Pakistan’s young parliamentarians arrive in China

By Masood Sattar Khan in Beijing

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A group of young parliamentarians from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) arrived in Changdu, the capital city of Southwest China Sichuan province, on April 21

MNA Mohammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry is heading the delegation that included members of the national and provincial assemblies.

The delegation comprising two women MNAs including Marvi Memon, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage and Mariyam Aurangzeb.

At Chengdu, the visiting guests will inspect the party-building and the training of party officials school run by the ruling Communist Party of China. The plan also included addressing a seminar and a visit to Pakistan Study Centre.

The delegation’s schedule also included a visit to industrial parks and besides Giant Panda Preservation Centre. On the second leg of the tour of China, the delegation will reach Beijing on April 24.

The people of Sichuan have special love and affection for the Pakistani people as in 2008 when massive earthquake struck some counties of the province Pakistan had provided large quantity of tents and also established a mobile hospital for the affected people.

President Hu Jintao also visited Pakistan’s mobile hospital and lauded the service of the doctors and paramedic staff deployed there.

At that time, photographs of a Pakistani C13 cargo plane carrying tents for the affected people and the crew inside the plane standing to pave way to accommodate maximum space touched the hearts of the Chinese people. 

PN frigate Shamsheer to participate in China celebrations drill

By Masood Sattar Khan in Beijing

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s naval frigate PN Shamsheer has reached China’s port city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province on April 20.

The frigate will take part along with other seven countries vessels at the 14th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), starting from April 22, media report said.

“China has done an excellent work organizing this international event. I am looking forward to meeting fellow navies and learning from them," the China Daily quoted Captain Rashid Zafar Cheema, commander of Pakistan’s Navy frigate Shamsheer.

Pakistan has been invited to attend as one of the three observers of the event, reports the paper.

The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila was due in Qiangdao on April 21 while officials from Pakistan embassy including Naval Attaché were already there. A reception has also been planned onboard PNS Shamsheer on April 22.

To begin with, Commander-in-Chief of PLAN Admiral Wu Shengli will first to visit Pakistani ship that illustrates the close relationship between the navies of the two countries, informed sources said.

"Our ship was built in Shanghai. Every time I sail in China I feel like I am sailing in my home waters,” Captain Cheema observed

The vessels from countries, including Pakistan, India, Singapore and Brunei, were set to participate in a drill on April 24 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of PLAN.

Controller BSEK rebuts press report

Noman Ahsan
Controller of Examination, BSEK

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) has rebutted a news item appearing in a section of the press alleging that peons and clerks were appointed as invigilators during the Matric examination.

"The report was totally false and based on supposition,” Noman Ahsan, Controller of Examination, BSEK, said in a statement.

He said that the names mentioned in the report as peon and clerks were in fact registered invigilators in the Board.

He pointed out that Muhammad Yameen, a name mentioned in the report is a teacher having teaching experience of 13 years and Irfanul Haq has teaching experience of 17 years.

On the basis of their experience they were accorded the duty of invigilation, the Controller of Examination added. 

ACEP election results announced

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) has announced the results of the elections for 2014-15 whereby Engr Chaudhary Ghulam Hussain and Engr Muhammad Siddiq Essa have been declared elected unopposed unopposed as the President and the Vice President respectively. 

An ACEP announcement said that all the other office-bearers and members of the Executive Council were also elected unopposed.

According to the ACEP results, Engr Mohammed Shafiq was elected as Honorary Secretary Engr Arif Kasam as Honorary Treasurer.

Meanwhile, Engr Khawaja Moinuddin and Engr Abrar Ahmed were elected Council Member Multi-Discipline, Engr Dr Shuaib Ahmed, Engr Nazar Siddiq and Engr Aziz Ahmed as Council Member Civil Discipline, Engr Safwan Ali as Council Member Electrical Discipline and Engr Raisuddin Siddiqui as Council Member of other Discipline.

President Mamnoon Hussain addresses SSUET’s 17th Convocation

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

President Mamnoon Hussain advised the graduating students of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) that while they were now about to enter their practical life, they will have to commit and  prepare themselves to serve the country and the nation.

He was addressing the SSUET graduates at the university’s 17th convocation held at the Karachi Expo Centre on April 10 in which around 1300 students from the disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Telecommunication and Bio-Medical Engineering and Computer Science besides those having completed their Masters were awarded degrees.

On the occasion, the President also presented Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to graduates who bagged first, second and third positions in their respective fields of study.

Addressing both in English and Urdu, President Mamnoon Hussain said that convocations serve as a milestone in the life of a student and extended congratulations to the passing out graduates while they were entering a new era of life. Pointing that there was a time when focus used to be laid both on education and grooming but today there was more focus on education and not as much on grooming as required.

He described faculty as an essential part of an educational institution with teachers being the most important factor for equipping their pupils with knowledge and asserted that only talented and merited teachers should be employed who could dispense better education.

The President pointed out that once a teacher completes his education, he hardly find any opportunity  for  further training to keep pace with ever-changing knowledge and, therefore, there is need for those associated with the field of education, to establish such training-boosting institutions for teachers.

He observed that the SSUET, which has been named after great educationist and reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, is a symbol of higher education. Sir Syed, he stated, established an institution in the sub-continent, the blessings of which will continue till last .

The President told the students that how when they are entering a practical life, this country should deserve to have their priority and they should prepare themselves to root out whatever deficiencies being faced today.

President Mamnoon Hussain told the graduating students that this country was achieved after colossal sacrifices and a great blessing of Allah.

“Value this country and make all out efforts for its progress and prosperity and play their due role to take it to new heights among world nations”.

He called upon them to respect their parents and teachers who led them to the accomplishment of their educational mission and said that this would prove beneficial to them not only here but also in the world hereafter.

The President hoped that they would take eulogized steps for the cause of the country, the province and the city and prayed that may Allah lead them to success in their practical life.

At the outset of his address, the President congratulated the passing out engineers and described the award of degrees from this prestigious institution an honor for them.

He described SSUET a legacy of the mission of great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and said that the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) deserve every appreciation for establishing this university.

“It is a matter of satisfaction that since its inception, the SSUET had distinguished itself as a prestigious institution of the country dedicated to the promotion of science and technology as was emphasized by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his message on November 27, 1947,” he recognized.

The establishment of this university, he noted, was not a small achievement but it was due  to sheer hard work and dedicated efforts . He was appreciative of the achievements made by SSUET in a short period.

He advised the graduates that now when they are entering a practical life, they will face challenging tasks and they will have to stand up to the same with fierce determination as there will be no short cut to achieve success in their practical life.

On its part, the President said, the Government of Pakistan is committed to the cause of education, particularly the science and technology which is main key progress and prosperity.

Besides public sector, the government is also engaging the private sector to achieve the cherished objectives and this sector is responding positively towards the cause of nation building.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman remarked that the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology was established with a view to adorning the youth with the most modern knowledge and made them available the best choices for study in the field of latest technology.

The University, he said, was alive to the staggering speed at which the technology is growing and also to the multiple dimensions the technology is encompassing for its growth.

"To keep pace with the developments we must undertake the cultivating, nurturing and mentoring of young minds, employing the best of the available human and material resources", he stated.

 Congratulating the graduates receiving degrees, Chancellor Adil Usman pointed out that since its inception, the University has been performing the sacred duty of developing the youth - capable to meet the challenges of the modern world.

It was due to this fact that engineer from SSUET occupy respectable positions in the national and multinational organizations in Pakistan and abroad.

He referred to relevance with the main stream of modern technical education and described it essential for the University. He said it will be possible with continuous improving of our curricula and adding new disciplines.

He said in 2014 new subjects of study like Software Engineering, Bioinformatics and Architecture have been added and the university will go further in the subsequent years too.

Engr Adil Usman said the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association of Pakistan (AMUOBA), the sponsors of the SSUET, can look back with satisfaction that their efforts have really been crowned with success.

The graduates from the SSUET have earned good name for the University as well as for the country. They are serving honorably in the countries, which are touching the zenith of progress in science and technology.

The University, he pointed out, stands for humanism, tolerance, progress, adventure of ideas, the search of truth and for the new breakthroughs in technology. 

"We keep promotion of human values as the keynote of schemes of our curricula and teach them importance of human values under the caption ‘Aligarh Movement.’

The human values were so central to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s intellectual journey and educational agenda and we are proud to claim our self as custodian of his legacy, he stated.

Addressing the young graduates, he told them to bear in mind that we are living in the times where knowledge is the ultimate power. The road ahead may be long and full of perils and obstacles for them, but the journey promises to be exciting, provided the honesty of the purpose is the guiding force.

Presenting his annual report on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, recalled that the SSUET was established by the AMOUBA in 1994. It was an outstanding project accomplished in the domain of education and a manifestation of AMUOBA's patriotism and concern for nation building.

Today, he said, the enrollment which started with 222 students in 1994 has already crossed 6,500 and todate over 10,000 graduates produced since 1998.

He recalled that in the first convocation in 1998, 197 students were awarded BS degrees and today over 1300 students are to receive their Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Six disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that knowledge is expanding at tremendous pace and new areas of study in Engineering and related fields are emerging. This has   given rise to the need for new disciplines in the Universities. The introduction of these disciplines is essential to keep pace with main stream of knowledge. 

Sir Syed University of Engineering & technology, he said,  is fully alive to this scenario and has added three new disciplines of Software Engineering, Bioinformatics and Architecture this year.

He said the University presently has 09 disciplines in its BS Programme, while the Master Programme is in 06 disciplines. The Ph.D. Programme is offered in Computer and Electronic Engineering disciplines for faculty members only.

He said the university takes pride in the quality of its laboratories which meet international standards and it is ensured that our students have proficiency in practical work. Its eight labs have the best available equipment. 

He pointed out that SSUET was the first in Pakistan to introduce Bio-medical Engineering in 1996 benefitting health care services in Pakistan.

He gave a detail outline of the departments of Civil, Electronics, Telecom and Computer Engineering.

He informed that the university library has over 90,000 books and its distinction role was of a book bank for students, teachers and researchers.

Dr Jawaid said the University policy is that capable students are not deprived of education due to weak financial position.  The University schemes of Scholarship and Financial Assistance provide help to the deserving students, who have financial problems and for this purpose Rs.56.05 million allocated in the budget.

The Vice-Chancellor said the University has a very active Sports Department, which organizes teams for participation in Sports competitions. The Cricket team of University has been showing prominence at national and international levels and has the honor to give some prominent players to the national hockey team.

He said the university has a separate forum, Brig (R) Qamar-us-Slam Khan, Literary Art and Culture Forum which manages the cultural activities in the University and prepares students to take part in different competitions of debates, Qirat and Declamation. Our students have won first prizes in many competitions held at national and local levels.

Concluding, he said, the Convocation is the day of the graduates receiving degrees and gold medals which was moment of happiness and pride for their parents and guardians too.

On the occasion Chancellor Adil Usman presented the SSUET's souvenir to the President. The convocation was largely attended by members of SSUET Board of Governors, prominent members of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association, dignitaries, members of the faculty and parents of passing out graduates.   

Pakistan Railways receive first consignment of locomotives from China

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Pakistan Railways have confirmed having received first consignment of five locomotives out of 58 ordered with China.

The five locomotives, each of 3000 horse power, were unloaded at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on April 7.

These would be inducted into the system after initial tests and used for operation of freight trains, Divisional Railways officials informed PNFS on the occasion.

Presently the Pakistan Railways has been operating, on an average, three to four freight trains on daily basis and their frequency is likely to increase with the induction of the new locomotives.

The Karachi Railways Division operated 100 freight trains during the month of March, after a halt of freight operation for three years when it came to stand still due to non-availability of locomotives, resulting in a big revenue loss to the organization.

Each freight train is today generating revenue of 2.5 to 3 million rupees and according to sources the Karachi Railways Division earned revenue of Rs 300 million during March 2014.

“We have the demand and the capacity to carry freight with availability of wagons and arrival of new locomotives and their induction into the system will certainly provide a boost to the freight operation resulting in an increase in the frequency of freight trains, the Railway sources stated.

Glowing tributes paid to Z A Nizami on death anniversary

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to Engr Z A Nizami, who was referred to as Baba-e-Karachi and Sir Syed Saani, at a big gathering organized by the Nizami family at KDA Officer’s Club, Karachi, to observe his first death anniversary.

Administrator KMC
Rauf Akhtar Farooqi

The speakers, on the occasion, who included Administrator, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Rauf Akhtar Farooqi, former Sindh Governor, Lt Gen (Rtd) Moinuddin Haider, former Ministers Haji Hanif Tayyab, Dost Mohammed Faizi and Wasim Akhtar, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Abdul Qadir Shah, AMUOBA members Ali Zafar Afridi and Arif Raza, former Director KDA, Rizwan Siddiqi, fiery Muslim Leaguer Azad Bin Hyder and finally Farrukh NIzami, recalled the services and the accomplishments of the late Engr Nizami in the field of education and development of Karachi. 

An emotional Dost Mohammed Faizi recalled that Engr Nizami had paid the debt he owed to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by establishing the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) in Karachi and now we owe a debt to pay by establishing the Z A Nizami University in his memory.

Dost Mohammad Faizi

His call in this regard was wholeheartedly supported by Haji Hanif Tayyab who offered his services and available resources in this regard saying that Engr Nizami had been the Hatim Tai of his era as well as Baba-e-Taaleem and Sir Syed Saani. 

In his discourse the KMC Administrator, Rauf Akhtar Farooqi, described Engr Nizami a complete personality and an institution in his right and said what he did for this ever sprawling city in his life time will remain unmatched so much so he launched 45 development schemes and no one could bring till to date the 46th scheme. 

He pointed out that those 45 schemes were not mere development schemes but establishment of 45 small towns with provision of all basic infrastructure facilities, a challenging task which no one else could do. He said that the younger generation of engineers must know about his achievements so that they could follow his footsteps. 

Rauf Farooqi said that Engr Nizami's vision can be judged from the fact that as Director General for eight years he steered Karachi to its highest peak besides introducing new departments like Building Control Authority, Traffic Engineering Bureau, Mass Transit, water wing which later turned into Water Board besides streamlining the Master Plan department on most modern lines and introduced Karachi's first Master Plan. 

Moinuddin Haider

Former Governor of Sindh and a member of SSUET’s Board of Governors, Gen Moinuddin Haider, considered Engr Nizami a torch-bearer of the eastern traditions who set very high standards for himself and his team. 

He referred to establishment of the SSUET and observed that since its inception over 15,000 engineers have passed out from here and serving in various parts of the world. He said that the town planning of Karachi was an unmatched example of his God-gifted vision. He said he was a true educationist and his memories will always remain alive. 

A former Provincial Minister, Karachi will be referred to and as an educationist when SSUET comes to limelight. 

Waseem Akhtar

Waseem Akhtar, described Engr Nizami as a towering personality and a multi-faceted figure who, he said, will be remembered whenever the development of

He said that Engr Nizami was the one who contributed the most to the cause of promotion of education and the university established by him was fulfilling his mission of producing high-quality engineers. 

 Chairman PEC, Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, recalled his association with Engr Nizami, stating that he found him having the cause of SSUET students very dear to his heart as if they were his own children.

“He was a true legend and Karachi of today is because of his development vision. He was an all-round engineer, who stood taller than anyone else in the country,” Qadir Shah complimented.

Haji Hanif Tayyab

Noted Aligarhian, Ali Zafar Qadri, talked about his and other members of the AMUOBA association with Engr Nizami and said that besides being a high quality planner, developer and educationist, he was above all a high quality human being having a good sense of humour. 

Arif Raza, another Aligarhian recalled that Engr Nizami’s services for the AMUOBA and said it was a triangle of Engr Z A Nizami, Engr Zakir Ali Khan and Brig Qamarussalam, whose dynamism led to establishment of the SSUET.

Dost Mohammed Faizi appreciated the family members of Engr Nizami for maintaining the noble traditions of their illustrious father. 

He said the nations, who forget their benefactors, go into oblivion and the best way to keep the memory of Engr Nizami alive was to establish a university in his name like the Sir Syed University he established after the name of great educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. 

He said that old students of the SSUET can play a significant role in this regard. Haji Hanif Tayyab, a former Federal Minister, recalled the achievements of Engr Nizami, particularly the development of a garden within the precinct of Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum. 

He shared that Engr Nizami truly followed the Hadith of Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) that when cities become big and congested, small cities be developed nearby and he developed 45 such small towns around Karachi. 

Rizwan Siddiqi pointed out that the life of Engr Nizami could be encompassed by taking Aligarh, KDA and Sir Syed University into account. 

On the occasion Azad Bin Hyder presented his 1200-page book titled “From Sir Syed to Quaid-e-Azam” to the Nizami family and said it was Engr Nizami who inspired him to write the historic book. 

In his remarks on the occasion, Farrukh Nizami, son of Engr Z.A Nizami, gave an outline of the future plans for their illustrious father which included the establishment of Z A Nizami Educational Society, issuance of a postal stamp, compilation of book containing clippings and photographs relating to Engr Nizami besides publishing the book titled “Architecture in Islam” which their father wrote in his life time and was eagre for its launch in Saudi Arabia. 

He called for naming a city road after the name of Engr Z A Nizami and hoped that if he had done something valuable, the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), too, should play its role in keeping the memories of Engr Nizami alive, who remained its President for so long and served as first Chancellor of SSUET which today enjoys a big name in the world. The proceedings, which were largely attended by people belonging to various walks of life, concluded with singing of “Tarana Aligarh”.

Bazm Sciency Adab honours Taslim Elahi Zulfi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi University Graduates Forum, established in Canada, has proved its worth and is rendering a great service to the cause of Urdu literature.

This was stated by Ali Zafar Khan Afridi, President ‘Bazm Sciency Adab’ at a reception hosted to greet noted writer, poet, anchor and broadcaster Taslim Elahi Zulfi.

Zulfi is the Executive Director of Karachi University Graduates Forum Canada and is now on a visit to Karachi.

Afridi, who recently visited Canada, said the forum, which was established by Zulfi, is promoting the cause of Urdu and is visited by eminent people from world over.

He acknowledged the services of Zulfi, particularly in promoting the cause of Urdu literature and said that he has authored a number of books as well.

On the occasion, chief guest Taslim Elahi Zulfi, who is a recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz, presented his poetic contribution in a fascinating manner which was acknowledged with repeated applause.

He described Masood Ahmed Barkati, an eminent scholar, as his teacher and said that when he started writing he began it from Hamdard under the guidance of Barkati.

He said that he was also guided by noted poets Josh Malihabad and Rais Amrohvi who gave him the poetic name of “Zulfi”, because of his long hair. On the occasion he presented his poem on solar energy which he had written during his first visit to theBazm Sciency Adab many years ago.

The gathering was also addressed by Prof Dr Zahida Maqsood, Prof. Rais Alvi and Shugufta Shafiq while Aziz Ahmed Siddiqi, Dean Ziauddin University, presented his paper on “whether our nuclear reactors are safe”.

Ali Zafar Khan Afridi, on the occasion, also presented a set of books to Taslim Elahi Zulfi on behalf of the Bazm. 

Photography competition held at Alliance Francaise

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Massive response was received to the Localens Photography Competition, whose lucky winners were awarded prizes at the Alliance Francaise, Karachi, on March 22.

It was an opportunity for the youngsters  who pursue photography as a hobby to demonstrate their creativity and talent. Nearly 14,000 entries were received and the judges, Jean-Francois Chenin, Director, Alliance Francaise in Karachi, Izdeyar Setna, a photgrapher, and Max Becherer, a freelance photo-journalist, had a challenge to meet while shortlisting 30 of these pictures which were put on display on the walls of the auditorium.

“I have nothing to hide, these pictures were beautiful,” Chenin was quoted as saying while pointing to the wonderful picttures he had to judge.

The participants were awarded certificates while cash and gifts were presented to the winners of first, second and third positions.

Sikandar Hayat's 'Paddy Crop' was adjudged first, Asfand Majeed's 'Roadside barbeque' second and Mehlum Sadriwala's 'The early morning walk' third.

The Gurumandir image captured by Asfand Majeed portrayed many of the things from streets to cars and barbeque on the roadside as the youngster desired glorifying Karachi, known for its food, with his stunning picture.

Mehlum Sadriwala won the third prize which the photograph he had clicked in November 2013 of Old Lahore. He believed that there’s an old world charm in the old Lahore city, near the Wazir Khan Mosque and  the picture he took of an old man walking past was done in a poetic way. 

SSUET’s 17th Convocation on April 10

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The preparations are in full swing for the 17th Convocation-2014 of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre on April 10.

The arrangements and related matters of the university’s annual colourful and graceful event were reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chancellor, Engr Muhammed Adil Usman. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, Registrar, Syed Abrar Ali, and other concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

The Board of Governors of the University will also meet on April 9 prior to the holding of convocation. The convocation rehearsal for the graduating students will also be held on April 9 at 3 pm at the Expo Centre.

This year about 1100 graduates of six technologies of Computer, Civil, Electronics, Bio-Medical, Telecommunication Engineering and Computer Science besides having done their Masters will be awarded degrees.

The results of final year students have already been announced and displayed at the university’s website. The university has announced the names of gold, silver and bronze medal winners and those securing first three top positions.

Meanwhile, the university has directed all the graduating students to ensure attending the convocation rehearsal at the Karachi Expo Center at 3 pm on April 9.