Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Rafiq Rangoonwala

Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala, Chief Executive Officer Cupola Group of companies in Pakistan was born in Karachi, did BA (Hons.) from University of Karachi, went to United States of America in 1979, and did Executive Development Course from Whittemore School of Business, University of New Hampshire along with several management courses from U.K, U.S, Canada, Australia and Singapore. In 1980, he started his career in Fast Food restaurants from KFC in Houston. Since then he has managed several other brands alongside KFC like Pizza Hut, Harry Ramsden’s, TGI Fridays, Pizza Express etc.

In 1987 he was transferred to Caribbean region as Franchise Service Manager, then to Cairo in 1988 as Field Service Manager for Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He was appointed Market Director of Middle East in 1989. He stayed with PepsiCo in Restaurant Division for over 18 years. In 1997 –1999 he joined Americana as head of its UAE Fast Food Division.

He joined Artal Restaurants International as CEO in October 1999 and is currently heading Cupola Group of Companies who has franchise rights in Pakistan for KFC, Indulge, Freshens, Casa, LalQila, L’Occitene & Saint Cinnamon.

In Houston he was General Secretary of Pakistan American Association of Greater Houston, Board Member of Islamic Education Institute of Texas, and Councillor of Islamic Society of Greater Houston.

He was Treasurer of YPO “Young President Organisation” – Pakistan Chapter for 2002-2003 and also served on YPO Board, and chaired Communication committee. He is member Central Committee and Chairman Publication Committee of 21st Century Business & Economic Club and OUAC “Overseas University Alumni Club”, and patron of 21st Century Business & Economics Club’s Women Forum. Additionally, he is also Advisory Board member of Institute of Business Technology. Previously he was Honorary Secretary and Chairperson of Publication & Membership Committee’s of Marketing Association of Pakistan, in February 2004 he was elected President. Vice President Elect Rotary Centennial in April 2005. He is a member of Board of Governors Reflections School and President Food Association of Pakistan. Founder member of Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum. Founder member Pakistan India CEO forum.

Hobbies: Sports, music and reading.

Awards

Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala is the first Pakistani to receive the following awards from International companies:

“Top 10 Restaurant Manager’s Award” in 1984;

“Region IV Golden Star Award for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Kentucky” in 1985;

“Head of the Class Award” from Colonel Sanders University in 1988;

“Most Profitable Initiative by KFC International” in 1996;

“Best Performance Award” in 1998;

“Top recognition for Human Resources Development for Asia Pacific Region in Hawai” in 2001;

“Putting it on the line” by Yum restaurants in 2003.

Yum Chairman’s Award in 2005.

“Award of Excellence” by Marketing Association of Pakistan, 2008

Surgeon Muhammad Faiz Khan

Surgeon Muhammad Faiz Khan is a very popular figure in the field of plastic surgery. He has a key leadership position within the area of Plastic Surgery as Surgeon and as a Professor for undergraduate and post graduate students. He is the recipient of Pride of Performance and National Civil Award Sitara-e- Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Naseem Hameed

Naseem Hameed (born 1988) is a Pakistani athlete, who became the fastest woman in South Asia when she won a gold medal in the 100-metre event of the 11th South Asian Federation Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Monday, February 09, 2010.

Naseem started her career as an athlete from her school. She participated in various sports activities at school and college levels. During her time in college, she was noticed by Army coaches and was allowed to practice in Army grounds near Korangi. She won various local events after this and was then picked by Pakistan Railways as an athlete. Naseem consistent performance earned her a place to represent Pakistan in 2010 SAF Games in Dhaka where she won the Coveted Gold in 100 Meters clocking 11.81 gaining the title of Fastest Women in South Asia and emerge as the queen of the track.
On February 12, 2010, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari appointed Naseem as Ambassador of Sports in recognition of her success at the SAF Games.
Later on Pakistan's leading Mobile operator Mobilink has added Naseem Hameed to its panel of brand ambassadors. Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President of Mobilink Pakistan said on the ceremony of unveiling the song based on Naseem’s struggle and accomplishments and commemorating those who helped her achieve her goals that:
“Mobilink Jazz believes strongly in the bonds we create and the objective of this tribute is to encourage all those who dream to reach out their loved ones for support so they can achieve what they want to, and much more. Naseem is a hero we all needed and we hope that through the Jazz platform she will inspire many more. We are indeed very proud and privileged to have her as our Brand Ambassador.”

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Bapsi Sidhwa

Bapsi Sidhwa is the author of four internationally acclaimed novels. She lives in Houston, Texas, but was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and raised in Lahore. She graduated from Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, and began writing in her twenties after the birth of two children.
Her book 'Ice Candy Man' has also been made into the film '1947 Earth' by director Bollywood Director Deepa Mehta.'1947 Earth 'was released around the world, and starred Amir Khan and Nandita Das.
Bapsi, represented the Punjab at the Asian Women's Conference at Alma Ata, was on the Advisory Committee to Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Women's Development till 1996. She has worked among women to create an awareness of their rights, and protested using street-power, the platform, and the media against repressive measures aimed at women and the minority communities in Pakistan. She has been voluntary secretary in the Destitute Women's and Children's Home in Lahore for several years.
Bapsi is an inspiration to women in Pakistan, and all over the world.

Sadaf Arshad

Sadaf Arshad works as the Coordinating Editor of South Asian Media Monitor She has been writing for The Friday Times currently Columnist with English Daily of Pakistan The Post, with South Asian Media Net. She holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication and has a deep-rooted interest in subjects like peace and development, security, poverty eradication and economic and gender equality.

Rubab Saleem

Rubab Saleem is the Editor of Pakistan Times an online Newspaper. She is 26 years old female from Gujranwala, Pakistan having Master Degree in Mass Communication from Punjab University, Lahore. Also Master in Political Science from BZU, Multan. She has a passion for writing and posses excellent writing skills

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa Agha

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa Agha is an independent security analyst and strategic affairs columnist of Pakistan. She did her doctorate from King's College London in 1996 and has worked on issues varying from military technology, defense decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement, arms production to civil-military relations in South Asia.
Dr Siddiqa has been a civil servant for 11 years during which she was asked to work as the Director of Naval Research with Pakistan Navy making her the first civilian and a woman to work at that position in Pakistan's defense establishment. She is also a Ford Fellow and was the 'Pakistan Scholar' at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at Washington, DC for 2004-05.

Dr. Siddiqa is also an author, and her books include, Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy (Palgrave Press, 2001). Her recent book, Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy was released in April 2007. She has also written commissioned papers on small arms and light weapons proliferation, problems of governance and India-Pakistan relations.

Moreover, she has contributed to various international journals like the Journal for Defense and Peace Economics, Jane's Defense Weekly and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. At the launch of her book Military Inc in London Dr Ayesha Siddiqa in London said in her talk that she is not a politician and she has written an academic piece of work. She also mentioned that she used Pakistan as a case study. She also mentioned that this book is not a political thriller it is carrying broader issue of civil military relationship in Pakistan.

Dr. Ayesha's Books

• Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, (1996), Light Weapons Manufacture in the Public and Private Sectors (Project Light Weapons Working Paper), British American Security Information Council.
• Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, (2001), Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99:
• Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, (2007), Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy.

Dawood Pervez

Dawood Pervez was born in 1975 and was elected to the Board of Directors of all UK based Bestway companies in July 2004. He is also the Company Secretary for all UK companies of the Group.
Dawood was educated at Eton College and has degrees from the University of Manchester in Politics & Modern History and Oxford University in Jurisprudence. Dawood is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Before joining Bestway in 2002, Dawood was a solicitor at the pre-eminent global law firm, Linklaters, where he specialised in international corporate and structured finance work and also spent time seconded to their Tokyo Office.

Sir Mohammed Anwar pervez

Sir Mohammed Anwar pervez is the founder of one of the UK's ten biggest privately owned comapnies, Bestway Holdings which employs over 2.600 popel nationwide in a network of 27 cash and carry stores.
Born in Rawalpindi in 1935, Sir Anwar moved to the UK in the 1950s and became a British suject in 1960.
Sir Anwar worked for four years as a conductor and Driver in Bradford, often working seven days a week.
In 1962 he established a convenience store in Earls Court, London. Liek all entrepreneurs, Sir Anwar was constantly looking for new ventures and opportunities and, recognising the potential of the whoelsale market, in 1976 he established the first of many cash and carry outlets in Park Royal, London.
A quarter of a century later he has outlets in the UK, with an annual turnover of £1 billion. His business empire now includes a cement factoryin Pakistan, rice milling facilities in the UK and the White Pearl basmati brand.
Sir Anwar believes that there is more to business than jsut making money. Through the Bestway Foundation, 2.5% of the companys pre-tax profits are ploughed into charitable work in the UK and Pakistan.
Sir Anwar was given an OBE in 1992, and has also been knighted.
n March 2000, Sir Anwar Pervez, was awarded Hilal-E-Pakistan, a top civil award by the Pakistani Government for services to the Pakistani nation.
He is an inspiration to us all. We wish him every success in his future ventures.

Imran Khan

Imran was born on 25 November 1952 in Lahore, Pakistan. He grew up in Zaman Park where cricket was a great part of his family life, his cousins Javed Burki and Majid Khan later captained Pakistan.
His star status was established during the 1980's and crowds mobbed him wherever he went. Imran was declared the international cricketer of the year in
1989-90
Imran's desire was to be recognised as the best all rounder in Pakistan and eventually as the best all rounder in the world, which he successfully managed to achieve. In his peak, he was considered the fastest bowler in the world.
After retiring from cricket, he built Pakistans first Cancer hospital, and later went on to marry Jemima Goldsmith.
The wedding put Imran in the spotlight, and people who had not heard of him found themselves acquainted with him.
He went into politics after the opening of his hospital. Imran founded the Tehreek-e-Insaf or Justice and Peace Party. He is an avid campaigner of human rights and other just causes.
He is regarded as a hero among the youngsters of Pakistan and is well known throughout the world.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Fauzia Minallah

Fauzia Minallah is a pukhtun artist who has very deep and strong emotions about all that goes on in our world. She asks lots of questions about why there can not be peace in the world and what is the legacy that we choose to leave for our children. She tackles and portrays her deep felt emotions through painting, carving and hand built clay sculpture.

Painting since the age of 12, when she was a student of S.S Hyder, (an eminent artist of Peshawar), she thinks of her art as windows to her soul, that reflect her sorrow, joy, anxiety and happiness she feels as a mother and a caring human being.

We first witnessed her artistic skill and wit during the Zia-ul-Haq regime, when The Muslim published her playful and subversive cartoons. According to Fauzia her artistic journey has been very unconventional and very slow. Her parents had recognized the artist in her when she was still very young, but it was much later in life that she learned to enjoy and cherish the joy of being an artist.

Maya Khan

Maya Khan is one of the famous anchor of Pakistan TV channels. She is popular among her viewers for her beautiful looks and her delight way of performance in a live show. Maya Khan is doing a morning show SUBHA SAVEREY MAYA KAY SATH  on SAMAA Tv. The show is educational and acquaint, by which people get information in a lighter way. Maya Khan successfully made the show both entertaining and informative. She discuss political, social, and other issues of the country and also invite celebrities to her program.

Shehzad Roy

Shehzad Roy is a Pakistani songs singer and humanitarian from Karachi, Pakistan. With hit songs under his belt, including the 2008 Qismat Apney Haath Mein (Fate Lies in One”s Own Hands), he is also the president and founder of Zindagi Trust, a non-profit charitable organization, that seeks to educate the underprivileged children of Pakistan.In June 2004, Roy was honored as one of the youngest ever recipient of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, which is one of the highest Civil Honors awarded in Pakistan for excellence in serving humanity. For his organization”s earthquake rehabilitation in Kashmir, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Eisaar. He was also selected to be a torch bearer for the 2008 Olympic Torch relay as the pride of Pakistan. Recently, Roy took the city of Chicago by storm when he was awarded the 2009 Patricia Blunt Koldyke Fellowship award for excellence in social entrepreneurship.

Muhammad Ali Shehki

Along with Alamgir, he set the trend of pop music in Pakistan. When he started his career, he was a young energetic student of NED University at Karachi, Pakistan. He is still loved by people for his contribution to music and his charming personality. His songs delivered a message of love, patriotism and sincerity.

His voice quality was thought to be much better than many other hit singers but he was not able to find good compositions at his peak time. His first song “Pyar kia mai ne dil diya” produced by Ghazanfer Ali was a big hit of its time. He then sang the famous patriotic song “Main bhi Pakistan ho” which is referred to as the most famous national song ever. Then Shehki produced another hit song “Allah Allah ker bhaiya” along with Allan Fakir. This song beat all previous hit records in Pakistan and surpassed all other Pakistani songs abroad as well. He also sang “Meray bachpan kay din” alongside Afshan Ahmed. Shehki has performed in almost all types of genre’s like classical, semi classical, pop and jazz as well. He has won many National and International awards for his songs. He also remained as a playback singer for some time. He was offered to sing as playback singer in bollywood but did not do so because of security reasons. Bal Thackeray, the Hindu extremist threatened Shehki and warned that if any Pakistani singer/actor comes to India, he will have him shot. Despite this, shehki’s song “Han pehli baar” was included in one of the Indian movies. He is now retired from the Pakistan Music Industry but still performs at charity and national functions from time to time. He is revered as one of the greatest singers in the history of Pakistan and is highly respected in the Pakistani Music Industry. He also tried his luck as an actor in Lollywood but was not much successful. He is compared today to such greats as Mehdi Hassan, Ahmed Rushdi, Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

Farogh Naseem

Barrister Dr. Mohammad Farogh Naseem is a leading constitutional lawyer from Pakistan being the youngest but the most qualified lawyer to hold the office of Advocate General of Sindh.

Farogh holds LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Wales and LL.M. from the London School of Economics and PhD in comparative constitutional law from the University of London. He qualified as a barrister from Lincoln’s Inn.

A member of the board of studies, faculty of law, University of Karachi, Farogh has been teaching law at the Sindh Judicial Academy, Sindh Muslim Law College and Hamdard Law College.The Karachi-born advocate has about 18 years experience in legal practice. Among the high-profile cases conducted by him is the 1996-97 Sindh Assembly dissolution case. A frequent contributor to law journals, he has also authored two books. He addressed many international seminars and has a number of reported judgments to his credit.

His father, Mohammad Naseem, is also a practicing lawyer, and the late Justice M.B. Ahmad, an ICS officer who also served as the first secretary of the constituent assembly of Pakistan before being elevated as a judge of the Sindh High Court, was his paternal uncle. His wife name is Samira Kalim and is Mahnoor Farogh and Shahrukh Farogh father.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada

Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, NI, (b. 12 June 1923), Barrister-at-Law (Lincoln''s Inn) and a graduate in Law from Bombay University (British India) in 1945, Senior advocate Supreme Court, is widely regarded as Pakistan''s leading jurist and constitutional expert with an iconic status. He is also considered an authority on the Pakistan independence movement. He is a direct descendant of Shaikh Burhanuddin Raz-i-Ilahi (the famous Saint of the Shattar order in Burhanpur, who had, amongst others, Emperor aurangzeb as his disciple)

Sharifuddin Pirzada has served a variety of senior government posts during the military regimes in his long and disgraced career. Until recently (March 2008) served as Honorary Senior adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign affairs, Law, Justice and Human Rights with the status of Senior Federal Minister.

His immense legal skills have widely been used against democracy, civil liberties and legal rights. His draconian knowledge has always been a hurdle in Pakistan chequered constitutional and civil right history. Examples of cases where he represented civil society in obtaining favorable decisions from the courts include Mawlvi Tamizuddin''s case, Margalla Towers'' case, asma Jilani''s case and al-Jihad Trust''s [AKA Judges] case. Various leaders of Pakistan (Zia-ul-Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf) have also turned to him when confronted with serious legal challenges to get the courts to rule in their favor. Examples of these being Begum Nusrat Bhutto''s Case, Khawja Tariq Rahim''s Case, Pir Sabir Shah''s Case, Justice Sajjad ali Shah''s appointment case, and Syed Zafar ali Shah''s Case.

Niamthullah Khan

Niamthullah Khan, (born October 1, 1930 Ajmer, British India) was the Nazim of largest city of Pakistan, Karachi from August 2001-June 2005. He graduated from Punjab University with a Masters in Journalism and a Law Degree Government organizations with respect to rehabilitation and sustainablefrom Karachi University. He is lawyer by profession. He was selected in Top-20 Mayors of World.

Tina Sani

Tina Sani is a Pakistani songs singer renowned for her classical and semi-classical Urdu Ghazals. She was involved in all the creative aspects of advertising business, including listening to and evaluating the music that is an integral part of advertising. One day a friend who had heard her sing casually at home asked her to record a jingle. This led to her career as a singer.

Sajjad Ali

Sajjad Ali is a Pakistani songs singer, film actor, director and producer. He emerged to fame in the early 1980s, though; he was already known in some quarters before that, as a semi-classical singer due to his work in the classical industry and his family”s popularity. At present, he is one of the very few Pakistani pop singers, who has full training in classical singing.

Rahim Shah

Rahim Shah is a Pakistani songs singer. He started from Peshawar, and is currently based in Karachi, Pakistan. He sings in Urdu, Punjabi and his native Pashto language. In an interview he revealed that Rahim Shah is not his real name and, in fact, it is his elder brother”s name. He recently disclosed his original name on ARY Qtv, which is Muhammad Rahim. He is the most notable Pakistani pop idol of Pashtun (Pathan) background.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a Pakistani songs singer and musician , and primarily a singer of “Qawwali”, a devotional music of the Sufis. He is the nephew of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In addition to Qawwali, he also performs ghazals and other light music. He has toured extensively and performed in Pakistan, India and all around the world.

Najam Sheraz

Najam Sheraz is a Pakistani songs singer, musician, composer and comedy actor. He is most prolific singer; indeed he is a household name in Pakistan. Many of his songs have become anthems the world over. His latest album, eight in his career, "Najam" has been released recently both in India and Pakistan. His global peace song "Only Love" was selected by International Olympics Committee for Beijings Olympics 2008 Torch Relay in Islamabad.

Jawwad Ahmad

Jawwad Ahmad is a Pakistani songs singer. Jawad first captured Pakistan”s attention as a person who called attention to the transcendental existence of God through the song “"Allah Meray Dil kay Andar" which most say showed a way to inner peace. The lyrical expression that he has used to portray his inclination towards Sufism bears traces of “Ghalib” and “Faiz” who are known to have emphasized on the same values so as to eradicate all barriers that hinder the establishment of a connection with God and differentiate amongst human beings by placing them into groupings of race and class.

Humera Arshad

Humera (Humaira) Arshad is a Pakistani songs singer. She is a renowned Pakistani folk, pop, culture and ghazal singer who has been classically trained. Humaira says she used to accompany her mother to majalis for sooz khwani from an early age, where her vocal talent was noticed by many. The appreciation made her keen on pursuing music at a professional level. She was also lucky to have trained under the tutelage of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and has won numerous honors and awards for her musical achievements.

Meeran Karim

Meeran Karim is a political activist and organizer from Lahore, Pakistan, campaigning for a number of democratic causes, including the restoration of the deposed Pakistani judges in 2007, when she rallied with the masses in the streets and worked with a local newspaper covering the historic Lawyers’ Movement that swept Pakistan. In order to encourage youth activism, she established a youth parliament at her school which provides a platform for young people to voice their opinions. In order to promote women’s empowerment, she interned at AGHS legal aid cell in Pakistan, which provides legal aid to female victims of violence. She worked under her mentor, the prominent human rights’ lawyer, Asma Jehangir.

Ms. Karim represented Pakistan and young people from all over the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year, and she has taken part in other conferences, including the International Youth Leadership Conference (Prague, Czech Republic), the Young Leaders Conference (Lahore), and an Initiative for Peace (India).

When Ms. Karim was nine, a military dictator overthrew the democratically elected government in Pakistan, and as a result, she attended her first protest at a relatively young age. Since then, she has always been concerned with the challenges facing Pakistan. Later this year, she will be starting her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College (US), where she hopes to study international relations and political science. After completing her education, Ms. Karim intends to return home to work for Pakistan.

Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam is a Pakistani songs singer. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has given several hit songs such as “Aadat”, “Woh Lamhe”, “Tere Bin”, “Pehli Nazar Mein”, “Tera Hone Laga Hoon”, “Tu Jaane Na” and “Meri Kahani”. He is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique.

Atiqa Odho

Atiqa Odho is a prominent media personality, businesswoman, and household name in Pakistan. Ms. Odho started her career in the beauty business in 1989 and then went into television production in 1991. Formally trained in the beauty business, filmmaking, and other creative forms of expression, she is currently the CEO of two companies under the Odho banner: Odho Productions and Odho Cosmetics. She is also the Chairperson of the United Producers Association of Pakistan, where she recently launched a people’s movement by the name of “Our Country Our People: One Pakistan for the People of Pakistan” (http://www.unitedproducers.org).

Odho Productions has been producing television for all mainstream satellite Pakistani television channels, as well as Pakistan’s national channel (PTV) since 2004. Its content focuses on social causes (http://www.odhoproductions.com). Odho Cosmetics launched the “Atiqa Odho” color cosmetics in 2004 as the first and only celebrity brand in Pakistan in order to give women the opportunity to acquire a quality product at affordable pricing. The Odho Cosmetics team tours throughout Pakistan with many women’s expos and activities, which gives Ms. Odho a chance to meet women from all over the country face-to-face and discover their needs and concerns (http://www.odhocosmetics.com).

Nafis Sadik

Nafis Sadik was born in Jaunpur India to parents, Iffat Ara and Mohammad Shoaib. She was the first woman to head one of the United Nations major voluntarily-funded programmes and has made significant contributions to improving the health of women and children. Fom 1987 to 2000, Sadik served as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of Under-Secretary-General from 1987 through 2000.

Sadik received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi and has been the recipient of several honorary degrees from universities such as Brown, Duke, and Johns Hopkins. Her work as a doctor in Pakistani military hospitals shaped the rest of her professional career. She then went on to work in the health section of the Pakistani government’s Planning Commission where she held a major role in the development of the country’s first population policy.

In 1971, she joined UNFPA in several different capacities. In 1994, the Secretary General appointed Dr. Sadik as Secretary-General of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
In addition to her work with UNFPA, she is a member of the Board of Governors of the Foundation for Human Development and a member of the South Asian Commission on the Asian Challenge. Dr. Sadik was the President of the Society for International Development (SID) for the period 1994-1997.

Sadik has written several articles and edited many books, including Population: The UNFPA Experience (1984), Population Policies and Programmes: Lessons Learned from Two Decades of Experience (1991) and Making a Difference: Twenty-five years of UNFPA Experience (1994).

Mukhtaran Mai

Mukhtaran Mai age 33 is now a leading example for women is her native country and around the world. With her compensation money she took from the government of Pakistan opened two schools in her village, one for girls and another for boys. In August 2005, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for bravery and courage by the Pakistani Government and was named Women of The Year by Glamour Magazine, USA. In 2006, Time Magazine listed her in their issue on the 100 Most Influential People of the World, and she was also awarded the North-South Prize by the Council of Europe

Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi

Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi is a well known Pakistani songs singer and poet of Pakistan. He has the world record for the highest number of audio albums ever released by a singer. He is traditionally considered a Seraiki artist but mostly he has recorded albums in Punjabi and Urdu. He has dominated the folk music scene of Pakistan for over thirty years. He gathers thousands in his audiences whenever and wherever he performs.

Hadiqa Kiani

Hadiqa Kiani is a Pakistani songs singer. After working on a successful music project with Adnan Sami, Kiani released her successful songs. After a musical ban imposed on her from the government, Kiani successfully returned to the music scene. In 2007, she became the first Pakistani mainstream artist to release a complete English album, Rough Cut. Kiani is also a judge on a new singing reality show in Pakistan called “LG Awaaz Banay Star”, and has released her fifth album, “Aasmaan” in June 2009. One of the most successful musicians in Pakistan, she has been awarded the “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” as well as countless musical awards throughout her career.

Fakhar-e-Alam

Fakhar-e-Alam is a Pakistani songs singer, actor, VJ and popular for introducing the pop/bhangra genre of music in Pakistan. Though he is still considered a pioneer of pop/bhangra music culture in Pakistan, now he is much more popular for hosting TV shows. As a social worker, Alam has a huge fan base and is respected for his untiring relief efforts in the wake of the October 8, 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Abdul Sattar Edhi

Abdul Sattar Edhi established his first welfare centre and then the Bilqis Edhi Trust with a mere Rs. 5000. What started as a one-man show operating from a single room in Karachi is now the Edhi Foundation, the largest welfare organization in Pakistan. The foundation has over 300 centers across the country, in big cities, small towns and remote rural areas, providing medical aid, family planning and emergency assistance. They own air ambulances, providing quick access to far-flung areas.


In Karachi alone, the Edhi Foundation runs 8 hospitals providing free medical care, eye hospitals, diabetic centers, surgical units, a 4- bed cancer hospital and mobile dispensaries. In addition to these the Foundation also manages two blood banks in Karachi.

20,000 abandoned babies have been saved
40,000 qualified nurses have been trained
50,000 orphans are housed in Edhi Homes
1 million babies have been delivered in Edhi Maternity Centers

Edhi is to Karachi what Mother Teresa was to the poor of Calcutta. Edhi and wife Bilquees have spent a lifetime working for people and their welfare work to date remains unparalleled in Pakistan. They are both very private people who shun publicity. They have had little formal education, and are totally committed to the cause of helping the poor and needy.


The Dawn of Edhi Foundation

What started as a one-man show operating from a single room in Karachi is now the Edhi Foundation, the largest welfare organization in Pakistan. The foundation has over 300 centers across the country, in big cities, small towns and remote rural areas, providing medical aid, family planning and emergency assistance.

Born in 1928 in Bantwa , Gujarat, India , Edhi’s family belonged to the industrious Memon community. From a young age his mother taught Edhi to be kind towards others and to help the poor. In 1947 the family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Karachi. That was a time of great emotional trauma and social and political upheaval. Edhi became involved in social work and began working with welfare organisations and soon started his own dispensary, providing medical aid to the poor. He bought his first ambulance, an old van which he called the "poor man’s van" and went around the city providing medical help and burying unclaimed bodies. His van became his advertisement and soon he came to be known for his work with the poor. As a consequence, donations started pouring in and his operations expanded, employing additional nurses and staff. It was here that Edhi met his wife Bilquees who was a trainee nurse at the dispensary. They were married in 1966. Bilquees became the ideal wife for Edhi, totally committed to welfare work.

Edhi established his first welfare centre and then the Edhi Trust with a mere Rs. 5000 [$1000]. The Edhi Foundation grew as people began to recognize its humanitarian aims. In 1973 when an old apartment building collapsed in Karachi, Edhi’s ambulances and volunteers were the first to reach the scene and start rescue operations. From then, on, through the troubles in Karachi and all over the country, Edhi’s ambulances have been rescuing and taking the injured to hospitals and burying unclaimed bodies. They go to places where even government agencies hesitate to venture.

The Edhi Foundation is the first of its kind in South Asia that owns air ambulances, providing quick access to far-flung areas. Whether it is a train accident or a bomb blast, Edhi ambulances are the first to arrive. The foundation relies on the support of its 3, 500 workers and thousands of volunteers who form the backbone of the organisation


Edhi's Founder
Despite the growth of the foundation, Edhi remains a very down to earth person. Dressed always in a grey homespun cotton, he has a hands on approach to his work, sweeping his own room and even cleaning the gutter if need be. Apart from the one room, which he uses for his living quarters, the rest of the building serves as his workplace in Mithadar, a locality of old Karachi that is full of narrow streets and congested alleyways. Adjoining their living room is a small kitchen where Bilquees usually prepares the midday meal. Next to it is a washing area where bodies are bathed and prepared for burial..


When Edhi is not travelling to supervise his other centres, a typical day for him begins at five in the morning with Fajr prayers. His work starts thereafter answering any calls for help, organizing and meeting people in need while afternoons are spent at various centres and hospitals all over the city. In the evening he dines with hundreds of poor at his "langar" [free community meals common among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs] at another Edhi centre in the city. His Fridays are invariably spent at homes for the destitute children where Edhi personally helps bathe the ones who are physically handicapped, before joining them for Friday prayers. Occasionally, when he is able to, he also takes them out for picnics.


Assets of Edhi Foundation

In Karachi alone, the Edhi Foundation runs 8 hospitals providing free medical care, eye hospitals, diabetic centres, surgical units, a 4- bed cancer hospital and mobile dispensaries. In addition to these the Foundation also manages two blood banks in Karachi. As with other Edhi services, employed professionals and volunteers run these. The foundation has a Legal aid department, which provides free services and has secured the release of countless innocent prisoners.

Commissioned doctors visit jails on a regular basis and also supply food and other essentials to the inmates. There are 15 " Apna Ghar" ["Your Homes"] homes for the destitute children, runaways, and psychotics and the Edhi Foundation states that over the years 3 million children have been rehabilitated and reunited with their families thorough the Edhi network.

The foundation also has an education scheme, which apart from teaching reading and writing covers various vocational activities such as driving, pharmacy and para-medical training. The emphasis is on self-sufficiency. The Edhi Foundation has branches in several countries where they provide relief to refugees in the USA , UK , Canada , Japan , and Bangladesh . In 1991 the Foundation provided aid o victims of the Gulf war and earthquake victims in Iran and Egypt .


Vision Of the Foundation
Edhi plans mass campaigns against narcotics, illiteracy, population control and basic hygiene. Edhi's wife Bilquees works in the areas of maternity centre management. She runs 6 nursing training schools in Karachi , which provide basic training courses. These centres have so far trained over 40,000 qualified nurses. Some 20,000 abandoned babies have been saved and about a million babies have been delivered in the Edhi maternity homes. Bilquees also supervises the food that is supplied to the Edhi hospitals in Karachi . The total number of orphans in Edhi housing is 50,000 and Edhi's two daughters and one son assist in the running of the orphanages and the automation of these institutions.

Edhi's vision is to create an institution that will carry on his life's work and survive for a long time to come. His dream is that of a Pakistan as a modern welfare state, which provides a safety net for the poor and needy while providing basic health and education with vocational skills. A welfare state Edhi feels is the only way to tackle Pakistan 's myriad social problems. He hopes that one day, Pakistan will be a model for other developing countries.

In 1985 Edhi received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan and in recognition of their services the Government of Philippines awarded Edhi & Bilquees the Magsayay award.

The Edhi Foundation refuses to take any aid from the Government, thereby maintaining its independence

Ansar Burney

Born August 14th 1956 in Karachi Pakistan, Syed Ansar Ahmed Burney, son of Syed Mukhtar Ahmed Burney, was the first man to introduce true human rights in Pakistan over 25 years ago.

A graduate of Master's and Law from Karachi University and honorary recipient of a PhD. in Philosophy, Ansar Burney, Advocate started his noble mission in 1980 by setting up the “Ansar Burney Welfare Trust", "Prisoners Aid Society" and "Bureau of Missing and Kidnapped Persons" in Karachi Pakistan.

A vocal and prominent student leader in the 1970s, Ansar Burney was always known as one to raise his voice for justice, freedom of speech and for human and civil rights during the time of Martial Law in Pakistan. As such, he landed himself in trouble on many occasions with the military government.

In 1977 at the age of 20, Ansar Burney was arrested on charges of delivering speeches against Martial Law in Pakistan and without a fair trial he was sentenced to 8 months rigorous imprisonment.

Upon his release, he was again arrested by the Martial Law Authorities who sent him to Karachi Prison for a further 2 months detention. In 1979, he was again arrested for the third time and detained for a month.

At all three times, Ansar Burney was imprisoned for raising his voice for democracy and against the terrible injustices being committed by the then military government.

During this time of detention in different prisons, Ansar Burney witnessed first hand the miserable conditions of Pakistani prisons and the barbaric treatments inflicted on prisoners. He met many innocent people who had been locked up for several years without ever committing a crime or even facing trial.

That was the time that he decided to help those in need; and after completing his law degree in 1980, Ansar Burney established the “Prisoners Aid Society” with the purpose of bringing reforms in prisons and to get the release of all innocent and illegally confined prisoners.

As a result of his continued and selfless work, Ansar Burney has so far been able to secure release of around 700,000 prisoners from countries all around the world. These have included persons locked up on false charges, those released from private and illegal prisons, illegal immigrants and those who were released from slave labor camps; some released after as many as 55 years of illegal confinement.

With the passing of time, Ansar Burney led the Trust into becoming a true human rights organisation working for justice without discrimination and against all forms of human and civil rights repressions and violations.

Working at the forefront, Ansar Burney has fearlessly led legal missions, humanitarian relief teams and fought for the rights of the innocents in many parts of the world; facing yet more imprisonment in Bosnia and various attacks on his life.

Ansar Burney, founder and chairman of Ansar Burney Trust, is an authority on human rights in Pakistan and the Middle East. He has hosted and attended hundreds of National and International conferences, groups and forums and has received over 200 awards and medals from home and abroad. On the 23rd March 2002, he was conferred Pakistan’s National Civil Award "Sitar-i-Imtiaz", the first in the history of Pakistan in the field of human rights.

Ansar Burney got married with Shaheen on May 28, 1981 and they have three children - Fahad, Raheel and daughter Sana.

Arifa Nazle

Arifa Nazle is the Manager of Communications for the Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre. The center was opened with the purpose of integrating consciousness raising with a development perspective and initiating projects that translate advocacy into action. For more than 30 years SG has facilitated women’s empowerment by increasing their access to information, resources, skills and decision making, and helped to bring about positive changes in policies, laws and practices.

Ms. Nazle is a member of the AWID forum. She is also a freelance journalist. Her interests are in the area of human rights and feminism in the Muslim world at a grassroots level. She also enjoys literature, writing, and developing written/visual materials (manuals, information kits, pamphlets and posters). She is the mother of two children.

Kulsum Dawood

Kulsum Dawood is a Trustee on the Board of Dawood Foundation, a philanthropic organization of The Dawood Group, Imhotep-Organics (SMC Pvt.) Limited, that grows and sells organic herbs and vegetables. Ms. Dawood is also a Trustee of the Family Welfare Co-operative Society, an organization geared for the betterment of under-privileged Pakistani young women.

Ms. Dawood takes her social and civic responsibilities seriously. She has supported various charities in healthcare, education and economic development. She is a member of SOS, a charity known for the care of orphans, as well as a Depilex Smile Again Foundation, an NGO for the treatment and rehabilitation of burn victims. She supports other charitable organizations such as CARE (Cooperation for Advancement, Rehabilitation & Education), The Lahore Hospital Welfare Society, The Pakistan Society for the Welfare of Mentally Retarded Children and All Pakistan Women’s Association. Ms. Dawood has also served as the President of Women’s Voluntary Service and the Punjab Women’s Swimming Association (2000-2005).

She has attended Family Business courses from the world’s leading Business Schools, The International Institute for Management Development (IMD), in Switzerland in 2004 and 2005 and the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in 2007. She regularly attends the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings in Davos.