ISLAMABAD: A new course conducted by foreign trainers this summer promises to impart training on all aspects of mountaineering to people hoping to become instructors or guides. 

In an exclusive interview, Italian mountaineer Professor Carlo Alberto Pinelli said the programme would provide opportunities for people in Gilgit-Baltistan and revive the traditions of trekking and mountaineering.

Some 25 people have been selected for the first batch, including three are from Afghanistan. Pinelli said four women had been selected to become instructors and trekking leaders. “I was surprised to see many women turn up, even women in their 40s, to join the training programme.”

Many smaller mountains are rocky and require rock climbing skills, Pinelli stated. “One must know the geography and geology of these mountains, how to deal with altitude sickness and foreigners, how to navigate using a compass, map reading and psychological insights.” Navigating ice, rocks and snow, and the proper use of safety measures, will also be taught, he added.

Pinelli has been visiting Pakistan since the 1950s. Reminiscing about the good old times, he said that Pakistan was a great tourist spot and many foreigners would come here for trekking. “There are some wonderful challenging peaks in Pakistan. From Shimshal to the Chinese border, there are about 50 peaks between 6,000 and 6,500 metres high that have yet to be conquered.”

The mountaineer was of the view that foreigners were hesitant to travel to restive areas. “For us the Himalayas imply purity, untouched by humans,” he stated. Speaking of Swat, he said the peaks were perfect for local mountaineers, but even Chitral was out of bounds now. However, locals are now becoming more aware of ecological hazards and they don’t litter at all, he added.

Mountain Wilderness, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the preservation of mountain areas, has a worldwide reach with representatives on all continents. Its Pakistan chapter is the only one in Asia that will work to train people in mountaineering. The course will begin on August 16 in Shimshal.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2013.

The loud, florescent-shaded accessories exhibited are must haves for fashion lovers who like to add a fun and funk of Pakistani artwork to their closet and home.

Home accessories

“Verandah at Five”, a collection of cushion covers, is a treat for the eyes. On an off-white base, cushions in bright pink images of places from “old Pakistan”, as the designer likes to call it, are printed. One-liners of places such as “Famous nightclub Le Gourmet Old Palace Hotel – Club Kutcherhy Road Karachi” a nightclub from the 60’s, and “Faletti’s Hotel” from Lahore bring back memories.

Hussain said that she wanted to pay tribute to the landmarks that contributed to the “once romantic Pakistan” which does not exist anymore. “Where is this Pakistan that we lost?” she said. “I would like to bring to life those things from the past that were once the pride of this country.”

Her other cushions with vibrant colours and Urdu text are unique and enjoyable. While some are embroidered and patch-worked, other cushions are digitally printed. Calling her line the “Independence and patriotic line”, her other home accessories consisted of items such as hand-woven baskets made by artisans in Karachi.

“I help out these artisans. It their skill and my creativity put together,” she said. Each piece is priced from as low as Rs2,200 to Rs6,000.

Handbags

Neons with dull leather base are funky and a classic piece that would complete a casual summer look. A range of shopper bags, clutches and purses are on exhibit. Hussain said that the bags were simple, yet some element of bold pops out in each piece. Hussain says that she used cooler shades and emerald. Small clutch bags with antique frames imported from Hong Kong are unique yet classy, a perfect addition to anyone’s vintage bag collection.

Hussain is also displaying bags with cross-stitch with by women from Larkana. Hussain said that people were moving towards machines and this was a skill that needed support.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Hussain said that Islamabad was a very different market from Karachi. “Islamabad is very new for me, but at the same time I am excited to learn more about it. I need to look at different things here to be inspired for my next collection,” she said.

Hussain also stocks in Islamabad at the multi-label store L’atelier.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2013.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Greg Giokas, visited the non-governmental school in Bari Imam and donated the amount on behalf of his government. The school, run purely on donations and providing free education to disadvantaged kids, has been expanding rapidly, in students’ numbers as well as its premises. Beginning with a mere five kids five years ago, the school now has a strength of 536 students, with girls and boys in almost equal numbers, utilising their right to a basic education.

The high commissioner said, “The Canadian government is very enthusiastic about this cause that supports children”, adding that his government has been primarily supporting education in different parts of the country. “As a representative of the Canadian government, I can say that we see education as a great sector to work on and one whose needs we closely monitor,” he added.

The school has also received donations from the Canadian government previously. It is unconditionally supported by the diplomatic community of Islamabad which resides in the school’s vicinity.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the school’s director Zeba Hussain said that with 88 per cent passing results this March, 20 students moved to regular government schools from here. With 21 classrooms and 31 teachers, the school educates children belonging to war-torn areas and underprivileged backgrounds.

Hussain said that previous donations from the Canadian government helped the school construct a science lab, bathrooms for the junior branch and a verandah.

She said the recent donation will help them construct more much-needed bathrooms and install fans for the senior branch. The school also provides vocational training to women, such as sewing courses, to provide them with economic independence.

Addressing the media on the occasion, Giokas said a business friendly environment needs to be established to attract foreign investment in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is full of potential, but essential resources such as electricity must be provided to the business community to create an investment-friendly environment,” said Giokas, adding that there’s a big world out there waiting to connect with Pakistan.

The ambassador congratulated Pakistan on its historic transition from one civilian government to another, saying that democracy is taking root in Pakistan and that is the key. With regard to trade talks between India and Pakistan, he said ‘closer ties and economic integration are critical to regional security and the economic future of Pakistan.

“Canada looks forward to working with the newly elected government to promote freedom, democracy, rule of law and human rights, including religious freedom,” he stated further.

With regard to economic reforms, Giokas highlighted the restructuring of the power sector and increasing domestic revenue generation as critical to improving Pakistan’s economy.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2013.

Trading Action Committee Secretary Kashif Chaudhry, speaking on behalf of the representative body for traders in the capital, said the budget  did not meet their expectations. “Irrespective of the fact that people were willing to compromise, the budget does not do justice for the people who have to face the price-hike in the country,” he said.

With Rs537.1 million allocated for education and training projects, President Federal Government College Teachers Association Tahir Mehmood said the fact that there was no increase in  teachers’ salaries was of great concern for them. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he stated that, “Low salaries will not attract people towards teaching and the sector is likely to suffer more than ever.” Distributing laptops is not going to bring the change we need, new education policies need to be developed and the department should be made more attractive for people to want to become teachers on merit, he stated.

“This is the most necessary and at the same time the most neglected sector of the economy. People who do not get other jobs become teachers. Every government that comes in adjusts a large chunk of its voters in the education sector; this needs to change,” he added.

“This budget is for the rich, the poor will only suffer more from this point onwards,” said Chairman Twin Cities Transporters Association Malik Sultan Awan. With limited resources and lack of CNG, this budget does not promise anything substantial for transporters, he added.

While others expressed disappointment, All Pakistan Clerks Association President Shahzad Manzoor Kayani threatened to go on strike from June 21 onwards if their salaries were not increased. “A meeting has been scheduled for Friday in Lahore.” A large number of people work as clerks in offices on very low wages, he added. In 2011, the clerks got a 10% increase in their salaries, which according to Kayani was too little considering the inflation rate.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2013.

PMD Director-General Arif Mehmood while speaking to The Express Tribune said that the pre-monsoon rains, which had already begun in Lahore, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, would continue till around June 16, and begin in Sindh from June 17.

“In Lahore, there was a dust storm followed by rain. We are expecting to witness a similar weather pattern in parts of Punjab and Islamabad,” he said.

The unbearable heat and unscheduled loadshedding of up to 12 hours a day has been taking a toll on people. Sara Rafi, a resident of the capital, said the heat was reducing efficiency and productivity. “I feel like I am wasting days,” she said.

According to Mehmood, the monsoon season is expected to begin in the first week of July and will continue for three months.

PRCS preparedness

Meanwhile, Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has chalked out a strategy to mitigate potential damage due to flooding.

PRCS has prepared a comprehensive plan for thousands of families in the event of a disaster.

According to a statement issued by PRCS, the society has been holding meetings with other disaster relief agencies to ensure better coordination.

PRCS has recently trained hundreds of volunteers to deal with challenges and sensitised communities in their respective areas.

PRCS Chairman Major General (retd) Muhammad Nawaz Khan said that the society’s 92 district branches, 43 Disaster Management Cells, medical units and thousands of volunteers along with 443 trained disaster relief training members have started to make preparations in anticipation of the monsoon season.

PMD will be releasing monsoon forecasts within the next few days.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2013.

The digitally-printed pure silk scarves come in a plethora of colours including funky neons. The designs comrpise animal prints of foxes, cats, tigers, flamingos, cheetahs and gorillas. Each piece is bold and distinct.

“I have designed exclusive pieces with only a few repeats on request,” Haider said, while talking to The Express Tribune. “The inspiration comes from within. Certain colours work well with certain patterns. All patterns are different yet similar in some way,” she added.

The collection includes scarves embellished with gem-stones and hand embroidery. Placed next to a white wall, the vibrant scarves grab the attention of anyone walking in.

“Scarves are a must-have accessory for any woman’s closet,” Mehreen Khan, a visitor said. “[The designer’s] stuff is very trendy and creative. There is an east-meets-west feel to it,” said Natasha Kazmi, a businesswoman.

“Zaiena never ceases to surprise us with her masterpieces. The exhibition is a carnival of colour and art, every piece an element of fun,” said Pashmina Ahmed, fashion designer.

Alongside the signature scarves are pieces of handmade jewellery including neck pieces, bracelets and rings made of chains, knit-work and stones. “Although handmade but they are very durable. The finest material has been used to make these pieces,” said Haider.

“Instead of being run-of-the-mill, I have taken the quirky route to design pieces that women of any age can wear,” she said. Moreover, formal evening-wear tops were also put on display. Faryda Faizur Rehman’s silver jewellery is also available at the exhibition that will continue till June 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.

Lawyers, government officials and experts from the US government gathered to come up with a workable strategy for setting up the tribunals across the country under the IPO Act 2012.

The IPO was established in 2005 as an autonomous body for integrated management of intellectual property rights and was given permanent status in the form of the IPO Act 2012.

While discussing the pros and cons of the proposed tribunals, speakers stressed the need for setting up of an efficient avenue of addressing genuine grievances rather than having something that only exists on paper.

IPO attorney Hassan Irfan termed the idea of forming intellectual property (IP) tribunals as great, but said that the IPO law itself has contradictions which needed to be addressed first. Irfan was against setting up independent IPO tribunals. “Knowing the realities of Pakistan, I would be nervous if we create a parallel judiciary,” he said, adding that numerous tribunals had been set up before in the country without any positive outcome.

Irfan, as well as other participants, agreed on the need for strengthening the existing legal system and enabling it to cater to IP cases rather than setting up an entirely new entity.

“It is the protection of people’s rights that should be our foremost concern,” he said.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, an IPO official suggested that existing consumer courts working for consumer rights could be used to protect IP rights too. “The offices are already set up, the judges are there and the public is aware about it.

We would just have to work on capacity building rather then developing infrastructure from the beginning”.

The US government’s Commercial Law Development Program representative Joe Yang said that a basic education about IP rights is necessary for the public.

“For starters, we need to listen to the needs and see what it is that we can do,” he said. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Yang said that his organisation can only contribute in developing the existing capacity.

Negating the need for setting up new tribunals, Yang said “judges can handle IP cases and with practice develop IP expertise”.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2013.

The festival attracted many families, who had come out to witness all the different cultural performances. A large crowd encircled the “Lassi group”, as they got together with Abdul Lateef Lassi on the xylophone, 12-year-old Farhan on the drums, and Qadir Lassi dancing with others in a circle. The African-inspired “Makraani” fire dance enthralled the audience as they were stunned to see the performers dance in a unique way.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Qadir Lassi said he was returning to the federal capital after four years and was excited to be a part of the festival. Lassi said that the group was from the troubled Lyari area in Karachi and are now dependent on the media to promote this unique talent and keep it alive. “We have learnt this from our fathers and forefathers, but now, due to lack of opportunities, the art is dying,” he said.

Kirshan Lal Bheel from Cholistan was dressed in bright orange outfit and was playing the unique single-string iktara, said little was being done for the promotion of culture and art on the administrative level, adding that whatever the artists were doing is out of personal commitment.  “I have trained 200 students across Pakistan on how to play this instrument. There are no institutions for artists in this country,” he said.

Many renowned artists will perform at the Margalla Festival, which provides a chance to city residents to observe national heritage and culture. Handicrafts stalls with special work on fabric from Bahawalpur, khussa shoes from Punjab, pottery from Multan, and truck art items were also set up.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Tahir Shahbaz and NA-49 Islamabad National Assembly Member Tariq Fazal Chaudhry inaugurated the festival, which has been arranged by the Sports and Culture Directorate. A number of senior officials from the CDA and other government departments were also present.

Shahbaz said the event was meant to provide a recreational opportunity for residents of the federal capital. He said such activities would not only helpful revive traditions, but will also promote a soft image for the country and its rich culture and heritage.

Imran Zubair had come to the mela with his wife and children. Zubair said the event was a great opportunity for his children to learn about the different cultures of Pakistan.

CDA Administration Member Munir Ahmed Chaudhry said June 1 would be celebrated as Punjab day, with artists presenting the culture of the country’s most populous province, while the second would be dedicated to Sindh’s culture, June 4 would go to Baluchistan, and the sixth and seventh would go to Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa respectively. The festival concludes on June 9.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2013.

UN experts believe that the new government must craft an action plan for the safety of journalists in Pakistan. “We call on the governments of the world to do their utmost for the safety of journalists,” said UN Resident Coordinator Timo Pakkala.

With approximately 500 newspapers printed and 80 news channels being aired, Additional Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Azam said that the boom in electronic media in 2002 came as a challenge to Pakistan. Complete freedom of press must come with a sense of responsibility which is often violated in some cases, he said. “The Code of Conduct, drafted for channels, is not fully followed because of which journalists in Pakistan face great challenges such as security threats,” he said.

According to Senior Journalist Hamid Mir, the freedom of media in Pakistan is only confined to big cities and smaller cities are suffering. “Freedom of media is partial in Pakistan and we fail to inform our viewers and readers about it. Journalists in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cannot speak as freely as us who are sitting in the capital,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2013.

At a press conference, representatives from OUP, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and Open Society Foundation Institute (OSFI) announced the sixth CLF in the country, will be held at the Pak-China Centre on May 24-25.

ITA Programmes Director Baela Raza Jamil said that they had written a request letter to the Prime Minister to consider waiving off the cost of the venue. The programme for the festival was reduced from three to two days to cut down on the cost as the organisers said they could not bear the hefty amount of Rs2,055,000. However, ITA has still to pay up a Rs1,370,000.

The letter reads that according to the constitution, the state should provide free and compulsory education to all children aged from five to 17 years. The letter further requests to waive off or provide concession at the venue.

The event aims to bring together thousands of children and teachers to interact and learn from not just the participants but from each other as well. CLF acts as an equaliser for all school systems including  government and private schools and seminaries to address challenges of learning, reviving a culture of reading and generating content for textbooks and supplementary materials in the classrooms.

OSFI Nargis Sulatana said that the quality of education is a major issue in the county, adding that working with several partners across the country made them realise the difference in the quality, teaching methodology and curriculum.

CLF is an initiative to promote reading, creativity and critical thinking amongst children. “We need to promote libraries to encourage critical thinking and creativity,” said Sultana.

Poet Zehra Nigah said that the advantage of such events is immense as they engage in healthy activities such as reading over watching videos on the internet.

“Irrespective of the security situation, we saw thousands children in Balochistan and Peshawar come out and participate in the festival. Invitations have been extended to not just private and public schools as well as students of seminaries to become a part of this event” said Jamil. “This festival should be treated as a national movement,” she added. The OUP Managing Director Ameena Sayid said that the aim is to generate that drive amongst children to want to read books. The festival that was launched in Lahore in 2011, has been held at Quetta, Peshawar, Bahawalpur and Karachi with an attendance of over 80,000 children and adults.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.