Nadir Magsi, Tusna Patel clinch major Hub Rally titles

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)




Demonstrating speed, skill and masterly Pakistan’s top ralliest driver Nadir Magsi won the main title while Tushna Patel won the ladies crown of Toyota third edition of Off-road Hub Rally at the Nooriabad Track.




The seven-time Cholistan Rally champion and as many time Jhal Magsi champion, Nadir Magsi driving his 6500 CC left handed Red Ford, handled the sharp turns, muddy and hilly track to emerge on the top among the over 30 drivers.




Nadir Magsi covered course on his highly powerful vehicle in 15.20 seconds to the delight of his band of supporters and followers.




“It was fast track and I used it to my best in achieving good timing,” he told reporters after winning the title.




Mrs. Tusha Patel driving a Vigo 2500 CC completed the hat-trick by winning her third successive title. She covered the distance in 21.20 seconds.




“My husband Ronnie Patel is motivating force in my success,” she said afterwards. 




Ismail Tariq won the fastest driver award, having covered the 32-KM course on his 2300 CC Vigo in 15.20 seconds.




Nauman Saranjam Khan emerged winner in “D” category while Nadir Magsi’s brother Aamir Magsi took the honors in his Vigo 3000 C. Mohammad Mehdi Dhanji won the “D” Stock category on his 1000 CC car.




Former Sindh Minister Mukesh Chawla won the Stock C contest in his Vigo 2000 CC.




In ladies car class, Shazia Naveed secured first position. Mrs. Asma Muzzmil was second and Sadia Aamir was third.

DG Rangers Sindh, Major General Bilal Akbar, who was the chief guest at the presentation ceremony, distributed some of the glittering trophies.




Chief Organizer Shujaat Sherwani, CEO Toyota Indus Motors, Ali Asghar Jamali were also present on the occasion.




Asghar Jamali described it a great event and expressed the hope such Rally event will increase and more talented drivers will come in force.




General Bilal took part in the race driving Vigo and covered the 32-KM distance in 22 minutes.




Speaking on the occasion, General Bilal announced to hold a Thar Desert Rally in Tharpaker and decided to dedicate it to the area people.




He observed that sports united the people and felicitated the organizers for staging such a high magnitude and attracted large number of peoples and followers of automobiles racing. 




He remarked that 67% of the population of the country comprised youth and he desired to provide them the best support and security to excel in their respective fields.




General Bilal reckoned that Pakistan posseseds great potential in sports and the athletes deserve to be facilitated to achieve excellence




Earlier the rally was inaugurated at a simple ceremony in presence of hundreds of racing followers, supporters.




Speaking on the occasion, Director Marketing and Sales, Raheel Asghar, said that was great achievement that Toyota Highway Motors with Sherwani are conducting this exciting and attractive event.




He stated that Toyota was looking forward to promote this sport like elsewhere across the world.




Shujaat Sherwani thanked top rally driver for featuring in the race. He said that due to some unavoidable circumstances both Turkish and Japanese could not turn-up to take part in the sports vehicle gala.

SBCA razes illegal structures

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The demolition squad of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), on the directive of Director General SBCA, Agha Masood Abbass, demolished and sealed two illegal marriage halls in Korangi Town.

According to a spokesman of SBCA, the squad demolished Green Valley’s illegal marriage halls and banquet situated on plot number F-7 and F-8, Sector E, in the Lucknow Cooperative Housing Society. 

It also demolished illegal construction on Plot number C-47, Sector 31-E, Al Arabia Marriage Lawn in Darul Salam Housing Society and sealed the premises. 

The demolition operation was carried out under the supervision of Director Demolition, Jameel Memon, Deputy Director Sajjad, and Assistant Director, Korangi Town Ahsan Idrees. 

The SBCA’s police force was also present during the demolition operation to maintain law and order situation in the area.

Celebrities make sports gala memorable

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s leading cricket star Kamran Akmal has exhorted the young students to work hard not only for academic achievements but also in their extracurricular activities including sports like cricket, hockey, football etc. to come in their practical future as great academicians and sportsmen.

“It is time for them to focus on their studies as well as sports activities to achieve their cherished objectives which otherwise would not be possible without hard work”, he said while briefly speaking at the Annual Sports Gala of The Educators, Renaissance Campus, held at Pakistan Sports Board’s Karachi Centre on January 21. 

Celebrities from the various walks of life were the focus of attention of a big gathering of parents and kids and youth at their Annual Sports Day. 

They included Pakistan’s former High Commissioner to UK, Abdul Kader Jaffer, noted lawyer and former Justice of Sindh High Court, Barrister Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, former Karachi Commissioner, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, besides sporting legends like Kamran Akmal, Wasim Bari, Islahuddin, Iqbal Qasim, Shoaib Mohammad, Jan Mohammad and Tanvir Ahmed. The ceremony was conducted by the famous sports journalist and analyst, Ehsan Qureshi.

Their presence made a hay day for parents and their children who unabatedly took selfies with the star sportsmen besides seeking their autographs. 

On the occasion they presented medals to schools children who achieved 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in various sports including cricket, hockey and athletics events. 

Kamran Akmal laid more emphasis on achieving physical fitness and said that only then the grooming children could think about becoming stars in various sports. 

Pakistan’s former High Commissioner to UK and Chairman of Jaffer Foundation, Abdul Kader Jaffer, observed that Pakistan needs a strong leadership which could lead the country towards progress and prosperity and bring the country to join the world’s most developed comity of nations.

He described the occasion a hay day for both parents and students and recalled that he, when he was of their age, used to take part in the same way in sports and their parents used to show delight like parents of today. 

He advised that besides taking part in sports, they should take greater interest in their academic activities as Pakistan would need to have good leaders in the coming future and it is the right time they should plan for the same. 

Through another advice he exhorted them that when they grow up and enter their practical life they will be expected to take care of their parents same way their parents are taking their care. 

“You have to make a strong, progressive and prosperous Pakistan and for this they need to focus on their education for which this is the right time,” he emphasized.

Earlier on arrival Abbdul Kader Jaffer was warmly greeted by a huge crowds of parents and their children besides students taking part in various sports. 

Eminent lawyer and former Justice of Sindh High Court, Barrister Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, called upon the students not to waste their precious time in uncalled for activities and rather focus more on their education so as to achieve the goals which might have been set for them by their parents. 

He delivered a typically inspirational little speech on the occasion which enlightened the students as well as their parents present on the occasion.

“You can achieve their objectives provided they maintain their physical fitness as well as achieve excellence in their educational life. Nothing is impossible to achieve, provided there is dedication and commitment to the cause. If we have achieved big name in our field, it is solely because of dedication and commitment without which every effort will prove futile,” he remarked 

“Today reminds me of my own childhood and that of my kids, who are grown up now. I still vividly recall such ceremonies in which I had participated as a student and then watched my children pass through this phase. Isn’t it quite extraordinary that parents, particularly mothers, appear more sentimental about the success of their children than the children themselves,” he added.

Railways organize medical camp at Tando Adam

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Railways Administration Karachi, under the directives of the Divisional Superintendent, Nisar Memon, organised a free medical camp at the Tando Adam Station on January 17. 

The camp started at 10 am and continued till late in the evening during which hundreds of patients were examined by doctors and provided treatment for various ailments. 

The Railways doctors including general physician, gynecologist, eye specialist, dentist and ultrasound specialist were available at the camp and they examined the departmental employees and their families besides the general public.

The area people also availed the opportunity in large number and they expressed their gratitude to the Railways authorities for having done the much-needed community service in their town.

The patients were provided free medicines besides carrying out various blood tests on the spot. 

The Divisional Commercial Officer, Nasir Nazeer, who supervised the camp from the start till the end informed that the DS Railways, Nisar Memon, has been taking special interest in the upkeep of health of Railways employees all over the division. 

He revealed that the Divisional Railways Administration had so far organised as many as 10 such camps at various railway stations including Mirpurkhas and Dadu and this practice will continue throughout the year.

SSUET Chancellor exhorts new entrants to follow Sir Syed’s mission

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The new academic year 2016 commenced at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, with the Orientation Session held for the new entrants of Batch 2016 at the Expo Centre on January 12.

It has been a tradition to organize the Orientation Session to familiarize the newly admitted students of the university about their respective engineering and non-engineering fields by the chairpersons of the respective departments. 

Addressing the session the SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, in his thought provoking speech apprised the students about their present and future responsibilities. 

The SSUET, he pointed out, has a distinction that here the teachers are teaching their pupils on best possible lines while on the other the students are demonstrating their best capabilities in the context of acquisition of knowledge. 

“During the last 17 convocations, the Chancellor said, while on one hand the students passing out from here are rendering significant services for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, on the other they are occupying important positions in the whole of world because of their academic and technical capabilities.” 

“It is a matter of pride for Sir Syed University and it should be our equal responsibility to maintain this honour,” he exhorted. 

He reminded that after the creation of Pakistan, the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) has been pursuing the educational philosophy and footprints of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and it was in this very context that SSUET was brought into being. 

“We have all along been endeavored to promote an educational environment in this university in keeping with the mission of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. 

On the occasion the Chancellor read out a quotation from a speech of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and said no doubt the same is the centre of our ambitions as well. 

Chancellor Jawaid Anwar said that Sir Syed’s speeches and publications testified the fact that he wanted to see the children of the nation as custodian of a bright future and always stressed upon making curricular and non-curricular activities as purposeful and bounded with morality so that a society could be brought into being which despite being developed and modernized, which may have the reflection of Islamic norms and tradition. 

He said that it was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan which infused a power of action into the subjugated Muslims of South Asia, which ultimately led to the creation of beloved Pakistan within half a century after his death. 

“The founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah also kept similar sentiments with reference to the youth and always emphasized upon augmentation of their education and training.” he added. 

He said that attitudes have witnessed a change because of change in the focus on educational system which has led to mental confusion. 

“It has, therefore, become imperative to prepare yourself in the light of Aligarh spirit, role of the seniors and practical steps.” 

He told them that it is this very age where character building is done and, therefore they should not waste their age in useless activities. He advised them that they would have create innovation and singularity in their attitudes which may conform the scientific priorities. So that they could achieve a better future after having finished their academic career for which purpose the university did have counseling arrangements. 

As regards the non-curricular activities, the Chancellor said that university students have won score of honors in this context and they have to carry these traditions forward. 

The Chancellor said that today they are going to start a new chapter of their life which would be an era of their future-making and, thus, improve their moral and professional life during this era so that they could introduce themselves as a successful person in their family and national life. 

Earlier Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, welcomed the new entrants and highlighted the importance of the orientation day. He exhorted them that during their stay in this institution they will be expected of realizing their vital responsibilities so as to serve the country and nation in a more effective manner. 

On the occasion, the chairpersons of Computer, Electronics, Telecom, Bio-Med. Civil, Electrical and Soft ware engineering and Computer Science Architecture and Bio-Informatics departments apprised the new entrants about the salient features of their respective fields. 

The Registrar, Mumtaz-ul-Imam, gave an introduction about the AMUOBA the sponsors of SSUET, sports, literary and culture forum, financial assistance, scholarships library medical center and various curricular activities. 

The Dean of Engineering, Prof Dr S M Makhdoomi also welcomed the students while Prof Dr Najeeb Siddiqi gave an introduction of Continued Education Program me and the CISCO Academy. The Advisor to Chancellor, Siraj Khilji, gave an introduction about Career Planning and Placement Bureau of the university.

SSUET Chancellor declares technically skilled persons as assets

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Jawaid Anwar, Chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), and Chairman, Managing Committee, Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), has declared the technically skilled persons as assets for the country. 

“Technical education is vital for the growth of any country. There is a huge demand for technical education in modern age as it imparts knowledge of specific craft or profession. Technical education opens the door for employment and successful career,” he observed while speaking as the chief guest in the ceremony held to award gold medals to the AIT students having earned first positions in the examinations of Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE). 

“The Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) is providing modern facilities to the students according to the contemporary standards. Highly qualified, experienced and skilled faculty is available at the institute to teach and groom students in an environment cordial for learning,” Chancellor Jawaid Anwar observed. 

“We must focus on the education of our children because they are the future of the country. People roped with technical skills are an asset for a country and they may take the country to economic prosperity,” he added. 

Chancellor Jawaid Anwar, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), recognized the services of the philanthropist Aslam Shah, especially for giving gold medals and scholarships to the position holders and bright students of AIT. 

“We have a lot of talented and brilliant students here at the AIT and their resounding success in the SBTE examinations is a testimonial of their dedication and deep love to learning,” he stated. 

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President, AMUOBA, Syed Anwar Ali remarked that technical education was vitally important and useful in the present day society, because unlike graduates, diploma holders get jobs easily and they don’t have to run around for getting jobs. 

“The AIT is our first priority and we are endeavoring to help it scale greater heights,” he said. Special mention was made of eminent businessman and philanthropist Younus Shah alias Piyare Mian, who had a great contribution in establishing the AIT, and now his son Aslam Shah was carrying forward his father’s mission. 

Their support for the development and promotion of education was acknowledged and the decision to award scholarship and gold medals to position-holders of the SBTE, in order to encourage students, was commended.

Ehsan Qureshi grieved

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ehsan Qureshi, Sports Editor, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Karachi Bureau, was grieved as his father-in-law, Ajmal Baig, passed away on January 5 at the Ziauddin Hospital and was laid to rest on at the Tariq Road graveyard the following day. 

The Namaz-e-Janaza, attended by a large number of journalists, friends and relatives, was offered at the Masjid Maamoor, housed in the Tariq Road Commercial Area. 

The soyem will be held at Rehmania Masjid, Tariq Road, on January 7 between Asr and Maghrib prayers while arrangements for ladies have been made at the residence of the late Ajmal Bag. 

Meanwhile eminent people from the various walks of life, particularly from sports, social and cultural fields, have condoled the sad demise of Ehsan Qureshi’s father in-law and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace. 

 Former Managing Director, APP Islamabad, Malik Fazl-ur-Rehman, noted lawyer, Justice (Rtd) Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, District Governor of Rotary International, Jahangir Moghul, former Pakistan High Commissioner to UK, Abdul Kader Jaffer, prominent religious scholar Haji Hanif Tayyab, President, English Speaking Union of Pakistan, Aziz Memon, leading industrialist Shahid Firoz, Vice Chancellor SSUET, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, President, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association, Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Abdul Moid Khan, System Manager SSUET, Naushaba Tasneem, a prominent Aligarhian and Member International Relations Committee, Aligarh Muslim University, and many other prominent figures condoled with Ehsan Qureshi on the demise of his father in-law.

Radio professional remembered

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Tributes were paid to Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Bilgrami, a renowned radio professional and retired Deputy Controller of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), who passed away recently 

His colleagues recalled the memories of late Bilgrami at a condolence meeting held at the Old Broadcasting House of Radio Pakistan at M A Jinnah Road, Karachi. 

The 71-year old Bilgrami had passed away after a protracted illness leaving behind a widow a son and a daughter to mourn his death. 

The meeting participants offered fateha and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

SSUET student gets USAID Fulbright Scholarship

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Syed Mustafa Jamal, a student of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. 

The SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, has appreciated Mustafa Jamal for this great achievement and wished him greater success in his future career.. 

With BS degree in Biomedical Engineering from Sir Syed University, Mustafa Jamal was selected from among 1700 candidates for the scholarship and is set to leave for US for higher education, according to a statement issued recently. 

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Fulbright scholarship covers tuition, required textbooks, air fare and health insurance.

SSUET plans to launch new courses

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology has chalked out plans to introduce new courses. "In order to meet the present day demands, the university will introduce new courses and technologies including BBA, MBA and Management courses for engineers,” the SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, announced during a recent meeting. 

He said that the university, as per its charter, had the authority to launch new courses and technologies. The SSUET was the first in Pakistan to introduce the discipline of Bio-medical Engineering while four new technologies in Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Architecture and Electrical Engineering were added to existing courses in Computer, Civil, Telecommunication, Bio-Medical Electronics engineering besides Computer Science. 

He pointed out that a large number of graduates were benefitting from short certificate courses like Project Management Professionals, Web Engineering, PHP MySQL, Graphic Designing and Web Designing already being run by Continuing Education Programme of the Sir Syed University. 

Speaking about admission policy, Chancellor Jawaid Anwar said that the admission process was passing through the last phase. The merit list was issued as per schedule and the admissions were successfully done on pure merit through a transparent procedure. 

He added that the admission process will be completed as per schedule on January 8, 2016, after which new the academic session will get underway. 

The Chancellor recalled that January 8 was a day of great significance in the history of South Asia as it was on this day that Mohammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College was founded in Aligarh by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan that set the direction of Muslims of subcontinent towards scientific education. 

"Being the true followers of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's ideology, we established SSUET and Aligarh Institute of Technology to carry forward the mission of great educationist and reformer to promote modern education,” Chancellor Jawaid Anwar stated.