Heavy police force deployment for security during Muharram

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindh Home Minister, Sohail Anwar Khan Siyal, has issued directives to police to ensure deployment of heavy police force under Muharram Contingency Plan in order to ensure extraordinary security measures in the Province. 

He issued these directives while reviewing Muharram Contingency Plan 2017. 

"Police emergency camps must be established along the route of main mourning processions so as to respond to rapidly in any unwanted situation", the Home Minister stressed. 

Sohail Siyal urged upon police officers to ensure, at police stations level, the proper identification of outsiders who are being accommodated at hotels, guests house and other temporary residents specially near and around bus terminals, railway stations, suburban and slums areas. 

"Besides audio visual recordings of main majalis and processions, steps be ensured for strict vigilance at high rise buildings along procession routes and parking areas; additionally extensive police patrolling in targeted/ identified sensitive areas, random snap checking and advance intelligence collection and its timely sharing", he further stressed.

He directed that all possible steps should also be taken for continuous watch on places of majalis and processions besides technical sweeping, scanning and clearance from bomb disposal squads. 

The Home Minister also instructed to adopt every step for removal of encroachments, abandoned or out of order vehicles near and around Majalis and route of processions besides deploying snipers at selected high rise buildings. 

According to the Muharram contingency plan, Police is ensuring strict security cover at over 1520 Imambarghas, about 12700 Majalis, 4150 mourning processions and 1400 Tazia processions in the Province. 

The security plan disclosed that specific instructions have been passed on to ensure removal of posters, banners and confiscation of hate material, surveillance and monitoring of activists of proscribed organizations borne on IVth schedule of ATA -1997, electronic and visual surveillance, use of sniffer dogs for explosives detection and sweeping of routes and venues by BDU especially under construction buildings, DB boxes of electricity and telephones, sewerage lines and manholes. 

The Home Minister directed to ensure timely coordination meetings with the religious leaders and Ulemas of different sects at range/zone, district and PS level for implementation of code of conduct for maintaining peace and harmony during Muharram.

Initiatives to regain hockey glories hailed

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former International Hockey player, Mubashir Mukhtar, has appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for revival of international hockey in Pakistan. 

 In this regard he referred to organizing of Nishan-e-Haider Hockey tournament and arrival of the Hall of Fame World Eleven in Pakistan besides holding of Pakistan Super Hockey League next year will lead to complete revival of international matches in the country. 

Talking to PNFS, Mubashir, who is now serving as Director Sports in a private engineering university, was confident that the decisions and steps being taken by the PHF President, Brig (Rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, and the Secretary General, Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed, will enable Pakistan to regain its lost stature in the world of hockey.

He observed that the successful talks held with the officials of PHF's Executive Committee in Dubai, have started yielding positive results and Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament, in which eleven international goalkeepers will be participating, is the first step towards revival of international hockey in Pakistan. 

He said that it will be the first occasion when international hockey players will be participating in a country's domestic event. 

Similarly he expressed delight with the upcoming planned arrival of World Eleven in November this year will bring activity in the hitherto deserted grounds of Pakistan with Pakistan playing a three-match series with the World Eleven in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

Thereafter in the next year holding of Pakistan Super Hockey League will not only help explore the new talent but also contribute to complete revival of international hockey in the country.

AKU wins Defence Day sports gala

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A number of events were organized in connection with the Defence Day of Pakistan across the country with the highlight of the day being the function held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to pay tribute to the martyrs. 

The Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) organized the Defence Day Sports Gala at the Women Sports Complex, Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Karachi. 

As many as 14 educational institutions from all over the metropolis took part in five disciplines which included table tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball and squash. 

Aga Khan University (AKU) emerged as the overall champions of the gala as its athletes came up with impressive all-round performance to run away with the trophy.

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), having enjoyed success in quite a few sporting contests in the recent past, took part in the men’s events of table tennis, badminton, volleyball and basketball. 

The SSUET claimed the runners-up spot in volleyball, bagged third position in table tennis and ended as losing semifinalists in badminton. 

The Deputy Mayor of Karachi, Arshad Vohra, distributed the prizes alongwith the Commandant PMA, Commodore Akbar Naqi, while the SSUET Registrar, Syed Sarfraz Ali, and the SSUET Additional Registrar, Mohammad Aamir, were also present in the ceremony.

SSUET excels in Independence Day Swimming contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) excelled in the Independence Day Open Swimming Championship staged at the Defence Authority Creek Club to celebrate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. 

The SSUET took three medals in the event which was jointly organized by the Defence Authority Creek Club and the Pakistan Marine Academy. Mohammad Ahmed claimed silver medal in 50m freestyle and bronze medal in 50m butterfly while Hyder earned bronze in 100m breaststroke. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), honoured the members of the SSUET swimming team and congratulated them on their worthy efforts in the open championship contested by 14 institutes from all over the province.

The Sindh Sports Minister, Sardar Mohammad Baksh Khan Maher, was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony which was also attended by Secretary of the Defence Authority Creek Club, Brig Sajid Iqbal Jadoon, and Commodore Akbar Naqi, Commandant, Pakistan Marine Academy. 

The Independence Day Open Swimming Championship was recognized as a success story by the participants and the hosts were appreciated for having conducted the event nicely. 

In fact the Sindh Sports Minister was so much impressed with the facilities at the venue and he considered it to be an ideal host for future swimming competitions. 

Cake cutting also took place and it was followed by a flag retrieving ceremony, conducted with traditional fervor and enthusiasm.

Champions Trophy hero Ruuman Raees visits SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) was set alight by the visit of left-arm fast bowler Rumman Raees, one of the heroes of the ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament 2017, as part of the celebrations of Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), greeted the cricket hero and described him as a role model for the youngsters. 

Engr Anwer Ali, himself an all-round cricketer of merit, lavishly praised the performance of Pakistan’s cricket team which saw them win the Champions Trophy in England against all odds.

Rumman Raees, who was one of three debutants in the tournament, performed exceedingly well in his only appearance and he was very rightly hailed as one of the heroes. 

“It’s in the fitness of things that the Champions Trophy winning Pakistani cricketers returned home to a heroic welcome wherever they went around. It was heartening to watch the fans thronging the airports and gathering outside their residences to celebrate the triumph,” Engr Anwar Ali reckoned. 

“All the members of the team deserved credit for having made the nation proud with their outstanding performance. From skipper Sarfraz Ahmed down to Rumman Raees all of them deserve to be hailed as heroes,” he added.

“The presence of Rumman Raees here at the SSUET has thrilled us and what an occasion he has chosen to be with us. His presence in the Independence Day celebrations has made all of us excited and ecstatic,” Engr Anwar Ali complimented. 

Rumman Raees is a welcome addition to the list of high quality left-arm fast bowlers produced by Pakistan. He had come to the limelight in the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2016 and he was duly rewarded with Pakistan debut in a T20 International against West Indies later the same year.

He turned out to one of the star performers of the second edition of the PSL in 2017 during which he picked up no less than a dozen wickets in just seven matches. He was chosen for the limited-overs leg of Pakistan's West Indies tour in April 2017 but was originally omitted from the Champions Trophy squad. 

It was the injury to Wahab Riaz during the course of the event in England which created a vacancy and Rumman Raees was drafted in as replacement. 

He made his memorable debut in One-day Internationals in the high voltage semifinal against England after Mohammad Aamir had to pull out at th

SSUET wins tug of war contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) emerged victorious in the Independence Day tug of war competition organized by the Karachi Tug of War Association (KTWA) at the Customs Sports Complex housed in Federal-B-Area. 

The SSUET won the Independence Day contest by overpowering Central Fitness Club who was soundly beaten in a couple of successive rounds. 

The Convener AIT, Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony. 

Engr Anwer Ali, himself an active sportsman, praised the efforts of the organizers in promoting the sport of tug of war which is an ancient athletic contest between two teams who haul at the opposite ends of a rope. 

He spoke about the significance of sports in building a healthy society, urging all the stakeholders to work jointly to achieve the common goal. 

The Secretary of the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA), Ahmed Ali Rajput, also attended the presenting ceremony alngwith the officials of the KTWA.

Advance computer lab inaugurated at AIT

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) added another feather in its cap by strengthening its DAE-CIT department whose advance computer lab was equipped with a fleet of 25 more computers with latest configuration and multi-media projectors. 

The Director Academy and Training, Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training (STEVTA), Engr Liaquat Ali Jamro, who was the chief guest on the occasion, did the honours at a graceful inauguration ceremony. 

The Convener AIT, Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), in his brief speech, observed that greater emphasis was being laid on the promotion of academic and sports activities for an all round development of the students.

Engr Anwer Ali, the motivating force behind the phenomenal success of the AIT in the recent past, announced that there were concrete plans to provide more facilities to the students as well as to the staff in the near future. 

Shahid Jamil, Head of the DAE-CIT department, informed the audience about the academic and welfare facilities that AIT was offering to its students. 

The chief guest was taken round the new laboratory and he greatly appreciated the facilities being provided by the AIT. He enquired about the equipment and software facilities.

Engr Liaquat Ali Jamro acknowledged the efforts of the AIT Convener, Engr Anwer Ali, and its Principal Prof Dr Mahmood Khan Pathan in the development of the institution. 

He recognized the AIT as the top most institution for technical education in Sindh, assuring his full support for further development of the Institute. 

Syed Rehan Ali, Incharge Evening Programmes, presented the vote of thanks while souvenirs were presented to chief guest by the Convener and the Principal of AIT.

Engr Anwer Ali driving AIT to top of the tree

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), desires to inculcate the famous Aligarhian sporting spirit among the youth of the country to let them excel in sports and education. 

Himself a former first-class cricketer, who was a rare all-round talent being a high quality fast bowler as well as a top order batsman, Engr Anwer Ali remains committed to facilitate the AIT students in their quest for knowledge and sports excellence. 

“Sports used to be one of the strengths of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), established by the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, originally as the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. We are endeavoring to revive the same sports culture at our institutions here having been founded by AMUOBA to furthering the cause,” he remarked in a recent interview. 

It may recalled that the AIT, housed in Block 5 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, was founded by the AMUOBA in 1989 and five years later they established the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) in the same arena. 

“During my tenure as Secretary Sports (2007-2011) I had turned it around at the SSUET which became proactive in sports and its students started winning laurels at all levels. Now having taken over as the Convener of the AIT in November 2015, I have been making efforts to lay a strong platform for sports studies in order to facilitate our students,” Engr Anwer Ali stated. 

“The majority of the students enrolled at the AIT are in the age group of 18 to 22 years and we are working accordingly to take care of their sports needs besides providing them the best possible facilities for studies. We are among the top educational institutions of the city and we are eager to expand our sports department,” he revealed. 

“We are planning to organize two different sports competitions at the All Karachi level during the current academic year. In the first festival there will be tournaments of cricket, hockey, football and basketball while the other festival will comprise of competitions in indoor games,” Engr Anwer Ali disclosed. 

“Our objective is to take the AIT to top of the tree in the field of sports too among the institutes affiliated to the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE),” he declared. 

Engr Syed Anwer Ali heads the AIT Managing Committee being its Convener while the other members of the committee are Mohammad Arshad Khan, Mohammad Tariq Sabzwari, Mohammad Aijaz-ul-Yaqin, Syed Nasir Hussain, Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui, Dr.Saleemuddin Chishti, Aslam Shah Khan and Syed Mohammad Munif.

SSUET edges out Virtual University in Independence Day Table Tennis series

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) edged out the Virtual University by two matches to one in the Independence Day Table Tennis series staged at the SSUET Gymnasium Hall. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony. 

In his brief address on the occasion, Engr Anwer Ali, hailed as one of the pillars of the AMUOBA, recalled the sacrifices of the millions of Muslims of South Asia in the creation of Pakistan.

“The Independence Day reminds us of the great sacrifices of our ancestors who had made the creation of Pakistan possible. We salute them for having braved the toughest of circumstances and endured pains of all kinds for the sake of the newly founded country. We have derived inspiration from their selfless acts and I hope that our future generations will continue to be inspired by their services,” Engr Anwar Ali remarked. 

Himself a former first-class cricketer of high pedigree, he touched about the need to inculcate the famous Aligarhian sporting spirit among the youth of the country for letting them excel in sports as well as academics. The three-match table tennis series turned out be an absorbing one. 

The SSUET drew the first blood by winning the first match in straight sets but the Virtual University bounced back in the next match to set up an interesting decider. The third and final match was clinched by the hosts who also pocketed the series.

AKU-EB’s students triumph in Pakistan’s educational landscape

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Despite being a relatively young institution, the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) has repeatedly proved that its students are capable of attaining success by virtue of the quality education that they receive during their secondary school education. 

While their annual results and internal student accomplishments have been a source of pride for them, this year’s May 2017 results for both their Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examinations were also accompanied by a sense of both vindication and triumph due to the positive validation that AKU-EB has attained from external sources. 

The overall pass rate for Year I and Year II SSC students came out at 85.7 per cent and 90.6 percent, respectively. Furthermore, 69.4 percent of Year I students and 81.2 percent of Year II students scored at or above 60 percent across all of their examinations.

Their SSC Year II High Achievers were all girls, with first position belonging to Fizza Rubab of PECHS Girls’ School. Fizza attained an impressive 1037 out of 1100 total marks, i.e. a total of 94.27 percent across all her exams, and a grade of A-1.

“This came as a huge surprise to me and I am immensely grateful to my school, teachers, friends and family for the support, encouragement and prayers throughout the year. The style of AKU-EB made it possible to achieve this position. Under this marvelous board, we are focused and precise unlike the style of conventional study practiced in Pakistan,” Fizza, one of the high achievers, remarked.

In second place, Samreen Raja of Nusrat Jehan Academy Girls High School obtained 1029 out of 1100 marks, scoring 93.54 percent. In third place, Shamsa from Aga Khan School, Garden, attained 1027 out of 1100 marks and scored 93.36 percent.

Continuing a trend of strong academic foundations, the pass rates for Year I and Year II HSSC candidates was tallied as being 87.9 percent and 87.8 percent respectively. 

In addition, 72.7 percent Year I candidates and 75.2 percent Year II candidates scored 60 percent or above across all of their examinations. As with this year’s SSC results, female candidates proved themselves at the higher end of scores, with all of our top three overall positions belonging to women.

Mariam Sajjad from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karimabad, Karachi, obtained first position by scoring 1050 out of 1100 total marks (95.45 percent) across her HSSC examinations.

 “I feel on top of the world. I can't express my feelings in words; it feels great to see your hard work pay off. Studying with AKU-EB infused a sense of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, which helped broaden my horizons. My advice to current and future AKU-EB students is that even if the path seems tough, don't stop because once you reach your destination, you will realize that all the hard work was totally worth it,” Mariam stated.

Urooj Usmani, also from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karimabad, Karachi, scored 1028 out of 1100 (93.45 percent) which earned her second place. Finally, Nusrat Jahan College’s Muqaddas Alvi came third in the national average by obtaining 1022 out of 1100 marks and a 92.90 percent score.

Shahina Aliraza, Principal of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karimabad, had good cause to celebrate. 

“I am feeling delighted and ecstatic on our students’ remarkable achievement both 1st and 2nd position in Pakistan. The AKU-EB students, as compared to other Boards, are more confident and critically conscious. They are the kind of learners who always strive to reach and explore their potential,” she reckoned.

 “AKU-EB students consistently perform better in University Entrance Tests, as demonstrated by the fact that 90 per cent of our 2015 HSSC graduates received admission to various universities. This is also reaffirmed by a recent study conducted by a national body on examination quality and standardization, which found that students from AKU-EB are more likely to perform better on University Entrance Tests as compared to other examination boards,” AKU-EB's Director Dr Shehzad Jeeva noted.

“My heartiest congratulations to the successful students of the AKU-EB. I am sure their strong educational foundation will lead them to greater successes in life. It is only through perseverance and determination that they can achieve their goals,” Dr Naveed Yousuf, Associate Director of Assessment, added.