Shoaib Siddiqui urges youth to meet the challenge

By Mohammad Nazakat Ali

The Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs to the Government of Sindh, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, made some thought-provoking observations in his concluding remarks in the seminar organized by his department with the collaboration of the Junior Chamber International Pakistan at Regent Plaza Hotel, Karachi, on June 18.

Shoaib Siddiqui, acclaimed as one of the most enterprising government officers, delivered a typically inspirational speech in which he urged the youngsters to make things happen in the available environment instead of waiting for the situation to become ideal for them.

“You have to stand up and deliver in the prevailing circumstances. You can’t play the waiting game. You have grown up. It’s time for you to deliver now,” he observed.

“There are problems everywhere. You can’t get ideal environment anywhere. So the key to success lies in your ability to come good in every situation. Remember every problem presents an opportunity. Have more faith in your abilities and overcome the obstacles coming your way with true grit,” he advised.

“The government on its part is alive to the situation and we are trying our level best to help out the youth of the province by various means. Upon the directives of our Provincial Minister, Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, we have declared 2009 as the year of youth,” Shoaib Siddiqui recalled.

“Today’s programme is a step in this direction. The department of Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh, had taken the initiative of holding a round table discussion on issues/challenges of the youth with the collaboration of Jaycees,” he pointed out.

The provincial secretary informed the audience regarding the youth development schemes being processed and initiated during the current year. He further described the various concentrated efforts.

The students from different universities and colleges of the province participated in the discussion. The eminent personalities like, Fatima Soriya Bajya, Raees Gaya, Justice Zahid Qurban Alvi, Dr. Majid Ali, Prof. Sehar Ansari, Mashood Rizvi, Heer Soho and Jalaluddin made deliberation at length during the course of discussion to identify the core issues related to youth.

Speaking on the occasion President of JCI Pakistan, Wasif Iqbal talked about the activities of JCI and discussed the opportunities available in JCI for the youth at their chapters at Karachi, Hyderabad, Kotri and Sukkur.

During the long inter-active session the issues discussed in particular were about non-availability of chance to speak out for core issues/matters pertaining to youth, unemployment, lack of education at all level of society, lack of oriented education at every level, lack of role of educational institutions, lack of career counseling, role of government in organizing youth including sports activities at mass level and to have programs to deal the professionals and post graduates at all level, need of unity at the national level, investment on research work, platform for youth to work for betterment for society, improvement of educational syllabus, lacking of placement of competent people at important places and role of media and NGOs in youth development.

Power cut continues in Karachi despite passing several hours

KARACHI: The metropolis is still experiencing a major power breakdown despite passing more than 16 hours, as electricity has not been restored completely in any area of the city.

According to KESC sources, two units of Bin Qasim Power Plant has been restored and partial power supply has been restored in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Malir, Landhi, Defence Phase I, Gizri, SITE and Haroonabad. Almost 80 percent of the city is still deprived of electricity.

The spokesperson of KESC said two units of Bin Qasim have been restored whereas power supply from a private power plant would be started soon and electricity supply to the city would be restored completely within few hours.

On the other hand, Minister of Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said electricity will be restored within two hours.

Rehman Malik meets Altaf, disucuss Karachi situation

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik discussed the law and order situation in the country and other issues of national importance with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Chief Altaf Hussain in a detailed meeting.
They also made detailed deliberations on the situation in Karachi and operation by security forces against terrorists, said a statement issued by MQM yesterday.
Speaking on the occasion, Rehman Malik said that the government has devised an effective strategy against land mafia and positive results of same will be come out soon.
Altaf Hussain informed the Advisor about efforts of his party to provide relief to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of NWFP areas.
He also assured Rehman Malik that the MQM will continue to play its role for strengthen democratic process and democratic government in the country.

Qaim Ali Shah announces setting up ‘Sindh Bank’

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced to establish a ‘Sindh Bank’ in the province.
He made this announcement while presenting provincial budget at Sindh Assembly yesterday.
He said Sindh Bank would be a commercial venture and the private sector would hold majority shares in it, adding the management would also rest with the private sector.
Shah said this is a conscious decision and we are clear that this bank has to be managed very professionally on sound management principles.
Sindh Bank would have a big component of micro-finance and agriculture credit for targeting farmers in rural Sindh and small enterprises in urban slums; he said and added that through this intervention we would expand Micro Finance and Agriculture Credit to millions in Sindh.

Teenager dies, two hurt in aerial firing

KARACHI: A teenage boy was killed while two others sustained injuries due to celebratory aerial firing carried out by a wedding party in Baldia Town.

The deceased and the injured were returning home from work, when they were hit by bullets fired by a wedding party within the limits of Saeedabad police station.

The victims, identified as Noman Mobin, 14, Asad Hanif, 19 and Kashif Shafiq 26, were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi (CHK) where Noman succumbed to his injures while receiving treatment. All three boys worked at a marble factory and were friends. Meanwhile, area residents informed the police and gave the number of the vehicle in which the gunmen rode. The police chased the vehicle and arrested a man named Dawood, and also recovered a weapon from his possession. A case has been registered.

Woman stabbed to death: Zubair Khan, 35, tried to commit suicide after he stabbed and killed his wife. Khan, a labourer by profession married Niazo Bano, 25, recently. Bano left for her parents’ house after a domestic dispute with Khan. The incident took place on Sunday night at Sector 7, Afridi Colony within the limits of Baldia police station. DSP Sahib Ali Shah said that Khan went to his in-laws house to get Bano but he was unable to convince her. Upon her refusal, he stabbed her with a knife and then tried to kill himself. Both injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where Bano succumbed to her injuries.

Man dies in road mishap: A man died while his wife and two-year-old son were wounded when a speeding truck knocked over his motorbike within the jurisdiction of SITE police station. Police officials said that a loading truck hit the motorbike and as result the couple and their toddler sustained injuries. The victims were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctor pronounced the death of Mohammad Zada, 30. Meanwhile his wife and child have been admitted there with critical injuries. Police have arrested the errant driver, Shabbir, and seized the truck.

Man crushed to death by train: A 30-year-old unknown man was crushed to death by a train near Drigh Road Railway police station. Police officials said that the accident occurred as the deceased was crossing the railway track.

Drowned body found: A drowned body of young man was found from the limits of Boat Basin police station. The body was found from the seaside and later shifted it to the Edhi morgue, Sohrab Goth for identification.

Man electrocuted to death: Sultan Khan, 24, was electrocuted within the jurisdiction of Boat Basin police station. Police officials said the deceased was an electrician and died while working in Shireen Jinnah Colony.

Child dies as roof collapses: Bilal, 6, died when the roof of his house fell on him within the limits of Chakiwara police station. His body was taken to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) from where his family took it away without legal formalities.

Stray bullet victim passes away: Irfan Khan, 24, who had received bullet wounds by a stray bullet, succumbed to his injures during treatment at CHK.

SSGC pays 1.25 million to affected families

KARACHI: SSGC as a good corporate citizen responded to it social responsibilities when the utility distributed Rs. 1.25 million amongst 125 families who got affected on December 17, 2008 after a PARCO’s pipeline was inadvertently damaged during the routine operational work carried out by the company’s crew. Zuhair Siddiqui, Senior General Manager, Management Services, SSGC, Amir Mumtaz Khan, A. General Manager (Admin) and Hafiz Azeem Chief Manager (Admin) distributed the cheques in a simple yet impressive ceremony hosted by Mohammad Arif Khan Advocate, Town Nazim, Korangi in the town office. The Town Nazim lauded SSGC for rising to the occasion and facilitating the families whose house were badly affected from the massive oil spill.

Panic grips city after Mufti Naeemi’s martyrdom

KARACHI: Panic gripped different parts of the city as unknown miscreants started aerial firing and pelted stones to passing vehicles when news spread about the killing of renowned religious scholar Mufti Sarfarz Naeemi yesterday in Lahore. City`s different parts including Lea Market, M.A Jinnah road, Burns road, Nishtar road, areas of the lyari, some part of Brigade police station limits, Hassan Square, Tariq road, Mehmoodabad and some parts of New Karachi, Landhi, Malir Korangi, SITE area Banars and Orangi town and others were closed as unknown miscreants started aerial firings in these areas.

Although the commercial and pubic life was not suspended but some area shopkeepers were forced to closed their shops while commuters, pedestrians and employees were trying to reach home as soon as possible due to uncertain situation. Meanwhile, there was severe traffic jam in downtown areas of the city, as hundreds of vehicles were trapped as people tried to reach home immediately.

Karachi Police to be provided 50 vehicles: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday approved immediate provision of 50 mobile vehicles for Karachi Police which he would himself hand over to the Karachi Police.

The prime minister has directed that a proposal may be initiated for awarding “Hilal-e-Esaar” to cities whose residents had accommodated the IDPs in large numbers either at their homes or other off camps locations.

A committee has been set up under the prime minister with the NWFP chief minister and chairman Special Support Group as its members to select the cities. Moreover, commemorative stamps will also be issued on the occasion to bring on record the collective contribution of the inhabitants of these towns and cities.

The prime minister has directed that during the meetings held in the ministries, divisions, attached departments, autonomous /semi autonomous bodies under the federal government, which require the presence of the ministers, officials and other dignitaries from various ministries, organizations, the following three points must be observed: -

During lunch time and/or tea time, the drivers attached to the participants of the meeting, may also be served meals or tea as required. Proper sitting arrangements, supply of cold water and provision of washroom facilities may also be ensured. Similar arrangements shall also be made for meetings conducted in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Petition challenging pillion riding ban

KARACHI: Comments were sought from the Sindh Home Secretary regarding the ban on pillion riding in Karachi division limit by a division bench of the SHC comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Bin Yamin here on Wednesday. The bench, issuing notice to the respondents for July 6, ordered them to file comments by the next date of hearing. The petition was filed by a NGO Human Rights Network, Karachi through its president.

Advocate Syed Abdul Waheed, the counsel for the petitioner, appearing before the bench submitted that the petitioner filed an identical petition a few months back when a similar ban was imposed. The home secretary was summoned and Special Home Secretary Kamran Dost appearing for the Home Department on April 10, 2009 stated that government was not extending the ban. A bench of the SHC disposed of the petition after this statement by the respondents but after a month, the ban was imposed again for an unspecified period.

The ban violates the provisions of Constitution of Pakistan and was imposed with mala fide intentions by the authorities. The ban was imposed after securing huge bribe from the transporters, the counsel for petitioner maintained adding that white collar people and poor workmen who could not afford other modes of transport use motorcycles. He relied on figures pertaining to crime rate and submitted that figures show that crime rate climbed up despite ban on the pillion riding and the ban appears to have no positive affect as far as law and order in city is concerned and therefore could not be justified. He submitted that instead of taking other administrative measures and making police effective for curbing crimes, ban on pillion reading is illegal, ab-initio and thus void. The petitioner prayed to the court to declare ban on pillion riding as illegal. The bench after hearing initial arguments by the counsel for petitioner issued notice to the Sindh home secretary for July 06.

STPP announces blocking Sindh-Punjab border on June 17

Party against settlement of IDPs in Sindh: Dr Qadir Magsi

KARACHI: Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP) chairman Dr Abdul Qadir Magsi said yesterday that his party was going to observe a sit-in at Sindh-Punjab border in order to block it for one day to put a halt to entry of internally displaced persons into Sindh.
Addressing a news conference here at the Karachi Press Club, he said his party is against settlement of IDPs in Sindh. He demanded of the government to set up IDP camps near the areas from where these people are being displaced owing to military operation.
“I recognize that displacement of over three million people from Northern Areas is a great humanitarian crisis but their settlement in Sindh is not an appropriate this time. We are ready to provide them relief goods if they would stay in the camps near their localities,” Magsi said.
Karachi has become city of ethnic conflict, and killing of average 10 persons a day in this city has become a routine matter.
We fear that militants might enter our province in guise of displaced persons, he added.