Homage paid to founder editor of she magazine Zuhra Karim
* Karachi Editors Club seeks Presidential Award for (late) Zuhra Karim
Karachi Editors Club in a unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that country’s leading legend Zuhra Karim, who was founder Editor of SHE Magazine may be awarded with a Presidential Award. The demand was made at condolence reference held under the auspices of KEC at a local hotel, last Saturday. It may be recalled that Zuhra Karim had breathed her last after a brief illness.
The resolution said that Zuhra Karim also held the rights of women’s and had been practically working for human rights. She owned a unique mode and had a special place in journalism. She did not just reflect the fashion in her magazine named SHE and also turned it into a social magazine. Women were convinced of development and they wanted to teach something to women.
The condolence reference among others was attended by President of the Club Mubasher Mir, Secretary General Manzar Naqvi, Senior Vice-President Mukhtar Aqil, a renowned banker Ibne Hassan, Zuhra Karim’s son Javed Qureshi and his wife Sonia Qureshi, Nadira Sheikh, Bilqees Seema, Dr. Sikandar Ali, and Javed Sultan. Dr. Sikandar Ali also presented his poem ’Mother’ on the occasion.
KEC President, Mubasher Mir, in his address on the occasion, said that Zuhra Karim gave such a magazine which was badly needed by them. He said Zuhra Karim’s services in journalism will always be remembered. He said Zuhra highlighted the SHE magazine in a different way, and today her family members have especially participated in this condolence reference.
He said that besides serving the field of journalism she served the community as well. She also brought up her children in an effective manner and took care of her family as well. He said Zuhra Karim is a big name of Pakistan’s media industry and the resolution passed today has demanded that the government should confer post-humous Presidential Award on her.
Zuhra Karim’s son Javed Qureshi, in his address said that she was a good editor and also a good mother. He said, she had two qualities that she was carrying along with her. What I am today is the result of her upbringing, he added. He said, she never compromised on wrong thing of anyone who big he/she may be and always called wrong as wrong and right as right. She enjoyed plenty of anchorage and she always stuck on her decisions. She used to work lovingly for long hours and I consider that her death has caused immense damage to country’s journalism because she used to take part in social activities along with journalism.
Ibne Hassan, in his address, said that he has seen journalism but journalists such as Zuhra Karim are very few who keep journalism moving forward in an innovated manner, and win a special place for themselves. He said she will be remembered in the media forever. He said the work she has done for women is very rarely done by women. He said Zuhra Karim had dedicated herself to Pakistan’s journalism and not only this but besides social work she also gave full attention on her family and left no stone unturned in bringing up her family. She took the SHE magazine ahead in a modern manner which was heartily welcomed by women at large adding that her SHE magazine enjoys a great place in Pakistani journalism. He also said Zuhra Karim was very cheerful soft-hearted women.
Manzar Naqvi, in his address, said that when there will be no media then there will be no one to speak for the righteousness. Her life is surrounded by truth and righteousness and her magazine enjoyed a special place in the country as a result of which our society is forwarding towards a good direction owing the role being played our media. He said the today’s youth is very talented; they know to utter the truth and support and listen to the truth. He said women like Zuhra enjoy an important place in society and the nation highly appreciates such women.
Ibne Hassan presented the resolution for conferment of the Presidential Award for Zuhra Karim on behalf of the Karachi Editors Club which called upon the government to award Presidential as well other awards on her.
Mukhtar Aqil, Senior Vice-President of KEC said, “The death of Zuhra Karim is an irreparable loss for journalism and her absence will always be felt.” He said the role played by her in the journalism field will be remembered forever. Citing some examples from the past he admitted that she supported him a lot and she used to like and appreciate his stories given for Daily News. He said these are bad days for country’s journalism as many of our colleagues including Idris Bakhtiar, Rehmat Ali Razi and Shabbir Chaudhry left us this year.
He prayed that Allah Almighty may rest all these departed souls in eternal peace and may give patience to the bereaved families to bear their irreparable loss with fortitude. He further said that Zuhra Karim was a cheerful and brave journalist.
Zuhra’s daughter-in-law Sonia Qureshi, in her address, said she was also a good editor besides being a good mother-in-law and she learned a lot from her. “She liked the new age requirements for women and she always guided me. She worked for them for a long time. She always gave importance to her family and was extremely hardworking woman as well. Such women are only one hundred,” she concluded.
Earlier, Fateha was offered for all those Pakistani journalists who lost their lives during the year 2019.
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Dr Nasrullah Khan Khilji –Educationist, Scholar, Researcher and Entrepreneur
Page Report
Dr Nasrullah Khan Khilji has extensive knowledge of project management, business strategies and systems, information technology, MIS, KM, leadership and entrepreneurship in a variety of settings. Dr Khilji was nominated to serve as a Caretaker Minister for Education, Science and Information Technology in the Department of Education, Science and IT, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan between June-August 2018. Dr Khilji was the Course Leader in Project Management and Unit coordinator for Project and Operations Management in the Department of Strategy and Management, Business School, University of Bedfordshire during 2016-18. He served as a Link Coordinator for the MBA programs for the Nations School of Business and Management in Guyana, South America and Link Tutor in Operations and Project management for the Majan College University programs in Muscat, Middle East. Before joining the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) in 2016, he was a lecturer in project management at School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London where he pioneered the delivery of three new modules, ‘project strategies’, ‘commercial management of construction’ and ‘construction project management’.
Dr Khilji has been a corporate senior training facilitator for executive and middle level project management courses at CMDC, Cranfield University. Dr Khilji initiated the PEARL Institute in 1999 for the IT and management higher and technical education promotion in Quetta, which is continuously imparting technical and professional education in Pakistan.
Dr Khilji is an active researcher in his expert areas though he is actively contributing and publishing in prominent international journals, publications, conferences and currently working on a book in the relevant field. Over the years, he has supervised numerous undergraduate and master degree dissertations. He is actively engaged in mentoring, supervising and examining doctoral research works.
Highlights of Dr Nasrullah Khan Khilji’s working experiences and academic skills:
- University of Bedfordshire Senior Lecturer in Project Management January 2016-December 2018 (3 years).
- Government of Pakistan Minister of Education June 2018-August 2018 (3 months) Balochisan, Pakistan.
- University of West London Lecturer in Project Management January 2013-December 2015 (3 years) London, United Kingdom.
- Cranfield University, CMDC Senior Trainer in Project Management August 2010-December 2012 (2 years 5 months), United Kingdom.
- IBM Director, Partner World Program January 2009-July 2010 (1 year 7 months) London, United Kingdom.
- BEC East Anglia Construction and Engineering Ltd. Project Manager March 2007-December 2008 (1 year 10 months) Bedford, UK.
- PEARL Institute, Quetta 9 years 7 months President/Executive Director March 2007-December 2008 (1 year 10 months) Quetta, Pakistan.
- Executive Director June 1999-February 2007 (7 years 9 months) Quetta, Pakistan
Education:
- University of West London.
- PhD, Knowledge Management (2009-15).
- University of Bedfordshire Senior Fellowship, Higher Education (2016-17).
- Cranfield University-Cranfield School of Management AEP, Business (2009-11) University of Bedfordshire DGiE/DBA, Leadership and Project Management (2006-09).
- Cranfield University Executive Management, Leadership and Management Series (2007-08).
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UIT Alumnus donate Rs one million worth of equipment
Usman Institute of Technology (UIT) affiliated with NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, recently announced that Top Wireless/Security & Network Equipment Distributor of Pakistan Dreams Network & Technology (Pvt.) Ltd has donated telecom equipment to the institute worth around Rs. 1 million including sector antennas, smart antennas, routers, switches and much more. Students will be trained specifically for Cambium, Mikrotik and Cisco equipment.
This will help Telco organizations to hire trained graduates of Usman Institute of Technology. Engr. Aqeel Khan, CEO Dream Network Pvt Ltd and also UIT graduate said that, “We must give back to our alma mater. He further said that I am thankful to UIT Faculty members who have trained me for what I am today”.
UIT stated that – “This generous gift is a testament to the long and strong partnership between our campus and our alumni community. One might say that learning to use electronic equipment is as important for an electrical engineer as a stethoscope is for a doctor or nurse, nowadays, employers are always looking for engineers with hands-on experience in using test equipment so this donation will play an important role in preparing our graduates for industry.”
This generous donation from our Alumnus will transform our institution and change the way we educate the next generation what we accomplish together in this campaign will lead to a future that is smarter, and brighter, than ever. Private support and especially alumni help us enhance the student experience, enrich our community and spark research and innovation, impacting lives here and across Pakistan.”
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TPL maps and here technologies partner to build exceptional mapping and location services
TPL Maps, Pakistan’s first digital mapping Company, and HERE Technologies, a global leader in mapping and location platform services, have announced a strategic partnership in Pakistan, the Middle East and Africa.
Data from TPL Maps will allow HERE Technologies to offer high-quality maps of the region for all its customer segments, including automotive, transport and logistics, technology, media and telecommunications and the public sector. TPL Maps will become a go-to market partner for HERE Technologies in Pakistan, the UAE and other markets of the Middle East and Africa. The two companies aim to meet the needs of the region’s rapidly growing economies and middle-classes’ increasing consumption of products and services.
“Our international partnership will allow us to export locally developed technology which includes innovative location-based services, scalable solutions and navigation systems to businesses and communities. We are hopeful that this will be the start of a long term and mutually beneficial business relationship,” said Adnan Shahid, CEO, TPL Maps.
Stefan Hansen, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMEAR, HERE Technologies, said, “Location intelligence is a critical component of success across industries and emerging technologies. We see tremendous potential in the Middle Eastern markets, and we are proud to partner with TPL Maps to offer customers across the region the benefits of automotive grade quality location services.”
The partnership builds on an MOU between the two companies that was signed on 30th October 2018.
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Zarak Khan Khattak – Icon of stainless success
Page Report
Starting off his career as management trainee back in 2005 right after completion of his professional education, Mr. Zarak Khattak Khan never thought of pursuing a career as head of an industry. Today, Zarak has emerged as game changer on the business landscape of Pakistan to prove his mettle as he entered a tough competition of the steel industry with domestic steel manufacturers.
Despite being the owner of his own family business, the FF STEEL has witnessed tremendous growth under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Zarak in a short span of 10 years due to well-conceived plans and workable policies. Due to this vision, the operations of the company has transformed from manual system to the localized ERP in 2015 to a fully paperless environment through SAP in 2017.
Today FF STEEL stands at 13, 17 and 35 fastest growing companies of Pakistan according to All World 500 Network in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The volume of sales increased from PKR 120 Million in 2007 to PKR 5,000 million in 2015; whereas as production capacity increased from 5,000 tons per month in 2007 to 21,000 per month in 2017, which is expected to touch the figure of 33,000 tons per month by 2019.
Mr. Zarak has served as member of Tax Advisory Committee at FBR, RTO KPK, member of Policy Making Council KPRA, and member of Advisory Council of Young Business Leader of Finance Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and is also permanent member of Advisory Board of CECOS University, and Chairman Steel Manufacturing Standing Committee, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Zarak has been a constant performer right from academic career as he is a gold medalist in “O” and “A” Level and a graduate from GIKI; and has served ICI Soda Ash in the capacity of Management Trainee and also Mobilink in the capacity of Team Lead for Quality of Service for a brief period. A number of professional trainings and hands-on experiences gave Mr. Zarak the success and salience at every platform he stepped into.[/box]
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One more legal success of SSGC: bail application of gas thieve dismissed
SSGC has got more success on the legal front. Justice Amjad Ali Sahito a justice of Sindh High court has dismissed the bail application of accused Omr Muhammad S/o Sada Bahar of District west. He was running the loom machines through Direct use of Gas illegally for industrial purpose by using the 18.5 kw generator to produce the electricity in Etahad Town, Badlia, Karachi, who was nominated in Gas Theft vide FIR 15/ 2019.
On another hand, a number of raids conducted by the SS&CGTO along with CRD team and SSGC Police along with local forces in different areas of Sindh. In different joint raids conducted against gas theft at Shikarpur city, Larkana, Lakhi area of Shikarpur, Paliyo Gopang Larkana, Noshehro Feroz, Drib area of Larkana and Sher Shah of Karachi. The culpirts were stealing gas by plastic pipe directly clamped with gas distribution line. Raiding team taken in control rubber pipe and other things being used in gas theft. FIR had been lodged against the miscreants.
It is again stressed by the Chief of Counter Gas Theft Operation(CGTO) Brigadier Muhammad Abuzar (retired) that we have Zero tolerance for gas thieves. “SSGC will keep continue operation against the gas theft with full spirit and dedications,” he said.
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Realme Pakistan partners with zong 4g to bring all devices with exciting free 4g data offer
Realme powered by Oppo, the fastest growing smartphone brand in Pakistan, has joined hands with Pakistan’s No 1 Data Network, Zong 4G to Bring exciting Data Bundle offers for the realme users in Pakistan. In addition to this, realme and Zong customers will also get to enjoy free internet for 3 consecutive months with the purchase of any realme mobile phone – thereby giving the best 3G and LTE experience on the most innovative smartphones for the youth.
Talking on this partnership, Marketing Head of Realme Pakistan – He Shunzhi, added, “A growing number of young smartphone users are loving realme products. The partnership between realme and Zong is truly a remarkable development. As we join hands with Zong, our aim is to introduce innovative products and services to improve the overall experience for people.”
Zong 4G is at the forefront of leading Pakistan’s data revolution from the ground-up, enabling students , budding entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life to experience the digital lifestyle. As we move ahead with ushering a digital revolution in the country, such enterprises will reap stimulating benefits for our customers.” Li Qi – Senior Manager Corporate Sales, Govt. Corporate sales North, Zong, Added.
Since its entry in to the Pakistani market less than 6 months ago, realme powered by Oppo, has already launched 5 products across different price segments from premium flagships to trendy mid-rangers, all designed particularly for the youth. Pakistani realme fans have been given a taste of fast paced innovation by the brand through various features like the new technology of a superior VOOC charger in 3pro or an extremely powerful processor that plays free fire in its price range for the first time beating every other competitor.
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A book talk on ’the economy of modern Sindh’ organized
A talk was organized by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi’s Talent Hunt Program (THP), featuring a discussion on the book, The Economy of Modern Sindh. The event was held at the Gani and Tayub auditorium, IBA main campus. Attendees included NTHP students, faculty, co-authors of the book and representatives from sponsors such as UBL and First Women Bank Ltd.
The event was hosted by National Talent Hunt Program (NTHP) scholar Aqsa Bukhari, and commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
The Economy of Modern Sindh has been authored by Dr. Ishrat Husain, Mr. Aijaz A. Qureshi and Mr. Nadeem Hussain. It offers a detailed and holistic perspective about the administrative, political and historical problems which have shaped Sindh’s economy. It is based on intensive research and presents a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the socioeconomic problems, which serve as an impediment towards the growth of Sindh’s economy.
The welcome note for the session was delivered by Director NTHP Dr. Junaid Alam Khan, who introduced the program and talked about its importance.
Dr. Khan was followed by the Global Head Treasury and Capital Markets UBL Bank Ltd. Mr. Syed Farrukh Zaeem and former President and CEO First Women Bank Ltd. Miss Tahira Raza. They both praised the efforts of UBL in making this book affordable for the underprivileged, who cannot afford it otherwise.
The host then invited the Chief Guest of the talk – Bureaucrat, and former Secretary to the Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, Mr. Syed Mohibullah Shah to come and express his analysis and critique of the book.
Mr. Shah praised the efforts of both IBA and UBL for promoting the interests of the NTHP students. He praised the book for its in-depth analysis of Sindh’s problems and said, “This book tries to understand the decline of Sindh, and addresses the institutional decline and the organizational behavior, which has impacted the economy of Sindh”. He emphasized on how the problems in Sindh’s economy cannot be resolved easily and are embedded in the system and thus, the book aptly captures the anguish of the authors at the opportunities lost in Sindh.
The session culminated with a question and answer session. The chief guest along with the other guests presented the book as a gift to the NTHP scholars. Dr. Khan also thanked the guests for their participation and presented them with a token of appreciation.
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IBA hosts Quantum Information Summer School 2019
The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi hosted a four-day long Quantum Information Summer School (QISS) 2019 from July 15-18, 2019 at the IBA, Karachi main campus. It is an intensive summer school to develop international collaborations between Pakistani scientists and international experts for building quantum computers. The second iteration of QISS invited experts from across the globe to highlight recent developments and challenges in the field of quantum information and computation.
QISS is an initiative of Assistant Professor Faculty of Computer Science at IBA, Karachi Dr. Jibran Rashid.
Students and professors from 19 Pakistani universities used QISS 2019 as an opportunity to learn and discuss ideas with Director, Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Dr. Barry Sanders; Group Leader YIRG Young Independent Researcher Group, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Vienna, Dr. Fmin Baumeler; Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Queensland, Dr. Fabio Costa, and Postdoctoral researcher, Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics, Dr. Denis Rosset.
In the four-day sessions, the discussed topics included; Device Independence, SoS Optimization, Practical Quantum Programming for Near-Term Hardware, Representation Theory, Problem Solving Session, How to use a Quantum Computer and Quantum Processes.
Sharing about the scope of quantum information, Dr. Sanders said, “Pakistan can do very well in the field of quantum information due to its increasing knowledge base and students who are returning after obtaining specialized training abroad.”
Quantum computing is a computational model built on the principles of quantum physics, the rules that govern nuclei, atoms and molecules. It promises to solve several problems that classical computers may never be able to solve efficiently. These problems range from very practical concerns related to cyber-security to foundational issues about the nature of time and the interplay between quantum theory and gravity.
Quantum computing is moving from concept to experimental proofs-of-principle and even to commercial products. The first generation of quantum computers have been made accessible over the cloud by companies such as International Business Machines (IBM), D-Wave: The Quantum Computing Company and Rigetti. Comparable to the early days of classical computing, these quantum computers are currently limited in their memory and processing capabilities. The race for the first demonstration of a ’Quantum Advantage’ is already underway on a global scale. Quantum Advantage refers to a provable demonstration of using quantum computers to solve problems in better, faster and cheaper ways which would prove to be a turning point in the field of science and business.
Followed by the programme was a tour of Sindh’s archeological and historical sites taking the visitors back in time. In a four-day trip, Dr. Sanders and Dr. Costa visited Kot Diji, Faiz Mahal, Mohenjo Daro, Amri and Ranikot fort among other places. Dr. Sanders called it the trip of a lifetime; to see the beginnings of the Indus civilization and pre-British sites of Sindh was an unforgettable experience for him. The trip ended on July 22, 2019.
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Guarantco to support Jazz XLR8 program participant in DeafTawk
GuarantCo, a part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (’PIDG’), has pledged to grant USD 80,000 as financial support to DeafTawk. A local startup incubated at the National Incubation Center (NIC) under the Jazz xlr8 incubation and accelerator programme, DeafTawk aims to provide online sign language services to empower people with hearing impairments. Luke Foley, TAF Manager at PIDG and Angela Silva, Grants & Compliance Manager at GuarantCo, officially announced the grant at a ceremony in the presence of the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, representatives from Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital communications company, and TeamUp.
“By creating connectivity opportunities for Pakistanis with learning difficulties, we are expanding our knowledge economy through mainstreaming our differently-abled citizens so they can contribute to national development. We are committed to leaving no one behind in terms of education and opportunities,” said Dr Shireen Mazari.
“GuarantCo is delighted to be collaborating with Jazz, DeafTawk and the PIDG Technical Assistance Fund to co-finance the setup of an online sign language service to empower people with hearing impairments in Pakistan,” said GuarantCo CEO, Las Perera. “This builds on the work we have already undertaken since 2013 with Jazz to finance, via a sukuk credit enhanced by GuarantCo, a mobile phone network in rural areas of Pakistan enabling a highly successful mobile phone-based literacy programme which has supported the education of 2,500 rural women. We are very excited to now be supporting this initiative, which we hope will make significant steps towards inclusion of people with hearing disabilities in Pakistan.”
PIDG CEO, Philippe Valahu, said, “PIDG is excited to be part of this innovative project which will empower people with hearing impairments and allow them to communicate effectively. Inclusion is an important part of our work, and we are excited to follow the progress of this project.”
DeafTawk was part of the 3rd Cohort at the NIC and as part of the premium acceleration program, Jazz xlr8, the startup has received both dedicated mentorship from the leadership at Jazz and, been provided an opportunity to exhibit and network at international forums.
“It is a proud moment for us to see one of our Jazz xlr8 program participants in DeafTawk receive international recognition and support,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz. “Through its acceleration program, Jazz is laying the foundation for a sustainable technology ecosystem by providing resources and expertise to help local startups fulfil their potential and grow communities.”
Speaking at the event, Zouhair Khaliq, founder of Teamup, remarked, “The problems that we face today are opportunities for the entrepreneurs to solve. It is heartening to see how our startups are committed to solving humanity’s greatest challenges.” He added “DeafTawk, has done remarkably well, and I feel proud to say, despite the challenges, the co-founders have gained international recognition with the impact they are creating and with all the support they have actually made use of technology to give hope to the marginalized community, recognize their talents and empower them to contribute to the change they believe in.”
DeafTawk is a one of its kind local startup having created an online solution for the connectivity of the deaf community with qualified sign language interpreters, while also working on building capacity of sign language interpreters for quality sign language services.
Through this solution, the Deaf community can access the services of a qualified language interpreter on video call. This allows them to easily communicate with the wider community without having to use sign language.
Through this grant, DeafTawk plans to uplift the scale and coverage of the application, while also building the capacity of interpreters, so they are able to provide services to both national and international audiences.
Jazz is Pakistan’s largest digital telecommunication company. Serving over 58 million subscribers across the country.