Public-private partnership to boost immunization in high-risk Karachi UCs

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Efforts to integrate private providers for boosting routine childhood vaccination in Karachi’s low-income areas are set to receive a much-needed shot in the arm as a memorandum of understanding, signed by the Sindh Department of Health and the Aga Khan University goes into effect. 

The agreement entails integrating local private healthcare providers at the neighbourhood level to plug the gap in the government’s immunization infrastructure and develop sustainable community networks for increasing immunization coverage. 

The project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, targets hot spots of immunization refusals in eight union councils of Karachi to increase zero dose vaccination provided at birth as well as Penta-3 vaccination in under six-month children which is a marker of complete vaccination in under six-month children. Through the project, immunization services and basic preventive care will be offered at 18 Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) centres set up within neighbourhood private provider clinics, NGO clinics and maternity homes. 

Community members in the districts where the project is to be implemented report that private clinics located in the local neighbourhood are the mainstay for their daily illnesses but do not offer immunization services, and while polio teams go from door to door to administer polio drops, the same facility is not available for other childhood vaccines for which families must visit government hospitals located at a considerable distance. 

According to AKU’s senior lead for the project, Professor Shehla Zaidi, AKU with EPI Sindh and other government stakeholders will co-design novel action learning strategies for co-opting private providers for quality assured services including pay for performance, quality accreditation scores and positive behaviour recognition, supported digital communication and community networks. The project will build sustainable links with the Sindh Health Department’s Action Plan for Strengthening Public Private Partnerships 2021-26 and regulatory frameworks towards urban primary health centres. 

Elaborating on the unique challenges of immunization delivery in megacities, Dr Irshad Memon, head of the EPI in Sindh, asserted that immunization rates in Karachi are far lower than in the province’s rural districts. “So far we have struggled to put in place a system to ensure that private providers report immunization volumes, provide free services and deliver quality-assured services. Hence this project fills a key need for technical assistance for effective private engagement for the urban poor. We need sustainable health systems as we don’t want to see super high-risk union councils in five years,” he explained.

Younis Hashmi appointed NLA Overseas Coordinator

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) has appointed Muhammad Younis Hashmi as its Overseas Coordinator with immediate effect. 

He has also been re-designated as the Association’s Public Relation Secretary, after having served as the Information Secretary with distinction for the past couple of years. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, while making the announcement in Karachi on March 24, thoroughly praised the efforts of Younis Hashmi in the formative years of the Association which had come into being in 2017. 

“Being one of our founder members, he has played a very active role during the last five years. He has worked very hard during the past couple of years in particular and his contribution in reaching out the library professionals far and wide has helped the cause of the Association immensely,” the NLA President recognized. 

“We are confident that the twin responsibilities bestowed on him will further boost the NLA locally and abroad. His networking with librarians all over the world and his agility to personally visit libraries in different locations remain an asset to the Association,” Muzaffar Ali Shah commended. 

The NLA Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, also lavishly praised the proactive approach of Younis Hashmi.

"He brings great energy and enthusiasm to the NLA team. His selfless attitude is praiseworthy and his dedication and commitment to the Association is second to none. He thoroughly deserves the twin portfolio and his efforts will surely enable the NLA to scale greater heights," the NLA Advisor reckoned. 

After having retired from long service as librarian at the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the soft-spoken Younis Hashmi has been commuting regularly to Canada besides visiting other countries.

NLA condoles death of journalist’s mother

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A delegation of the National Library Association (NLA) visited the Karachi Press Club on March 21 to condole the death of the mother of senior journalist, Chand Nawab. 

The NLA delegation was headed by its President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and it comprised of Syed Khalid Mahmood (Advisor), Anwar Hussain (Secretary General) and Muhammad Ibrahim (Member, Executive Committee). They offered Fateha for the departed soul and expressed their grief. 

Chand Nawab thanked the NLA President and its other office-bearers for having turned up to console the death of his mother.

NLA hails its officials’ contribution in Customs Cricket Journey

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) has hailed the contribution of two of its key office-bearers, Syed Khalid Mahmood and Muhammad Ibrahim, in the 476-page hardbound epic book ‘Customs Cricket Journey’ which was unveiled in Karachi on March 21. 

“The NLA and the entire librarian community of the country feel honoured by the achievement of both our officials, who have been recognized in the book for their editorial contributions. The active involvement of our worthy colleagues in such a momentous project is also a testimonial for us,” Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, President, NLA, remarked during a brief chat at Karachi Press Club. 

The NLA Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, a seasoned journalist and author, presented a copy of ‘Customs Cricket Journey’ to Muhammad Ibrahim, Member, Executive Committee, NLA, and Chief Librarian, Sindh High Court. Anwar Hussain, Secretary General, NLA, was also present in the presentation ceremony.

Veteran librarian Dr Khurshid Alam honoured

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Veteran librarian Dr Khurshid Alam, having relocated to Canada, was honoured by fellow library professionals on March 21 as he has returned to his home city Karachi for a few months. 

The top functionaries of the Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, Prof Liaquat Ali Khan, Syed Ahmed Naqvi and Azra Qureshi were present on the occasion alongwith Syed Khalid Mahmood, Advisor, National Library Association (NLA), Younis Hashmi, Information Secretary, NLA, Prof Dr Farhat Hussain Khan, Chairman, Department of Library & Information Science, University of Karachi, and Dr Riffat Parveen Siddiqui, Lecturer, KU.

On this occasion, Azra Qureshi presented a copy of her travelogue titled ‘Barah-e-Safar’ to Dr Khurshid Alam while Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari gifted copies of his book ‘Quest of Survival’ to Younis Hashmi and Syed Khalid Mahmood. Both these books were published by the LPB in 2021.

Jamaluddin Bukhari’s birth anniversary observed

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 122nd birthday anniversary of noted personality, Comrade Syed Jamaluddin Bukhari, was observed with due solemnity and in a befitting manner at Larkana and elsewhere on March 14. 

He was a much loved and respected Marxist who greatly contributed to the cause of peasants, industrial workers and downtrodden leaving unforgettable imprints in the sub-continent. 

In this regard a memorial meeting was held at Larkana Press Club, under the aegis of Old Students Union of Larkana, which was largely attended by the Comrade’s followers and addressed by noted speakers who highlighted his valuable contributions besides various aspects of life and political career. 

In his presidential address on the occasion, famous poet and intellectual Muslim Shamim observed that Jamaluddin Bukhari was well versed with various international ideologies whose personality was like an open book and no aspect of his life was hidden. He had a multi-faceted personality and emerged successful in every field. 

He opined that Jamaluddin Bukhari regarded communism as giver of rights of people whose aspects also preached Islam and he spent whole life in the struggle for bringing changes in humane society as per tenets of Islam. 

Muslim Shamim reckoned that it will be sad to forget the achievements a brave person like Comrade Jamaluddin and these should be made part of our curriculum and continued research should be undertaken on various aspects of his life. 

He recalled that his wife Comrade Shanta who remained with Bukhari Sahib with shoulder to shoulder. 

He said he was the one who took active part in the movements for peasants and the separation movement of Sindh from Bombay and also against one unit. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mukhtiar Samo recalled Bukhari’s journalistic contribution sharing that he came to Karachi in 1942 where he worked at that time of widely circulated Sindhi newspaper ‘Al-Waheed’ along with Maulana Deen Mohammed Wafai and later became its editor too. 

When community party in Sindh was founded in 1946 he was elected its first General Secretary. He also, at different stages, also remained editor of other newspapers like Sadaqat, Azadi and English newspaper New Era. 

He played a key role alongwith Comrade Haider Bux Jatoi, Comrade Sobhi Gayan Chandani, Abdul Qadir Khokhar and others in the field of trade unionism, Hari Committee, workers and other downtrodden sections of life. 

Researcher, Intellectual and writer, Dr Dur Mohammed Pathan, in his speech, hailed Comrade Jamaluddin as a great personality and a brave politician. 

The leader of Sindh SUP and intellectual, Jagdesh Ahuja, recognized that Bukhari was a great lover of humanity. 

The President of Larkana Press Club, Zafar Abro, described Comrade Bukhari a humanity loving man who besides being a politician was also a journalist, being a great asset for Sindh. 

His journalist son, Syed Munawwar Sultan Bukhari, shared that his father had spent 21 years of his valuable life in different prisons as a political prisoner. 

He recalled that late Prime Minister Z A Bhutto used to visit his father frequently. He revealed that his father used to write speeches for late Bhutto in Sindhi with English ascent and was his political mentor. 

He remarked that PPP’s political slogan ‘people are the fountain head of power’ was creation of Jamaluddin Bukhari who had disclosed this for the first time in his weekly newspaper “Insaf” in 1961. 

The elder son of Comrade Bukhari Hakim Syed Mohammed Mazhar Sultan Bukhari, Syed Mukarram Sultan Bukhari besides noted researcher and writer Dr Bashir Ahmed Shad, Dr Ahsan Danish, Prof. Sikandar Abbasi, historian and writer Gul Mohammed Gaad, senior journalist Murtaza Kalhoro and others also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements and various facets of the life of the Comrade. 

The function was also attended by Abdul Kader Jagirani, Dr Badar Shaikh, Javed Shah, Ustad Gul Dayo, Moazzam Sultan Bukhari, Munir Soomro and Syed Sabir Shah.

NLA to celebrate IWD, WBCD

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Fresh from having organized the successful seminar ‘Books are forever’ at the University of Karachi’s Faculty of Arts Auditorium on February 18, the National Library Association (NLA) has announced to hold programmes to celebrate the International Women’s Day as well as the World Book and Copyright Day during the next couple of months. 

“We have decided in principle to commemorate both the occasions as they are vitally important to us. We will be holding the International Women’s Day programme during the month of March while the World Book and Copyright Day will be celebrated in April. We are working out the details which will be announced soon,” Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, President, NLA, informed PNFS on February 28. 

 “The International Women’s Day relates to us because lots of library professionals working around the country at different locations are females and we need to celebrate the day dedicated to them in a befitting manner,” he remarked.

“The ladies are holding key positions at the NLA too. Munazza Abidi (Senior Vice President), Farheen Mahmood (Vice President), Hira Yaseen (Joint Secretary) and Mariym Muhammad Ismail (Associate Secretary) are among our office-bearers,” Muzaffar Ali Shah pointed out. 

“Our spirits at the NLA are very high as we have been recognized for doing successful events for the promotion of book and library culture. We have sustained the momentum by convening regular meetings and our top officials continue touching base on daily basis to take care of the works in pipeline,” added.

The NLA has been on a high during the last few months in particular and its successful events seems to have energized the working librarians of Pakistan, who were looking forward to such a platform to let them serve the society more effectively and let their work be known. Their participation in the last edition of the Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) and their recently organized seminar 'Books are Forever' at the University of Karachi have caught the imagination of the library professionals.

Author Asma Hassan advises youngsters to read books

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Speaking at the seminar ‘Books are forever’ which was jointly organized by Department of Library & Information Science (DLIS) of University of Karachi, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) and National Library Association (NLA) at the University’s Faculty of Arts Auditorium on February 18, Asma Hassan, the author of famed book Mayar-e-Zindagi, advised the young generation to devote more time in reading general books besides their textbooks. Following is the text of her speech: 

“Our relationship with books can never be broken whether they are in conventional printed form or in the digital format. It has been observed that the young generation of today spends hours after hours every day using social platforms like Facebook, Youtube and Instagram but it finds reading just a couple of pages of a book very challenging because they consider books as boring whereas Tik Tok videos are focus of their attention.” 

“Personally I am not a critic of these activities but I only wish that social media should purely be considered as a source of entertainment so that maximum time could be utilized in doing productive work.” 

“The practice of reading non-textbooks or reference books seems on the verge of extinction. We only read that much which could let us pass the exam or let us secure the required marks to appear on merit list. I firmly believe that book reading is essential for mental development. It enables us to think from different angles and our thought-process improves.” 

“Now it’s the time that we should get rid of the illusion that life could be led without reading books. If we don’t engage into reading books and we don’t strengthen our relationship with books we will be rolled over in the time to come.” 

“We need to promote book reading culture for the sake of our society. We need to do it for making progress in life. The thinking of people would change and their lives will become more purposeful if they could read more books. We should mobilize all our resources to guide our youngsters in particular to let them adopt the right course for a better future for themselves.” 

“We, the writers, also have a responsibility to shoulder. We need to produce the kind of stuff which appeals to the young guns, motivates them and urges them to do better. We, through our write-ups, have to give them solutions to the many probing questions they have in their minds.” 

“I am fully convinced that when compelling content will be produced and motivational books will be published in good numbers, more and more youngsters will start reading such books and they will learn a lot to bring about improvement in their life.” 

“My request to the students of the Library & Information Science department is to read more and more books themselves to be able to serve organizations much more effectively as professional librarians in their careers.” 

“The University of Karachi is a great institution and its students are extremely fortunate to be blessed with such a proactive faculty at their department which augurs well for the future. The National Library Association (NLA) has been doing a fabulous job and they have made their presence felt in a short span of time. They appear on course of achieving higher glories. Rotary International, we all know, is a leading international voluntary service organization with its chapters serving the humanity all over the world, including Pakistan.”

“It’s real very heartening to find three wonderful entities joining hands for the promotion of book culture in the country. Joint efforts are indeed more likely to yield results as the resources are pooled and bigger events become possible. I congratulate all of you for organizing such a successful and memorable seminar. Long Live Books, Long Live Pakistan!”

Rotary renews pledge to support books

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While emphasizing on the importance of reading, the top officials of Rotary International renewed the pledge of the leading voluntary organization of the world to continue supporting the cause of books besides concentrating on other areas of community services. 

Rotary International’s District Governor for Pakistan, Dr Aftab Imam, and Jahangir Moghul, who is the Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator of Rotary International’s Zone 1-B, addressed the during the seminar ‘Books are forever’ which was jointly organized by the Department of Library & Information Science (DLIS) of University of Karachi, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) and National Library Association (NLA) at the University’s Faculty of Arts Auditorium on February 18.

“It has been established that the progress made in the East and the West has been mainly possible because of their education system and their reading habits. Look towards Japan and China in the East or Europe and North America in the West they have grown phenomenally on the basis of education and books,” Dr Aftab Imam reckoned.

“If we also desire to progress then we must also pay full attention to education. We have to encourage our youngsters to read more books to gain knowledge and expertise. There should be more such activities to motivate and groom them,” he advised.

“Rotary Clubs have a history of supporting books and library related projects and our club, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan is among the front-runners in promoting such activities in Pakistan. We are alive to the situation that we need more books and more libraries in order to grow and progress,” Jahangir Moghul, the club’s Charter President, observed in his speech.

“As Rotarians our motto is Service Above Self and we pride ourselves in doing projects to serve the humanity. Many of you would have heard about Rotary. All you need is just to google the word Rotary and you will get to know a lot of interesting things. We play a proactive role in eliminating illiteracy from the society and books are the tools that help us achieve our goals,” he pointed out. 

“Let’s not forget that there are innumerable benefits of reading books. The younger generation needs to be more active in reading because this is the time where you can grow faster by acquiring more knowledge to beat the stiff competition which you encounter in different fields,” Jahangir Moghul reminded. 

“Let me urge you to enlist book reading among your top priorities. Trust me you never be disappointed or depressed by odd failures if you continue reading motivational books which given you courage and strength to continue working hard which is the key to success,” he concluded. 

The seminar was conducted by Syed Khalid Mahmood, President, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, while the vote of thanks was proposed by the club's Past President, Engr Asim Murtaza Khan.

Seminar highlights virtues of books

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The seminar ‘Books are forever’ which was jointly organized by the Department of Library & Information Science (DLIS) of University of Karachi, Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) and National Library Association (NLA) at the University’s Faculty of Arts Auditorium on February 18 highlighted virtues of book reading. 

Every speaker unanimously agreed that books held the key to success at all levels and in all spheres of life. They shared their experiences and motivated the students to devote more time to reading books in order to succeed and flourish. 

Prof Dr Faiyaz Vaid, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, was the keynote speaker while Prof Dr Nigar Sajjad, former chairperson, Department of Islamic History, University of Karachi, delivered the Presidential address 

The other speakers were Dr Aftab Imam, District Governor, Rotary International, Prof Dr Farhat Hussain Khan, Chairperson, DLIS, Jahangir Moghul, Charter President, RCKD, Asma Hassan, author of Mayar-e-Zindagi,  Muhammad Ibrahim, Member, Executive Committee, NLA, and Qazi Rasheed Bhatti, an entrepreneur and social worker. 

The NLA President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, made a few important announcements while Engr Asim Murtaza Khan, Past President, RCKD, proposed the vote of thanks. Syed Khalid Mahmood, President, RCKD, and Advisor, NLA, conducted the ceremony alongwith Hira Yaseen, Joint Secretary, NLA. 

Famous book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ authored by Asma Hassan was presented to all the dignitaries, alongwith shields and bouquets. The registration had started at 9 am while the meeting got underway at around the designated time of 10 am and concluded at 12 30 pm. Strict discipline was maintained throughout the two and a half hours sessions and the auditorium was packed to capacity with the students of DLIS turning up in large numbers.