Sir Syed University students distribute ration in flood-affected Nawabshah

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The students of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, distributed two truck loads of relief goods including food items among the rain and flood affected people of District Shaheed Benazirabad. 

A team of the university teachers and the volunteer students carried the ration packs to an affected village in Deh Hakro, a remote area of Taluka Daur of the district and distributed among the affectees with the cooperation of Chaudhary Irfan Hameed, a local landlord. 

In order to make the relief distribution transparent, the university volunteers compiled a list of affected people and later distributed ration among them.

Speaking on the occasion, a university teacher, Abdul Khaliq Khanzada, remarked that the relief ration was collected and transported on the directives of Chancellor SSUET Z A Nizami

He disclosed to the audience that the SSUET, in the past, had also distributed ration among the affected people of Badin and Mirpurkhas on humanitarian grounds.

Later the SSUET team visited Nawabshah Press Club and presented the university souvenir to the Club President, Muhammad Anwar Shaikh, and senior member, Rashid Zia Qureshi.

They were taken on a visit to the Club's Seminar Hall, Press Conference Room, Computer laboratory and Library. 

The Nawabshah Press Club President, Anwar Shaikh, appreciated the efforts of the of Chancellor Sir Syed University, Z A Nizami, and described this act of his as real service to humanity.

NIM DELEGATION VISITS KARACHI CITY GOVERNMENT

The participants of 12th Mid Career Management Course in National Institute of Management visited head office of City District Government Karachi on Thursday. The delegation called on District Coordination Officer Karachi Roshan Ali Shaikh in his office at Civic Center.

Later during a meeting attended by the delegation with EDOs of City Government and Director General National Institute of Management, DCO Karachi Roshan Ali Shaikh appraised the delegation about the preparation of development plan and other mega projects initiated in Karachi.

He said that the shifting of rural population to urban areas all over the world had been creating many problems for mega cities including Karachi.

City Government Karachi has taken various measures to ensure the availability of civic facilities for every citizen. Unfortunately, the city of Karachi did not have any mass transit system which had created traffic related problems. The population of Karachi would exceed 30million mark by 2030. The city administration was therefore taking all initiatives to solve the problems regarding mass transit system and solid waste management.

DCO Karachi said that the city government was making all efforts to provide better facilities to citizens in each sector including education, health & fumigation, transport and infrastructure development. Anti encroachments cell of city government had been taking action against all illegal occupations of land.

He said the rules and regulations of transparency international and SPPRA were being implemented in Karachi to set a tradition of good governance.

SSUET to have a Center of studies for Irrigation and flood relief

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) is going to have a center of studies for Irrigation and Flood Relief – the first of its kind to be established by an engineering university.

An announcement in this regard was made by Chancellor SSUET Engr Z.A. Nizami, while presiding over the Sir Syed Day function held at the University’s Convocation Ground in Karachi.

Mr Nizami made the announcement on behalf of Pakistan’s noted engineer and most senior Aligarhian Engr Bashir A. Malik, who was the chief guest at the Sir Syed Day function which is iberved every year on October 17.

Mr Nizami said Engr Bashir Malik, has announced to wholly sponsor the establishment of this center. It was Engr Bashir Malik who donated the entire Rs 12 million cost of an Auditorium of international standard at SSUET.

The Chancellor noted that establishment of such a study center was the need of the house and work on its establishment will start within a week. He said the center will feed the entire country on irrigation and flood relief issues.

He announced yet another sponsorship from Engr Bashir Malik for the establishment of Lahore Campus of Sir Syed University and said the legal requirements in this respect would be sorted out first to pave the way for this purpose.

On the occasion, Engr Nizami announced the conferment of status of Professor Emiratus of SSUET for Engr Bashir Malik in recognition to his services in the field of civil engineering and more particularly the water issues.

Nizami said that no one else but SSUET has been instrumental in keeping the “Aligah Spirit” alive and said that it is the only university in Pakistan which, besides imparting education in six engineering didsciplines, made Pakistan Studies, Aligarh Movement and Pakistan Movement compulsory subjects while following the spirit and mission of great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

He referred to the host of studies carried out on disaster management at the University and said that the bulky reports were sent to some 32 organizations and only three of them took the pain to go through these world standard reports.

Mr Nizami said that keeping the mission of Sir Syed, this university keeps pursuing its students to only focus on their academic pursuits besides extra academic activities.

Earlier, speaking as chief guest, Engr Bashir A. Malik who did his civil engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and served as Technical Advisor to UN on water issues, described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan a great personality and said such personalities never die and their achievements are always remembered.

He said that achievements of the great reformer and educationist are counted even after 110 years – his biggest achievement being the Aligarh College which later became the world fame university.

He said the students of Aligarh Muslim University led the movement for the creation of a country in which today we are living as a free nation. He said this country was carved out under the sterling leadership of Quaid-e-Aza Muhammed Ali Jinnah which otherwise it was not possible to get it from the yoke of imperialists and hindus.

“It was not an easy task to bring a country on the world map, and the basic role towards this was played by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan through the establishment of college in Aligarh”.

Bashir Malik said that the seed for establishment of Pakistan was sowed by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan but what not is being done to this country today. He said once the Muslim were a great united nation but had no country while today we have a country but with a divided nation.

He said it is wrong that Pakistanis are inferior to anyone. “We should come out of inferiority complex and be proud of achievements of our people like the one who made it a atomic power.

Engr Bashir Malilk made a special mention about his book “save water save Pakistan” and said the book has special philosophy behind it.

He pointed out that the world has only 2.5 percent of water for drinking purposes and 70 percent of it was underground and thus the world has less than one percent of water available for drinking.

He warned that after 10-12 years Pakistan will not have enough water to meet the drinking needs of its 22 million people and, therefore, it is imperative to take up this issue on war footing. He said any government in power should not only work on construction of dams but also control the population growth at the same time.

He said it is important to meet the country’s energy requirements and overcome the load shedding problem, but it must be remembered that we cannot live without water for more than one week. He said there would not have been load shedding, if the governments in power had focused on construction of dams.

Other speakers on the occasion included noted writer and poet, Muslim Shamim, snior most Aligarhian Saeed Siddiqi and noted writer Prof Dr Waqar Rizvi, who paid glowing tributes and recounted the achievements of great reformer and educationist and said he was the torch bearer of Islamic renaissance.

They said that Sir Syed laid the foundation of Muslims renaissance with the establishment of Aligarh College. They said that he was the motivating force behind the rebirth of learning. They said he created educational and political consciousness among the Muslim youth and led sectarianism to an end.

Noted poet Khumar Farooqi presented poetic tributes to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan while the boys and girls of Sir Syed University sang “Tarana-e-Aligarh”.

SSUET students Fatima Saima and Omer Ali kazmi delivered speeches on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in English and Urdu respectively.

Pakistan Panthers Veterans end goodwill tour of Sri Lanka on winning note

Karachi Observer Report

Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI regained its Midas touch and ended the goodwill tour of Sri Lanka on a winning note by overwhelming Kandurata Veterans XI defeated by79 runs at the Trinity College Ground in Kandy on October 6.

 It was third victory in four matches played by Pakistan Panthers Veterans, led by all-rounder Fawad Ijaz Khan, during their one-week tour of the Island. They had earlier defeated Western Province Veterans XI at the SSC Ground in Colombo on successive days.

 They managed to avenge the defeat they suffered at the hands Kandurata Veterans XI at the same venue a day earlier. It remained their solitary loss during the trip.

 Put into bat, Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI amassed a huge score of 266 for eight in the allotted 35 overs. The hard-hitting Ashraf Pakhali topscored with 76 while useful contributions also came from Najeeb Sadiq (44), Jaffer Qureshi (34), Mansoor Akhtar (27) and Ghaffar Kazmi (27) with Chinthaka Girihagama (2-26 and Gamini Debehapuwa (2-56) sharing the bowling honours.

Kandurata Veterans lost wickets at regular intervals while chasing a stiff victory target of 267. They were bundled out 187 runs in 29.2 overs despite fine knocks by Ravi Punchihewa (45), Wasantha Kumara (44) and Gamini Debehapuwa (32).

The Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI trio of Mohammad Sharif (2-38), Fawad Ijaz Khan (2-43) and Usman Haq (2- 52) bowled effectively to engineer an emphatic 79-run win for the tourists. Ashraf Pakhali was adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant knock.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 266-8 in 35 overs (Ashraf Pakhali 76, Najeeb Sadiq 44, Jaffer Qureshi 34, Mansoor Akhtar 27, Ghaffar Kazmi 27; Chinthaka Girihagama 2-26, Gamini Debehapuwa 2-56)

Kandurata Veterans XI: 187 in 29.2 overs (Ravi Punchihewa 45, Wasantha Kumara 44, Gamini Debe 32; Mohammad Sharif 2- 38, Fawad Ijaz Khan 2-43, Usman Haq 2- 52)

Result: Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI won by 79 runs.

Pakistan Panthers Veterans’ winning streak ends in Kandy

Karachi Observer Report

The winning streak of Pakistan Panthers Veterans in Sri Lanka came to an end when Kandurata Veterans XI defeated them by five wickets at the Trinity College Ground in Kandy on October 5.

The Pakistan Panthers Veterans outfit, captained by Fawad Ijaz Khan, had emerged triumphant in both their earlier games on the tour, having outsmarted Western Province Veterans XI at the SSC Ground in Colombo on successive days.

Kandurata Veterans XI chased down the target of 232 with 6.3 overs and five wickets in hand, after having bowled out the visitors for 231 on the final ball of the innings.

Put into bat, Pakistani Panther Veterans XI played out the full quota of 35 overs to score 231 with major contributions coming from Jaffer Qureshi (57), Rafiq Ghaziani (40), Ashraf Pakhali (31) and Mansoor Akhtar (21) while the wickets were shared by the trio of Oril de Mel (5-43), Ajith Ekanayake (3-45) and Wasantha Kumara (2- 29).

Kandurata Veterans XI remained ahead of the clock and successfully completed the task of chasing a victory target of 232 runs which they did in 28.3 overs. Suresh Peiris (78), Jalitha Ratnayake (76), Palitha Thilakasiri (20) and Lanka de Silva (34 not out) scored fluently to take the match away from the visiting side.

Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI will get an opportunity to avenge the defeat when they take on the same opponents on what is going to be their fourth and last game of the tour, also in Kandy.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 231 in 35 overs (Jaffer Qureshi 57, Rafiq Ghaziani 40, Ashraf Pakhali 31, Mansoor Akhtar 21; Oril de Mel 5- 43, Ajith Ekanayake 3- 45, Wasantha Kumara 2 -29);

Kandurata Province Veterans XI 232-5 in 28.3 overs (Suresh Peiris 78, Jalitha Ratnayake 76, Palitha Thilakasiri 20, Lanka De Silva 34 not out)

Result: Kandurata Province Veterans XI won by five wickets.

Sri Lankan authorities urged to send cricket teams to Pakistan

Karachi Observer Report


KARACHI: The Sri Lankan cricket authorities have been urged to resume sending teams to Pakistan.

The special request was made during the dinner-reception hosted in the honour of the visiting Pakistan Panthers Veterans cricket squad in Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, the other day.

Former Test captain and batting legend, Zaheer Abbas, who is also the Cricket Ambassador of the touring party, expressed the hope that the Sri Lankans will consider their request of sending their teams to Pakistan.

“The need of the hour is sending of teams to play in Pakistan. We desire Sri Lanka to play cricket in Pakistan. As neighbors and friends in cricket it’s our humble request to let other Sri Lankan cricket teams to play against Pakistan if there are reservations about sending the national team,” Zaheer Abbas remarked in his speech.

He acknowledged the Sri Lankan hospitality which made him feel the beautiful Island as his second home. He appreciated the Veterans series being arranged in the region. He conveyed his special thanks to Chandana Amaradasa and his team at Island Leisure for the excellent arrangements.

Fawad Ijaz Khan, captain of the squad and Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), explained the importance of their role in cricket.

“In Pakistan a cricketer is considered a senior above 35 years, veteran above 50 years and super veteran above 60 years of age once he is retired from international cricketing career. When considering the conditions in the region including Sri Lanka and India, above 35 years seniors’ cricket could be promoted with a lot of competition. This would attract a lot of media and commercial sponsorships which makes it highly marketable,” the PVCA Chairman observed.

“The PVCA initiated a series of cricket matches against India which succeeded as an annual event. This tour to Sri Lanka would be another landmark event for Pakistani veterans who look forward to a Triangular Veterans Series with India and Sri Lanka in the future,” Fawad Ijaz added.

Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, CEO, PVCA, stressed on the social welfare projects being carried out by the association apart from working for the betterment of the game.

“Joining hands with Imran Khan Foundation to provide healthcare facilities in Pakistan and working towards a better retirement scheme for the cricketers feature proninently in the list of our priorities,” he said.

A few of the Sri Lankan cricketers of the past added colour to the occasion with the presence of renowned gentlemen of the game like Michael Tissera, Roy Dias, Asoka De Silva and Anura Tennekoon who shared the golden memories with their Pakistani counterparts. It was a chance for all of them to meet once again and perhaps continue with their style in cricket as veterans in the game. Mr. Upali Dharmadasa Chairman and Prakash Schaffter Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket also witnessed a Match in Colombo and met the Pakistani Team there.

A team of veteran Pakistani cricketers are currently undertaking a goodwill tour of Sri Lanka. They have played two matches in Colombo before having moved to Kandy for the last couple of games.

Pakistan Panthers Veterans secure second successive win in Sri Lanka

Karachi Observer Report

KARACHI: Pakistani Panther Veterans registered their successive win during their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka when they whipped Western Province Veterans by 39 runs at the P. Sara Ground in Colombo on October 3. 

Pakistan’s veteran outfit, captained by Fawad Ijaz Khan and containing former Test and first-class cricketers, is currently on a goodwill tour visiting Sri Lanka where they will play their last two matches in Kandy against Kandurata Veterans XI later in the week. They had overpowered Western Province Veterans by three wickets in the opening game.

Pakistani Panther Veterans made the most of friendly batting conditions and easy paced pitch while batting first after winning the toss. Jaffer Qureshi led the run spree with an aggressive 106 while the momentum was sustained by the other batsmen.

Skipper Fawad Ijaz contributed an attractive 33 while Mansoor Akhtar, a former Test cricketer, contributed 21. The innings ended with a flourish as Ashraf Pakhali and Najeeb Sadiq remained undefeated on 43 and 22 respectively to raise the total to 274 in 35 overs despite fine bowling by A J Samarasekara and M D F Ravindra, who shared five wickets between them.

Chasing a formidable y target of 275 runs in 35 overs, Western Province Veterans responded positively but ran out of steam in the end to be bowled for 236 in 32.5 overs. 

Useful contributions from Nallaiah Devarajan (29), Asoka De Silva (29), Lindan Hannibal (24) and M D F Ravindra (21) kept the match alive but the fine bowling by the Pakistan trio of Ghaffar Kazmi (3-18), Najeeb Sadiq (3-25) and Jaffer Qureshi (3-53) won the day for the visitors. Jaffer Qureshi was adjudged Man of the Match for his terrific all-round performance.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 274-5 in 35 overs (Jaffer Qureshi 106, Fawad Ijaz Khan 33, Manzoor Akhtar 21, Ashraf Pakhali 43 not out, Najeeb Sadiq 22 not out; A J Samarasekara 3-48, M D F Ravindra 2-43)

Western Province Veterans XI: 236 in 32.5 overs (Nallaiah Devarajan 29, Asoka De Silva 29, Lindan Hannibal 24, M D F Ravindra 21; Ghaffar Kazmi 3-18, Najeeb Sadiq 3-25, Jaffer Qureshi 3-53).

Result: Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI won by 39 runs