Located on the outskirts of Quetta, is the barren valley of Mariabad where the Hazara lead slow-paced lives. These tribal people, living in narrow brick huts speckled along the rugged hillside, typically sell loose cloth, sweaters or tea for their livelihood.
Like most poor people, their aspirations rarely go beyond sustaining themselves in this underdeveloped nook of Balochistan. Many of them live and die in Mariabad — unaware of the complex concerns and tremendous pace of life in urban centres like Karachi and Lahore.
But one student — the son of a trader who sold Quaid-e-Azam style caps in Mariabad for a living — dared to tread a radically different path. Karrar Hussain Jaffar transcended the confines of an obscure town in Balochistan, where people rarely educate themselves beyond matriculation, to study at the prestigious Harvard University. His story — a narrative about the wondrous possibilities of equal educational opportunities — is truly inspirational.
“My childhood friends, with whom I spent my youth playing cricket, drive suzukis and rickshaws in Quetta for a living, while I am a PhD student in the US,” says Karrar in a humble tone. “I often wonder why God chose me, out of all the people in my community, to get ahead in life?”
Karrar attributes his educational achievement to his father’s passion for his children’s higher education. He vividly remembers the chilly morning when his father showed him the ad for Lahore University of Management Sciences’ national outreach programme (NOP), which aimed to sponsor education and living expenses for capable students who could not have afford to pay.
“I was doing my FSc at Cadet college and didn’t even know a single thing about LUMS at that point in time,” he fondly recollects. “I didn’t take the ad seriously because LUMS did not offer engineering, the field I was interested in.”
When he returned back to college from his winter break, he attended a presentation by a LUMS’ faculty member, who introduced students to the national outreach programme.
“At the end of the presentation we all took a pre-screening exam,” he explains. “A few weeks later, I got a letter from LUMS inviting me to attend sponsored classes for SAT preparation.”
During the four weeks he spent rigorously studying for the SATs, he fell in love with LUMS. To him the institution seemed otherworldly; its grand building, spacious classrooms and impressive teachers fascinated him.
“I never knew things could be so orderly and perfect; it was like I was in a foreign country,” he remarks. “I felt very motivated to study hard and join the institution.”
But his herculean struggle with English often left him frustrated.
“I had always dismissed English as a colonial remnant in our country so I really struggled while preparing for the test.”
Yet with utmost dedication, Karrar managed to clear the screening exam at the end of the four-week training and was selected to take the SAT exams, sponsored by the university. After obtaining an impressive score in his SATs, Karrar got admitted in LUMS and was offered a full scholarship and a monthly stipend.
“I came to LUMS in very high spirits,” reminisces the bright student.
But Karrar, who had attended the NOP training program at LUMS during the quiet summer break, had never seen the institution in full semestral bloom. When he saw throngs of students, clad in western wear and fluent in English, emerging from every nook and cranny, his excitement gave way to culture shock.
“I was used to wearing shalwar kamiz, but at LUMS most people were wearing jeans. I would greet people by saying salaam, while the other students would ask ‘what’s up?’” he recollects in an amused tone.
Often feeling like a misfit during his first year at university, Karrar mostly spent his days with other NOP students. “But after a year I managed to befriend other students from Lyceum and Karachi Grammar school.”
He sheepishly adds, “After a year I figured out that ‘what’s up?’ is equivalent to saying salaam.”
Karrar graduated on the Dean’s honour list, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 and 3.68 in his majors, Maths and Economics, respectively.
“I got job offers in the banking industry after graduating but I turned them down because I wanted to tread an academic path,” he explains in a categorical tone.
A year after graduating, Karrar got a Fulbright scholarship to study in the US.
“I simply told the interview panel that I want to come back to Balochistan after completing my studies. That’s where my home is; that’s where I belong,” he explains passionately.
But perhaps the most memorable moment in his life — an incident he recalls quite animatedly — was when he found out that he made it to Harvard University.
“I had no internet at home in Mariabad so I walked 15 minutes or so to a nearby internet cafe to check my email for Harvard’s decision,” he explains. “When I saw the acceptance email, I just thought it was too good to be true.”
Yet after he raced back home to reveal the news to his parents, his moment of rapture soon transformed into a session of lengthy clarification.
“My mother asked me what Harvard was and my father asked me to wait for potential offers by other universities” he says with a laugh. “It took a while to convince them that I got into the world’s top university.”
But ironically for a student, who was left disconcerted by the ‘westernised’ student body at LUMS, adjusting to life at an American institution was smooth sailing.
“After LUMS, I was very used to being around different types of people so studying and living in the US was not such a problem.”
Karrar completed his Master’s last year and is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics from the University of Southern California.
What does he want to do with all the knowledge he is amassing?
“I want to increase educational awareness in Balochistan—particularly amongst people from my community,” he says.
The young academic’s goal might seem like the reiteration of the clichéd promise of “development” that many educated Pakistan promise their country. However, Karrar is actually a first-hand witness of how education can revolutionize communities and places.
“Because of all that I achieved, my parents allowed my sister to get college education in Lahore and my brother got the motivation to get a scholarship to study in Australia,” he says with a hint of pride.
Karrar confesses that most of his family and friends cannot even comprehend what his life is like in the US. But he is fairly confident that after he returns, he can change that.
“I can make them realise the value of education,” he says.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
South Korean steel giant to invest $200m
South Korea’s largest steel manufacturer, Pohang Iron and Steel Company Limited (Posco), will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited (TSML) on Saturday to expand production capacity of Tuwairqi’s steel plant at Karachi’s Port Qasim.
“Posco, which is the world’s fourth largest steelmaker, is investing $200 million to expand the production capacity of Tuwairqi’s steel plant at Port Qasim,” Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Saleem H Mandviwalla said on Friday.
The MoU for this joint venture will be signed on Saturday in Karachi in the presence of Sindh government representatives, he added.
He said that initially Posco would be taking 15 per cent stake in Tuwairqi. The joint venture to produce steel products for automobiles and construction goods will be completed in 2015 with an annual production capacity of two million tons, he said.
Mandviwalla said that Posco would be a great success in Pakistan in monitory terms. “The gap between steel’s demand and supply in Pakistan is met through imports. It is expected that the demand for steel products will be around 18 million tons against the supply of around 10 million tons in 2015,” he said.
The BOI chairman said that Posco would also set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in the country.
Both Posco and Al Tuwairqi have been in the steel business for many decades.
Al Tuwairqi Holding is setting up a state-of-the-art steel plant with an operational capacity of 1.28 million tons per annum of direct reduced iron (DRI) at Port Qasim.
The BOI chairman said that the investment into the country this year had been around $1.6 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2011.
“Posco, which is the world’s fourth largest steelmaker, is investing $200 million to expand the production capacity of Tuwairqi’s steel plant at Port Qasim,” Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Saleem H Mandviwalla said on Friday.
The MoU for this joint venture will be signed on Saturday in Karachi in the presence of Sindh government representatives, he added.
He said that initially Posco would be taking 15 per cent stake in Tuwairqi. The joint venture to produce steel products for automobiles and construction goods will be completed in 2015 with an annual production capacity of two million tons, he said.
Mandviwalla said that Posco would be a great success in Pakistan in monitory terms. “The gap between steel’s demand and supply in Pakistan is met through imports. It is expected that the demand for steel products will be around 18 million tons against the supply of around 10 million tons in 2015,” he said.
The BOI chairman said that Posco would also set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in the country.
Both Posco and Al Tuwairqi have been in the steel business for many decades.
Al Tuwairqi Holding is setting up a state-of-the-art steel plant with an operational capacity of 1.28 million tons per annum of direct reduced iron (DRI) at Port Qasim.
The BOI chairman said that the investment into the country this year had been around $1.6 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2011.
Mobile SIM verification system hailed
ISLAMABAD: Mobile SIM Information and Verification System (668) developed, deployed and hosted by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received a regional appreciation. The application was listed among the finalists during recently held mBillionth South Asian Awards 2011 at New Delhi organised by Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). mBillionth Award is a dedicated platform to explore the latent potential of mobile & telecom sector across eight countries in South Asia. The award is designed as an annual South Asia’s highest mobile and telecom award platform leading to larger regional mobile congress in media and policy advocacy.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
‘Bol’ gets Indians talking
DEHLI: Facing stiff competition from Salman Khan’s Bodyguard on Eid, Pakistani film Bol is managing to hold its own thanks to the word of mouth publicity.
Dealing with multiple issues ranging from misogyny to prostitution to fanaticism, Bol is director Shoaib Mansoor’s second offering after Khuda Ke Liye. Bol was released alongside mega blockbuster Bodyguard, ‘That girl in yellow boots’ and ‘Mummy Punjabi’. Unlike Khan’s masala movie, Bol offers a riveting storyline and great acting, with people publicising the film more than the PR agencies.
For starters, there is actress Vidya Balan who says, “Loved Bol! Love the performance of the father. The boy who played Saifuddin was cute. My heart went out to him.”
As one of the audience members, Tushar Pahwa, walking out after a show puts it, “Bol is a ubiquitous film- whether a Muslim family in Lahore or a Hindu family in Bihar, everyone can relate to it. Women and transgenders are disrespected in India and Pakistan both. I just hope people start to speak up after watching the movie. It was a good gift for Eid.”
Many have given the tickets to family and friends in beautiful gift envelopes as eidi. “This was my eidi to my sister The film’s message has been well received and I felt my sister must see this movie as an example,” says Shahnawaz Siddique, a shop keeper.
Film critic Taran Adarsh says, “I have a problem with the distributors of Bol, who have come up with a wrong strategy to release the film at the same time as Bodyguard. I think this was a blunder. If it were released at any other time the collections would have been much higher. The word of mouth publicity of the film is good and I would like to say that it is definitely doing better than the other two movies released the same week.”
Even the distributors are happy with the increasing popularity of Bol. Amita from the corporate communications of Eros International, the distributing company, explains, “Media across the board has liked the film and has been extremely supportive of the film. The response has been positive overall. It was the company’s strategy for a worldwide release on Eid. As for India, the numbers are still pouring in but in the middle east the film is doing very well.”
Even Salman Khan fans have expressed their liking for Bol. Pankaj Mishra, a movie buff who watched both Bodyguard and Bol on the same day explains, “There is no comparison between the two. While one is a masala movie for the masses, the other is a serious issue based film. It is sad but true that masala movies always do well in India as they are over hyped and well marketed. The real good cinema gets left behind. Bol is a brilliant film and off late Pakistani movie makers are doing a good job.”
Adarsh also emphasises the brilliance of the film, “I think it is one of the most amazing films to have come out of Pakistan. Shoaib Mansoor excelled in Khuda Ke Liye but this film has gone beyond that.”
People are already watching it twice. Sunita Sinha, another movie buff has a reason to do so, “For me the film has a strong message and inspires me to be brave. I can actually watch it again.”
The tag of a film from Pakistan is one of the main attractions. Anshu Sondhi, a film student, had to see this film as she missed out on Mansoor’s Khuda Ke Liye. She supports the film, “Bol’s concept is different and the actors are good. It gives us an insight into the Pakistani society and we Indians always want to know more about Pakistan. We want to understand the country and the people beyond what our governments want us to believe and see. Movies like Bol bring us closer to our neighbours.”
Kritika Rai, a businesswoman came to know about the film from a friend. She says, “We Indians don’t have that sense to appreciate good movies like Bol and we waste our time on watching stupid movies like Ready and Bodyguard. I think we should support good cinema whether it is from India or Pakistan.”
There is a buzz about Bol in Bollywood also. Many screenings of the film were done before its commercial release. Naseeruddin Shah, icon of Indian cinema, who was to play the role of the father in Bol, praised the film. In an interview to glamsham.com, an entertainment magazine website, he admires the film, “Bol is absolutely the kind of film that Khuda Ke Liye should be followed up by. It deals with an even more important statement like faith and empowerment of women. I have seldom seen a statement made with as much power and feeling as this film. This is yet another film to be proud of. I can only find myself wishing I was a part of this film.”
Bollywood has welcomed the movie from across the border and have supported the idea of art beyond boundaries. Samir Soni, who acted in films like Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham, Fashion and others explains, “To coexist and prosper we need to have a better understanding of each other and issues that affect us. It is only then we realise how similar we truly are and this ends fear and resentment. Cinema is perhaps the most important medium that takes you up close and personal and should not be bound by political boundaries.”
The social theme of the movie has attracted the intelligentsia. Rukmini Sen, a senior entertainment journalist, describes the film as “rebellious, brave and original”. She adds, “Bol talks about the state of third gender in Pakistan. Condition of women and third gender is pathetic in most parts of Asia so the film represents the silence of many of us. Bol deconstructs issues of sexuality and sexual identity very sensitively. It sees the issue in its larger context of patriarchy, feudalism, religion and nation state.”
The treatment of the story is much talked about. Satish Sharma, a painter by profession after watching the film appreciated the director’s strokes. “It was a joy to see how the director puts some of the old world wisdom in the right perspective. Whenever the father of the actress tried to escape a situation by quoting old quotes, she would correct him by putting his lines in the correct perspective. I thought it was intelligently handled.”
While the praises are outdoing the critics, but not all have liked the film. Babita Verma, a social worker by profession objects to the melodrama in the movie especially while dealing with real issues. “It began at some point and ended at another. The director moved away from the plot. It was not comprehensive and dragged at the end,’ disapproves Verma.”
Some have even believed the word of mouth publicity to be the truth. Karishma Kapoor, a teacher, has not seen the film based on her friend’s feedback. “I have heard it is long, technically poor and acting is bad. After this feedback I don’t think I want to go and watch the film. I will catch it on television, as it is a film from Pakistan.”
Dealing with multiple issues ranging from misogyny to prostitution to fanaticism, Bol is director Shoaib Mansoor’s second offering after Khuda Ke Liye. Bol was released alongside mega blockbuster Bodyguard, ‘That girl in yellow boots’ and ‘Mummy Punjabi’. Unlike Khan’s masala movie, Bol offers a riveting storyline and great acting, with people publicising the film more than the PR agencies.
For starters, there is actress Vidya Balan who says, “Loved Bol! Love the performance of the father. The boy who played Saifuddin was cute. My heart went out to him.”
As one of the audience members, Tushar Pahwa, walking out after a show puts it, “Bol is a ubiquitous film- whether a Muslim family in Lahore or a Hindu family in Bihar, everyone can relate to it. Women and transgenders are disrespected in India and Pakistan both. I just hope people start to speak up after watching the movie. It was a good gift for Eid.”
Many have given the tickets to family and friends in beautiful gift envelopes as eidi. “This was my eidi to my sister The film’s message has been well received and I felt my sister must see this movie as an example,” says Shahnawaz Siddique, a shop keeper.
Film critic Taran Adarsh says, “I have a problem with the distributors of Bol, who have come up with a wrong strategy to release the film at the same time as Bodyguard. I think this was a blunder. If it were released at any other time the collections would have been much higher. The word of mouth publicity of the film is good and I would like to say that it is definitely doing better than the other two movies released the same week.”
Even the distributors are happy with the increasing popularity of Bol. Amita from the corporate communications of Eros International, the distributing company, explains, “Media across the board has liked the film and has been extremely supportive of the film. The response has been positive overall. It was the company’s strategy for a worldwide release on Eid. As for India, the numbers are still pouring in but in the middle east the film is doing very well.”
Even Salman Khan fans have expressed their liking for Bol. Pankaj Mishra, a movie buff who watched both Bodyguard and Bol on the same day explains, “There is no comparison between the two. While one is a masala movie for the masses, the other is a serious issue based film. It is sad but true that masala movies always do well in India as they are over hyped and well marketed. The real good cinema gets left behind. Bol is a brilliant film and off late Pakistani movie makers are doing a good job.”
Adarsh also emphasises the brilliance of the film, “I think it is one of the most amazing films to have come out of Pakistan. Shoaib Mansoor excelled in Khuda Ke Liye but this film has gone beyond that.”
People are already watching it twice. Sunita Sinha, another movie buff has a reason to do so, “For me the film has a strong message and inspires me to be brave. I can actually watch it again.”
The tag of a film from Pakistan is one of the main attractions. Anshu Sondhi, a film student, had to see this film as she missed out on Mansoor’s Khuda Ke Liye. She supports the film, “Bol’s concept is different and the actors are good. It gives us an insight into the Pakistani society and we Indians always want to know more about Pakistan. We want to understand the country and the people beyond what our governments want us to believe and see. Movies like Bol bring us closer to our neighbours.”
Kritika Rai, a businesswoman came to know about the film from a friend. She says, “We Indians don’t have that sense to appreciate good movies like Bol and we waste our time on watching stupid movies like Ready and Bodyguard. I think we should support good cinema whether it is from India or Pakistan.”
There is a buzz about Bol in Bollywood also. Many screenings of the film were done before its commercial release. Naseeruddin Shah, icon of Indian cinema, who was to play the role of the father in Bol, praised the film. In an interview to glamsham.com, an entertainment magazine website, he admires the film, “Bol is absolutely the kind of film that Khuda Ke Liye should be followed up by. It deals with an even more important statement like faith and empowerment of women. I have seldom seen a statement made with as much power and feeling as this film. This is yet another film to be proud of. I can only find myself wishing I was a part of this film.”
Bollywood has welcomed the movie from across the border and have supported the idea of art beyond boundaries. Samir Soni, who acted in films like Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham, Fashion and others explains, “To coexist and prosper we need to have a better understanding of each other and issues that affect us. It is only then we realise how similar we truly are and this ends fear and resentment. Cinema is perhaps the most important medium that takes you up close and personal and should not be bound by political boundaries.”
The social theme of the movie has attracted the intelligentsia. Rukmini Sen, a senior entertainment journalist, describes the film as “rebellious, brave and original”. She adds, “Bol talks about the state of third gender in Pakistan. Condition of women and third gender is pathetic in most parts of Asia so the film represents the silence of many of us. Bol deconstructs issues of sexuality and sexual identity very sensitively. It sees the issue in its larger context of patriarchy, feudalism, religion and nation state.”
The treatment of the story is much talked about. Satish Sharma, a painter by profession after watching the film appreciated the director’s strokes. “It was a joy to see how the director puts some of the old world wisdom in the right perspective. Whenever the father of the actress tried to escape a situation by quoting old quotes, she would correct him by putting his lines in the correct perspective. I thought it was intelligently handled.”
While the praises are outdoing the critics, but not all have liked the film. Babita Verma, a social worker by profession objects to the melodrama in the movie especially while dealing with real issues. “It began at some point and ended at another. The director moved away from the plot. It was not comprehensive and dragged at the end,’ disapproves Verma.”
Some have even believed the word of mouth publicity to be the truth. Karishma Kapoor, a teacher, has not seen the film based on her friend’s feedback. “I have heard it is long, technically poor and acting is bad. After this feedback I don’t think I want to go and watch the film. I will catch it on television, as it is a film from Pakistan.”
wi-tribe, Microsoft alliance to enhance online experiences
Karachi—Aiming to take internet users’ online experience to the next level, wi-tribe, Pakistan’s No. 1 Broadband, has joined hands with Microsoft to promote its faster and lighter browser, Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). This is another industry-first by wi-tribe, adding more value to their customers’ online experience.
Through this partnership, wi-tribe will ensure easy availability of one of the most secure, widely deployed and easy-to-use web browsers for its customers, which is sure to enhance their online experience by enabling the latest, media-rich websites. IE9 is a highly advanced browser that supports HTML5, and promises to deliver a seamless and secure internet browsing experience, empowered by a robust set of built-in security and privacy features.
In addition to this partnership, wi-tribe is also proud to be recognized as a Microsoft Registered Partner status. For both wi-tribe and Microsoft, these are some of many exciting steps to be taken during this strategic alliance, aimed at bringing a greater range of world-class offerings to the market by exploiting the long-term synergy between both companies.
Speaking about Microsoft & wi-tribe’s new venture, CEO of wi-tribe Pakistan, Mustafa Peracha, says, “As a registered partner, wi-tribe is very excited about collaborating with Microsoft for the global launch of Internet Explorer 9, a cutting-edge browser promising a captivating and superior web browsing experience for customers and developers alike. We are confident that this alliance will bring a host of value additions to our own community of users, enhancing their online experience to an entirely new and refreshing level. This is an exciting start of a long-term partnership.”
Commenting on the collaboration with wi-tribe Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed, Country General Manager, Microsoft Pakistan said, “The inclusion of Pakistani technology companies in the browser launch is a breakthrough by the Internet Explorer product team. Together Microsoft and wi-tribe can deliver a lot of convenience to Internet users in Pakistan. Such synergies have a positive effect on the overall market scenario for the companies and, in addition, wi-tribe customers can feel more privileged. I think it is imperative for any efficient browser to localize itself as per the dynamics of emerging IT markets, such as Pakistan. I am sure that this partnership will bring a collection of value additions to wi- tribe users, enriching their browsing experience in a beautiful way.”
Through this partnership, wi-tribe will ensure easy availability of one of the most secure, widely deployed and easy-to-use web browsers for its customers, which is sure to enhance their online experience by enabling the latest, media-rich websites. IE9 is a highly advanced browser that supports HTML5, and promises to deliver a seamless and secure internet browsing experience, empowered by a robust set of built-in security and privacy features.
In addition to this partnership, wi-tribe is also proud to be recognized as a Microsoft Registered Partner status. For both wi-tribe and Microsoft, these are some of many exciting steps to be taken during this strategic alliance, aimed at bringing a greater range of world-class offerings to the market by exploiting the long-term synergy between both companies.
Speaking about Microsoft & wi-tribe’s new venture, CEO of wi-tribe Pakistan, Mustafa Peracha, says, “As a registered partner, wi-tribe is very excited about collaborating with Microsoft for the global launch of Internet Explorer 9, a cutting-edge browser promising a captivating and superior web browsing experience for customers and developers alike. We are confident that this alliance will bring a host of value additions to our own community of users, enhancing their online experience to an entirely new and refreshing level. This is an exciting start of a long-term partnership.”
Commenting on the collaboration with wi-tribe Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed, Country General Manager, Microsoft Pakistan said, “The inclusion of Pakistani technology companies in the browser launch is a breakthrough by the Internet Explorer product team. Together Microsoft and wi-tribe can deliver a lot of convenience to Internet users in Pakistan. Such synergies have a positive effect on the overall market scenario for the companies and, in addition, wi-tribe customers can feel more privileged. I think it is imperative for any efficient browser to localize itself as per the dynamics of emerging IT markets, such as Pakistan. I am sure that this partnership will bring a collection of value additions to wi- tribe users, enriching their browsing experience in a beautiful way.”
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Broadband subscription to reach 9.5m by 2014
Broadband subscription to reach 9.5m by 2014
ISLAMABAD: Broadband subscription is increasing in the country and it is estimated that there will be 9.5 million broadband subscribers by 2014. In the light of existing trends, it can be predicted about the future broadband trends that wireless broadband technologies would surpass fixed line DSL services within a span of one year. According to official data available, as for the number of subscribers by 2020, it is believed that within the next four years, market would witness a growth rate of nearly 70-85 percent per annum. This would be followed by a steady growth rate of 5-25 percent in the next six years, taking the total number of broadband subscribers to 19.5 million by 2020. According to an estimate, Pakistan would touch 195 million population by 2020. Calculating the broadband penetration presently at 0.57, it is predicted that broadband penetration by 2020 will reach 10 subscribers per 100 inhabitants. app
ISLAMABAD: Broadband subscription is increasing in the country and it is estimated that there will be 9.5 million broadband subscribers by 2014. In the light of existing trends, it can be predicted about the future broadband trends that wireless broadband technologies would surpass fixed line DSL services within a span of one year. According to official data available, as for the number of subscribers by 2020, it is believed that within the next four years, market would witness a growth rate of nearly 70-85 percent per annum. This would be followed by a steady growth rate of 5-25 percent in the next six years, taking the total number of broadband subscribers to 19.5 million by 2020. According to an estimate, Pakistan would touch 195 million population by 2020. Calculating the broadband penetration presently at 0.57, it is predicted that broadband penetration by 2020 will reach 10 subscribers per 100 inhabitants. app
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