Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui forms broad-based committee of public service organizations

Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui
Commissioner Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Taking notice of the lacking coordination among various public service organizations the Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, as a first step, has formed a Divisional Coordination Committee.

The committee comprises of Sindh Police, Pakistan Rangers Sindh, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan Steel, Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Social Welfare Department Government of Sindh, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA), Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioners Karachi Division., Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE), Malir Development Authority (MDA), Lyari Development Authority (LDA), Civil Defence, Pakistan Railways, Cantonment Boards, Pakistan Telecommunication  Limited (PTCL) and Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).

The committee will act to improve coordination among various organizations of the division besides improving response to public complaints and issues. It will prepare and develop better strategy to combat disasters and resolve inter-organizational complaints/issues. It will work to improve vehicular traffic flow and civic amenities/services

The terms of reference of the committee also include activating implementation of government policies and instructions

           

The Commissioner hoped that this step will improve the coordination among various public services agencies in Karachi on one hand, help redress grievances and enhance the image of public sector on the other hand.

Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqi reviews prices

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqi, has announced that all out measures are being taken by the Deputy and the Assistant Commissioners against hoarders and profiteers to provide relief to people and action in this respect being taken on daily basis.

Reviewing the price control measures at a meeting in his office, Shoaib Siddiqi noted the action taken against 30 atta sellers, 18 profiteers and five meat sellers and overall fines amounting to Rs 77,900 recovered by the concerned Deputy and Assistant Commissioners while four shop keepers were remanded to jail.

The Commissioner made it clear that undue profit making is a moral and legal offence and directed all the Deputy and Assistant Commissioners to ensure that price lists were conspicuously displayed by shopkeepers to let people know about officially fixed prices.

He also appealed to people that while buying goods, they should demand price list from shop keepers and also force them to display such lists prominently.

He urged the people not to hesitate in registering their complaints with the offices of Deputy and Assistant Commissioners against those charging prices higher than the officially fixed prices.

SSUET to develop software for campus management system

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, has given go-ahead to the university’s computer department to develop software for campus management system.

He gave the green signal at a meeting held to review various matters including the spring semester examinations which are scheduled to start from May 27.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed, Deans of faculties, chairpersons of various departments, Controller of Examination and other concerned officials.

The proposed campus management system would deal with students’ data regarding attendance, examination results, outstanding dues etc.

While reviewing the semester examinations, it was informed that exams will start in all the six engineering technologies from May 27 and continue till June 8.

The papers will be held in the morning and afternoon shifts and every batch will have a one day gap in each paper.

The meeting reviewed the arrangements being made for the exams including seating and security arrangements.

Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqi emphasizes on solving problems

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqi has said that dutiful and hard working officials are always remembered with respect because of their good performance, no matter where ever they are transferred from one department to the other.

He was addressing a ceremony held to bid farewell to his Staff Officer, Syed Afaq Hussain, on his transfer from Commissioner Office to the Chief Secretary Office.

He pointed out that whenever assigned a task, it is surely fulfilled by officials enjoying good reputation and showing good performance.

The administration of Karachi, its officers and employees, are endeavoring to ensure implementation of this kind of system in the public interest, he said while laying emphasis on solving the problems of people can be easily achieved if administration officials strengthen their liaison with the people and establish good relations with them.

“There is no doubt that hard working and dutiful officials not only bring improvement in the departmental working but it also enhances their own respect and prestige,” Shoaib Siddiqi pointed out.

In their speeches on the occasion, other officers appreciated Commissioner Shoaib Siddiqi for introducing the tradition of welcoming the incoming officials and bidding farewell to outgoing ones besides award of commendation certificates and cash awards to them.

They said that such trends would certainly infuse a new spirit of working hard in officials.

Syed Afaq Hussain said that he has learnt he lot from Soaib Siddiqi in a short span of time and this is going to guide him in his future career.

The farewell ceremony was attended, among others, by Additional Commissioner Kamran Shamshad, Additional Commissioner-II and other officials.

KCCI assures total support and cooperation to SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The elected representatives of the business community at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have expressed the hope that dwindled economy and battered industrial sector will witness a new surge during the next five years. 

They made the assessment on the basis of formation of new government to be formed by Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif which, they noted, has dedicated industrialists, businessmen and experts in the related fields in its fold who are capable to deliver which the previous government could not. 

Their remarks in this regard came in a meeting with Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, held at the university campus on May 15 The 21-member delegation of KCCI, led by its President, Mohammed Haroon Aagar, visited the university and discussed various matters to further strengthen the existing coordination and relationship with SSUET. 

The KCCI chief pointed out that no expansion occurred in the industrial sector during the last 5 years and this sector has much hopes on the new government which is going to be formed with an industry-related background. He offered large scale internship opportunities for the SSUET students, foreseeing the rapid industrial growth that is likely to take place in the coming years. 

He specially referred to the ongoing energy crisis and said that with other sources of energy generation potential also existed to tap solar energy prospects for use in the industries. He also offered to extend sponsorships for the SSUET students, wherever required. 

In his remarks on the occasion the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Adil Usman, thanked the delegation for coming over and described it highly encouraging with fruitful discussion. He said while foreseeing the future development prospects, there is imperative need to encourage the students studying engineering in this university which is being run with its self-generated resources to provide best possible knowledge to future builders of the nation. 

The Chancellor said that the university does not receive any government grant, still no student is allowed to give his studies just for financial implications and all requirements of poor students are fulfilled by this university which has been awarded the highest “W4” category by Higher Education Commission. 

He suggested the KCCI to establish a fund for poor students of this university which will be utilized under the criteria to be worked out by KCCI itself. He also referred to the SSUET’s Research and Development programs and pointed out that world over such programs are supported by the industry. He said that R&D programs at universities ultimately prove beneficial for the industry. 

He informed the KCCI officials that the university can send talented students abroad if a fund is created by KCCI for this purpose. Engr Adil Usman also referred to the bio-plant designed with SSUET’s cooperation and emphasized that it needs further development to launch it for meeting energy needs. 

He appreciated KCCI’s offer for 6-month IT training for the university students and said the University at its end can offer solutions for IT related problems if these come from the Chamber. 

On the occasion, Shamim Firpo, Senior Vice-President KCCI, appreciated SSUET’s participation in the Chamber’s ‘My Karachi; exhibition held at Expo Center last year and said that the projects displayed on that occasion drew big public liking. 

He said this year the KCCI is organizing the exhibition in July and will earmark an exclusive education pavilion to showcasing the projects of engineering students. He said such programs will help enhance greater SSUET-industry collaboration. 

He also referred to the menace of energy crisis and observed that if the new government surmounts this menace, the industry will grow and in turn new job opportunities will create and simultaneously ongoing law and order come under control. 

He assured KCCI's total support and cooperation for the SSUET along with other members of the visiting delegation who appreciated the presentation given on the occasion by Registrar SSUET Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed and particularly referred to the quantum of scholarships awarded and the financial assistance give to needy students. 

SSUET top officials condole NED Vice Chancellor’s demise

Engr Abul Kalam

The top officials of the Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, have expressed heartfelt sorrow and grief over the death of Engr Abul Kalam, a former Vice Chancellor of the NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, who passed away recently.

In separate condolence messages, the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Adil Usman, and Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, have paid tributes to Engr Kalam for his services in the academic and engineering fields.

They particularly recalled his services as Chairman of the Karachi Shipyard and the Chairman of the Pakistan Railways and noted that with his God gifted qualities he brought far reaching engineering improvements in these two organizations.

In the field of engineering education they recalled, Engr Kalam brought turn around in NED University and during his tenure as Vice Chancellor and added many more departments.

They prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable and, no doubt, a national loss.

Eng Abul Kalam held the distinction of being the country’s longest serving Vice-Chancellor of a public sector university. He died at the age of 90 at the South City Hospital in Karachi after a brief illness.

Born on November 25, 1923 in the South Indian city of Vijayawada, he had received an acceptance letter from the University of Cambridge at the age of 17 but he couldn’t proceed due to the outbreak World War II. He did his graduation in Mathematics from the Loyola College, established under the University of Madras, in Chennai and completed his post graduation from the same institution in 1941.

After having had stints as the helmsman of the large entities like Karachi Shipyard and Pakistan Railways, he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the NED University in December 1996. He was credited to have turned around the historic institution during his 16-year tenure with the 21^st convocation on March 18, 2013 being his last public appearance just before retirement.

SSUET launches innovative skill development programme for employees

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has launched an extensive in-house skill development programme for its employees to overcome the problem of over-staffing on one hand and meet the shortage of skilled persons in various departments on the other.

Under the programme, a first batch of 30 employees, mostly computer operators and office assistants is undergoing training in short hand writing and secretarial procedures.

The training is being conducted by instructors who include three senior stenographers under the supervision of Deputy Controller Examination, Irfan Naqvi, who used to be a private secretary to Secretary Local Government, Sindh.

According to Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed, this ongoing programme will continue for six months after which the trainee will be subjected to a test and successful of them will be awarded certificates. They will also be considered for future promotions.

He said the university is faced with shortage of shorthand writers and this training program will help overcome the problem.

Under the skill development programme, the University has trained 18 machine operators in maintenance and upkeep of various machines. They were imparted training through reputed GENCO and Siemens solutions.

The programme also includes three-day training in examination system, item writing, MCQ Bank and Marking.

The three-day course will be conducted in consultation with Thomas Christy, Professor Emiratus from Manchester with Dr Amin Rehmani as training coordinator.

The university has also conducted two courses under Pakistan Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) whereby three employees were trained in Finance, Procurement and Audit.

Another 50 employees will be imparted training in fire fighting. The training will be carried out in consultation with Chief Fire Officer KMC.

An interesting course will also be conducted in waiting for hospitality in consultation with a reputed hotel at Karachi Airport.

“The purpose of these skill development programmes is to train the university’s surplus staff so as to accommodate them in areas facing deficiencies in related fields,” Shah Mahmood explained.

Chancellor Adil Usman desires to boost SSUET sports

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has emerged as an outstanding institution which has set high standards in the field of education. It has also laid emphasis on sports since its establishment in 1994.

This newly appointed Chancellor of the SSUET, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), has expressed the desire to take the university sports to another level.

In a chat with a select group of sports scribes at his chamber on April 27, Engr Adil Usman, a great grandson of the legendary Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, agreed to look into the proposal of allowing admission on sports basis to the athletes having represented the country.

“In pursuance of the Aligarhian spirit we will continue supporting the cause of sports in a meaningful way and we will do everything possible to serve the community. The SSUET has had a policy of supporting sports from the outset and we will be even more proactive in future,” he stated.

“The Aligarhian philosophy is based on the fact that physical fitness leads to mental fitness. Our athletes used to excel in academics too. It’s very heartening to know that the same trend has continued at the SSUET as quite a few outstanding athletes have secured above average grades in their studies,” Engr Adil Usman added.

“We will surely look into the possibilities of granting admission in first year to the outstanding athletes having attained national colours. Ideally we will like to have it from as early as the next academic year,” the SSUET Chancellor declared.

Engr Adil Usman, who captained the Aligarh Muslim University’s badminton team besides representing the historic institution in billiards and snooker, also disclosed his plans to have greater facilities for indoor games at the SSUET.

“In the near future we will be emphasizing on developing more facilities for indoor games in particular besides taking care of cricket and football outfits. Our plans include procuring tables for billiards and snooker to let our students unfold their talents in cue sports,” he added.

“We desire to have training and coaching facilities for our athletes to let them enhance their skills. We will also encourage them to participate in the international events so that they could earn laurels for the country as well as the university,” the SSUET Chancellor announced.

SSUET Chancellor Adil Usman appreciates Jumbo Karachi Guide, sports books

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), has appreciated the high quality of books produced by Jumbo Infomedia and Jumbo Publishing.

Engr Adil Usman, a great grandson of the legendary Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, was presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide by its Chief Editor, Abdul Qadir Qureshi, while authors Ehsan Qureshi and Syed Khalid Mahmood presented their latest sports books to the SSUET Chancellor at his chamber on April 27.

The soft-spoken Engr Adil Usman, who studied at the historic Aligarh Muslim University, reckoned that the literary and cultural activities were vital in the development of a nation and such initiatives merit recognition.

He went through the various chapters of Jumbo Karachi Guide and considered it as a very useful and handy book worthy to be presented to the visiting dignitaries. He praised Abdul Qadir Qureshi for putting together so much information between its covers.

The SSUET Chancellor was also impressed with Ehsan Qureshi’s recently published ‘Mohali Mystery’ while he lauded Syed Khalid Mahmood on authoring ‘Reflections’ and ‘Asian Glory’ which were presented to him on the occasion.

Ehsan Qureshi-led Unity Panel triumphs in APP Sindh Union polls

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Unity Panel, led by Ehsan Ali Qureshi, swept the elections 2013-14 of APP Employee's Union (CBA) Sindh, held on April 24. The APP employees from Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah cast their votes in the elections.

A senior journalist and a former Joint Secretary of the Karachi Press Club, Ehsan Qureshi, was elected President while Abdul Sattar Qureshi, a senior IT Engineer at Hyderabad Bureau, and Arshad Ahmed Khan, a reporter, were elected as General Secretary and Vice-President of the Union respectively.

 

Mohammad Anwar (Joint Secretary), Syed Fahim Haider (Treasurer) and Mohammad Siddiq (Press Secretary) won their respective seats as the Unity Panel bagged as many as 13 slots out of 14.

The eight-member Governing Body was also elected and it comprised of Mohammad Toheed Siddiqi, Mohammad Saleem Qadir, Syed Abbas Mehdi, Mohammad Zahid, Farhan Khan, Mashooq Ali Chandio, Shoaib Qamar and Mohammad Saleem. All of them contested the elections from the platform of the Unity Panel.

The elections were conducted by a two-member election committee featuring Sattar Javed and Kafeel Ahmed in Karachi and they were assisted by senior journalist Yaseen Rahi at APP's Hyderabad Bureau.

Addressing the employees, the President-elect, Ehsan Qureshi, congratulated the members on the revival of the union and said the newly elected body will protect their genuine grievances and rights across the Sindh province.

He recognized the younger lot of elected members for their dedication and spirit in the revival of the union and thanked everyone for reposing their confidence in the newly elected body.