An evening of poetry and celebration was presented by Mishal Khan recently. As a tribute to two cherished figures of Urdu literature: the birthday celebration of senior poet Anwar Shaoor, and a special honouring of Ambreen Haseeb Amber for receiving the prestigious Pride of Performance Award

The event was presided over by Anwar Shaoor himself, whose presence was an inspiration for the audience present on the occasion. A select group of poets and poetesses shared their work, adding colour and emotion to the night. The poetic session flowed unhindered under the skilled moderation of Khalilullah Farooqui, a well-known voice from radio and media. The star of the evening, poet Anwar Shaoor’s poetry was the highlight of the literary event.

Mehreen Ilahi curator of Majmua The Art Gallery organized a calligraphic exhibition titled Nafs, showcasing the works of emerging artists. Participating artists included Erum Hameed, Iffah Sheikh, Zahir Shah, Huma Tajdar, Umaima Masood, Fatima Arzoo Hassan, Syed Ali Sheikh and Mian Asif.

The calligraphy featured in the exhibition was done in both traditional Nastaleeq and modern, contemporary styles. The artists depicted Allah’s name and verses from the Quran in their works, in their own styles. Fatima Arzoo Hassan’s abstract calligraphy was a standout piece—her textured canvas, featuring Allah impeccably written in white against interplay of blue and white hues, was visually captivating.

Karachi Gymkhana hosted the 38th A.O. Hospital & A.O. Clinic-South Ramazan Cricket Festival 2025, continuing the legacy of a premier T20 tournament. This anticipated event brought together top teams, thrilling matches and cricket enthusiasts on the occasion.

A.O. Hospital sponsored this edition, carrying forward the vision of Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, who first introduced the T20 format in 1996. Under the Asghar Ali Shah Sports Foundation, the Dr. M.A. Shah Cricket Trophy continues to inspire, with many players delivering record-breaking performances.

Sports Convener Muhammad Hussain expressed gratitude to all participants, sponsors, media, and fans who contributed to the tournament’s success. Karachi Gymkhana, hosting the event, remained committed to promoting sports and fostering a strong cricketing culture through this prestigious event.

The grand finale of 2nd Life Pakistan 2.0 — a national climate innovation programme saw six standout teams that were awarded cash prizes totaling PKR 2.625 million to further develop and scale their projects. These included winners from both the growth and idea stages of the competition.

Hosted by SEED Ventures in collaboration with Unilever Pakistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan serving as the Secretariat for the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), the event marked the conclusion of a six-month journey into circular economy entrepreneurship, spotlighting startups that view waste not as a problem but as a possibility. The programme has redefined how entrepreneurship can contribute to climate resilience, demonstrating that circularity is not just a concept; it is a practical path to a cleaner, stronger, and more inclusive Pakistan.

The showcase brought together climate-focused startups, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to highlight innovative solutions for rethinking waste. With support through mentorship and business development, over 30 young ventures from across Pakistan turned environmental challenges into scalable, impact-driven businesses, tackling everything from e-waste and textiles to food scraps and agri by-products.

Lance Domm, British Deputy High Commissioner, shared his optimism during the event, stating, “It is inspiring to see how young Pakistanis are creating practical, scalable solutions to environmental challenges.”

Sada Welfare Foundation, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Karachi New Central, the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), hosted a seminar on Thalassemia Awareness at NICH recently. Advisor to the Governor of Sindh, Muzammil Ather presided on the occassion. The event served as a powerful platform to spread awareness about thalassemia, its prevention, and support for affected individuals and families.

The welcome addresses were by Dr Nasir Saleem Sadal, Executive Director NICH, and Shanaz Ramzi, Charter President of Rotary Club of Karachi New Central.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Saqib Ansari, Consultant Pediatric Hematologist & Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, who delivered an insightful and deeply informative talk, emphasizing early screening, genetic counseling, and the crucial need for public education and preventive strategies.

Fawzia Siddiqui, Chairperson of Sada Welfare Foundation, addressed the audience next and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting thalassemic children and all those who approach them by providing them free blood, and assisting NICH in meeting their running expenses.

Gifts were then distributed to the thalassemic children who had been invited specially, followed by shield/ajrak distribution to honorable guests and panelists.

The nation celebrated its most distinguished citizens at the annual Civil Awards Ceremony held at the President House, Islamabad. Jimmy Engineer, the renowned artist and humanitarian, was bestowed with Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.

The award was presented by President Asif Ali Zardari, recognizing Jimmy Engineer’s decades of dedication to art, culture, and social service. His paintings, known for their profound depiction of Pakistan’s history, traditions, and struggles, have not only captured the soul of the nation but have also served as a bridge connecting Pakistan to the global art world. Beyond his artistic genius, Engineer has devoted his life to charity, activism, and community service, using his platform to uplift the underprivileged and advocate for human rights.

The prestigious event took place at the grand halls of the President House, where dignitaries, government officials, prominent personalities, and fellow award recipients gathered to witness the symbolic acknowledgment of service to the nation. The President, in his address, emphasized the importance of honouring individuals who dedicate their lives to the betterment of Pakistan. He highlighted how figures like Jimmy Engineer embody the spirit of Pakistan—one of resilience, creativity, and selfless service.

In Karachi the Southern Regional Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) hosted a compelling session through its book forum, recently, featuring the author of the month, Mr. Zafar Masud, CEO of Bank of Punjab, and his book, Seat 1C – A Survivor’s Tale of Hope, Resilience & Renewal, alongside his father and guest of honour, the legendary film and television actor Mr. Munawar Saeed. This initiative marks a new chapter in promoting reflective learning and storytelling within the CA community.

The session commenced with opening remarks by the Chairperson of SRC Ms. Moneeza Usman Butt, FCA, who underscored the role of literature in fostering empathy and leadership and emphasized on the importance of the reading habits and reigniting its passion through this new initiative, followed by a welcome address from ICAP Vice‑President Mr. Muhammad Samiullah Siddique, FCA.

Moderating the discussion was a senior ICAP member and literature enthusiast, Mr. Rashid Masood Alam, who provided an insightful overview of the book’s themes and introduced the evening’s distinguished guests, Mr. Zafar Masud and Mr. Munawar Saeed. He talked about the gripping story of surviving a near‑fatal aviation disaster. Seat 1C recounts how “a mind‑bending series of fortunate incidents allowed Mr. Zafar Masud to emerge as one of just two survivors” on that fateful day. The discussion proved emotional, thought‑provoking, and deeply inspiring, with attendees praising the book’s blend of candid storytelling and practical life lessons. The forum was graced by several prominent figures from Pakistan’s business and cultural sectors.

In closing, Mr. Masud expressed his hope that the lessons of resilience and renewal he has learned would empower others to confront their own challenges with courage and compassion.

Seat 1C – A Survivor’s Tale of Hope

The Lahore Literary Festival witnessed the much-anticipated launch of Seat 1C: A Survivor’s Tale of Hope, Resilience, and Renewal,’ a memoir by Zafar Masud, one of the two survivors of the 2020 PIA plane crash in Karachi. Written in collaboration with Syeda Amna Hasan, the book captures Masud’s reflections on survival, faith, and life’s true priorities.

During the session, moderated by journalist Tooba Masood, Zafar Masud shared his motivations for writing the book, emphasizing the invaluable life lessons he learned post-crash. “I wanted to share my experiences so that people could understand what it feels like to come so close to death and how it changes one’s perspective on life,” he stated.

Masud rejected the notion that his survival was purely due to his seat location, attributing it instead to divine will. However, recognizing the significance of Seat 1C as a powerful symbol, the publisher chose it as the book’s title. The memoir also explores the crucial role of his loved ones in his recovery and how their support helped him overcome trauma.

Syeda Amna Hasan provided insights into the writing process, explaining that the book was built from Masud’s memories, supplemented by interviews with eyewitnesses, the other crash survivor, rescue workers, and aviation authorities. “Our challenge was to tell the story in a way that was respectful to those who suffered while ensuring it remained engaging and informative,” she said.

Masud hopes the book will inspire readers to reflect on their own life priorities and make choices that contribute positively to their communities. Concluding the session, he urged audiences to read the book, stating, “Seat 1C offers lessons that can help others reshape their perspectives on resilience and renewal.”

The Climate Hub Forum (CHF), in partnership with environmental steward Abdullah Rafi, successfully conducted a monumental plantation drive at Kidney Hill Park, introducing 500 indigenous plants to the urban landscape. This initiative, led by CHF’s Public Relations Advocate Humera Hashmi, who personally handed over the plants to Mr. Rafi, marks a significant advancement in CHF’s ambitious One Million Trees Project, aiming to combat Karachi’s escalating heat and environmental degradation.

Karachi’s Climate Challenge

Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling metropolis, has been grappling with intensifying heatwaves and rising temperatures. Over the past six decades, the city has experienced a 2.4ºC increase in nighttime temperatures and a 1.6ºC rise during the day

These alarming trends have led to severe heat-related health crises, including a devastating heatwave in 2015 that claimed over 1,200 lives

In response to these pressing challenges, CHF has been at the forefront of mobilizing communities towards sustainable environmental practices. The One Million Trees Project is a testament to this commitment, focusing on large-scale reforestation to restore natural habitats, improve air quality, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. By engaging local residents, organizations, and stakeholders, CHF fosters a sense of collective responsibility and action towards a greener Karachi.

For years, Abdullah Rafi has been a driving force in Karachi’s environmental conservation efforts. As the President of the Rotary Club of Karachi Environment, his leadership has been instrumental in transforming barren landscapes into thriving green sanctuaries. His unwavering dedication to ecological restoration has not only enhanced the city’s green cover but has also inspired countless individuals to partake in environmental stewardship. The successful plantation at Kidney Hill Park exemplifies the power of collaborative action.

Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited (formerly Shell Pakistan Limited) has joined forces with Nutshell Communications, a leading strategic advocacy and communications firm, to enhance its presence in Pakistan’s oil and energy sector.

The agreement was signed by Waqar Siddiqui, Country Chair, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited, and Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & Chairman, Nutshell Group, in the presence of senior executives from both organizations, including Zubair Shaikh, CEO & GM Mobility, Wafi Energy Pakistan; Habib Haider, Director Corporate Relations, Wafi Energy Pakistan; Rabia S. Ahmad, Director & CEO, Nutshell Group; and Mehrunisa Azhar, COO (Pakistan) & Chief Disruption Officer, Nutshell Communications.

Zubair Shaikh highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “With Wafi Energy Holding’s investment and the legacy of Shell’s trusted products, we are committed to building a sustainable energy future for Pakistan. Our focus is on developing advanced fuel solutions and infrastructure to support the country’s evolving energy needs.” He added that Nutshell Communications’ expertise in strategic communications will play a vital role in positioning Wafi Energy Pakistan as a trusted industry leader.

Azfar Ahsan emphasized the impact of global partnerships on Pakistan’s energy resilience. “Wafi Energy Pakistan’s expansion strengthens the country’s regional standing, and we are committed to amplifying its presence through effective communication strategies.” This collaboration marks the beginning of Wafi Energy Pakistan’s phased expansion to enhance energy security, infrastructure, and economic growth in the country.