Ramzan Or Khawateen of Karachi

Beautiful Mehndi Designs, Shaadi (henna) Mehndi Design,Karachi Latest Mehndi Designs For Eid

Mehndi, Tell me you dont know about it...   lol... here is what Mehndi is all about... Beautiful Mehndi Designs..mehndi henna

Mehndi is the application of Henna as a   temporary form of skin decoration in South Asia, the Southwest Asia,   North Africa and the Horn of Africa,   as well as by expatriate communities from these areas. Mehndi   decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they   are sometimes called henna tattoos. In Kerala henna is known as   mylanchi and widely used by the Muslim community. Henna is typically   applied during special occasions like weddings and festivals. It is   usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the color will be darkest   because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds   temporarily to lawsone, the colorant of henna. Henna was used as a form   of decoration mainly for brides.

The   term henna tattoo is inaccurate, because tattoos are defined as   permanent surgical insertion of pigments underneath the skin, as opposed   to pigments resting on the surface. Likely due to the desire for a   "tattoo-black" appearance, many people have started adding the synthetic   dye PPD to henna to give it a black color. PPD is extremely harmful to   the skin and can cause severe allergic   reactions resulting in permanent injury or death.

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

Process : Henna paste is usually   applied on the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush, but sometimes   a small metal-tipped jacquard bottle used for silk painting (a jac   bottle) is used. The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic,   or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating a more intense colour on   the skin. The wrap is worn overnight and then removed. The final colour   is reddish brown and can last anywhere from two weeks to several months   depending on the type of the paste.

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

Tradition : Intricate patterns of   mehndi are typically applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. The   bridegroom is also painted in some parts of India, Bangladesh and Sudan   for bridegrooms to be painted as well. In Rajasthan (north-west India),   the grooms are given designs that are often as elaborate as those for   brides.

In Arabic speaking countries such as Morocco, and some   other countries in central Asia, it is done for any special occasion. It   is done during the seventh month of pregnancy, after having the baby,   weddings, engagements, family get-togethers, divali, as well as on other   occasions.

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

mehndi designs

Beauty tips for every type of skin by karachi beautions

Every woman like  smooth, flat, fair skin colour. Whether you are genetically fair complexion and brown or black, there are ways to lighten your skin tone more. Chemical, herbal, cosmetic, or organic, that to get the desired sound: Since time immemorial, people have looked for different agents.

Here are some beauty tips to achieve better results. Food, nutrition, general care, scrubs, pastes, creams, should do apart from the daily care miracle.

Avoid strong sunlight:

• Sun rays are a great source of vitamin D, which is very important for the human bone. However, harsh sun rays can be very harmful to the skin.
• Premature aging, wrinkles, discoloration of the skin is due to the UV rays in sunlight.
• Avoid going out in the sun 11 to 3 clock.

• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30

• Wearing a mask "Naqab" is best protection.

Daily Skin Care: Regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing of skin is very important.

Cleansing: Use a cleanser, homemade or ready for your skin type.

• With medical cleaners for sensitive skin, your skin prone to frequent outbursts and allergies.

• Use Moisturizing cleanser for dry skin.

• For oily skin use a product that controls excess oil production.

Toning: Toning tightens and shrinks the open pores, are best suited for your type of skin toner.

• Alcohol Free Toner - Air fresheners - suited for dry, hydrated, normal and sensitive species.

• Mild alcohol (20%) based toner - Skin Tonic - are good for oily, normal, and mixed types.

• alcohol-based (20-60%) toner - Astringents - are heavily used mostly for excessive toner oily skin.

Moisturizing: Daily skin care is incomplete without the moisture of your skin properly.

• It helps hydrate the skin

• It helps the skin to smooth and

• It protects the skin from the sun, when it more than 30 spf

Scrub: Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells and exposing the fresh, new layer of skin.

• Oatmeal mixed with water and ground into a smooth paste is a good exfoliant. Apply this paste on the face in a gentle circular motion. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off.

• Mix 2 tablespoons chopped raw oats with 1 tablespoon of honey and apple cider vinegar ¼. Make a fine paste apply on face in circular motions. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash your face.

Fair skin people have less melanin, a pigment for different skin tones. Dark colored people have more melanin.

Skin lightening creams have hydroquinone in them, which if used inhibits melanin.

Lotions, creams and rich in vitamin C to help brighten skin tone and regenerate cells.

The masks for the lightening of the skin:

Eggs & honey:

• 1 egg white

• 1 lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon honey

Beat the egg whites, honey and lemon juice. Apply it on your face and wash yourself after 15 minutes.
Almond oil & honey:

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ½ tablespoon almond oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon milk powder
• 1 tablespoon milk

Mix all ingredients. Apply it on your face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Dry skin:

• Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and honey. Apply it on your face and body. Wash off after 15 minutes.
• Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and cucumber juice. Apply it on your face and body. Wash off after 15 minutes.

Oily skin:

• Mix cucumber pulp and yogurt. Make a fine paste. Apply and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off after it dries.
• Make a paste of papaya, honey and milk. Use it on your face and body for a few minutes. Let it dry and then wash off.

Dark feet and ankles:

• Soak feet and ankles for 15 minutes in water mixed lemon juice.

Dark Elbows:

• Rub potato or lemon juice for 15 minutes and wash off with water.

Dark Hands:

• Mix of sun flower oil, lemon juice and sugar. Apply for 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.

Dark neck:

• Mix 1 lemon, 1 cucumber juice and 1 / 8 tablespoon of turmeric powder. Apply it for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Dark Lips:

• Mix a few drops of Vaseline and lemon juice and apply on the lips at night. Wash them in the morning.

• Cut your intake of tea, coffee and smoking.

Food Diet: A good, healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and juices is not only good for your health , but also for your skin.

• Avoid fatty, spicy and junk food.
• Eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables.
• Fruits such as pears, apples, peaches, guavas, etc., are good for the skin.
• Include more legumes, cereals and in daily food intake.

Talk to a dermatologist for the prescription of drugs, creams and lotions for a fair skin color. Before the application of any cream and lotion for fair skin patch test is beneficial because some creams and lotions my create problems for your skin.

Amazing Karachi Zoo Galleries

Young Scientist Exhibition & Family Carnival 2012

Do you think that your kid has a scientific creativity? And do you want your kid to be like junior Albert Einstein or Newton? Then here is a thrilled activity for your kids to explore their technical and logical skills. This scientific exhibition is providing an amazing chance for your kids to show their outstanding mock-ups which is created by themselves. In this event more than 50 leading schools are participation throughout the Karachi. Moreover, there will be a grand learning and fun activities in this event not only for kids but also for youngsters and for women. So it’s going to be a marvelous entertaining event for all in this summer of Karachi.

Activities for Kids:
Project Display
Play area
Kids Fun Mela
Health Related Activities
Magic Shows
Education Based NGOs Participation
Fun Family Activities
Qirat & Naat Competition
Debate Competition
Singing Competition
Activities for Youngsters:
Music Mania (Battle of The Band Competition)
Anchor- Auditions
Career Guide
Painting / Calligraphy Competition
Activities for Women:
Free Beauty Clinics
Better Nutrition Consultancy
Meet the Palmis Quiz Show
Basic Health Checkups
Activities for Men:
Quiz Show
Basic Health Checkups
For Senior Citizens:
Comfort Zone

Event Details:

Date & Time: Sunday, June 3, 2012. 9am untill 5pm
Venue: Aladin Amusement Park, Karachi
For ticket and other information please contact on the following numbers:
Jahanzaib Peerzada
0334 6401090
021 35449594
Arsalan Naseer
0333 3541429

UPCOMING EVENTS IN KARACHI EXPO CENTER 2012

(Updated 16th May, 2012)
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR 2012 – 2013 S# NAME OF EVENT SETUP DAYS DATES OF EVENT / AREA PRODUCT CATEGORY ORGANIZERS 1. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 5,6 7,8,9,10,11,14,15,16,17,18,21,22,23,24,25,28,29,30,31,1,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,13,14,15 16 7th May, 2012 to 15th June, 2012 (Hall No.3 & 4) 2. AUTO & TRANSPORT ASIA – 2012 INT’L EXHIBITION
Setup
Exh
Dis
12,13,14
15,16,17
18
15 – 17th May, 2012
(Hall No.2)
Auto Parts
M/s. Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, Karachi, Tel: 111-222—444
(Mr. Farhan Anis) 3. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 15 16 17 16th May, 2012 (Congress Level – I & II) 4. PAS AWARDS – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
16,17
18
19
18th May, 2012
(Hall No.6, Outer Area & Foyer Area)
Awards
M/s. Resource Marketing Consultants, Karachi
Contact: Mr. Mustafa Azam
Cell: 0300 – 2298567 5. ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE EXPO
Setup
Exh
Dis
16,17
18,19
20
18 – 19th May, 2012
(Hall No.1)
Banking Expo
M/s. Publicity Channel, Karachi
(Mr. Naeem Qureshi)
Contact:: 021 – 35653676 6. CONNECT – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
19,20,21
22,23,24
25
22 – 24th May, 2012
(Hall No.2)
IT
M/s. Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi (Mr. Akhtar Shahzad) Tel: 111-734-266 7. MASALA FAMILY FESTIVAL – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
24,25
26,27
28
26 – 27th May, 2012
(Hall No.5,6, Outer Area, Foyer Area)
Festival
M/s. Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, Karachi, Tel: 111-222—444
(Mr. Farhan Anis) 8. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 30 31 31 31st May, 2012 (Hall No.6) 9. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 31,1 2,3 4 2 – 3rd June, 2012 (Hall No.2) 10. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 1,2,3 4,5,6,7,8,11,12,13 14 4 – 13th June, 2012 (Hall No.4, 5 & 6) 11. THE NEWS EDUCATION EXPO – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
7,8
9,10
11
9 – 10th June, 2012
(Hall No.2)
Education
M/s. Jang Group of Companies, Karachi (Mr. Intikhab Alam
Cell: 0322 – 2709795 12. CHEM & DYE TECH EXPO
Setup
Exh
Dis
12,13,14
15,16,17
18
15 – 17th June, 2012
(Hall No.2)
Chem & Dye
Ms. Event and Conference (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi
Tel: 021-34818177
(Mr. Muhammad Nadeem) 13. SUZUKI CERTIFIED USED CAR GALA
Setup
Exh
Dis
16
17
18
17th June, 2012
(Hall No.5 & Outer Area)
Car Gala
M/s. Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited, Karachi
(Mr. Muhammad Danish)
Tel: 021 – 34723551 – 58 14. DAWN ALL ABOUT LIFESTYLE 2012 – SUMMER
Setup
Exh
Dis
19,20,21
22,23,24
25
22 – 24th June, 2012
(Whole Complex)
General items
M/s. Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi,
Tel: 111-444-777
(Mr. Ghazzanfar A. Manghi) 15. CORPORATE EVENT
Setup
Exh
Dis
2
3
4
3rd July, 2012
(Hall No.6 & Foyer Area)
Event
M/s. Hinopak Motors Limited, Karachi (Mr. Ahmer Siddiqui)
Cell: 0300 – 2031187 16. NUST ENTRANCE TEST
Setup
Exh
Dis
7
8
9
8th July, 2012
(Hall No.2, 3, 4 & 5)
Test
M/s. PN Engineering College, PNS Jauhar, Karachi
(Mr. Muhammad Ayub)
Tel: 021 – 99240113 17. CORPORATE EVENT
Setup
Exh
Dis
5,6,7
8,9,
9
8 – 9th July, 2012
(Hall No.6 & Foyer Area)
Event
M/s. Rteam, Karachi
(Mrs. Ruqhia Nazeer)
18. 32ND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION EXHIBITION
Setup
Exh
Dis
6,7
8,9
9
8 – 9th July, 2012
(Hall No.1)
Education
M/s. International Educational Services, Karachi
(Mr. M. S. Mirza)
Cell: 0300 – 8275640 19. 9TH MY KARACHI – OASIS OF HARMONY EXHIBITION
Setup
Exh
Dis
10,11,12
13,14,15
16
13 – 15th July, 2012
(Hall No.1,2,3,4, Outer Area & Congress Level – II) In Process: Hall No.5 & 6
General
M/s. Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI)
(Mr. Faisal Saeed Khan)
Tel: 021 – 99218001-09 RAMZAN 20th July, 2012 to 21st August, 2012 Complex closed for annual maintenance 20. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 3.4.5 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25 26 6th - 25th RAMADAN (Hall No.4 & Outer Area) ID UL FITAR 22nd August, 2012 to 24th August, 2012 Holidays 21. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 26,27,28 29,30,31,1 2 29th August , 2012 to 1st September, 2012 (Hall No.6&Foyer Area)
22. PLASTIC & PACK AND IFTECH – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
1,2,3
4,5,6
7
4 – 6th September, 2012
(Hall No.2)
Plastic & Packing
M/s. Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi (Mr. Akhtar Shahzad) Tel: 111-734-266 23. ENERGY EFFICIENT PAKISTAN – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
8,9,10
11,12,13
14
11 – 13th September, 2012
(Hall No.5 & 6)
Energy
M/s. Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi (Mr. Akhtar Shahzad) Tel: 111-734-266 24. 8TH BUILD ASIA – 2012 INT’L EXHIBITION &CONFERENCE
Setup
Exh
Dis
8,9,10
11,12,13
14
11 – 13th September, 2012
(Hall No.2)
Building Material
M/s. Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, Karachi, Tel: 111-222—444
(Mr. Farhan Anis) 25. NUST ENTRANCE TEST
Setup
Exh
Dis
15
16
17
16th September, 2012
(Hall No.6)
Test
M/s. PN Engineering College, PNS Jauhar, Karachi
(Mr. Muhammad Ayub)
Tel: 021 – 99240113 26. ICTN ASIA – 2012 INT’L EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE
Setup
Exh
Dis
15,16,17
18,19,20
21
18 – 20th September, 2012
(Hall No.1 & 2)
IT
M/s. Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, Karachi, Tel: 111-222—444
(Mr. Farhan Anis) 27. FOOD AGRI & LIVESTOCK ASIA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
Setup
Exh
Dis
18,19,20
21,22,23
24
21 – 23rd September, 2012
(Hall No.4)
Food Agri
M/s. Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, Karachi, Tel: 111-222—444
(Mr. Farhan Anis) 28. ELECTRO FAIR – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
20,21
22,23
24
22 – 23rd September, 2012
(Hall No.6)
Electrical Items
Ms. Event and Conference (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi
Tel: 021-4818177 (Mr. Muhammad Nadeem) 29. 7TH EXPO PAKISTAN – 2012
Setup
Exh
Dis
21,20,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,1,2,3
4,5,6,7
8
4 – 7th October, 2012
(Whole Complex)
General
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
Tel: 111 – 444 – 111 30. SZABIST CONVOCATION
Setup
Exh
Dis
12
13
14
13th October, 2012
(Hall No.5 & 6)
Convocation
M/s. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology, Karachi Tel: 021-35824461-3 EID UL AZHA 25th October, 2012 to 28th October, 2012 HOLIDAYS 31. IDEAS – 2012 Setup Exh Dis 10th October, 2012 Hall No.2, Congress Level – I & II and Whole Complex from 25th October, 2012 7,8,9,10,11 12,13 7 – 11th November, 2012 (Whole Complex) Defence products M/s. Badar Expo ASHURA 23rd November, 2012 to 25th November, 2012 HOLIDAYS 32. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 1,2 3,4,5,6,7,10,11,12 13 3 – 12th December, 2012 (Hall No.4, 5 & 6) 33. 8TH KARACHI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2012 (KIBF – 2012)
Setup
Exh
Dis
4,5,6
7,8,9,10
11
7 – 10th December, 2012
(Hall No.1, 2 & 3)
Books
M/s. Pakistan Publishers & Booksellers Association, Karachi
(Ms. Mahira Ashraf Zargar)
Tel: 021-34312724,
Cell: 0322-2799414 34. 5TH CONVOCATION
Setup
Exh
Dis
28
29
30
29th December, 2012
(Hall No.6)
Convocation
M/s. Indus Institute of Higher Education, Karachi
(Mr. Wahid Farooqui)
Cell: 0321 – 2403172 35. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 8,9,10 11,12,13 14 11 – 13th January, 2013 (Whole Complex) 36. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 25,26 27,28 29 27 – 28th January, 2013 (Hall No.1, 2 & 3) 37. CORPORATE EVENT
Setup
Exh
Dis
30,31,1
2,3,4
5
2 – 4th February, 2013
(Hall No.6)
38. CORPORATE EVENT
Setup
Exh
Dis
6,7,8
9,10,11
12
9 – 11th February, 2013
(Hall No.6)
39. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 16,17,18 19,20,21 22 19 – 21st February, 2013 (Hall No.2) 40. HVACR EXPO – 2013 Setup Exh Dis 26,27,28 1,2,3 4 1 – 3rd March, 2013 (Hall # 1, 2 & 3) HVACR equipment Ms. Event and Conference (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi Tel: 021-4818177 (Mr. Muhammad Nadeem) 41. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 5,6,7 8,9,10 11 8 – 10th March, 2013 (Hall No.2) 42. IAPEX – 2013
Setup
Exh
Dis
9,10,11
12,13,14
15
12 – 14th April, 2013
(Hall No.1, 2 & 3)
Building material
M/s. Solutions Inc., Karachi
Contact: S. Imran Ahmed
Cell: 0345 – 2313130
Email: aamir.solutionsinc@gmail.com 43. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 20,21,22 23,24,25 26 23 – 25th April, 2013 (Hall No.1 & 2) 44. IN PROCESS Setup Exh Dis 18,19,20 21,22,23 24 21 – 23rd May, 2013 (Hall No.1, 2 & 3) 45. PLASTI & PACK AND IFTECH – 2013 Setup 26,27,28 29 – 31st May, 2013 Plastic & Packing M/s. Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt.) Ltd,
Exh Dis 29,30,31 1 (Hall No.2) Karachi (Mr. Akhtar Shahzad) Tel: 111-734-266

Karachi freezes to break 30 year old-record!!

Karachi from the eye of a bird!

Pakistan has been under the grip of a severe cold wave that has shown its strength in Balochistan and Sindh but it is the Sindh province that has been shivering under the chilly winds coming from north Asian states but it is true that February 7 was the coldest day of the month in the metropolis after 30 years, the new record was set yesterday that was of 21.8°C (maximum temperature). During the whole day the temperature found it hard to rise beyond 21.8°C as fast winds along with low humidity made Karachiites feel as if they were spending a day in Balochistan or Punjab. The lowest temperature that was observed during the night of February 7 was only 6°C, making Tuesday a very chilly day in Karachi.

Sindh also shivers badly!

Sindh, one of the hottest places in the world, too experienced the chilly Russian winds as people were amazed to see the strength of the recent cold wave in the province. Following were the minimum temperature that were recorded in Sindh on February 7 night;

• Hyderabad at 1°C
• Nawabshah at 2°C
• Larkana at 0°C
• Jacobabad at 1°C
• Sukkar at 0°C
• Tando Jaan Muhammad at -2°C
• Dadu at -1°C

What caused the record to breaking in Karachi?

Winds at 200 mb over South Asia

The change in the pattern of wind is blamed for such activity in Karachi as on February 7 the dry winds continued to blow from North-westerly direction. The winds coming from central Asia were started blowing in the city from February 5 morning and before advancing towards eastern areas of the country. Normally the winds reach the speed of 21 km/h in the city during winter season but yesterday’s winds were different, the winds started to pick up speed at about 3:00 pm PKT and gained full peak at about 6:00 pm PKT till 7:30 pm PKT, the winds were blowing at 36 km/h to 40 km/h.
Apart from all the winds, humidity was also very low, at early morning it was 50% but as the day progressed further the humidity dropped to just 3.5 %. All these factors led to a drop in temperature both maximum and minimum.

The record that was beaten!

February 27, 1988 is now considered the second coldest day of February in the metropolis as on that day the maximum temperature was 22.2°C. The highest/maximum temperature was 36.1 °C on February 25, 1996 while the lowest temperature is 3.3 °C on February 11, 1950 that seems to be unbreakable up till now.

More cold nights in Karachi?

Pakistan Weather Portal (PWP) on February 4 had warned that Europe-like cold wave would reach the country. The current cold wave is likely to remain on peak till the night of February 8 during this period the minimum temperature would range between 7 °C – 5°C, this cold wave will remain active till February 10 night and after that the minimum temperature would start to rise gradually. Drink a lot of water and wear warm clothes to stay healthy during the winter season as this cold wave is likely to stay for some time!

Carlton Hotels: Valentines Day Party [14 Feb]

(¯`’·.¸(♥)¸.·’´¯) Let the Heart Beat to the Sound of Love (¯`’·.¸(♥)¸.·’´¯)

Come join us for a night filled with Love and Surprises with your better half at Carlton Hotels ‘Dance Party and 6 course Candle Light Dinner’

Price: Rs.5000/Couple

.
Venue: Carlton Hotel.
Time: 10pm Onwards.

It will be an event of a lifetime!
You wont wanna miss out!!!

Come & Enjoy the Night with your Loved Ones.
Book early, limited seating available

For reservations and Questions call:: UAN: 111-727272 | Phone: 021-35849172-86
Mansoor-0321-3780883 | Wajid- 0321-3780885

From Kamra to Karachi via the Chinese: Military debuts in the handheld market From Kamra to Karachi via the Chinese: Military debuts in the handheld market

KARACHI: The newest entrant in the market for tablets and eBook readers – dominated by the likes of Apple, Amazon and Samsung – is none other than the Pakistani military.

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, whose self-described mission is “to produce and support weapon systems for a high state of operational readiness of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)”, has started up a new commercial venture with a Chinese company, which an official told The Express Tribune was to “strengthen the national economy”.

The first three products produced by PAC are a computing tablet, a notebook and an eBook reader.

A press release issued at the launch of the project on December 29 notes that “for the joint production of JF-17, PAF had established sufficient facilities which are appropriate for the production of both defence and commercial products.”

The PAC official, who asked not to be named, told The Express Tribune that the joint venture with the Chinese company Innavtek had taken off with the initial offering of three products. “We plan to expand this in the future.”

The venture website, cpmc.pk, states that “Innavtek jointly developed two products with Avionics Production Factory which are successfully flying on fleet of our JF-17 aircraft and three more products are under co development phase.”

The official said that while PAC would manufacture the products, marketing was Innavtek’s responsibility.

He said the products were initially being marketed in Rawalpindi, but modalities needed to be finalised so it could expand to other cities including Lahore and Karachi. “We will get in touch with courier companies to see if we can reach a deal to transport them,” he said.

The competitively priced products, he said, have several benefits because they are being manufactured in Kamra. “It comes with a joint one-year warranty of PAC and Innavtek. Because PAC is producing it, it will ensure quality. We will also provide backup support,” the official said. In the first stage of this venture, PAC will manufacture the products locally but there are plans for an exchange of personnel to be trained in China and Pakistan respectively.

PAC’s plan to “strengthen the national economy” via its new commercial venture means it has to capitalise on “current trends”.

Jehan Ara, the president of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA), said she was unaware of the venture. She was skeptical that customers would buy PAC’s products just because they were manufactured by the Pakistani military. “People with a fixed budget will test products, read reviews and get recommendations from friends and then buy something. They don’t buy just because of a name. They will test it out of curiosity and put up reviews etc.” She also said governments around the world and in Pakistan buy computers from vendors based on pricing and reliability, and should not be forced to buy from a specific vendor.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2012.

USAID help for Pakistani universities

US to help 7 universities construct, rehabilitate their education faculties
Islamabad, Feb 03: The United States will build new Faculty of Education buildings at six Pakistani universities and renovate a seventh education facility, as part of an agreement signed Wednesday between the universities and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said Karen Freeman, USAID Deputy Director for Pakistan.
She stated this while addressing the signing ceremony of a memorandum of Understanding for construction and rehabilitation of faculty of education buildings, says a press release. The construction will take place over the next two year and the new and renovated buildings will eventually house approximately 2,000 students of two new teaching degrees: the four year Bachelor' Degree in Education and a two-year Associate Degree in Education in teaching that USAID helped design and introduce in order to increase quality of teacher preparation across the country and 100 faculty members each year.
"Pakistan and the United States have enjoyed a long and productive relationship that spans more than 60 years and covers a variety of fields. Today's ceremony is yet another expression of the US Government's long-term commitment to help build a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan," she added.
"It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today to witness the signing of the MoU between the seven of country's public universities and two of USAID implementing partners for the construction and rehabilitation of Faculty of Education buildings across the country. The contribution to the Pakistani education system is yet another example of the US long-term commitment to helping Pakistan address its development priorities.
"Our collaboration in higher education sector spans more than five decades. One of our first undertakings in this sector was the construction of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Punjab in 1960s. fifty years later, this institute continues to help the country shape its education policies. Over the years, we have worked together to build more higher education institutions that have since become premier centres for knowledge and learning. I am very proud to list among such the Institute of Business administration in Karachi, the Lahore University of Management Sciences, the Faisalabad Agriculture University as well as the Peshawar Agriculture University, and many more," she said.
Karen Freeman said: "I am happy that through today's commitment we are continuing this tradition of supporting Pakistan in its efforts to develop strong education institutions." She said that these new facilities will help attract and train best young minds to teaching profession and will help improve the professional knowledge and skills of many other teachers.
Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr. Javaid Laghari appreciated the efforts of the US Government for improving the quality of education across the country. The $15 million construction initiative was officially launched today at the Higher Education Commission, where representatives of the USAID signed MoU with representatives of the seven universities. As part of the agreement, the US will construct new Faculty of Education buildings at the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University in Quetta; the Hazara University in Mansehra; the University of Education in Lahore; the University of Sindh in Hyderabad; the University of Karachi in Karachi; and the Sardar Abdul Latif University in Khairpur (Sindh). The US will also help renovate the Institute of Education and Research at the University of the Punjab. The news

Karachi Literature Festival 2012

Karachi: Writings in the English language emanating from Pakistan are very dynamic and vibrant, speaking volumes for the intellectual potential the country possesses.
These views were expressed by Martin Fryer, Director Programmes of the British Council Pakistan at a press briefing to announce the holding of the third Karachi Literature Festival on February 11 and 12 at the Carlton Hotel.
The briefing was jointly hosted by the Oxford University Press and the British Council and was held at the Oxford University Press Head Office on Thursday evening.
Talking about the festival, Fryer said: "Based on the age-old cultural and literary histories as well as the creative opportunities of the moment, the Karachi Literature Festival draws upon this dynamism by bringing together writers, poets, scholars and academics from a diversity of cultures, languages, academic disciplines and intellectual traditions to create an opportunity for cultural dialogue and exchange through celebration and writing of books".
Ameena Saiyid, OBE, Managing Director Oxford University Press (Pakistan), said that apart from other things, this year's two-day festival would feature many debates on wide-ranging current regional issues.
"Through dialogues and discussions, readings and renderings, the festival is supposed to create an intellectual space in which the diversity and plurality of Pakistan's society is expressed by authors from traditions both from within and beyond the country's borders."
She said that this year's festival would feature special programmes for children, something that hitherto had not been there. These would include films and puppet shows. The festival, she said, was meant to introduce Pakistan to foreign authors and foreign authors to Pakistan.
Besides, she said that this year there would be quite a lot of emphasis on film shows and one of the films to be screened is an international prize-winning production, "Harun Arun", set against the backdrop of the partition of the sub-continent, highlighting the human angle of the watershed event in world history.
Another important organiser of the festival, noted intellectual and literary critic, Asif Aslam Farrukhi, said, "We think of the festival as a window through which the world can see and connect with the realities of Pakistan, and through which Pakistan can see what is happening in the world". The festival, he said, had a vital function.
"The strong international reputation enjoyed by so many writers from Pakistan, will, I hope, encourage a new generation of writers here to find their voice, said Shreela Ghosh from the British Council in Dhaka. She said that she was going to Afghanistan in a day or two to explore the possibilities of expanding the scope of the Council's activities there. According to her, she had been asked by many as to why she was going to Afghanistan out of all the places, to which, she replied that by fostering cultural and literary awareness of other groups and through fostering cultural harmony could they mitigate the feelings of acrimony, the misunderstandings and the misgivings that exist among various groups and hence they could go a long way in mitigating hostilities and tensions, be they regional or international.
Three important personalities that are set to feature are William Dalrymple, the UK citizen, now based in India, whose brainchild the festival really is; London-based internationally-acclaimed academic Anatol Lieven; and London-based Pakistani author Hanif Kureishi.
Saiyid said that the opening keynote address would be by William Dalrymple, and the closing one by Kureishi. Apart from the two main sponsors, the British Council and the Oxford University Press, the co-sponsors are: the US Consulate-General; Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany; the University of Texas at Austin; the Goethe-Institut, Pakistan; the French Consulate-General; and the Embassy of France. The news