Pakistani Achievers

[H Khan]

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LightPath Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:LPTH), manufacturer and integrator of families of precision molded aspheric optics, GRADIUM(R) glass products, and high-performance fiber- optic collimators and isolators, announced the election yesterday of Sohail Khan to its Board of Directors to hold a Class I seat, effective immediately.

Mr. Khan is the executive vice president and chief strategy and development officer of Agere Systems. Agere is a global leader in semiconductors for storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks. He provides strategic support across Agere's businesses, identifying new business opportunities and developing technology platforms that can be leveraged across numerous applications. Mr. Khan received a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology in Pakistan in 1976. Additionally, he received a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982.

"Sohail Khan's distinguished career and strong strategic background will be a valuable asset to the board, and we look forward to benefiting from the expertise he brings," said Ken Brizel, LightPath President and Chief Executive Officer.

"LightPath is a unique company that has a variety of solutions for a broad range of optical applications," said Mr. Khan, "I am thoroughly impressed by LightPath's technology and seasoned management team, and I look forward to working with the company."

The Company also announces the resignation from the Board of James L. Adler, Jr., Senior Counsel to the international law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey L.L.P. Mr. Adler and his firm served as outside counsel to the Company from its IPO until the company centralized its operations in Orlando, Florida.

"The board and management of LightPath appreciate Jim's many contributions and will miss the thoughtful guidance he provided as a member of the board," said Ken Brizel.

Mr. Adler continues to be in the active practice of law and serves as a Director of Pantheon Chemical, Inc., a Phoenix-based manufacturer of environmentally pure specialty chemicals for industrial use.

About LightPath

LightPath manufactures optical products including precision molded aspheric optics, GRADIUM(R) glass products, proprietary collimator assemblies, laser components utilizing proprietary automation technology, higher-level assemblies and packing solutions. LightPath has a strong patent portfolio that has been granted or licensed to us in these fields. LightPath common stock trades on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "LPTH." Investors are encouraged to go to LightPath's website for additional financial information.
Contact: Ken Brizel, President & CEO; Acting CFO LightPath Technologies, Inc. (407) 382-4003 Internet: http://www.lightpath.com
This news release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed by LightPath Technologies, Inc. in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE LightPath Technologies, Inc

02/10/2005 13:00 ET

[SSAAD]

World school debating championship.

Pakistan overall 3rd. 1st as the ESL team.

Top English as a Second Language Team: Pakistan
(runner-up Argentina - both made the semi-finals, a first for the WSDC)

http://www.schoolsdebate.com/

Final team rankings:
http://www.schoolsdebate.com/years/2005/team_tab.asp

Rank Team Wins Judges

1 Australia 8 23 Champions
2 England 6 17 Runners-Up
3 Pakistan 8 21 Semi-Finalists
4 Argentina 7 19 Semi-Finalists

total teams 31

[pshamim]

And here is another one Pakistani achievers:

Having known Shirin Tahirkheli since 1973 who had been a vocal Pakistan supporter during my Washington D.C. days, has been a source of pride for us Pakistani Americans. She was also a candidate for the post of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian region, the position currently held by Christina Rocca. The Indian lobby mounted a fierce compaign against her and Bush then appointed her as his special assistant and Senior Director for democracy.


Pakistani appointed adviser for UN reforms


By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, March 12: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has appointed a Muslim woman her senior adviser on UN reforms.
Shirin Tahir-Kheli is a US citizen of Pakistani origin. The State Department announced on Friday that Ambassador Tahir-Kheli would serve as the secretary's senior adviser and chief interlocutor on the United Nations reforms.

Tahir-Kheli served as special assistant to the president and senior director for democracy, human rights and international operations at the US National Security Council from 2003-05.

Previously, she was a research professor and founding director of the South Asia Programme at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Tahir-Kheli served as head of the US delegation to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2001, and alternate US representative to the United Nations for special political affairs from 1990 to 1993.

She has a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Ms Tahir-Kheli previously served on the National Security Council as Director of Near East and South Asian Affairs from 1986-89, and as Director of Political Military Affairs from 1984-86. Earlier, she was a member of the Policy Planning Staff of the Department of State
http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/13/top11.htm

[MohammedA]

http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/15/ebr8.htm


Pakistani engineers doing well in Dubai

DUBAI, March 14: The Pakistani engineers are performing exceptionally well in the electricity sector in Dubai.

A rapid development work is currently going on in Dubai and the engineers especially those from Pakistan have been assigned the task of meeting the electricity requirements of the ambitious projects that are coming up in Dubai.

According to Syed Shah Nawaz Ahmed, an electrical engineer who is working with the Siemens Pakistan Engineering Company's Power Transmission and Distribution, Project Office Dubai, there are currently 18 sub-stations in Dubai and of these 12 are with the Siemens Pakistan.

"The remaining six sub-stations are with the Emirates Electrical Engineering (EEE)-a local trading company", he pointed out in an interview with the APP. Shah Nawaz was of the view that because of the good performance of the engineers from Pakistan, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) showed confidence in Siemens Pakistan by giving the contract of the major chunk of the work.

He said that the construction work has started for what was termed as the tallest building in the world-the Burj Dubai. Shah Nawaz pointed out that the Siemens Pakistan Engineering Company is constructing two electricity sub-station for this very project-the contract for one of these was given earlier while the other one has been obtained recently.

He said that another sub-station is being constructed for the project that has been named as Dubai Mall where a 'Disney World' is coming up. A project in the first phase of the 'Disney World' has been completed while the remaining work is continuing, Shah Nawaz said. -APP

[TahirN]

Zesh Rehman is 1st British Pakistani to play regularly in British Premiership
By Prasun Sonwalkar

LONDON: Zesh Rehman, a strapping center-half at Fulham, has broken through the game’s last glass ceiling by becoming the first British Asian to play regularly in the Premiership.
At only 21, he is valued at between one million and five million pounds and is described as the star-in-waiting who will strive to disprove the theory that Britain’s 2.1 million Asians are not up to much when it comes to football.

The Birmingham-born defender has impressed experts scouting for “the next big thing” during his 17 appearances for Fulham.

Five other British Asians are also playing full-time professional soccer, albeit for clubs three divisions below the Premiership, and a growing number of younger Asians are joining the youth set-ups at England’s 92 clubs.

Rehman, though, is the only one to prove his talent at the highest level –– so far.

“What he’s worth depends on how he develops, but I’d say anything from one million pounds to the much higher price a top center-half would cost you,” said his agent, Otis Roberts. “He has the potential to be a very, very good player.”

There has even been talk of him playing for Pakistan, where his parents, Khalib and Farah, were born. His emergence could broaden fans’ minds, encourage clubs to sign more Asian players and increase the small number of Asians who attend games, according to the Kick Racism out of Football campaign.

“I saw Zesh’s Premiership debut for Fulham against Spurs,” said Leon Mann of Kick Racism out of Football.

“A guy behind me pointed and said to his mate: ‘Is that guy Asian?’ His friend replied, ‘No, he can’t be, he must be mixed race.’ They were amazed when they realized that he was Asian.”

Mann hopes that Rehman’s growing profile will help to banish the misconceptions surrounding Asians, such as they are only interested in cricket and hockey. “When Zesh is playing for Fulham live on Sky Sports, the whole country will be able to see that Asians can play at the highest level. That will help to break down negative stereotypes within football and society,” said Mann.

Rehman disproves another myth: that Asian parents do not want their sons to play football.

Adam Licudi, sports editor of Eastern Eye, said: “Rehman is typical of the third generation Asians in Britain who are interested in football and, unlike their fathers and grandfathers, are playing and watching the game.”

[TahirN]

Premiership sees its first star player rising out of Asia

Denis Campbell, sports news correspondent
Sunday January 16, 2005
The Observer

At only 21, he has survived tussles with Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney and is making football history. Zesh Rehman, a strapping centre-half at Fulham, has broken through the game's last glass ceiling by becoming the first British-Asian to play regularly in the Premiership.

Valued at between £1million and £5m, he is being described as the star-in-waiting who will disprove the theory that Britain's 2.1 million Asians are not up to much when it comes to football. The Birmingham-born defender has impressed a growing band of experts scouting for 'the next big thing' during his 17 appearances for Fulham, including games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Rehman could become an idol for the 750,000 Britons of Pakistani origin, and a new British-Asian sporting hero alongside Amir Khan, the teenage boxer from Bolton who won a silver medal at last year's Athens Olympics, and Nasser Hussain, the Madras-born former England cricket captain.

Five other British Asians are also playing full-time professional football, albeit for clubs three divisions below the Premiership, and a growing number of younger Asians are joining the youth set-ups at England's 92 clubs. Rehman, though, is the only one to prove his talent at the highest level - so far.

'What he's worth depends on how he develops, but I'd say anything from £1m to the much higher price a top centre-half would cost you', said his agent, Otis Roberts. 'He has the potential to be a very, very good player.'



There has even been talk of him playing for Pakistan, where his parents, Khalib and Farah, were born. 'He's laid back off the pitch but is tough and increasingly confident on it,' added Roberts.

His progress has led to Fulham being inundated with requests for interviews from magazines such as Four Four Two, national newspapers and Eastern Eye, a newspaper for Britain's Asian communities. But for the moment he is concentrating on playing.

His emergence could broaden fans' minds, encourage clubs to sign more Asian players and increase the small number of Asians who attend games, according to the Kick Racism out of Football campaign.

'I saw Zesh's Premiership debut for Fulham against Spurs,' said Leon Mann of Kick Racism out of Football. 'A guy behind me pointed and said to his mate, "Is that guy Asian?". His friend replied, "No, he can't be, he must be mixed-race". They were amazed when they realised that he was Asian.'

Mann hopes that Rehman's growing profile will help to banish the misconceptions surrounding Asians, such as that they are only interested in cricket and hockey. 'When Zesh is playing for Fulham live on Sky Sports, the whole country will be able to see that Asians can play at the highest level. That will help to break down negative stereo types within football and society,' said Mann. 'Football coaches I've spoken to say Asians aren't interested, but a visit to many parks at the weekend shows that's wrong.'

Rehman disproves another myth: that Asian parents do not want their sons to play football. Both his parents encouraged his career from the start, Farah even agreeing to make him more pasta and fewer curries because he had to eat more carbohydrates.

Rehman suffered racist abuse only when he was a Sunday league player, and not since he began playing for Fulham, a sign of how much progress has been made in eradicating racism at football's top level.

Adam Licudi, sports editor of Eastern Eye, said: 'Rehman is typical of the third-generation Asians in Britain who are interested in football and, unlike their fathers and grandfathers, are playing and watching the game.'

Several sides, such as Sporting Bengal and London APSA, have switched from playing in the Asian League and now hold their own in the lower reaches of non-league football, added Licudi. 'However, I don't think there'll be a flood of Asian players in professional football. They will drip-feed in.'

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...391413,00.html

[MohammedA]

Two huge sporting Pakistani heroes in the UK now - Amir Khan and Zesh Rahman. There's also quite a few Pak-British youngsters now on the pro kickboxing circuit - watch channel 5.

[TahirN]

Yep, British Pakistanis are definitley leading the way for British Asians. We also have Kabir Ali (Brummie) and Bilal Shafayat (Nottingham) who have alot of potential, Kabir has played for England a few times.

Traditionally, British Sikhs have dominated sports such as boxing and kick boxing but British Pakistanis are now leading the way for British Asians.

With an increasing representation in British Sports, our participation is bound to increase in the coming years, especially in fighting sports.. all thanks to the experience our boys are provided by pasting British dhotis and conservative Sikhs ;=)

However, one thing to note, i have not come across any dhoti wearing hindus in any fighting sports in the UK... Correct me if i am wrong?

[Fahad L]

Yes u r right Tahir.I have seen dhotis playing holi or such kind of things not any sport.They are busy with their antiPakistani bullshit propaganda.

[H Rehman]

Star newspaper seller gets book deal
A Pakistani newspaper vendor in Paris with a unique selling style has won a book deal to have his life story published.
Ali Akbar, who sells copies of Le Monde on the streets of the French capital's fashionable St Germain des Pres district, arrived in the country as an illegal immigrant more than 30 years ago - leaving behind a tough childhood in Pakistan.

He then made a name for himself by the way he sold the newspapers, shouting amusing slogans, or making up headlines, such as "Monica [Lewinsky] is pregnant by Bush" or "Le Pen assassinated."

His fame became such that a publisher picked up on his life story - now to be published as Je Fais Rire Le Monde, Mais Le Monde Me Fait Pleurer - I Make The World Laugh, But The World Makes Me Cry.

"It's just to make them laugh," Mr Akbar told BBC World Service's Outlook programme.

"I was not working to make money, to become a rich man, but I was just selling this paper to make people happy and to bring them Le Monde."

Long journey

Mr Akbar said that as child he worked as a shoe-shine on a footpath in Pakistan to bring money in for the family - in particular his father, who was abusive to him.




I meet so many interesting people when I sell to the people
Ali Akbar

At the age of six, Mr Akbar was approached by a man who asked him why he was working at such a young age.

When he explained, the man told him "even if you don't go to school, at least you must learn Urdu and English".

"Write every day, and read - write your diary, what happened in your daily life - maybe one day you can become a writer," the man said.

Mr Akbar took the man's advice, noting events from his own life and what was happening elsewhere.


Intrigued

Leaving Pakistan at 18, at first he headed to Greece to work as a waiter on a ship.



He told Outlook that his dream was to settle in an English-speaking country, either the UK, the US or Canada.

However, he had no contacts in any of them and instead he left a ship when it docked in France in 1972 - having seen a number of ethnic minorities as the boat passed Rouen.

At first he slept under a bridge in Paris' Latin Quarter. A chance meeting with an Argentine student, who gave him 50 newspapers, set him up - within a few hours he had sold them all, establishing his unique, humorous style.

It was this style that attracted the publishers, Edition Gawsewitch, who were then intrigued by his life story, and proposed helping Akbar write his book.

Although his memoirs are set to be very popular, Mr Akbar insisted he was still happy selling newspapers.

"I enjoy the public," he said.

"I feel so free when I'm on the street. As I'm not a professional, I had no degree or diploma and I couldn't get another job.

"I meet so many interesting people when I sell to the people."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...ia/4369879.stm

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Thursday, April 21, 2005


Akbar Ahmed receives humanitarian award

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: Dr Akbar S Ahmed received on Tuesday from a faith-related organisation an award for his humanitarian work.

The award was conferred on him at the American University, where he teaches comparative religion and international relations, by the Key Spiritual Life Centre. Some time earlier, the Pakistani academic and former civil servant was given the Professor of the Year award by the District of Columbia.

Dr Ahmed was praised by a number of speakers, who included both a rabbi and a pastor for the “space of compassion and understanding for all religions and faiths” he has helped create through his efforts emphasising fellowship among the three great Abrahamic religions of the world: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Rabbi Kenneth Cohen said Muslims, Jews and Christians were three sisters who belonged to the same family and though they sometimes quarrelled, they shared a deep, unbreakable relationship. He emphasised the need for love and understanding, pointing out that religion should make men kinder, not angry. Rev, Mark Schaffer said Dr Ahmed has “made us see things in a new light.” He said Dr Ahmed had made an admirable contribution to the starting up of what had come to be known as a “dialogue of civilisations,” as opposed to a “clash.” He quoted the Pakistani academic as having once said that a dialogue without friendship was just conversation. Dr Ahmed, he added, had also compared the world’s great religions and cultures to a great mosaic

In his acceptance speech, Dr Ahmed, a former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, said he realised after 9/11 what stunning ignorance their existed about Islam in the West and the United States in particular and he decided to do what he could to build bridges of understanding and to tell people that Islam is a religion of peace, universal brotherhood and goodwill for all. “I have been on a mission of peace from that time on and I can tell you that there has not been a day of rest for me since that day,” he told the audience, which included a number of diplomats, that Islam was not a religion that advocated or sanctioned violence. He said the God of Islam was in essence a compassionate and merciful God. The challenge facing Muslims today was to present their religion as it truly was, and not as it had been of late projected. He said the message of religion was universal and it was to be noted that today, the most popular poet in America was the Persian poet Rumi, who wrote in the Islamic tradition and advocated the oneness of God’s creatures.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Thursday, April 21, 2005


Doctor develops machine to kill allergens

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani doctor has developed a machine, which he claims can effectively treat all kinds of allergies by destroying the allergens.

Addressing a press conference at Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club, Dr Cap (r) Mian Muslim Malana said the new machine’s electro-stabilisation would treat different allergies with electro rays. He said, “Stabilisation is a procedure by which, we steady the surroundings to make them more useful for our health”. Malana said the machine was useful to treat sneezing, watering, nose blockage, pollen, skin, bad throat and epilepsy. He said that such a method was used to stabilise the sliding sides of motorway and riversides to prevent them from cutting into its banks, adding “A voltage stabiliser is used to keep the voltage to a useful level.”

He said that similarly there were many medicines, which were basically forms of stabilisers, citing mood stabilisers and autonomic stabilizers. “Known astotifens and ketotifens are mast cell stabilisers,” he added. He said these delay the rupture of mast cells (bags of h-substance) and were used to treat allergies, asthma and other allergic disorders. He said they only slow down and delay these allergic reactions and could not stop allergens. However, he said he had developed a machine, which killed allergens through rays produced by the electro stabilisers. app

[MohammedA]

Jang

Kabir Ali hoping to cross swords with McGrath

LONDON: England one day specialist pace bowler Kabir Ali said on Wednesday he was hoping to add to his one test appearance for his country this summer and against his former Worcestershire team-mate Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath.

The 24-year-old told ‘The Independent’ that McGrath had been vey helpful in passing on advice to his younger team-mate.

"The main thing he said to me was: ‘Just keep it simple. Bowl a good line and length and you’ll pick up wickets.’ I’d love to play against him this summer."

Kabir, who has three cousins on the books of county championship sides, admitted he was in awe of the Australian paceman, who is set to reach the magical 500 wicket mark in the forthcoming Ashes series as he enters it on 499.

"The first game I saw him he conceded about eight runs from his first nine overs and picked up a wicket.

"I just thought: ‘What is this guy made of?’ He’s a great
professional. He works very hard."

If Kabir is picked for the tests rather than just the one dayers he faces a stiff task to help England regain the Ashes.

Australia have not lost a Test series against England since 1986-87 and have won the last four series in England since 1989 — 15 Test victories to four losses with four drawn.

Kabir, whose grandfather was born in Kashmir and where he lived from the age of five to 12, said that the sudden flurry of players of Asian origin into the sport was no accident.

"For a long time Asian parents didn’t see cricket as a career for their children," said Kabir, whose father is the twin brother of the father of his cousins and whose mother is sister of their mother.

"They felt there was no way you could make a living out of it. But times have changed.

"Not everybody can become a doctor or solicitor and people have seen good role models like Nasser Hussain, who’ve earned a lot of respect.

"Parents are now happy for their children to become sportsmen, though they’ll still generally want you to carry on with your studies in case things don’t work out.

"You even see a lot more Asian girls — sikhs and muslims — playing cricket than you used to. I think that’s a good thing for everybody."

Kabir, though, is at pains to state that despite coming from an Asian background his and other families loyalties lie firmly with England.

[H Khan]

KARACHI, Pakistan, April 21 (Reuters) - The world's oldest Olympic gold medallist Feroze Khan has died seven months after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Khan, who died on Wednesday, played in the hockey team for the then British colony of India at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

"It is a sad loss for Pakistani hockey," former Olympian and former Pakistan hockey Federation secretary M.H. Atif said on Thursday.

"While he might have only played for India, after partition he played an instrumental role as selector for the Pakistan team which won the 1960 Olympic hockey gold for the first time in Rome."

Pakistan became an independent country in 1947 after end of British rule and the partition of India.

Khan became the oldest Olympian after James Rockefeller of the United States, who won a gold medal in rowing in the 1924 Games in Paris, died last year at the age of 102.

Born in the village of Basti Danishmandan, near the northwest Indian city of Jalandhar in 1904, Khan was a contemporary of Indian hockey great Dhyan Chand and they played together at the 1928 Olympics.

In an interview with Reuters on his 100th birthday on September 9 last year, Khan said discipline in every facet of life had helped him live a long and healthy life.

He also said modern sport had become too commercialised.

"I won the gold medal in Amsterdam because of discipline and commitment," he said. "That is what the present day players have to strive for."

Former Pakistani captain Islahuddin Siddique said: "He was in love with the sport and even at his age he was always keeping tabs on how the national team was faring."

Last year, the Pakistan hockey federation dedicated the first test of an Indo-Pakistan hockey series to him to celebrate his 100th birthday.

04/21/05 10:35 ET

[Awaisi]

Several Pakistanis teen scientists in Intel ISEF.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world's largest pre-college celebration of science. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,400 students from more than 40 nations to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prize: a $50,000 college scholarship. Science Service founded the ISEF in 1950 and is very proud to have Intel as the title sponsor of this prestigious, international competition. (see the in the link below).

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/finaldir.pdf

[MohammedA]

http://www.pakistanlink.com/Communit...ay05/27/03.HTM

Pakistani Becomes US ’Varsity’s Youngest Graduate

Karachi: A 19-year old Pakistani student, Owais M. Idris, has been declared the youngest-ever graduate of the University of Michigan Flint, USA. Owais Idris who hails from Karachi, was prominent among 476 fellow graduates at a graduation ceremony held at Perani Arena.
Idris was born in Pakistan and later moved to Canada before his father, Mohammad Idris, a General Motors employee, moved to Michigan. He was enrolled as a full-time student at Mott Community College before passing a semester in early 2002 from Grand Blanc High School. He also took classes at Oakland Community College.
He has graduated as the youngest ever student with a 3.7 graduate-point average.

[MohammedA]

Pakistani Girl Among Top 20 American Students

http://pakistanlink.com/Community/2005/Jun05/10/06.HTM

[MohammedA]

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2005-d.../metro/k14.htm

Pakistani shines in international student awards

By our correspondent

KARACHI: A student from Pakistan studying at the University of Bristol has been crowned ‘International Student of the Year 2005’ by the British Council.

Muzzamil Lakhani, 22, was selected from twelve finalists to receive the top gold award and £2,000 in prize money. Another Bristol student, Dionna Tong, 20, from Singapore, won the silver award and £1,000 in prize money.

More than 2,300 students, representing 142 nationalities, entered the awards by writing a ‘letter home’ - as if to their relatives, a former teacher, a business sponsor or a potential employer - describing their experiences of life in the UK.

Physics student, Muzzamil’s inspirational story of ‘triumph over adversity’ won the top award.

His life has been transformed since he began undergraduate studies at the Bristol University. His severe visual impairment meant he was unable to walk even short distances unescorted back home in Pakistan, and his life and academic choices were limited.

Comprehensive support networks at Bristol have helped him to lead an independent life, on and off campus and he has recently secured a work placement with Unilever. Muzzamil said, "My life took a U-turn the day I came to Britain. The university has been phenomenal in helping me, and the city of Bristol has literally stolen my heart."

Law student, Dionna, has laid firm foundations for a career in law.

She found her two mini pupillages in barristers’ chambers in London last summer so inspirational that she hopes to repeat the experience with solicitors this year.

Claire Axel-berg, Head of International Student Recruitment at the University of Bristol, said, "We are delighted with Muzzamil’s and Dionna’s success, both as students and winners of these awards. They have shown extraordinary determination, which has enabled the university to help them find a range and depth of talent.

[pshamim]

I feel very proud today. Great job Jasmine Ali
http://www.pakistanlink.com/Communit...ug05/05/03.HTM

Quote: NASA Honors Pakistani-Owned Company’s Role in ‘Return to Flight Program’ Oakland, CA: Less than three weeks before predicting US astronauts would soon be launching aboard the space shuttle Discovery, NASA honored small IT consulting firm Bay Systems Consulting, Inc. (http://www.baysystemsinc.com) for its role in aerospace testing, operations and maintenance at NASA’s Ames Research Center. The organization also highlighted Bay Systems in a special publication featuring small businesses involved in NASA’s Return to Flight (RTF) program, for which Bay Systems Consulting provided thermal testing. “We are delighted to have been recognized for our performance and hard work on critical NASA programs,” stated Bay Systems Consulting CEO I. Jasmine Ali. That recognition included a total of eight NASA Honor Awards for year 2005 on three projects. The company received five awards in recognition of outstanding contributions to NASA’s critical space shuttle RTF project, one award for excelling in developing the life sciences payloads for STS-107 Columbia and exhibiting great courage after the Columbia tragedy, and two awards for outstanding accomplishments in the development of a unique thermal protection system for the wing leading edge of the X-37 orbital vehicle. It is not the first time NASA has recognized Bay Systems Consulting. Last year, the company received two NASA ACC 2004 Excellence Awards, a Jacob’s Safety Award and team recognition from the director of Ames Research Center. In discussing Bay Systems Consulting’s work with NASA, Jasmine Ali attributed her company’s success to its people. “Our greatest strength is our staff,” she stated. “Bay Systems Consulting, Inc. has a team of accessible, qualified consultants who each have ten to fifteen years of experience and are leaders in their field. We could not have delivered this caliber of work without them.” Jasmine Ali was born in Lahore, Pakistan. She received her bachelors in Psychology from Lahore College of Women, Pakistan. Founded in 1997, Bay Systems Consulting is a small, woman- and minority-owned and operated business. The company excels in providing world-class consulting services for applied sciences and information technology. Bay Systems Consulting has successfully teamed with several top companies and is a preferred vendor of leading government and defense contractors for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ImtiazA]

Quote: Originally Posted by MohammedA Pakistani Girl Among Top 20 American Students http://pakistanlink.com/Community/2005/Jun05/10/06.HTM

I can see exactly why they chose her!

[Pracs]

Pakistan's first car


Feroze Khan believes his future was already determined when his homeless mother gave birth to him on a car porch. More than half a century later, he has launched Pakistan's first home-grown automobile.It's been a long road for the boy from a poor Karachi neighbourhood whose life-long fascination with engines, gears and wheels has just driven his native country into the exclusive club of nations designing and producing cars."Every nation in the world has taken a lot of pride in making cars, and I wanted to contribute it to my country," says a proud Khan, whose Adam Motor Company has just rolled out his pride and joy -- the Revo.The compact, five-door 800cc model has made a splash on the roads of Karachi in recent weeks. The snub-nosed model costs 270,000 rupees (about 4,500 dollars), some 30 to 40 percent cheaper than entry-level rivals.The company has orders for 400 cars on its books and plans to manufacture 5,000 units this year, taking 2.5 percent of market share."Everyone has liked the way the car looks," Khan says. "Everyone has liked the engine sound, and the ride is more comfortable than the competitors'."The clients' response is good since it is the first Pakistani car."Khan, 56, is undaunted by the competition he faces from global auto giants from Japan, South Korea, Europe and the United States and says that perseverance pays off."It's a marathon," he explains. "I am not running a 100-metre race."Growing up in Aamil Colony, a poor and rough Karachi neighbourhood, Khan learnt to dream big early.By his early twenties he was a graduate engineer, going on to build a major car parts company that supplies the Daihatsu, Toyota, Honda and Suzuki brands."I started on the Revo project seven years ago," Khan says, "four years for preparations of technology, and three years to work actively on the car."In April, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited the Revo's roll-out ceremony in Karachi."This is a red-letter day in the history of our manufacturing sector," the premier told the assembled guests. "With this, Pakistan has joined the club of 16 countries having the capability of designing an original car."Like a proud father, Khan praises the virtues of the little Revo -- a car born and bred in Pakistan with the not so well maintained roads and hot climate of the South Asian country in mind."We have a sounder suspension, we have designed the radiator bigger with a cooling system, and we are very confident of its road performance," said Khan. "But still our team is working day and night to make it even better."He acknowledges that the car may not yet have the long-refined reliability of its Pakistani-assembled but foreign-designed rivals such as Japanese market-leader Suzuki, Daihatsu and South Korea's Hyundai."I am sure that the car is very reliable. I have made sure that we have not cut any corner on the quality. It may not be 100 percent Japanese (standard) ... but functionally it will be a wonderful car."With a top speed of 150 kilometres (93 miles) per hour and the option to run on natural gas, the Revo can claim both reasonable performance and economy.The car has been launched into a booming market, where foreign car plants have stepped up production to meet growing demand fuelled by Pakistan's eight-per-cent annual economic growth and the advent of cheap car loans.Khan is confident his tiny newcomer can squeeze into a gap in the market, based on its budget price and what he says is the Revo's advantage on strength and space designed specifically with the needs of Pakistani families in mind.The car's handling and ride are firmer and more stable than its competitors, he says.Pakistan has seen an annual 46 percent growth in car production over the past three years but there is still a gap in supply of 20,000 to 25,000 cars, Khan says.Still, not everyone is excited. Critics have grumbled that the Revo has foreign components, including a Chinese-made engine and transmission. But that is about to change now that Pakistan's Millat Tractor has agreed to build the Revo's transmission, Khan says."And in September we will start setting up an engine assembling plant next to our present plant," he boasts. "By 2007, we will have this engine being manufactured here in Pakistan."

[MohammedA]

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-d.../metro/i20.htm


Volunteer of a different kind

Naveed Ahmad

ISLAMABAD: Muzzafar Feroze was not just another youth quitting his homeland for a better future. He only wanted to go to the best flying schools in the United States and join PIA as commercial pilot upon return.

Flying had gone deep down in his genes. Muzzafar enrolled in computer science in a Texas college and later won the chance of joining the world’s most modern fleets of flying toys. By 2005, he has commanded an aviation squadron on USS John F Kennedy.

Born in 1963 in Karachi, he went to Burn Halls in Abbottabad and then St Mary’s School Islamabad, Muhammad Muzzafar Feroze "Shaka" Khan made his family particularly proud when he earned the distinction of commanding the aviation squadron on US aircraft carrier after 9/11.

Son of a distinguished Pakistan Air Force pilot Wing Commander (Retd) Feroze Zafar Khan, a few days after reaching Chaklala for disaster relief assistance to Pakistan, he attends a daily briefing at a Chaklala Air Base bunker at 4 pm. Once, he catches sight of a big plaque with the insignia of PAF and a list of officers.

Muzzafar feels something unusual about the plaque and glances at the names. To his surprise, the top most is his father’s friend.

Four names below he finds his dear dad’s name inscribed. He reads it twice to be sure of what he just read.

Commander Muzzafar, wearing his military uniform with American flag on the left shoulder and Pakistani on the right, says, "I saw that and thought what were the odds of me being here in Chaklala, sitting in a bunker and seeing my father’s name on the board!"

Of course, the coincidence was incredible.

"I felt like I was home," the US navy commander (equal to the rank of lieutenant colonel) says with pride and accomplishment.

After living all over Pakistan with his pilot father, Muzaffar finally passed his matriculation and intermediate examination and the family decided to send him to the "land of opportunities" from the "land of the pure" in 1982.

Young Muzzafar Feroze Shaka Khan graduated from the North Texas State University with a BS in Computer Science in May 1985. Two years ahead, he got his American nationality in 1987. Shaka Khan was commissioned through the Aviation Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in December 1989. After completing flight training at Pansacola, Florida, he received his naval flight office wings in May 1991.

"Since my father was a pilot and always wanted to fly so I went to the US with an idea to learn flying and come and join PIA as a commercial pilot," he recalls.

In January 2000, Commander Shaka Khan is a jet pilot flying US Navy’s Vikings and in 2001 reports to the Topcats for VS 31 for his department head tour on board the USS John F Kennedy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Till today, the Pakistan-born Shaka Khan has earned two air medals, two navy commendation medals, three navy achievement medals and various other unit and service awards.

Like father, like son! Wing Commander Feroze’s son Muzaffar has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours and over 708 carrier arrested landings.

His first fleet assignment was with the boomers of VA-165 where he served as ground safety officer, schedule officer and aircraft division officer. He completed one Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployment on board the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and participated in Operation Southern Watch (patrolling no-fly zone over Iraq).

Besides, Muzzafar participated in Operation Allied Force (mission to save Muslims against Serbs) in 1999 and is now deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

So far, Pakistan was the only "voluntary" choice in his career where he now serves as Assistant Operations Officer in US Disaster Assistance Center at Chaklala.

"The moment I heard about the disaster and US troops going to Pakistan, I longed to come back and make the difference in whatever capacity I could," Muzzafar Khan said. His American wife and two children Hina (17) and Gibreil (13) pray for Muzaffar’s safe return home. The kids and their mom last visited their grandparents in 2000 before their father got too busy with "missions".

"I came here to help and what they needed was somebody to work in operations and so my role here is to coordinate the US helicopters with the Pakistanis. Thank God we have made it a synchronized effort. We are extremely well-coordinated now," he explains.

Long ago, Muzzafar’s grandparents settled in Peshawar from Afghanistan while his mothers’ family migrated from Hyderabad Deccan after 1947.

While Shaka plans missions for 12 US choppers daily, his father lives a retired life in Karachi. Unlike his mother, Wing Commander (Retd) Feroze opted against becoming an American national and stayed back with his family.

Muzzafar’s younger brother, Lieutenant Jalal Khan, is also a US Navy pilot and flies P3C Orions while their sister lives in Florida.

Like most Pakistanis, Muzzafar too immigrated to the United States with a stereotype of the Americans. "I thought that they were immoral and did not really care for their family ... they come from disjointed families."

Muzzafar could hardly change his views even during his college days where he shared room with his countrymen, leaving little time for interaction with the Americans.

"When I finished my college education and joined the navy that was the first time I started interacting with the Americans and came to the conclusion that the same blood run through their veins too," Muzzafar says, explaining the communication gap between the two peoples and religions.

The US navy pilot says, "The American people too have the same insecurities and worries that other nations do."

Consequently, some of his American colleagues have same stereotypes of Pakistanis and of Muslims.

"As a result of this mission here, what I am hoping for is that the Pakistanis and the Americans will interact with each other and break some of the barriers down that are built up on both sides," he says.

According to Muzzafar, there is a great sense of accomplishment from the American side that they are providing help.

"There is a big misunderstanding with what Islam stands for and terrorism associated with Islam does not necessarily influence the opinion people have in a positive manner," remarks a gifted Pakistani-American whose heart longs for both.

He also hopes that when the Americans interact with the Muslims they would come to realize: "Hey, they are not all about picking up a gun and going out to take a life because that is not Islam."

Regarding equal career prospects for him while being a Muslim and a Pakistani-born, Muzzafar explains, "You know my full name is Mohammad Muzzafar Feroze Khan and Muhammad automatically tells that I am a Muslim." Yet he says he was amongst the two officers assigned to command an aviation squadron. "My turn to command a squadron came two years ago after 9/11," he says.

"I thought that I did not have a chance because of my name and somewhere I came from. Out of 32, I was amongst one or two people selected for command," he remarks.

The US Navy’s senior pilot is hats-off to his Pakistan helicopter colleagues. "This is a very challenging flying, narrow valleys, extreme weather and poor visibility," he admits.

Shaka Khan is proud of Pakistan as "it is doing a lot already which makes me quite happy". He notices that there is a big educational push.

Muzzafar equally loves the country of his parents and the homeland of his children (and of course wife).

For the Pakistani nation, the US navy officer too brings a message: "Don’t judge us by what you read about us in the papers or sometimes see on the television ... judge us by getting to know us ... We have a lot of compassion ... We have huge hearts."

[MohammedA]

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-d...sports/s16.htm


PFF invites Pak-origin UK player to represent Pakistan

By Waheed Khan

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has in writing invited the Pakistani origin English Premier League player Zeeshan Rehman to play for them in the Asian Cup and SAFF tournament later this year.

A PFF official, Mujahidullah Tareen told ‘The News’ an e-mail had been sent to Zeeshan who plays for the United Kingdom-based Fulham club with the consent of the PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat.

"After a representative of Zeeshan told us he was interested in playing for Pakistan we discussed the issue and have sent a written invitation to him welcoming him to come and play for the country," Tareen said.

"We are still awaiting a confirmation from him but his representative has indicted Zeeshan could arrive to play the home and away matches against Bangladesh on November 12 and 18 immediately after Eid," he added. Pakistan first play in Bangladesh and then at home.

The PFF is currently in the process of selecting a shortlist of 35 players for a national training camp, which will be held under the supervision of a coach from Bahrain in preparation for the coming matches.

Pakistan also hosts the eight-nation SAFF Championship in December in Karachi with Saleh Faisal Hayat scheduled to visit the Peoples Stadium on Tuesday to review the arrangements for the prestigious tournament. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives are taking part in the SAFF event.

Tareen said if Zeeshan did eventually come it would be a big boost for Pakistan soccer. "He is among a rare breed of Pakistani origin players who’ve reached this level of the game. Since Fulham is a well-known side, his experience and talents would be invaluable for us," he noted.

He added the Bahraini coach was constantly supervising the trials in Islamabad and was also involved in the selection process.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Wednesday, November 16, 2005


O and A levels Cambridge exams: Pakistani students get half of 52 top positions

By Tanveer Sher

KARACHI: Pakistani students especially those from Karachi secured outstanding results in the last GCE O and A levels’ Cambridge examinations, as half of 52 top positions in 150 countries across the globe were bagged by Karachi students.

This was stated by Simon Lebus, Group Chief Executive, Cambridge Assessment, University of Cambridge, while addressing a press conference Tuesday at the British Deputy High Commission, Karachi. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Hamish Daniel, British deputy high commissioner, Karachi; Ann Puntis, Chief Executive, University of Cambridge International Examinations; Marcus Gilbert, Director British Council, Karachi; and Tom Creig, Director British Council, Pakistan.

Simon Lebus along with Ann Puntis is currently visiting Pakistan to mark the 90th years of Cambridge examinations in South Asia, during which he will also travel to Lahore and Islamabad from November 10 to 16 and meet with high officials of the education department.

Simon Lebus said that the Cambridge system of education has been operating in Pakistan since 1915 when it was introduced at Karachi Grammar School and Convent Jesus and Merry School Lahore. This system of education has fast gained popularity among students seeking quality education, he remarked.

Lebus said the British Council Examinations services have been conducted for more than 50 years in Pakistan, which is the second largest country with regard to the number of examinations conducted every year.

He noted that apart from conducting examinations of GCE O and A levels, the British Council also conducts IELTS as well as examination for professional bodies like ACCA, GMC Engineering Council, CFA, British Computer Society and other educational institutions.

He said that due to its high standard, Cambridge Assessment was largest assessment agency in Europe and was running three separate examination systems – GCS O and A levels, the Cambridge examination system and the Cambridge English-speaking test.

Lebus expressed his sympathy with the October 8 earthquake survivors. Ann Puntis, Chief Executive, University of Cambridge International Examinations, who was recently appointed to the coveted post, said that after taking charge of her responsibilities, Pakistan was the first country she was visiting mainly due to the level of achievement by students from this part of the world.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Thursday, November 17, 2005


Shakilur Rehman given Star Award

BEIJING: Former US president George W Bush Sr conferred the ‘Star Award’ on Mir Shakilur Rehman, chief executive of Jang Group of Publications, at the World Business Forum on Wednesday. Shakilur Rehman was among 25 leading personalities in Asia to be selected for the ‘Star Award’ by the reputed global magazine Business Week. Around 300 chief executives of major business institutions in Asia attended the awards ceremony. According to the magazine’s chief editor, the awards were presented to people in the forefront of change in the region in the recent year. It was also in recognition of their financial, managerial and innovative skills in their respective fields. A senior magazine official said Rehman was the only one among the 25 people who belonged to the media. “Rehman has the distinction of representing a very powerful and influential group in Pakistan,” he added. Rehman said he considered the award a great honour for Pakistan and Jang Group. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and National Bank of Pakistan President Ali Raza were also given the award. app