Depilex Smileagain Foundation succeeds in getting approval on regulations for Sale of Acid by the Sindh Cabinet.

The Sindh Cabinet has approved the Sindh Regulation for Storage, Sale and Purchase of Acid Rules, 2022. The unregulated sale of a corrosive substance, such as acid, were highlighted by the Depilex Smileagain Foundation by filing a Constitutional Petition before the High Court of Sindh, through its counsel Mr. Rashid Mahar, Barrister Vishal Shamsi and Ms. Anushka Khan.

Depilex Smileagain Foundation is an organization formed by Ms. Masarrat Misbah, a distinguished cosmetologist and philanthropist of Pakistan who is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance. Depilex Smileagain Foundation has provided medical treatment and rehabilitation for over 760 acid and kerosene burn victims.

Depilex Smileagain Foundation brought to the attention of a division bench of the High Court of Sindh comprising of the Honorable Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh and Mr. Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, who sought reports from the Secretary to the Government of Sindh on any existing rules in relation to the sale, storage and purchase of acid. The Government of Sindh, convened a consultative meeting with a number of departments for determining if the rules on sale, storage, and purchase of acid existed, and it transpired that the rules under the Poisons Act, 1919 have not yet been framed.

The Home Department, therefore, formulated rules regarding the sale, storage and purchase of acid, which were subsequently approved by the Law Department. The Rules were approved by the Honorable Chief Minister of Sindh and were placed before the Provincial Cabinet for approval. The Provincial Cabinet approved the rules that will regulate and prevent the widespread accessibility of acid. The Rules will prove to be a first line of defense to combat acid related crimes.

The Poisons Act, 1919, was designed to prevent the crime of throwing acid on people, by regulation of the sale of acid.

The Rules provide a license requirement for specified persons to sell, store or purchase acid, and makes it mandatory for the license holder to maintain a register recording as follows:

S NO	DETAILS
01	Date of Sale
02	Name of the purchaser
03	Address of the Purchaser
04	CNIC copy of purchaser
05	Name of Acid Sold
06	Quantity of Acid Sold
07	Purpose of the Acid Purchase
08	Signature of the Purchaser.

Previously, no legislation existed in relation to regulating the sale and purchase of acid, and the corrosive substance was available on a widespread basis without any such regulation or control.

3rd Steering Committee Meeting for 11th Edition of ‘International Defence Exhibition & Seminar’ – IDEAS-2022.

“The 11th edition of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2022) scheduled from 15^th November to 18^th November 2022 at Karachi Expo Centre (KEC) will significantly contribute towards fostering and promoting Pakistan’s strategic relations with international fraternity and would serve to achieve the shared objectives of global peace, stability and balance”, stated Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh while chairing the 3^rd Steering Committee Meeting held at Chief Minister Sindh Secretariat.

The Chief Minister added by saying that; “hosting IDEAS-2022 is a testimony to our pledge for encouraging technological growth and exchange in the region. We reassure of our continuous patronage and full support of Government of Sindh for successful accomplishment of IDEAS – 2022”.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives from Federal Ministries, various departments of Government of Sindh, Armed Forces of Pakistan, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Badar Expo Solutions, the Event Manager.

To provide impetus to ongoing national level preparations for this strategically important event, the second session was chaired by Director General, Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Major General Muhammad Arif Malik, HI (M).

He was appraised about the finalization of administrative, security and support plans by various Government Departments, Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA’s).

Towards the end of second session, DG DEPO Major General Muhammad Arif Malik, HI (M) highlighted by saying that; “this event as per its traditions will host number of splendid activities encompassing world’s cutting edge Defence technology demonstrations, International Seminars, Cultural Show and business expansions through well planned B2B and B2G engagements”.

He added that; “Karachi Show will be arranged exclusively for the people of Karachi at Sea View (Nishan-e-Pakistan) on 17^th November 2022”.

At the end of the meeting, CEO of Badar Expo Solutions Zohair Naseer said that; “with the support of armed forces, federal government and provincial government and law enforcing agencies, the IDEAS 2022 is to be held in a befitting manner and Badar Expo Solutions as the organizer will play its due role to make this event achieve its national goals,”.

During the 3^rd Steering Committee meeting, all government organizations and departments pledged their full support for successful accomplishment of IDEAS – 2022.

Alliance Francaise de Karachi hosted Audubon Miniatures Exhibition ‘Bird Paintings on Egg Shells’.

The Commonwealth Karachi and Alliance Francaise de Karachi jointly organized the book launch of ‘Painted Eggs’ along with the inauguration of Audubon Miniatures Exhibition titled as ‘Bird Paintings on Egg Shells’ by the famous Nature & Wildlife artist Ghulam Abbas Khaskheli.

This is the first of its kind exhibition and most pleasant addition to Karachi’s art scene not only offering a high quality, minutely detailed study of birds painted in rich colors on specially treated eggshells.

Syed Khawar Mehdi from Commonwealth Karachi expounded on the subtle but solid change this Think Tank is bringing through awareness, advocacy, and coming up with dynamic workable solutions towards the political, social, and developmental needs of Karachi and its sustainability through education, environmental awareness, energy & empathy – the enablers to a megacity’s people, their comfort, happiness and prosperity in a liveable and competitive hyper-dynamic urban landscape.

Ghulam Abbas Khaskheli is not just a wildlife artist but carries that deep love for all things nature and most importantly his efforts are directed towards creating awareness and conservation. Khaskheli is a very simple person at heart, a great artist, and a terrible businessman. For the sake of living, he got a master’s degree in economics, not knowing at that time that his deeper desire to paint animals was to become a lifelong career. This opportunity was provided by a job in the Government of Sindh Wildlife Department, a job which he simply loved, as it provided him the critical opportunity to watch animals in their natural habitat, to sketch and paint them on various surfaces, and materials. Today Khaskheli has a large number of paintings to his credit which brings him not only immense pleasure but the gratifying fact of creating awareness through art for conservation and acknowledging the role nature & environment played in developing his talent & career. For Khaskheli it is much more than a career, a lifelong passion that brings him closer to nature and the creator.

The exhibition started on Friday 10^th June 2022 and concluded today i.e. Tuesday 14^th June 2022.

Fourth (04th) Sindh Literature Festival is all set to kick-off today at Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival, which is jointly organized by the Sindh Literary Foundation (SLF), Endowment Fund Trust (EFT), Culture Department Government of Sindh and Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi. This festival is a three-day event which includes book-launches, sessions on cultural development, political development, history, education along-with live performances of folk-music and theatre.

Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival will be inaugurated by Syed Sardar Ali Shah, provincial minister of Sindh for culture. This was informed by President ACP Karachi, Mr. Mohammad Ahmed Shah while addressing the press conference for the Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival.

President of ACP Karachi said; “I am grateful to our press/media for highlighting the positive face of Pakistan”. He further added by saying that; “ACP is the core of culture and the biggest festival of Sindh culture is going to be held in Arts Council and we are delighted to host this literature festival”.

Mohammad Ahmed Shah was accompanied by the writer and columnist Noor-ul-Huda Shah along with organizers Naseer Gopang, Zohaib Kaka and Najia Mir. He said; “five years ago, three youngsters Naseer Gopang, Zohaib Kaka and Najia Mir set out to organize the Sindh Literature Festival, a festival that reflects Sindh’s literature, way of life and culture”.

“For some time, there has been a lot of work being done in Sindh to eradicate hatred. There are two platforms that are playing a pivotal role in this regard. One is the Arts Council and the other is the Sindh Literary Foundation. The Arts Council is a place where every language and culture is valued. This year I hope that the more people participate in this program, the more positive the message will be conveyed to the world” said Noor-ul-Huda Shah.

One of the organizer Naseer Gopang said; “we used to attend Karachi Literature Festival every year and being inspired by that we decided to organize Sindh Literature Festival. The purpose was to highlight that Pakistan boasts rich and vibrant cultures, traditions and flavors”.

Addressing the press conference, Zohaib Kaka said that; “the festival is being organized under very  adverse conditions and during such times we would like to thank Endowment Fund Trust, secretary culture (Sindh) Akbar Laghari, Minister of Culture (Sindh) Syed Sardar Ali Shah and president Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah for this continuous support us for this festival”.

Najia Mir said that; “04^th Sindh Literature Festival will have about 27 sessions, including international sessions. Many overseas literary personalities will also participate in the festival virtually”. She further added that; “people who love literature have always supported us and the number of visitors to the Sindh Literature Festival is increasing every year, which is a good sign”.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed jointly by public and private sector.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed at a Pearl Continental Hotel at Karachi organized jointly by Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), Department of Social Welfare, Government of Sindh and APHA (Association of the Physically Handicapped Adults) with the sponsorship of Help Age International (a German based NGO) with the theme for 2020 “Building Back Better: toward a disability – inclusive assessable and sustainable post – COVID-19 World”

Guests included Mr. Imdad Channa, Director Focal Person, Senior Citizens, Mr. Abu Baker Madni both from Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh, Mr. Muktar Kapri Project Coordinator SRSO, Mr. S.M. Nishat General Secretary APHA, Professor Shugufta Shahzadi University of Karachi and Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Bhutto of OLD People Association, Mr. Danish Khan Advisor and several members of APHA.

Welcoming the guests Ms. Uroosa Khatti focal person of SRSO mentioned that the purpose/objective of this august gathering is to highlight the needs and issues of Older People with disabilities and emphasis on implementation of Sindh Senior Citizen Welfare Act as implementation of this act will prevent older people from becoming disabled.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Imdad Channa gave the progress made step by step on the implementation of the Sind Senior Citizens Welfare Act 2014, passed in 2016 and the success of making an Annual Development Scheme and approval of Rs.75.20 million for construction of Shelter Home for Senior Citizens in District Central of Karachi which is nearly completion. He informed that a MoU was signed in 2019 with the Help Age International for framing rules etc. for implementation of the Act. He further informed that Chief Minister Sindh Mr. Murad Ali Shah has sanctioned/allotted Rs.30 Million for establishment of Senior Citizens Welfare Fund in the budget of 2020/2021 for the effective implementation of Senior Citizens Welfare act 2016.

Mr. Abu Bakar Madni told the audience that the relation between the Government and the NGOs now also named as NPOs is quiet content. He informed the audience in detail about the Sindh Charities Registration and Regulation Act 2019 by virtue of which all the NGOs working in Sind are required to be registered under the above Act by February 15, 2021 as after that date the old law will become obsolete.  He explained in detail different functions and authority of the Commission.

Mr. Mukhtar Kapri spoke on the history and progress of observance of International day of Persons with Disabilities under the charter of the United Nations.

Mr. S.M. Nishat and Professor Shugufta Shahzadi also delivered speeches highlighting the needs and addressing of various problems faced by Persons with Disabilities.

Then Mrs. Erum Saem, Director Women with Disabilities of APHA expressed and highlighted through Multi Media  various  activities performed by APHA especially during the lock down distribution of rations, medicines and other supports to PWDs and also to normal needy persons.  APHA members also spoke about their individual Problems and achievements. Ms. Kausar Salmani MCM of APHA narrated a poem on the occasion which was liked by all the audience.

In the end certificates were distributed among the participants and some awards were also given to the persons who worked actively in the lock down period of COVID-19.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the organizers, speakers, the participants and the Help Age International the sponsors and was followed by lunch. Special thanks earned by Mr. Abdul Qudoos, coordination and Communication Officer SRSO for his efforts to make the program successful.

Saifee Eid e Zahabi Institute of Technology handed back to the Dawoodi Bohra Community.

The signing of the handover of the Saifee Eide Zahabi Institute of Technology by Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA), Government of Sindh to Saifee Golden Jubilee Educational Trust, a trust of the Dawoodi Bohra Community was held on Wednesday at the Sindh Assembly Building to allow for the betterment of education in the city. The Event was attended at Sindh Assembly Building by the Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chairman STEVTA Mr Saleem Raza Jalbani, Managing Director STEVTA Mr Agha Sohail Ahmed, Secretary Universities and Board Department Mr Alamuddin Bullo and other Government officials as well as Mr. Kumail Yunus, Nominee of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, trustees of the Saifee Golden Jubilee Educational Trust and leading members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community.

The Saifee Eid e Zahabi Institute of Technology, located at North Nazimabad, was established in the year 1963 on the august occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 51^st spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin.

The aim of this esteemed establishment as stated by His Holiness Dr Syedna Taher Saifuddin is to provide the young generation of Pakistan with a centre of excellence in the field of technical and industrial education and subsequently play a vital role in the development of the country.

The community, under the guidance of its spiritual leader, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the Worldwide Head of the Dawoodi Bohra Community continues to play an essential role in the field of education through a network of schools and educational institutes spread over the globe in all areas where the community resides. During the challenging times of the pandemic too, these schools have continued to impart quality education through online resources to ensure the erudition of the community’s children.

The community pays great emphasis on education, irrespective of gender or class, and a large number of professionals contribute to strengthening the social fabric of the country they live in.