Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Maira Khan

Maira Khan, A well known actress/model/anchor who has all that is require - looks, attitude and ofcourse talent. Maira have already won the hearts of many fans around the world. Maira started off with her career 7 years ago as a model. Then different directors casted her in TV dramas. Till now, Maira have done more than 50 drama serials and sitcoms. Such as, "Yaad Piya Ki Aaye, Sooli, Chingariyan, Khumar, Kanpur Se Katas Tak, Kya Chaha Kya Paya, Dil-e-Nadaan, Justuju Jiski Thi ,Imtehan,No.1,Good News and Qabool Hai.

Maira is also known is one of the good stage performer.
As many of you have seen her performances on "ARY NACHLE and different award shows".

A warm-hearted Piscean, Maira Khan, was born on 15th March in Lahore to her parents and have one younger sister and a brother. Completing her Matriculation from a private school and Intermediate from a Government College in Lahore. She has also done Bachelors of Commerce as a private candidate.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Mian Umer Mansha

Umer Mansha completed his education from Babson College, Boston, USA. He is one of the Directors & Chief Executive of Nishat Mills Limited, director of Adamjee Insurance Company. & a member of Pakistan Business Council. Umer Mansha had been the director on the boards of MCB Bank Limited and MCB Asset Management Company Limited.

Mian Hassan Mansha

Hassan Mansha is the Chief Executive & Managing Director of Pakistan Aviators & Aviation (Pvt.) Limited. He completed his education from USA & enjoys the director position on the boards of Nishat Mills Limited, Gulf Nishat Apparel Limited, Adamjee Insurance Company. Security General Insurance Limited & Nishat Power Limited.

Ali Munir

Ali Munir has a BA degree from Government College Lahore and an LLB degree from the University of Punjab, Lahore. He has over thirty years experience as a Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. He was also a member of Investment Management Regulatory Organization and The Securities Association (now known as the SFA) in England. He joined MCB Bank Ltd. in 1999 and has previously held senior positions at Citibank, Saudi American Bank and Habib Bank. In 2005 he was awarded the M.A. Mozaffar Memorial Gold Medal from the SBP and Institute of Bankers in relation to his services to banking reforms in Pakistan and agriculture finance. He is currently the Chairman of the SBP Committee for Agricultural Finance.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mumtaz Haider Rizvi

Mr.Mumtaz Haider Rizvi a BS-21 officer, is the Member Customs in the FBR Headquarters.
Mr. Rizvi, a senior officer of Pakistan Customs Group has previously served in various key positions serving across the country in his illustrious career spanning over 34 years.
Mr. Rizvi brings with him a rich professional and academic experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and LLB from the University of Punjab.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Rtn. Shehzad Ahmed

Rtn. Shehzad Ahmed District Governor 3271, received his early education from Cadet College Hasanabdal, a premier educational institution in the country. He was the Wing Commander (the best cadet) during his final year (F.Sc). He received his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University, USA. After coming back to Pakistan, he founded PROMARK, a management consulting company, and has been leading it as its Chief Executive/Director. He also worked as Executive Director at Descon Information Systems.

Shehzad is actively involved in social service activities. He joined Rotary Club of Lahore Garrison in 1997 and has been serving the District in various capacities since 1999-2000, such as Assistant Governor, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Matching Grants, World Community Service (WCS), eClub, Literacy, Polio Plus, TRF Alumni, District Advisory Council, Public Image Promotion, District website and Internet, etc.

Shehzad has helped numerous Rotary Clubs in the District in finding international partners for their humanitarian projects. He is the recipient of The Rotary Foundation District Service Award. R.I. District 5390 (Montana) awarded him a commemorative shield through Past R.I. President Richard King for being the “Outstanding International Host District’s Grants Subcommittee Chair for 2004-05” at Centennial Convention at Chicago. R.I. District 5890 (Houston) awarded him Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his services. He has also been recognized for his services by other social service organizations, such as Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT), Rising Sun Institute for the mentally challenged, Fatima Memorial Hospital, The Trust School etc. Mayor Helene Schneider from the City of Santa Barbara, USA presented him proclamation in January 2010 in recognition of his community services. He has addressed Rotary Clubs in Canada, India, Thailand, UAE, UK and USA on their invitation. His RotaryDistrict3272 yahoogroup (formerly Rotary3270) is an excellent source of Rotary information and fellowship.

He is life member of various professional bodies including Alpha Pi Mu (Industrial Engineering Honor Society, USA), Institute of Engineers, Marketing Association of Pakistan and Pakistan Engineering Council. He has been Central Executive Committee member of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and Co-convener and member of various Standing Committees at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is founder member and advisor to many non-profit organizations. He is a Life member of Rotarians On The Internet (ROTI) and different Rotarians Action Groups.

He and his wife (Dr. Maimoona Ali) are Major Donors Level 2 and the first and the only Bequest Society Members in the District. He is also a Benefactor and one of the founder members of Paul Harris Society. Dr. Maimoona is Past President of Innerwheel Club of Lahore Garrison. Both their daughters (Fatima and Aaesha) are Paul Harris Fellows and members of Interact Club. Fatima is currently District Interact Representative (DIR) and is Charter Member and Past President of Interact Club of Lahore Garrison.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tariq Sayeed Saigol

Mr. Tariq Sayeed Saigol is the chairman of Kohinoor Maple Leaf Group. He is a member of the reputed Saigol Family who pioneered in Textile manufacturing after partition and later ventured into the financial sector, chemicals, synthetic fibres, sugar, edible oil refining, civil engineering, construction, cement and energy.

Mr. Saigol was schooled at Aitchison College, Lahore and graduated from Government College, Lahore following which, he studied Law at University Law College, Lahore.

He started his career in 1968 at Kohinoor’s Chemical Complex at Kala Shah Kaku. Upon trifurcation of the Group in 1976, he became Chief Executive of Kohinoor Textile Mills Limited, Rawalpindi. Since 1984, he has been Chairman of Kohinoor Maple Leaf Group which has interests in textiles, energy and cement manufacturing.

He has been Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association in 1992-94, President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 1995-97 and Chairman, All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association from 2003-2006.

Mr. Saigol has been a member of the Federal Export Promotion Board and Central Board of State Bank of Pakistan. He has also served on several Government Commissions and Committees on a number of subjects, including Export Promotion, reorganization of WAPDA and EPB, Right Sizing of State owned Corporations and Resource Mobilization. He is the author of Textile Vision 2005 which was adopted by the Government in 2000 and its critique prepared in 2006.

He takes keen interest in the development of education in Pakistan. He has been a member of the Board of Governors of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Founding Chairman of Governors of Chandbagh School, founder Trustee of Textile University of Pakistan, member of the Syndicate of University of Health Sciences and presently serves on the Board of Governors of Aitchison College. He is conferred with Sitara-e-Isaar by President of Pakistan in 2006.

Presently Mr.Tariq Saigol is a Board member of the State Bank of Pakistan. He is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council, constituted by the Prime Minister, to provide independent advice to him on the formulation and implementation of economic policies and reform agenda.

He is a keen golfer and has represented Pakistan at Golf in Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1967.

Mr. Saigol is married and has 3 children.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani

Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani born on 1st June, 1964 at Faisalabad. M.A Journalism with Roll of Honour, from Punjab University Lahore, Chief Editor Daily Paigham, Faisalabad, Lahore. He started his career in journalism in 1983 as Editor-in-Charge. Also worked with Mashriq and APP for some time in 1988 and then assumed the charge of Chief Editor Daily Paigham. He was Joint Secretary CPNE for the year 2005-2006. He is serving Executive Committee of the APNS for the last 15 years

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Dr Ahmad Jan Durrani

Dr Ahmad Jan Durrani is the Vice Chancellor and Professor of Engineering at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) since July 2008 with a 25-year long teaching and academic management career. He has served the Civil Engineering Department at Rice University, Houston, Texas as Chair of for six years and as an Associate Dean of Engineering for three years. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Founding Director of the Rice Global Forum on engineering and construction. He is a distinctive researcher and has published reviews/conducted surveys focusing earthquake resistant designs of built infrastructure and seismic hazard mitigation.
Dr Durrani received his BS in Civil Engineering with gold medal from the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore; MS in Structural Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok; PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Michigan, and MBA from the University of Houston. He is a former Chair of the Mayor of Houston’s Advisory Council on South Asia and has served for several countrywide professional committees and panels on engineering research and higher education.
LUMS VC is an ex-officio member of LEAD Pakistan’s Board since its inception and as such, Dr Durrani guides the organization on a range of issues related to programs, finance, audit, etc.

Tariq Asmat

Tariq Asmat holds a Master of Commerce Post Graduate Degree from University of the Punjab with specialization in Marketing. At the initial stage of his professional career he worked with few National and Multinational companies thereafter he started electronics business and still holds that business. Apart from import of digital products he is heading a group of educational institutions as Director Projects.

He has served in various leadership roles for Advancing Marketing Practices through teaching and the Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) – Lahore Chapter.
Tariq serves as Vice President of The Marketing Association of Pakistan – Lahore Chapter and works diligently alongside his Board and Corporate partners on creating and offering professional development for MAP members.
Additionally, he served as Chairman Registration Committee of the Marketing Congress 2006.

In addition to his continued involvement with MAP, he is a member of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Pakistan Electrical & Electronics Merchants Association, Lahore Tax Bar Association and Association of Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) Japan.

He is a former Chairman of the Pakistan Electrical & Electronics Merchants Association (PEEMA), Convener Regional Standing Committee on local trade Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Convener Standing Committee on Electronics & Multimedia Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Tariq teaches Marketing and International Business at various public and private sector business schools as visiting teacher. He has spent over twelve years in academic related activities and most of that time with Allama Iqbal Open University. His research and teaching interests are focused on the effects of culture on domestic and global marketing strategy.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan

Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan is the First "Chairman of World Peace Mission Organization" elected by the Board of Directors in its first ever meeting held at Dubai-UAE on December 21, 2001 and 4th World Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission. The first Muslim and Asian elected from its members in the history of IHRC. His term of service is for ten years that started on February 24, 1996 which extended by the General Assembly for 2nd term on March 21, 2006.

Dr. Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan on June 2, 1966. He studied at Central Model School Lahore and completed his graduation from Government Collage Lahore-Pakistan, in 1984. He did postgraduate studies in Journalism at the Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan. Dr. Khan did Ph.D. in International Cultural & Law from I.A.I France (U.K. Brighton University Campus) in 1996.

Dr. Khan joined "Daily Azad" Lahore as staff reporter in 1980 during his studies at Central Model School Lahore,. Later he joined Weekly Awam Ki Pukkar Lahore as Editor for two years. He is the founder of Daily Jaiza Lahore, Multan & Islamabad and enjoyed the office of Chief Editor in 1985.

Dr. Khan was quite active during his studies and played very important role in Pakistan's active politics. He honoured various chairs during student life such as Secretary General, Vice President of School Student Union, Secretary General and President of College Union, and Secretary General of All Pakistan Students Association.

Dr. Khan was the first Chief Administrator of Pakistan Boy Scouts Open Group and was awarded three times “Quaid-e-Azam Medal ” by President of Pakistan General Muhammad Zia ul Haq for three consecutive years from 1982-1984.

Dr. Khan was honoured by the His Holiness Pope Johan Paul -II with ” Star of Vatican” in October 1999 and honoured with the Hijra Medal by the World Hijra Council at Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Khan joined International Human Rights Commission during 1988 as the Chairman of Jaiza Welfare Trust International-Pakistan as founder Organization. He was later appointed as first Vice Chairman for Asia of IHRC from 1988 to 1993. He performed the duties as Acting World Chairman from 1993 to 1996, after the death of IHRC 3rd World Chairman Mr. Andreessen Brooks and later took over the office of the World Chairman of International Human Rights Commission and Ambassador at Large in 1996.

He is also heading the WMPO, IHRC-RFT as its Chairman and also own the Business Group named Al-Ayesha based in Dubai, London, New York, Kuala Lampur, and Pakistan.

Al-Ayesha Group of Companies formally established by Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan on the name of his daughter Ms. Ayesha Shahid Khan on 11th of June 2007 at Karachi Pakistan. Al- Ayesha Group of Companies having its branches & representative offices in Pakistan, UAE, UK, USA and Malaysia and more in progress.

Dr. Khan has honour to serve its nation once his services were hired by Prime Minister of Pakistan Ms. Benazir Bhutto for a considerable period and also worked with the other Prime Ministers Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Mr. Nawaz Sharief, and Malik Meraj Khalid as close associate, where he utilize his abilities and skills for the betterment of the country.

Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday was born on 13th January, 1945 at Lahore; received early education from Central Model School, Lahore; joined Government College, Lahore from where he migrated to Gordon College, Rawalpindi, on account of his father’s posting in the Federal Ministry of Law; graduated from Gordon College, Rawalpindi; remained the Editor of the College Magazine “Gordonian”; remained the President of the college Minerva Club; remained as best debater of the College. He did L.L.B. from The University of Punjab in the year 1968; remained the Secretary of the Punjab University Law Society; remained the Editor of College Magazine “Al-Mizan”; won a large number of prizes and trophies in the International and All Pakistan Inter-Collegiate Debates; was declared as the best English debater in the year 1968 and won the “Krishnan Kishore Grover Goodwill Gold Medal Declamation Contest”; He remained the visiting Assistant Professor of the University of Punjab; remained a Member of the visiting faculty of the Civil Services Academy of Pakistan and the National Institute of Public Administration, Lahore. He was honoured with a degree of ‘Doctor of Law’ by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar on May, 2005 in recognition of services rendered in the field of Education.

He was enrolled as an Advocate of the subordinate Courts in the year 1969; as an Advocate of the High Court in the year 1971 and as an Advocate of the Supreme Court in the year 1976. He was appointed as an Assistant Advocate General for the province of Punjab in April, 1976; was promoted as Additional Advocate General in the year 1984 and as the Advocate General in March, 1987.

He was elevated to the bench of Lahore High Court in October, 1988 and to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in January, 2002.

His lordship remained a visiting Assistant Professor at the Punjab University Law College, Lahore and is presently a member of the visiting Faculty of the Civil Services Academy of Pakistan and the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) at Lahore since 1982. Also has the honour of delivering lectures at the National Defence College, Islamabad (now the National Defence University), the Administrative Staff College of Pakistan (now the National School of Public Policy), the Naval War College and the Air Force War College of Pakistan.

His lordship had been on the Board of Governors of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS); of the Lahore School of Economics; of the Air University, Islamabad and of the University of Modern Languages and Disciplines, Islamabad. He has also been a member of the Syndicate of the Islamia University, Bahawalpur; the Agriculture University, Faisalabad and of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

His lordship has had the honour of addressing the Gurukul Kangri University at Haridewar in India where he had been invited to talk about inter-faith harmony. On the same subject, His lordship addressed the Rotary International South Asia Goodwill Summit, 2007 held at Delhi in February, 2007. On August 12, 2007, His lordship delivered a talk on the ‘FARCICAL NATURE OF THE APPREHENDED CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS’ in Oslo on the occasion of the Pakistan Day celebrations. On the same subject, His lordship also spoke to the Rotarians in Amsterdam on September 3, 2007.

His lordship is the younger brother of (late) Mr. Muhammad Farooq who was, twice, the Attorney General for Pakistan and of Mr. Asad-ur-Rehman who has been a member of the Parliament and a Federal Minister of State. In February, 1971, His lordship was married to the daughter of Mr. Justice Yaqoob Ali Khan who remained the Chief Justice of Pakistan from 1975 till 1977 when he was ousted by General Zia-ul-Haq, the then Chief Martial Law Administrator of the country.

In the year 2007, His lordship presided over a thirteen member Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan which heard a petition filed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan questioning his removal from office by General Pervez Musharraf, the then President of Pakistan and challenging also the validity of the proceedings initiated against him for his alleged misconduct; set aside the said actions of the said General and restored the Chief Justice back to his office through a land-mark judgment of July 20, 2007.

In October 2007, Mr. Justice Ramday was included in an eleven member Bench of the Supreme Court to hear the petition filed by a presidential candidate; Mr. Justice (retired) Wajih-ud-Din Ahmad challenging the eligibility of General Musharraf to contest the election to the office of the President of Pakistan. On November 3, 2007, while this Bench of the Supreme Court was still hearing this case and was about to announce the judgment, General Musharraf, once again, imposed Martial Law in the country; removed Justice Ramday, along with twelve other Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan including the Hon’ble Chief Justice, from office; put him and the other members of his family, including his wife, children and even a grand-child, under house-arrest like the Hon’ble Chief Justice and some other Hon’ble Judges and it was after almost five months of this detention that His lordship was finally released towards the end of March, 2008.

As a result of a long, a hard and a bloody struggle of the people of Pakistan led by the learned members of the National Bar for the constitutionalism, for the rule of law, for the independence of Judiciary and for restoration of the deposed Hon’ble Judges against the said action of the 3rd of November that His lordship got restored to his office on March 16, 2009.

He retired as Judge of the Supreme Court on 12.1.2010. He was appointed as an Adhoc Judge of the Supreme Court on 18.02.2010 for a period of one year.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah

Hon'ble Mr Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has been a practicing advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and at the High Courts of since 2003 and 1991 respectively (not appearing before the Supreme Court of Pakistan or the High Courts since the illegal action against the judiciary since 3rd November, 2008). He handles both corporate and civil litigation and corporate transactional services with same dexterity. He has argued over 2000 cases at the superior courts in areas of Judicial Review, Constitutional law, Civil law, Corporate Governance, Banking, Arbitration (ADR), Property law, Land Acquisition, Land Revenue, Family law, Privatization, Taxation-Sales Tax, Customs, Excise, Income Tax, Insurance, Environment, Finance, Foreign Investment, Intellectual Property and Public Interest Litigation. He is equally involved in transactional work and policy consultancies for international and local clients. In addition to aforesaid areas he has advised various prominent clients on WTO- Trade Defense Laws i.e., Anti-Dumping, Safeguards, Subsidies and Countervailing, Energy, Information Technology, Telecommunication, Social Sector Development, Empowerment of the Civil Society, Legal Education and Reform, Transparency, Devolution, Tax Reform, Legal & Judicial Reform, Micro Finance & Not-for-Profit Laws. The focus of legal work over the years has been pro development and therefore consultancies and teaching has contributed to the development of law and the society at large.

Professional Qualifications

Licensed to appear as an Advocate in the High Courts in Pakistan, 1991.
Licensed to appear and plead before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, August, 2003
Educational Qualifications

B.A/ M.A. (Law) Cambridge University, U.K. (Downing College), 1989-91.
M.A (Economics)- University of the Punjab, Lahore. 1988.
LL.B - University of the Punjab, Law College, Lahore. 1986-88. (Gold Medal)
B.A (Mathematics and French), University of the Punjab, 1984
High School - Aitchison College, Lahore. 1968-1981
Work Experience

Founding Partner AFRIDI, SHAH & MINALLAH, (Advocates and Legal Consultants) 1997-
Partner, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah & Associates, 1991-1997
PROPERTY LAW AND LAND ACQUISITON Challenged several land acquisitions against public interest before the High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan and also advised companies on land acquisition. Have been involved in several property transactions.
LEGAL STRUCTURING: Legal Disbursement Structure for UNICEF to disburse funds to Children used as child camel jockeys and now returned by UAE to Government of Pakistan– December, 2007
URBAN PLANNING AND THE SUPREME COURT: petitioned to the Supreme Court of Pakistan (2006) against illegal construction of high rise building in Lahore. This led to development of the High-rise Building Commission and all the multi-storeyed buildings of Lahore under construction were stopped and inspected by the august Court through the Commission (also invoking their suo moto powers). This led to demolition of several illegal buildings and structures. The case is still pending.
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION AND SAVING OF A PARK: Stopped the conversion and construction of a cineplex in a public park in Gulberg i.e., Doongi Ground. 2006 (case is still pending).
ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Sat as Chairman, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee-II for Income Tax. 2005-07 and settled a number of disputes. Appointed by the Federal Board of Revenue, Federal Government, Islamabad.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Board Member of Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) largest telecom in the country 2003 to 2006. Was an enriching experience in the area of telecom and related regulatory issues. Helped revamp and restructure the legal cell at PTCL and worked on the Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS) for 55,000 PTCL employees.2003-2006
LEGAL EDUCATION: Member of the Steering Committee for setting up of Lums Law School. 2001-2005
CONSULTANCY (TAXATION): Lead Consultant in Reforming and Re-Engineering Sales Tax Regime. 1999-2000
COSULATANCY (URBAN PLANNING): Legal design for the urban planning and development of five major cities of Punjab- Urban Unit, Government of Punjab, 2008.
NOT FOR PROFIT SECTOR: Worked for Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) to review and revise the laws relating to philanthropy Pakistan. Also for the first time converted a Public Trust (Brook Hospital for Animals) into a Charitable Company under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance. 1999. Have set up and advise a number of not for profit organizations.
CONSTITUTIONAL LITIGATION: Argued and won the landmark case against freezing of Foreign Currency Accounts before the Hon’ble Lahore High Court. 1998-1999.
LEGISLATION: Drafted law for the SMEs in the initial stages of formation of SMEDA. 1998
BANKING: Challenged the vires of the 1984 Banking Law, which was struck down by the Lahore High Court as being in violation of the Constitution.
HOSTILE TAKEOVER: Filed the first case under the hostile Take Over law in Pakistan before the SECP and have successfully stalled the take over. The case is pending.
CORPORATE LITIGATION: Are pioneers in filing the first petition for mismanagement and oppression and investigation under the company law before the Lahore High Court (these judgments are reported).

Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, having been sworn in as Chief Justice of Lahore High Court on 9th December, 2010, was born in a noble family of village Jabbal, Tehsil Shakargrarh, District Narowal on 15th December, 1950. After doing Bachelor of Laws, Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry started practicing law in 1975 and was enrolled as an Advocate High Court in 1977. His lordship ascended to be an Advocate Supreme Court in 1992.

By dint of sheer hard work, diligence and quest for learning, Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry acquired laudable legal acumen and professional prowess and before being raised to the Bench served as:

Special Prosecutor, Sessions Court, Lahore (from 1977 to 1979)
Legal Advisor NDFC, various Banks and Companies (1988)
Assistant Advocate General, Punjab (from 1988 to 1995)
Additional Advocate General, Punjab (from 1999 to May 2001)
He has been adorning the Bench at Lahore High Court since 2nd May, 2001 where he made his mark as an untiring Judge and apart from contributing to many celebrated judgments accepted many administrative responsibilities with heart and soul. Some of those are enumerated below:

Inspection Judge, Lahore District.
Member Administration Committee, Lahore High Court, Lahore.
Cooperative Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore.
Appellate Judge, Customs.
Administrative Judge, Anti Terrorism Courts in Punjab.
Administrative Judge, Anti Corruption Courts in Punjab.
Administrative Judge, Drug Courts in Punjab.
Led a delegation of the Judicial Officers to Vienna and Germany in November 2009 on a study tour on International Cooperative in Terrorism Cases/Drugs and Crimes arranged by the United Nations Office.
Chairman, Committee for Enrollment of Advocates Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Member Syndicate, University of the Punjab.
Member Syndicate Committee, Punjab University Law College.
Member Board of Management, Punjab Judicial Academy.
Some of the land mark judgments delivered by him are (1) Mukhtaran Mai’s Case, (2) Namoos-e-Risalat Case, (3) Dr.Abdul Qadeer Khan’s Case and (4) Hafiz Saeed Ahmad’s Case.

Thus having proved his mettle as Judge of this Court for more than 9 years, Hon’ble Mr.Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry was appointed Chief Justice of Lahore High Court and took oath as such on 9th December, 2010. Hon’ble Chief Justice is held in the highest esteem both by the legal fraternity as well as brother Judges and enjoys cordial and harmonious working relationship with the Bar. Last but not the least, Hon’ble Chief Justice was one of those of the inspiring and leading characters of the historic movement for restoration of Judiciary who refused to take oath under the PCO.

Hon’ble Mr.Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry will be serving this Court as Chief Justice till December 14, 2012.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Iman Ali

Iman Ali is one of the top Pakistani models. Iman was born in Lahore Punjab (Pakistan). She is daughter of television/film actor Abid Ali and Humaira Ali (first wife of Abid Ali). She has two younger sisters Maryam and Raimah Ali. Her parents divorced when she was young and Ali has confessed to having a ‘distant’ relationship with her father.
Modeling Carrier:
No doubt! That Iman Ali is considered in top Pakistani models. Aman has worked for most of the Pakistani designers. Not only this, she also modeled for Indian designers . She is considered perfect model due to her personality and perfect height.
Acting Carrier:
In 2007, Iman was signed in Shoaib Mansoor’s film Khuda Kay Liye, her acting was met with critical acclaim and earned her the Lux Style Award for ‘Best Actress’ in 2008. However, she, like her father has before acted in drama serials. She will appear next in Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol opposite Atif Aslam, Mahira Khan, Humamima Abbasi and others.
Personal life:
In 2009, Ali confirmed in an interview on the Nadia Khan Show that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Same year she was widely reported to have been to India to find an alternative therapy, citing allopathic treatment ‘too expensive’. Some media outlets covered the trip to India as a career move, but she strongly denied any such plans. She is single, and resides in Lahore. She has mentioned in an interview with Shaista Wahidi on popular morning show Good Morning Pakistan, “I don’t want a Ferrari owner, I just want a guy who can live and is capable of looking after her that’s it. Riches don’t do it for me. Money doesn’t impress me’.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Imran Abbas

Imran Abbas is one of the leading top male model and tv actor of Pakistan. Imran Abbas birthday or date of birth is on 15th october and his height is 6 feet. He is living with his family in Lahore, Pakistan. His personal magnetism and alarming allure are two simple reasons to sell the merchandise he models for, and his amazing potential as an actor and his refined dialogue delivery are certainly what’s the talk of town these days. It would be definitely worth listening as to what actually pulled an NCA student with a sound degree in Architecture on to the glitzy sets. Imran is much loved by the public because of his dashing looks and brilliant acting skills.

Model and Actor Imran Abbas first shoot of Khawar riaz took him to fame and popularity within a short span of period. His success as a model was followed by a brilliant acting career and today, he is widely seen on many soaps and Dramas on many TV channels. In such a short period of time. He worked in different types of projects. His first serial by Sultana Siddiqui was for masses, second serial written by Haseena Moin was for an educated intelligentsia, ‘Umrao Jaan’ is an epic, then his telefilm was for a younger audience and his forthcoming projects are all different and substantial. Imran think that he diligently improving his shortcomings and furbishing his acting skills which is even obvious to the viewers too.

Imran Abbas says,”“I have always tried to strike a balance between acting and modelling. When I was nominated for an LSA I was not an ideal contender because I had not done anything big in that particular year. Besides, I don’t really care about such things. For me, awards and recognition are superficial things and the LSA is more of an event or ad campaign, giving everyone a chance to get dressed up and chill out. I don’t need to comment on the credibility of these awards because everyone already knows about it.”

“I won’t be here for long since I believe in constant exploration of one’s inner self. For me, inner peace and self-fulfillment is my first priority, something which showbiz cannot provide me with. I plan to say farewell to showbiz in the next couple of years and pursue a career in architecture. These days I am planning to go abroad for a degree in architecture and leave Karachi and move to Islamabad. My temperament has some direct conflicts with this ultra fast city, where people literally work like restless juggernauts,” says Imran Abbas.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Munawar Baseer Ahmad

Munawar Baseer Ahmad is a recognized high profile Energy, Management and Technology expert. He has held the position of Managing Director Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) from September 2007 to May 2008, and Chief Executive & Managing Director, SSGC from October 2002 to September 2007 and Chairman and CEO, State Petroleum Refining & Petrochemical Corporation (Pvt.) Limited (PERAC) from July 2005 to June 2008

Before joining PEPCO, he was Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd from October 2002 to September 2007, a public gas utility with revenues of US$ 1.5 billion and over 6000 employees. At SSGC he effectively spearheaded a corporate transformation, Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and change management process based on technology empowered change with focus on corporate governance and industry best practices.

Before joining SSGC he successfully undertook Pakistan Power Sector restructuring under a World Bank programme as CEO of PEPCO from 2000-2002.

Mr. Munawar Baseer Ahmad has 35 years of diversified experience and has held senior management and engineering positions with leading multinationals in the USA, Middle East and Pakistan in the oil, gas, technology and engineering industries such as Fluor Engineers, Shell Engineering, General Signal, Westinghouse Electric, SIP Parsons etc.

He has held positions as CEO / Managing Director / Country Manager from 1984 onwards. As an entrepreneur from 1987 to 2000 he set-up PMEI and EMBA Corp in the USA and CGS (Pvt.) Ltd, EMBA Corporation and PME (Pvt.) Ltd in Pakistan. All the companies achieved notable success and were recognized as market leaders in the Engineering Services and Technology Sectors.

A registered Professional Engineer (PE) in USA (Texas) and Pakistan, he is a member of PIP, MAP, CSP, IEEE and IEEEP. He holds a B.Sc. Engg. degree from UET, Lahore and M.Sc. Engg. and MBA from University of Houston, Texas, USA. He was elected to several engineering and business honor societies in the USA and was appointed as a Member Senate of University of Balochistan in 2007. He is the recipient of the Management Excellence Award 2004-2005 by the 21st Century Business and Economics club.

He is a leading proponent for setting-up an Energy and Trade Corridor in Asia and for implementing technology empowered change and best business practices in the corporate sector. He has received numerous awards and honors at the local and global level. He is a sought after Speaker at National and International conferences and has presented more than 30 papers in the last 10 years on the Power, Gas and Energy Sector, Change Management and Technology Implementation.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Hafiz Salman Butt

Hafiz Salman Butt was born on January 17, 1956 in Lahore, Punjab. He was elected for his third term as MNA as an Independent candidate and later joined MMAP. He is politically affiliated with JIP.

businessman by profession, he completed a B.Sc. degree in 1982 from University of the Punjab and was previously elected to the National Assembly during the terms of 1985-1988 and 1990-1993. Active in student politics, he was elected as the Vice President Punjab University Student̢۪s Union. Hafiz Salman Butt has also espoused labour causes and has served as President Prem Union and Vice President of National Labour Federation.

Married with two sons and two daughters, Hafiz Salman Butt has been a member of the Pakistan Football Federation since 1983; the Pakistan Swimming Federation since 1986, and the Lahore District Hockey Association since 1990.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Dr Asad Ashraf

Dr Asad Ashraf, member Punjab Assembly son of Mr Hasan Ashraf was born on June 21, 1963 in Lahore. He obtained the degree of MBBS in 1986 from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore and completed his Post-Graduate Diploma in Cardiology in 1994 from NICVD, University of Karachi; and served as consultant cardiologist, Services Hospital Lahore. He has participated in various conferences during 1993 and 1994. He functioned as unelected Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab during 1997-99. A physician and a cardiologist, who remained a Member of Punjab Assembly during 2002-07 (functioned as Deputy Parliamentary Leader) and has returned to Punjab Assembly for the second consecutive term in general elections 2008. He has visited UAE, UK, Qatar and Tanzania.

Dr Saeed Elahi

Dr Saeed Elahi, member Punjab Assembly son of Sh Hameed Elahi was born on October 18, 1959 in Lahore. He obtained the degree of MBBS in 1985 from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. A medical doctor, who has been elected as Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in general elections 2008 and is functioning as Parliamentary Secretary for Health. He has travelled to UK, USA, KSA, UAE, India and Nepal.

Ch Abdul Ghafoor Khan

Ch Abdul Ghafoor Khan, Food Minister Government of Punjab, son of Ch Surjan Khan was born on September 10, 1960 in Lahore. He graduated in 1994 from University of the Punjab, Lahore. An agriculturist, who served as Member, District Council Lahore. He remained Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab during 1997-99 and 2002-07 and has returned to Punjab Assembly for the third consecutive term in general elections 2008. He has functioned as Minister for Prisons from 27 June 2008 to 29 June 2010 and now is functioning as Minister for Food Punjab.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Speaker Punjab Assembly, son of Rana Phool Muhammad Khan (former MPA and Minister) was born on April 20, 1945 at Gumthala Garhu, Tehsil Pehowa, District Karnal, . He obtained his early education from D.B. High School, Bhai Pheroo (now Phool Nagar). He graduated from Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore in 1968 and obtained the degree of LL.B. from University of the Punjab, Lahore in 1971. He is an advocate and agriculturist. He served as Secretary, Tehsil Bar Associate, Bar Association, Chunian during 1975-76. He started his political career from Markaz Council and served as Chairman Markaz Council and Union Council, Phool Nagar during 1979-83, remained Vice Chairman, Zila Council, Kasur during 1983-87; functioned as Chairman Zila Council Kasur for two consecutive terms during 1987-93. He was first elected unopposed, to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in the bye-election in 1993, but before he could make oath as a Member, the Assembly was dissolved in June 1993. He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and served as Member during 1993-96. 
He returned again to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab for the third consecutive term in 1997 and served as Provincial Minister and held the portfolios of Livestock & Dairy Development, Forest, Wildlife, Fisheries and Tourism during 1997-99. He has returned to the Punjab Assembly for the fourth term and is functioning as Speaker since April 11, 2008, having been elected unopposed as such. He has visited United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, India and France. He belongs to a noble family of politicians. His father was elected as Member for six consecutive terms, to Provincial Assembly of West Pakistan during 1965-69, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab during 1972-77, 1977, 1985-88, 1988-90 and 1990-93, and also served as Provincial Minister during 1988-90 and 1990-93. His cousin, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan remained MNA and Parliamentary Secretary during 1990-2007. His another cousin Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan is a sitting MNA.

Salman Taseer

Mr. Salman Taseer is a Chartered Accountant. Early in his career he successfully set up two chartered accountancy and management consultancy firms KPMG , UAE and Taseer Hadi Khalid & Company Chartered Accountants, Pakistan. In 1994, he established First Capital Securities Corporation Limited (FCSC), a full service brokerage house and has been actively involved in establishing other companies in the financial services sector as well as the telecommunications, media, insurance and real estate / property development sectors in Pakistan.
He has now established a strong foothold in the property /real estate development business as well Pace is a multi faceted real estate group building the Hyatt Regency Hotels in Lahore & now Karachi. He has also been an author of a number of articles on investment and Financial subjects. He has participated and spoken at numerous telecommunication and financial conferences within and outside Pakistan. He is the driving force behind the First Capital & World Call group.
The current market capitalization is around US $ 1 billion. He was Federal Minister for industry and production in the interim government in 2007 to 2008. He was member of the Punjab Assembly and Leader of opposition. He owns several media print and electronic networks which include Wikkid Plus, Business Plus and National dailies, The Daily Times & Aaj Kal. As Governor of the Punjab he is committed to bring socio-economic revolution in the province.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Salman Siddique

Mr Salman Siddique is a nominated Director in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation since March, 2009. He holds Masters Degrees in English from Punjab University, Social Sciences and Planning from London School of Economics & Political Science from University of London. He is presently Federal Secretary Finance. He held various senior positions during his service with the Government of Pakistan and Government of Punjab, which include Federal Secretary Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Joint Secretary Cabinet Division, Chief Secretary Punjab, Provincial Census Commissioner Punjab, Commissioner Lahore Division, Secretary S&GA Department. Mr Siddique played a vital role in acquiring World Bank and International Monetary Fund assistance for development of education and health in Punjab. Mr Siddique is also Chairman of Board’s Finance Committee.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Date of Birth: February 13th, 1911
Place: Sialkot (Punjab), Pakistan
Faiz's mother was Sultan Fatima. Faiz's father died in Sialkot in 1913. Faiz's father was a learned man and enjoyed the company of well-known literary persons. Wrote the biography of Amir Abdur Rehman. Faiz was therefore, born in a respectable and literary environment and was a very promising student with a religious background.Primary Education: Started memorizing the Holy Quran at the age of four and in 1916 started his formal education in the famous school of Moulvi Ibrahim Sialkoti, and learnt Urdu, Persian and Arabic. Was admitted to the Scotch Mission High School in 1921 in Class IV. Passed his Matriculation Examination in the 1st Division from Murray College, Sialkot and during this period learnt Persian and Arabic from Allama Iqbal's teacher, Shamsul Ullama Moulvi Syed Meer Hasan.
College Education: Passed his B.A. (Honours) in Arabic from the Government College, Lahore and then M.A. in English from the same College in 1932. Passed his M.A. in Arabic in the 1st Division, from Oriental College, Lahore.
Employment: Lecturer in English at M. A. O. College, Amritsar in 1935 and then at Hailey College of Commerce, Lahore. Joined the Army as Captain in 1942 and worked in the department of Public Relations in Delhi. Was promoted to the rank of Major in 1943, and Lieut. Colonel in 1944. Resigned from The Army in 1947 and returned to Lahore, where, in 1959 appointed as Secretary, Pakistan Arts Council and worked in that capacity till 1962. Returning from London in 1964 he settled down in Karachi and was appointed as Principal, Abdullah Haroon College , Karachi. Editorship of the monthly magazine Adabe-Latif from 1947 to 1958. Worked as Editor under the Progressive Papers Ltd, of the Pakistan Times, the Urdu newspaper Imroze and the weekly Lailo-Nihar. In the 1965 war between India & Pakistan he worked in an honorary capacity in the Department of Information. Acted as Editor of the magazine Lotus in Moscow, London and Beirut.
Marriage & Children: In March 9th, arrested under Safety Act and charged in the Rawalpindi Conspiracy case, and having borne the hardships of imprisonment for four years and one month in the jails of Sargodha, Montgomery (now Sahiwal) Hyderabad and Karachi, was released on April 2nd, 1955.

S.M. Zafar

Mr. S.M. Zafar is a human rights activist, noted lawyer, politician and member of the Senate of Pakistan. He has served as a judge of the high court and as Pakistan’s minister for law and parliamentary affairs. He is chancellor of Hamdard University and Chairman of Human Rights Society of Pakistan. His efforts for recognition and promotion of human rights and fair practices have attained him acclaim and acknowledgment on national and international levels. In his capacity as an attorney, Mr. Zafar has been involved in some of the most important cases of country’s legal history. He is considered an authority on legal and constitutional issues and his opinions are quoted in national and international press. He is also the chairman of Cultural Association of Pakistan.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Prof. Muhammad Umar

Prof. Muhammad Umar graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore in 1968. He completed his orthopaedic training at Albert Einstein College of medicine in New York. He received fellowship training in joint replacement surgery at Hospital for special surgery, University of Cornell, New York. He was appointed consultant at University of Rochester affiliated hospital in 1975. He established a four-man orthopaedic group practice as a senior partner. As a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Rochester, he took active part in undergraduate education and postgraduate orthopaedic training. 
In 1990 he came back to Pakistan and joined Aga Khan University Hospital (Karachi) as a full time academic faculty member. Here he pioneered the development of arthroscopic surgery and joint replacement work. He is the founding faculty member of orthopaedic residency training program at the Aga Khan University and its director from 1995-2000. he is also a founding member of Pakistan Society for surgery of the hand and has served as its general secretary and president from 1995 – 1998. 
 He also had the honor to serve as secretary general and president of Pakistan Orthopaedic Association from 1996 – 1999. Prof. Muhammad Umar M.D. is the founder and surgeon-in-chief of Institute of Orthopaedics and Surgery and head of orthopaedic service of South City Hospital. He is recognized for his expertise in total joint replacement and revision surgery.

Dr. Saadia Virk

Dr. Saadia Virk, CEO at South City Hospital Karachi is a graduate of Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore. After completing her postgraduate training at the Aga Khan University she went for further training to UK and obtained Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In the UK she worked in institutions of excellence and obtained special training in general Gynaecology, Urogynaecolgoy, Oncology, Assisted Reproduction and high risk Obstetrics.
On return to Pakistan, with her leadership skills, she established departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Mid East Hospital and a centre of Assisted Reproduction at Australian Concept Infertility Centre in Karachi.
In 2008 she took the lead in establishing and inaugurating South City Hospital which is a state-of-the-art facility for surgical specialties. At present she is the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of this Hospital.
Clinical work is her second area of excellence. Her expertise lies in management of high risk pregnancies, infertility, assisted reproduction, oncology and laparoscopic surgery including LAVH, ovarian cystectomies, myomectomies, ectopics and endometriosis. She is also well versed with conventional general gynaecology. In recognition of her clinical work and leadership skills she has recently been awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Under Dr. Saadia Virk’s supervision, South City Hospital is now an established and recognized centre for laparoscopic surgeries in gynaecology and general surgery.

Sara Taseer Shoaib

Sara Taseer Shoaib is a trained gemologist qualified from the Gemological Institute of America GIA. She graduated at the top of her class and completed the jewellery design segment of her training with outstanding honors. She is also a graduate from the London School of Economics and has a sound background in finance. She has worked internationally at Citibank, and ABN Amro Hong Kong. Sara has spent 10 years in the diamond industry in New York and Hong Kong and established a reputation for her design and flair. Her last exhibition in Hong Kong was at the renowned Harvey Nichols store.

Sara has opened her flag ship store in Lahore, in February 2009. Despite hailing from Pakistan’s premier business and political families, Sara has always charted her own course and become an internationally recognized name in elegant jewellery design. Sara has chosen to open in Pakistan, during one of the most trying periods in the history of Pakistan. This is a reflection of her ever strong love for her country and a belief in its viability and potential.

Sara manufactures in Hong Kong where she resides with her husband and three children. Her focus is keenly on quality. Unable to detach herself from her subcontinental roots, and a staunch patriot Sara is committed to the marriage of western modern straight line design with eastern color and motif. Sara produces pieces of insurmountable quality and presents them within the relevance of Pakistani culture. Sara shows through exhibitions in New York, Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Tokyo.
Sara is a true grass roots designer of our time and her passion and creativity brings a new standard of jewellery to Pakistan .

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Jimmy Engineer

Jimmy Engineer was born in 1954 in Balochistan (Loralai), Pakistan. His Parsi family could not have known then that he would grow up to break all barriers of caste and creed and truly define multi-ethnicity through his art and altruism.

Jimmy completed his schooling from St. Anthony’s High school, Lahore, and after a brief interlude at the Forman Christian College, he spent the next three years at the National College of Arts (NCA), expanding his creative prowess. It was in 1976 that he turned into a professional painter but his achievements went much beyond his artist’s creativity when he discovered a deep love for all his fellow beings, specially for the downtrodden. His art pieces soon became expressions of truth and his images began to speak of his compassion for the people he saw.

Although an artist by profession, Jimmy Engineer’s life has revolved around supporting troubled individuals as well as social work institutions, though he himself prefers to remain undocumented and unsung. His artistic performance has been acclaimed internationally particularly his series on canvas which depicts the Muslim toil in the wake of Pakistan’s Independence in 1947. The minute details, the layered imagery and the fine lines illustrating the transition of humans into tragic victims equal the skill applied by the Great Masters. His works have never failed to captivate successive generations of art lovers in Pakistan and abroad. Jimmy’s speaking impressions which have the power to move young minds and imbue them with a renewed sense of dedication for the country, have been exhibited extensively in Pakistan as well as abroad. The fortu! ! nes that he has earned have been generously spent on charitable work, which is what gives him satisfaction and he is content in leading a simple life.

A peace-loving man, he is widely known as Pakistan’s indefatigable crusader for the oppressed, disabled, mentally handicapped, impoverished and generally for all who need him as he has the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. Jimmy’s many ‘walk-a-cause’ have earned him a special standing amongst Pakistan’s philanthropists as he has undertaken long, arduous journeys on foot to create awareness for many human rights issues.

As for his paintings, he has mastered many mediums and from realism (landscape, still life, abstract et all) to calligraphy, in water, oil, pastels etc, be it on canvas, wood or ceramics, he has explored and introduced numerous textures in his works and the amazing versatility is more than evident in his creations. His collection also includes miniatures and self-portraits, many of which are in private collections in Italy, France, Switzerland, Russia, India, China, England, USA in fact almost in every part of the world, validating his status as an International artist. But for Jimmy Engineer, Pakistan is the only identity he wishes for as he continues to work towards merging all cultures for the common good of his soil. Though he already has over 2000 paintings and more than 1000 calligraphies to his name besides the 20,000 or so prints in! ! private collection, selling his work is not why he paints. Like his art he simply aspires to spread his love for people wherever he goes and is ceaselessly pursuing the course of charity as his heart is sold to humanity for the rest of his life

Monday, December 27, 2010

Prof Anna Molka Ahmed

Prof Anna Molka Ahmed (1917 - 1994) was a famous Pakistani artist and pioneer of fine arts in the newly born Pakistan in 1947. She was a professor of fine arts at the University of the Punjab in Lahore. She was among the pioneers of women artists in Pakistan and had been a long-time director and moving spirit behind the Fine Arts Department of the Punjab University, Lahore - the first institution that was opened to the women artists in Pakistan. "In fact she has been the facilitator of a movement that made the proactive role of women artists a possibility". writes Nilofur Farrukh (president of International Art Critics Association, Pakistan Section). It is because of trendsetters like her that the feminist art in Pakistan is gaining strength away from traditional gender discriminatory dominance. In fact these days we are witnessing a gradual dismantling of social and gender classifications. Well this has not been easy, since a lot of women had to struggle hard to bring women atop many a prestigious positions - above men, Ana Molka Ahmed is one such women. She started evening art classes at Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra) and later in a village near Lahore. Her untiring efforts gradually upgraded art education beyond B.A to M.A. in fine art at the Punjab University. She was Head of fine art department from 1940-1978. Her contribution to art education and its promotion heas been most influential. Her paintings and sculpture are found in many public and private collections in Pakistan and abroad.
She was born to Jewish parents, in London, UK in 1917. Her mother was Polish and father was a Russian. She studied painting, sculpture and design at St. Martin School of Arts, London. She converted to Islam at the age of 18 in 1935, before marrying Sheikh Ahmed, a would be Pakistani in October 1939. The couple moved to the Indian subcontinent in 1940-41 and settled in Lahore. Although, her marriage was over in 1951, but yet she lived in Pakistan with her two daughters. She was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, for her services in the field of fine arts education in the country. Professor Emeritus Anna Molka Ahmed set up a department, which has now become a center of excellence for Fine Arts in Pakistan. At the time of independence, there were only five or six Muslim students in the art department, and Anna Molka Ahmed went from one college to another seeking students for the arts department and thus was able to introduce art courses in the Punjab University. Her students became famous artists in the country and many of them are playing their role globally.

Beside painting, she was an avid gardener. She would wear her trade mark while tending the garden, cutting hedges in new and artistic pattern, and went on painting and gardening till the very last time until she was ordered by the doctors to stop because it was straining her health badly. Anna Molka also took to writing poetry in later part of her life. She breathed her last in 1994.

Huma Mulji

Huma Mulji's work has moved more and more towards looking at the absurdities of a post-colonial society in transition, taking on board the visual and cultural overlaps of language, image and taste, that create the most fantastic collisions. She describes the time we live in as moving at a remarkable speed and in regard to Pakistan Mulji refers to the experience of 'living 200 years in the past and 30 years in the future all at once'. She is interested in looking at this phenomenon with humor, to recognize the irony of it, formally and conceptually. Rather than dwell on and follow existing theoretical issues of living and working in a post-colonial nation, and applying those stagnant studies to a lived existence she examines the pace of cultural change through her art work.

Mulji's sculptural works respond to the possibilities of making things in Pakistan, and embrace low-tech methods of “making”, together with materials and forms that come from another time, and that are “imported”, “newly discovered” or “re-appropriated”. For example the work Arabian Delight is a low-tech taxidermy camel, stuffed in a suitcase. It plays with ideas of travel, transition, and of mental and physical movement, combined with an old world symbol of the camel, forced into the suitcase, looking formally uncomfortable, but nonetheless happy. This particular work also examines the relationship between Pakistan and the Gulf States and the manipulation of the Governments of Pakistan, the “Arabisation” of the country, for years, towards all but wiping out a “south Asian” identity, to replace it with a “Muslim” identity. For Mulji, this in itself, is forced, unnatural, and disagreeable. However, she also approaches this problem from the angle of someone living within it: therefore looking at it with humor, and recognizing the absurd results of the situation, in daily life, and through interactions with each other, and the world.

The photographic series Sirf Tum (only you) from 2004 and from 2008, similarly address such absurd collisions. Sirf Tum deals with issues related to intimacy in public spaces. Surveying the frame through the lens, the camera zooms in, becoming the voyeur, awkwardly, confidently, watching and disapproving at once. The protagonists are second hand dolls bought from piles of toys sold around Lunda Bazaar in Lahore, incidentally brought into Pakistan with salvation army clothing from another world, leftover from some child’s summer holiday. Already on the Periphery of society, the naked couple is placed in locales that challenge and are challenged by their scale, creating a hyper-real space, a hyper-real narrative, a “plastic” story, convincing and disturbing at the same time. In the 2008 series, the two seemingly interactive narratives engage with each other visually, but don’t really converse. Which of the narratives is real? This also brings into question contemporary media images, and the phenomenon of “photoshop”, where the fine line between truth and untruth becomes a matter of belief.

The newer work, with the taxidermic buffaloes, and the photographs of buffaloes in the landscape, continue to be informed by the absurd and incongruous visual confrontations in a country desiring to be at once the most forward-looking, and unable and unwilling to negotiate its traditional values with this idea of progress.

Heavenly Heights and Her Suburban Dream both attempt to juxtapose these colliding metaphors, to envision this surreal reality. The work avoids easy taking of sides, or didactics, in imagining a future urban landscape of Pakistan. Sculpturally too, the work underscores the conflict. The suspension of volume and weight, and the pushing of anatomical possibilities to emphasize the tension.

Shahzia Sikander

Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969, Lahore, Pakistan) is a painter, living in New York City. She earned a BFA in 1992 at the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan; and an MFA in 1995 at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island.

She has had solo exhibitions at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (1999/2000) and at the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago (1998). Her work has been shown in group exhibitions at the Whitney Museum (1999/2000 and 1999), at the Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia (1999), and at the Ludwig Museum, Cologne, Germany (1999).

Sikander has been schooled in the miniature painting tradition of Pakistan, and combines the historic iconography and technique with her own aesthetics resulting in a hybrid of traditional and contemporary styles. The imagery in her work references the tensions that exist in Islam, Hinduism and Christianity as well as her personal history, politics, and sexuality. Religion is a significant element in her art as well as her personal life, as she is a practicing Muslim. Sikander explores in particular, the role of Muslim women and challenges the view Westerners have of associating Islam only with terrorism and oppression of women.

She has been granted the "genius grant" for 2006 by the MacArthur Foundation.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Imtiaz Safder Warraich

Choudhry Imtiaz Safder Warraich, Minister of State for Communications is a seasoned politician and remained a prominent practicing lawyer. Mr. Imtiaz remained MPA from Punjab during 1993-1996,MNA during 2002-2007 and presently is also a Member of the National Assembly since 2008 and with the portfolio of Minister of State for Communications. Her emained Joint Secretary and then General Secretary of the Gujranwala Bar during 1977 and 1983 respectively. Mr. Warraich was elected twice as Member Zilla Council, Guranwala while as elected for four terms as Director, Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank, Gujranwala. In 1996, he remained as Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab. Mr. Warraich enjoys huge popularity among the masses and is still the Vice President of the PPPP Punjab and Divisional President of the PPPP Gujranwala Division.
Mr.Warraich has a Masters degree and LLB from Punjab University.
Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Warraich was born on 15thof November, 1952 in Gujranwala, He has traveled widely to many countries and his hobbies include Reading and Trekking.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Dr Saeed Elahi

Dr Saeed Elahi son of Sh Hameed Elahi was born on October 18, 1959 in Lahore. He obtained the degree of MBBS in 1985 from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. A medical doctor, who has been elected as Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in general elections 2008 and is functioning as Parliamentary Secretary for Health. He has travelled to UK, USA, KSA, UAE, India and Nepal.

Choudhry Shahbaz Ahmed

Ch Shahbaz Ahmed son of Ch Muhammad Sharif was born on December 14, 1973 in Lahore and is a graduate from Government Dyal Singh College, Lahore. He started his political carrier as student leader on MSF platform at Dyal Singh College, Lahore. He served as President MSF Dyal Sing College, Lahore during 1993 and General Secretary Punjab MSF during 1995. He has served as Councillor, MCL during 1998-99, as Naib Nazim, Union Council during 2001-02 and as Nazim, Union Council during 2005. He has served as Additional General Secretary Lahore of his party during 2005-09. A businessman who has been elected as Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in general elections 2008.

Rana Sanaullah Khan

Rana Sanaullah Khan, an Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, who has to his credit a long and hard struggle against the dictatorship for the restoration of democracy, revival of the Constitution and a strong voice for human rights. He was many a time tormented and was also put behind the bars for his struggle but he always stood firm against all odds and never compromised on his principles. He was first elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in 1990 and served as Deputy Opposition Leader during 1990-93. He also remained Member of Punjab Assembly during 1997-99. He reached Punjab Assembly for the third term in 2002 and functioned as Deputy Opposition Leader and as Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) during 2002-07. He has returned to Punjab Assembly for the fourth term and is functioning as Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

Mian Shafqat Ali

Mian Shafqat Ali, former chairman of Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front, graduated in 1980. He did LLB 1983. He also holds Master Degrees in Philosophy (1985) and Political Science(1987). Attended executive courses of AOTS in Japan (1993). Mian Shafqat Ali is Director of Ramna Pipe & General Mills (Pvt) Ltd, Ramna Fitting and Pipe Industries (Pvt) Ltd and Ramna Steel (Pvt) Ltd. He is one of the founding members of LTIA from 1987 to 1997. He was team leader which organized PIAF and was elected first Chairman of PIAF. Mian Shafqat Ali served the business community as President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.