IMMORTAL MEMORIES OF QAU

The Generations of Nostalgia at ASC

 

Mahtab Bashir

0333 53 63 248

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Islamabad

 

Papers, notes, books, handouts, presentations, writing book reviews, responses, sessional and terminal exams- I used to hate them all but now, I’ll miss them. My memories and experience in Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) are worth their weight in gold. The time I’ve spend there, will never lose its luster. Excellent academic environment, cozy friendship, chit chat at Guddu and Majeed huts and warm feelings are all I’ll never forget.

 

Last day of second semester (coursework)
Photo credit Syed Muhammad

The two semesters comprising coursework at Area Study Centre (ASC) of QAU, have just elapsed as I blink my eyes. As of now I am writing this, the thesis work would have been underway while university will be closed on account of Eidul-Adha vacations and summer break.

  

The most heartbreaking event, however, during the university's closure over the last semester break was not the construction of a bypass within the campus or the reshuffling of boys' and girls' hostels, but rather the unexpected demolition of the Quaidian Huts—once a cherished space where we gathered to eat, laugh, and connect with one another.

Nestled in the foothills of Margalla, Quaid-i-Azam University, previously named Islamabad University was established in 1967. What initially began as a teaching and research institution, now offers undergraduate to PhD programmes. It has established professional links with selected universities in Europe, South Asia and the United States.

 

The Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America was established under the 1975 Area Study Centres Act of the Government of Pakistan. The centre is an autonomous body, funded by the Ministry of Education through the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It is academically part of Quaid-i-Azam University, affiliated with its Faculty of Social Sciences.

 

With as many as 34 departments/ schools and 6 centres/ institutes, Area Study Centre (ASC) is perhaps, the more serene and tranquil owing to surroundings in flora and fauna or because of its distant proximity from the hustle and bustle of the main campus.  

 

ASC depicts a diverse aura of students – coming across Pakistan. Students keep busy with their cell phones and laptops, some are having chit chat at outside the building, studying in the silence of the library or having clicks between the flora and fauna of the Centre. It is a dreamland where hopes are born, dreams are nurtured, paths are woven and memories of a lifetime are knitted.

 

For the current generation of QAU students, the experience of the university is marked by many little things. Whether it be tea stalls run by our beloved "Majeed" at main huts, the overly liked ‘Crisis” in the menu, the music and the festivals, the long walks from main campus to ASC and countless other experiences that add to the memories of our campus life every day.

 

Starting my first semester at the ASC in February 2022, I found its small faculty very cooperative, dedicated and student-friendly. The faculty comprises Dr. Sadia Sulaiman, who was incharge of the centre, and went on leave as soon as our 2^nd semester commenced, handing over the responsibility to Dr. Bahramand Shah. Other faculty members include Dr. Tahir Jamil, Dr. Munawar Hussain, and Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa- all assistant professors.        

 

ASC is deprived of permanent director (the head of the centre) for a long time for reasons best known to QAU administration, and first the Vice Chancellor (VC) now Dean Social Sciences continues holding this charge. The building encompasses a number of rooms but surprisingly, M.Phil students are attending their classes either in an internal library or in a seminar room while PhD scholars have a dedicated room, much smaller to their expectations. Despite all odds, the projector’s availability in the classroom was another phenomenon because of parallel scheduled classes of M.Phil and Ph.D (at the same time). And once, we had it, our classroom was well and truly called a ‘smart classroom’- because we had that dedicated piece of wall for the image, that was further divided into few (torn) pieces.

 

The ASC has produced over 400 M.Phil quality theses. However, over the last few years, ASC has been marred with a number of controversies including theft/ misplacement of bulk of expensive books donated by US Embassy to ASC’s library while Dr. Sadia Sulaiman was the incharge of the Centre. The inquiry of this case still is in progress.

During our studies, ASC in collaboration with US Embassy organised 16^th International American Studies Conference: Seventy-Five years of US-Pakistan Relations. Privy to development, a senior student told this scribe that collaborative efforts are always good but in this particular conference not a single student of M.Phil  ASC was invited. “We (the students) came to know about this international conference through social media platforms. It would have been a learning experience for all of us, had we been part of it,” he lamented.

Sharing his classroom experience in the Centre,  he said female faculty members of ASC are found neither punctual nor regular in the classroom and that has become a routine. “This grave concern has been conveyed to VC office and the office asked the response, after which I do not know how this issue was resolved,” he said. He said many of complains were also raised about the M.Phil students’ theses that were comprising 40-45 pages with ordinary content.       

 

By the time I am inscribing this, Dr. Sadia Sulaiman would have rejoin the centre as its in-charge. She taught us Research Methodology (RM) for a brief period of time before going on a semester break. Dr. Sulaiman, without an iota of doubt, is an incredibly genius. She is polite and humble to all students and faculty alike. She believes in meritocracy. 

 

Dr. Sadia Sulaiman: an inspiring educator, a role model

She has completed her PhD from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her area of interest is Strategic Studies. Students to whom I have talked to, believe that Dr. Sulaiman has been an inspiration, and her kind and positive attitude will always be remembered and we make sure to be in contact with her forever. 

One of a brilliant student of our batch opines, “Dr. Sadia's brief but impactful presence left a lasting impression on me. Her teaching style and expertise in research methodology won my heart, making the subject come alive with practical applications.”

 

She goes on saying, “in just two weeks, Dr. Sadia's teaching approach for research methodology struck a perfect balance between theory and practice. Her on-point guidance and practical demonstrations made the subject truly awesome to learn,” she concludes.

 

A good teacher must be committed to continuing their own learning, keeping themselves up to date with new theories and practices, and being open to feedback and improvement. Dr. Bahramand Shah is one of this kind. He is knowledgeable, approachable, adaptable, organised, passionate, positive, empathetic, and a life-long learner. 

 

He is a genuine humanist who is never shy of acknowledging role of females they are playing in the society. “I must give credit to my female faculty members, in particular- for they are fulfilling responsibilities in much better way here in the Centre & later at home. Males usually do the domestic chores, reluctantly, which supposedly to be done by them with keen interest,” he maintains.

 

A cursory glance gives an impression this man on podium is a Spokesperson for the US State Department, but actually its our very own Dr. Bahramand Shah (a beguiler).

Dr. Shah’s classroom is perhaps the more interactive than any of faculty members. He often starts in murmuring voice “...oh my god… what you guys think about it”, and the never ending debate starts.

 

Dr. Shah is quite a masquerader in ASC as far as his ‘foreigner look’ is concerned. He is a cool and composed faculty member. He obtained his PhD from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA. He is also a Fulbright Alumnus. Dr. Shah’s teaching and research interest is in American Literature. He is a well-groomed, soft-spoken and a docile character. He taught us Multi-Cultural literature in USA.

 

Dr. Shah believed that our Batch of 2022 was the best in terms of commitment of seeking knowledge. However, when I talked to him later in 2023, he was of the opinion, “This current Batch (of 2023) is the best. Each student is enrolled on merit.” I was a little surprised to hear that, I wanted to say something in response, but I smiled back at him without saying a word, knowing well his words are magical but identical for all (Batches). When asked have you ever gone through that experience of ‘existential crisis’ or ‘nihilism’ as of Herzog (a professor)? He affirms saying yes, I did, and came out of it without struggling. He said he does not believe in discriminating students by their caste, creed, colour or ethnicity, but he judges his students in classroom through their thoughts and what they write on papers in exams but I use my own peripheral vision, above all. Dr. Shah is a gem of a person, very friendly, and encourages each student for a critical thinking to broaden understanding.

 

A female student (while not being gullible) observes that “Dr. Barhamand Shah's serious demeanor and focused approach greatly impressed me. His concise and direct communication style ensured efficient delivery of information, while his unwavering professionalism maintained a high level of decorum throughout the course.”

 

No faculty member of ASC has reached to that fame or exposure as of Dr. Munawar Hussain as far as appearance on television screens or youtube or social media platform is concerned. Dr. Hussain, without doubt, is a well-informed, rhetoric and a tastefully well-dressed person. His area of interest is international affairs. In an ambience of a classroom, his behavior varies too often. Starting his lecture with (his pet words) “….. to bunyadi tor per bat ye hay ke….” he inculcates theories of International Relations, Philosophy, metaphysics, empirical evidence, and much more in one lecture to evaluate and justify the methodological choices a student made in Research Methodology (RM)- an art of science only Dr. Munawar could handle. For his teaching methodology, ‘all level of analysis” fall into pieces. Once in a cluster of students, pointing towards me said, “This fellow, Mahtab is my favourite students” that surprised many. Now, I would say (reciprocally), Dr. Munawar is the best- as they say, “you scratch my a** (read back) and I’ll scratch yours”.     

Sharing light moments with Dr. Munawar Hussain

He is ‘expect the unexpected’ kind of a person. At times, he is found vulnerable as he watches students with cell phones in their hands. Other moment, he reacts like a stickler, an orthodox about discipline but many of students believe that Dr. Munawar is a swagger. His other characteristics, a student on condition of not to be named describes as, “during paper marking, he focuses on a particular student’s behavior in the classroom.”

 

His lecture sometimes reaches to an irrelevant point (that’s a story of some other time, perhaps). Despite the fact in verbosity, he intermingled George Bertrand Russell or Stephen Hopkins, (four genius into two) intentionally or a slip of tongue or in confusion, Sir Munawar is a trumpcard of this department. 

 

Dr. Munawar Hussain: A life-long mentor

Overall, the classroom temperature in his lectures remained cool, calm and often filled with laughters until a blunt response of a student haunt us and Sir Munawar in particular. I tried to pacify the issue requesting first to that shopaholic student either to cut down her month spending on shopping and later Sir Munawar to find other parallel source of income to match that. (pun intended). Dr. Munawar Hussain is also a top-notched vlogger. He is running his independent youtube channel with the title “Diplomatic & Current Affairs with Dr. Munawar Hussain”.

The moment I am writing this, subscriber of his channel would have been surpassed over 1 million. Inculcation of morality/ moral values in a contemporary youth is a staple diet of his lectures. Sailing in so many boats at a time, one must say that Dr. Munawar is a good time-manager. Not being punctual, however, is his Achilles heel.

 

Teaching and learning go hand in hand. A good teacher never stops learning. With the education sector changing every day, teachers need to learn and upskill themselves. Dr. Munawar is such a class act who learns everyday and shares his insight thoughts not in a classroom but thorough his youtube channel.

 

Dr. Munawar is a self-made person, who is intact with his indigenous cultural roots. The classroom environment is important for fostering cultural awareness, he tries to ensure diversity in his lesson plan. He broadens national and international affairs to encompass the world beyond a state’s history and culture. Regardless of the subject, he always focuses to present and connect lessons to real-world issues.

 

Dr. Munawar is a built-in Quidian. He has graduated from QAU, did his M.Phil and Ph.D from this top ranked university of the continent and a part of faculty of ASC for long time now. “I am a made in Pakistan, and I am proud of it. Dr. Jaspal, Dr. Cheema and you name it, there are so many great names in research who were product of QAU- who are serving as distinguished professors in world’s top-notched varsities,” he said adding long ago he was offered from Stanford University, USA but he continued serving for/in his own land.

  

Students with Amb. Nadeem Riyaz- a keynote speaker in ASC's series of seminar 

He is an inspiration of so many students. American Study Club (ASC) would never have been flourished without his unconditional commitment. He alongside Club’s cabinet members invited a number of diplomats, dignitaries for a series of lecture. Dr. Munawar is full of ideas who believes that Pakistan will never default but ‘cypher’ was a reality.      

 

    In this Centre of Excellence, if some one could  find  a garrulous character, that would be  none other than Dr. Tahir Jamil aka TJ. When one starts talking to him, he/she will only find Dr. TJ a ‘walking lexicon’. He is an erudite, sagacious and a progressive person who raises voice against ‘the elite capture’ all the time.

Dr. TJ- a gentleman at par, a music buff who loves Indian oldies  

 “I have never had a fight with anyone, or may be I don’t remember now. But one thing is for sure- I respect everyone and expect likewise from others. I am least bothered about students’ life outside the centre, because I don’t want to. All I could say about student-teacher relationship is- one must be humble and polite with an urge to learn, debate and produce,” and this is the whole story like that.

    

Dr. Tahir Jamil achieved his Ph.D degree from Claremont College, USA. He is a Fulbright alumnus. His focus of interest is American Politics and Public Policy. Dr. Jamil has got a strong and finest sense of humour, which could tickle your ribs but only few labeled it a ‘warped sense of humour’. He is spontaneous on various issues ranging from domestic to international affairs, socio-economic to religio- politics. 

 

 

Dr. TJ's contagious jollity adds a delightful twist to history lectures, making them engaging and enjoyable. His energy and enthusiasm ensures that no student experiences a moment of dullness in his class, a student says.        

 

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa is presumably the youngest faculty member of this centre of excellence. She earned her Ph.D. in English LiteratureHaving out of the box thoughts, Dr. Jamil always encourages students for critical thinking. "Comparatively, girls are more difficult to judge, they are more deceptive than to boys and they cram more than boys. That's why female students are hard to judge but a teacher ought to be smart enough to judge each student," Dr. Jamil says. 

 

Students who grumble Sir TJ not following the course outline, soon realized how things are interlinked with one another. Dr. Tahir Jamil is a down-to-earth, who loves to spend his time with students on huts or cafeteria no matter how unhygienic food or atmosphere is around him. 

 

His meaningful sarcasm and low-profile attitude in and out of the classroom has earned him a reputation of a genuine scholar- of which he avoids to flaunt off.  Dr. Tahir Jamil also holds the charge of students’ affairs ASC. from University of Durham UK on a Commonwealth Scholarship. 

 

Her teaching and research interests include African American Studies, Postcolonial Studies, and Critical Theory. Known for her disciplinary approach in the classroom, Dr. Siddiqa maintains a cheerful and interactive classroom rather than a disorderly one which might encourage disruptive behavior.

 

I was unfortunate enough not to able to opt any of course taught by her, but students while talking to this scribe always spoke high about Dr. Siddiqa. She is a lady with great character, very dominating, punctual and quite reserved at times. Probably, she is the only faculty member who gives full justice to her profession- be it an interaction with any of student, reply of text messages or emails or debate in the classroom, she is always encouraging. 

 

believes empathy is more powerful than sympathy

Though a hardcore feminist, Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, however, never has carried the belief to belittle male students as far as grading is concerned. She is one of the most popular teachers because of adaptability, empathy and patience. An engaging classroom presence, value in real-world learning, exchange of best practices, love of learning and creating ideas are what she expects from her students. All is picture perfect as far as Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa’s classroom is concerned, she is very rigid in awarding marks. “She will not give away a grace mark or two, no matter what. Perhaps, she is not having that much big heart when she is numbering our papers,” a complainant student said adding but it’s good that she doesn’t oblige anyone even if he/she is her favourite student.   

 

Sharing her experience of ASC about Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, Arfa Khan, a student of M.Phil III recollecting her memories says, “I have had a great experience studying in ASC, particularly in Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa's class. Her professionalism and passion for her job are evident, making the learning environment engaging and inspiring, she says adding despite not being a literature student, American literature class with Dr. Ayesha has been a standout for me. “Her teaching style and enthusiasm have made the subject enjoyable and accessible, capturing my interest in ways I didn't expect.

 

She says, ASC's department is fortunate to have Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, whose dedication and expertise in teaching American literature shine through. “I appreciate her ability to make the subject matter compelling and relevant, fostering a positive learning experience for students from various academic backgrounds,” she keeps on talking.

 

Our batch consist a mixed bunch of students. We have had the ingenious talent of Tahreem and Tabinda on one side, Asad and Mujeeb on the another- all are gifted in many ways.

We work together, & we achieve more?

As far as the atmosphere of the class was concerned, it was very cordial. During exams days, few of ‘elites’ (as we all known or are told to be) were found nervous. I was always the first to put away my cell phone (on the table, despite the fact I only use only one). Chicanery in classroom was not seen quite often, but few exceptions were there believing in “when the cat is away, the mouse shall play”. The backup or supportive staff of ASC, at that critical moment proven themselves ‘a supportive staff’ but only for those students. In a nutshell, I thoroughly enjoyed first two semesters at Campus. I don’t wanna say goodbye but – I’ve to.

 

QAU was not a new place for me as I used to play on its Cricket arena during my school and college days. Later, one of my college classmate Raja Tahir (now Dr. Tahir Mahmood, HoD Department of Economics Karakuram International University (KIU) forced me to submit admission form for M.Sc- which I still remember we did at the last moment. I obtained my M.Sc degree from here (2000-2002) before joining the media industry.

 

Fast forwarding, many people including faculty members have been found instrumental during my stay at ASC. I owe special thanks to all faculty members, office staff, library officials and others.

 

No faculty member, parents, or a colleague could rectify those few of devious students who are involved in wasting their times either in drug addiction, infatuation or student politics hovering around for long time at QAU - for them a tiny advice ‘Time might be a healer but it’s more like a cruel teacher” is to say the least.

 

Being a President of ASC, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my cabinet members. Prior to this, my special thank goes to those mates who in ‘a surprising or unprecedented move’ elected me as President of American Studies Club- for this I am more obliged to Fatima and Alishba. It would be sheer injustice if I forget to mention the names of  Arfa, Mujeeb and Asad for their unflinching support for they were more instrumental than that president to be. 

 

With incumbent President ASC

I am thankful to Khalil-ur-Rehman (now President ASC) for his cooperation. During political turmoil and fragile economic conditions, this was perhaps the only ‘smooth transition of power’ that was handed over from a former president to incumbent President ASC.        

 

I am more indebted to my classmate and office colleague Aftab Maken, who through all odds bears me through thick and thin. Despite the fact being working journalists, we both struggled initially but that academic chasm between full time students and us was not so big.

   

Words are totally inadequate to express my respect and appreciation for my teachers and classmates for their continuous sharing and creation of knowledge, and assistance- virtually unparalleled! Though I’ve not seen all faculty members under one roof during the course of time, they found unanimous saying “positive classroom environments don’t happen, teachers create them”.

   

Apart from all, a year (two semesters) we spend in the university are in many ways the formative years of our lives. The friends we make, the stories we live together and the culture that encircles our lives play a huge role in shaping us as individuals. QAU has been a hub for promoting and nurturing different forms of art and science since the beginning. This environment alone has created many talented people serving all over the country and abroad in respective disciplines.

 

Despite many things that we wish to change about this institution, it is still the place for us where we got to live the best years of our lives.

 

We, as a family of ASC, share a common love for the university and its campus from our shared but individual experiences of this university- seeped into the sweet memories of the different phases of all our lives.

 

"I had a good time on the campus. In a way, I feel very lucky to be part of a department that always promoted free-thinking. I encountered teachers that I absolutely loved as well,” said a student.

ASC in inter-departmental cricket tournament does well. We are ousted in the semis.

It is here that I met my most influential and life-changing role models who not only chiselled and shaped my life, but continue to inspire me even to this day. It was my good fortune that I found such worthy role models among my Professors. Each one of them inspired and motivated not only me but also all the students under them.

 

University life is perhaps the only phase in life when you will be able to be yourself, trying out entirely new things, finding your passion, and exploring life without any tension at all. My days at the University were a challenge and enlightening experience for me. It facilitated my personal growth and development and provided me with life-long attributes. I feel that I am a kind of a detached soul with a practical outlook towards life. But still I miss people from my past – Places. Time, memories, smiles and laughters, I can relate to everything I left behind.

 

Rounding off this piece of writing, I would quote a comment from one of a senior and revered journalists Kamran Rehmat, on a farewell letter written by Dr. Ilhan Niaz (Department of History, QAU) to all the students, he says and I quote “as farewell notes go, this one from the erudite Dr. Ilhan Niaz could aptly be described as the story of Pakistan and its Titanic drift, and therefore, serves as a stark warning to the short-changed youth to get their act together. You can read it and weep. Or stand up to be counted.”   

 

Goodluck all mates!

 

The writer is a student of M.Phil at ASC, QAU, Islamabad, who believes in ethical journalism.

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN: PLUS ça CHANGE?

*January 2023 turned out to be the deadliest month in Pakistan since July 2018

The first month of 2023 became the deadliest month since July 2018 as the militants carried out 44 attacks killing 134 people and at least 254 injured in January.According to statistics released by an Islamabad-based independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the pattern of terror attacks continued. At the same time, the security forces foiled many attacks by arresting at least 52 militants, mainly from Punjab, and killing 40, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Although the number of terror incidents slightly declined in January, the fatalities increased by 139 percent, mainly due to the Peshawar Police Line suicide blast.

A man stands in the rubble of the mosque. -Reuters

In January, overall, two suicide bombings were recorded, one in Peshawar and the other one in the Khyber tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to PICSS data, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected province during January, where not only the militant attacks increased from 17 to 27, the resultant deaths increased from 17 to 116 compared with December 2022. At least 232 people were also injured in the province, most of them security forces personnel wounded in the Peshawar blast. KP Police was the main target of the militants. Lakki Marwat remained the most troubled district of KP, where the majority of the militant attacks were reported in January, followed by DI Khan and Peshawar. Militant attacks were also reported from Bannu, Charsadda, and Swabi. Southern KP has been facing a major militant offensive during the last few months.

The violence in tribal districts of KP (former FATA) declined during January. Only three militant attacks were reported from the erstwhile FATA region. In December 2022, PICSS recorded 11 militant attacks in this region. Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) are stepped up in erstwhile FATA, which was the main reason militant attacks declined in the area. In erstwhile FATA, no violent activity of the militants was noted other than in North Waziristan and Khyber tribal districts during January.

In January 2023, militant attacks declined in Balochistan, where only nine militant attacks were reported compared with 17 in December 2022. The resultant deaths also dropped from 14 to 7, and wounded declined from 48 to 20. Bolan, Panjgur, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, and Quetta were the affected districts during the month.

Four militant attacks were reported from Punjab in which three security forces personnel were killed, while two low-profile attacks were reported from Sindh in which one person died. The highest profile attack was carried out in Minawali district’ Makerwal police station by around two dozen TTP militants on January 31. The attack was repulsed but showed the numerical strength and ability to mobilize armed militants across KP and Punjab border. One attack each was reported from Rawalpindi, DG Khan, and Khanewal.

Source: PICSS 

ISHAQ DAR PLAYS POLITICS WITH ECONOMY, NAY WITH DIVINITY!

If a Muslim and a Non-Muslim goes out in the middle to play, God will surely help winning the one who plays the best!

 

When all else fails, divine providence is the most favourite mantra for politicians in Pakistan. Just one glance at the dark annals of history can help one understand why Finance Minister Ishaq Dar felt comfortable in tossing the ball to Allah’s court and asserting that He is responsible for Pakistan’s development and prosperity.

The Dar-ing minister seeks divine intervention to rescue sinking economy

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this statement if coming from a hapless man walking on the street as he contemplates whether to pay for his skyrocketing electricity bill or spend his day standing in a queue outside a subsidised flour sale point.

 

A sitting member of a federal cabinet in a sovereign country, especially one brought to wave his magic wand and pull out the proverbial rabbit, on the other hand, skates on thin ice. The usual grace period of three months where every administration is allowed the breathing space to cry a river or two or place the blame of its harsh constraints at the doorstep of its predecessors ended more than a while ago.

 

Today, when Mr Dar or his colleagues refer to the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to divert blame from his wrongdoings, he has no one else to fool but himself. This week started with an extraordinary power outage that had plunged the entire country into darkness and is ending with crippling uncertainties about petrol as dark clouds continue to hover over the currency market.

 

Think again, Mr Finance Minister. Wouldn’t it be better to rely on the pristine intellect Almighty bestowed upon you and carve up a revolutionary blueprint that helps avert disasters in the coming days? Neither your country nor your government has the stomach to absorb any more shocks.

 

After all, in the words of Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, “Khuda ne aaj tak us qaum ki halat nahin badli; Na ho jisko khiyal aap apni halat k badalne ka.” (God never changed the conditions of nations Till the desire of change is kindled in them.

Courtesy Daily Times  

CRISTIANO RONALDO GETS LUXURIOUS WATCH BY JACOB & CO WORTH 780,000 US$ (NOT TO BE SOLD)

Mahtab Bashir
0333 53 63 248
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
Islamabad

A football icon, Portugal captain and former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been gifted £630,000 watch designed to celebrate his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo has been gifted a one-off Jacob & Co watch that’s worth a staggering £630,000 (780,000 US$). The green coloured watch has been gifted in celebration of his move to Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo’s new watch is green, the same colour as the Saudi flag, while boasting 338 ultra-rare gemstones. It’s also 18K white gold and 47mm x 15.85mm, hence the eye-watering £630,000 (19,000000 PKR) valuation of the timepiece.

The timepiece is worth £630,000 and is green in celebration of his move to Saudi Arabia

The striking colour of the watch was chosen as a tribute to Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo relocated earlier this month after joining the football team Al Nassr.

Tsavorites are less expensive than their cousins but 200 times rarer, thus the watchmaker chose them rather than using emeralds to get its verdant tint.

The watch's 47 mm 18k white gold case, bezel, face, and crown are all set with 388 premium, baguette-cut tsavorites. While this might seem a little excessive, it gives the watch a stunning, all-green appearance that is difficult to forget. The strap is the only component of the watch that isn't coated in stones, yet even that is crafted from green alligator leather.

The calibre JCAA43 movement, which powers the watch, has bridges made specifically to suit the gem setting. At six o'clock, the hand-wound calibre powers the flying tourbillon for hours, minutes, and seconds. It contains 42 hours of power reserve and 216 components.

But while the watch boasts incredible value the vast majority of the world, to Ronaldo it’s merely a drop in the ocean.

The 37-year-old is earning a staggering £173million a year to play for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, making him the highest-paid star in world football.

A coveted gift to Pakistan's PM from MBS

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is more than just a wonderful footballer though, with Ronaldo also being the most followed star on Instagram with 540million followers.

It is pertinent to mention here, the previous government in Pakistan sold a $2 million luxury watch gifted to Pakistan’s sportsman turned politician, Imran Khan from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, when Khan was a prime minister of Pakistan.

The Graff wristwatch was part of the gifts whose sale landed Imran Khan in a soup and subsequent politics ban.

PAKISTAN HAS THE LARGEST U.S GOVT. FUNDED FULBRIGHT PROGRAM IN THE WORLD: SAYS DAS ETHAN ROSENZWEIG

Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

DAS for Educational & Cultural Affairs USA

He envisions building a modern Pakistan through education. He likes the hospitality of Pakistani people. He focuses on U.S- Pakistan Green Alliance Framework to provide opportunities to strengthen climate resilience, pursue energy transformation, and foster inclusive economic growth. He is a well-built, a jolly good fitness freak with an ambition to celebrate the success of Fulbright Program that could strengthen diplomatic relations between U.S and Pakistan. A recipient of degrees in Law and Public Policy, he has been involved in academia and its allied services to an extent that he forgets to be married.

He is Ethan Rosenzweig, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S Department of State. During his quick visit to Pakistan, this scribe has a tête-à-tête- focusing various academic and cultural programs being offered to Pakistan from the people of America.

Ethan Rosenzweig told this scribe that he came to Pakistan for a three days visit to attend the 4th Annual Humphrey Alumni Conference. This year’s theme is “Combatting Climate Change.” Besides he will have few engagements with Alumnus of Fulbright and Humphrey Program.

Talking about the Fulbright program in Pakistan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary said that Pakistan has the largest U.S. government-funded Fulbright program in the world. “With more than 37,000 members, Pakistan’s alumni network is also the largest in the world. Each year, approximately 800 Pakistani students and professionals travel to the United States to participate in these exchanges”, he maintained.

“I arrived yesterday (Wednesday) and have found Pakistani people very hospitable. The hospitality of the Pakistani community is something which I will remember for a long time,” Rosenzweig said.

He said that the United States is proud to sponsor these exchanges because we believe education is the foundation for both economic development and for strengthening the people-to-people ties between two countries.

About the Humphrey Alumni conference hosted by USEFP, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, DAS Rosenzweig said “This week, I’m attending the 4th Annual Humphrey Alumni Conference. This year’s theme is “Combatting Climate Change is a critical issue to explore, and it’s one to which the United States is dedicated. In Pakistan, I know that our embassy and consulates are hard at work to establish a U.S - Pakistan Green Alliance Framework, which will provide opportunities to strengthen climate resilience, pursue energy transformation, and foster inclusive economic growth, including through initiatives relating to agriculture, energy, water, and more.

Talking about the Fulbright scholarship program, Rosenzweig said this program was the premier international exchange program for students, researchers and scholars. This is the largest US government-funded program in the world. “Under this program, the U.S government has been ensuring that students have opportunities in the U.S. I am overwhelmed because our Fulbright program in Pakistan is larger than Australia, Germany, or U.K,” he said.

Smiley faced, Rosenzweig said, “I believe relationships between Pakistan and U.S will be more stronger regardless of impediments occurring in Pakistan, as Biden Administration wants smooth relationship with Pakistan.

He told that over 800 Pakistanis coming to the US every year through exchange program. The U.S has a large alumni network of 37,000 members in Pakistan and alumni groups have been playing an important role in Pakistan by applying the experience they gained while staying in U.S.the Humphrey program is also one of the most important programs, under which the U.S invites Pakistani leaders, government officials and others to visit the country and work on pressing issues, such as climate change, global health, Education and others.

Dressed in formal black suit and yellow neck tie, Rosenzweig said, “I love the hospitality and how welcoming all of Pakistani people have been to me. The purpose of my trip is to promote all the opportunities for student exchange, for mutual understanding between the two cultures, through studying in U.S and for our students to study in Pakistan. I’ve met with our prestigious Fulbright students, Alumnus from both U.S students and Pakistanis on this Govt. funded fellowships. I’ve met with my Humphrey fellows who are distinguished leaders. We are here to talk about how we can make society better by working together. We are talking to our friends from academia who also believes in the power of mutual exchange in academia programs. We’re so proud for our Fulbright Program that has been operational in Pakistan and U.S for so many years, “he elaborated.

The DAS maintained that, “We’re celebrating our 75th anniversary of cooperation. Americans and Pakistani believe in the power of mutual exchange and mutual understanding by studying each other countries, by learning each others’ cultures, by experiencing each others’ languages, and making hospitality of each other. We’re so proud for our long standing history, academic exchange between us and the hunger and the excitement for more cooperation between universities, colleges to promote mutual understanding,” he said.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S Department of State, Ethan Rosenzweig said mutual understanding is the more powerful network for our two cultures to work together and academic exchanges, through Fulbright, through Humphrey, to study abroad in both countries is a powerful tool to promote that goal. We know that there is a hunger for students to study in USA and we know that we’re very eager to meet Pakistanis desire to study in U.S.

Rosenzweig said, “We want to ensure that American students have that full options and opportunities, and that Pakistanis universities are very eager to host students from across the world, and we wanna make sure through our education network,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, one of the alumni, present there, Mahum Tariq, a part of Global UGRAD exchange program- 2016, said that she studied abroad at Florida Gulf Coast University for one semester during her undergrad program. “I graduated as a software engineer. I took courses in tech and entrepreneurship. Studying in a multicultural and innovative environment and getting exposure to the tech scene of the US enriched my undergrad experience,” she said adding currently work at an edtech startup called Manara.

Freeha Ihsan, another alumnus, while sharing her experience said, “It has been transformative and life-changing experience to be more open person and work for my own community. Since I am back my sense of working for my community has increased and I am working activities for human rights, community and community empowerment of youth,” she said adding she is working with a tech startups accelerator name “ScaleX” and manages her two initiatives focused on financial inclusion and youth empowerment.

ARMY HAS DECIDED NOT TO INTERFERE IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS: COAS GEN. BAJWA SINGS SWANSONG

The six top-brass Generals

Political speculations are at a fever pitch in our hapless republic. All due to an appointment of an official heading a department that reports to a Grade-22 federal secretary, who reports to a cabinet minister, who reports, of course, to the prime minister himself. That pecking order doesn’t end there. The PM, in theory, reports to the people that elected him. And the incumbent holder of that office was elected to it by the majority of the representatives of those people.

But the people don’t seem to be featuring anywhere in the scheme of things, either for the government or the opposition, which, it needs to be pointed out, runs the provincial governments for much more than half of the country.

The previous (federal) dispensation was rightly made fun of when it came to the musical chairs that it had made of the finance ministry. But are the incumbents any better, what with replacing Miftah Ismail with Ishaq Dar in just a matter of several months? Furthermore, the much trumpeted Mr Dar’s ascent to his old position was justified by, amongst other things, the claim that he would improve the dollar-to-rupee exchange, a problematic goal to begin with. Well, now even that imperfect target is slipping away.

Terror rears its head in not just the former tribal areas, but also in Swat, again, with massive rallies carried out by the locals against its rising tide. One shudders to imagine the desperation of these protestors if they risk the ire of the aforementioned militants, specially since they, more than metropolitan ‘mainstream’ Pakistan, know what those zealots are capable of.

The Baloch insurgency, with all its transgressions, and the human rights violations in reprisals by the state against it, carries on, unabated.

And this is not to mention the biggest cause for concern, a natural calamity the scale of which this nation has seen rarely, the terrible floods of this year, with the lives of literally millions of people not back to the way they were, which wasn’t a prized position in the first place.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s critics accuse him of lacking on the whole ‘vision thing’ but even they concede that he does a decent enough job on the getting-things-done front. Sadly, he is nowhere to be seen in the midst of the ever brewing political crisis.

The people need governance. Where is the government?

Courtesy: Pakistan Today