Positive vibes Pakistan

[Al Bhatti]

United Youth of PakistanUnited Youth of Pakistan Welfare Association - Welfare Association

UYP and Pakistan

Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947, exactly 66 years ago. Since then this country has had to face grueling demands from all over the world. No other country would have been able to survive through which Pakistan has gone through these years. It has seen the worst of worse yet it stands tall and gets ready in time to face the uphill battles.
Since Pakistan is a developing country, it has many NGOs in it that are striving to make it a better place to live. United of Youth of Pakistan Welfare Association is also one of those non-profit organizations which aim to provide free education services in Pakistan.

UYP believes that a country’s condition can only be improved when its masses will be educated. Education is the key to enhance the living conditions, with 63% population of Pakistan living in the rural areas it is nearly impossible for everyone to get education. This is where UYP comes in play, they provide free education services to those who want it and are not able to get it because of their financial status. UYP puts all their efforts in the education services because they believe that “An educated Pakistan; will be a better Pakistan!”

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Can any one shed light on this?

 

[Lone Shooter]

Pakistan app developer community growing

Lahore, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani city of Lahore is known as the heritage capital of the country. It's scattered with ancient mosques, majestic 16th century mansions and antique minarets. Lahorites are proud of their cultural legacy.

It's old, it's timeless but it's changing. In the midst of this old city, a vibrant technological revolution is taking place that is buzzing its presence onto the Internet and beyond. Groups of dynamic young tech entrepreneurs are converging on the city to invent mobile apps that can change the way Pakistan can do business with the rest of the world.

Pakistan has 30 million Internet users, that's almost four times the population of New York City. About 15 million Pakistanis are accessing the Internet via their mobile phones opening up a whole new stream of consumer possibilities for savvy business people.

Young entrepreneurs like Ali Rehan, 26, are now exploiting this potential. Rehan and his team at Eyedeus Labs has created "Groopic," a new smartphone app that lets you take a group picture -- and put yourself in it. This way, the photographer will also be included in the picture. It's easy to use and it's making waves in the tech world.

Rehan told CNN about how the Internet as a medium is a "paradigm shift for all the companies working in Pakistan."

Citing his company Eyedeus Labs as an example he said: "We worked on a product online, we launched it online, we marketed it online. We got featured by all these big blogs and we were contacted by smartphone companies."

Picked up by Google, Rehan's team was flown out to Silicon Valley for a mentoring program to develop its product. Now Rehan says that major mobile phone companies like Samsung, Huawei and LG are courting Eyedeus Labs. But they're not the lone rangers in Pakistani tech talent.

Companies in the country are making mobile apps for Fortune 500 companies in the United States, said Badar Khushnood, from Google Pakistan.

These are companies that had previously been "very reluctant to come to Pakistan" because of the security situation, Khushnood said.

In the country, both the private and government sectors have come up with financial solutions to provide assistance to gifted young whiz kids who are down on their luck.

For example, Plan 9 is a business incubator in a swanky skyscraper in the heart of Lahore. Founded by Dr. Umar Saif and funded by the government, its main goal is to transform young tech talent into budding businesses.

"The world is becoming flat," said Saif, vice chancellor at Information Technology University-Punjab. "The geography, the political situation, the security situation is becoming totally irrelevant in a country like Pakistan."

Thirteen teams at Plan 9 are developing apps and products like "DrivePal" - which alerts relatives and emergency services about a car crash and "iTrak," an optic mouse for paraplegics that was inspired by an 18-year-old who lost his limbs and wanted to continue studying. Meanwhile location based app "LocPro" adapts your phone's privacy settings depending on where you are. It can even remind you to pick up milk when you walk past the supermarket.

The next big app you download on your smartphone may have been made in Pakistan.

Pakistan's tech talents find app success - CNN.com

 

[Lone Shooter]

Maria Toor becomes first female Nash Cup champion

Pakistan’s squash player Maria Toorpakai Wazir put her name in the history books by winning the first ever women’s event in the Nash Cup in Canada by beating Milou van der Heijden of the Netherlands 13-11, 11-3, 11-9.

The victory gave Maria, who hails from South Waziristan, the third title of her WSA career after she won the Southwest Squash Open and the Liberty Bell Open last year in the US and was another milestone in her journey of immense courage and perseverance.

“When I win a tournament, I feel that I am moving towards my goals. So winning today means a lot to me,” Maria said after winning the Nash Cup.

Maria who had faced stiff opposition in her native Bannu for playing sport, often posed as a boy to compete in matches in her conservative hometown. She moved to Peshawar in 1999 to pursue her love for squash.

Upon her move, Maria was immediately inducted into the Hashim Khan Complex, named after the first great player to emerge from a Pakistani dynasty of squash players which dominated the international game for decades.

It was in Peshawar where Maria’s father really began to realise the true potential his daughter had. Representing Warsak High School in Peshawar, Maria became the youngest ever winner of the National Women’s Squash Championship toppling top seed Muqaddas Ashraf of Punjab in straight sets in the final at Karachi Club squash court in 2004. She was 13 at the time and while the cash prize of Rs. 8,500 and a crystal trophy felt good, it was really the satisfaction of being better than everyone that was to accelerate Maria’s drive. She quickly swatted away her competition, winning an Under-15 tournament and then at 15 winning the Under-19 Hashim Khan National junior championship in 2005.

She scaled up the national rankings, Dunlop racquet in hand and Mohammad Ali-like confidence, often calling her self the world’s best squash player in some of her post-match press conferences. It was this self belief and great form that finally brought her to the world stage, joining the WISPA in 2006. She was immediately at ease on the international circuit as well, reaching the semi-final stage of the 2nd WISPA International Women’s Squash Championship at the POF Jahangir Khan Complex in Islamabad.

In early August 2007 she was given the Salaam Pakistan Award by the President of Pakistan, alongside tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and footballer Muhammad Essa.

The year 2009 saw her win her first international tournament when she beat the same opponent she had defeated as a 13-year-old. Muqaddas Ashraf once again succumbed to Maria’s power and agility losing the Chief of Army Staff International squash tournament.

But it was in 2011 that her fortunes really changed.

After learning of a job opening at Canadian squash legend Jonathan Power's National Squash Academy in Toronto, Maria wrote an emotional letter to Power about the difficulty of training freely in Peshawar and about her aspirations of following in the footsteps of Pakistani greats. Moved by the plea, Power immediately took the young talent under his wings and vowed to make her a world champion.

The academy in Toronto gave Maria “10 out of 10” as far as talent was concerned but a lack of proper training meant she had a long way to go before she could compete with the top stars in the world. Her grit and determination, however, meant that it wasn’t going to be long until that happened.

Two titles in 2012, qualification in the British Open main draw (a first for Pakistani female players) and now the Nash Cup. For Power, who was in attendance at the London Squash & Fitness Club in Ontario, Maria seems to be headed in the right direction.

Maria Toor becomes first female Nash Cup champion - DAWN.COM

 

[Lone Shooter]

Human chain to protect Christians at Lahore

 

[BATMAN]

Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari Pakistan visits Lora, Ghambeer, Phala, Ruprah Lilaphota, Sangla Gali and Pir Sohwa. Departure time was set at 1000 Hrs. Entrance to the track is just 20 minutes away from Islamabad. The Journey took 6/7 hours in total reaching an elevation of more than 4000 Ft.

Jeep Safari Pakistan

I have done this tour on motor bike at the age of 19.
During those times, it was dangerous due to presence of leopards.

 

[krash]

I have done this tour on motor bike at the age of 19.
During those times, it was dangerous due to presence of leopards.

I believe the leopards are still there. A few years ago one came down as far as Islamabad, was seen in a house's backyard.

 

[BATMAN]

Pakistan win IBSF World Team Snooker Championship

IRELAND: Pakistan defeated Iran 5-3 in a snooker match in Carlow, Ireland, winning the World Team Snooker Championship, Express News reported on Sunday.
It was speculated earlier that Iran would take the lead but Pakistan followed a good strategy to secure a win.
Mohammad Sajid and Mohammad Asif from Pakistan were playing against Iran’s Sohail and Amir.
Final Best of 9 Frame Result
Pakistan beat Iran 5-3 – (33-70(50), 18-68(58), 9-74, 88-20(83), 67-11(50), 87-15, 75-43(51), 58-35).
Earlier, a nerve-racking game of snooker on Saturday had ended with the Pakistani snooker team prevailing against a seasoned Ireland team in the semi-final.
Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Sajjad had gone into the match on the back of a good run in the championships, having beaten Poland and India to reach the semi-final.
The Irish duo of Michael Judge and Robert Murphy had proved to be a stern test for Pakistan, after the team had prevailed against the UAE side in the quarter finals.

 

[BATMAN]

‘Pakistan develops search engine for free online courses’

KARACHI, Oct 7: Pakistan will become the first country to offer top-quality education on an integrated online platform that will include free online courses from hundreds of top universities around the world, claimed Dr Prof Atta-ur-Rahman, the former chairman of the Higher Education Commission, at the Second National Conference on Space Science on Monday.

Speaking to Dawn on the sidelines of the first day of the conference, he said that the search engine had been developed. He added that the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Institute of Chemistry would launch the integrated platform for the best available free online courses like MIT open courseware, Coursera, Udacity, Khan Academy, Virtual University of Pakistan and other courses next month.

Dr Rahman said that the lack of trained faculty was a major hurdle in educating the masses especially in developing world. And joining hands with world’s top varsities such as MIT and Harvard to deliver excellent academic material would greatly help Pakistan and other developing countries, he added.

According to the former HEC chairman, Pakistan will be the only country to have brought together the great wealth of educational material from around the world on one single platform.

Some 60 research presentations and papers will be presented at the two-day event being organised by the Institute of Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA), the University of Karachi, to celebrate the ‘World Space Week 2013’.

The first day of the two-day conference brought together scholars and experts from Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Institute of Space Technology, ISPA and other institutes.

The official topic of this year’s Space Week celebrations is “Exploring Mars, Discovering Earth”.

In an interesting presentation, Salman Zubair from the department of Geography, Karachi University, shared his findings about road designs and accidents, which according to him, could be curbed using the help of satellite imagery and Geographical Information System.

He also urged road planners to consider the mass awareness about the new road facilities and GIS planning while designing major roads, a lack of which was responsible for 34 per cent accidents directly or indirectly.

Mr Zubair said that Karachi ranked fourth in the world when it came to road accidents.

In another lecture, Mohammad Shafique from the National Centre of Excellence in Geology, the University of Peshawar, said that Pakistan witnessed 138 major disasters over the past 30 years. He said remote sensing and satellite imaging could be used as an important tool in disaster mitigation and management.

Other scholars presented their findings in cosmology, theoretical physics, renewable energy, Mars explorations and other topics related to Space Science, technology and cosmology.

NCSS-2013 has been organised with the collaboration of Suparco, HEC and Pakistan Science Foundation.

 

[Lone Shooter]

Trailer of WAAR

Theatrical Trailer of WAAR Pakistani Movie | Tune.pk

 

[Lone Shooter]

The Beetle crush

KARACHI: “The Volkswagen Beetle has always been a good and sturdy option for a family car. Everyone here had a Beetle in their collection of cars during the 1960s and 70s,” says Mohsin Ikram, founder and president of the Vintage and Classic Cars Club of Pakistan.

Among his own collection of classic cars, Mr Ikram is proud to own a 1951 Beetle, the first one that came to Pakistan and a 1958 Mircobus.

"I waited 13 years for the Beetle. It was brought here by a German couple but got confiscated by the customs at that time. The customs department then auctioned it off to a family here. And I had been convincing that family to sell it to me for 13 years until they finally gave in a few years back."

This particular Beetle has a split window for a rear windshield. This is the oldest Beetle and the only one of its kind in the subcontinent certified by the Volkswagen Club in India. Right now, it can fetch something between 20,000 and 60,000 Euros or between Rs3 million and Rs8 million,” he adds.

Mr Ikram also points out that with classic cars out of the reach of hobbyists, the Volkswagen is still a good classic to acquire. “It is also easier to maintain while being good on petrol,” he says.

Asad Ishaque heads the Karachi chapter of the Volkswagen Club of Pakistan. Proud of his own collection of Beetles, he says that he owns three models: a 1959, a 1968 and a 1972.

He says, “I can’t even think of parting with my Beetles ever.” Laughingly, he adds,

"Yes, my family would like to see newer cars at home, but they, too, have tired of bringing up that issue with me now."

About their exclusive club, he says that it was formed with some aims in mind. “There are very few Beetles left. The last show we held here in December last year had some 65 cars most of which were well-maintained. Still, we Beetle owners wanted to be here for the newcomers in the club. Since we have the know-how about this car we wanted to share it with the others, too. We want to help them keep their cars in good condition. The Beetle deserves to be preserved,” he says.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahim Ghauri, shows his love for the Beetle through his workshop, Universal Motors, on Jahangir Road. “The Beetles in really bad condition, we call kachra gari. I take it off its owner’s hands for around Rs50,000 to Rs60,000 then I have my fun restoring it. I resell a restored Beetle for around Rs450,000 and up,” he says, gesturing towards the many Beetles in various stages of repair inside and outside the garage.

There is an entire chassis that he has built right here resting against a wall. It is for one Beetle that has to be rebuilt. There are fiberglass bodies, sparkling new engines, etc. Mr Ghauri discards several myths about the Volkwagen. If you think that a Beetle engine once opened up for overhauling is never the same again, you have to see his smooth-running Beetle engines; if you think that a Beetle cannot be converted to CNG, he has achieved that, too; and if you think a Volkswagen cannot be air-conditioned, you are wrong there as well. Mr Ghauri proudly unlocks his own metallic green Beetle to display its AC, etc.

Although this city also has a couple of dedicated Volkswagen spare parts dealers, Cheap Autos and Novelty Motors, at Plaza, Mr Ghauri says that he usually gets his spare parts from Germany, Brazil and China. “All over the world, people associate my name with the Volkswagen,” he announces. He has been running his garage for 42 years now. “None of my 11 children share my love for the Beetle but I have been here all this time,” he says.

The Beetle crush - DAWN.COM

 

[Lone Shooter]

Umer Mumtaz (Karachi) Selected for National Geographic Project

Out of 20,000 Photographers around the world, A Local Karachi Based Photographer Got Selected For National Geographic Project by none other then bear Grylls (Host of Man Vs Wild).

Talking to The Music Beats Umer stated that, 5 months ago National Geographic started a worldwide competition under the leadership of bear grylls where he was competing among 20,000 photographers from all over the world. Initially he got short listed among 7000 photographers and then after few Skype interviews, he`s now on top 50.
Top 8 Photographers will be getting 7 countries (Spain, Turkey, France, Belgium, Italy, Brazil and Malaysia) free adventure tour with bear Grylls with 100% scholarship.
This is indeed a proud moment for all Pakistanis. The Music Beats congratulates Umer and prays for his selection in top 8.
A special message given by Umer Mumtaz “Everything is possible, all you need to do is be yourself”
- See more at: http://www.themusicbeats.net/umer-m...-geographic-project.html#sthash.VNwhuKQr.dpuf

 

[MohitV]

AWESOME!!!!! thread

 

[BATMAN]

Pakistan remain unbeaten to date in Japan
Pakistan remain unbeaten to date in Japan - thenews.com.pk

JAPAN: Pakistan beat India 5-4 in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy on Thursday at Kakamigahara, Japan to reach the final of the event.



In a thrilling match the scores were level at 2-2 at half-time but Pakistan managed to score 3 more in the second half where as India could mange just 2.



This keenly contested match was pakistan’s penultimate league match and the green shirts will play their last league match against Japan on Friday.



Pakistan has won all its league matches so far.

 

[BATMAN]

Pakistan women writers’ body formed | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

 

[Lone Shooter]

Pakistan's first CubeSat satellite launched

ISLAMABAD: Just after noon (Pakistan time) on Thrusday, the Russian Dnepr launch vehicle took off from Yasny in Russia. The launch takes 31 satellites into space, including iCUBE-1, Pakistan’s first CubeSat satellite.
On-board Dnepr launch vehicle, the satellite was launched from Yasny launch base, Russia. The launch also created a record for the maximum payload launched into space.
iCUBE-1 by the Institute of Space Technology (IST), will open up future possibilities for carrying out experiments in the domain of space dynamics, nano technology and microgravity and is expected to serve as testing ground for developing satellite constellations.

Pakistan’s first CubeSat satellite launched – The Express Tribune

ICUBE-1 has been launched in a polar orbit, 600 Km above the surface of the Earth, and is designed to take low resolution images of Earth and other space objects. Initially, ICUBE-1 will transmit a Continuous Wave Morse coded beacon with message “ICUBE-1 First CubeSat of Pakistan”. Ham radio operators have a great opportunity to hear those signals on the VHF band. ICUBE-1 has a mass of 1.1 Kg and is thus categorized as a pico-satellite. The satellite has a volume of 10cm cube and it houses several sensors to collect data for scientific purposes. ICUBE-1 is a fully autonomous satellite and is capable of maintaining its health via its on-board computer. The satellite will send its health data to ground stations and can also be commanded from Satellite Tracking and Control Station at IST.

iCUBE-1 Launch