Day: November 20, 2022

KARACHI: The fact-finding committee formed by the Sindh Human Rights Department on the issue of the barbaric lynching of two employees of a telecom company as a result of mob violence in Karachi’s Machhar Colony has submitted its report based on its findings into the case and recommendations to check such mob-lyncing incidents in society in the future.

Two telecom company employees, 31-year-old Muhammad Ishaq Panhwar and 28-year-old Muhammad Ayman, were brutally murdered in the last week of October, resulting in an anger across the country since videos of the incident went viral on the social media. After the killing of two innocent citizens, Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister on Human Rights Surendar Valasai took notice of the incident and directed his department to constitute a fact-finding committee to ascertain the factors behind the case as well as the increasing trends of mob lynching in the society and find ways to check them in future.

Following Mr. Valasai’s directions, the Sindh Human Rights Department constituted a four-member fact-finding committee led by well-known social and human rights activist Ayub Khoso, whose other members included Kashif Bajeer, Syed Mahmood Alam Shah Advocate and Shakra Siddiqui Advocate.

The fact-finding committee has made various recommendations in its report, including the immediate arrest of the accused, fair trial and strict punishment according to law, as well as it has been emphasized to conduct investigations and take action against such mafias, who spread false rumors in the society through social media. The report pointed out that the concerned police station is far away from Machhar Colony, therefore, a police post should be established within the locality, so that in case of such incidents or other crimes, the police can reach the scene in minimum time. To prevent such incidents in the future, the Committee has urged, an easy access of the victims to the police, women protection cell, child protection cell, media, and Human Rights Commission should be ensured.

The committee, in its report, has recommended that the training should be done on crowd management and provision and handling of equipment to scatter the mob from the incident site. It is also emphasized that the police and other law enforcement agencies need to aware communities on verifying the rumors before attempting any action and dispel the environment of fear.

The Committee formed by the Human Rights Department has urged the Sindh government to take more measures steps by implementing the rule of law to reduce intolerance/hate from the society.

Committee has underlined the registration of slums as well as the registration of illegal immigrants living there, adding that along with providing basic amenities in all urban slums, there is a need to conduct awareness programs among the residents about laws, social security institutes, human rights bodies, women and child protection cells.

The report said that all private companies, organizations and institutions who are working at different areas need to inform nearby police stations about their interventions and working in the particular area, adding that all employees should have training and instructions on general and job-specific safety practices, besides, provision of temporary number plates or Logos of company including their helpline or complaint number on the official vehicles of company.

It should be noted that the fact-finding committee formed by the Sindh Human Rights Department had visited the scene of the incident as well as the entire area of the Machhar Colony and met all the concerned persons and officials before preparing their report and recommendations. The report also points out the legitimate problems of the Machhar Colony and the difficulties faced by the population living there.

KARACHI: The US Consulate Karachi in collaboration with local partners celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 14-20, 2022) to promote the advancement of the Pakistani entrepreneurial ecosystem by convening various programs with entrepreneurs, startups, incubation centers, industry leaders, academia, youth, and journalists.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging new opportunities for investment, partnership, and collaboration to boost economies and address some of the world’s most pressing economic challenges.

U.S. Mission Pakistan sponsored the Silicon Valley trainer and a professional speaker Oscar Garcia, founder and chief empowerment officer at Aspira, to join the celebrations in Karachi and Islamabad. He gave several interactive motivational sessions on pitching, professional branding, and career development during his time in Karachi.

Oscar Garcia spoke on, ‘The Art of Taking Risks and Building Resilience’ at National Incubation Center Karachi (NICK) at NED University where the packed room learned about the vision and patience it takes for businesses to succeed. He led a roundtable discussion with U.S. Consulate Karachi officials, entrepreneurs, startups, and business journalists about the ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”. To close a week of events, he gave an interactive talk about ‘Sustainability in Start-Up Culture’ with the aspiring Pakistani entrepreneurs at Lincoln Corner Karachi where The Startup Lab! is located.

The StartUp Lab! is a one-of-a-kind space in Pakistan where any aspiring entrepreneur can turn their business idea into a reality using the latest technology and equipment for free. Other events this week included an Access English Microscholarship program event at Lincoln Corner Pakistan American Cultural Center where more than 200 students listened to alumni and U.S. Consulate Karachi’s Information Officer, Krista Bustamante talk about entrepreneurship, the importance of hard work, finding a mentor, and building resilience.

The United States has been supporting Pakistani innovators, entrepreneurs, and students working to make a positive impact on their communities and the economy. While talking to the promising Pakistani entrepreneurs at NICK, Consul General Nicole Theriot remarked, “This year marks 75 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Pakistan. The United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests. We support strengthening economic ties between our two countries by expanding private sector trade and investment, which benefits both countries.”

The US government looks forward to continuing our work with Pakistan to grow and expand our commercial and economic ties, expand our collaboration in education, improve access to renewable energy, and increase agricultural cooperation, between our countries. We also look forward to more cooperation on integrating women into Pakistan’s economy and help further nurture Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

KARACHI: Governor Sindh Kamran Tissori, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, other prominent personalities and people attended the funeral prayer for prominent religious scholar Mufti Rafi Usmani in Korangi area of Karachi on Sunday.

His brother Maulana Taqi Usmani, who is Islamic university’s vice president, led the funeral prayers. Mufti Usmani was laid to rest at Darul Uloom Karachi inside his father and mother’s graves. Usmani was 86 years old and was president of Jamia Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi.

Usmani has authored a large number of books in Urdu as well as some notable treatises in Arabic. He was recognized for his knowledge of Fiqh, Hadith, and Tafsir. He was the brother of another notable Islamic scholar Muhammad Taqi Usmani.

Mufti Rafi Usmani had in-depth knowledge of Islam. He was also a member of the Jamiat ul-Ulama USA. Mufti Rafi Usmani was widely available on the internet for his various lectures. He especially raised his voice for clearing peoples’ minds regarding Jihad.

He believed that Islam was absolutely clear on the issue of Jihad. He used to say that two wrongs could not make a right. He said that if you feel that the US or the UK was killing innocent civilians in Iraq or Afghanistan even then it did not give you the right to kill innocent citizens.