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Shahnawaz Dahani: Pakistan’s emerging fast-bowler, G3 of Sindh

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KARACHI: With innocence on his face and poor background, Shahnawaz Dahani, is an emerging fast-bowler from Khuhawar Khan Dahani, a small village which is around 12 kilometers far from Larkana city, has become the proud of Pakistan. He was born on August 5, 1998.

Dahani’s father died in his early age leaving behind Shahnawaz Dahani, his mother, an elder brother Amjad Ali Dahani and a sister. His family owns a half-acre agriculture land in the village which he used to cultivate for the livelihood while his elder brother is a police constable.

Dahani got his primary and secondary education from a government school in his native village. He did his matriculation from Government Pilot School, district Larkana. He did his intermediate and Bachelor’s of Commerce (BCom) from Government Commerce College, Larkana.

While talking to Sindhnews at his landlord’s Autaq (traditional place for guests) after his return from Pakistan Super League PSL 2021, Shahnawaz Dahani said he started playing tape-ball cricket at the age of 12 years.

“We did not have opportunities to play cricket in any ground however the support and appreciation from the villages, family and people of the areas compelled me to work hard. My father (late) never wanted me to play cricket as he always wanted me to be a government officer and that’s why I worked hard even in my studies to fulfil dreams of my parents”, he said.

“We then established Dahani Cricket Team comprising talent cricketers and started playing matches in the district-level. We have won several trophies, tournaments in district Larkana and other district of the province. I have been given a title of G3 rifle by the villagers and the people of the district following my running speed”, he added.

In year 2016, I started playing hard-ball after joining Al-Shahbaz Cricket Club, Larkana. In year 2017, I was selected for the Larkana Region Under-19 with the support of my mentors Muhammad Siddique Abro and Abdul Rahim Abro.

I was asked to visit Larkana for trials of hard-ball and I borrowed shoes and socks from one of my friends. I was chosen to play for the Larkana Region Under19 for Larkana Region in that season and started by taking 9 wickets in the 2-Day Regional Inter District Under-19 Tournament 2016-17 which was a good beginning for me and a very good introduction to the world of hard-ball cricket.

Furthermore, the right-arm medium fast bowler says he had played Grade 2 cricket for Larkana region for one to two years. Then I was selected to play for Larkana Region in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade 2 2018/19 where in 7 matches I clinched 26 wickets, with best figures of 4/70.

In year 2019-20, I was selected as a white-ball specialist for Sindh and got to play 2 matches in the National T20 Cup where I took 3 wickets. I was given a chance to play in the First XI for Sindh and I debuted for them in November 2019 against Southern Punjab, taking one wicket.

There was a lot to learn such as how to use the Kookaburra ball effectively, how to bowl against top-quality batsmen and also the fitness levels needed to bowl long spells over 4-days and I really did enjoy that experience. The encouragement I got from Sarfaraz Ahmed and other senior members of the squad was incredible and they all told me that I had great potential and could only get better in the future.

It’s indeed a great honour and something which fills me with great joy to be able to say that I am from a small village near Larkana and have played top level domestic cricket. Whenever I go home, I have many people waiting to see me and ask me about my experience in First-Class cricket and a lot of the time I get invited to play in local games as well, and of course for meals at my fellow villager’s homes. It’s a matter of pride for my mother and my family who watch every time I have appeared on TV, and I am thankful to the Almighty for all that I have achieved so far.

I was drafting of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for PSL 2020 however I was not selected however the luck was with me this time and I was contacted to be part of Multan Sultans for this season. I have played four matches in the PSL 2021 and took nine wickets in PSL. I have been the 2nd best bowler of the PSL 2021.

“The goal of my life is to play for Pakistan, promote its image in the world and get Pakistani star on my chest”, Shahnawaz Dahani concluded.

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Syed Hasan Askari – An evolution expert, a civil engineer, a lawyer, sportsman, humbled person

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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

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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

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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.

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