Blair suggests study for education pattern suiting Pakistan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has suggested that a study be conducted to evaluate the type of education that would be effectively suited for Pakistan and an urgent action be taken to implement it.

He made the suggestion in a meeting with Arif Ali Shah Bukhari, Chancellor of KASBIT and Chairman of KASB Foundation, on the sidelines of the recently held YPO-WPO Global Leadership Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Arif Bukhari, who attended the conference as Member MENA Regional Board of YPO-WPO, revealed that in the meeting with Tony Blair the geo-Political issues of Pakistan also came under discussion and he explained to the former British Prime Minister that there was great potential for improvement and modernization in Pakistan for which the way forward was through the prioritized provision of education to its masses through which the evils of illiteracy and violence would gradually be overcome. 

The former British Prime Minister agreed with the viewpoints of the KASBIT Chancellor having remarked there was also an urgent need to develop direct people to people contact for which finding of right partners between Pakistan and Britain was must to achieve real and sustainable growth. 

He also stated that the world’s growth and prosperity had always come through the private sector and that the government’s work was to give the right policies and to create conducive environments for educational growth. 

Tony Blair also informed Arif Bukhari that the British High Commission was trying its best to implement several programs that would directly benefit the people of Pakistan for which he look forward to the support of Pakistani business community to play a positive role for the realization of these programs.

Pak Railways promote 500 ticket examiners

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The General Manager Pakistan Railways, Junaid Qureshi, has promoted over 500 Special Ticket Examiners, Special Ticket Examiner Group Inspectors and Divisional Inspectors to the next grade.

  

He signed the summary of promotion of the Railways employees on March 1 and the notification in this regard was also issued later in the day, sending a wave of delight among the staff. 

As per notification the Grade 11 Special Ticket Examiners have been promoted to Grade 14, Grade 12 Special Ticket Examiners Group Inspectors to Grade 15 and Grade 14 Divisional Inspectors to Grade 16. 

It may be mentioned here that a Special Ticket Examiner Mohammed Suleman had moved to court a couple of years ago seeking promotions which was allowed by the court with the order for carrying out the required promotions. 

However, the implementation of the court order was delayed because of ongoing financial crisis in the railway which led to protests and strike by railway employees. 

Meanwhile the leaders of Railway’s Special Ticket Examiners Group Association, Shahabuddin Lakho, Haji Naimuddin Abbasi, Abdul Majeed Abbasi, Syed Asif Ali Shah and Al-haj Liaquat Ali Khilji have expressed their gratitude to the GM Railway, Junaid Qureshi, and other senior railway officials for issuance of notification of their promotions having described the issuance of notification the victory of righteousness.

SSUET nominee selected for Best University Teacher Award

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has selected Prof Dr Syed Faisal Ahmed Bukhari, Associate Professor, Department of Computer System Engineering, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for the Best University Teachers Award for the year 2011. 

Prof Dr Bukhari’s nomination was approved in the meeting of the HEC’s Main Awards Committee held in Islamabad. 

The Award consists of a certificate and cash prize of Rs 100,000 and will be conferred upon awardees in an award ceremony to be held shortly, HEC said. 

The parameters considered for the award included minimum five years of continuous service as a regular teachers in a recognized university; minimum qualification MS/M.Phil degree from a HEC recognized university, not more than 65 years of maximum age and that the nomination was received through Vice-Chancellor and Selection Committee. 

The HEC said that the evaluation for selection was done keeping in view the above parameters and weightage to qualification, teaching, research and co-curricular activities and these were fully met by Prof Dr Bukhari from amongst the nominations received from SSUET.

SSUET students invent device for advance payment of power usage

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

A group of students of Electronics department of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) have devised a system of payment of electricity bills in advance through application of GPRS system. 

The system will bring reduction in the human resource, the expenses incurred on meter reading and ward off public complaints regarding issuance of bills not matching the meter reading. 

The ‘Pre-paid Digital Energy Meter’ has been devised by the six-member group consisting of Zohaib Saleem Abbasi, Syed Arif Raza, Mohammed Aqib, Nabeel Tariq, Kashif Hameed and Afnan Ahmed. 

According to the group members they used Ethernet Module USRTCP 232T, PCB designing, Discreet components, Power Supply, LCD Digital Analogue Meter, Micro Controller Censers, Internet Device besides other component parts in the project preparation. 

They considered the project  fully micro-controller thatcan easily be installed in any house. Besides making payment of electricity charges in advance, one can determine through IPS address on an interne the balance of electricity to be used and to plan saving. 

The consumer will get a warning through alarm as to the exhaustion of the amount paid for power consumption and thus would help get power supply as per need and budget requirement. 

Through an innovation, advance payment could also be made through scratch card which would help overcome utility interference. The group said the project has cost them an amount of Rs 21,000 which they paid from their own pocket. 

They said they will continue to give demonstration of better performance, provided they get government cooperation.

Railway official leaves for Japan to attend JICA Urban Transport training programme

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 The Divisional Superintendent Railways, Karachi, Anzer Ismail Rizvi, has left for Tokyo, Japan, to attend 15-day Urban Railway Development, Operation and Management Training Programme being organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from February 14.

 The programme will be attended by a total of 13 Pakistanis including seven from the Pakistan Railways.

 In a brief interview, prior to catching a connecting flight to Bangkok, Anzer Rizvi pointed out that the further development of Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan with its population of over 18 million, will be the focal point of discussion in the upcoming programme. 

 “The city is the centre of economic and trade activity. However since Urban Mass Transportation system has not been properly managed here, it is facing traffic congestion as well as air pollution. The JICA has been working on the preparatory study to revitalize the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) with an aim of improving current urban transportation system,” the Divisional Superintendent remarked.

 “Based on the JICA’s evaluation of past railway projects in other countries, it was found essential to ensure appropriate operation and management of the railway and have a well established organizational structure  that will be the in charge of the railways,” Anzer Rizvi explained.

 To assist the project, he added, the JICA proposed capacity development of professionals as well as their organizations that will be involved in the KCR project.

 He recalled that Japan has its long history of running various successful urban railways and the training program will be implemented with the purpose to provide participants with opportunities to learn specific knowledge concerning urban railways and contribute to the introduction of urban public transport and the solution of the urban transportation problems by administrative management in their respective organization.

 Meanwhile, the Federal Government has promoted Anzer Rizvi into Grade 21 and he received the information hours before starting his journey to Japan.

SBCA Chief Manzoor Qadir grieved

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The soyem of mother of Manzoor Qadir, Director General, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), was held at his Clifton residence in Karachi on February 10.

As the funeral on February 8, the soyem was largely attended by people belonging to various walks of life including government officials, builders, developers, professionals and city's elite. 

Eminent ulemas in their sermons on the occasion highlighted the importance of mother in one's life, the relationship between human body and soul and the need for making preparations for the world hereafter. 

Earlier Quran Khawani and Dua-e-Maghfarit were offered for the departed soul.

Prominent among those present in the gathering were Provincial Ministers Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Pir Mazharul Huq, Sharjeel Inam Memon, former Minister Zulfikar Mirza, Advisor to Chief Minister Rashid Rabbani, Special Assistant Waqar Mehdi, Political Advisor Abu Bhai, former Minister Pappu Shah, General Manager Administration KPT Rauf Akther Farooqui, DG LDA Agha Maqsood Abbas, Director Master Plan Iftikhar Qaimkhani, former Director Master Plan Ateeq Baig, Chairman ABAD Anwar Gagai, Arif Habib, Dost Mohammed Faizi, former Chairman ABAD Hafiz Butt, Naveed Zubairi, Special Secretary Local Government Suleman Chandio, Masroor Ahsan, Mohammed Asim and Haider Bhai.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrates at SSUET

Haji Hanif Tayyab

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Eminent scholars participated in the gathering organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi at the university’s Bashir A Malik Auditorium on February 9.

Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Bukhari, Haji Mohammad Hanif Tayyab, Prof Abbas Hussain and Allama Dr Kaukab Noorani, delivered enlightening speeches on life and message of Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him). 

Noted poet Khummar Farooqui and famous Naat Khwans, Mahmood-ul-Hasan Ashrafi, Haris Kamal and Waqas Tariq Sherwani recited Naats while the university students recited verses from Holy Quran, Hamd and Darood Shareef. 

Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Bukhari threw light on the virtues of humanity and the unique position bestowed to Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) by Almighty Allah.

Haji Mohammad Hanif Tayyab mentioned that Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) had advised the world more than 1400 years ago to set up new cities because the existing cities would continue growing and become more and more populated in future. 

Prof Abbas Hussain recalled that Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) graciously participated in the household work with the members of the family besides visiting the ailing persons and personally offering condolences to the grieved families. 

Allama Dr Kaukab Noorani touched the subject of Shab-e-Mairaj, the blessed night when Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) was spiritually transported to heaven and he reached a high stage of nearness to Almighty Allah, beyond ordinary human comprehension. 

The ceremony, conducted by Mehwish Patel, began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Hafiz Mohammad Ali, was largely attended by the faculty members and students of the SSUET.

Shahid Aziz Siddiqi leads State Life turnaround

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shahid Aziz Siddiqi has lived up to his huge reputation by leading the turnaround of the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) in a matter of five years. The corporation, under his dynamic leadership, has registered impressive growth in this period as reflected in the statistics shared with the media recently.

Having help important governmental posts, after topping CSS exams, Shahid Aziz Siddiqi has not only revived the SLIC during his tenure as its Chairman but he has succeeded in taking it to new level. 

“State Life is one of the few government-owned companies that are actually profitable,” he remarked while disclosing that the annual profits that the Corporation remitted to the government in 2012 were Rs750 million. 

Instead of just comparing the yearly figures with those of the preceding year, the SLIC Chairman summed up the five-year performance which highlighted the company’s growth since 2008. State Life had remitted Rs296.22 million to the government in 2008, which showed that its payouts to the government increased at an average rate of 26.1% annually between 2008 and 2012.

State Life’s investment portfolio in 2012 consisted of Rs289.9 billion after being Rs275.1 billion in 2011. Its investment income also increased from Rs18.7 billion in 2008 to 35.8 billion in 2012, showing an annual rise of 17.6%. 

The equity portion in the investment portfolio remained Rs28.8 billion in 2012, which generated an income of Rs4.7 billion for the company. 

State Life’s total income, which included premiums as well investment income, increased to Rs89.7 billion in 2012, which was 18% higher than the total income of Rs75.7 billion in 2011. 

The total income of State Life was Rs 41.8 billion five years ago, which represented an annual increase of 21% between 2008 and 2012 while the average inflation during the same period remained 14.3%. 

State Life paid its policyholders Rs 24.3 billion in 2012 in claims as opposed to Rs12.8 billion that its policyholders received in 2008. The most recent year-on-year increase in total claims paid by State Life was 25%, as it paid Rs19.49 billion in claims during 2011.

Similarly, individual life first-year premiums in 2008 were Rs4.9 billion which, after increasing at an annualised rate of 29.4%, reached Rs13.9 billion in 2012. The year-on-year increase in individual life first-year premiums during 2012 was 16%, up from Rs12 billion in 2011. 

The individual life renewal premiums in 2008 were Rs13.4 billion rose to Rs30.6 billion in 2012, reflecting an annual growth rate of 22.8% between 2008 and 2012. The year-on-year increase in individual life renewal premiums in 2012 was 13%, up from Rs28.2 billion in 2011. 

The network of 155,000 State Life agents selling different insurance products nationwide played the pivotal role as they increased the number of total policies that are in force to 4.25 million in 2012 from 2.57 million in 2008 with the number of new policyholders in 2012 alone being 752,448. 

The most significant increase was witnessed in group life premium income, as it increased from Rs3.8 billion in 2008 to Rs8 billion in 2012, showing an annual rise of 20%. After the year-on-year increase of 69% in 2012, the company’s group life premium income rose to Rs8 billion, up from Rs4.7 billion in 2011. The number of lives covered under State Life’s group life insurance also increased from 3.8 million in 2008 to 7.8 million in 2012.

Students of SSUET produce solar-electric operated car

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

( Pakistan News & Features Services)

A group of students of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi , has produced a solar-energy operated car which has been further modified to be used during night time.

The group members have developed this car as a project of their final semester with the cooperation of the university.

The group comprises of Sajjad Jaffery, Abdul Rehman, Fahad Iqbal, Aamir Iqbal, Mohammed Farooq and Mohammed Awais Qureshi.

They have requested both the government and industrial sector to provide help in the production of this car on commercial basis.

The production of the car on large scale basis will prove more beneficial in the wake of existing fuel crisis as well as will be highly cost effective, the talented engineering students felt.

After modification, the car can now be run both on solar energy and electricity and can be regarded as environment friendly.

“Besides use for long journey, the car can carry passengers from airport and transport commercial cargo from one factory to other and to the market,” the developers of the six-member group, stated.

The car derives energy from sun through solar panels fixed at the back of the car while electricity a 220 volt battery has been provided. The car has DC Motor Controller, Solar Tracker, micro controller and modern LCD which gives indication of battery and solar panel charging as well as speed.

The group members have also provided GPRS system in the solar and electric operated car.

SSUET’s new semester gets underway on January 21

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

All arrangements have been finalized for the Orientation Day to mark the start of academic session 2013 on January 21 for new entrants at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi. 

The physical arrangements made for the purpose were reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Jawed H Rizvi.

The meeting was attended by Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain, Dean Faculty of Engineering, Chairpersons of all the engineering departments, Director Student Affairs, Controller of Examination and others. 

It was decided that this year orientation day will be held department wise to properly guide the new entrants about their academic responsibilities. 

It was informed that timetable for all the departments including Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical and Telecom Engineering and Computer Science with outline of courses will also be distributed. 

The meeting was told that the laboratories of all the engineering departments have been upgraded. 

The Controller of Examination reported that the results of eighth Semester will be completed by February 20 while those of semesters 2-7 will be ready by January 31. 

The meting was communicated that after the start of new academic session on January 21, the higher semester classes will commence from January 24.