Author: Imran Elahi

Karachi, 10 Nov 2016: A Family Day for Employees of Defence Authority Creek Club was held at the club premises with great fanfare. Wife of Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali was the chief guest of the event. The function was planned in an innovative, imaginative and colourful manner which included novel attractions for ladies and children. The event provided an occasion to employees of Creek Club to spend enjoyable and quality time together with their families. It was a unique opportunity for employees to take some time off for their families out of their extremely busy and hectic routine. There were a number of interesting events, attractions and stalls for the children and families which they enjoyed a lot.

The hallmark of the event was a lucky draw for a free Umra ticket which one of lucky employees got. All the employees along with their spouses and children spent wonderful and boisterous good time at the function enjoying each moment to the fullest. Begum Administrator met employees and their families and informally interacted with them who felt delighted and encouraged to find her amongst them. A sumptuous hi-tea was arranged by the club for the participants on the occasion. The event ended on a happy note and the club staff and their families went back happily carrying memorable and cherished memories of the function.

Karachi, 8 Nov 2016: Environmental degradation is one of the major issues being experienced globally whose one of the perilous after-impact is smog. A Smog Day was organized at Defence Authority SKBZ College Auditorium to create awareness of smog, its hazardous effects and its precautionary measures in students. Wife of Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali was the chief guest of the function.

It is worth mentioning that Lahore and its adjoining districts is engulfed with dense blanket of smog these days causing harmful atmospheric pollution, reduced visibility, irritation of eyes and respiratory problems. The smog contains toxic chemicals like nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide and other poisonous pollutants which is extremely harmful for health. The smog or thick fog is believed to be due to cross border emissions of air pollutant, less downpour, unsafe operation of steel mills and unabated construction work causing intense dust and air pollution.

The students highlighted the hazardous effects of smog in from the presentations, speeches and different skits. The school choir presented national songs on the occasion. Students and experts including medics made very informative, interesting and useful speeches on the subject.

The medics stressed on the precautionary measures which should be taken in smoggy weather suggesting the citizens to avoid roaming outdoors without wearing optics and masks, drinking excessive (2 to 2.5 liters) of water daily, shutting down windows of houses tightly, covering head with light cotton gear, taking cool shower, washing eyes repeatedly, using moist towel and avoiding running and exercising in open air. They said special care should be taken of children because this may lead to asthma, eye and throat irritation.

The chief guest appreciated the innovative and novel presentation made by students to highlight the contemporary problem of atmospheric smog in an effective, imaginative and realistic manner. She also distributed prizes among the students who showed calibre and promise in presentation of the variety programme.

Karachi, 5 Nov 2016: Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali met the Principal and senior faculty members/Head of Departments of Defence Authority Degree College and informally discussed with them various educational related matters at a luncheon meeting held at Defence Authority Sunset Club. Administrator acknowledged and recognized the invaluable commitment of faculty members for the cause of education and thanked them for their dedicated efforts in maintaining high academic and educational standards at the college.

The Administrator said that DHA attaches utmost importance to promotion of quality education in the country as its corporate service responsibility. He reminded the faculty that they had the onerous and sacred responsibility of building the new generation by inculcating in them confidence, character traits and an urge to excel in academics and in all fields of activity in life. He asked the faculty members to leave no stone unturned in ensuring highest standards of excellence. He also asked them to collectively think innovative and dynamic ideas and to give suggestions for bringing further improvement in the college.

At the end Administrator distributed souvenirs among the faculty members in recognition of their outstanding services for education.

Karachi, 4 Nov 2016: Divisional Commissioner Karachi Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Khan called on Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali in his Office today. They discussed matters of mutual and public interest specially focusing on security and welfare related matters for the community. The commissioner described DHA as an epitome of security, quality living and a first choice residential area of people in the metropolis. The Administrator thanked the Commissioner and said that he looked forward to greater and intricate co-operation and understanding between DHA and Karachi administration in future for the welfare and well being of residents and citizens of Karachi.

Karachi, 1 Nov 2016: 49th International Military Sports Council (CISM) Sailing Championship 2016 concluded with an impressive closing ceremony held at Defence Authority Marina Club Karachi. Championship was organized by Pakistan Navy under the auspices of Joint Services Headquarters in which nine teams from Bahrain, Finland, Netherland, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia and Ukraine contested whereas Palestine participated as observer only.

Russian sailing team with a remarkable performance throughout the championship clinched the winner’s trophy while the team from Pakistan secured second position, whereas Norway grabbed the third place by beating Ukraine team. The fair Play Trophy of the Championship was awarded to Ukraine.

The Naval Chief while speaking on the occasion said that sailing is a highly skillful and professional sport which is quite popular in the armed forces. He commended the spirit of fair play, friendship and camaraderie displayed by the participating sailing teams during the championship. The Naval Chief also paid special gratitude to President CISM for his concerted efforts for promotion of sailing.

The closing ceremony was attended by high level military and civil dignitaries, officials from embassies of participating countries and large number of members from the sailing community.

Karachi, 27 Oct 2016: Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali visited Defence Authority Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed College located in DHA Phase-VI. Administrator attended a briefing by the Principal who highlighted the mission, educational programmes and achievements of the college. He appreciated the high quality of educational, academic and disciplinary standards maintained by the college. The college is a unique and distinctive educational institution of DHA which provides quality education from pre-nursery to intermediate level.

Administrator later visited the class rooms/college area and met the students and faculty staff. He saw the students actively busy in their academic schedule. He praised the system of education of the college and instructed that apart from academics, character qualities should also be inculcated in students to make them responsible, enlightened and forward looking individuals who can become useful citizens of society. He said that education facilities in the college should be accessible to all segments of society across the board on merit including children of less privileged class with a motto of educational for all. He appreciated the excellent educational and infrastructural facilities available in the college including playgrounds, swimming pool, library and labs and asked the faculty and management of the college to make best use of them for producing confident, dynamic and capable individuals of society.

Karachi, 26 Oct 2016: Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali visited DHA Education Directorate and met the Principals of DHA Schools and Colleges with whom he had an informal interactive session. Administrator appreciated the efforts of Principals for maintaining high academic and educational standards in their institutions. He reminded the Principals of their onerous and sacred responsibility of building the young generation with utmost care and dedication to ensure a bright and prosperous future for the nation.

Brig Ali said that education essentially means bringing a change in attitude, thinking and vision of students. He asked the Heads of DHA Educational Institutional Institutions to undertake their work with a passionate zeal and to inculcate dynamic qualities in students so that they become confident, enlightened and dynamic individuals who can contribute for the betterment of society and progress of nation.

Karachi, 26 Oct 2016: Administrator DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali visited DHA Phase-VII Ext area to see the construction site of the new building of Defence Authority High School Phase-VII, a charity based school run by DHA for underprivileged children of the area. The school will be shifted to the new location where a custom built school building will be built on a spacious and open plot which will cater for all modern educational cum infrastructural requirements essential for providing quality education to the children. The location of new school building will also facilitate the students living in the nearby vicinity to reach the school easily without any hassle and in an inexpensive manner.

Later Administrator visited the commercial area site of the sector and gave instructions to the officials concerned for widening of road and for making necessary expansion/adjustment to resolve the teething problem of parking and traffic congestion in the area.

“The world can never be at peace unless people have security in their daily lives.”

Security threat is one of the grave issues which Karachities are always confronting. Psychologists have proved that ideal residential places are those, which offer peace of mind. DHA Vigilance team has put utmost efforts to transform this residential estate into Secure Haven so that the residents could float freely at least in the vicinity of DHA.

DHA has taken a number of proactive and effective measures to further improve and enhance security in the area and the vigilance department is fully geared with state-of-the-art electronic cameras which have been installed at all exit and entrance points, focal venues and commercial areas for electronic surveillance.

Smoking is not just injurious to one’s general health but also quite detrimental to the very growth of a hale and hearty, disease-free society especially that of the younger generation. As the youngsters were fast getting addiction to tobacco products day by day, the DHA vigilance team also conducted raids on various sheesha parlors located in DHA and confiscated huge caches of smoking material, a large quantity of material used in sheesha cafes some 800 huqqas and related products like sheesha powder, flavors and parts of huqqas were confiscated by the DHA Vigilance.

DHA claims the responsibility of its inhabitants’ security and constantly strives to provide them a secure and a peaceful living environment. In addition, DHA Vigilance assists the Sindh Police in security of its residents by carrying out patrolling, monitors civic service on daily basis. The department have 800 CCTV Digital Cameras for early warning/reaction against crime and conduct raids with the help of Station HQ, Rangers, Police and CBC on Guest Houses, giving illegal shelter to the criminals which is in accordance with the implementation of the National Action Plan.

Lastly, human security is best safeguarded through proactive and preventive actions to current and emerging threats. DHA Vigilance promotes the development of early warning mechanisms that help to mitigate the impact of current threats and where possible, prevent the occurrence of future threats.

Let’s join hands with DHA in keeping the environment safe, secure and a livable haven for our generation.