Posts Tagged ‘Education’

BIEK, invigilators held out assurances of security

KARACHI – Holding out assurances to teachers and proctors of heightened security in and around examination centres of the intermediate education board after the torture on a college principal and invigilators on last Tuesday, the commissioner on Friday ordered senior police officials to ensure strict security against miscreants and cheating mafia. A policeman, deputed at an exam …

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UK recognises Pakistan’s sacrifices for peace in the region: Khar

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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. – File Photo by AP.

LONDON: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Friday said the United Kingdom recognises the sacrifices Pakistan has rendered to make the region and the world a safe place to live and has reminded the world to acknowledge Pakistan’s sufferings due to terrorism.

The foreign minister, who is in London as part of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s five-day official visit to the United Kingdom for a review of the Strategic Enhanced Dialogue, said the British prime minister stated Pakistan was a country that suffered the most in the world, because of terrorism.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan-UK relations have moved ahead rapidly in the past four years.

“The country’s stance of supporting democracy in Pakistan has been proved by their acts,” she said and added “I see relations between the two countries developing.”

She said President Asif Ali Zardari had sought market access into the European Union, from the United Kingdom, when he visited the country in the aftermath of the devastating floods in 2010.

“As a result of the strong support shown by the United Kingdom a package of Pakistan-specific autonomous trade preferences has sailed through the European Union Parliament and was now in the final stages,” Khar said.

She said the prime minister’s visit was the follow up of the Enhanced Strategic Review Dialogue that was initiated by Prime Minster David Cameron, during his visit to Pakistan in April 2011 that covers five vital areas.

Following the review the two leaders have unveiled two roadmaps; one relating to trade and investment and the second about culture cooperation and education. She said a strategic dialogue was going on between the two countries in all important areas.

On diplomatic and political level, she referred to Prime Minister Cameron’s speech at the launch of the Conservative Friends of Pakistan Forum, where he gave a bold statement that Pakistan’s enemies were UK’s enemies.

The foreign minister said that David Cameron also lauded the role of Prime Minister Gilani who has nurtured democracy and strengthened parliamentary practices in the country.

She said the statement reflected the strong contacts that have developed at the top leadership level. This, she said, would further deepen and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

She said Pakistan and the UK have a similar stance on Afghanistan and both want it prosperous and stable, as it was in the interest of all stakeholders and pointed that around 9500 troops were now based in the UK and the country has lost 412 lives.

The foreign minister said, “UK is a country that recognises the large contributions Pakistan has made towards this eventual goal.”

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Via DAWN.com

Reducing the risks: Ambitious plans crafted to tackle floods

On Thursday, the head of the National Disaster Management Authority, Dr Zafar Qadir, outlined the authority’s long and short-term plans, many of which appear daunting given the record of the government’s response in past disasters.

Under the short-term plan, 29 districts have been identified as facing “a probability of flooding” in the coming monsoons. Dr Qadir listed them as Badin, Thatta, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar and Dadu from Sindh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar, Mianwali and Faisalabad from Punjab, Musa Khel, Loralai, Barkhan, Kalat and Lasbela in Balochistan and Nowshera, Charsadda, Swat, Mardan, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

To curb the threat in those districts, the federal and provincial governments have been asked to reserve specific amounts in their budgets for disaster relief. According to Qadir, the provinces had been told to prepare for a worst case scenario and reminded that the implementation of disaster management falls under the provincial government’s mandate following the passage of the 18th amendment.

Outlining the authority’s long-term plans, Qadir said the NDMA has drafted a disaster risk reduction policy proposing climate change and disasters be viewed as inter-linked. The draft policy recommends scrutiny of all proposed mega-projects by experts to evaluate any potential impact on climate-related calamities.

The policy also proposes introducing disaster risk insurance for poverty-stricken areas vulnerable to natural disasters. Dr Qadir told reporters that the disaster risk reduction policy is all set to be sent to the cabinet.

He disclosed that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has agreed to provide $1.5 million for installing telemetry systems to monitor all watercourses across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.

State visit to UK: Britain pledges ‘enduring friendship’ with Pakistan

During Premier Gilani’s five-day state visit to Britain, the British prime minister categorically stated that the UK will be an “enduring friend” to the government and the people of Pakistan and vowed to build a “deeper and stronger relationship”.

Both countries also vowed to strengthen bilateral trade to £2.5 billion by 2015 as part of “a jointly-owned” Pakistan-UK Trade and Investment Roadmap.

“Both countries are committed to working together as equals to create conditions for greater prosperity and security in Pakistan and the UK,” a joint-statement issued at the end of the talks said.

Regarding democracy, the joint-statement noted it was an “important time for Pakistan” and the current government was the “longest-serving civilian government in the country’s history”.

The prime ministers discussed trade, economic growth and development, cultural co-operation, security and education and reviewed the progress being made since the two leaders made the commitment in April 2011 in Islamabad for a deeper and broader dialogue.

They also discussed the shared national security challenges and the cooperation in counter-terrorism.

Prime Minister Cameron also pledged his support for a return to international cricket being played in Pakistan and offered to share the UK’s experience in protecting large sporting events. The visiting Pakistani delegation was briefed on the UK’s preparations for the Olympics.

Prime Minister Gilani also briefed his British counterpart on the recommendations approved by parliament regarding reengagement with the US as well as the ongoing Pakistan-India peace process.

Pak-UK Trade and Investment Roadmap

The leaders agreed upon “a jointly-owned” Pakistan-UK Trade and Investment Roadmap to actively pursue joint activities on trade and investment promotion.

The roadmap aims at creating a UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan to complement existing trade bodies in the UK and to develop business ties with such entities.

Both premiers urged UK companies to look at the opportunities Pakistani markets present and build on the success of the over 100 UK-based companies already engaged in business with Pakistan.

Prime Minister Gilani pledged his government’s full support in ensuring an enabling business environment to attract and sustain UK trade with, and investment in, Pakistan.

OBL debacle

Pinning the responsibility on the rest of the world and a “universal intelligence failure”, Prime Minister Gilani categorically denied that Pakistan was “complicit” in sheltering former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

“There is no complicity. I think it’s an intelligence failure from all over the world,” Premier Gilani said in an interview with The Guardian.

The premier also denied that Pakistan’s military was aware of Bin Laden’s hideouts, or had deliberately withheld information about his whereabouts.

Responding to Hillary Clinton

Responding to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s claim that al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri was residing in Pakistan, the prime minister denied having any information about it.

He instead pleaded that such intelligence be shared with Pakistani authorities.

He gave the same response when asked about reports that suggested Taliban leader Mullah Omar was present in the country. “The CIA is far more powerful than Pakistan’s intelligence service, and would have a better idea about that.”

Relations with other countries

Premier Gilani also admitted to The Guardian that relations with the US have not been “too normal” of late, but maintained that the premier intelligence agencies of both countries have been working together to “achieve” their high-level targets.

On relations with India, Gilani said that Pakistan was “serious” about resolving all core issues with India, including the thorny subjects of Kashmir and Siachen.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK AND APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.

Round table debate: Medical council and drugs authority to stay under Islamabad

KARACHI: Representatives of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) along with the civil and legal community passed a resolution to keep the two bodies federally regulated instead of transferring powers to provinces.

This was decided at an open-ended roundtable discussion on the status of the PMDC and DRA after the 18th Amendment. The event was organised by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at PMA House on Wednesday.

Doctors and speakers agreed that both PMDC and DRA should be federally regulated whereas the implementation could be handed over to the provinces.

The PMA Centre general secretary, Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, pointed out that although it may be early to take up the issue, the medical community is being proactive since the Sindh health minister has already asked the federal government to transfer the two bodies to the province under the 18th Amendment.

The consensus was that such a move would be suicidal for both the departments. The division of PMDC, which regulates medical education, would result in different curriculums for different provinces. Doctors said that would provide innumerable opportunities for corruption such as opening up new medical colleges to make money.

Similarly, provincial DRAs would create an issue of different medicines, different prices and different rules for issuance of licences in each province.

Former minister of law and human rights activist, Iqbal Haider, said that parliament did not consider the issues that would arise after the transfer of education and health to provinces. According to the constitution, the right to make laws lies with the bodies, said Haider while offering to file a case against this issue.

All in favour say aye

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) chairperson, Haroon Qasim, brought up the ordinance to keep the two bodies under federal regulation which was passed by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 16, 2012. He said that it needs to be made into a law for full effect.

Haider advised the doctors to get the promulgated ordinance passed before the budget session otherwise it would be delayed further. His suggestion was unanimously agreed upon and a resolution to this effect was passed after the debate.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.

Pakistan, Britain aim £2.5b trade in 3 years

LONDON – Pakistan and UK on Thursday launched a Trade and Investment Roadmap aimed at increasing bilateral trade to £2.5 billion by 2015 and agreed on building up ties in trade, security, health and education sectors.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met his British counterpart David Cameron here at the 10 Downing Street to hold the First Annual Summit of the Enhanced Strategic …

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Zafar wants free education bill passed

LAHORE – Renowned constitutional expert S.M. Zafar has urged Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed to make efforts for the passage of children’s free education bill in the Senate.“I introduced this bill as a member of the Senate many years ago, but it is still pending. As a senator, it is Mushahid’s duty to get this bill passed from the Upper House …

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UK pledges deeper, stronger relationship with Pakistan

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British Prime Minister David Cameron, right, greets Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in Downing Street, London on Thursday May 10, 2012. -AP Photo

LONDON: The United Kingdom Thursday vowed to build on a deeper and stronger relationship with Pakistan saying its future matters greatly to Britain and agreed on building up ties in trade, defence, health and education sectors.

Prime Minister David Cameron after a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani categorically stated that the United Kingdom will be an enduring friend to the government and people of Pakistan.

“Both countries are committed to working together as equals to create the conditions for greater prosperity and security in Pakistan and the UK,” a joint statement issued at the end of the talks said.

Prime Minister Gilani and Cameron discussed trade, economic growth and development, cultural co-operation, security and education at 10 Downing Street and reviewed the progress being made since the two leaders made the commitment in April 2011 in Islamabad for a deeper and broader dialogue between the two countries.

The dialogue is aimed at strengthening friendship and promoting mutual prosperity and security. The two leaders also took into account the global economic crisis and agreed that it requires both the countries to make tough decisions to deliver future growth and prosperity. It was also agreed to have a regular dialogue between the governments on economic reform.

Prime Minister Gilani and David Cameron also discussed the shared national security challenges and the cooperation in counter-terrorism.

They reviewed the outcome of the meeting of the Joint Working Group which met in October and the National Security Discussions between the civilian and military experts in this regard.

Prime Minister Cameron acknowledged the huge sacrifices by the people of Pakistan and said the UK stands along Pakistan, as a partner against the menace of militancy, terrorism and extremism.

Gilani said the UK and Pakistan enjoy unique people-to-people links with over one million British citizens with close family ties to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan and the UK are bound together by longstanding ties based on shared history, values and rich people-to-people links.

A Joint Statement issued after the First Annual Summit of the UK-Pakistan Enhanced Strategic Dialogue noted that since its launch in 2011 the dialogue between the UK and Pakistan has become deeper and broader.

The two prime ministers reviewed the practical co-operation on shared interests which has intensified across the five areas covered under dialogue; including trade, economic growth and development, cultural co-operation, security and education.

Prime Minister Gilani and Prime Minister Cameron also launched a Trade and Investment Roadmap, setting out the steps both governments will take to promote investment, support business and achieve the target of increasing bilateral trade to $2.5 billion by 2015.

Both Prime Ministers urged UK companies to look at the opportunities the Pakistan market presents and build on the success of the over 100 UK-based companies already doing business in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Gilani pledged his government’s full support in ensuring an enabling business environment to attract and sustain UK trade with, and investment in Pakistan.

Gilani also expressed appreciation for the UK’s consistent support to Pakistan for enhanced market access to the European Union. He hoped that the UK would continue to support Pakistan’s request for GSP and early finalisation of Autonomous Trade Preferences package.

Prime Minister Cameron assured UK’s continued support in this regard, and also encouraged Pakistani businesses to look at the opportunities the UK offers and its role as a gateway to Europe.

Under the Economics and Development field, the two prime ministers noted that the global economic crisis requires both countries to make tough decisions in order to deliver future growth and prosperity.

On Security and Defence, both Pakistan and the UK evinced an unwavering commitment to work together to combat the menace of terrorism and extremism.

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Via DAWN.com

Nine killed in Afghan ambushes

kabul – Five Afghan policemen and four bodyguards assigned to protect an education chief have been killed in two ambushes blamed on Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday. The police were killed late Tuesday when a bomb detonated by remote control exploded under their patrol vehicle in the western province of Farah, regional police spokesman Abdul Rauf Ahmadi told AFP.
He …

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Gilani arrives in UK to boost trade, strategic ties

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani being received by a senior British official on arrival at airport in London on Tuesday. – Photo by APP

LONDON: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani arrived here on Tuesday on a five-day visit to participate in the first Pak-UK summit level review of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue and to work on the ambitious plan to raise bilateral trade to 2.5 billion pound sterling.

Prime Minister Gilani will meet his British counterpart David Cameron, besides having an in-depth interaction with members of the British cabinet, parliamentarians, prominent businessmen, investors and leading media persons.

Accompanied by a high level delegation including Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Ameen Faheem, Minister of Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minister of State Raza Hayat Hiraj, Chairman Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwala, parliamentarians from PML-Q, MQM and PPP and senior officials, Gilani would further strengthen the multifaceted bilateral ties between the two countries.

At the airport, the prime minister and his entourage were received by Pakistan’s High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hassan and senior officials.

Gilani will also launch a Trade and Investment Roadmap to enhance trade to 2.5 billion pound sterling by 2015, set by British Prime Minister David Cameron last year.

The first annual review meeting on Enhanced Strategic Dialogue will provide an opportunity to the leaders of the two countries to take decisions for charting the way forward in five strands of cooperation.

The dialogue was formally launched during the official visit of the British prime minister to Pakistan in April 2011 and covers five areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and business, finance and development assistance, education and health, culture, and defence and security.

The United Kingdom is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner and largest development partner among the EU countries.

PM Cameron allocated 650 million pounds sterling for four million out-of-school children in Pakistan for receiving primary education.

Gilani will personally convey his gratitude to the UK for consistently advancing Pakistan’s case for enhanced market access to the EU, and supports Pakistan for GSP+ status.

He will also attend a function being arranged by British Pakistan Foundation, address a community gathering and lay the foundation-stone of the Consular Hall at the Pakistan High Commission.

A source at the Foreign Office termed Gilani’s visit hectic and with meetings lined up with the Duke of York, a reception for UK parliamentarians, launch of Conservative Friends of Pakistan group that would be attended by the British prime minister and Baroness Warsi.

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Via DAWN.com

Kayani briefed about ongoing operations against militants

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General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was briefed about the ongoing operations against militants, said an ISPR statement. -File Photo

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Headquarters of Peshawar Corps, on Tuesday.

The COAS was briefed about the ongoing operations against militants as well as various projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and help bring affected areas back to normalcy through education and economic development.

According to an ISPR press release, the COAS expressed satisfaction over the progress of operations and stressed upon the need to ensure that collateral damage and civilian casualties are kept to a minimum.

Earlier, Gen. Kayani laid a wreath on the Shuhada monument at Peshawar Cantt and also visited injured soldiers under treatment at CMH Peshawar.

He praised the courage and valour of the troops as well as the sacrifices of civilians caught in the midst of operations. On arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani, Commander Peshawar Corps.

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Via DAWN.com

“How would you save yourself now,” Nawaz asks Gilani

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif. — File photo

KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that how would he save himself now after severely criticising him for not implementing on Supreme Courts’ verdict, DawnNews reported.

Speaking at a public rally for his party’s “go Gilani, go” movement in Garhi Khairo near Jacobabad, he said despite of four turns at ruling the country, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has failed to serve the poor masses.

The PML-N chief urged the prime minister to resign respectfully from his post after the apex court issued the detailed judgment of contempt of court case against him today.

Sharif said that the PPP government has plunged the country into “darkness of corruption.” “The rulers have put sovereignty of the country at stake,” he added.

He said Pakistan’s sovereignty was at stake due to policies of President Zardari. “Pakistan is today isolated. God forbid the manner in which Zardari is ruling, Pakistan might be destroyed,” he added.

He sympatised with people of the PPP’s constituency and criticised President Asif Ali Zardari for bringing the public into this appalling state.

He said people of Sindh who voted for PPP were living in miserable conditions with no health care, education, employment and other facilities. He said after devastating floods in year 2010 he visited Sindh to help the flood affected people. He said PPP did nothing for them and he saw masses living on roads after the floods.

The PML-N chief was addressing the public meeting at start of his two-day visit to Sindh.

Sharif said that he was not visiting Sindh for getting public’s votes but wanted to check on people’s state in this region of the country.

Sharif said the PPP does not deserve votes of people as it had done nothing for them in overall 15 years in power (four terms) whereas the PML-N had four and a half years (in two terms) and earnestly worked for welfare of masses without any discrimination.

He said the PPP government had done nothing significant for the people of Sindh during its current over four years in power and increased manifold price hike, load shedding and unemployment resulting in miserable conditions for them.

“Zardari has done great injustice to Sindh people. After accord with Benazir Bhutto, I offered agreement for cooperation with Zardari without any conditions,” he added.

The PML-N chief also spoke of detailed judgment of Supreme Court sentencing PM Gilani in contempt of court case announced today and said he (Gilani) had left on a visit to UK.

“Gilani should have resigned when the apex court announced short order on April 26and convicted him. He has violated the constitution,” he further charged.

Sharif said a letter has to be written to Swiss authorities to bring back $60 million in Swiss Banks as it was looted money of the people of Pakistan. “If Gilani goes, the other premier would have to write letter to Swiss authorities,” said the party chief.

The money would be brought back to Pakistan and spent on prosperity of its people, he vowed.

“In foreign countries if an allegation is levelled against a premier or a minister, they resign on moral grounds, but Gilani refuses to write letter and does not resign thereby ridiculing the superior judiciary of the country,” he contended.

Sharif said he admired people of Sindh who give him Sindh cap and ajrak. “I am Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pathan, Baltistani, Kashmiri and Pakistani. I want respect and dignity for my country,” he added.

He recalled in May 1998, the then United States president Bill Clinton offered him $5 billion for not carrying out nuclear tests, but he never compromised on the country’s sovereignty and conducted successful tit for tat nuclear tests making Pakistan an atomic power.

The PML-N chief was accompanied by party leaders Ghous Ali Shah, Salim Zia and others.

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Via DAWN.com

PM leaves for London

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani left for Britain for a six-day state visit on Tuesday. During his visit, he will hold talks with British leadership on cooperation in trade and investment‚ finance and development assistance‚ education‚ health ‚ culture‚ defence and security areas. The Prime Minister will also meet with British cabinet members‚ …

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The untold tales of Lyari

Lyari in the early 20th century. – File photo

Gang wars, poverty, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), football and, maybe, boxing are the notions usually associated with Lyari, one of Karachi’s oldest neighbourhoods. There is, however, more to Lyari than these stereotypes.

Historically, the inhabitants of Lyari were among the first settlers Karachi.

In her book “The Dual City: Karachi During the Raj,” renowned architect Yasmeen Lari writes: “By 1890 the population of Lyari had already reached 24,600.” These figures are indicative of Lyari’s high population rates even before the notion of partition emerged. Even today, the area remains among the most densely populated, with the highest ratio of inhabitants-per-square-kilometre.

Some of the most popular names to have been associated with Lyari include Hussain Shah (Olympic boxer), Umar Baloch, Ghulam Abbas and Ustaad Qasim (footballers), Waja Ghulam Muhammad Noor ud Din (educationist), Syed Sajjad Ali Shah (former Chief Justice), Waja Khair Mohammad Nadvi (scholar who translated Quran into Balochi language) and Sikandar Baloch (former Mr Pakistan in body building).

Lyari’s history, however, goes beyond these names.

Quaid-e-Azam and Lyari
In 1948, during the days of his illness, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was travelling near Lyari, when his car came to a sudden halt in the area. The inhabitants were quick to offer their services to the country’s founder. In those early post-partition days, Lyari was home to a sizable immigrant population, which was welcomed by the old settlers of the area despite their own financial woes.
Later that year, when Jinnah lost his life to prolonged illness, it was one of Lyari’s oldest sons Noor Mohammad Baloch, who performed his burial, as well as that of the country’s first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan.

After Jiinah’s death, government officials got in touch with Zulekha Bibi, who was in charge of Marwari Grave Yard to prepare for the burials. Zulekha instructed Baloch and others to finalise and carry out the services.

A certificate showing appreciation for the services of Zulekha Bibi – a resident of Lyari overlooked arrangements for the burial of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan. – Photo courtesy Ayoub Baloch

The literary Lyari
Apart from being home to sports greats, Lyari has also attracted one of the biggest names of Pakistan’s literary world. For Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Lyari was like a passion. In the early 1970s, Faiz frequented the Abdullah Haroon College, where he taught and served as principal (1972-73).

“We were very fortunate to have Faiz sahib at the college,” says Zafar Ali Zafar – a Balochi and Urdu poet from Lyari.

“He (Faiz) would travel from the Nursery area (in Karachi) to Lyari to offer his services because it was very close to his heart,” recalls Zafar.

Zafar says Faiz inspired him and his poetry. “He even selected a poem for me to recite at a Radio Pakistan mushaira (poetic symposium).”

Decades after Faiz’s death, Lyari still maintains a literary aura.

“The Abbas Ali Zehmi Academy remains an active hub for literary dialogue, with Ghani Bux and Hassan Ali Hassan among the most active poets.”

Muhammad Baig Baloch is another literary figure from Lyari. “He has written several books in Urdu, English, Sindhi and Persian in addition to translating major literary works into Balochi language.”

Lyari has also been central to the region’s politics. The Madressah Mazhar ul Uloom played a pivotal role in anti-British movements (including the Khilafat Movement) in the pre-partition era. Lyari-based Qadir Bux Rind Baloch (alias Kadu Makrani), an anti-British freedom-fighter met his death in the Chakiwara area in 1887, when he was hanged.

In the days of the martial law imposed by Ayub Khan, members of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) would meet at Lyari’s Kakri ground.

From Lyari to Australia
Lyari is commonly known for its passion for camel-cart racing. The area, however, was once the centre of camel trade to countries as distant as Australia.

Traders Dost Muhammad Brohi and Jorak introduced the camels of Balochistan and Afghanistan to Australia, via steam ships in the 1890s

Camel trade took Brohi, a Baloch born in 1870, to Australia in 1983, but it was his love for British girl Annie that made him settle down in the country and marry her in 1986.

Brohi, however, remained unsettled in the Australian lifestyle and after several brawls, his wife’s brothers killed Brohi in 1909.

,Annie was then invited by the Brohi family, to visit Karachi. Upon her arrival, Anne was murdered by Brohi’s brothers, who accused her for their brother’s death.

In 1993, Brohi and Annie’s granddaughter Jane Garnand landed in Karachi, in search of Annie’s grave, which she later found in the Clifton area.

Education on the streets
Lyari boasts a distinctive record of school systems, such as the ARM and Kiran Hasht Chowk and Baghdadi areas are, in particular, the hub of education. Here, local non-government organisations have been operating “street schools” for students of primary and secondary classes.

The educated youth of the area have launched the “Lyari Naujawan Tehrik” against the prevalence of drugs and crimes in the area. The movement came under threat from the drug mafia but also brought in other NGOs, which set up schools for informal education.

Despite the odds, street schools in Lyari offer hope to the people of Lyari, as they discourage the youth from falling prey to the gang wars.

“Financial problems are real ailment of Lyari, “according to M.Y Baloch a concerned local.

“Political parties have failed to meet our needs and even the ruling party made empty pledges, said Baloch.”

Lyari, can be called a mini-Pakistan, with colours of culture, sports, and traditions. The Lyari River was clean and a healthy habitat for fish, before the 1970s. It has now turned into a dirty stream. The sea breeze from Lyari cooled the other parts of Karachi, which has now been blocked by the Lyari Expressway.

Locals believe their miseries can be dealt with, if the government is sincere.

“The people of Lyari need love not force,” insists Zafar, as he recalls a Balochi proverb: “Hoo’n Go’n Hoo’na Shodag Nabet – you can’t wash blood with blood.”

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Via DAWN.com

OGRA presentation: Bigwigs named in illegal relocation of CNG stations

The presentation – a copy of which is available with the Express Investigation Cell (EIC) – contains the names of investors and their patrons who approached OGRA seeking relocation of CNG stations knowing the fact full well that the practice was banned in February 2008.

The presentation suggests OGRA officials colluded with federal cabinet members, and former army and intelligence officials to relocate CNG stations despite the ban.

OGRA chief Saeed Khan expressed ignorance regarding the issue. “I took over as chief just a few days ago,” he told EIC. However, he said that he could look into the matter to ensure transparency in the authority’s workings.

The presentation revealed how Ogra used abbreviations and shortened names to hide the identities of those whose stations were relocated. For instance, over a dozen CNG stations, mostly in Lahore, were relocated under ‘JB’s’ direction.

It’s not understandable why Ogra hid ‘JB’s’ identity while the presentation used full names of several parliamentarians, cabinet members and bureaucrats and retired generals? The presentation also identifies several military-owned CNG businesses by name.

A possible lead to ‘JB’s’ identity is the fact that most of the CNG stations were shifted while Tauqir Sadiq, Leader of the House in the Senate Jahangir Badar’s brother-in-law, was the Ogra chief.

In its report, Ogra had intentionally left certain columns blank, possibly to avoid disclosing the names of certain high-ups. Due to incomplete information in some cases, it is unclear who ordered the relocation of certain CNG stations.

The beneficiaries include Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, Minister for Production Riaz Pirzada, Information Technology Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.

All of them belong to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Pir Mazharul Haq got Naushero Feroze 1 CNG relocated. He also managed to shift Abbasi CNG filling station in Badin.

Riaz Pirzada got Chaudhry Gas Station relocated in Bahawalpur.

Makhdoom Shahabuddin, acquired a renewed licence for a CNG station in Rahimyar Khan. He also relocated Mehran Enterprises Panu Aqil. Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Shah recommended issuance of a ‘PL licence’ for this case.

Pervez Ashraf had Rajput CNG Chakwal relocated.

Qamar Zaman Kaira recommended the relocations of Fine CNG, Multan Road, Lahore, Hussain CNG Station, Rawalpindi, and Hasan CNG, Chakri Road, Rawalpindi.

Senator Adnan is also among those who acquired relocation orders from Ogra for at least a dozen CNG stations. He managed to get a PSO pump in G7 Islamabad, a Shell filling station in a Rawalpindi commercial market, Saya Zaar CNG station Abbottabad, Save CNG Kallar Seydan and Green House CNG, Multan, relocated. Similarly, Ali Badar, son of Jahangir Badar, secured the relocation of Madina CNG.

Other than ‘JB’ a man identified as Imran is behind the relocation of 30 Sprint Energy CNG stations.

Chaudhry Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, PPP Punjab chapter president, shifted Siddu CNG, Gujranwala, and Moshin CNG Station, Khushab. Federal Minister Nazar Gondal secured the relocation of Al Rehman CNG Samundri. Federal Minister Fazal Shah Gilani managed the shifting of Orangi gas station, Karachi, and Apna CNG Station, Rawalpindi, was shifted on MNA Hanif Abbasi’s recommendation.

Maqbool Mamon of the Zardari House managed the shifting of Al Mustafa CNG, Nowshero Feroze. Haji Khan Afridi got Saeed CNG & filling station, Peshawar, shifted. MNA Moazam Ali Khan Jatoi managed to get Total Speed Petroleum Muzaffargarh relocated. State Minister Abbas Afridi got Bahram CNG Kohat relocated. MNA Khalid Saeed managed the relocation of Baryar CNG Muridke.

Beneficiaries from the military Col Shabbir c/o Wak Gas secured the relocation of Shabbir LPG auto Khushab. Brigadier Ejaz got Lancer CNG relocated. Major Dr Iqbal Cheema c/o DDGIB managed the relocation of Cheema CNG Samberial.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2012.

Delay in appointment letters irks ‘lecturers’­

LAHORE – Almost 2,400 candidates selected for the posts of lecturers in 480 colleges of Punjab are waiting for their appointment letters for last three to four months but the Higher Education Department (HED) and DPI (Colleges) are shifting responsibility on each other and are least bothered to address the issue, TheNation has learnt.
The sources said that the department had decided to issue …

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Curtailing ‘immodesty’: Ex-lawmaker ‘decrees’ against female education

The nonagenarian, who was elected to the National Assembly from Kohistan on the now-defunct Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal’s ticket in 2002, also railed against non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the region in his Friday sermon, calling them ‘hubs of immodesty’.

Nestled in the Himalayas, the Kohistan district is picturesque, but also one of the least-literate and least developed in the country.

Fiery sermon

Maulana Haleem, who was an office-bearer of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl until recently, was delivering a Friday sermon, at Jamia Masjid Komila, on who is dayoos, or those liable to be condemned to hell.

“It’s beghairti (immodesty) to equip girls with secular education,” the cleric said, adding that those Kohistani parents who were sending their girls to schools were acting against ‘Islamic shariah’ and the local customs.

“The Kohistani culture does not allow parents to send their pardadar (modest) girls to schools,” the former lawmaker said.

He did not spare female NGO workers either.

“Some women from these NGOs visit our houses frequently, mobilising naïve Kohistani women to follow their agenda in the name of health and hygiene education,” he said, adding that this was ‘unacceptable to Kohistani culture’. He threatened them with ‘dire consequences’, saying that married female NGO workers will be sent back to their husbands, and the unmarried ones will be wedded to Kohistani men.

During his stint as a parliamentarian, Maulana Haleem had also declared poppy cultivation in Kohistan ‘in accordance with Islam’.

Keeping women at home

When approached for comments, the cleric stood by the contents of his sermon, and insisted that several Hadith books prohibit girls from receiving degrees and certificates in ‘secular education’.

He did not actually quote any reference though. Asked to explain how parents would be doomed for their daughters’ education, the cleric said that formal education paves the way for girls to enter the job market. “When they permit their women to work, they give them a free hand to mix with na-mehrum (men they are not related to by blood) – by doing so, the girl’s father, brother or husband become dayoos in the eye of the shariah,” he said.

Such people will never enter Paradise, he added.

The only responsibility men owe to women is their sustenance, and not education, he said. In return, the women should stay at home and look after their children and family members, he added.

Asked if Islamic states like Saudi Arabia and Iran were violating shariah by spending billions on women’s education, Maulana Haleem termed their steps un-Islamic.

If the government is serious about bringing development to Kohistan, it should utilise NGOs’ funding itself with the help of local men.

Men working for these NGOs can continue their work though, he said, saying that is not against the shariah and local culture.

He claimed that 97% of girls schools in Kohistan were closed and the few girls that were enrolled, only visited their schools to collect cooking oil which the education department was distributing with the support of foreign donors.

Standing up for women

Assistant District Officer Education Kohistan Saiful Malook Khan refuted Haleem’s claim. There are 255 primary, 13 middle-level, and one high school for girls in the district, Khan said.

While the number is not large, over 12,000 girls are enrolled in primary schools and are regularly attending their classes, he said.

Several girls from Maulana Haleem’s hometown are attending school while some women from the Maulana’s family are also working as teachers in the district, he added. The area’s current elected representative, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Abdul Sattar Khan assured full support to female students and teachers in Kohistan.

If the region is to progress, Kohistani girls should study at least up to the matric level, he said. Omar Hayat, a social activist in Hazara, also condemned Maulana Haleem’s statement barring female NGO workers from working.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2012.