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Aijaz Mahesar – Topper in English literature, sociologist, development economist, civil servant

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KARACHI: Kazi Aijaz Ahmed Mahesar, commonly known as Aijaz Mahesar – Topper in English literature, a sociologist, a development economist and a civil servant with his love for literature still alive. His areas of interest in general reading are history, geography, anthropology, comparative religion and classic as well as modern day literature.

Aijaz Mahesar opened his eyes in a prominent political and a well-off Agrarian family of Sindh on March 2, 1968 at Kazi Muhammad Arif, Taluka Mehar, District Dadu, Sindh. His father, Kazi Mushtaq Ahmed Mahesar is a landlord and a leading businessman of the area.

Aijaz received his primary education from the Government Primary School, Kazi Arif and he completed his secondary education from the Government High School, Mehar. He passed his matriculation from the Board of Secondary Education, Hyderabad, clinching A+ and A grades. His college education was split between Muslim Science College Hyderabad and Government Degree College Larkana

After finishing his intermediate, Aijaz Mahesar got admission in English Department, University of Sindh – from where he completed his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Literature. He did his first Masters in English Literature from the University of Sindh in 1991 and secured First Class First position (Gold Medalist). Soon after his Masters, Mr Aijaz was offered to teach in Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. He joined MUET as a Lecturer (BS-17) in December 1991 at the age of 23 years.

While doing his job as lecturer, Mr Aijaz Mahesar started preparation for Central Superior Services – and other competitive exams. In the process he was selected for Lectureship in College Education Department of Govt of Sindh which he did no join. However, when he qualified the Pakistan Banking Finance Service Commission and was selected as Officer Grade-II in the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), he resigned from MUET. He served in various branches of Hyderabad and NBP’s regional head office.

In 1995, Kazi Aijaz Mahesar appeared and qualified CSS exam. He got allocated in Office Management Group (OMG). After qualifying the Common Training Program in Civil Services Academy, Walton Lahore and STI, Islamabad, he began his career in civil services from Finance Division, Islamabad as BPS-17 officer where he served in various wings including expenditure, internal finance and regulation in 1997. He then moved to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and served there till 2002 both in the capacity of BS-17 and BS-18 officer. In the meantime, Aijaz Mahesar also completed his second masters’ degree, this time in sociology.

In 2003, Aijaz Mahesar’s services were placed at the disposal of Govt or Sindh where he was posted as Deputy Secretary, Culture, Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs Department. He also served as Deputy Secretary, Finance Department in 2004. He was posted as Regional Director, National Program for Improvement of Watercourses in October 2004. He also served as Deputy Secretary to Governor Sindh in 2005.

Aijaz then joined Decentralization Support Program (DSP), an initiative of Asian Development Bank, first as Deputy Director and then as its Project Director from 2006 to 2008.

All through these years, his academic pursuits continued alongside his regular jobs. At this point of time Mr Aijaz Mahesar also completed his MS (leading to PhD) with Major in Development Economics, Economic Foreign Policy of Pakistan and Change Management from SZABIST in 2008.

Mr Aijaz briefly served as Director at Peoples Housing Cell, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, where he collaborated with United Nations Development Program to construct a signature project of energy-efficient, low cost houses in Thatta and Badin Districts before moving on to serve as Additional Finance Secretary (Budget & Expenditure), Government of Sindh from January 2009 to August 2010.

Mr. Aijaz then moved to Planning & Development Department where he was posted as Additional Secretary and Program Coordinator, Community Development Program (CDP) where he served from August 2010 to July 2015. During this period, he qualified Senior Management Course from National Institute of Management, a subsidiary of National School of Public Policy. In addition to this, Mr. Aijaz had also done short courses from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Pakistan Institute of Management (PIMs) during this period.

Mr Mahesar was then transferred to Government of Pakistan at Islamabad where he served as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production and as Joint Secretary, Cabinet Division, Islamabad from July 2015 to July 2017 where from his services were transferred to Government of Sindh and he was posted as Special Secretary, Health Department.

From January 2018 onwards he has served as Secretary to Govt of Sindh in Public Health Engineering & Rural Development Department; Secretary Industries & Commerce Department; Secretary Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department; Secretary Services, SGA&CD and Secretary Livestock & Fisheries Department. During this time, he underwent and qualified National Security and Warcourse (2020-21) from the National Defence University, Islamabad in 2020. Presently, he is posted as Secretary Agriculture, Supply & Prices.

Mr. Aijaz Mahesar is also a Fulbright Scholar and have had the chance to pursue his academic interests in Universities like ITD, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States of America, Central University of Finance &. Economics, Beijing, and International Institutes like Academy of International Business Officials (AIBO), China and SPRING Singapore. He also has participated in international conferences representing Govt of Sindh and Pakistan at various forums.

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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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Athar Bahzad Memon – A topper, financial manager, an engineer, civil servant

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KARACHI: Belonging to well-known landlord and business family of Matiyari district (formerly Hyderabad), Athar Bahzad Memon son of Ghulam Mohammad (late) was born on July 5, 1978 in New Hala. His father owned agricultural lands, petrol pumps and rice mills.

Athar Bahzad Memon has three brothers and two sisters and all of them are well-educated and well settled.

Mr Bahzad received his primary education from Makhdoom Ameen Faheem Primary School, Hala while he completed his secondary education from the MG Government Secondary School, Hala. He clinched A-1 grades from the Board of Secondary Education Hyderabad in 1991.

He passed his intermediate from the S.I Government Degree College, Hala, affiliated with the Board of Intermediate Education Hyderabad in 1993. Yet again, he grabbed A-1 grades.

Mr Athar remained genius student in school, as well as, in the college who was admired by his teachers following his decent personality and soft-spoken attitude. He also won many writing competitions.

Mr Memon got admission in the most premier educational institution – Mehran University of Engineering and Technology – Jamshoro from where he completed his Bachelors of Engineering (B.E) in Civil in 1999. Again, he outshined in the university and grabbed top position.

In the meantime, Athar also did his Masters of Arts (MA) in Sindhi from prestigious University of Sindh. He also did another Masters of Arts (MA) in International Relations from University of Sindh.

Athar Bahzad Memon had contributed several articles on national and international issues in the local dailies which were widely read and lauded.

Soon after finishing his university education, Athar Bahzad Memon returned to his hometown and joined his family business for few years. In the meanwhile, he also started preparation for the most competitive examination to become a civil servant to serve people of the province.

In 2003, Athar Bahzad appeared and qualified the competitive examination held by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) with flying colours. He was allocated in Provincial Secretariat Service (PSS).

After joining the Sindh Government in 2005, Athar Bahzad went for necessary training to Nipa and to Bangladesh.

Firstly, Mr Bahzad was posted as Section Officer in Health Department. He also worked as DDO Coordination under the dynamic leadership of senior bureaucrat Usman Chachar. He also served at DCO Secretariat, Matiyari district for some time.

Memon also worked as Section Officer (General) in Sindh’s irrigation department where he had served for some ten months. 

In 2013, Athar Bahzad was posted as Deputy Director, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) at Hyderabad. Later, he was posted as Deputy Secretary, Bureau of Supply and Prices, Agriculture Department where he worked with utmost dedication and commitment.

In 2017, Athar was promoted to BS-18 and posted as Deputy Secretary (Resource Wing), Finance Department where he had worked for long time. He had also worked as Deputy Secretary (Development-I, II) of the Finance Department for some four years.

Later, he was posted as Director of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program. In 2003, Mr Athar Bahzad Memon was promoted to BS-19 and posted as Director General, Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, Planning and Development Department.

Presently, Athar is serving as the most important responsibility as Additional Secretary, Planning and Development Department of the Sindh Government.

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