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Dr Saifuddin Junejo – FPSC topper, progressive comrade, historian
KARACHI: Dr Saifuddin Junejo, who is presently posted as Chief Collector of Customs, Enforcement (South), was born in the year of 1961 in Dokri, a small town of district Larkana, near Mohen-Jo-Daro.
Mr. Junejo opened his eyes in the well-off family of the town as his father Qazi Siraj Ahmed Junejo was running his own business who owned agricultural lands also including being a lifetime president of Dokri Chamber of Commerce.
He completed his primary education in his native village from Primary School Dokri while he got his secondary education from the Government High School Dokri. Being an outstanding child in his life, he secured top positions during school and participated in several debate competitions at the school level where he outclassed his competitors.
Later, he got admitted in the Government Science College Dokri which was declared as a college by former premier Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He had passed his in termediate in pre-medical with flying colours in the year of 1979. He had qualified for admission in Medical College in which he stood on 19th position in the merit list of the Chandka Medical College. He was then given admission in the Sindh Medical College, Karachi in 1980.
Besides being an extraordinary and brilliant medical student, he also became active in progressive politics in the province and joined local politics of the medical college such as Sindh; Medicos Association and Students’ Welfare, etc. He is the eye-witness of 1985-86 Karachi carnages and became victim of the uncertain lawlessness that compelled the Sindh Medical College to finish the medical batch in seven years period instead of usual five years.

Mr. Junejo, who was known as progressive comrade during his medical studies, joined medical profession as an adhoc medical officer in Sindh Government Health Department. Then, he appeared in the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) and was appointed as RMO (Children) in 1990 in Civil Hospital/Lyari General Hospital Karachi. He also used to teach Anatomy/Histology subject to the medical students of Dow Medical College as Demonstrator.
Dr Saifuddin Junejo is well educated. Apart from doing MBBS from Sindh Medical College, Karachi, he did LL.B from S.M. Law College / University of Karachi and MBA from SZABIST, Karachi.
He then appeared in the most competitive exam of Pakistan – Central Superior Services (CSS) – and had passed it with excellent marks in 1993-94. He secured 4th position in Sindh’s rural quota and there were two seats for DMG, 2 for Police and 2 for Pakistan Customs.
Ironically, former Chief Minister Sindh Syed Abdullah Shah had requested former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for his son-in-law namely – Asif Haider Shah – who was accommodated in the DMG while another officer Farhat Junejo son of Chakar Ali Junejo also used his influence and he was adjusted in the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) as a result depriving the most competent and committed youth was deprived from his right of getting DMG or PSP.
A number of national dailies including The News had also written editorials titled “Murder of Merit” in their publications against this injustice made by the elected premier. While going through trauma-like situation with this injustice, Mr. Junejo some how approached Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at that time for justice. However, he returned with a sentence from Benazir Bhutto i.e. “Young man, I share your agony, but I can’t help you”.
Later, with an aim to serve the country, he finally joined Pakistan Customs as Assistant Collector in 1994 and served at Hub, Gwadar, Appraisement, Preventive, Customs Intelligence etc. He also served as Commercial Counselor and Acting Consul General Chengdu, China, Ministry of Commerce for more than five years from 2009-2014. In his capacity as Commercial Counsellor/Acting Consul General, he was instrumental in promoting exports of Pakistan in the South-West China region which included rice, mangoes, fabric/yarn, marble, minerals and handicrafts.
He also served on several key positions in Pakistan Customs / Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which include as Collector at Collectorate of Customs Adjudication; Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Exports at Custom House; Collector at Collector Customs MCC Preventive; Collector MCC Quetta at Custom House, Collector MCC Gwadar; and Collector Customs Exports at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PMBQ).
As mentioned earlier, Mr. Junejo, who is famous for his soft attitude and loving personality, is currently posted as Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement (South) after being promoted to BS-21 in May, 2020. Mr Junejo is a well red person with special interest in history, international affairs, international trade and China related affairs.
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Syed Hasan Askari – An evolution expert, a civil engineer, a lawyer, sportsman, humbled person
KARACHI: Opening his eyes in the well-educated and well-off family, Syed Hasan Askari son of SM Askari was born in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on January 15, 1966. His father SM Askari was a senior government officer who had served the Civil Aviation Authority (formerly Airport Development Authority) as Director Finance.
Mr Hasan Askari has four brothers and a sister and all of them are highly qualified and outshined in their careers.
Hasan Askari received his primary and secondary education from Karachi’s prominent educational institution – Habib Public School -. He passed his matriculation from the Board of Secondary Education (BSEK) in 1981. He clinched A-grade.

He passed his intermediate from the well-reputed and historic institution – D J Sindh Government College -, affiliated with the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) in 1983. Yet again, he grabbed A-grade.
Apart from academics, Hasan Askari was an extraordinary student too who always took active part in extracurricular activities like playing sports, debate competition etc.
Mr Askari had qualified for the admission in the Pakistan’s well-reputed and prominent engineering varsity – NED University of Engineering and Technology – from where he passed Bachelors of Engineering (B.E) in Civil in 1989. Like his earlier academic achievements, he again outshined and grabbed First Division.

With an engineering degree in hand, Syed Hasan Askari had joined the ECIL Consulting Services, an engineering firm, who was tasked to construct Karachi – Hyderabad Dual Carriageway in 1992. He had also briefly served at the Naval Dockyard as an Engineer.
In 1992, Hasan Askari joined the Schon Group as Civil Engineer where he had served with utmost dedication and honesty. In the meantime, he also appeared in the most competitive and toughest examination held by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) that he had qualified with flying colours.
In 1993, Syed Hasan Askari joined the Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh as Assistant Executive Engineer (AEN) BS-17. He had served as AEN in Karachi’s West and South districts for a longer period of time.

Particularly in district South, he is the man who had introduced rehabilitation and restoration of historic educational buildings including NJV, DJ Science College and many others.
On the sidelines of the shining job career, Mr Hasan Askari also completed his LLB from the SM Law College. He also passed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
In 2013-14, Mr Hasan was promoted to the post of Executive Engineer (XEN) BS-18. He devotedly served in Korangi, East districts and Bin Qasim areas where the condition of the government schools are far better than the rest if compared.

In 2021, he was promoted to the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) BS-19. He briefly served in Mirpurkhas district and later he was posted in Karachi where he had served in Karachi’s Central, South, West and Keamari districts. He was awarded as the Best Superintending Engineer of Sindh.

With his outstanding performance aimed at improving infrastructure of the government schools, Hasan Askari was promoted to the post of Chief Engineer (BS-20) in July 2024. Presently, Syed Hasan Askari is working as Chief Engineer, Education Works Karachi, Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.
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Rafia Javed’s journey from a village girl to an educationist, promoter for girls’ education
KARACHI: With cuteness on face, bold and attractive personality, Rafia Javed daughter of Nazar Hussain was born on july 15, 1975 at Sita Nandhi a village near district Dadu. Her family had a prominent background in the area and her father was a government employee who worked at the local court.
Rafia Javed has two sisters and two brothers and all of them are highly educated and well-settled.
With limited resources, Rafia received her early education from the Seeta Nandhi Primary School while she received primary education from the Seeta Road High School. She passed her matriculation from the Board of Secondary Education Hyderabad in 1990. She clinched A-grade.
Rafia had to walk three to four kilometer daily to attend school which is the point that led her to be strong and study hard to be an extraordinary student.

Rafia did her intermediate from the Government Girls College, Dadu, affiliated with the Board of Intermediate Education Hyderabad in 1992. Yet again she grabbed A-grade in intermediate examinations. She also started teaching at her school to promote girls’ education.
Since childhood, Rafia remained a girl with helping nature who always had helped his colleagues, helped them in their studies. She also took active part in literary activities and debate competitions in school and college.
With an aim to do something extraordinary in life and achieve success where she can contribute to the society, Rafia Javed got admission in the Sindh’s premier education institution – University of Sindh – from where she completed Bachelors of Arts (BA) in English Literature. She also did her Masters of Arts (MA) in English Literature. Again, she outshined in the university.

On the sidelines of her studies, Rafia used to arrange workshops and seminars for the university. She also wrote articles for regional newspapers on different topics particularly girls’ education. Apart from her university education, she had also worked as Sub-Editor with Ibrat Magazine.
In 2001, Rafia Javed had passed the examination held by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) and she choose to join the Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.
Firstly, Rafia had served as Lecturer BS-17 who taught English at various colleges. Then she was posted as Assistant Director in the Education and Literacy Department where she had served with utmost honesty and dedication.

Rafia had also served as Deputy Secretary in the Universities and Boards Department, Government of Sindh for couple of years.
She had also served as Controller of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) where she outperformed and brought major administrative and curriculum changes to ensure best quality of education for the students of the metropolis.
With her devotion and expertise in education sector, Rafia Javed was posted as Registrar, Directorate of Inspection & Registration of Private Institutions Sindh for couple of years. After her promotion to the next higher grade, Rafia has been working as Additional Director at the Directorate of Inspection & Registration of Private Institutions Sindh till date.
Rafia Javed is a notable figure in the field of education in Sindh, Pakistan. She is recognized for her contribution to education reform, advocacy for girls’ education, and her efforts to improve the quality of education in rural and underprivileged areas of Sindh.
She has been a strong advocate for girls’ education, particularly in rural Sindh where cultural and socioeconomic barriers often limit access to schooling for girls. She has worked on initiative to improve teacher training and professional development, ensuring that educators are better equipped to deliver quality education.

Rafia has emphasized the importance of community involvement in education, working to engage parents and local leaders in supporting schools and educational programs due to it she has established two libraries one at Sita Road and another at Khan Pur. Her work has also extended to influencing education policies at the provincial level, aiming to create systemic changes that benefit students across Sindh.
Rafia’s efforts are part of a broader movement to address these issues and create a more equitable and effective education system in the region.
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Arshad Hussain Bhutto – An engineer, development expert, sportsman, humbled person
KARACHI: Opening his eyes in the well-educated and well-settled family, Arshad Hussain Bhutto son of Muhammad Hussain Bhutto (late) was born on February 29, 1968 at Hyderabad, the second largest city of Sindh province. His father was a Professor by profession who was associated with the Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.
Arshad Hussain Bhutto has two brothers and two sisters and all of them are well-educated and well-settled.
Mr Arshad received his primary education from the Model School, Old Campus in 1973. He passed his matriculation from the Board of Secondary Education Hyderabad in year 1983. He clinched A-grade in the matriculation.

He completed his intermediate from the Board of Intermediate Education Hyderabad in 1985. Yet again he passed his intermediate with flying colours.
Arshad Bhutto was an outstanding students in his studies who always took active part in debate and writing competitions. He also won several medals for his extraordinary skills.
Besides, Arshad also played cricket and football in his school and college level and represented cricket and football teams at different districts.
While finishing his intermediate, Arshad Hussain qualified the selection process and got admission in the premier engineering university of the Sindh province – Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro – from where he passed his B.E (Civil) in 1991. He grabbed First Class in the university.
Mr Arshad always wanted to prove himself as the meritorious student and true and hardworking son of honest father who tasked him just to focus on studies and made them feel proud in the field of education.

With distinctive engineering degree, Arshad Bhutto appeared in the most competitive examination held by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) in 1992 in which he had qualified for the post of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEN) BS-17, Works and Services Department, Government of Sindh.
While serving the people of the province by ensuring best quality services, Mr Bhutto had served as AEN in different districts till 2012. He was then promoted to the post of Executive Engineer (XEN) BS-18 and served in various districts of the province until 2018. Arshad Bhutto was then promoted to the post of Superintendent Engineer (SE) BS-19 in 2018.
In 2023, Arshad Bhutto was promoted to the post of Chief Engineer (BS-20) and posted as Chief Engineer, Buildings Division Karachi. Mr Arshad has worked with utmost dedication, honesty and sincerity in various districts including Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Hala, Jacobabad, Matiyari, Karachi etc.
