Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: KE (K-Electric) has formally announced the beginning of the Under-16 Lyari football league to be held from May 16 – 25, 2014. KE is holding this mega sports event in partnership with UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), PFF (Pakistan Football Federation) and the Anti-Narcotics Department. Nayyer Hussain, CEO KE was the chief guest of the opening ceremony, held this evening.
KE chose to partner with UNICEF because they have been working for the youth of the world for many years, providing solutions for preventable diseases that affect the younger generation of the world. As such the Football League would empower the youth and UNICEF will help them learn about these preventable diseases. The Anti-Narcotics Department was also taken on board for this Football League because KE believes that the youngsters of Lyari should be protected and educated about the Narcotics and other harmful substances.
The event started with a press conference conducted by Usama Qureshi, Chief of Staff-CEO KE, along with league partner Lt.Col. (Retd). Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi TI (M), General Secretary PFF, Sania Naz, MPA Sindh Assembly and Brig Mohammad Abuzar, Force Commander, Regional Directorate Anti Narcotics Force Sindh. On this occasion Ahmed Faraz, General Manager Media & PR, KE and Zabe Khan, Head of Sports were also present.
Usama Qureshi added, “The tournament will provide a platform for the youth of Lyari to display their talent and keep away from negative activities that currently affect the youth of the country. KE firmly believes that creation of powerful platforms is critical for allowing young and upcoming players to display and harness their talents. It also provides a communication platform to engage the youth and build a strong positive association with them, while at the same time providing much needed inspiration, as well as a strong and healthy sports arena for the youth.”
Speaking on the occasion, KE’s GM Media & PR Ahmed Faraz said, “K-Electric is holding this tournament following its century old tradition of patronizing sports in the city. This is in line with its vision that the best way to serve the society through sports is to inspire the youth to take up healthy sporting activities”.
Giving details the Press Statement added that youngsters below the age of 16 are participating in this league. A total of 12 teams will perform from 11 UCs in Lyari with one combined team from Lyari.
Each team would consist of 18 players and two officials whereas there would be four groups with three teams per group. The top team from each group would go on to play the quarter final, the semi final and then the final. The tournament will be held at the People’s Stadium, Lyari and is open to all.
K-Electric believes that nurturing football among youth and providing a platform to children who are not enrolled formally in any program is a positive contribution to the society and KE believes in harnessing such talent at the grass root level. With this spirit KE has planned this tournament especially focusing on uplifting the morale of Lyari and its people.
‘Rulers deprived Aafia of her constitutional rights as Pakistani citizen’
Had rulers fulfilled their constitutional responsibilities Aafia would not have to file appeal against illegal conviction: speakers
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Pakistani rulers have even deprived the daughter of the nation, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, of her constitutional rights as a Pakistani citizen, said speakers of a moot to distribute prizes amongst winners of the international article and poetry writing competition on the issue of atrocities being meted out to innocent Aafia.
The ceremony was hosted by Aafia Welfare Trust at Faran Club here, presided over by Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed. President Pasban Pakistan Altaf Shakoor was the chief guest.
In his presidential address, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed said the articles and poems written on Dr Aafia depict the feelings of masses about Aafia Siddiqui. He said they also show that people have no hope from the rulers. He said the efforts of Aafia Welfare Trust to hone up the talent of youth are laudable. He said the verdict of the US court against Aafia is the worst decision in the history of judiciary, as it robbed the accused of her right to defend herself. He said the lawsuit of Aafia to reopen her case and her appeal against her illegal conviction are very strong from the legal point of view. He said as a Pakistani citizen it is the constitutional right of Aafia Siddiqui that the government of Pakistan provides full assistance in her case.
Pasban leader Altaf Shakoor said had the previous and sitting Pakistani rulers discharged their constitutional obligations the daughter of the nation would not have to file the appeal against her illegal conviction. He said the appeal of Aafia against her cruel 86-year imprisonment is shameful for the government of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, for which he should tender apology before the nation. He said the whole nation, saving its spineless rulers, is with the innocent sister Aafia.
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui thanking the participants said these articles and poems have given a new courage and spirit to the Aafia Movement. She said they would continue to struggle for the basic human rights of Aafia and other innocent persons who have been detained illegally like her.
As per the jury verdict the first prize in assay writing went to Abdul Hafeez Ameerpuri of Bahawalpur, second to Jamia Banoria Town student Muhammad Yasir Sultan, and third to Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi student Muhammad Ahsan. In poetry writing Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi student Taufeequr Rehman bagged the first position, Attau-Rehman of Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi the second position and Muhammad Kashif of Darul Uloom Al-Saafa Baldia Town the third position. The other top-ten winners were the students of Madarisa Aaysha Siddiqua Pehlwan Goth, Madarisa Usman bin Affan and Arqam School Karachi. Tasneem Amjad from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia won the fifth prize in assay writing, while a special prize was given to eight-years-old Sannaullah.
Tariq Jamil, Shafiq Ajaml and Intikhab Alam Soori also spoke. A large number of students, teachers, writers, journalists and civil society members were present.