Close coordination between ABAD, cantonment boards sought

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Director General of the Military Lands & Cantonments, Major General (R) Furrukh Rashid, has announced that the building bye-laws in the cantonment areas would be amended in the light of suggestions from the Association of Builders & Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) in order to upgrade them technologically.

He made the announcement while talking to a delegation of ABAD, led by its chairman, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, which called on him at his office. The Additional Director General, Military Lands & Cantonments, Amir Rashid also attended the meeting. 

The ABAD delegation included chairman, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, Vice Chairman, Mohammad Hanif Memon, Chairman Southern Region, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, Ex Senior Vice Chairman, Saleem Kassim Patel, Convener Cantonment Boards Sub-Committee, Arif Siddik, Co Convener, Cantonment Boards Sub-Committee, Haroon Karim and members Rizwan Adhia and Mahmood Tabba. 

DG Furrukh Rashid, while appreciating the role of ABAD in the promotion of construction industry, assured that issues of members of ABAD engaged in construction activities in cantonment areas will be resolved on priority. 

Saleem Kassim Patel gave a detailed briefing on the role of members of ABAD and demanded close coordination between ABAD, the Director’s Office and the offices of Cantonment Boards. 

Arif Siddik highlighted the issues of delays in the approval of projects of some members of ABAD. A detailed appraisal of delayed projects of members of ABAD was also done during the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, 

Junaid Ashraf Taloo suggested that in view of the delay in the approval of projects, the process of approval of projects in the Director’s office be made simple and short. At this point, 

DG Furrukh Rashid informed that he will consult his team in this connection to simplify the process of approval and also fix a time frame for approval of projects. 

Mohammad Hassan Bakshi suggested mandatory membership of ABAD for all builders engaged in construction activities in cantonment areas. Rizwan Adhia proposed one window operation for quick approval of projects of members of ABAD. 

At the end of the meeting, DG Furrukh Rashid said that the office of Director Military Lands & Cantonments was examining the process and policies for delay in the resolution of different issues and these will be resolved soon.

Open House Job Fair at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Over 120 innovative projects produced by the final year students of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Telecom and Bio-Medical Engineering and Computer Science departments were put on display at the Open House Job Fair 2015 held at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on February 14.

The fair was inaugurated by noted industrialist Sardar Yasin Malik and largely attended, among others, by prominent industrialists, businessmen, corporate professionals and dignitaries.  

Speaking on the occasion Sardar Yasin Malik lavished high praise for the SSUET, observing that the university was producing high quality professionals whose skills and expertise was appreciated even outside Pakistan. 

“Particularly Biomedical engineers of Sir Syed University have earned a name in the Middle East countries,” he reckoned. 

In his discourse, the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman observed that the Open House Job Fairs reflect the result of students’ four-year education, their skills and experience in a tangible form as the final year projects show how creatively charged students successfully transform their innovative ideas and concepts into cost-effective commercially viable products. 

The university, he pointed out, provides a research-friendly environment and encourages students to come up with new ideas by holding Open House Job Fairs to promote their scientific achievements. 

“Open House Job Fair provides an opportunity for students to have a direct inter-action with a large number of employers, who specifically explore talented graduating students for employment in their reputed organizations and often take advantage of an open house as an initial screening process when they have several open positions to fill”. 

Chancellor Adil Usman advised the students to compose compact resume, short in length and long in quality, to create a good first impression which counted a lot. 

“You have to be confident with positive attitude to break into the organizations seeking talent,” he stated. 

Earlier the Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, in his opening remarks pointed out that the SSUET is being run on non-profit basis by Aligarians and it lays great emphasis on practical and professional know-how with strict adherence to character building and career planning. Dr Bilal Alvi, Chairman Electronic Engineering Department, delivered the welcome address, while Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Dean of Engineering, presented vote of thanks. 

Later chief guest Sardar Muhammad Yasin Malik, accompanied by Chancellor Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, Registrar Engr Syed Abrar Ali, Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Dr Bilal Alvi and others, took a round of the fair and showed keen interest in the innovative projects on display.

SSUET tributes Bashir Malick

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Rich compliments were paid to Pakistan’s top architect, writer and senior Aligarhian, Engr Bashir A Malick, at a condolence meeting held at the Bashir A Malick Auditorium of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on February 9.

Born in 1925, Malick had died in Lahore on January 27 at the age of 90 after having spent an active professional and social life spanning over six decades. 

Addressing the condolence meeting, the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, described the passing away of Bashir Malick as a great loss to the Aligarhian community. 

“He was our close associate and benefactor who was a loving and caring person, possessing outstanding qualities and his services for the cause of promotion of education were greatly praiseworthy,” the Chancellor noted. 

Engr Adil Usman recalled that after completing his education in hydrology, dams and water power from the top US and Dutch universities, he had served the UN and the World Bank as Chief Technical Adviser besides working as Tarbela Dam’s Project Director. 

“Bashir Malick also wrote a number of books and articles on water distribution system and possible challenges and one of his most important compilation in book form was titled ‘Indus Water Treaty in Retrospect’ which gained great reputation,” he added. 

The Chancellor acknowledged that the late Malick, a member of SSUET’s Board of Governors, had been deeply involved in social works and donated a huge amount for construction of a modern auditorium in this university which has been named after him. Expressing his deep grief over the sad demise of Bashir Malick, the Chancellor prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace. 

Earlier in his remarks, the SSUET Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, described the late Bashir Malick as an engineer of outstanding reputation and high qualities who distinguished himself with his generous philanthropy. 

“He donated enormously on special education in Lahore’s Sunrise School besides establishing an institution for special children also in Lahore,” the Registrar informed. 

The condolence meeting, in which Fateha was also offered for the departed soul, was attended by General Secretary, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), Mukhtar Naqvi, besides many other members of the Association as well as the chairpersons of the SSUET’s various departments.

Khawaja Naveed speaks his heart out in Nawabshah

By Rashid Zia Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former President Asif Ali Zardari always believed in the politics of reconciliation and it was under this philosophy that no political personality was arrested during his tenure. 

"Heading the present government, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too is pursuing the same policy,” Barrister Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, retired judge of the Sindh High Court and former Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of Sindh Bar Council, observed while talking to media at the Nawabshah Press Club. 

Abdul Qadir Qureshi, founder member of the Nawabshah Press Club. Chaudhry Abdul Sattar and Aamir Qazi, who accompanied Khawaja Naveed from Karachi, were also present on the occasion. 

Replying to questions, Khawaja Naveed defended military courts in a way pointing out that judiciary felt insecure in the wake of continued circumstances of terrorism with criminals and terrorists extending threats to honorable judges hearing their cases. 

Observing that under such conditions army courts had become inevitable, he was of the view that although courts do give verdicts in such cases but the fact was that real justice would be from the court of Almighty Allah.

He admitted public opinions about irregularities in the court system and noted that sometimes advantages go against oppressed. 

He told a questioner that reconciliation courts, established for the purpose of dispensing cheaper justice, failed as concerned people were unaware of complications of judicial procedures. However the situation can be made better if retired judges are posted in Reconciliation Courts. He said that menace of falsification has overcome politics due to which common man is not pleased with politicians. 

To another question Khawaja Naveed said that there is not the desired governance in Sindh, as it should have been, therefore what comment he can offer on its performance, adding that Syed Qaim Ali Shah just enjoyed the title of Chief Minister. 

He opined that in many cases an Oath Commissioner seemed more powerful than Chief Minister who can make documents legal with a single stroke of his stamp on a payment of ten rupees. 

"How a government ascribe itself authoritative when it cannot deliver rights of poor grower in shape of due payment from sugar mills,” he said mentioning that in a country where the Governor tenders resignation saying he is week before mafias and land grabbers, then what one can expect of constitution and law. 

Khwaja Naveed told a questioner that Supreme Judicial Council is the best forum for the accountability of judiciary but bad practice appears when this forum is not used. 

He said that law making was necessary for cases whereby a complainant gets court order for FIR registration under section 22A when police refuses to entertain. It is necessary to issue notice to other party as well prior to issuing order under section 22A to frustrate the objective behind registering of fake FIR, he suggested. 

Khawaja Naveed recalled that as Judge of the Sindh High Court he issued orders in 1,400 cases and many of his orders were cited as reference in various cases. He described as deplorable non hearing of cane growers case with regard to payment of quality premium by sugar mills.

Khurshid Shah to facilitate in resolving construction industry’s problems

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, a former Federal Minister and now the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, urged the government to provide incentives to the construction industry as it played an important role in the economic development of the country.

He made the observation while talking to a delegation of the Association of Builders & Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), led by its chairman, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, which called on him during his recent visit to Karachi. 

Khurshid Shah vowed to raise the issue of gas, electric and water connections on the floor of the house. The Leader of the Opposition promised to extend full cooperation for meeting the demands of ABAD members. 

The ABAD delegation included Vice Chairman, Mohammad Hanif Memon, Regional Chairman, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, and members, Owais Thanvi, Rizwan Adhia, Arif Jeewa, Fayyaz Ilyas, Mustafa Thanvi, Anwar OK and Sohail Warind.. 

The ABAD Chairman pointed out that Karachi contributed 67% of revenue to the national exchequer and the construction industry was providing employment to a vast majority of people. 

Junaid Ashraf regretted that due to ban on gas connections to high rises and housing societies, the investment of billions of rupees of builders and allottees had been blocked. 

“Although Sindh is producing 70 % natural gas but the right to get gas connection in high rises and housing societies is being denied,” he said. 

The Vice Chairman, Hanif Memon, stated that moratorium on new gas connections was imposed in 2011 for a period of two years apparently to support LNG business. 

The Regional Chairman, Hassan Bakshi, reckoned that if all pending applications for gas connections of all builders of Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur were accommodated, the total requirement of gas will be less than 1 MMCFD. 

On the issues of K-Electric, he said that even under Self Finance Scheme, the builders have to provide a bank guarantee for which they have to deposit 100% cash margin which caused double financial burden on them. He demanded that the bank guarantee should not be more than 10% to 15% of the total amount. He also called for the reduction of tariff for TL connection.

Dr Farman Fatehpuri’s wife passes away

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Salma Begum, wife of the late noted scholar, writer and critic, Dr Farman Fatehpuri, passed away in Karachi on January 29. She was 85. She was mother of Engr Syed Abrar Ali, Registrar, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi. She has left behind two sons and four daughters to mourn her death. 

Her Namaz-e-Janaza was held at Masjid Khulafa-e-Rashdeen, Block 13-D, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and largely attended, among others, by Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, Associate Dean Dr Najeeb, besides chairpersons of various departments, faculty members, engineers from various walks of life including Karachi Electric where EngrAbrar Ali had served as Director for many years, friends and relatives as well as members of Alaigarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) including its General Secretary, Mukhtar Naqvi . 

Later the burial was held at Karachi University Graveyard where her late husband dwas also resting in peace. Meanwhile Quran Khawani for the departed soul will be held on January 30 at Masjid Khulafa-e-Rashdeen while arrangements for the ladies have been made at her residence in Block 13-D Gulshan-e-Iqbal. 

Meanwhile both Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the SSUET have offered their heartfelt condolences on the demise of mother of Registrar Engr Abrar Ali and paryed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to bereaved family bear the great loss. 

It may be recalled here that Dr Farman Fatehpuri had died about one and a half year back at the age of 87.

PTCL assures cooperation to ABAD

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President and CEO of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Walid Irshaid, has assured the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) to resolve the telecommunication issues of their members. 

The PTCL chief gave the assurance during his visit to the ABAD House in Karachi during which he had a detailed meeting with a delegation of the Association, headed by their Chairman, Junaid Ashraf Taloo.

The meeting was attended by a number of members of the ABAD and officials of the PTCL. 

“The PTCL is always willing to address the telecommunication issues of members of ABAD. The facilities like telephone and DSL boradband will be provided at the project site during the construction so that the concept of plug and play is materialized,” Walid Irshaid declared. 

The ABAD Chairman appreciated the assurances coming from the PTCL President but expressed his reservations about the infrastructure of the Corporation having becoming old and obsolete which needed to be updated on an urgent basis. 

The PTCL President revealed that his organization was already working on this matter and hopefully the improvement will materialize in the very near future. 

To a question Walid Irshaid explained that the efforts were being made to bring the standard of the PTCL at par with that of Etisalat. He said that all their services could be compared with those available in any country of the world. 

“The change has begun in the PTCL but taking into account the population and size of Pakistan it is going to be gigantic task,” he added. 

Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, Chairman, Southern Region, suggested that the sim verification should be made on annual basis to curb criminal activities. 

The PTCL President emphasized that no compromise will be made on the national security issues.

SSUET hold Orientation Session for new academic year

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

An impressive Orientation ceremony marked the commencement of new academic session 2015 at  the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, with the Chancellor, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, informing the new entrants that excellent engineers and technologists can only be produced through high quality engineering and vocational teaching and training.

 

On the occasion, the students having been granted admission to different disciplines of engineering were provided the vision and academic guidance prior to the commencement of regular classes.

 

Addressing the ceremony, the Chancellor reminded the students that education is the most powerful instrument which can change the world. People, without education, will not be able to improve their economic conditions in the present highly technological, globalized economy.

 

He congratulated the students for entering into a new field of higher education and starting a new journey.

 

“You are truly an extraordinary group of students with great potential,” he pointed out and said he was proud of them for having been chosen to study in the university and to pursue their academic career.

 

He told them that SSUET is ranked among the best universities of Pakistan because of the development of new ideas,  concepts, theories and dreams and these factors does play a significant role in the ever changing global developments.

 

“With the best academic environment at the university campus, you will learn from the most experienced and skilled faculty responsible to help you in your quest for knowledge. So make best use of same with complete focus on your studies.”

 

Chancellor Engr Adil Usman appreciated the faculty for its commitment towards inculcating the spirit of hard work and excellence in the students.

 

 Welcoming the new entrants, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syed Jawaid Hasan Rizvi extended useful suggestions to students for achieving excellence during their academic pursuits.

 

He pointed out that admissions have been done purely on merit and, therefore, they will have to achieve excellence.  

 

The Sir Syed University, he said, offers quality education with its modern laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.  

 

Research activities are encouraged in the university and students are groomed in a way to face the challenges of life, he added.

 

He told the students that they will now carry out their academic activities under the semester system which is fast and totally different from college system and, therefore, they will have to struggle keep pace with the speed.

 

The Registrar, Syed Abrar Ali, in his remarks, pointed out that SSUET is not a private commercial institution but dispensing knowledge on non-profit basis.

 

He said that all funds generated are spent on provision of facilities to university students. He informed that SSUET is spending Rs 40 million on providing scholarships for which they will have to acquire required GPS besides over 80 percent attendance.

 

The Dean Engineering, Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Associate Dean Dr Najeeb and chairpersons of all the engineering departments also addressed the students and reminded them of their responsibilities with stress on the element of punctuality, proper dressing, and good behavior.

Sir Syed Tower’s construction starts with ground breaking ceremony

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The work on the multi-million Sir Syed Tower, a project of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) has started following the ground breaking ceremony at the project site. 

Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, President, AMUOBA, and Chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), performed the ground breaking ceremony which was attended, among others, by members of the Association and its Executive Committee besides guests from different walks of life. 

The Sir Syed Tower, upon completion, will serve as academic and corporate hub to promote AMUOBA’s intellectual, cultural and academic activities. 

Addressing the ceremony, Engr Adil Usman observed that the Tower, a project to be of historical value, was being planned since long but the work could not take off earlier for some reason or the other. 

“The construction work has commenced today which is the happiest and unforgettable moment for the Aligarhians who have always cherished to follow the mission of our great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. 

“We have successfully achieved our target with our sincere efforts and dedication and it will prove to be a dream coming true project,” Chancellor Adil Usman remarked. 

He informed that the Tower construction is being financed with own resources. But due to the financial constraints, only basement, ground and first floor would be constructed in the first phase. 

He hoped that the philanthropists will come forward and donate towards this noble project. He appealed to the Aligarhians to mobilize their personal contacts and influence to obtain funds for the project. 

The AMUOBA President said that the Sir Syed Tower is not being raised to get monetary or commercial benefits but the revenues to be generated will be utilized for promotion of academic activities and establishment of educational institutions by the Association.

KPT to handle bigger post vessels by year end

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) will soon become capable of handling bigger post PANAMAX mother vessels by the end of this year when the first phase of deep water container port attains completion and becomes fully operational. 

This was stated by the KPT Chairman, Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed, while briefing a visiting high level delegation from National Defence University, participating in National Security and War Course 2014-15. 

On the occasion various capital intensive port-related projects came under discussion and Chairman KPT briefed the delegation on the new deep water container port which is scheduled to become functional by the end of this year. 

He informed that the new port will open new avenues for trade and commerce for Pakistan and pave way for the port to become transhipment hub of the region. He pointed out that the KPT has been playing a key role in the national trade and commerce. 

He reckoned that the development of the deep water container port was a timely decision for the Karachi Port is strategically located well set to cash on the change that has taken place due to shift of world economy towards Asia. 

The inter-active session concluded with the exchange of crests between the KPT, Chairman, Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed HI (M), and the leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas SI (M). 

The delegation was given comprehensive briefing on management, administrative areas, functions and the ongoing projects of the KPT.