Friday, June 23, 2023

BISP Temporarily Suspends Disbursements Amidst Heatwave

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has decided to temporarily suspend cash disbursements to beneficiaries on 24th and 25th June 2023, Saturday and Sunday, in response to the ongoing heatwave affecting the country. This decision has been taken in the best interest of protecting precious lives, particularly women and children, from potential harm and inconvenience. The move to close the cash disbursement from the designated campsites comes after careful consideration of recommendations from relevant authorities. Despite the adequate arrangements made by BISP, in coordination with provincial/regional governments and partner banks, it has been determined that the existing measures may not be sufficient to ensure the convenient and safe delivery of funds to the beneficiaries during the heatwave. Cash disbursement on the same campsites will be resumed on Monday 26th June, 2023, and will continue until Wednesday, 28th June, 2023, across the country. The arrangements for disbursements will remain the same as those implemented on Friday, the 23rd June 2023. As of 6 pm today, June 23, over 2.9 million beneficiaries have already been served, with an impressive amount of Rs. 26.12 Billion disbursed from the campsites established nationwide. BISP acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the temporary suspension but remains committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its beneficiaries. The program appreciates the cooperation extended and understanding of all stakeholders during these challenging hours.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Karachi NA-240 by-election: Political clash, one person killed

clash took place between political parties during the by-election polling in NA-240 constituency of Shar-e-Quaid, as a result of which several workers were injured and one was killed. 


The staff of Landhi Polling Station No. 21 fled. Unidentified persons broke the ballot papers. 

After the clash, Rangers started patrolling the area while workers of political parties gathered at different points. 

SP Landhi said that efforts are being made to control the situation and some persons have been arrested on the spot. 

NA-240 seat was vacated due to the death of Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan, Member National Assembly of MQM Pakistan.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Dua Zahra, Zaheer recovered from Bahawalnagar

Dua Zehra and her husband Zaheer are now in police coustody the 14 years old missing girl has been recovered from Bahawalnagar, punjab along with her husband .

While hiding, they did not use cell phones and kept changing their location. Making their capture all the more difficult, they changed two houses in Lahore and moved around in Mansehra as well.

Dua's father has not been allowed to meet her as yet as she will be presented in court first on 10th June .
As per CIA, 45 raids were conducted and 16 people were arrested.
Police making arrangements to bring the teenage couple to karachi .

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Chairman BMG Siraj Teli passes away, Entire business & industrial community saddened over demise of Chairman BMG: KCCI


The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) would like to inform with deep grief and sorrow that Chairman Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli passed away on Tuesday in Dubai due to cardiac arrest.

Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki & Anjum Nisar, General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil, President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President KCCI Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan, KCCI Managing Committee Members, all BMGIANs and the prominent members of the business & industrial community have expressed deep grief and sorrow on sad demised of Siraj Teli who will always be remembered for his exceptional and dedicated services to the business and industrial community.
They prayed that may Almighty Allah place the departed soul in Jannat ul Firdous and grant courage to the members of the bereaved family, friends, well-wishers and all BMGIANs to bear this irreparable loss. Details about Namaz-e-Janaza and funeral will be announced in due course.
To mourn the sad demise of Late Siraj Kassam Teli, the Karachi Chamber will remain closed for three days except the Attestation and Media Departments which would remain partially open.
Late Siraj Kassam Teli was a distinguished industrialist possessing eminent qualities of leadership. He belonged to a renowned family that has been active in business since the inception of Pakistan. Siraj Teli’s valuable family background has been a great source of strength in enabling him to conduct his life ethically and successfully.
As Chairman of the Businessmen Group, Siraj Teli was recognized for his extraordinary leadership of the Business and Industrial community over the past 25 years. He brought about revolutionary and progressive changes in trade politics and in the functioning of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the SITE Association of Industry and other platforms of public service and social work.
Siraj Kassam Teli also served as Director of Pakistan Beverage Ltd., (Pepsi-Cola) Karachi, Hyderabad and Quetta. Apart from the beverage sector, he had considerable experience in textiles, dairy products and energy and he was also a Director of Gul Ahmed Energy Limited, Metro Power Company, Yassir Fruit Juice, Haji Kassam Haji Mohammad & Co. and Pakola Products (Pvt) Limited.
To recognize Siraj Teli’s outstanding contribution to the national economy and public service, the then President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was pleased to confer the award “Sitara-e-Imtiaz”.
Siraj Teli’s services to the private sector, his efforts for the industrial development and his endeavor for the unity of the nation in general and business and industrial community in particular, his aggressive and creative plans to boost export and his contribution to the economic development of the country were indeed creditable and commendable that is why he was conferred with Honorary Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) by the Faculty of Management & Social Sciences of the Institute of Business & Technology (BIZTEK).
Siraj served on the boards of many government and semi-government organizations as a representative of the business community. These include SITE Limited, Land Utilization, Port Qasim Authority, Civil Aviation Authority Sindh Workers Welfare Board, Workers Welfare Fund, KESC and many educational institutions. He was also serving as Board of Trustee in Karachi Port Trust. He and his family made discreet contributions to many philanthropic causes.
Siraj Teli also served as President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chairman, Pakistan Beverage Manufacturers Association and Patron-in-Chief and Chairman of the SITE Association of Industry.
Siraj Kassam Teli’s unrelenting, sincere and honest efforts have changed the outlook of Trade Politics. As a result, now genuine stakeholders are seen taking part in the affairs of KCCI. His leadership had been instrumental in changing the mindset of the Business Community in such a manner that the Chamber now looks after the general interest of Karachi as a whole and, without any discrimination of cast, color or creed.
Late Siraj Kassam Teli’s services to the private sector, his efforts for industrial development, his endeavors for the unity of the nation in general and business and industrial community in particular and his contribution to the economic development of the country, were indeed commendable and will always be remembered.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

ICC Women’s World Cup: Hotels refuse to accommodate Pakistan team


CUTTACK - In the wake of protests and threats by radical outfits, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) was forced to arrange separate accommodation for the Pakistan women’s team inside the Barbati Stadium in Cuttack, after five-star hotels showed reluctance to provide hospitality.
“The Pakistani players would have faced trouble while travelling from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack for the matches,” said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera. “So we have arranged for their accommodation on the Barabati Stadium premises.”
The women cricketers reached Cuttack from New Delhi on Sunday to participate in the ICC Women’s World Cup. The women cricketers, led by Sana Mir, were escorted by a heavy deployment which took them to the stadium.
According to the report, as most hotels in Bhubaneswar refused to host the Pakistani players under immense pressure and threats, the team will remain confined to the stadium throughout the tournament. However, the remaining group B teams playing their matches in Cuttack – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – will stay in hotels in Bhubaneswar.
Right-wing outfits had warned hoteliers in Bhubaneswar against offering “hospitality to the Pakistani players”, following which posh hotels in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack withdrew, forcing the decision to house the players on the stadium premises.
However, the OCA promised the best lodging for the team at the stadium. “Accommodation for the Pakistan team became a headache,” an OCA official told The Times of India before adding that the decision was taken to ensure safety for the visitors.
“We will provide five-star facilities to the players at the Club House in the stadium. The Club House is equipped with a world class gymnasium and swimming pool", the official said. Nearly 600 security personnel, including officials, Special Security Battalion and Odisha police were deployed during the team’s arrival to ensure their safety on the way to the stadium.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra visited the stadium to review the security set-up and held discussions with OCA officials about the arrangements. Meanwhile, Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar said her side was well-prepared to put up an exciting performance in the World Cup. 
“I am grateful for receiving a warm welcome from all the fans,” said Ayesha after her arrival in Cuttack. “I will ask Indian fans to come in numbers to watch our matches.”
"The arrangements are more like we get in Pakistan," Ashar was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. "We are happy with the facilities provided to us by the organisers." Pakistan open their campaign against Australia at the Barabati Stadium on Friday.
The Barabati Stadium Club House was chosen by the International Cricket Council for the Pakistani women cricketers.  "The ICC considered all options and the best security for the teams," the ICC said in a statement.  Cuttack was added as a venue only this month to accommodate Pakistan, and remove it from Mumbai, where the entire tournament was to have been staged. The Women's World Cup starts on Thursday. Pakistan's move also forced organisers to shift fellow Group B teams Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to Cuttack, as well as some Super Six and playoff games. However, the final will be in Mumbai on Feb 17. (Nation)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Maa Kay Chor - Thieves of Mother

محمد حنیف
آخری وقت اشاعت:  جمعـء 9 مارچ 2012 ,‭ 14:58 GMT 19:58 PST
روپے ایک تھے بزرگ ٹھیکیدار، سرکار کے ٹھیکوں سے جو چرا سکتے تھے چراتے تھے۔ سیمنٹ، سریا، پیٹرول، چوکیداروں کی تنخواہیں چراتے تھے، ہوا میں سڑکیں اور سکول بنا کر خوب مال بناتے تھے اور ایسے تمام ٹھیکیداروں کی طرح جب اپنی کوٹھی بنائی تو اس پر بڑے خوش خط الفاظ میں ہذا من فضل ربیّ لکھوایا۔
راقم کو اس وقت کرپشن اور بدعنوانی جیسے بھاری بھرکم الفاظ نہیں آتے تھے۔ میں نے جب ایک دفعہ انہیں پائپوں کے ٹرک فیکٹری سے نکلوا کر شہر میں بچھانے کی بجائے بازار میں بیچتے پایا تو ڈرتے ڈرتے پوچھا کہ یہ تو چوری لگتی ہے۔
بزرگ ٹھیکیدار نے مجھے بڑی شفقت سے پوچھا کہ بیٹا کیا کوئی اپنی ماں سے چرا سکتا ہے؟ راقم کی سٹپٹاہٹ دیکھنے کے بعد انہوں نے مزید شفقت فرمائی اور سمجھایا کہ بیٹا حکومت ہماری ماں کی طرح ہے جو اس کا ہے وہ ہمارا ہے، تو اگر میں نے ماں کی جیب میں ہاتھ ڈال کر چار آنے نکال لیے تو اسے چوری سمجھنا زیادتی ہے۔
یونس حبیب نے اپنی وہیل چیئر سے سیاست دانوں، جرنیلوں اور صحافیوں کی فہرست پڑہ کر سنائی تو مجھے لگا یہ سب لوگ بھی یہی سمجھ رہے ہوں گے کہ اپنی والدہ ماجدہ کا پلوّ کھول کر اس میں سے چار چار آنے نکال رہے ہیں اس میں چوری ، بدعنوانی، جرم و سزا جیسے الفاظ کہاں سے آگئے۔ آخر اعلیٰ عدلیہ اس معمولی سے گھریلو تماشے پر اپنا وقت کیوں برباد کر رہی ہے؟
کیا نواز شریف کو واقعی پینتیس لاکھ روپے کی ضرورت تھی؟ اتنے میں تو ایک شوگر مل کی چار دیواری بھی کھڑی نہیں ہوتی اور عابدہ حسین کو دس لاکھ رپے میں کوئی خرید کر سکتا ہے؟ اس سے زیادہ پیسے تو انکے گھوڑوں کی خوراک پر خرچ آتے ہیں۔
اور جیسا کہ معروف سیاسی تجزیہ نگار مکرمی عمیر جاوید نے فرمایا کہ عابدہ حسین کے عمدہ آداب کی تعلیم سوئٹرز لینڈ میں ہوئی ہے، جہاں غالبا اخلاقیات کی کلاس نہیں پڑہائی جاتی، ویسے بھی ان پر تنقید کرنامناسب نہیں کیونکہ وہ انگریزی بہت اچھی بولتی ہیں اور پاکستان آکر کرپشن پر کڑھنے والے گورے صحافیوں کی میزبانی میں بھی ان کا کوئی ثانی نہیں ہے۔
اور جماعت اسلامی جو ساٹھ سال سے پاکستان میں چوروں کے ہاتھ کٹوانے کے لیے سرگرم ہے، کیا اس کے ایمان کو پچاس لاکھ رپے میں خرید کیا جاسکتا ہے؟
آپ نے اکثر ٹی وی پر جنرل اسلم بیگ کو اپنے گھر سے شستہ اردو میں انٹرویو دیتے ہوئے دیکھا ہوگا ان کے پیچھے سنگ مرمر کے قیمتی گلدان دیکھ کر یہ مت سمجھ لیجیے گا کہ وہ چوری کے پیسے سے آئے ہیں۔ کیا اس ملک کو ضرب مومن کا تحفہ دینے والا سپہ سالار چوری یا چوروں کا یار ہوسکتا ہے؟
یونس حبیب نے اپنی وہیل چیئر سے سیاست دانوں، جرنیلوں اور صحافیوں کی فہرست پڑہ کر سنائی تو مجھے لگا یہ سب لوگ بھی یہی سمجھ رہے ہوں گے کہ اپنی والدہ ماجدہ کا پلوّ کھول کر اس میں سے چار چار آنے نکال رہے ہیں اس میں چوری ، بدعنوانی، جرم و سزا جیسے الفاظ کہاں سے آگئے۔
اور پاک فوج کے عالمی شہرت یافتہ جاسوس اسد درانی جو آج کل دفاعی مذاکروں میں شگفتگی بھکیرتے ہیں، کیا ان کے بارے میں یہ کہنا صحیح ہوگا کہ وہ اصل چوروں کے ایک ٹولے کے سرخیل تھے؟
نہیں یہ سب اپنی ماں کے پرس سے اپنا اپنا حصہّ وصول کر رہے تھے۔
جس بات کی تحقیق ہونی چاہیے وہ یہ ہے کہ مادر وطن نے اپنے کچھ بیٹوں کے ساتھ سوتیلوں جیسا سلوک کیوں کیا؟
اردو ڈائجسٹ والے الطاف حسین قریشی جو نصف صدی سے نظریہ پاکستان کی تبلیغ کر رہے ہیں اور ہماری تاریخ کو شرفّ اسلام کر رہے ہیں ان کے لیے صرف پانچ لاکھ؟
اور کیا یہ تین لاکھ پانے والے وہی مولانا صلاح الدین ہیں جو ساری عمر قلمی جہاد کرنے کے بعد شہید ہوئے؟
کیا کوئی ماں اتنی بے انصافی کرسکتی ہے کہ جام صادق جیسا شریر بچہ تو پچاس لاکھ لے اڑے اور محمد خان جونیجو جیسے معصوم بیٹے کو صرف ڈھائی لاکھ کی ریزگاری ملے۔
کاش ان سب چوروں کی ماں غلام اسحاق اگر زندہ ہوتے تو اس بات پر روشنی ڈالتے کہ آخر مادر وطن نے اپنے کچھ بچوں کے معاملے میں اتنی بخیلی سے کام کیوں لیا؟
جب غلام اسحاق خان حیات تھے اور ملک کے صدر تھے تو راقم کو ان کے گاؤں جانے کا اتفاق ہوا تھا۔ ان کے گاؤں والوں نے ان کے بارے میں جس طرح کی زبان استعمال کی اسے سنسر کراکے جلد آپ کی خدمت میں پیش کرں گا۔

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Pakistani Microsoft Professional Girl Arfa Karim Randhawa Passes away in Lahore

World Youngest Microsoft Professional Arfa Karim Randhawa Passed away in Lahore. She got Microsoft Certificate at the age of 9 years.
Arfa Karim Randhawa (born 1995), in Jatt Randhawa family is a student from Faisalabad in Pakistan, who in 2004 at the age of 9 years, became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) in the world, a title she kept until 2008. She was invited by Bill Gates to visit the Microsoft Headquarters in USA. The vice president of the Software Development Division Mr. S. Somasegar wrote about it in his blog.
On returning to Pakistan, Arfa had numerous interviews on almost all of the country’s known television channels and newspapers. In August 2005, Arfa Karim received the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology, presented by the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time. She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award again in August 2005 by the President of Pakistan. Arfa Karim is also the recipient of the President’s Award for Pride of Performance. This is a very high level civil award granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. Arfa is till now the youngest recipient of that award ever.
Arfa Karim has also represented Pakistan on various international forums, she was invited by the IT Professionals of Dubai for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. A dinner reception was hosted for her there, which was attended by the diagnostics of Dubai including the Ambassador of Pakistan. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various medals and awards. She also flew a plane in a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10, and received the first flight certificate.
In November 2006, Arfa was invited by Microsoft to be a part of the keynote session in the Tech-Ed Developers conference held in Barcelona. The theme of the conference was “Get ahead of the game” and Arfa was presented as a true specimen of being ahead of the game. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.
As of 2011, at the age of 16, Arfa Karim is studying at Lahore Grammar School Paragon Campus in her second year of A Levels. She suffered from a heart attack after an epileptic seizure on December 22, 2011 and was admitted to a hospital in critical condition. Rumours were being spread of her death on December 31, 2011.