A Proud Moment

Duraid Qureshi, CEO, HUM Network received the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz award from the President of Pakistan on March 23, 2024. He is a prominent entrepreneur, philanthropist and CEO of HUM of promoting a positive image of Pakistan and its culture on a global scale.

He actively supports various NGOs in the education sector and has founded the MOVE NGO, which runs a well-equipped school in Karachi. This initiative provides free education to over 400 children giving them the opportunity to learn and grow without financial barriers.

Duraid Qureshi is also the founder of the Momina Duraid Foundation, an NGO that manages over 14 schools in various localities of Karachi, providing education to over 2,000 students.

To foster the growth of the film industry and to improve the skills of filmmakers and technicians, he has a dedication team actively organising workshops, seminars, and skill-building sessions under the Pakistan International Film Festival. He firmly believes in the importance of including women in these workshops to promote gender equality in the industry.

Duraid Qureshi’s philanthropic spirit extends beyond Pakistan, as he is also on the board of several international NGOs. He is the founder of the women empowerment NGO ‘Champions of Change’ in Australia, which aims to empower and uplift women from all walks of life.

Due to his unwavering passion for the entertainment industry, and his commitment to excellence, Duraid Qureshi has received many awards, including the prestigious title of ‘Best CEO in Media Sector’ from the Karachi Stock Exchange and Mass Human Resource. He has also been honoured with the ‘Pride of LUMS’ Award by the SDSB Luminaries Association of LUMS for his contributions to society HUM Network Limited was selected by the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) among the top performing companies for the year 2009 and 2020. Every year KSE acknowledges the performance of the top companies on the basis of comprehensive criteria, which includes dividend payout, return on equality, compliance with listing regulations and good corporate governance.

Malika Junaid, daughter-n-law of Sultana Siddiqui, President, HUM Network Limited, received Sitara-e-Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan on March 23, 2024 for her outstanding abilities. She is an internationally recognised and an award-winning architect based in USA. Born and brought up in Karachi, Pakistan, Malika is a co-founder and principal of award-winning architectural firm, M.Designs Architects.

She has won several architectural awards for her work such as the prestigious World Architecture & Design Awards (WADA), the National Association of the Remodelling Industry as well as the Evironmental Quality Award from the city of Menlo Park, California and Gold Nugget Awards for a custom home and Platinum JURY Award.

Passionate about promoting construction products from Pakistan, her signature projects she has imported are stainless steel staircases, architectural structures, kitchen cabinets and furniture. Malika’s design work has been featured in many local and international TV and print media.

Promoting entrepreneurship in the local and international communities, Malika in 2010 founded the Pakistan Green Building Council and was successful in making Pakistan a permanent member of the World Green Building Council. She is a board member of the esteemed Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN) where she actively mentors young Pakistani entrepreneurs. In 2009, Malika also founded the Green Learning Institute in California teaching professionals environmentally sustainable practices through ongoing training and education.

Malika is also devoted to many charities in Pakistan, specifically focusing on educating the younger generation. As a former President and current board member of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Development in Literacy (DIL), she is deeply involved in fundraising for girls’ education in Pakistan. As a Silicon Valley Chair for United We Reach, she is working with passionate expatriates to transform the education system in Pakistan.

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Film Festival by Ziauddin College of Media Science

Ziauddin College of Media Sciences (ZCOMS) made a successful presentation recently of its first-ever film festival, NAZARIYA 2024, recently. This milestone event marked the realization of a long-standing dream for both the faculty and students alike.

NAZARIYA 2024 aimed to provide a platform for budding filmmakers and students across Pakistan to showcase their unique perspectives through films and documentaries. The festival received over 50 submissions from universities nationwide, which were reviewed by a distinguished panel of industry experts including Mr. Murtaza Chaudary, Mr Ali Sohail Jaura, Mr Rana Kamran, Mr Bilal Yousufzai, Ms Namsa Abbasi and others.

The event, meticulously planned over months featured a full-day programme that included screenings of shortlisted submissions, a workshop led by Mr Usman Dadi, a panel discussion with artists Hina Bayat, Sohail Hashmi, Babar Sheikh, and Arsala Babar, ended with a glamorous awards ceremony later on.

The award ceremony, undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, was graced by the Chief Guest Mr Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Minister of Information and President of Arts Council, and the Guest of Honour Ms Sultana Siddiqui, President, HUM Network Limited. The presence of dignitaries like Ms Rana Hussain, Minister of Education, and academic leaders including Dr Shehla Najib Sidiki, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences, Ziauddin University and Dr Inayatullah Khan, the Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin University, further added prestige to the event.

The evening concluded with a classical dance performance by renowned artist Sheema Kermani, adding a touch of cultural richness to the festivities. In light of the event’s success, ZCOMS has decided to make it an annual tradition.

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KFS launches in Karachi

Film School (KFS) had its official launch as Pakistan’s first film school associated with a fully equipped and operational film studio, Studio 146, recently founded by Asad Ul Haq, a prominent filmmaker and director. He has over 30 years of prolific experience in Pakistan’s ad film industry.

The launch event, hosted on the KFS campus, had luminaries from the entertainment and media fraternity gracing the occasion. The stellar guest list included industry icons and VIPs such as Asif Raza Mir, Adnan Siddiqui, Humayun Saeed, Hania Aamir, Ahad Raza Mir, Mansha Pasha, Syed Jibran, Laila Wasti, US CG Conrad Tribble and many others. They lauded KFS as a ground-breaking milestone for film education in Pakistan.

Asad Ul Haq, recognized for his ground-breaking work in the ad film industry for various leading brands, envisions KFS as a legacy for the youth, “KFS is my legacy for the youth of Pakistan where they can become powerful storytellers for any screen and any media through the different tools, we will empower them with.”

Situated at Studio 146, KFS provides students with access to top-tier equipment. The students are also offered placements in an internship programme with the best-known industry players including TV channels, production, and post-production houses. 

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Peace Foundation Holds a Seminar on Women’s Rights

Nargis Rahman, President of the Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace organized an event to observe International Women’s Day. A panel discussion on Accelerating gender Parity in a Feudo Patriarchal Socio-Political Order in Pakistan’ had all the speakers emphasizing on women’s access to quality education being important for their empowerment, stressing for laws promoting gender equality in the country. Emphasizing that the rights of women were still subject to patriarchal standards, they faced various challenges in Pakistan as well as in developed countries due to established patriarchal norms. Nargia Rahman said it was high time women were accorded their due rights through education, skill trainings, employment opportunities and laws to protect their rights and status.

Women from all walks of life including entrepreneurs, artists, media and social activists graced the occasion to promote entrepreneurs. Stalls were arranged with variety of clothes, paintings and jewellery.

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Celebrating Women at Chinese Consulate

The Chinese Consulate held Women’s Day at its premises recently, inviting women leaders from different walks of life to celebrate the occasion. At the beginning of the programme a documentary of Chinese women working in different fields including an astronaut, teacher and mechanic were shown to the guests. Consul general Yang Yundong said “Women are crucial for the development of society. Throughout the years Chinese women have contributed to the progress of the country, with 48.9% women as working force in 2023.” He added that China-Pakistan Exchange Contribution and China-Pakistan Corridor has promoted women empowerment and job opportunities such as training Pakistani women as truck drivers.

Former Minister, barrister Shahida Jamil said Chinese women played a major role in the independence of China and chairman Mao Se Tung said women hold half of the sky, while Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah said a country can only progress with the support of women. After the speeches, Chinese performers presented beautiful dances and songs which was topped by a scrumptious dinner and cake cutting.

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Karachi Literature Festival

Theme of this year’s KLF was Sustainability: Words changing Mindsets. Discussants threw light on the critical issues of the day that face Karachi, country and the world and seek ways forward. It is not intended to dwell on disorder, violence, and calamities, but to understand them and seek durable remedies. And, of course, there will be sessions on the developments and trends in Pakistani and world literature, in the media and the world of entertainment, in education and scholarship, in the life of the mind and in daily life.

KLF 2024 encouraged thought-provoking discussions providing an environment of openness, pluralism, and intellectual discourse and had 76 sessions, including 25 book launches. Visitors and the online audience had a chance to enjoy poetry readings, feature films and a series of short independent film screening. KLF also celebrated the diversity of languages and cultures across the country by highlighting writings in Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pashto languages.

Seven literary awards for Pakistani authors were announced at the opening ceremony. A diverse group of writers, thinkers, and literary enthusiasts from Pakistan and around the world shared their stories, ideas, and perspectives, a testament to the power of the written word and the vital role it plays in shaping our communities.

The opening ceremony had Arif Hasan and Selma Dabbagh British Palestinian

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Celebrating Nigaah Art Awards 2024

The 3rd Nigaah Art Awards took place recently at the beautiful Mohatta Palace Gardens, with people from all walks of life attending this prestigious event along with Mr. Ahmad Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan and Caretaker Minister for Information, Minorities Affairs Government of Sindh, was the chief guest.

During his welcome address, Tauqeer Muhajir the Editor and Publisher of Nigaah Art Magazine, emphasized the significance of art awards to encourage artists. The event featured various segments, including a discussion on ‘Pioneering advancements in the development of art in Pakistan’ with Mr. Ahmad Shah as a panelist and conducter of the discussion Nasira Zuberi, a renowned poet. Other highlights included performances by the PNCA troupe, live painting by known artist Farrukh Shahab, an auction whose proceeds were to benefit art school scholarships in Karachi. A poetry session by Anwar Shaoor, was presented at the end of the show. The programme was attended by the artist fraternity, businessmen and other invitees, followed by dinner.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to three people: artist Mashkoor Raza, Adil Salahuddin and Mehar Afroz along with awards to the winners.

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Celebrating 25 years of Mohatta Palace

The Mohatta Palace Museum celebrated its 25 years with distinguished lecture series. The series included a talk by Satvik Mohatta, who is the great grandson of Bahadur Rao Shiv Rattan Mohatta, the owner of Mohatta before partition. Satwik had flown in from England with his family especially for the programme to pay homage to his former ancestral home.

Overwhelmed by seeing the ancestral abode and the caring reception of the museum organizers and the people present on the occasion Satrik said during his talk, “The feelings, the emotions that I felt when coming to my ancestral home and the reception here has moved me immensely. It is these things that intertwine and bring us close.”

Satwik said that his grandfather made Mohatta Palace a happening place, and would remember it with nostalgia when he was living in India. “The palace was visited by dignitaries such as Mr Jinnah, Mr Gandhi and Mr Nehru.”

After the speech, Hameed Haroon invited Satvik Mohatta’s wife and three children on stage and presented them with a memento. Nasreen Askari, the director of Mohatta Palace then gave the vote of thanks. Renowned Marwari vocalist Mai Dhai also performed on the occasion.

The Mohatta Palace’s beautiful structure and meticulous garden impressed all who were present at the event.   

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EuroVillage: A Celebration of EU-Pakistan Dosti

‘EuroVillage’ festival, a celebration of the enduring bond between the European Union and Pakistan witnessed thousands at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. The event was organized by the European Union and its member states.  It welcomed families from Islamabad and beyond to partake in a day of festivities, fostering connections and celebrating shared values. This year’s theme was “Stronger Together – Sustainable Forever.”  Diplomatic Business Club captured the event activities at the event.

H.E. Dr. Riina Kionka, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan in her address emphasized the significance of EuroVillage as a platform for fostering people-to-people connections. She highlighted Europe’s ambition to lead the change towards a climate-neutral future and reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in navigating the challenges posed by climate change.

The 5th EuroVillage gathering provided the visitors with European sustainability initiatives while enjoying an array of cultural delights such as displays showcasing EU projects and tantalizing culinary offerings. Attendees were treated to captivating performances by renowned Pakistani artists like Farhan Saeed and Quratulain Baloch, hosted by the famous Faizan Haqqi.

An EU-Pakistan Dosti truck symbolizing the enduring partnership between the two regions was the highlight of the event. Many countries belonging to the European Union participated in the festival.

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Arts Council Celebrates Mini Thesis Display

The Arts Council Karachi recently hosted a Mini Thesis Display 2024, at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery, featuring the outstanding work of third year students from the Institute of Arts and Crafts. The event, inaugurated by the Caretaker Provincial Minister of Information and President of Arts Council of Pakistan, Ahmed Shah, showcased the brilliance of textile and communication design.

Aliza Wahab, a brilliant Textile Design student, along with communication design students Huzaifa Khan, Ikramullah, and Abdullah Ali, were among the talents whose work took centre stage. Notably, two of these students facing speech and hearing challenges, demonstrated resilience and artistic prowess.

Addressing the gathering Mr Ahmed Shah applauded the Arts Council for fostering an inclusive environment, stating, “I congratulate the students and teachers of the Arts Council for embracing diversity. Students facing challenges are true superheroes, and credit goes to the teachers who support and educate those with disabilities.”

Shahid Rassam, the Principal of Art School, commended the Arts Council for organizing biannual thesis shows, acknowledging the crucial role of the audience in motivating students. Highlighting the inclusivity of the Arts Council, Shahid Rassam remarked, “We usually refer to children with disabilities as ‘Special,’ but for me, these children are not Special but Golden. Arts Council is a beacon of hope for these Golden Students, and their outstanding work is a testament to their extraordinary abilities.”

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Celebrating 75 years of Nigar Weekly

The largest circulated newspaper in the past years focusing on the film industry of Pakistan, Nigar weekly newspaper, which unfortunately due to the film industry’s decline, was affected by the situation with circulation going down as there was little news to work on.

Recently, nearing its 75 years of publication Aslam Ilyas Rasheedi, the owner of Nigar newspaper, and son of the famous Ilyas Rasheedi who initiated the paper celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Nigar weekly, Jashan-e-Nigar at the Governor House. The chief guest was governor Kamran Tessori and Guest of Honour, Minister for Information and Minorities Affair Sindh, both pledged money for the newspaper. Celebrities such as actress Mumtaz and lyricist Younus Humdum and others, were given awards for their outstanding services. The programme was conducted by artist and comedian Hanif Raja.

 The programme was attended by Film and TV artists. PTV, Karachi GM Amjad Shah and people from all walks of life, attended the programme which was followed by dinner.

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Creating a Sustainable World

Climate Hub Forum in collaboration with Majmua Art Gallery inaugural  “Art for Climate Change” event, dedicated to raising awareness about climate change and inspiring action through art. The event, hosted at the prestigious Frere Hall, featured an immersive experience combining art, advocacy, and diplomacy, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and the transformative power of collaboration.

Led by Erum Khan, Chairperson of Climate Hub Forum, Aamir Sadozai, co-founder of the forum, and Abdullah Rafi, Forum’s Patron in Chief and President Rotary Club of Karachi Environment, the event was not merely a gathering but a diplomatic endeavour aimed at amplifying Pakistan’s voice and

influence in global climate negotiations, particularly leading towards the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP 29). With a strategic focus on fostering partnerships, driving policy advocacy and mobilizing collective action, this initiative seeks to position Pakistan as a key player in the global fight against climate change.

Actor Mehreen Ilahi, founder of Majmua Art Gallery, displayed thought-provoking artworks emphasizing the importance of art in driving environmental consciousness. The presence of artists and the expert judgment of Mr. Samar Raza, a globally recognized filmmaker, added depth and significance to the art exhibition.

The event featured the screening of “The Perfect Shot: Antarctica,” a poignant documentary produced by acclaimed filmmaker Habib Paracha, handpicked by the United Nations for COP 28. He introduced his documentary offering profound insights into the global impact of climate change.

Distinguished guests including Cemal Sangu, Consul General of Turkey, and Hanif Khan, District Governor of Rotary International, delivered inspiring speeches.

The programme was extremely informative and had an audience which included leading business and people from all walks of life, taking interest in the change that climate is bringing in countries.

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Thirty-sixth Annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira

The Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) Sindh, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, oprganized the 36th Annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. Presided over by Prof. Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, the event featured Consul General of Japan, Hattori Masaru, who was the Chief Guest. The mushaira was coordinated by Ms. Wazahat Naseem and Khurram Sohail.

In her welcome speech, Ms. Sadia Rashid, President of PJCA Sindh, expressed gratitude for the presence of Consul General Hattori Masaru and Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui. She commended the ongoing support of the Consul General and thanked Muhammad Ahmad Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi for his cooperation.

Consul General Masaru commended Pakistan’s profound appreciation for poetry, with a special emphasis on the Haiku genre. He highlighted the enduring bond between Pakistan and Japan expressing admiration for the pivotal role that haiku mushairas play in fortifying the literary and cultural ties between the two nations.

Approximately 27 poets presented their original Urdu Haiku, and local poets Ms Wazahat Naseem and Mr Shahzan Niaz, presented Urdu translations of selected Haiku by Japanese poets Momoko Kuroda and Tota Kanedo respectfully. Poets Dr Abida Ghangro, Sarwar Shamal, and Shahzad Niaz showcased Haiku in regional languages as well.

Prof. Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui highlighted the role of arts in shaping collective thought and consciousness and commended the efforts of PJCA, Sindh. The Mushaira concluded with Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim sharing his characteristic Haiku poetry.