Shoaib Siddiqui to Inaugurate First iLEAD Volleyball Tournament on Monday

KARACHI: Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh will be inaugurating iLEAD’s first volleyball tournament on 15 February, 2010.

iLEAD – Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development in Youth is a public- private partnership program between the Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh and Habib University Foundation (H.U.F.), with technical support provided by the British Council, Pakistan. Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh will inaugurate the ceremony.

The volleyball tournament will be held at the Institute for Advancing Careers and Talents, one of iLEAD’s partner institutes. Eight colleges are participating in the tournament: Two pools consisting of four institutes each will contest in the tournament. Volleyball matches begin on February 15, 2010 and will last to February 19, 2010, when the final will be played.

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON CITY NAZIM

British High Commissioner Adam Thomson called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Thursday. During the meeting it was agreed that Karachi is not only the biggest city and economic hub of Pakistan but an important city of the region. Business and trade activities in this city should increase further which would be beneficial for Pakistan as well as the whole region. Karachi offers lucrative investment opportunities to business community worldwide where they can earn maximum profits on their investments.

The British High Commissioner on this occasion appreciated recent infrastructure uplift and development projects in Karachi and called it a good omen. It was agreed that the current development process should be carried on as any halt in this process would raise the problems for citizens.

He said that City Government Karachi has also taken great measures to control environmental pollution. The Green Karachi Campaign has been appreciated all over the world.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal apprised the high commissioner about the development process that has been carried out in Karachi. He also informed him about the provision of basic facilities to citizens including water and sewerage system and road infrastructure development. He said that city government has constructed many signal free corridors in Karachi to overcome traffic problems while lot of projects in health and education sector were also been completed during last four years.

City of Karachi honours Jan-e-Alam Fazli

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Jan-e-Alam Fazli’s contribution as one of the most prolific bridge players of his time has been recognized by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) by means of dedicating a street after his name.

Tariq Rasheed Khan, President, Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF), broke the good news that Jan-e-Alam, who holds the distinction of being the highest ranked Pakistani player at the international level, has been honoured by the City of Karachi by naming with the street where he lived in his early days after him.

“It’s a matter of great pleasure and pride for all of us. It’s a moment to cherish for every bridge player of the country. We are delighted to have the Jan-e-Alam Fazli Street in Karachi,” Tariq Rasheed remarked.

The sentiments of the bridge players are very clearly reflected in those remarks of the PBF President. It’s not often that the bridge legends of the country have been recognized in much manner at the governmental level.

Jan-e-Alam happens to be the only player in South Asia and Middle East Zone to have been conferred the rank of International Life Master by the World Bridge Federation (WBF).

He was an integral part of the national team in the golden era of the 1980s when Pakistan had reached the final of the Bermuda Bowl World Championship two times within six years. He was nominated for the coveted Presidential Award but the change of guard in 2008 deferred his case.

When contacted the modest and unassuming veteran bridge player explained that the city government has named the road housing his childhood residence in Block A of North Nazimabad as the Jan-e-Alam Fazli Street.

“I feel really honoured and elevated by this gesture of the city government. This is an acknowledgement of my contribution to the cause of sports. I thank the concerned officials for having taken up this initiative. I am sure the whole fraternity of sports will welcome this move,” Jan-e-Alam observed.

Jan-e-Alam very rightly reckoned that the athletes do get inspired by their recognition like these and they try to payback by performing even better.

He has been acclaimed one of the greatest sportsmen of Pakistan, having contributed significantly for putting on the bridge map of the world. He was one of the illustrious contemporaries of the great Zia Mahmood, a World Bridge Federation (WBF) and American Contract Bridge League (ABCL) Grand Life Master.

The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has made a praiseworthy move by honouring the bridge legend. Now the authorities in the federal capital should also expedite his case for the Presidential award.

The Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) should also try to pursue his case in Islamabad because he thoroughly deserves the award. It would be another major boost for the development of the mind sport in the country should he get it.

One hopes that the red tape or the political considerations would be overcome by the saner elements in the Federal Ministry of Sports who must be aware of Jan-e-Alam’s massive contribution to the sport of bridge.

CULTURAL ISSUE IS A SOFT APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE BILATERAL RELATION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF TWO COUNTRIES: Ms. Merita Yenni

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi as part of his ambition to promote Indonesian Cultural and Art to the people of Sindh, especially to the young generation to educate them about their most cordial and friendly country Indonesia, took active part in the LYthreatre Drama Festival of Lyceum School, Karachi recently.

Three differences Indonesian performances were demonstrated by the Indonesian and Pakistani students, who were particularly trained for this purpose. The first performance was an Indonesian folk dance called “Puspawresti Dance”, the second performance was “Sajojo Dance’ while the third performance was an Indonesian traditional dance “Indang Badindin Dance”.
Puspawresti is a traditional dance from Bali, Indonesia. Bali is the island of God. It is a tribute dance performed by the youth in Bali to welcoming honorable guest. Sajojo dance is traditional dance from Papua. This dance is about the soul and cheerful of Papua people in every day activity. And Indang Badindin dance tells about the first time for Moslem religious arrived in Minang Kabau land (West Sumatra). This dance will be presented in sitting position and movement is dominated by arm. It also depicts about daily activity of Minang Kabau society living around the coast area as fisherman to fulfill their daily demand.

Ms. Merita Yenni, Consul, of CG Indonesia said that the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi, is continuously trying to employ every forum to bring the people of both the brotherly countries at all levels, whether there is any Exhibitions, like ‘International Gourmet”, “Hamara Karachi”, and “My Karachi’ and participate any Festivals whether it is “LYtheatre Drama Festival” in order to enhance the bilateral most cordial relations between the two Islamic brother countries, Pakistan and Indonesia.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia is very much optimistic to achieve his goal by bringing the people of both the friendly countries more closer and will definitely succeed in educating the young generation about Indonesian Culture, Arts, Tourism, Trade and Economic so that most concrete foundation could laid.

Large number of audiences and the students of Schools enjoyed the Indonesian performances with great interest.

Agha Siraj Durrani lashes out at CDGK —Advices nazims, other officials to go to the hospital for their mental checkups

By Saleem Chandio and Bachal Chandio
KARACHI: Sindh Local Government’s Minister, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani on Tuesday strongly criticized the City Nazim, Syed Musafa Kamal and said that the City Government had no power to interfere in the affairs of the Karachi Building Control Authority.
He was speaking on a point of order in reference to a statement of the City Nazim and City Government’s announcement of canceling the building plans approved by the KBCA during the past six months.
Referring to a TV interview of the City Nazim, the Local Government Minister said, amidst slogans of shame-shame, that he had no authority to come live on TV and utter abuses.
He said that if they had any problems, they should come and discuss the same with them.
He said that they were pursuing a policy of reconciliation and it was the kindness of President Asif Ali Zardari that funds were being provided to them. He said that he neither dictates anyone nor takes dictation from anyone but would do whatever he felt to be right.
He said that the Nazims were making illegal appointments and using funds illegally and he could not sit silent on that. He said that the government gives funds to the defunct KMC and city Government and when they did not get funds, they start raising hue and cry.
He advised them to go to some hospital where they could get their mental checkup and get themselves treated there. (RT)

CITY GOVERNMENT COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION OF 52 OVERHEAD PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES.

On the directive and policy of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal City District Government Karachi has completed the construction of 52 overhead pedestrian bridges in the city with a cost of Rs.880million. These bridges have been constructed at different points on all three signal free corridors and other busy thoroughfares.

City Government had planned the construction of 116 pedestrian bridges in the current year out of which 52 bridges were completed and in the next phase construction of 30 more overhead pedestrian bridges was going to begin soon for which already Rs.600million has been sanctioned. City Government will initiate third phase of the project after completion of second phase bridges which would involve the construction of further 34 pedestrian bridges in the city to complete all 116 bridges in the current fiscal year. These bridges have been constructed at different places on signal free corridor I, II, III, Sharae Faisal, Manghopir Road, Shahra-e-Pakistan, near IBA and other educational institutions in the city to provide convenience in crossing the road.

Meanwhile Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed EDO Transport and Communication to further expedite work on pedestrian bridges. He said that after the construction of signal free corridors and wide roads in the city the traffic speed has increased and therefore it was required to construct pedestrian bridges for the convenience of citizens in crossing roads. City Government had after consultation with the traffic engineering experts and under the survey of all busy and important places in the city selected 116 places for construction of overhead pedestrian bridges out of which 52 pedestrian bridges have been completed and were in use of public while work on 30 more bridges will also start soon.

Citizens of Karachi have appreciated the construction of overhead pedestrian bridges on busy point in the city. They said that the bridges have provided convenience in crossing roads especially during rush hours while they also added to the beauty of newly constructed corridors in the city.

Free Medical Camp at Usman Memorial Hospital on Sunday

The Usman Memorial Hospital is organizing a free medical camp at Hospital premises Plot # ST-12, Block-1, Hussainabad, Federal "B" Area, on Sunday, 31st January 2010 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Bilo, Professor of Paediatric, Aga Khan University Hospital and Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Medical Director, Patel Hospital will inaugurate medical camp.

KARACHI NAZIM INAUGURATES NEW CNG BUSES AND TERMINAL

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that card system has now been put in place in the CNG bus service after closing down case dealing. The new cards of Rs.50 and 100 denominations are now available at common shops and CNG bus booth. Despite of facing the loss of Rs75million annually in the CNG bus service the City Government has carried on this best and cheap transport service for poors, students as well as labour class. So far 75 buses have been run on different routes in the city while 20 more buses per month will be added in the fleet of CDGK dedicated CNG buses.

He expressed these views after inauguration of a new route of CNG bus namely route-III and the new bus terminal at Gulshan-e-Zia Orangi Town near Northern Bypass on Friday. Large number of people including MNAs MPAs Town Nazim of Orangi and SITE elected representatives and otheres were also present on these occasions.

Nazim Karachi on this occasion said that only a considerable addition in the CNG buses could replace the old transport system in Karachi with the new one. He said that the people demand end of old bus transport culture in Karachi but it could not be done immediately.

He said that four years ago we heard that the federal government had allocated Rs5 billion for CNG bus project in Karachi and the city government had also sent the PC-I for this three years ago but we have not received even a penny in this head nor any progress was made in the mass transit project for the city. Haq Parast leadership has instead of waiting for the action initiated a new model of public transport in Karachi which has never been introduced in the country.

He said that we have introduced a new system of e ticketing for this bus service and henceforth this system will be used for all the new buses in the city. City Nazim said that the bus service was aimed to provide best convenient and affordable transport to citizens of Karachi.

Karachi Fashion Week starts from 31st January

Earthquake jolts Landhi, Korangi

Low intensity earthquake shocks were felt in Landhi and Korangi Thursday morning. According to details, light earthquake was felt at 11:30 am in Landhi and Korangi. Area residents came out of their homes fearing the natural disaster.

According to meteorology department, the intensity of earthquake at the Richter scale was recorded at 2.5. The shocks were of low intensity. These areas have felt such shocks previously and can experience it in future, the department said. (ST)