Three Pak companies win Muslim Excellence Award in Turkey

 

Istanbul: Three Pakistan companies– Izhar Construction, Phrma Health Pakistan and Model Steel– won laurels for the country by winning prestigious Muslim Excellence & Competitiveness Corporations’ Award (MECC Award) at a prestigious ceremony held in Istanbul.

The three Pakistani business entities were among the 40 companies from the Islamic countries who won this award at a ceremony held in the presence of presidents of chambers of commerce and industry of Islamic countries as well as top managers of successful organizations from Islamic countries.
The countries recognized for Islamic World appreciation are Azerbaija, Jordan, Turkey, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Kazkhstan, Tunis, Syria, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
To celebrate this unmatched and marvelous accomplishment of these Pakistani companies, the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, Senior Vice President Kashif Younis Meher and Commissioner MEEC Awards for Pakistan Hasnain Reza Mirza during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of these companies at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry paid rich tributes to them for earning respect for Pakistan.
The LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said that it is a great achievement that would go a long way in giving good name to Pakistani companies working around the globe.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Kashif Younis Meher said that these Pakistani companies by winning MEEC Awards have proved that they are second top none. He said that it was a great thing that the MEEC Awards Certificates were handed over by the President of MECC Award Dr. Mohammad Nahavanian, Assistant Secretary General of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ms Attia Nawazish Ali in the presence of hundreds of businessmen from the Islamic world.

The Chief Executives of Izhar Construction and Pharma Health Pakistan, Yaqoob Tahir Izhar, Khawaja shahzeb Akram and Manager Branding Amir Dar received the appreciation certificates from the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh while the LCCI former President Mian Muzaffar ali was also present on the occasion.

News Details: The News Tribe

Jhimpir Wind Power: Pakistan’s first wind farm gets global recognition

RAWALPINDI: The first wind power generation project in Pakistan has recently been recognised by Project Finance Magazine. The financial magazine, in circulation for the last twenty years, is widely read by financiers, advisers, management consultants, stakeholders managing and developing projects globally and senior government officials.

Turkish-based Zorlu Group showed interest to set up the first wind farm in Pakistan. To turn this into a reality, the company decided to open a subsidiary in Pakistan called Zorlu Energy.

The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) played a crucial role in helping Zorlu Energy to initiate this project.

The Alternative Energy Development was founded by the government in 2003. The purpose of AEDB was to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on hydro and fossil fuel based power generation by identifying alternative energy resources like wind, solar, biogas and micro based run of the river projects. The other major task of AEDB was to help foreign firms invest in this sector.

AEDB had earlier identified that Pakistan has the wind power potential to generate 50,000MW from this free and clean source of energy. Unfortunately, there was no bankable wind data, the data available with the Met department was not at the required turbine hub height and the banks or the investors were not comfortable by these claims alone. AEDB came up with a novel idea of providing ‘wind risk’ data to the investors, making Pakistan the first country to provide such data.

Zorlu Energy was the first company to move ahead with guarantees and assistance from AEDB in setting up the first wind turbine in Jhimpir area of Sindh. Zorlu Energy is investing $136 million in this pioneer wind farm project.

The Istanbul-based company borrowed $38.1 million from the World Bank’s International Finance Corp., $36.8 million from the Asian Development Bank, $20 million from the Eco Trade & Development Bank and $16.2 million from Habib Bank Ltd. (HBL) of Pakistan for the project.

Other investors like Fauji Fertilizer Company, China International Water & Electric Corporation have also keenly followed the progress of this project and have initiated projects in this lucrative new and clean energy generation sector.

In recognition of its wind power project in Pakistan, Zorlu Energy Pakistan has received the “Middle East Renewable Deal of the Year” for 2011 by Project Finance Magazine.

Attaining this prestigious award by Zorlu Energy demonstrates the ease and security of investing in the renewable energy sector in Pakistan.

The government has been late in identifying the potential of free, clean and renewable power sources in the country. In October 2011, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority approved an Rs12.61 per KWh feed-in tariff for foreign financed wind power projects. This tariff has been approved to encourage foreign financiers to invest in this lucrative energy sector in Pakistan.

AEDB is expecting to achieve a target of harnessing renewable energy sources to produce 400MW by the end of this year. The target will be a record in itself as no country has been able to harness 400MW within six years of its first plant

News Details: Express Tribune

The 100 Most Influential People in the World:Iftikhar Chaudhry

Iftikhar Chaudhry has become the first head of Pakistan's Supreme Court to attempt to bring the powerful to justice. He has taken on the Prime Minister and the President in an effort to hold them to account. It's not just the politicians either. Chaudhry, 63, is also seeking to take Pakistan's intelligence agencies to task for their human-rights abuses.

Still, the Supreme Court faces incredible odds. The venal political class is doing its best to thwart the judiciary. In recent weeks, we have seen Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani — who is accused of contempt of court for refusing to obey its order to write to Swiss authorities and ask them to reopen a corruption case against his ally, President Asif Ali Zardari — flaunting his defiance of the court. Will Chaudhry hold firm and find the Prime Minister guilty of contempt? A nation long deprived of justice now anxiously awaits it.: Imran Khan (Khan is a Pakistani politician and former cricketer)

News Details: Time

Pakistani cadet wins prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ at Sandhurst

 
CAMBERLEY: A young Pakistani cadet won the prestigious “Sword of Honour” for overseas cadets at the annual Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst here.Officer Cadet Muhammad Talha Zahid from Pakistan Army attended the academy during 2011/12 along with cadets from well over 30 countries.

“I am the 5th Pakistani cadet to have achieved this honour since Pakistan Military Academy started sending its graduates here. I am thankful to my trainers and my family for all the encouragement they have provided. I am honoured that I was able to win this for Pakistan,” he told Geo News in an interview.

Not only this, Talha Zahid also became the first ever cadet here for a single year to have also won awards in the categories of The Best Student (Best in Over all Academics), the Best in Defence Studies and the Best in International Affairs Studies.

The second Pakistani Officer Cadet was Waleed Bashir whose Regiment was declared the best. He told Geo News: “I am honoured that I was able to attend the prestigious Sandhurst Academy. The experience was brilliant and we were able to meet cadets from all over the world. Every cadet seemed very impressed with the professionalism Pakistan army exhibits. Pakistan’s recognition this year is testimony to the fact that Pakistan Army is one of the best armies in the world.”

His Royal Highness Filed Marshal the Duke of Kent, who was the chief guest for the annual parade said Talha excelled in every area of the training and proved that he was the best cadet for the honour.

Wajid Shamsul Hasan, High Commissioner of Pakistan and Colonel Omer Ahmed Bokhari, Army and Air Adviser attended the commissioning ceremony.Wajid Shamsul Hasan commented: “The commissioned officer has shown how Pakistan has a premium army which is becoming ever more renowned for its high professional caliber and the ethos that it teaches to the young cadets like the ones who have made their country proud here today.”

Waleed Bashir’s parents travelled from Bagh Azad Kashmir especially for this occasion. “We are overjoyed that Pakistan has won the Sword of Honour this year,” they said.

News Details: The News

Pakistani student won silver medal in International environment competition

Islamabad: A Pakistani student has won silver medal by bagging second position in an international environment competition held in, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Muhammad bin Qasim, a class 8 student in the Pak-Turk International School and Colleges, Peshawar got the medal in the 6th International Environmental Project Olympiad.

Over 100 projects from the students of 42 different countries were presented in the contest. Qasim 14, represented a research on a plant to find out treatment for the patients suffering from diabetes. The plant called Tecoma Stans (Yellow Elder) is found in abundance in the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa province.

He analysed the plant in the laboratory conditions form various perspectives and eventually reached to the conclusion that the herb is very useful for the patients of diabetes.
Prof. Dr. Mirza Hakim Khan and Biology lecturer Huseyin Gursoy supervised the research.

The project was presented in the Olympiad where it was praised followed by a request to make it elaborate and more convenient.

Upon arrival to Pakistan, Qasim said that that it was the effort of my teacher and the prayers of my parents which enabled me to accomplish this hard and time consuming task.
He said that he will continue to explore for the sake of humanity under the guidance of his dedicated teachers.

At the occasion, Mr Kamil Ture, Director Education, Pak-Turk said that improving, educating and promoting the brightest Pakistani students is our mission which has helped students win 58 gold, 23 sliver and 44 bronze medals so far in the national and international Olympiads.
We have committed to empower Pakistani students to achieve the very top of their potential, and then be rewarded for that achievement.

We base our success on being a student-cantered and research-driven institution providing a comprehensive and holistic experience, said Ture.

He said that Pak-Turk will continue to bear all the expenses of training teachers and participation of students in challenges to deepen their learning, and make them more competitive and turn their visions into reality.


News Details: The News Tribe

Pakistani American receives Peace Award

DALLAS: The University of North Texas president has given the prestigious 'Staff Contribution Award' to a Pakistani American scholar and Assistant Dean at the University, Dr. Qaisar Abbas to recognize his extraordinary peace building activities.

The University President Dr. V. Rawlins gave him the prestigious award in a ceremony last week for his extraordinary contributions to peace building and research initiatives.

Dr. Qaisar Abbas developed and organized the First South Asia Peace Conference last November which brought activists, scholars, diplomats and South Asian community members to the University.

Former Ambassador Husain Haqqani of Pakistan and Ambassador Ahmed Hakimi of Afghanistan were the keynote speakers at the Conference besides activists from India and Pakistan and a large number of scholars from all over the world who presented research work at the Conference.

Dr. Qaisar is actively involved in peace building activities as a board member of the Dallas Peace Center. He is also working on a research project on media coverage of interstate conflicts in South Asia as Research Fellow of the Casselberry Peace Institute at his University.

News Details: The News

Pakistan students outshine US youth in Space Art Contest

Colorado: Capturing many of award slots, Brilliant Pakistani students outshine their counterparts from United States and Turkey in Space Foundation Student Art Contest.

The Space Foundation invited students from around the world in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to submit original artwork depicting the theme, “Space is Infinite — Explore!”

More than 1,500 contestants from U.S. states, Turkey and Pakistan were participating in the art contest.
The foundation lauds performance of Pakistani students saying, “School children in Pakistan embraced the contest with particular enthusiasm, capturing many of the award slots.  We are genuinely impressed with how students have artistically interpreted our theme of Space is Infinite – Explore.

The students with Green Flag who clinched the grand prizes and other awards include:


Grand Prize Winners

Grand Prize, 3rd-5th Grade

Meerab Atiq, Beaconhouse School System, Lahore, Pakistan

Grand Prize, 6th-8th Grade

Syed Nofal Shah Bokhari, Army Public Schools and College, Kohat, Pakistan

Grand Prize, 9th-12th Grade

Syed Zaki Raza, Hamdard Public School, Karachi, Pakistan

Space Foundation Achievement Award Winner

3rd Place

Omer Faroaq, Roots School System, Rawalpindi, Pakistan (1st and 2nd placed reserved by US students)

Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade Winners – Painting

1st Place

Munakib E-Noor, Roots School System, Islamabad, Pakistan

Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade Winners – Drawing

1st Place

Ayesha Iftikhar, The City Kindergarten Defense Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

2nd Place

Aaliyn Azhar, The City Kindergarten Defense Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

3rd Place

Maha Attique, Roots School System, Lahore, Pakistan

3rd-5th Grade Winners – Multimedia

1st Place

Shahid Wajid Ali, The Citizens Foundation School, Karachi, Pakistan

2nd Place

Taha Waqar, Roots School System, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

3rd Place

Musab Ali, Beaconhouse School System, Karachi, Pakistan

3rd-5th Grade Winners – Painting

1st Place

Meerab Atiq, Beaconhouse School System, Lahore, Pakistan

2nd Place

Salman Laiba, Beaconhouse School System, Karachi, Pakistan

3rd Place

3rd-5th Grade Winners – Drawing

1st Place

Esha Khan, Roots School System, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

3rd Place

Syed Hamza Ali Rizvi, Beaconhouse School System, Karachi, Pakistan

6th-8th Grade Winners – Multimedia

1st Place

Fareeha Awan, Army Public Junior School, Punjab, Pakistan

6th-8th Grade Winners – Painting

1st Place

Syed Nofal Shah Bokhari, Army Public Schools and College, Kohat, Pakistan

6th-8th Grade Winners – Drawing

1st Place

Mohammad Nafeel Irfan, Prep School, Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan

3rd Place

Zoya Baakza, The City School, P.A.F. Chapter, Karachi, Pakistan

9th-12th Grade Winners – Multimedia

1st Place

Syed Zaki Raza, Hamdard Public School, Karachi, Pakistan

9th-12th Grade Winners – Painting

1st Place

Sakina Khan, Beaconhouse School – Liberty campus, Lahore, Pakistan

3rd Place

Maliha Bangash, Beaconhouse School – Liberty Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

Details: Space Foundation Site

"Visiting Scholar Award" for Ahmad Bilal

Ahmad Bilal, a doctoral student in the Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Pakistan, was recognized with the program’s Visiting Scholar Award in recognition of his contribution to the professional development of teachers for school improvement.

Bilal’s area of research is professional development of teachers. During his six months’ visit at UGA, he has been refining his dissertation work under the supervision of Sally J. Zepeda, professor in the educational administration and policy program. He earned his master’s degree in education from the University of the Punjab in 1996.

He taught in a public school in Lahore for 12 years where he also served as a magazine editor, curricular activities leader and deputy controller examination. He received the Best Master Trainer Award 2002 by the Intel Teach to the Future Program, Pakistan. He worked with Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore and Ministry of Education, Curriculum wing, Government of Pakistan to review curriculum and textbook development. During his doctoral work, he received the Indigenous Scholarship and a foreign scholarship of the International Research Initiative Program by Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan.

As a teacher trainer, he conducted more than 65 training sessions on pedagogy related areas throughout Pakistan. In recent years, as a practitioner, he has focused on school improvement and teacher evaluation. He designed a module for staff development by using teaching observation. This module has been piloted in Pakistan and can be implemented in any school after having slight customization regarding contextual needs.

News Details: University of Georgia College of Education Website

Arfa Karim Honored with LADIESFUND® Khushhalibank Idol Award

Late Arfa Karim Randhawa, the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from Pakistan, was honored with LADIESFUND® Khushh­alibank Idol Award in 4th Ladies Fund Awards 2012 ceremony held at Mohatta Palace Karachi.

Speaking on this occasion, Ghalib Nishtar, President Khushhalibank said that Khushhalibank was privileged to sponsor the LADIESFUND® KHUSHALLIBANK Idol Award as a tribute to the women of Pakistan. “This year’s award is dedicated to Arfa Karim, who sadly left us earlier this year. Arfa Karim is and will continue to be an inspiration for the coming generations of Pakistan. This Award is an acknowledgement of her courage and commitment in pursuit of excellence and endeavor to create a positive image of Pakistan. Overall, the sponsorship of this award is our humble contribution to acknowledge and celebrate the top female role models of the country, particularly those women who are determined to succeed against all odds”.

LADIESFUND Awards are given each year to those Pakistani women who perform outstandingly in their respective fields. Arfa Karim, was one of the many talented individuals honored at the grand award ceremony. It was the unanimous decision of the judges’ panel to posthumously dedicate the LADIESFUND Khushhalibank Idol award in her memory. The parents of late Arfa Karim received her posthumous award in the ceremony.

News Details: Khushh­alibankOfficial Site

Nishtar College surgeon, a darling of London Olympics

LONDON: A Pakistani spinal neurosurgeon has become a doctor of choice for athletes from all over the world who have developed back pain during tough exercises for the London Olympics 2012.

Dr Irfan Malik, a consultant for spine and epilepsy surge at the King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust London, has treated more than five athletes since the start of the Olympics and currently three athletes are undergoing treatment at the hospital under his supervision.

Most of the patients he has been treating are the ones with severe back pain problems, mainly those from the weightlifting category.

The Nishtar Medical College graduate has become a hit with the Olympians after successfully treating Khadzhimurat Akkayev, a Russian weightlifter of Balkar descent, who is an Olympic, world and European champion. Akkayev underwent treatment at various hospitals in Europe but his back pain problem only compounded. He arrived fit in London for the Olympics last month, but developed severe pain again. He was then referred by another athlete who was treated by the Pakistani surgeon a day ago to see the Pakistani doctor who has been practicing in the UK for eight years.

Dr Malik operated on the athlete’s slipped disc and it took him only three visits to cure the problems of the athlete. The heavyweight lifter is in fit shape now and looks forward to defending his title on 6th of August here.

Speaking to The News, Dr Irfan Malik said: “I am honoured that I have treated many athletes with back pain and they are now able to compete in their games. I believe it’s an honour for Pakistan’s excellent medical education system which has enabled so many like myself to make our mark through sheer professionalism. The athletes have been delighted to know that they were being treated by a Pakistani spinal neurosurgeon”.

Dr Malik explained why athletes get back pain issues. “Most common cause of back pain and leg pain is slipped disc. Between two vertebral bodies, there is a jelly like substance (disc). Disc has two main function, 1): Shock absorber and 2): help in weight transfer. Disc has thick outer fibrous coat and inner jelly like substance. Disc has capacity to support certain amount of body weight”. “Sportsmen sometime try to cross the natural boundaries and expose their spine to excessive forces. Due to heavy lifting it can cause extra pressure on disc which can produce small radial tear in the outer coat and jelly like substance can prolapse through this small tear .This jelly can be a cause of severe back pain and leg pain. If this problem gets worse, it needed urgent attention otherwise it can affect an athlete’s career.”


Dr Malik recently shot to fame after pioneering the ‘minimally-invasive procedure’ also known as the ‘key-hole endoscopic spine surgery’ in the UK. Nearly all British press wrote favourably about the Pakistani surgeon and how he had transformed the lives of so many people through his expertise. He is at the top position in National Health Service (NHS) consultant ratings for last three years. NHS rates its doctors and consultants on the basis of number of patients seen in a year and result of treatment.

News Details: The News

Pakistan’s got heroes (not just terrorists)

  Moin Khan, who travelled half the globe on his motorbike, as part of his campaign called 'A different agenda.

Pakistan is an interesting country to say the least. We have pobably as many (if not more) news channels here than entertainment channels. Unfortunately, where other countries use their media to benefit their people and show case talent from within it, we use ours mostly to spread fear and loathing for ourselves.

I was recently browsing the internet to see if we had success stories of our own, for motivating our people, when I found out about so many gifted people in our country about whom we hardly hear anything. The media shows one interesting story about these people and then goes back to how Pakistan is going to the dogs.

Unlike what our own media shows, we are not terrorists begging America to love us and show us their mercy – that’s just our government. The nation, on the other hand, is a bunch of highly gifted individuals with the potential to do great things, inspire others and perhaps be the future think tanks of the world. Here are some examples of the  individuals from Pakistan that I was able to come up with in a matter of 20 minutes on Google.

• 70-year old Mushtaq Ahmed Siyan (PhD student): This amazing person is from the small town of Gujranwala and a poor man, but one that can speak, write and read English and did his MPhil in 2010 and is currently doing his PhD in Education. Why did he do this? Only to show the world that he can, not for employment but just because.

• Two brothers make a gas powered fan:  The first time they made a gas powered fan was in 1970 and now they have perfected the design. The fan runs for up to four hours and only consumers one rupee of gas!

• Pakistan’s First Fuel Efficient Car: Made by 12 Pakistani students from NED, the car can travel 80km in a single liter. The last report on these individuals indicated that they were trying to secure sponsorship to take their car for a world competition back in 2010, whatever happened to them, is still unknown. I’m sure we can use such cars inPakistan nowadays, but unfortunately no one from the government has tried to turn this project into a reality.

• Ali Nawazish: He took 23 subjects in his A’levels and scored 21A’s, 1B and a C. He didn’t require any tuition, just a lot of hard work and energy drinks. He’s currently enrolled in the Cambridge University.

• Car + Power Generator – A Pakistani invention: Necessity is truly the mother of all inventions and we, in Pakistan, therefore have a lot of great inventors. A generator that can power your house can also be used to run a car. The person who made this invention isn’t even a college graduate. This speaks wonders for our people and yet no one from the government cares.

• Moin Khan travels the world on a motorbike: Moin Khan Traveled half the globe, from America to Lahore, on his motorbike as part of his campaign called ‘A different agenda’. He too realized that Pakistan wasn’t presented in the best of ways and wanted to do something to change that. His story is one to be shared and learned from. He was able to change the minds of many regarding Pakistan and its people during his six month trip. He can easily be used as a good will ambassador by our country for youth across the world, but then again, that would require the government to give a hoot about its people and the image of the country, which it currently does not.

With so much talent present in our country, why doesn’t our government invest in education, vocational training and infrastructure development? We need to fix our problems ourselves and not rely on the so called friendships of other nations.

We have all the potential we need, all we require now is for the government to listen and act

Pakistani students make largest painting of the world

Lahore: A group of Pakistani students have painted the largest painting of the world. A painting of Pakistani flag, also featuring  different pictures of the region, measuring 42,000 square feet was made on a canvas by a group of 1200 male and female students at Hockey Stadium Lahore.

The students claimed to have set a world record breaking a previous record of 34,000 square feet painting created in Nigeria.

Students from different educational institutions took part in creating the painting  as the nation marked Pakistan Day. The event was organised by Master Paint and Message Welfare Trust.

News Details: The News Tribe

Pakistani student clinches world mathematics competition

ISLAMABAD - A 15-year-old Pakistani student Moosa Feroz won a gold medal in an Online World Mathematics Competition held in Australia. Over one point, about 5 million children from 100 counties around the globe took part in the competition which was held in the first week of March.


News Details: Pakistan Today

Pakistani entrepreneur launches airline in UAE

Dubai: A 26-year-old Pakistani businessman from Abbottabad, Malek Naureed Awan, is set to launch an airline in the UAE.

MMA Airline has been registered with the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, from where it received its licence as a company last month, Awan, the airline's Chief Executive Officer, told Gulf News.

An air operator's certificate (AOC) is an approval granted by a national aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and systems in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the general public.

Awan's company is investing $50 million (Dh183 million) in the start-up, which will be based in Ras Al Khaimah.

"The total investment is coming from our own resources," he said. Awan plans to launch flights from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport to Karachi and Lahore initially and then add destinations in India and other countries when it secures traffic rights.

"We have already acquired two Airbus A320s to start flights. Two Boeing 777-300s are expected to join the fleet when we plan to add more destinations, such as Mumbai after traffic rights are granted," Awan said.
The UAE already has five state-owned airlines owned by the governments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. The country has, so far, not allowed any private airline to operate scheduled commercial flights.

However, a number of private companies operate freighters and charter flights, including business jet operations such as Royal Jet, ExecuJet and EliteJet.

This will be the first private commercial airline to operate from the UAE.

"This new start-up airline has the potential to cause serious damage to RAK Airways, who have only just restarted operations after collapsing the first time around," Saj Ahmad, Chief Aerospace/Airline Analyst at the UK-based StrategicAero Research, told Gulf News.

News Details: Gulf News

Official Site of MMA airlines