PICG, PBC Conference on the ‘Role of the Non-executive Chairman’

A half day conference on the ‘Role of the Non-executive Chairman’ was held by Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) in collaboration with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) recently at Karachi Sheraton hotel.

With a brief introduction by Mr. Fuad A. Hashimi (President & CEO, PICG) and Mr. Kamran Y. Mirza (Chief Executive, PBC), the conference was focused on the role of a non-executive chairman, a key issue in the realm of Corporate Governance practice. Mr. Salim Abbas Jilani (Chairman SSGC) chaired the conference and was also one of the moderators. Mr. Munnawar Hamid OBE (Chairman BOC & Silk Bank) was the other moderator.

Mr. Ken Rushton, senior advisor at Nestor Advisors and a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Global Corporate Governance Forum, delivered the key note address on ‘International Best Practices’. It was followed by presentation on ‘Experience with Pakistani State-Owned Enterprises’ by Mr. Zaffar A. Khan (non-executive independent director on the boards of companies like State Bank of Pakistan, Unilever, and Shell Pakistan etc.). The last presentation was on ‘Perspectives from Family-Owned Businesses in Pakistan’ by Mr. Razzak Dawood (Chairman, Descon Engineering & PBC and Rector of LUMS).

A highly interactive discussion forum followed the presentations raising issues on how to further enhance the role of non-executive chairman in the companies. In a nutshell, the objective of the conference was to highlight the current scenario and proposing a set-up where organizations in any segment, specifically those relating to public sector enterprises, must run in a neutral manner under the framework of good governance.

No connection of MQM activists and Urdu speaking people with the Lyari gang wars: Muttahida calls on security agencies to act on Karachi situation

Muttahida Qaumi Movement today said that there was no connection of MQM activists and Urdu speaking people with the Lyari gang war and ongoing incidents of violence in Karachi.

In a statement issued here, the MQM’s Rabita Committee said that a bloody fighting took place between Lyari gangs on Jan 7, resulting in the killing of several people. However, he said that criminal people of Lyari gang wars first kidnapped MQM workers and Urdu speaking people, and then later martyred them on Jan 8.

“The killing of the innocent MQM’s workers has become a routine matter now, it said.

The committee said that despite the fact that MQM has been informing the federal and provincial governments about the gruesome incidents, no positive outcome has surfaced so far.

The coordination committee further said that no action was taken against any murderer.

Therefore, the MQM appeals to the responsible and honest officers of rangers, police and secret agencies that they should come forward to protect the life and property of innocent people.

According to the MQM, it is the legal and constitutional obligation of law enforcement agencies to protect innocent people from getting killed.

Anne W Patterson calls on Governor

US ambassador Anne W Patterson on Wednesday called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at Governor House Karachi and discussed the issues of mutual interest with him. She expressed great sorrow over the Karachi bomb blast incident and arsons of markets, saying that American Business Council has announced the aid of Rs1billion for the rehabilitation of the affected people.
Governor praised the feelings of US envoy for the affected persons of the incident.

CONTRACTORS BEGIN REPAIR WORK OF AFFECTED BUILDINGS

Responding the appeal of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, the contractors of City District Government Karachi and Karachi Water & Sewerage Board started repair and reconstruction work of affected buildings of M.A Jinnah Road on Sunday morning.

The contractors have employed a work force comprising 1500 people with heavy machinery in the rehabilitation work. Services of civil engineers have also been hired to oversee the work. The number of labor will be increased by 1000 from Monday and the affected buildings will be repaired and restored within next 10 days after that these will be handed over to the owners so that they could restart their business as soon as possible.

The contractors are using heavy machinery of City Government and Saddar Town besides 11 cranes, more than 8 dumper loaders, dozens of trucks and other machinery hired by them. Two separate pools of funds have been set up by the contractors of CDGK and KWSB with a sum of Rs10million in each pool as the initial amount; this amount will be used for purchase of construction material, payment of wages to labor and for other necessary expenditures and will be increased as and when it required. City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has expressed satisfaction over the pace of work.

The contractors will perform the reconstruction and repair works on 24 hour basis and will not take any break before the completion of the task. It has also been decided that the repaired and revamped shop will be handed over to the owner soon after completion of work so that they could restart their business there. On Sunday a total of 1000 bags of cement with 500 trucks of “bajri”and other material was arranged while the welders, carpenters and concerned machinery was also dispatched to the site.

Meanwhile the shutters of more than 100 shops of old cloth bazaar of Light House were handed over to the owners while the repair work was also started on Sunday. The shops of this market will also be handed over to the traders after completion of their repair work in next few days.

During a visit of the area on Sunday City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of work. He said that we will fulfill our promise made to the affected traders that the restoration and rehabilitation work will be completed within week’s time.

This may be noted that City Nazim has formed a monitoring committee comprising of EDO Works & Services Rasheed Mughal, EDO Municipal Services and M.D KWSB Qutubuddin Shaikh for repair and reconstruction of damaged buildings…

CONTRACTORS TAKE ON REPAIR OF DAMAGED BUILDINGS

Registered contractors of CDGK and KWSB have announced to participate in the rehabilitation process of arson hit business community by starting repair and reconstruction work of 22 gutted buildings located in an area from Light House to Boulton Market from Sunday.

In the presence of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, affected traders and media representatives at Boulton Market on Saturday they said that the 285 buildings of Boulton Market will be repaired by contractors of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board while the rehabilitation of remaining affected buildings will be done by contractors of City District Government Karachi.

Earlier City Nazim said that the repair work of affected buildings will be performed not in months but within weeks and all the affectees will be rehabilitated in their original shops so that they could restart their business there. He said that we could not afford any delay in this work. He also appealed to the administration of private schools in Karachi to exempt the fees of the children of affected traders for at least next 6 months, adding that city government will itself pay their fees if they did not do so.

City Nazim said that national flag should be hoisted on all the affected buildings as a symbol of harmony. He said that the incident was anticipated as the enemy was trying to destroy the economic hub of Pakistan but we will not surrender.
Nazim Karachi further said that the affected traders have lost all of their life long earning in the incident and now we have set up our preferences for their rehabilitation. Initially the repair and reconstruction of shops has been taken on and for this purpose I would ask the contractors of CDGK and KWSB to give some sacrifice for their city and country. They have been invited here so that they could themselves see the huge damage and take part in the rehabilitation process. He said that the nation today needs us. The rehabilitation work has been initiated on war footing basis. City Government will also have its share in this process. He said that from now on all attention should be given to the rehabilitation of affected traders.

City Nazim also formed a monitoring committee comprising of EDO Works & Services Rasheed Mughal, EDO Municipal Services and M.D KWSB Qutubuddin Shaik which would also decide the procedure for repair and reconstruction of damaged buildings.

Four to five million Pakistanis are carriers of hepatitis B

An estimated 300 to 350 million people worldwide are carriers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) – a major hepatitis virus. In Pakistan, four to five million people are suspected HBV carriers. The virus can cause a number of liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. To raise public awareness, Aga Khan University (AKU), in collaboration with the Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD) organised a programme on hepatitis viruses.

Close to two million people worldwide die each year from HBV and according to the World Health Organization, the virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS. HBV is endemic in parts of Asia, with more children being affected as the virus can be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth. Dr Khalid Mumtaz, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), said that the high number of HBV carriers in Pakistan places an enormous burden on patients, their families as well as on the government and its resources. Large amounts of money is spent on treatment but given the limited options available, prevention is better than cure. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination, and Dr Mumtaz recommended that infants be vaccinated immediately after birth. Providing an update on vaccinations, Dr Wasim Jafri, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH and President, PSSLD, advised that three doses of the HBV vaccine are essential for full protection. Contrary to earlier advice, if a dose is missed the vaccination schedule can be continued without repeating the initial doses.

Another hepatitis virus, hepatitis C, is usually spread through blood from an infected person. Dr Muhammad Salih, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH, said that there is a rising incidence of hepatitis C in Pakistan due to poor awareness, lack of basic health care and below-par blood screening facilities. The multiple use of disposable needles and syringes, substandard transfusion services and poor dental and surgical health care are all issues that need to be highlighted though wider public awareness.

If detected in time, there is an 80 to 90 per cent of curing hepatitis, according to Dr Saeed Hamid, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH and Vice President, PSSLD. He pointed out however, that treatment is expensive. He also said that the disease cannot be cured if liver cirrhosis occurs, so timely diagnosis is essential.

The best measures against hepatitis E, yet another hepatitis virus, are to avoid dirty tap water and to follow good hygiene and sanitation practices, said Dr Rustam Khan, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH. Hepatitis E is primarily spread through water contaminated by sewage. Dr Hasnain Shah, Consultant Gastroenterologist, AKUH said that this infection can be severe and may prove fatal in pregnant women, and advised them to be careful about drinking clean water and eating only well-cooked food during pregnancy.

KARACHI CITY GOVERNMENT ESTABLISH SPECIAL FUND FOR AFFECTED TRADERS

City District Government Karachi has established a special fund for prompt and quick rehabilitation of traders and shopkeepers who lost their all belongings in the fire incident at M.A Jinnah Road on Ashura.

This was announced by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal in a well attended press conference held in the committee room of Civic Center on Wednesday. City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Senior Presiding Officer City Council Masood Mehmood, Leader of the council Muhammad Asif Siddiqui and member city council Sarwat Arif Advocate and Nadeem Hyat Hashmi Nazim Karachi were also present on this occasion.

On this occasion Nazim Karachi also appealed to government to compensate the trader’s community and shopkeepers as 50 percent cash payment and 50 percent loan without interest so that they could be rehabilitated as early as possible. He said that the fund is being established on the directive of Quaid-e-Tehreek Mr. Altaf Hussain and the city government has already opened account number 31618-0 for collection of donations in the Habib Bank, KMC Branch.

He said that Quaid-e-Tehreek had expressed desire for early rehabilitation of all the affectees and he had directed me and Naib City Nazim to establish this fund. City Nazim said that Quaid-e-Tehreek has a huge following and a large number of his workers and lovers would like to donate in this fund while the city government will also have a share in this fund. He also appealed to the people of Karachi to donate in this fund so that the affected business community could be rehabilitated soon.

Replying a question City Nazim said that the fire brigade has completed the fire extinguishing operation in the affected buildings of Bolton Market and the situation was totally under control. He however asked the people to avoid gathering in the affected area as their presence was creating hurdles in the swift working of fire brigade.

City Nazim said that Chamber of Commerce and Industry Karachi has also been involved in the fund established by city government and the collected money will be used through its representatives and the associations of business community. He also clarified that the city nazim or any coming administrator would have no role in its disbursement. Nazim Karachi said that our task will only be completed after full rehabilitation of all the affected traders and shopkeepers and till that time we will continue our efforts on a war footing basis. He said that the city government has also started survey of the losses suffered by the traders so that the total loss could be ascertained.

City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil said that the business community in Karachi was like the back bone of our economy and their loss would not be limited to themselves but adversely affect the whole economy of Pakistan. She said that we will have to work on emergency basis to combat this situation. City Naib Nazim demanded that the funds of crores of rupees allocated by federal government for rehabilitation of heritage should also be used for the restoration and reconstruction of heritage buildings at M.A Jinnah Road.

U.S. Embassy Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Muzaffarabad and Karachi

Islamabad - The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan condemns the terrorist attacks targeting innocent people during Muharram processions on Sunday and Monday in Muzaffarabad and Karachi.

We extend our condolences to the victims' families and friends, and to the Pakistani people. (Press Release)

KARACHI NAZIM DEMANDS FULL ENQUIRY OF FIRE INCIDENT

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has pledged to make Karachi the epitome of peace and harmony saying that the present conspiracy against the peace and prosperity of Karachi will be thwarted with mutual harmony and brotherhood.

Talking to media representatives on Tuesday at M.A Jinnah Road he said that the enemies had conspired to commit bloodshed in the peaceful and beautiful city of Pakistan. They wanted to bring the citizens against each other but we will foil this conspiracy with a show of mutual harmony and brotherhood.

City Nazim condemned the terrorist act in the main Ashura Procession and prayed for those martyred in the incident. He also prayed for quick recovery of the injured. He said that the enemy has attacked the only peaceful city of the country and tried to disrupt the peace process. Besides terrorist act the miscreants also torched hundreds of shops and buildings in the commercial hub of the city which caused a collateral damage to dozens of buildings and huge loss to citizens. He demanded thorough enquiry into the incident that has inflicted great loss to economy as well.

Giving the reasons for delay in the fire extinguishing operation City Nazim said that in all 300 locations from Light House to Bolton Market at M.A Jinnah Road were set on fire in the incident while the fire brigade was prevented to take immediate action as they opened fire on fire brigade vehicles and injured the firemen. Despite of that first of all we initiated rescue operation to save the residents stranded in buildings. He said that the presence of a good number of ware houses, storage of chemicals and plastic material and cloths also intensified the blaze.

Nazim Karachi said that besides using our own resources we also called for help to other organizations and the district nazim Hyderabad Knwar Naved was asked to provide the fire tenders and snorkel ladder on which he sent 5 fire tenders and a snorkel to Karachi to take part in the operation. The tanker service of KWSB was also used to supply water in enough quantity to fire tenders.

This may be noted that the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal personally monitored the fire extinguish and rescue operation in Bolton Market and other locations at M.A Jinnah Road with DCO Karachi Javed Hanif and M.D KWSB. After reviewing the situation from Central Command and Control Center of City Government and issuing directives to officials he instantly reached the affected area at M.A Jinnah Road at 12 O’ Clock in the night and remained their till the next day while personally monitoring the operation.

LIFE-SAVING APPEAL (Running short of time)

My name is Najamuddin Ahmed and I am only 32 years old, married. I’ve been suffering from Lever Cancer (Hepatitis C) for past few years and now it’s on the last stage. The Doctors have suggested that I can only be survived by having a Liver Transplantation on an urgent basis as it’s the only option for end-stage liver disease. Hepatitis Cis considered as one of the expensive medical treatments. This transplantation facility is presently not available in Pakistan. In the region, liver transplants are done in India and China. In China it costs approximately Rs.50 lakhs (in Pak Rupees), whereas, in India it would cost Rs.22 lakhs (in Indian Rupees) equivalent to Rs.37 lakhs in Pak Rupees (1 Indian Rupee=1.68 Pak Rupee). As I belong to a middle class family, this amount is unaffordable for me and my family. Some of my relatives and neighbors are doing their hard in this regard and managed to collect Rs.16 lakhs, however, we are still running short of a hefty amount of Rs.21 lakhs.

The transplantation procedure requires a healthy living donor to donate a portion of liver, which is then transplanted into diseased liver. The donor’s liver regenerates within 4-6 weeks. Fortunately, my 18 years old nephew is ready to donate the required “tissues” from his liver.

I strongly request to all my brothers and sisters to kindly help me in saving my life and enable me to become a healthy part of this society. I pray that the Allah Almighty would give you the best reward against your favor and cooperation for this noble cause.

You can contact following doctors for the purpose of any inquiry or verification:

Dr.Mukesh kumar
Agha Khan Hospital, Karachi

Cell# +92-333-3599206

File no:135062

OPD Treatment

Dr. Zaigum Abbas & Dr. Mujahid
Assistants to Dr. Adeeb Rizvi
(SIUT)
Case number is 00-90-91

My Contact Details Bank Account Details:
House # A-117, Block-12, Gulberg,
F.B Aera, Karachi.
Cell# +92-300-200 1201

N.I.B Bank

Branch: F.B. Area, Karachi

Title of account: Najam uddin
Account no: 5029-0012874-0001

My scanned reports are attached for your reference

Contact persons
1. Anis Ahmed khan 0300-2078678 Brother in Law

2. Mehreen Masood 0302-2226842 Sister in law

Correspondence with Dr.Sanjiv Saigal (INDIA)
Dr. Sanjiv Saigal
MD, DM, DNB, MRCP(Edinburgh, UK), CCST(Gastroenterology, UK)
Liver Transplant Fellowship, King's College Hospital, London, UK

Chief Transplant Hepatologist
Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Rajinder Nagar, N.Delhi- 110060

Liver OPDs:
Room No. F 20, 12-2pm Daily, Phone: 42251754, 1755
Room No. 313A, 2-4pm Daily, Phone: 42251347
Mobile: 09811552928 E-mail: sanjivsaigal@hotmail.com, dr.saigal@hotmail.com
________________________________________
From: dr.saigal@hotmail.com
To: najam02@hotmail.com
Subject: Dr.SANJIV SAIGAL'S REPLY
Date: Monday, December 21, 2009 8:20:41 PM
Dear Mr. Najam,
The cost of liver transplant is about Rs. 21 to 22 Lacs (Indian Rupees). Your total stay in Delhi will be about 3 months. You have to bring your own family related donor. You can also talk to me on Phone: +91 9811552928.

Best wishes,
Dr. Sanjiv Saigal
________________________________________
From: sanjivsaigal@hotmail.com
To: dr.saigal@hotmail.com
Subject: FW: my reports,
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 05:36:54 +0000
Dear Mr. Najam,
Thanks for you mail. In view of your advanced cirrhosis, you should come for liver transplant here. Please send your fax number and also the names of patient, donor and attendant who wish to come to Delhi.

With best wishes,
Dr. Sanjiv Saigal
________________________________________
From: dr.saigal@hotmail.com
To: najam02@hotmail.com
Subject: Dr. Saigal's Reply / Urgent
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 11:41:47 +0530


Dear Mr. Najam,
Thanks for sending me the reports of Mr. Najam. He has advanced hepatitis C related cirrhosis & he needs a liver transplantation. Please send me the name & passport number of those traveling to Delhi. So that we can send the appointment letter urgently. You can also talk to call me on Phone: +91 9811552928.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Sanjiv Saigal