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Kashif Hussain: Brave journalist, survivor of bomb blasts, broadcaster, a blogger

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KARACHI: Karachi is an extra ordinary city and its problems are also miraculous. Journalists working in this metro city are extraordinary too. One of the top of list name is Kashif Hussain. A brave media person and an eye witness of Karachi’s ups and downs when the city was burning and declared as a war zone.

Being the eldest son and first child, Syed Kashif Hussain son of Syed Shakir Ali was born at Faizabad colony of the district Khairpur Mir’s, Sindh on May 28, 1980. He got his primary education from the Government Primary School and matriculation from the Government Comprehensive High School, Khairpur in 1995.

Kashif Hussain fetched A plus grades throughout his education from primary to secondary however he secured B grade in his matriculation. He did his intermediate from the Government Superior Science College, Khairpur in year 1998 with flying colours.

In year 1999, Mr Kashif got admission in the Shah Abdul Lateef University, Khairpur where he did his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Masters of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication with first division.

With an ambition to adopt  journalism as his career to serve the oppressed masses, Kashif Hussain went to Rawalpindi in search of a job where he joined an evening newspaper namely – Daily Atish – Daily Asaas and used to do Khuli Kachehri to raise social issue and public voice for almost one year and was that much stuck and occupied with work assignments couldn’t attend the funeral of his grand father due to work commitment with whom he was so much attached but his dedication to profession and learning zest made him what he is today. He also faced several problems like language barrier in Islamabad and Rawalpindi but he put all his efforts to move-on and improve his ability with time.

Fortunately, Kashif Hussain met the most senior journalist of Islamabad and ex-president of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mr. C.R Shamsi who handed him a ‘letter’ for the most senior journalist of Karachi named late Abdul Hameed Chapraa sahab, former president of Karachi Press Club and PFUJ and well known strong and bold voice for the rights of journalist in Pakistan.

Kashif Hussain came back to Karachi where he luckily met Abdul Hameed Chapraa at Karachi Press Club and handed him a ‘letter’ of Shamsi sahab, Abdul Hameed Chapraa looked at him for short span and asked press club’s Qayyum Baba to provide tea and food until Kashif gets a proper job. Within few days, Kashif got a job in Daily Kainat newspaper and given responsibilities to cover special events for newspaper’s special pages, conduct interviews and local governments with utmost commitment and dedication.

In year 2002, Kashif Hussain got a job offer from ARY OneWorld (presently ARY News) with responsibilities to cover Sindh Assembly’s sessions, political parties, Sindh government and crime. Syed Kashif Hussain remained associated with ARY News from year 2002 to 2010. This was the time when Karachi was in grip of terrorism.

From Lyari to Kati Phari area, Kashif Hussain reported from every nook and corner of the city particularly on 12th May, 2007 when former Chief Justice announced to visit Karachi and opponents announced to block his entry.

“Because most of the road leading to the airport were closed, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) had to delay all its flight due to the non-availability of cockpit and cabin crews who were unable to reach the airport in time,” Kashif Hussain recalled.

During the rampage, it was mostly the supporters of Chief Justice who lost their lives. Dozens of supporters were left dead in the massacre. More than 800 political workers were arrested.

Besides, Mr Kashif Hussain covered more than one hundred bomb blasts in the metropolis and fortunately he survived four bomb blasts including Muharram procession blasts, PACC blast and the deadly Karsaz blast on the convoy of former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Kashif sustained minor injuries in Karsaz blast while his cameraman namely Arif Khan lost his life during that deadly attack on Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

Moreover, Kashif also did year’s long coverage of American journalist Daniel Pearl starting from kidnapping to murder investigation. He also reported on Al Qaeda and Taliban related arrests from Karachi.

During the worst situation of Karachi most of the international media rely on Kashif Hussain information. Kashif Hussain also helped Sky News UK to cover 2010 worst flooding which affected almost 7.2 million people in Sindh province.

In his career as journalist, Kashif has covered four general elections and three local bodies elections. Kashif Hussain is amongst very few journalists who covered 6 Senate elections in the country. He has first-hand knowledge on the core issues of the Sindh province including water issues, distribution of financial resources, National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Water Accord 1991, population census etc.

Kashif has also conducted high-profile interviews of Pakistan’s politicians including Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Asif Ali Zaradari, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pir Pagara, Asfand Yar Wali, Atta ullah Mengal, Rasool Bux Palijo, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Makhdoom Amin Faheem and many well known political movers of Pakistan.

Kashif Hussain also served as President of Association of Television Journalist(ATJ) during the tenure of General Pervaiz Musharaf when he imposed emergency. He played an active role for the restoration of media and jailed for few days as he was among few who rejected dictatorship regime. Afterward during the tenure as Joint Secratery of PFUJ in 2015-17 continued the same. He also remained very proactive in the politics of Karachi Press Club (KPC) and Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ).

In year 2011, Mr Kashif joined Express News as senior political correspondent and worked there for a period of one year. Again in 2012, Kashif joined ARY News as its Chief Reporter at Karachi Bureau till early 2016. Then, he joined Channel 24 as its Bureau Chief for one year.

In 2017, Kashif Hussain once again joined ARY News as Deputy Bureau Chief and remained associated with the organization till November 2019. In March 2020, Kashif was offered position of Media Consultant at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Secretariat Bilawal House, Media Cell, which he accepted and is working their till date.

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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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