Youths are the backbone of any nation: Ahmed Chinoy

Future of Pakistan lies in the youngsters, which direly needed proper education and skill development training to meet the global challenges, says chairman Arif Habib Investment and leading businessman. He was speaking as chief guest at inaugural ceremony of Youth Leadership Programme-2011 (YLDP), being organized under aegis of All Pakistan Memon Foundation-Educational Board (APMF-EB).

Vice Chairman, All Pakistan Memon Federation- Education Board (APMF-EB) Hanif Jakhura presenting memento to Arif Habib, the Chairman Arif Habib Investment at the launching ceremony of Youth Leadership Development titled YLDP 2011 organized by APMF-EB. Ashraf Bawany (Convener, YLDP Committee, Ibrahim Mamdani and others also seen the occasion.

Arif Habib laid emphasis on the need of education, saying no nation could run on the track of development with fast pace unless its education system meet the modern requirements. It is an excellent opportunity to interact with youth with diverse academic and social background, Arif said, adding participants should contribute in sessions with fervour and zeal. Chief CPLC and President APMF Ahmed Chinoy lauded the efforts of Memon federation saying youths are the backbone of any nation.

He said youngsters could make the country by their positive and constructive activities and broke as well, if indulge in negative activities. It is our obligation to guide our youths so that they can play their constructive role in betterment of the society, he stressed. Earlier, sharing the details of the YLDP Rehana Naz, Director Education, APMF-EB notified that programme comprising eight consecutive Sundays which will kick off from (Today) Sunday, June 19.

She said some 150 youth applied, of them 135 were selected including males and females between the ages of 17 to 25 years of youth. Participants will be provided opportunities to build their confidence through multiple interactive learning sessions, hands-on and minds-on activities will interact with successful Community leaders, visit to Memon community institutions and lots of fun.

Earlier in his welcome address Ashraf Bawani, Chairman YLDP committee highlighted APMF-EB is working hard to pursue its vision of being the catalyst for quality education to students in an environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation and excellence in learning. He was of the view that the degradation of our educational system has been one of the major factors hampering our national development.

Bawani marked that YLDP-2011 will be focusing on young male and female students to develop in those competencies and skills which would not only help them to unleash their potential but also groom them as good human being and a successful person not only for themselves and their families but also for playing their due role for the enlistment and well being society and country at large.

He said organising YLDP-2011 is a gigantic task, however, APMF-EB is moving forward resolutely and successfully with the support of people who are generously contributing in form of sponsorship, advertisement and donations to this noble cause. Secretary General, APMF Razzak Vayani, Vice Chairman, APMF-EB Hanif Jakhura, Convenor, YLDP Committee and others were also the key note speakers.

GOVT. LOOK FOR WAYS FOR PERMANENT SOLUTION OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE

Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Khan Durrani said storm water drainage a big problem in Karachi which is due to the presence of lot of encroachments on the old natural drains system that dates back to colonial era. Blockage in the flow of water resulted in overflow of drains and ultimately creating problems for surrounding localities. Government is now mulling over the plan to clear these drains from encroachments by providing alternate residence to people residing there.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference in DCO Camp Office on Saturday.

The Provincial Secretary of Local Government Ali Ahmed, Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed, M.D KWSB Misbahuddin Farid, EDO Revenue Roshan Ali Shaikh, EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam and other officers were also present on this occasion.

Agha Siraj Durrani said despite of huge spending on the repairing and maintenance of drains required results were not obtained due to presence of encroachments on drains. Therefore, he said, efforts were on to find out a permanent solution of this problem for which cooperation of people and people’s representatives was required; we will try to take everyone along to solve this problem.

Provincial Minister said a meeting of town administrators was convened on the directive of Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to review the preventive measures that have been taken in view of the expected rains in whole province including Karachi. A lot of things came into discussion in this meeting and important decisions were made. City Government in Karachi and Town administration has also taken all necessary measures in this connection. However, he said, encroachments on drains were creating obstacles at some locations especially in Saddar Town which is the main route for all drains. All possible measures will be taken to remove the encroachments from storm water drains and assistance will also be sought from the people’s representatives in this regard.

He said that Karachi is the heart of Pakistan and Sindh, therefore, all possible steps will be taken for its beatification and progress. Efforts were being taken to solve the problems of city government and water board including funding.

Replying a query, the provincial minister said that stern action will be taken against the revenue officers found involved in helping water board’s land occupied.

He also directed Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed to take powerful measures for bringing stability in the milk item’s prices in Karachi.

EDO Revenue Roshan Ali Shaikh on this occasion while giving a briefing on the action against land grabbers informed that city government had under the anti encroachments act took action and recover about 3378 acres of government land from the possession of illegal occupiers. He further said that a full operation will be taken next week in Cattle Colony to vacate all occupied government land.