.

Hanif Mohammad Mirchawala, Director Sports, Government of Sindh, was the chief guest in the presentation ceremony of the tournament having been inaugurated by the departmental chief, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.

“I suggest that the Sindh Sport Board should provide us with the space to open up a bowling arena in terms of private-public partnership. We are trying our level best to make this sports reachable for every class, a technician who won gold dedal in 13thSindh Games Tenpin Bowling Event 2010 amateur category is the living example,” Romis Ali General Secretary, STBA, observed in his welcome speech.

Top Seed Shabbir Lashkarwala lived up to the billing to become the first Sindh Inter-League champion by scoring an average of 172. He was also the gold medalist in the13th Sindh Games 2010 Tenpin Bowling event.

Rashid Ali, Syed Zubair and Aleem Agha claimed the next three positions in the masters’ category with Mahmood Ahmed claiming the award for the highest score of 236.

Abdullah Tahir emerged the champion in the amateur singles while the next three positions were shared by Shahjahan, Abid Ahmed and Faizan Tariq. Abdullah Tahir got another prize for his being the top scorer with 214.

Sindh Whites, comprising of Khawaja Ahmed, Zubair Ali, Naeem, and Abdullah Tahi, won the team event with Sindh Green, featuring Robert, Shahjahan, Sarim and Mahmood Ahmed, finishing as the runner-up and Sindh Blues, containing Naseem Ahmed Qureshi, Shabbir Lashkerwala, Farhan Riaz and Abid Ahmed, getting third position. (www.skmsports.com)

Martyr of revolution and loyalty Dr Imran’s Farooq laid to rest

Dr. Imran Farooq, the Martyr of Revolution and founder member of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) laid to rest today at Shuhada Graveyard in Yaseenabad, Karachi. Earlier, the funeral prayer of Dr. Imran Farooq was offered at Jinnah Ground Azizabad. Leader of JUI Maulana Asad Thanvi profound the funeral Prayer of Dr. Imran Farooq. Hundreds of thousands office bearers, workers, supporters attended funeral prayer including Members of the MQM Coordination Committee and elected representatives While leaders of various political parties Pir Mazharu-ul-Haq, Rashid Rabbani, Waqar Mehdi, Najmi Aalam (PPP), Imtiaz Shaikh (PML-F), Nihal Hashmi (PML-N), Molana Asad Devbandi, Allama Ali Karrar Naqvi, Mirza Yousuf Hussain, Shakil Qadri (Sunni Tehreek), famous social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi and also attended the funeral Prayer. At the airport, the MQM leaders wrapped the coffin of their martyr leader’s body in party’s flag and placed the coffin in an ambulance of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF). During the funeral prayer and burial emotional scenes were observed. MQM’s leaders, workers and family members of Dr. Imran Farooq could not control their sentiments and at times cried.

Dr Imran’s funeral: Karachi’s security on high alert

The security arrangements of the city have been mounted to the high alert for the arrival and funeral proceeding of Dr. Imran farooq’s body.

The Home Department of Sindh has instructed the police and rangers to make stern security arrangements on the occasion.

Following the instructions of the home department, security of all important and sensitive places has been beefed up and the police and rangers have started snap checking after increasing their movement on the roads.

Through a notification, issued by the Sindh Home Department, a 48 hours ban has been imposed on carrying arms and ammunition in the metropolis. This ban will start from today night at 12.00pm.

The CCPO of Karachi has said that all security arrangements have been finalized and a high alert has been imposed in the city to handle the arrival and burial of Dr. Imran Farooq’s dead body. (SAMAA)

7-Star Books on Sports

SECOND PHASE OF CITY-WIDE FUMIGATION

City District Government Karachi has started second phase of town-wise fumigation campaign after completion of first phase of extensive spray program. About 20 vehicles will be used for second phase to perform spray in two towns daily. City Government has also arranged a special spray program for flood relief camps. A total of 267 patients infected with dengue virus have received successful treatment in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

This was stated by Administrator Karachi Fazlur Rehman while talking to media representatives after inaugurating second phase of city wide fumigation campaign in Saddar Town Office on Friday.

He said that the special 40 bedded ward established in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was providing best and free of cost medical treatment to patients suffered from dengue fever. More beds will be added in this ward if needed.

Administrator said that he has called a joint meeting of town administrators and city government to adopt a combined strategy to control the spread of dengue and other harmful viruses and to bring improvement in the overall sanitation condition in city.

He said that the on going fumigation will be made even more effective by adopting such a strategy that could effectively cover all areas or union councils in Karachi. In order to make it more effective, elected representatives on town level will be asked to support the fumigation campaign in their respective areas.

Administrator said that the shortage of resources will not create any obstacle in the continuous provision of better health care facilities to citizens.

He also appealed to citizens to register their complaints on 1339 regarding spray campaign in their area so that instant action could be taken. EDO Health Dr. Nasir Javed and Saddar Town Administrator Mukhtar Hussain were also present on this occasion.

Unregistered NGOs collecting donations

As Pakistanis rally around their suffering compatriots, dozens of unregistered NGOs are siphoning millions of rupees by setting up relief camps in the city, Central Asia Online has learned.

Their camps now stand on roadsides and near traffic lights in Karachi, while their representatives, including children, go soliciting door to door and through markets.

“We don’t need to register our NGO … because we are doing relief work,” said Malik Ajmal, sitting in the camp of Punjab Welfare (PW), a self-declared NGO in Karachi’s Korangi Industrial Area.

“We have collected donations and goods since August 5, and nobody from the police or administration has come to check our NGO credentials,” Ajmal told Central Asia Online.

PW has spent millions of rupees to help flood survivors in Punjab, he said. However, when asked, he had no written documentation of collections or expenditures. PW has no office or office staff, he said. Only three PW employees run the camp.

No mechanism for verifying NGO legitimacy exists, admitted Lt-Gen (R) Nadeem Ahmed, head of the National Disaster Management Authority.

“The government realises that some miscreants may collect donations in the guise of welfare or charity organisations, but currently any action against these people can destabilise relief and rescue operations,” Ahmed said.

“Relief operations are so fragile and speedily conducted that nobody can enforce any check on them, so we have to bank on the intentions of charities,” Ahmed said, adding that any action by the government against them could discourage genuine NGOs at a crucial time.

Another organisation, the Al-Gilani Welfare World Organisation (AGWWO), has set up camp on Malir Cantonment Road. Hussain Shah Gilani, the camp organiser, told Central Asia Online that AGWWO is not registered with the Social Welfare Department (SWD) but it was registered at “global level” and had been running the camp since August 8.

Gilani did not respond when asked about his NGO’s international registration. Locals said they had never heard of it.

Concerned agencies, especially the SWD and Home Department lack mechanisms to monitor fundraising by private organisations that never registered with the SWD.

Hijab Manzar, deputy director of SWD Sindh, told Central Asia Online that his agency was aware of spurious NGOs collecting donations for flood relief.

“We can take action only if we receive complaints from organisations registered with SWD,” Manzar said. “We need special orders from the provincial chief secretary in order to take action against these phony NGOs.”

About 7,000 NGOs are registered in Sindh with SWD and are working properly in collaboration with the government, she said. Most of the registered NGOs are based in Karachi, she added.

Some of the supposed NGOs that have established camps throughout the city have never been heard of before. Some use the names of political party leaders to discourage official attention.

The government should develop a mechanism to monitor NGOs involved in relief and rescue operations, genuine NGO officials and development analysts said.

“Karachi’s local administration should check the NGOs to learn who is collecting donations, why they collected them, and where they were spent,” said Muhammad Habib, a Karachi-based development expert. The government should take strict action against questionable NGOs, he added.(Central Asia Online)

Rotary facilitates Pakistani boy’s heart surgery in Bangalore

Mohammad Sufiyan

Rotary International’s District 3271, comprising the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, has facilitated the treatment and subsequent heart surgery of a local boy, Mohammad Sufiyan, in the Indian town of Bangalore .

Mr Aziz Memon, National Chair, Rotary’s Polio Plus Committee and a former District Governor, announced here on Tuesday that Sufiyan, a nine-year-old boy, will be leaving for Bangalore with his parents on September 23 where he will be operated upon 10 or 12 days later.

“Master Sufiyan was under the treatment of Dr Nawaz Lashari at Karachi ’s National Medical Centre for the past four months but the stage had come when he needed to undergo surgery. We got in touch with the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore for further advice where the ailing boy will be taken now,” Mr Aziz Memon disclosed.

“We are confident that Master Sufiyan and his parents will be returning happily to our country upon successful surgery. Let all of us pray for the little boy,” he concluded.

Make Noise

“Make noise” is an event organized by AWAZ CDS (GCAP PAKISTAN NATIONAL SECRETARIAT) all around the country from 17-19th September. The call for action against poverty should be given in these events. In Karachi, the event has been organized by Nauman Adil, member GCAP PAKISTAN,at Karachi press club and Karachi college(the camp of idp’s from Sindh) .The protest has been launched with different slogans in which they ask the government to eliminate poverty by 2015 as stated by the United Nation millennium development goals. Many people from different walk of lives attended the event.The protest should be launched with noise from different musical instruments but due to 10 days mourn announced by the local political party because of the murder of their leader , the protest has only been launched with slogans.

MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq assassinated in London

Muttaheda Qaumi Movement leader Dr. Imran Farooq was assassinated last evening near his residence in London.

According to available reports, Dr. Imran Farooq was going towards his flat when an unknown person attacked him with a stiletto near a park in Mill Hill area near Edgware.

He received multiple wounds and was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It may be mentioned here Dr. Imran Farooq was one of the founding member of MQM and held a number of important positions in the party including that of General Secretary in earlier days when the party was called Mohajir Qaumi Movement, later he attained the position of Convenor of Muttaheda Qaumi Movement.

He was also the Member of National Assembly (MNA). His wife Shumaila Farooq was also an MPA during 2002 elections.

He leaves behind a widow and two sons besides other family members.

He went into hiding when the army launched ‘Operation clean-up’ in 1992. After few years he managed to escape to London. He surfaced in London on ninth day of September, 1999.

For quite some time he was not playing any active role in the party but was regularly attending the functions held at the MQM International Secretariat.

MQM has canceled all the programmes throughout the world being held to celebrate Altaf Hussain’s birthday today.

Last evening the MQM workers thronged the entire Azizabad area particularly the lanes and by-lanes near party’s headquarters Nine Zero to celebrate Altaf Hussain’s birthday when this sad news came and MQM Deputy Convenor Dr. Farooq Sattar asked the party workers to go homes as all programmes have been canceled in emergency.

Later the Coordination Committee both in London and Pakistan held its meetings after which an announcement was made in this regard.

Later, MQM leaders went to the residence of DR. Imran Farooq in Sharifabad area to sympathise with the family members including Imran Farooq’s father who was also a Haq Parast MNA in the year 1997.

Moving scenes were seen near MQM headquarters and the residence of Dr. Imran Farooq where a large number of MQM leaders, workers and supporters were seen weeping sympathizing with each other.

It is expected that his body will be brought here and he mat buried at MQM’s Shuhda graveyard in Yaseenabad.

MQM announces 10 days mourning

MQM has vehemently condemned the assassination of Dr. Imran Farooq and has announced a worldwide ten days mourning. A statement issued from party’s International Secretariat said that all party activities will remain suspended for the next ten days. The decision was taken jointly by the MQM London and Pakistan Coordination Committee. Expressing condolences with the father Farooq Ahmed, mother, wife and other bereaved family members party chief Altaf Hussain expressed his deep grief and sorrow and said, that all MQM members, workers and supporters equally share their grief. He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude courage to all to bear this irreparable loss. (NC Report)

Swiss government accelerates relief efforts

The outgoing Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi Martin Beinz has said that his government is accelerating efforts to provide aid to the victims of the gruesome recent floods in Pakistan.

Speaking at a reception held in his honor by the President Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Association (SAMEA) at the residence of its Executive member Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui recently he hoped that Pakistan will overcome the calamity with resilience while the whole world stands behind with the aid being flown in rapidly.

President Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Association, Zafar Iqbal presenting crest to outgoing Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi Martin Beinz at Iftar dinner at the residence of its Executive member Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Syed Farukh Mazhar and others also seen in the picture. 

The diplomat who is on his way to his new assignment after completing his tenure of over 3 years to Chicago USA recalling his stay in Karachi as memorable and exciting and hailed the business community particularly SAMEA for close coordination and doing utmost to promote bilateral business with his country and offered his help to further increase the bilateral trade.

Earlier President SAMEA Zafar Iqbal in his opening remarks lauded the interaction and efforts of the outgoing diplomat and said that his readiness to promote the small businesses were exemplary and hoped a bright future for his future career.

On this occasion the Consul Generals from Japan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Vietnam, Germany along with former Senator Iqbal Hyder and large number of SAMEA office bearers and members were also present.

Rotary helps flood victims in Pakistan: Aziz Memon

By Mohammad Nazakat Ali

“From raising funds to distributing life-saving shelters, the Rotary clubs worldwide, together with the local clubs, are proactively assisting flood victims in Pakistan day and night to help those in need.”

This was observed by Mr Aziz Memon, Chairman, National Polio Committee, Rotary International, who has remained the Governor of the Rotary clubs in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the other day.

“The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, one of the largest humanitarian service organizations in the world, is accepting member contributions to its Pakistan Flooding Recovery Fund to support long-term recovery in the affected areas, which have sustained billions of dollars in damage according to the Pakistani government,” he disclosed.

“The Rotary clubs are also providing immediate humanitarian assistance to flood victims, which the United Nations estimates to be more than 17.2 million people. The Rotary members in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are working together besides facilitating the international clubs,” Mr Aziz Memon said.

“Among the first international relief to reach flood victims in Pakistan was ShelterBox. a UK-based disaster response organization supported by Rotary clubs worldwide. More than 1,900 ShelterBox tents and 600 ShelterBox kits, each containing a 10-person tent, a water purification system and other survival necessities for up to six months, were pre-positioned in Pakistan in June following predictions of a particularly bad monsoon season,” the Rotary official added.

In partnership with the French Embassy Islamabad and National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan, Rotary members distributed the ShelterBox kits to the hardest hit areas.

John Leach, ShelterBox Head of Operations, said: “The need for shelter in Pakistan is growing by the day. We need to get more aid in as quickly as possible. By working with our international partners we can make this happen.”

ShelterBox is sending 5,000 water filtration units and 2,500 water containers to flooded areas. More ShelterBox kits are due to arrive in Pakistan soon.

A Rotary club in Houston, Texas, USA, filled two 40-foot shipping containers with relief supplies, and is coordinating with Rotary clubs in Pakistan to deliver them to Karachi, where local clubs will help distribute the goods.

A Rotary club in Multan, Pakistan has established five flood relief camps at local hospitals. Rotary members are collecting tents, household items, food, and medicine.

Experts warn of a second wave of deaths from water-borne diseases such as cholera unless flood victims have access to supplies of fresh drinking water. World Water Works, a Rotary-club sponsored relief organization that provides disaster victims with water purification tools, has sent more than 600 boxes to the southern province of Sindh. Hugo Pike, chair of World Water Works and a member of the Rotary club in Avon, England, says each box contains a water purification kit that can supply each member of a family of four with about 2 quarts of drinking water every day for a year.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Rotary recognition brings smiles

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

It was quite a big day for me on August 21 as I was presented a Certificate of Excellence by two of the leading Rotary personalities of the country, Aziz Memon and Syed Shahab Balkhi. It was deemed as a great honour for our Rotary Club of Karachi Airport as well.

Obviously every award as a significance of its own but the Rotary recognition is something that’s dearer to the heart because of the noble causes being pursued by this leading international voluntary organization of which I have been a member for the past six years now.

There was even greater pleasure to have received the award from a man called Aziz Memon, who has been one of my role models for the last many years. He was not only responsible for motivating me to join Rotary in 2004 but he has remained an inspiration all along with his deeds and words.

Different people have different reasons to know Aziz Memon because he has been blessed with such a versatile personality and for whom the sun never sets. He starts his day at office before 9 each morning and trust me he has the same energy level when we meet him late at night in various ceremonies.

His time management, besides quite a few other outstanding qualities, is truly incredible and I am sure we need to learn from him. He has set very high standards for himself but most importantly he meets the challenge with a smile.

Aziz Memon had rewritten the Rotary history when he was District Governor in 2007-2008. Now Shahab Balkhi has also taken over the reigns at a historic time, having become the first Governor of the newly founded District 3271, covering Sindh and Balochistan.

The visit of Aziz Memon and Shahab Balkhi to Rangoonwala Community Centre, where Rotary Club of Airports convenes its weekly meetings on Saturdays, on August 21 was a Red Letter Day in the history of our club.

The Club President, Anwar Jabeen Qureshi, was both happy and relieved. So was the Club Secretary, Shah Mohammad Anwar. Both these gentlemen had worked extremely hard to put the acts together in making the necessary arrangements for the visit of the two dignitaries at a rather short notice.

The other members of the club present on the occasion were Abdul Hamid, Mohammad Nazakat Ali, Shamim Khan, Wasim Yousuf, Sameer Baig and Mahmood Nawaz.

Besides the award presentation by Aziz Memon, there was a full board meeting chaired by Shahab Balkhi as it was also the Governor’s Official Visit to the club.

The Governor, who was generous enough to recognize our project of Mobile Library & Resource Centre in his speech in the installation ceremony on July 10, had a lively interactive session and he was thoroughly impressed by the efforts being made by the club.

He agreed that once the pilot project of Mobile Library & Resource Centre became ready our club will be in much better position to seek partner corporate organizations to spread it further.

He was informed that our club will be actively participating in community service by providing equipments to needy schools and colleges, donating books to educational institutions and public libraries, donating sewing machines to needy women, donating equipments to charity hospitals, holding free eye camps and medical clinic and holding career development seminars for youth.

An introduction of Initiator Human Development Foundation (IHDF)

Initiator Human Development Foundation (IHDF) is a non-profit and social organization, which believes in equality for all children in need regardless of race, religion, national origin or social position. We cooperate with people and organizations from all cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds in our efforts to bring relief and hope to those in need. We welcome the cooperation and assistance from like-minded individuals, businesses and organizations in helping the poor and disadvantaged.

Hundreds of children who have been abandoned or who are orphans survive on the streets of Karachi by eating from bins, begging, stealing, or by prostitution. Various charitable organizations try to deal with the care, feeding and education of these children, in dedicated homes and orphanages. But many of these children have become wild after spending many years in the streets, where physical strength and violence is the only way to survive. As a result, they cannot easily adapt themselves to the strict regulations of such homes, usually refusing education and its constraints and, after a period of a few days or a few months, many of them return to the streets with an even bitter feeling.

Successful re-insertion of these children in the society is a lengthy process, which requires patience and dedication. Furthermore it can only be achieved through considering each child personally, taking into account the specificity of his own painful history and complicated background. In many cases, charitable organizations, which are few and far between, are confronted with large numbers of street children and are thus incapable of providing adequate help.

We believe that these children in spite of their backward situation and somehow a social behavior, possess in themselves rare qualities and immense resources (which are needed to survive in the streets), which make them a potential wealth that should not be neglected.

Formation of ICAP Flood Relief Fund

As the country completes its 63 years of existence, the nation is struggling to come to terms with the worst disaster in its history. The devastation caused by the catastrophic flash floods and torrential monsoon rain in Pakistan is more than that of Haiti's January 2010 earthquake, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the 2005 Kashmir earthquake combined. The floods have killed 1,600 people so far and affected 15 million people in total.

In wake of the massive suffering and the large scale loss, Abdul Rahim Suriya, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, recognizing the huge magnitude of the disaster and foreseeing the massive after-effects has formed an “ICAP Flood Relief Fund" to support the flood victims.

He has requested ICAP members, their employers and Audit firms to contribute generously to this fund and help our fellow citizens in their moment of plight. The contributions are to be made in the name of ICAP (Flood Relief Fund) -Account number 20311-714-107398 of Habib Metropolitan Civil Lines Branch Karachi.

Rise up and play your role. Your generosity might just save someone's life.

Kalu Current and 6 drug traffickers killed in Shanti Nagar operation

File Photo

Police and Rangers carried out a joint operation in Shanti Nagar area near Dalmia and killed 7 members of drug and land mafias including a proclaimed drug trafficker Kalu Current in Shanti Nagar area near Dalmia.

Heavy cache of arms was also recovered and seized during the operation.

DIG East Ameer Shaikh told private News channel that a clash had been going on for the past four days between a group of drug trafficker headed by Kalu Current and land mafia group of Haji Aslam in which guns and hand grenades were heavily used.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers began operation against the clashing groups early Sunday morning during and performed door to door search in the area, recovering a large quantity of arms including hand grenades, police uniforms and number plates of vehicles.

During the operation, Kalu Current, a proclaimed drug trafficker of Shanti Nagar was killed along with his six accomplices. Their bodies were shifted to Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Center.

Over 50 suspects were also taken into custody during the crackdown against the drug mafia.

The road from National Stadium to Dalmia Road was closed for traffic when the operation was underway.

Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza appreciated the successful operation conducted jointly by police and Rangers and announced Rs500,000 for the teams of police and Rangers who took part in the crackdown.

HRCP demands political parties join hands to end Karachi mayhem

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed serious concern on Wednesday over the spree of killings unleashed on Karachi after the assassination of a lawmaker, and called upon all political actors to do everything within their power to end the bloodshed in the city and settle their differences in a non-violent manner.In a statement issued on Wednesday, HRCP said: “Karachi has once again descended into the now familiar mayhem, with nearly 70 people dead and another 200 injured. As the murders, torching of vehicles, shops and pushcarts continue, the citizens have been left to fend for themselves.

The assassination of Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmaker Raza Haider is condemnable indeed, but the subsequent killings on the streets of Karachi are equally unpardonable. While MQM’s grievances are understandable, their tendency to blame one party for anything that goes amiss would not help. It is now painfully obvious that there are many actors, including terrorists trying to fish in troubled waters, who can start mischief and then sit back as Karachi degenerates into violence.

The government has responded in what has become a typical and a stereotyped manner, naming names first and ordering investigations later. It appears that the government considers its primary obligation is not to protect the lives and property of the people but to issue statements listing possible offenders after the crime has been committed. Little wonder then that the aggrieved parties have not taken the official assertions seriously and have proceeded to go after the perceived perpetrators.

It is an undeniable fact that all parties and groups in Karachi are armed to the teeth and have developed a taste for slugging it out at the slightest provocation. The government’s capacity, rather the abject lack of it, has been totally exposed. The only thing that can redeem the situation is an agreement and an unequivocal commitment by the political parties that they will not resort to violent means, nor display their firepower and street power to settle disagreements.

They also must move to ensure an across-the-board de-weaponisation drive in the port city and somehow try to make up for the utter inability of the government to protect the most basic of human rights of the people.”

MQM MPA Raza Haider shot dead in Nazimabad area

By S J A Jafri

KARACHI: Raza Haider, MQM leader and Haq Parast member Sindh Assembly and his guard Khalid Khan were assassinated here yesterday evening in Nazimabad area.

According to the details, unknown armed motorcyclists fired shots at Raza Haider and his guard when he was preparing to attend a funeral prayer at Jamia Masjid of Nazimabad Block No 2. An MQM worker Arslan was also killed in the incident.

Raza Haider, received a bullet in his head which proved fatal and he died when on his way to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The guard Khalid Khan later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical aid at the hospital.

Raza Haider was elected from PS-94 Karachi 6.

Separate incidents of firing were reported in different parts of the city shortly after the fatal attack on MQM leader. The incident sent a wave of fear and panic across the metropolis, as shopkeepers pulled down their shutters in view of any violent reaction by enraged people.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik condemned the incident, urging the people to remain calm. He termed the targeted killings in Karachi as a ‘latest tool’ being used to destabilize the country. Rehman Malik urged MQM leaders to wait for investigation and called upon the people to observe restraint.

He said he would soon hold a meeting with MQM leaders. MQM leaders Babar Ghauri and Haider Abbas Rizvi expressed profound grief on the tragic incident. “It would be difficult to put a cap on the chapter opened (today),” Babar Ghauri asserted.

Altaf demands high-level probe into killing of Raza Haider

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Chief Altaf Hussain yesterday called for a high-level probe into the murder of Raza Haider, MQM leader and a Member Sindh Assembly, who was shot dead by unknown assailants here last evening. Strongly condemning the killing of the MQM MPA, Altaf termed his killing as a big tragedy, said a statement issued by MQM here.

Altaf Hussain said MPA Raza Haider was one of the oldest and honest worker of the party and his murder is a irreparable loss for the MQM. He also condoled with the bereaved family members and said he himself and all activists of the MQM share their grief. Altaf has called upon the government to immediately arrest the culprits.

Karachi killings ‘attempt to destabilize city’: MQM

KARACHI: MQM leaders Babar Ghauri, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Faisal Sabzwari expressed profound grief on the killing of MQM MPA Raza Haider along with his guard here in Nazimabad yesterday.

“It would be difficult to put a cap on the chapter opened (today),” Babar Ghauri asserted. Talking to a local news channel they said the tragic incident was to destabilize the city, which is the economic hub of the country.

Unknown armed motorcyclists fired shots at MQM leader and MPA Raza Haider as well as his guard when he was preparing to attend a funeral prayer at Jamia Masjid of Nazimabad Block No.2. Raza Haider died while he was being shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. His guard succumbed to the bullet wounds later in the hospital.

President, PM strongly condemn MQM MPA killing

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the killing of Raza Haider, MQM leader and Member Sindh Assembly, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Karachi last evening.

The President and Prime Minister in their separate messages expressed shock and grief over the unfortunate incident and directed the concerned authorities to investigate the tragic happening and take all necessary steps to bring the culprits to justice.

They conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

Raza Haider’s funeral today

KARACHI: MQM leader and Member Sindh Assembly, Raza Haider’s funeral prayer will be held here at Jinnah Ground near MQM Headquarter today.

He will be laid to rest in Azizabad’s graveyard.(NC Report)

Dr Shah praises Press Club for organising Summer Sports Festival

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The curtain fell on the Karachi Press Club (KPC) Summer Sports Festival 2010 with a fabulous prize distribution ceremony at the club’s Ibrahim Jalees Hall on July 30.

Sindh Sports Minister, Dr Syed Mohammad Ali Shah, who had reached Karachi from London earlier in the morning, was accorded a very warm welcome as he reached the KPC at the designated time of 7 pm to preside over the function.

In his speech on the occasion, Dr Shah, who is also the President of the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA), commended the Governing Body of the KPC for having revived the Sports Festival and he vowed to support it in the future as well.

“We would be more than glad to support even more than one Sports Festival in a year at the KPC. So be prepared to hold a Winter Sports Festival later this year in which the sports department of the Government of Sindh will extend your institution similar support,” Dr Shah announced.

“The media professionals are not too dissimilar to the doctors who have to be on their toes all the time. It’s really very heartening that the KPC members squeezed time to compete in the tournaments so enthusiastically,” he noted.

“It has always been a pleasure to be at the KPC. In fact I find the atmosphere very homely here. It’s my own club and I would be more than glad to contribute my bit in its further development,” Dr Shah remarked.

He shared his SOA experiences, recalling that there was barely Rs 13,000 or so in its account for decades but he has now turned it around by securing a grant of Rs four million from the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, besides getting approved an annual grant of Rs 10 million.

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs to the Government of Sindh, who played the pivotal role in facilitating the KPC Sports Festival, delivered a brief speech in which he expressed his delight with the success of the event.

“The sports department is always there to implement the policies of our versatile minister, Dr Shah, who had appreciated the idea of the revival of the KPC Sports Festival while readily agreeing to offer support for the venture,” Shoaib Siddiqui observed.

The President of the KPC, Imtiaz Khan Faran, paid glowing tributes to Dr Shah and Shoaib Siddiqui for having fulfilled their promise so quickly that enabled the Sports Festival to start and finish at the scheduled time.

The Secretary of the KPC, A H Khanzada, expressed similar sentiments and he dwelled on the development of a Mini Sports Complex in the backyard of the club, seeking help from the Government of Sindh for this project.

Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, the chief guest of the evening, and Shoaib Siddiqui then distributed cash prizes and certificates among the top three position holders of all the five tournaments held during the month-long festival having been inaugurated on June 30.

Fungus Found in K&N Products

By Munir Moosa

My name is Munir Moosa Sewani, and I am a veteran teacher, educator and writer for different newspapers, including Dawn and Business Recorder.

You can check my status current status by reading my letter in Business Recorder newspaper at the following link: http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=1085316&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=2010-07-29

We liked K&N products and are the regular consumer.I am shocked to inform you that the product of K&N has fungus (which can even cause death). The Nuggets are liked by my nephew and niece,but we were shocked to see 4 nuggets having visible fungus on the sides. It was all discovered when my niece had a food poison after consuming few nuggets on the first day. When checked, we were shocked to find fungus on 4.

How dare K&N plays with our lives. It was either a stale product or K&N strategies to sell stale products in the market. Whatever the reason may be will be in Media in August because such act is a henious crime to play with our lives for the sake of earning profits.

I was the one who raised the issue of deadly fungus in Nestle Nectar, in Dawn a year back.

People cannot raise their voice , if find such stale products because of no medium, but I will surely become the voice of many people,who might be facing the same issue.

Waiting for an urgent reply in a day or two.I want answer before proceeding my step towards media to inform the public regarding such an ill act by K&N.

Munir Moosa Sewani

Teacher, Writer, Education Counselor

Social Activist,

Pakistan Coordinator

Foundation for a Drug Free World, USA

03343213317

Fasana Raqam Karein to be launced on Friday

"FASANA RAQAM KAREIN" the  book of Renowned journalist and anchor at CNBC Pakistan Mujahid Barelvi will be launched at Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi on Friday July 30 at 7.00 P.M. Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khoro, Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Dr Pirzada Qasim, Editor Daily Jang Mahmood Sham, Former Senator and Naib Nazima of  Karachi Nasreen Jalil, Fahmida Riaz and Ashraf Shad will address the ceremony.

Sindh Government organizes Career Counselling Seminar

Sindh Youth Minister
Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari

By Mohammad Nazakat Ali

The Youth Affairs department of the Government of Sindh has been working proactively for the benefit of the youngsters and they organized yet another successful programme, this time with the collaboration of the Federal Public Service Commission at the University of Karachi on July 22.

The Career Counselling Seminar held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Arts turned out to be quite an enlightening session and it was a morning to remember for all those present on the occasion.

The Sindh Youth Minister, Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, noted with satisfaction the growing number of programmes being held by the provincial government to enlighten the youth.

He told the audience that the Youth Affairs department of the Government of Sindh has planned to hold a record number of career counseling programmes during the current year to guide the youngsters towards a better future.

Suhail Safdar Member Federal
 Public Service Commission

He described the University of Karachi as a model institution that has been serving the cause of the country for a number of years.

Faisal Subzwari, who delivered yet another inspirational speech, advised the students as well as the professionals not to forget their Alma Mater while pursuing their career goals.

Suhail Safdar, Member, Federal Public Service Commission, Government of Pakistan, gave a presentation in which explained in detail the procedure of applying and the process after the submission of the applications. He also took questions to clarify matters to the satisfaction of the participating students.

He observed that there’s a decline in the interest of people taking to civil service in the urban parts of Sindh.

He disclosed that the Federal Public Service Commission had organized such seminars in the various universities located in the rural of Sindh and the response had been phenomenal.

He was of the opinion that the youngsters of Karachi, possessing enormous talents, would do well if they turn towards civil service.

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs
Government of Sindh

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs to the Government of Sindh, said it’s always a privilege and pleasure to hold a programme at the University of Karachi, having produced numerous luminaries.

He pointed out that civil service is a huge avenue and the youngsters can play a proactive role in serving the country by taking to it.

“You get an opportunity of serving in and out of the country. It’s quite a challenging job and you should think getting on board if you have the passion to play your part in the service to the nation,” he added.

Shoaib Siddiqui, addressing the youth, made the point that they had reached the age from where they should now start thinking of themselves, their families, the community, the province and the country.

“The Federal Public Service Commission is one of those institutions of our country that has maintained high standards throughout,” he complimented.

The welcome address was delivered by Prof Dr M Abuzar Wajidi, Dean, Faculty of Management & Administrative Sciences, University of Karachi.