Sindh CM, bigwigs laud Barrister Sarah’s cultural diplomacy paintings

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Barrister Sarah Asim Khan’s creativity earned more accolades as her second Art Exhibition, in collaboration with the Consulate of Italy in Karachi, turned out to be another success story. The admiration of guests for her artwork also encouraged women empowerment. 

The recent exhibition was aligned with the celebration dinner of Italian National Day at the Hotel Avari Towers in Karachi, hosted and organized by the Consulate of Italy in Karachi under the leadership of Consul General of Italy, Danilo Giurdanella. 

The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, was the chief guest on the occasion and he graciously endorsed Sarah’s cultural diplomacy paintings pertaining to different countries. 

The Acting Governor of Sindh, Agha Siraj Durrani, Sindh Minister for Health, Azra Pechuho, Rear Admiral Mian Zakirullah Jan, Commander Karachi, Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, MD Shipyard & EW, Sector Commander Rizwan, Iqbal Memon, Commissioner Karachi, Faisal Edhi, Chairman, Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation, and Ahmed Shah, President, Arts Council of Pakistan, were also present on the occasion along with diplomats and dignitaries from Britain, United States of America, Kuwait, Germany, Indonesia and various other countries. 

Barrister Sarah is acclaimed as the pioneer of cultural diplomacy and international mythological art in Pakistan. She has created paintings for 30 countries during the last couple of years which were displayed at the event. 

She created one of the paintings for the Consulate of Italy to promote friendship, trade and harmony between the countries which is titled ‘Italy and Pakistan Solidarity Beyond the Borders’ and it is displayed at the Consulate of Italy in Karachi. 

Another of her painting, which pertains to wildlife, is displayed in the office of Deputy Consul of Italy, Enrico Alfonso Ricciardi, also at the Consulate of Italy in Karachi. The diplomat had mentioned and praised Sarah’s paintings during his speech at Italian National Day. 

A lawyer by profession with varied experience in the UK and Pakistan, having diverse extracurricular interests in art, wildlife, hiking, travelling and social work, Barrister Sarah has emerged on the horizon as one of the most versatile young leaders. 

She attained her entire legal education at the University of London, including Bachelor of Laws, Masters in Corporate and Commercial Laws from Queen Mary College and a qualification in Intellectual Property Law and Policy from the London School of Economics & Political Science. 

Upon being called to the Bar at the Society of Lincoln’s Inn, she underwent Pupillage with a Chamber at King’s Bench Walk, London, and acclaimed eligibility to practice as a Barrister in the UK. She remains active in the legal fraternity and was the Programme Host and Master of Ceremony of 4th National Judicial Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Karachi in which the then Federal Law Minister, Barrister Farogh Nasim, was the chief guest and the Attorney General of Pakistan, Anwar Mansoor Khan, was the guest of honour.  

Inspiration for arts made her a self-taught artist, patronizing conservation of wildlife, harmonizing world cultures and heritage and with it promoting the soft-image of Pakistan to the world. Enthused by socializing with people from different countries, cultures and walks of life, her art-work is unique and creative in blending mythologies and national symbolism of the countries in art. 

As President of Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, RI District 3271 during 2018-19, she was recipient of the Outstanding Services to the Cause of Rotary Award as well as Recognition of Performance District Support Rotary Award. 

Her artwork and columns have supported Rotary’s cause of protecting the environment. Some of her paintings pertain to abstract wildlife which cultivates eagerness for the prosperity of flora and fauna. Furthermore, she is a columnist on subjects relating to wildlife conservation and environmental protection. 

Her columns diligently create awareness about safeguarding the natural environment for a thriving ecosystem which plays an essential role for the harmonious coexistence of humans and wild animals; and, ecofriendly recreational activities. 

As an active Rotarian, Barrister Sarah has contributed to enhance the positive public image of Rotary International which remains committed to providing humanitarian services around the globe with magnanimous and high spirits.

Waqar Hashmi likely to become new KWSB chief

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

With the post of Managing Director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) having fallen vacant, the Sindh Government has started considering names of four officials for the lucrative posting as MD KWSB with Waqar Ahmed Hashmi, a Grade-20 officer working as Deputy Managing Director, being considered as the favourite. 

The names of the candidate for the new incumbent are under review at the Sindh Government level following the retirement of Farida Salam. Out of four names being given due consideration for the post, two officials are in Grade 20 while the remaining two are in Grade-19. 

The two Grade-19 officials are DMD Finance Rafiq Qureshi and Salahuddin who have started drumming their sources to clinch the coveted slot by hook or by crook. 

According to the sources, the name of Waqar Hashmi is being given top priority consideration keeping in view his capabilities and expertise besides his solid reputation of being an honest and committed officer throughout his career. He has vast experience of working at the KWSB in various cadres including Secretary Karachi Board, Principle Staff Officer, Director Revenue, Taxes and other important slots 

Meanwhile some of the former MDs of Water Board are learnt to have suggested those at the helm of affairs in Sindh Government about the name of Waqar Hashmi and pinpointed that being the most experienced officer he can play a pivotal role in resolving the water and sewerage problems of this ever sprawling city.

Digitization can reduce poverty, corruption: Former Estonian President

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“If the willingness is there, states can transform themselves through the use of digital technology, significantly reducing levels of poverty and corruption and simplifying government services that are otherwise bureaucratic and time consuming.” 

This was the core message delivered in a special lecture by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former president of Estonia (2006-2016). He is recognized for implementing bold and innovative policies that led the Baltic state to becoming a global leader in digital governance, especially in the areas of voting, banking, healthcare, transportation and education. 

The event was hosted by Aga Khan University (AKU) Information and Communications Technology division, led by Chief Information Officer Shaukat Ali Khan, and attended by prominent CIOs from other leading institutions in Pakistan at the as special guests. 

Following his presidency, the Estonian leader has actively worked to advance understanding of how technology can be used to improve lives and create a safer world. He co-chairs the Global Future Council on Blockchain Technology, which examines how blockchain technology can be used to enhance cybersecurity, and recently advised the World Health Organization on technological solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. 

President Ilves, who was speaking remotely, shared his experiences spearheading Estonia’s digital transformation. He built on his familiarity with coding to explore innovative solutions to overcome a highly inefficient bureaucracy. Using the example of registering a birth in Estonia, he described a colleague’s frustration at having to manually apply to numerous individual departments to register the birth of a child, a process that took weeks and involved significant frustration. 

Digitization meant that as soon as a child was born, the hospital would enter it into the system, after which it would instantaneously be shared with every other relevant department so records would automatically be updated, expediting the entire process with no involvement from the parent. This ethos to simplify the citizen experience has continued to the point that even to file taxes, citizens usually just verify forms readily filled by the government. Though this process can be quite cumbersome in most countries, it takes mere minutes today for most Estonians. 

Moreover, the former Estonian president emphasized the IT talent existing in Pakistan, highlighting that there were many brilliant Pakistanis working in Estonia’s IT sector. He also suggested building proprietary government systems, and shared that many of Estonia’s systems are open source and can be freely shared for the benefit of other nations. 

Answering questions from the audience as to how a nation with low GDP per capita and limited exposure to computers managed to digitize, President Ilves shared Estonia’s solution of creating computer centres for the public to come and utilize the machines with assistance, so they could engage with the new digital governance systems. He also indicated that the focus of digitization must be on the citizens, and what makes their lives easier, despite how tempting it is to initially pursue projects that make things easier for the government. 

As people notice and feel the benefits of digitization, there is a ‘halo effect’ which leads to greater adoption of other related digital services. Extolling the virtues and necessity of digitization, the President highlighted that Estonia only 30 years ago was a newly independent country with high levels of poverty and corruption. Today, it has a reputation as a digital leader with the most unicorns (companies valued above US$1 billion) per capita in Europe and the sixth lowest corruption levels in the world, a startling achievement. It is a transformation journey upon which any country can embark if the willingness exists. 

The AKU is engaged in its own transformation journey, as it implements a globally leading Electronic Health Records (EHR) system across its hospitals to enhance patient experience, care quality, and research capability. Shaukat Ali Khan thanked President Ilves for sharing his wisdom and experience with the audience, and expressed his gratitude to all the participants, as well as the University of Central Asia (UCA) and the CxO Global Forum, for helping make the event possible.

NLA officials sprint across Karachi libraries

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The top officials of the National Library Association (NLA) recently undertook visits of some of the educational and research institutions of Karachi to obtain first-hand information about the libraries working. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and its Secretary General, Anwar Hussain, managed to sprint across no less than half a dozen such establishments in a matter of just two days. They were warmly greeted by the working librarians and almost all of them pledged support to the cause of the Association. 

Bahria University, Karachi School of Business and Leadership, University of Karachi, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transportation, Sindh High Court and Dow University of Health Sciences were among the institutions visited by the NLA delegation.

“It was both a fact finding mission as well as a reunion. Besides learning about their latest engagements and activities, we also brainstormed about doing things for the further progress of our fellow library professionals. It was unanimously agreed that coordinated efforts were needed to bring about meaningful changes,” the NLA President remarked. 

“The NLA was appreciated for its proactive approach and we have been assured cooperation and support of various kinds by the institutions we visited. On our part we urged all the library professionals to contribute their bit in this movement in whatever way it was possible for them. We made them understand that every effort, minor or major, will go a long way in further strengthening the NLA and let us achieve our cherished goals,” Muzaffar Ali Shah concluded.

Railways to undertake ML-1 project in phases

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan Railways has decided to take up ML-1 project, which was earlier to be carried out as a part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), at its own and it will be completed in different phases 

This was disclosed by the CEO of Pakistan Railways, Farrukh Taimur Ghilzai, while addressing the officials of the Karachi Division during his latest visit. 

Earlier he held a meeting with the Divisional officers at the Divisional Superintendent Office upon arrival here from Lahore during his two-day tour of Karachi. 

Upon arrival at the Karachi Cantonment Station, the CEO was welcomed by the DS Karachi, Kashif Rasheed Yusufani, and other senior divisional officers. 

In the meeting, the CEO was given a detail briefing on the attainment of targets in Karachi Division during the current financial year. 

The CEO informed that the ML-1 project will be completed from Karachi to Hyderabad in the first phase to be followed from Hyderabad to Tando Adam and Tando Adam to Rohri in the second and Rohri to Khanpur in the third phase during which the tracks will be fully upgraded. 

The Railways chief shared that their organization was fully aware of the problems of travelling public and they have decided not to raise the railway fares despite fuel prices hike. 

He called upon the officials to serve the people with true dedication and honesty to bring improvement in the railway’s credibility and quality of public service. 

After presiding over the meeting at the DS Office, the Railways CEO also met Engr Nisar Memon, Chief of PRFTC Chief, obtaining first-hand information from him about goods trains. He later went around the South-Asia Pakistan Terminal where he was given a detailed briefing by the CEO of Hohisin Company, Capt Rashid Jamil.

Railways authorities regret ghastly act

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Railways authorities have regretted the ghastly act of molesting a woman passenger who was travelling aboard the private sector Multan-Karachi Zakaraia Express whose contractor has been issued showcause notice. 

The CEO of the Pakistan Railways, Farrukh Taimur Ghilzai has reiterated that safety and security relating to travelling railway passengers would not be compromised at all as directives have been issued to contractors of private sector operating various trains to check recurrence of such disgraceful acts. It has also been decided that the credentials of all the private sector trains will be verified through concerned agencies. 

According to details, the molested woman had not reported the matter at Police Helpline Desk upon arrival at Karachi Cantonment Railway station. It was only after persuasion by DCO Karachi who, along with ladies police, visited the house of victim woman a day after the incident was reported in newspapers, on the directive of Divisional Superintendent, Kashif Rasheed Yusfani, the woman lodged a complaint to railway police. 

The DCO and ladies police had convinced the victim woman to report the matter after which railway police started raids and arrested the three nominated accused from Sumandari, Jahanian and Shorkot. 

A railway spokesman revealed that the victim woman, a resident of Orangi Town, was travelling in Multan-Karachi Zakaria Express, when one Zahid, ticket checker, offered her to travel in AC Compartment where train manager Aqib was already present. Both of them were accused of having molested the woman. 

When the train reached Karachi City Station, no one from woman’s family came to receive her as she kept waiting while sitting on a bench at the platform. A police constable on duty tried to inquire from her about her problem but she did not divulge anything. 

After sometime the railway lady police took her to police station help center and informed her sister Hina who later came to station alongwith husband and took her home. On this occasion the victim woman neither reported the incident not requested for any legal action. It was only after the incident appeared in the press, the DS Railways contacted her and requested to report the incident which she reported and got her statement

NLA ponders over street libraries chains

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) has started pondering on establishing a chain of street libraries throughout the country and it has already shortlisted the sites which could be turned into places of learning. 

 

“We recognize the initiatives of a few individuals and organizations in relation of development street libraries in some parts of the country but we consider it just a drop in the ocean. We don’t need just one two or three street libraries but we require it in hundreds and thousands across the country to cater to the needs of the big population,” Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, President, NLA, remarked after presiding over a couple of meetings in this regard in as many days. 

 The first meeting was held at the historic D J Science College in Karachi where the waiting area in the newly constructed site on Burns Road has been proposed by the NLA by for the development of a street library in the densely populated locality. 

It was followed by another midnight meeting hosted by the Syed Sultan Ali, Member, Executive Committee, NLA, who volunteered to look into the possibilities of establishing a street library in the lawn of his corner bungalow, located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. 

Besides the NLA President, Muzaffar Ali Shah, the meeting was also attended by its Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, and Secretary General, Anwar Hussain, who appreciated the spirit of fellow member Sultan Ali, who has actively participated in the other events as well.

The high energy of the NLA top functionaries augurs well for the community of librarians in the country which didn't have the kind of leaders needed to motivate and drive them.

NLA establishing new tradition for book promotion

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA), which emerged on the horizon in 2017, is in the process of establishing a new healthy tradition for the genuine promotion of books as it encourages its members to bring books during its various events for its onward donation to the deserving institutions on the occasion. 

For its ceremony organized to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day at the Junagadh Lawn on May 21, the NLA had highlighted in the invitation card that there will no registration fee for the event but every guest must bring along a book or two for donating the same to the Junagadh Library & Resource Centre. 

The NLA members and guests responded positively and there was a collection of more than one hundred books on different subjects which was gifted to the officials of the Junagadh Library & Resource Centre who gleefully accepted the package.

Similarly instead of giving away shields or momentoes to the dignitaries and guests of honour, the NLA presented books to the distinguished visitors gracing the ceremony, who thoroughly appreciated the move of the hosts.

Advisor’s compelling address stuns librarians

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Advisor of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Khalid Mahmood, stunned the audience with a compelling address during the ceremony organized to celebrate the World Book & Copyright Day at the Junagadh Lawn in Karachi on May 21. 

Although he has never been a library professional himself, he has earned appreciation and reverence from the librarians spread all over the country for having promoted their cause for the last many years and yet again he pleaded their case for due recognition. 

“The librarians employed at the government organizations are blessed with proper grades and facilities but those working in the private sector were not getting adequate compensation which is a pity. This is a serious matter and it demands action. Unity in the ranks of librarians will help resolve such issues,” he advised. 

“The NLA has provided you the platform. Our President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and Secretary, Anwar Hussain, have worked with missionary zeal for the last five years to keep it afloat. A few others have assisted them from time to time but let me assure you that it’s in your own interest too if you contribute your bit in making this movement more effective,” Khalid Mahmood, a renowned media personality, remarked. 

“Post-registration the NLA will have mandate to do bigger things. Therefore start extending your support by whatever means right now, if you haven’t started doing it yet. Strong NLA will make you stronger, your profession stronger. It will be for the collective benefit of all professionals,” he stressed.

DS Karachi emphasizes on improving Railways efficiency, safety

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Emphasizing the imperative need for ensuring immaculate safety aspect in train operation, the Divisional Superintendent Railways, Karachi Division, Kashif Rashed Yusufani, called upon the Divisional Officers and all other concerned personnel to contribute their bit in achieving the cherished objective of providing hazard-free service to railway passengers. 

He was speaking as chief guest at a one ‘Train Safery Operation seminar organized at the Technical Training Center on his directive. 

The seminar was attended by Divisional officers, Assistants, Train examiners, PWI, Guards, Station Masters and other relevant officials. The main objective was to acquaint them about how to take measures in advance to cope with accidents. 

The DS was appreciative of the officials and the staff members who were working efficiently despite problems of material and staff shortage.

He exhorted the officials and subordinates in charges to essential ensure carrying out now and then inspection of various railway installations and told them that timely inspections will surely reduce problems by 60-70 percent because such inspections would surely help pin point the safety related problems. 

He emphasized that no one should hide the problems, if identified, whether it related to track system, rolling stock or engine defection and the same should be forwarded to concerned officials for immediate remedial action.

“The staff must necessarily share the same with their officials as hiding the same or keeping it in abeyance, will be harmful for the railway,” he declared, adding that they will have to work together in making Pakistan Railways a profitable entity. 

His emphasis was that rules and regulations must be observed fully as only this could help the organization in making further advancements.

On the occasion Divisional Transportation Officer (DTO) Sajjad Ahmed Wagho, apprised the seminar participants about the importance of the event in detail and recalled that many lives were lost in trains accidents during the past few years besides accruing financial losses to the railway which also caused damage to the Railways credibility. 

The seminar was informed about three main reasons for accidents which were the condition of tracks, rolling stock problems and human error. Besides, natural calamities, subversion, material shortage and problems in defective signaling system were identified as other causes of accidents. 

The seminar proposed setting up of safety cell, procurement of safety materials, surprise inspections and taking immediate corrective measures of minor deficiencies as short term remedies. 

The seminar was attended, among others, by Deputy DS Shahid Hussain Sammpn, DCO Ishaq Baluch, DME-I Junaid Ahmed, DME-II Habibullah Maher, DN-I Kamran Ghauri, Assistant Operating Officer Shahid Hussain Khilji, Assistant Transportation Officer, Jahan Babar, Station Managers Karachi Cantonment, Karachi City, Keamari, Kotri and Hyderabad.

AKU’s Prof Zulfiqar Bhutta ranked among top global scientists

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta of the Aga Khan University (AKU) has been ranked among the top 100 medicine scientists in the first edition of top scientists ranking for medicine published by Research.com, one of the major knowledge centres for medicine research. He is the only scientist from Pakistan and the low- and middle-income countries who made it to the top 100. 

The ranking is based on criteria that considered h-index, which indicates how productive and influential a researcher is, publications and citations. The ranking team examined 166,880 scientists on Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Graph, and over 65,743 profiles for the discipline of medicine.

“As is the case for other recent recognitions, though a personal recognition, this ranking reflects the achievements of scores of young researchers and faculty members across the world having worked with me on problems of the most marginalized and impoverished women and children in poor communities,” Professor Bhutta commented. 

He is the founding director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health and the Institute for Global Health and Development at AKU and Co-Director of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, Robert Harding Chair in Global Child Health and Policy, and a Senior Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences programme at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

“Congratulations to Professor Bhutta and his team for this great achievement. Their relevant research at AKU has changed lives not only in the countries where we seek to serve but also globally,” the AKU President, Sulaiman Shahabuddin, greeted. 

Professor Bhutta is one of the original members of AKU’s faculty since the establishment of the University. Having begun his career at AKU in 1986, the University provided a foundation for the development of an illustrious career in which he built research programmes on maternal and child health and nutrition with national and global impact, despite the challenges of political turmoil and economic insecurity in Pakistan.

Between 1996 and 2002, Professor Bhutta and his team at the University undertook extensive community outreach and research programme in an urban slum of Karachi and several rural areas of Pakistan, which then expanded to many regions and provinces of Pakistan as well as other low- and middle-income countries.

Over the last two decades, he has closely collaborated with the government of Pakistan to assess effectiveness of health care approaches and innovations in real-world settings through partnering with public sector community health workers. Many of these large community-based cluster randomized trials led by Professor Bhutta have generated findings that changed global policy, most notably the finding that using chlorhexidine for cord care among home births was associated with significant reduction in the risk of neonatal sepsis and death, and that public sector community health workers could successfully work with communities to reach those at greatest risk and reduce perinatal mortality as well as maternal morbidities. 

His work has been the foundation of multiple international guidelines, including changing World Health Organization policy on the treatment of persistent diarrhoea and malnutrition along with establishing lady health workers (LHW) as foundational members of community-based interventions in Pakistan, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. His team in Pakistan and Canada has extensively worked on strategies to improve maternal and child health and nutrition in conflict settings and emergencies. Notably his team works with community volunteers and health workers in tribal areas of Pakistan to improve polio and routine immunization coverage. 

Professor Bhutta holds the title of Distinguished University Professor at the AKU which is the highest faculty rank the university can confer as well as an Award of Distinction and Award of Excellence in Research. He has received several international awards and recognition. Recently, he also received the Roux Prize for turning evidence into health impact and the John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for outstanding achievements in global health research.

Railways, Saylani facilitate free meals for coolies at Karachi Cantt

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

For the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways, a compassionate step has been taken whereby the coolies at the Karachi Cantonment Station will be getting two time meals daily free of cost. 

This has been made possible by the Divisional Superintendent Railways, Karachi Division, Kashif Rasheed Yusufani, in collaboration with the Saylani Welfare Trust. This in reality will benefit those who perform laborious duties day and night at the station away from the comfort of their homes. 

The step is a part of the many welfare measures being undertaken by the DS Railways for the staff as well as the passengers. 

Keeping in view the rising temperature causing frequent heatwaves, on the directive of the DS, the air-conditioning working has been activated in both the reservation halls at the Cantonment Station. 

Meanwhile a guide map has also been installed at the Cantonment Station showing the various facilities provided for the benefit of visitors and passengers so that they may not face any problem in reaching out to their desired offices or boarding the trains. 

On DS orders the Passenger Facilitation counters have been setup at all the major stations of Karachi Railways Division where complete information is provided to passengers besides making seats in trains available. 

Kashid Rasheed reckoned that the responsibility of the Railways was to provide every possible facility to its passengers and let no stone unturned to achieve this objective.

AKU President hosts diplomat dinner

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of the Aga Khan University (AKU), hosted a dinner reception in the honour of diplomats from around the world in Karachi. 

“The AKU’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond, through world-class teaching, research and healthcare delivery,” the AKU President observed while briefing diplomats on the university's contributions and social impact.

“The AKU educates students for local and global leadership from campuses and teaching hospitals in six countries, including Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan and the United Kingdom. Being a not-for-profit institution, all revenues generated by the University and its hospitals are invested back in education and research, and in helping patients and improving healthcare,” he stressed. 

Sulaiman Shahabuddin also talked about AKU’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030. “The AKU’s first solar power project in Pakistan is a key step forward to realizing our environment and climate ambitions. Using renewable, clean energy brings not only cost savings but benefits people and the planet alike,” he said. 

The dinner was attended by diplomats from France, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and other countries.

#karachi #karachinews #karachialerts #AllAboutKarachi #karachipakistan #karachieducation #karachi #karachipakistan #KarachiUpdates #karachilatest

Environmental emergency demanded to counter global warming

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shahida Kausar Farooq, Chairperson of Subh-e-Nau, an NGO working for environmental issues, has appealed to the federal and provincial governments to immediately impose an environment emergency in the country to deal with the devastating effects of global warming in Cholistan, Gwadar and Dera Bugti. 

In a statement, she stressed that environmentalists around the world have been warning for decades that global warming could cause sudden changes in the weather around the world. It was being predicted that changes will happen and the world may face famine as a result. The warmest months of April and May have made these predictions come true. 

"We need to take revolutionary steps today. Animals are dying of thirst in the famine-stricken areas. We need to change our priorities and take immediate steps to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing weather patterns,” she appealed. 

Shahida Farooq pointed out that the glaciers were melting due to extreme heat, which could lead to floods in the country, a glimpse of which was witnessed in Hunza the other week. 

She stated that the Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rahman, herself understood these issues very well and she should take notice of this situation.

KWSB official warns of grave water crisis, demands forensic audit

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Muhammad Suleman Chandio, Advisor, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB), has warned the concerned authorities about the possibilities of grave water crisis if remedial and preemptive actions were not taken immediately. He has also demanded for the forensic audit of the K-IV project. 

The ex-Special Secretary (Technical) to Local Government Department, Government of Sindh, and a former Managing Director of the KWSB, in an interview with PNFS, pointed out that it’s for the first time in the last 63 years when the shortage of water at entry of Sindh, Gudoo Barrage, is 60%. 

“Karachi has Keenjhar Lake as the only storage for the metropolis. The levels of lake are rapidly decreasing from 54 feet to 47 feet whereas dead level is 43 feet after which water cannot be accepted by the KW&SB K-G Canal. The inflow now entering in Lake is less than daily drawl 1200 cusecs/650 MGD from lake so lake levels are rapidly decreasing. The rate of decrease of level in two weeks is one foot and now consumption of balance of four Ft level will take in hardly less than two months,” he remarked. 

“There is still one month more required to reach water at Guddoo Barrage and from that to Keenjhar it travels in three weeks. In case of theft in K.B Feeder dead level may come early than receipt of water of glaciers water. That situation will be very dangerous for more than 20 million people of Karachi. Riots can erupt in whole city which will not be controllable if there’s no water available in Karachi,” he added. 

Suleman Chandio urged the civil and military agencies to take it as SOS message to ensure that any case there shall be no further reduction of Keenjhar Level and shall be maintained a few feet above dead level of 43 feet. Corp-5 Headquarter may establish an Emergency Centre and control the situation in advance before it becomes too late.

“The current situation reflects the worst storage position for the present drawl of 1200 cusecs/650 MGD. What will happen when we will draw additional 1200 cusecs/650 MGD for total 2400 cusecs/1300 MGD for which no additional storage other than Keenjhar Lake is available because due to wrong Route of K-IV which is situated high upon Kheerther-Range Mountain for vested interest for two famous housing towns and there will be zero water for K-IV during non-season as per usual phenomenon,” the KW&SB official regretted. 

“The present K-IV route is totally failure in result of finding of NESPAK as third party in 2019, failure in availability of water storage, failure of intake from Lake, failure being in belt of earthquake zone, unnecessary Power House being established, unnecessary extra staff colonies and malafiedly tendered without feasibility of new scope of work based upon in about 120 kilometers,” he felt. 

“Pipelines scope of work has been suggested by the blue-eyed contractors of high ups and now K-IV under execution with WAPDA is totally failure. WAPDA's consultants did not undertake all the required surveys, studies on ground and any selection of pipeline scope of work and any design in absence of these actual ground surveys, studies stayed useless and malafide,” Suleman Chandio revealed. 

“Strangely why feasibly study before preparation of PC-I has been ignored although this step for 146 billion engineering mega project can't be condoned or bypassed by Government of Pakistan and how fictitious pipe design and tenders were floated and how work orders were issued in absence of all requirements mentioned above,” he questioned. 

He demanded forensic audit be performed and the work orders issued to consultants and contractors regarding K-IV shall be cancelled until the arrival of audit report.

Bahauddin Zakaria train now operating on public-private partnership

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Multan-bound Bahauddin Zakaria express train has started its operation under public-private partnership. 

The train was officially handed over to the SSR Group Commercial at a ceremony held at the Cantonment Railway Station in Karachi. 

The Divisional Superintendent Railway, Karachi Division, Kashif Yusfani, was the chief guest on the occasion. 

The train will have 27 stops between Karachi and Multan and will cover the distance of 928 kilometers in 18 hours. 

The DS Railway cut the ribbon signaling the start of train operation under public-private partnership. 

The Divisional Commercial Officer, Ishaq Baloch, Divisional Transportation Officer, Sajjad Wagho, and Divisional Mechanical Officer Habibullah Maher were also present on the occasion.

Jumbo authors recognized on World Book Day

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The elite group of journalists, writers, researchers and educationists having authored books for Jumbo Publishing was recognized on the occasion of the World Book and Copyright Day on April 23. The list of author includes the veteran library scientist, 

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, as well as the young motivational writer, Asma Hassan. The senior librarian, Dr Nasreen Shagufta, and the late bibliographer, Mian Muhammad Saeed, have also been recognized alongwith the prolific cricket statistician, Shahzad Ali Khan, and eminent sports scribes, Ehsan Qureshi and Syed Khalid Mahmood. 

Jumbo Publishing, founded in 2005, is credited to have brought out some of the best books on the subject of sports in general and cricket in particular. The company, as a matter of policy, also prides in encouraging the emerging scholars besides working with the high-achievers.

Railways DS inspects Karachi City Station

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Karachi Division, Kashif Rasheed Yusfani, paid a detailed visit to the City Railway Station and inspected various railway installations, reservation offices, washing line, carriage and wagon store beside other facilities. 

At the washing line he inspected the coaches of Sukkur Express and issued directives for immediate repairing of the hydrants, which were out of order, and also repair the afflicted pits. 

He directed the officials of engineering branch to personally carry out inspections of tracks by foot. He gave a cash award of Rs 1,000 to TXR Shabbir Ahmed of Mechanical Branch. 

He called for proper maintenance and cleanliness in the reservation office and stressed on cordial behavior with visitors. He also issued on the spot directive of making fans and air-conditioning system operational.