Karachi exhibition draws thousands

Rare ticket collection, green entrepreneurship seminar gain acclaim

KARACHI:

Hundreds of thousands of visitors thronged the “19th My Karachi-Oasis of Harmony” exhibition for the second straight day at Karachi Expo Centre. Organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the event enjoyed a surge in attendance, spurred by the pleasant weather following intermittent drizzle after a month-long heatwave in the port city.

Three popular stalls at the fair have captivated young crowds, drawing consistent visitors from the opening until the report was filed at 7pm. These stalls include the National University of Technology (NUTECH), which focuses on vocational training programmes and skill development; a driving license booth featuring a cutting-edge computerised system; and a research collection of rare tickets that garnered significant interest and provided valuable information to attendees.

The research collection of rare tickets, curated by renowned businessman and philatelist Arif Balgamwala, who holds the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in Philately, has received considerable acclaim. Consul Generals (CGs) of several countries, including Qatar, Oman, Turkey, and Bangladesh, visited the stall and expressed admiration for the historical and rare tickets in Balgamwala’s collection. Balgamwala highlighted that this is the first time such rare tickets have been showcased in the country. His collection includes tickets that highlight the historical significance of medals awarded to the Pakistan Army during the 1965 war. Additionally, the collection raises awareness about various diseases, including polio and different types of cancer, through the medium of tickets. Pakistani currency notes with printing errors are also on display, offering valuable information and insights to participants.

Meanwhile, speaking at a seminar on “Sustainable Tech: Green Entrepreneurship, Climate Tech & Eco-friendly Innovations,” organised jointly by KCCI, Sohail University, and Allied Bank Limited, Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala advocated for the promotion of green energy. He emphasised that it is the most effective way to save our planet from global warming and the subsequent climate change that has severely impacted Pakistan and many other countries in the form of abnormal rainfalls and flash floods.

“The government must develop effective strategies for establishing more and more effluent water treatment plants for treating domestic as well as industrial waste in Karachi. This would not only help in overcoming industrial needs for water but also save our coastline from further pollution,” he said, adding that it is a crime to throw untreated water into the sea.

Motiwala stressed that all stakeholders, particularly the government, must seriously consider the future generations by taking concrete steps to address the issues emerging due to climate change. Otherwise, the situation will continue to deteriorate in the days to come. “The business community is ready to extend full support and cooperation as it is a serious risk to humanity,” he concluded.