French govt and AKCSP to promote cultural diversity in KP, GB
ISLAMABAD - French Ambassador to Pakistan Philippe Thiébaud and Aga Khan Cultural Service (AKCSP) Chairman Akbarali Pesnani signed a partnership-agreement for a budget of $175,000 on Wednesday.
The objective of this collaboration is to encourage skill development and artistic expression among the youth to promote diversity and sustainable development.
Two projects have been developed to promote cultural diversity in KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. They would offer an exceptional range of natural and cultural resources.
The first project titled “Skill Development in Heritage-Based Planning and Construction” will aim to promote and strengthen traditional arts including embroidery, tapestry, cutting, sewing and upholstery in Chitral, with the objective to develop and sustain human and financial capital at the community level. The second project, “Display of Performing Arts and Handicrafts”, will display traditional aspects of these regions to a wider audience at the Serena Hotel and Alliance Française in Islamabad, in January.
The Aga Khan Foundation and the French government are committed to implement a regional health programme in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan for the next three years.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/11 ... -in-kp-gb/
http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index.php? ... 5&Itemid=2
PAKISTAN INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Philanthropic spirit in Pakistan - AKDN study
http://www.brecorder.com/articles-a-let ... 7/1267280/
http://www.brecorder.com/articles-a-let ... 7/1267280/
AKPBS and Pakistan Engineering Council launch building guidelines for safer constructions in mountain regions
Islamabad, 29 January, 2013 (PR): The Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P) – an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in collaboration with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) organized a workshop to share a set of building guidelines for seismic resistance and thermal efficiency of buildings in the mountainous regions of Pakistan.
http://pamirtimes.net/2013/01/29/akpbs- ... n-regions/
Islamabad, 29 January, 2013 (PR): The Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P) – an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in collaboration with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) organized a workshop to share a set of building guidelines for seismic resistance and thermal efficiency of buildings in the mountainous regions of Pakistan.
http://pamirtimes.net/2013/01/29/akpbs- ... n-regions/
Prophet Muhammad a symbol of ‘Tolerance’: ITREB
ISLAMABAD: The Shia Imami Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB) recently organized a Seerat Conference at the Islamabad Serena Hotel.
“The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) as a Symbol of Tolerance” is the theme of this year’s Conference. The conference revolved around the theme and saw many eminent scholars from across the country present papers on the importance of tolerance in light of the Holy Prophet’s teachings.
Chief Guest, H.E Muhammad Rashad Daureeawo, High Commissioner of Mauritius while addressing the audience said that tolerance is the dire need of human societies today as impatience and intolerance is rampant across the world. The life of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was an example of full of tolerance and patience, the human society has not produced any other examples or personality like him to signify tolerance.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Dean of Sharia and Law Department of International Islamic University, Islamabad in his address said that “the message of Islam was spread with love and peace; the purpose of preaching and teachings of the holy Prophet (PBUH) was not focused on gaining victory over regions, nations and countries but it was focused on winning the souls and hearts of the people. The hearts and souls cannot be won by force, intolerance, injustice and disrespect. He said that the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a symbol of peace not only for Muslim societies but for the entire mankind.
Professor Perwaiz Hayat of ITREB Pakistan cited many events from the Seerah as examples of tolerance, demonstrated by the Holy Prophet during his life. The declaration of Madina (Misaq-e-Madina) and the event of Taif where the Holy Prophet prayed for the people of Taif while the children of Taif teased him and threw stones on him, were great examples of tolerance exhibited by Prophet Muhammad.
Speaking on tolerance and its importance as highlighted by the Seerah Mubarak of the Prophet (PBUH), Dr. Sajid Subahani said that the life of the Holy Prophet is the best example to follow and bring peace and prosperity in society. Prophet (PBUH) was not only a leader for Muslims but for the whole humanity. He said that the problem of intolerance and impatience that the society is facing was due to lack of education and neglecting the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH).
The conference was attended by members from different walks of life and was well appreciated.
As stated by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1976 in Karachi at the International Seerat Conference: “The Holy Prophet’s life gives us every fundamental guideline that we require to resolve the problem as successfully as our human minds and intellects can visualise. His example of integrity, loyalty, honesty, generosity both of means and of time, his solicitude for the poor, the weak and the sick, his steadfastness in friendship, his humility in success, his magnanimity in victory, his simplicity, his wisdom in conceiving new solutions for problems which could not be solved by traditional methods, without affecting the fundamental concepts of Islam, surely all these are foundations which, correctly understood and sincerely interpreted, must enable us to conceive what should be a truly modern and dynamic Islamic Society in the years ahead.”
http://www.lhrtimes.com/2013/04/09/prop ... nce-itreb/
ISLAMABAD: The Shia Imami Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB) recently organized a Seerat Conference at the Islamabad Serena Hotel.
“The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) as a Symbol of Tolerance” is the theme of this year’s Conference. The conference revolved around the theme and saw many eminent scholars from across the country present papers on the importance of tolerance in light of the Holy Prophet’s teachings.
Chief Guest, H.E Muhammad Rashad Daureeawo, High Commissioner of Mauritius while addressing the audience said that tolerance is the dire need of human societies today as impatience and intolerance is rampant across the world. The life of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was an example of full of tolerance and patience, the human society has not produced any other examples or personality like him to signify tolerance.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Dean of Sharia and Law Department of International Islamic University, Islamabad in his address said that “the message of Islam was spread with love and peace; the purpose of preaching and teachings of the holy Prophet (PBUH) was not focused on gaining victory over regions, nations and countries but it was focused on winning the souls and hearts of the people. The hearts and souls cannot be won by force, intolerance, injustice and disrespect. He said that the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a symbol of peace not only for Muslim societies but for the entire mankind.
Professor Perwaiz Hayat of ITREB Pakistan cited many events from the Seerah as examples of tolerance, demonstrated by the Holy Prophet during his life. The declaration of Madina (Misaq-e-Madina) and the event of Taif where the Holy Prophet prayed for the people of Taif while the children of Taif teased him and threw stones on him, were great examples of tolerance exhibited by Prophet Muhammad.
Speaking on tolerance and its importance as highlighted by the Seerah Mubarak of the Prophet (PBUH), Dr. Sajid Subahani said that the life of the Holy Prophet is the best example to follow and bring peace and prosperity in society. Prophet (PBUH) was not only a leader for Muslims but for the whole humanity. He said that the problem of intolerance and impatience that the society is facing was due to lack of education and neglecting the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH).
The conference was attended by members from different walks of life and was well appreciated.
As stated by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1976 in Karachi at the International Seerat Conference: “The Holy Prophet’s life gives us every fundamental guideline that we require to resolve the problem as successfully as our human minds and intellects can visualise. His example of integrity, loyalty, honesty, generosity both of means and of time, his solicitude for the poor, the weak and the sick, his steadfastness in friendship, his humility in success, his magnanimity in victory, his simplicity, his wisdom in conceiving new solutions for problems which could not be solved by traditional methods, without affecting the fundamental concepts of Islam, surely all these are foundations which, correctly understood and sincerely interpreted, must enable us to conceive what should be a truly modern and dynamic Islamic Society in the years ahead.”
http://www.lhrtimes.com/2013/04/09/prop ... nce-itreb/
MSAP looks to promote competitions
From the Newspaper | 15th May, 2013 0 Send to Kindle KARACHI, May 14: The Aga Khan Foundation is joining hands with the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) to promote bridge, chess and scrabble in the country.
“We are working on plans to conduct mind events on different locations of the country,” MSAP director Tariq Rasheed Khan said on Tuesday.
“We are highly encouraged by the response of the Aga Khan Foundation,” he commented.
Tariq said the events would be staged in Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar and Northern Areas.
He said a large number of players were keen to spread the games and the MSAP was looking to support and encourage them.
The MSAP director said their focus was to promote the games among school, college and university students.
Rasheed said a large-scale programme was launched by holding Mind Sports Olympiad a few years ago but due to lack of funds the second edition of these games could not be held.—APP
http://dawn.com/2013/05/15/msap-looks-t ... petitions/
From the Newspaper | 15th May, 2013 0 Send to Kindle KARACHI, May 14: The Aga Khan Foundation is joining hands with the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) to promote bridge, chess and scrabble in the country.
“We are working on plans to conduct mind events on different locations of the country,” MSAP director Tariq Rasheed Khan said on Tuesday.
“We are highly encouraged by the response of the Aga Khan Foundation,” he commented.
Tariq said the events would be staged in Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar and Northern Areas.
He said a large number of players were keen to spread the games and the MSAP was looking to support and encourage them.
The MSAP director said their focus was to promote the games among school, college and university students.
Rasheed said a large-scale programme was launched by holding Mind Sports Olympiad a few years ago but due to lack of funds the second edition of these games could not be held.—APP
http://dawn.com/2013/05/15/msap-looks-t ... petitions/
http://tribune.com.pk/story/737122/time ... h-efforts/
Time to reassess maternal health efforts
By Syed Mohammad Ali
Published: July 18, 2014
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The writer is a post-doctoral fellow at McGill University
Improving maternal health was one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) identified back in 1990 in order to provide a common blueprint for the leaders of all countries and major development agencies to work together for improving the lives of multitudes of destitute people around the world by 2015. Although we are now just a few months away from the set target date, the MGD goals are nowhere close to being achieved. The goals related to women, including gender equality and reducing maternal (and child) deaths are the most off-track.
The underlying challenges for high maternity rates are admittedly varied, ranging from poverty to lack of education and inadequate funding for family planning. Reducing the maternal mortality rate by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, has thus proven rather difficult to achieve. Overall, the maternal mortality ratio has dropped by 45 per cent between 1990 and 2013, from an alarming 380 to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, maternal mortality ratio in developing countries is still 14 times higher than that in the developed world.
While billions of dollars have been spent over the past few years to improve maternal health, the strategies used to achieve this goal have now come to be questioned. Multilateral agencies, including the UN system, have been trying to save the lives of mothers in developing countries using inexpensive drugs. However, two major studies of maternal health efforts across the developing world have found that there is little proof such an approach is working, including a study led by the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. The ongoing effort to provide pregnant women cheap drugs such as magnesium sulphate to treat labour complications, and the provision of pre-emptive antibiotics for women getting a caesarean procedure, have been particularly questioned due to their lacklustre impact. Areas that used such interventions were not found to have better survival rates for mothers than areas which did not.
Critics are now calling for a significant overhaul of this pricey global Maternal Health Initiative, which is still being implemented despite producing lacklustre results. These concerns, of course, do not justify decreasing funding for maternal health, but instead they demand investing in interventions, which are more effective.
According to the MDG report for 2014, which draws on data compiled between 2010 and 2014 by more than 28 UN and international agencies, only half of pregnant women in developing countries get the recommended four antenatal check-ups. The need for specialised medical services, including family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, skilled delivery and emergency obstetric care, cannot be replaced by providing cheap drugs alone.
In order to provide greater medical attention for maternal health, there is also an obvious need to bolster the broader public health systems across the developing world. While there are no one-fixes-all prescription to improve public health services universally, convincing decision-makers to allocate more funds to the health sector, especially for addressing maternal concerns, is one step in the needed direction.
While the impacts of the above research findings on altering the design of current global maternal health care programmes remain to be seen, it is clear that developing countries alone are not to be blamed for being unable to implement development interventions adequately to address the plight of their people. It is also the failure of international development agencies, which are not providing effective strategies to address the basic health challenge of ensuring improved maternal health.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2014.
Time to reassess maternal health efforts
By Syed Mohammad Ali
Published: July 18, 2014
Share this article Print this page Email
The writer is a post-doctoral fellow at McGill University
Improving maternal health was one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) identified back in 1990 in order to provide a common blueprint for the leaders of all countries and major development agencies to work together for improving the lives of multitudes of destitute people around the world by 2015. Although we are now just a few months away from the set target date, the MGD goals are nowhere close to being achieved. The goals related to women, including gender equality and reducing maternal (and child) deaths are the most off-track.
The underlying challenges for high maternity rates are admittedly varied, ranging from poverty to lack of education and inadequate funding for family planning. Reducing the maternal mortality rate by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, has thus proven rather difficult to achieve. Overall, the maternal mortality ratio has dropped by 45 per cent between 1990 and 2013, from an alarming 380 to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, maternal mortality ratio in developing countries is still 14 times higher than that in the developed world.
While billions of dollars have been spent over the past few years to improve maternal health, the strategies used to achieve this goal have now come to be questioned. Multilateral agencies, including the UN system, have been trying to save the lives of mothers in developing countries using inexpensive drugs. However, two major studies of maternal health efforts across the developing world have found that there is little proof such an approach is working, including a study led by the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. The ongoing effort to provide pregnant women cheap drugs such as magnesium sulphate to treat labour complications, and the provision of pre-emptive antibiotics for women getting a caesarean procedure, have been particularly questioned due to their lacklustre impact. Areas that used such interventions were not found to have better survival rates for mothers than areas which did not.
Critics are now calling for a significant overhaul of this pricey global Maternal Health Initiative, which is still being implemented despite producing lacklustre results. These concerns, of course, do not justify decreasing funding for maternal health, but instead they demand investing in interventions, which are more effective.
According to the MDG report for 2014, which draws on data compiled between 2010 and 2014 by more than 28 UN and international agencies, only half of pregnant women in developing countries get the recommended four antenatal check-ups. The need for specialised medical services, including family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, skilled delivery and emergency obstetric care, cannot be replaced by providing cheap drugs alone.
In order to provide greater medical attention for maternal health, there is also an obvious need to bolster the broader public health systems across the developing world. While there are no one-fixes-all prescription to improve public health services universally, convincing decision-makers to allocate more funds to the health sector, especially for addressing maternal concerns, is one step in the needed direction.
While the impacts of the above research findings on altering the design of current global maternal health care programmes remain to be seen, it is clear that developing countries alone are not to be blamed for being unable to implement development interventions adequately to address the plight of their people. It is also the failure of international development agencies, which are not providing effective strategies to address the basic health challenge of ensuring improved maternal health.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2014.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1140680/aga-kh ... ns-new-ceo
27 October, 2014 / 2 Muharram, 1436
Aga Khan Foundation’s new CEO
By The Newspaper's Correspondent
CHITRAL: The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan, has picked a resident of Chitral, Akhtar Iqbal, as its chief executive officer.
A source in Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Chitral, which is a component of AKF, confirmed the news to Dawn, saying that Mr Iqbal may assume the charge of his office in the first week of November.
The source said that Mr Iqbal, in his early 30s, was earlier posted in Kabul, Afghanistan. He rose to the top position of the prestigious international organisation after starting his career in a lower rank from AKRSP’s Chitral office in 1999. He has a master degree in public administration from Peshawar University.
Akhtar Iqbal went to Afghanistan in early 2001 and continued his job in AKF in various positions and his exceptional performance elevated him to the position of chief executive officer of the organisation in Afghanistan four years ago.
The source said that commitment to work and personal acumen ensured elevation of Akhtar Iqbal from a menial position to the top rung of the organisation.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2014
27 October, 2014 / 2 Muharram, 1436
Aga Khan Foundation’s new CEO
By The Newspaper's Correspondent
CHITRAL: The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan, has picked a resident of Chitral, Akhtar Iqbal, as its chief executive officer.
A source in Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Chitral, which is a component of AKF, confirmed the news to Dawn, saying that Mr Iqbal may assume the charge of his office in the first week of November.
The source said that Mr Iqbal, in his early 30s, was earlier posted in Kabul, Afghanistan. He rose to the top position of the prestigious international organisation after starting his career in a lower rank from AKRSP’s Chitral office in 1999. He has a master degree in public administration from Peshawar University.
Akhtar Iqbal went to Afghanistan in early 2001 and continued his job in AKF in various positions and his exceptional performance elevated him to the position of chief executive officer of the organisation in Afghanistan four years ago.
The source said that commitment to work and personal acumen ensured elevation of Akhtar Iqbal from a menial position to the top rung of the organisation.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2014
Lahore Fort’s historic Picture Wall to be restored
LAHORE: Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) joined hands to restore Lahore Fort's historic Picture Wall and kicked off the architectural survey of the Picture Wall.
According to details, after the completion of the survey of one of the longest and largest mural of its kind, the physical restoration will be started. The Picture Wall depicts the Mughal era through pictures, fresco paintings, unique tile work, exceptional brick and tile patterns, architectural terracotta base and hence visuals, which cannot be found elsewhere in the world's architectures.
The project of the architectural survey is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad.
Wajahat Ali, senior conservation architect of Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan, said while talking exclusively to Daily Times, "This architectural study has begun to examine patterns of the 800-metre historic Picture Wall. We are using 3D-scanners for the first time, previously a machine called the 'total station' used to examine in architectural surveys of historic buildings."
He said that by using 3D-scanners and other softwares, the Aga Khan Service Pakistan will efficiently finish the architectural study by June 2016. He said after western side examination, AKCS-P will submit a report to WCLA and separately publish a detailed brochure.
"The restoration of such rich-architecture work on the Picture Wall is a complete science. Meanwhile we are going to connect a historian too as each pattern of the Wall has its unique history," the project conservation architect added.
Geneva-based Aga Khan Trust for Culture local chapter in Pakistan works by the name Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan and has restored multiple historical sites including Mosque Wazir Khan and historic forts in Gilgit-Baltistan. All the restoration or architectural surveys in Lahore's Walled City by AKCS-P are conducted in corporation with WCLA.
The Picture Wall is depicted with animal, birds and royal recreation or with the royal court's activities. The scenes of polo games, animal hunts, trees and vegetation are also inscribed on it. The mural contains unique Pietra dura technique, which is an Italian technique of creating images on polished coloured stones.
WCLA Lahore Fort Deputy Director Asghar Hussain said that the documentation work of the Picture Wall had just begun in coordination with AKCS-P to account comprehensive and detailed study of the Wall. After that, the physical restoration of the Wall will begin.
It is pertinent to mention that the Picture Wall is the reason behind the inclusion of Lahore Fort into the world heritage monument in 1981. The picture wall at the Lahore Fort, built during 1624-32 during the era of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, further enhanced the beauty of the historical site.
Tanvir Johar, working as a documentation specialist with the project, says each and everything of 100-metre Picture Wall is being documented and the research work will present the analysis of the material used in the making of it.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainm ... e-restored
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Synergy: Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan, Royal Norwegian Embassy and Walled City Lahore Authority to restore Lahore Fort’s picture wall
By Ali Raza - Wednesday, November 04, 2015
LAHORE: Visitors to Lahore Fort will soon witness a change at the fort’s entrance as the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) is going for rehabilitation and conservation of the majestic picture wall.
The Picture Wall, one of the unique features of the Lahore Fort, is about 1,450 feet long with an average height of 50 feet. It forms Northern and part of Western façade of the Lahore Fort. Embellished with scenic pictures in glazed tiles work this massive façade was one of the key characteristics of the fort for inclusion of the Lahore Fort on ‘World Heritage Site’. It is the largest picture wall of the world claimed by the historians and architects.
Unfortunately, the wall is one of the most neglected parts of the fort, experts said, adding that the Picture Wall had become the backyard and site for storage of surplus materials and disposal of refuse. As a result, surface decoration is deteriorating at an alarming pace and there is real risk of complete destruction of pictures unless documented, analysed and addressed factors of deterioration.
Recently, the WCLA signed an MoU with Aga Khan Trust for culture for the documentation, presentation and promotion of the picture wall of the Lahore Fort. Officials said the project would be co-funded by Royal Norwegian Embassy, which has provided a fund of Rs10,963,000 for documentation, presentation and promotion of Picture Wall, Lahore Fort. A senior official of WCLA said the project would be started soon and completed by 30th of June 2016.
Salman Beg (CEO Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan) said that after the successful completion of Shahi Hammam, now the Norwegian Embassy has extended its support for the documentation of the picture wall. “I think this is a good beginning and we hope to preserve other parts of the Lahore Fort as well. Our team has started working on the documentation which is a lengthy process and will be completed by 2016” he maintained.
Masood A. Khan, Consultant Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan said that the activities to be carried out on the picture wall’s documentation would include conducting a survey and documentation of western section (350ft x 50ft), using EDM and photo rectification techniques, Façade documentation of western part of the Picture Wall which is rich in detailing and carrying out field investigations to study damage pattern.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-5 ... cture-wall
LAHORE: Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) joined hands to restore Lahore Fort's historic Picture Wall and kicked off the architectural survey of the Picture Wall.
According to details, after the completion of the survey of one of the longest and largest mural of its kind, the physical restoration will be started. The Picture Wall depicts the Mughal era through pictures, fresco paintings, unique tile work, exceptional brick and tile patterns, architectural terracotta base and hence visuals, which cannot be found elsewhere in the world's architectures.
The project of the architectural survey is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad.
Wajahat Ali, senior conservation architect of Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan, said while talking exclusively to Daily Times, "This architectural study has begun to examine patterns of the 800-metre historic Picture Wall. We are using 3D-scanners for the first time, previously a machine called the 'total station' used to examine in architectural surveys of historic buildings."
He said that by using 3D-scanners and other softwares, the Aga Khan Service Pakistan will efficiently finish the architectural study by June 2016. He said after western side examination, AKCS-P will submit a report to WCLA and separately publish a detailed brochure.
"The restoration of such rich-architecture work on the Picture Wall is a complete science. Meanwhile we are going to connect a historian too as each pattern of the Wall has its unique history," the project conservation architect added.
Geneva-based Aga Khan Trust for Culture local chapter in Pakistan works by the name Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan and has restored multiple historical sites including Mosque Wazir Khan and historic forts in Gilgit-Baltistan. All the restoration or architectural surveys in Lahore's Walled City by AKCS-P are conducted in corporation with WCLA.
The Picture Wall is depicted with animal, birds and royal recreation or with the royal court's activities. The scenes of polo games, animal hunts, trees and vegetation are also inscribed on it. The mural contains unique Pietra dura technique, which is an Italian technique of creating images on polished coloured stones.
WCLA Lahore Fort Deputy Director Asghar Hussain said that the documentation work of the Picture Wall had just begun in coordination with AKCS-P to account comprehensive and detailed study of the Wall. After that, the physical restoration of the Wall will begin.
It is pertinent to mention that the Picture Wall is the reason behind the inclusion of Lahore Fort into the world heritage monument in 1981. The picture wall at the Lahore Fort, built during 1624-32 during the era of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, further enhanced the beauty of the historical site.
Tanvir Johar, working as a documentation specialist with the project, says each and everything of 100-metre Picture Wall is being documented and the research work will present the analysis of the material used in the making of it.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainm ... e-restored
******
Synergy: Aga Khan Culture Service Pakistan, Royal Norwegian Embassy and Walled City Lahore Authority to restore Lahore Fort’s picture wall
By Ali Raza - Wednesday, November 04, 2015
LAHORE: Visitors to Lahore Fort will soon witness a change at the fort’s entrance as the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) is going for rehabilitation and conservation of the majestic picture wall.
The Picture Wall, one of the unique features of the Lahore Fort, is about 1,450 feet long with an average height of 50 feet. It forms Northern and part of Western façade of the Lahore Fort. Embellished with scenic pictures in glazed tiles work this massive façade was one of the key characteristics of the fort for inclusion of the Lahore Fort on ‘World Heritage Site’. It is the largest picture wall of the world claimed by the historians and architects.
Unfortunately, the wall is one of the most neglected parts of the fort, experts said, adding that the Picture Wall had become the backyard and site for storage of surplus materials and disposal of refuse. As a result, surface decoration is deteriorating at an alarming pace and there is real risk of complete destruction of pictures unless documented, analysed and addressed factors of deterioration.
Recently, the WCLA signed an MoU with Aga Khan Trust for culture for the documentation, presentation and promotion of the picture wall of the Lahore Fort. Officials said the project would be co-funded by Royal Norwegian Embassy, which has provided a fund of Rs10,963,000 for documentation, presentation and promotion of Picture Wall, Lahore Fort. A senior official of WCLA said the project would be started soon and completed by 30th of June 2016.
Salman Beg (CEO Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan) said that after the successful completion of Shahi Hammam, now the Norwegian Embassy has extended its support for the documentation of the picture wall. “I think this is a good beginning and we hope to preserve other parts of the Lahore Fort as well. Our team has started working on the documentation which is a lengthy process and will be completed by 2016” he maintained.
Masood A. Khan, Consultant Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan said that the activities to be carried out on the picture wall’s documentation would include conducting a survey and documentation of western section (350ft x 50ft), using EDM and photo rectification techniques, Façade documentation of western part of the Picture Wall which is rich in detailing and carrying out field investigations to study damage pattern.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-5 ... cture-wall
Long awaited renovation of outer wall of Lahore Fort has been started with the funds provided by Agha Khan Trust
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 1245704167
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 1245704167
United Nations and Aga Khan Foundation visit Chitral
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to disasters whether from climate change or because of earthquakes. Both types of disasters affected Chitral recently, the July flash floods, and the October earthquake that affected many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. To better understand the effects on people and development from the floods and the earthquake, and to assess the needs for reconstruction efforts, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan, Neil Buhne, and the head of the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan, Akhtar Iqbal, visited Chitral district today.
Neil Buhne said, “Pakistan’s vulnerability to both natural hazards and climate change has the potential to damage and delay development in the country. However with good preparedness, planning and mitigation measures, we can at least limit the loss of human life and development. This visit today highlights the importance of government efforts to provide relief to the vulnerable people most affected, and also the significance of quickly following up with comprehensive reconstruction done together with the local communities.”
Akhtar Iqbal said, “A stronger humanitarian-development link can help better assess the situation as well as the details for the extent of damages and how the local communities can be made more resilient to future catastrophes. Strengthened partnerships and a stronger humanitarian-development link can ensure that sustainable development endeavours continue without being affected to a larger extent by the crises. Together with the government and other stakeholders, we can help build stronger capacities to plan for and respond to disasters and shared commitment through engaging key stakeholders that can help prevent disaster related humanitarian crises and protect development gains.”
The mission was led by Neil Buhne and other members, including UNDP Pakistan Country Director, Marc-André Franche, UNOCHA Head of Office, George Khoury and the Executive Officer of Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Nusrat Nasab.
The mission met and interacted with the communities and the local government authority in Chitral. The analysis following this visit will contribute to the overall assessment prepared by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that will be further discussed at a workshop with international development partners on 10 December.
http://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan ... itral.html
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Vulnerable population: Pakistan worst hit by extreme weather events
CHITRAL: With recurring floods, droughts and earthquakes, Pakistan has made it to the list of countries that have been most affected by extreme weather events.
These views were expressed by United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan Neil Buhne while visiting Chitral on Friday, stated a press release. Akhtar Iqbal, the head of Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan, also accompanied him.
“Pakistan’s vulnerability to both natural hazards and climate change has the potential to damage and delay development in the country,” said Buhne.
“However, with good preparedness, planning and mitigation measures, we can at least limit the loss to human life and development.”
He added, “This visit highlights the importance of government efforts to provide relief to the vulnerable people, and also the significance of quickly following up with comprehensive reconstruction done together with the local communities.”
Iqbal said, “A stronger humanitarian-development link can help better assess the situation and how local communities can be made more resilient to future catastrophes.”
The AKF Pakistan head added, “Together, with the government and other stakeholders, we can help build stronger capacities to plan for and respond to disasters.”
He added, “Shared commitment through engagement with key stakeholders can help prevent disaster-related humanitarian crises and protect development gains.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1004054/vul ... er-events/
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to disasters whether from climate change or because of earthquakes. Both types of disasters affected Chitral recently, the July flash floods, and the October earthquake that affected many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. To better understand the effects on people and development from the floods and the earthquake, and to assess the needs for reconstruction efforts, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan, Neil Buhne, and the head of the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan, Akhtar Iqbal, visited Chitral district today.
Neil Buhne said, “Pakistan’s vulnerability to both natural hazards and climate change has the potential to damage and delay development in the country. However with good preparedness, planning and mitigation measures, we can at least limit the loss of human life and development. This visit today highlights the importance of government efforts to provide relief to the vulnerable people most affected, and also the significance of quickly following up with comprehensive reconstruction done together with the local communities.”
Akhtar Iqbal said, “A stronger humanitarian-development link can help better assess the situation as well as the details for the extent of damages and how the local communities can be made more resilient to future catastrophes. Strengthened partnerships and a stronger humanitarian-development link can ensure that sustainable development endeavours continue without being affected to a larger extent by the crises. Together with the government and other stakeholders, we can help build stronger capacities to plan for and respond to disasters and shared commitment through engaging key stakeholders that can help prevent disaster related humanitarian crises and protect development gains.”
The mission was led by Neil Buhne and other members, including UNDP Pakistan Country Director, Marc-André Franche, UNOCHA Head of Office, George Khoury and the Executive Officer of Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Nusrat Nasab.
The mission met and interacted with the communities and the local government authority in Chitral. The analysis following this visit will contribute to the overall assessment prepared by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that will be further discussed at a workshop with international development partners on 10 December.
http://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan ... itral.html
******
Vulnerable population: Pakistan worst hit by extreme weather events
CHITRAL: With recurring floods, droughts and earthquakes, Pakistan has made it to the list of countries that have been most affected by extreme weather events.
These views were expressed by United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan Neil Buhne while visiting Chitral on Friday, stated a press release. Akhtar Iqbal, the head of Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan, also accompanied him.
“Pakistan’s vulnerability to both natural hazards and climate change has the potential to damage and delay development in the country,” said Buhne.
“However, with good preparedness, planning and mitigation measures, we can at least limit the loss to human life and development.”
He added, “This visit highlights the importance of government efforts to provide relief to the vulnerable people, and also the significance of quickly following up with comprehensive reconstruction done together with the local communities.”
Iqbal said, “A stronger humanitarian-development link can help better assess the situation and how local communities can be made more resilient to future catastrophes.”
The AKF Pakistan head added, “Together, with the government and other stakeholders, we can help build stronger capacities to plan for and respond to disasters.”
He added, “Shared commitment through engagement with key stakeholders can help prevent disaster-related humanitarian crises and protect development gains.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1004054/vul ... er-events/
Wazir Khan Hamam in the Walled City of Lahore
Saw the Wazir khan Hamam in the walled city of Lahore. The restoration has been done by a norwegian company and funded by the Aga khan foundation.
It is one of the finest examples in this subcontinent. It also demonstrates the magic of good lighting.
They have cleaned up the street leading to the hamam from the Delhi gate. The services havebeen put under ground and the facades have been simply cleaned up. Makes a world of a difference.
we could Surely borrow a page from this project.
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/wazir-khan-hamam-in-the-walled-city-of-lahore/
Saw the Wazir khan Hamam in the walled city of Lahore. The restoration has been done by a norwegian company and funded by the Aga khan foundation.
It is one of the finest examples in this subcontinent. It also demonstrates the magic of good lighting.
They have cleaned up the street leading to the hamam from the Delhi gate. The services havebeen put under ground and the facades have been simply cleaned up. Makes a world of a difference.
we could Surely borrow a page from this project.
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/wazir-khan-hamam-in-the-walled-city-of-lahore/
The Water and Sanitation Extension Programme of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan
The Water and Sanitation Extension Programme (WASEP) of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS-P) has bagged an international award for its initiatives to improve living conditions of rural populace in more than 200 villages in Pakistan.
WASEP was able to outshine over 800 entries from 111 countries to win the National Energy Globe Award. WASEP was also short-listed as one of the top three projects in the prestigious Water Category Award.
WASEP is a rural-based initiative that integrates supply of safe water, construction of low-cost sanitation facilities and health & hygiene education in many marginalized parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. The integration of these components has been able to significantly improve health indicators of the beneficiary villages.
In regions where more than half of all deaths are caused by waterborne diseases, WASEP has been able to reduce by more than 60 % the incidence of diarrhoea, which is the number one killer of children in the developing world.
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/the-water-and-sanitation-extension-programme-of-aga-khan-planning-and-building-service-pakistan/
The Water and Sanitation Extension Programme (WASEP) of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS-P) has bagged an international award for its initiatives to improve living conditions of rural populace in more than 200 villages in Pakistan.
WASEP was able to outshine over 800 entries from 111 countries to win the National Energy Globe Award. WASEP was also short-listed as one of the top three projects in the prestigious Water Category Award.
WASEP is a rural-based initiative that integrates supply of safe water, construction of low-cost sanitation facilities and health & hygiene education in many marginalized parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. The integration of these components has been able to significantly improve health indicators of the beneficiary villages.
In regions where more than half of all deaths are caused by waterborne diseases, WASEP has been able to reduce by more than 60 % the incidence of diarrhoea, which is the number one killer of children in the developing world.
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/the-water-and-sanitation-extension-programme-of-aga-khan-planning-and-building-service-pakistan/
Prince Rahim & Princess Zahra in Gilgit 2016-05-24
Today 24th May 2016 Islamabad, Pakistan - Children present Flowers to Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan upon their arrival in Islamabad. Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan are visiting Pakistan for AKDN-related work and have now reached Gilgit Medical Complex.
Last edited by Admin on Tue May 24, 2016 11:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
New Aga Khan Medical Centre Helps Strengthen Pakistan’s Heal
http://pamirtimes.net/2016/05/24/new-ag ... th-system/
New Aga Khan Medical Centre Helps Strengthen Pakistan’s Health System
Posted by Pamir Times
Gilgit, 24 May 2016 – In its push to provide health care in large underserved areas of Pakistan, and to complement the Government’s efforts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals in health, an Aga Khan Medical Centre was inaugurated today by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The 50-bed Centre anchors a “hub” that provides high quality diagnostics and secondary health care. “Spokes” that radiate out from the Centre will connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchasma.
The Gilgit Centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan and in other countries, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. “E-Health” connections such as these have already had a major impact on health care in the region, improving diagnosis, treatment and overall care. Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs, from bone fractures to cardiovascular disease, have been made over the last two years, saving over 400 million Pakistani Rupees (US$ 4 million) in patient time and lost earnings due to travel for health concerns.
The “hub” and “spoke” model is intended to ensure that essential healthcare is accessible to all throughout Pakistan. Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum, from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underserved areas, both in the South and in the North. AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research “spokes” have been extended throughout the country.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan receiving a bouquet at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Medical Centre GilgitThe impact of these programmes over the last 30 years show that the model works: In a country where the ratio of maternal mortality per 100,000 live births is 190, the rate in areas where AKDN works has fallen to under 60. Where infant mortality remains 59 per 1,000 live births overall in Pakistan, it has fallen to 20 per 1,000 live births in areas served by AKDN. Perhaps one of the most important indicators – the percentage of deliveries that are made with skilled birth attendants – has risen to 86 percent in areas where AKDN institutions work, while it has remained at 52 percent for Pakistan as a whole. (Source: Routine Demographic and Health Surveillance Systems + specific surveys and The World Bank (2012-2014).
It is important to note that not all improvements can be attributed to AKDN’s health systems alone. AKDN also operates integrated programmes for safe water, adequate sanitation, improved livelihoods, and education.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN) in Gilgit.
The Rahimabad School is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23,000 children in the region. As part of the organization’s plans for further expansion of quality provision, the school has recently improved and expanded its facilities and added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organization’s commitment to early childhood education.
The not-for-profit school in Rahimabad was one of the beneficiaries of the PDCN’s Whole School Improvement Programme. PDCN has worked with over 146 schools serving more than 76,000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. These programmes have benefited over 15,000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff, over half of them women.
These education efforts, combined with other efforts to provide hydroelectricity, improve health, boost agricultural yields, provide safe drinking water and stimulate employment, have proven, when combined, to have important effects on the overall quality of health — and life in general.
New Aga Khan Medical Centre Helps Strengthen Pakistan’s Health System
Posted by Pamir Times
Gilgit, 24 May 2016 – In its push to provide health care in large underserved areas of Pakistan, and to complement the Government’s efforts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals in health, an Aga Khan Medical Centre was inaugurated today by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The 50-bed Centre anchors a “hub” that provides high quality diagnostics and secondary health care. “Spokes” that radiate out from the Centre will connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchasma.
The Gilgit Centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan and in other countries, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. “E-Health” connections such as these have already had a major impact on health care in the region, improving diagnosis, treatment and overall care. Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs, from bone fractures to cardiovascular disease, have been made over the last two years, saving over 400 million Pakistani Rupees (US$ 4 million) in patient time and lost earnings due to travel for health concerns.
The “hub” and “spoke” model is intended to ensure that essential healthcare is accessible to all throughout Pakistan. Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum, from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underserved areas, both in the South and in the North. AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research “spokes” have been extended throughout the country.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan receiving a bouquet at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Medical Centre GilgitThe impact of these programmes over the last 30 years show that the model works: In a country where the ratio of maternal mortality per 100,000 live births is 190, the rate in areas where AKDN works has fallen to under 60. Where infant mortality remains 59 per 1,000 live births overall in Pakistan, it has fallen to 20 per 1,000 live births in areas served by AKDN. Perhaps one of the most important indicators – the percentage of deliveries that are made with skilled birth attendants – has risen to 86 percent in areas where AKDN institutions work, while it has remained at 52 percent for Pakistan as a whole. (Source: Routine Demographic and Health Surveillance Systems + specific surveys and The World Bank (2012-2014).
It is important to note that not all improvements can be attributed to AKDN’s health systems alone. AKDN also operates integrated programmes for safe water, adequate sanitation, improved livelihoods, and education.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN) in Gilgit.
The Rahimabad School is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23,000 children in the region. As part of the organization’s plans for further expansion of quality provision, the school has recently improved and expanded its facilities and added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organization’s commitment to early childhood education.
The not-for-profit school in Rahimabad was one of the beneficiaries of the PDCN’s Whole School Improvement Programme. PDCN has worked with over 146 schools serving more than 76,000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. These programmes have benefited over 15,000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff, over half of them women.
These education efforts, combined with other efforts to provide hydroelectricity, improve health, boost agricultural yields, provide safe drinking water and stimulate employment, have proven, when combined, to have important effects on the overall quality of health — and life in general.
50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1109595/ext ... augurated/
The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Gilgit Baltistan
Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
By Shabbir Mir
Published: May 25, 2016
The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Gilgit Baltistan
Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
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Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
By Shabbir Mir
Published: May 25, 2016
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AKDN trains nurses, doctors, provides care in underdeveloped areas. PHOTO: ONLINE
AKDN trains nurses, doctors, provides care in underdeveloped areas. PHOTO: ONLINE
GILGIT:
A 50-bed medical centre was inaugurated by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan during their visit to Gilgit on Tuesday.
Aga Khan Medical Centre provides high quality diagnostics and secondary
health care.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, an official said, “Spokes that radiate from the centre will connect [the] Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Sost, Booni and Garam Chashma.”
The centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.
The “hub” and “spoke” model is intended to ensure that essential health care is accessible to everyone throughout Pakistan.
Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum – from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underdeveloped areas, both in southern and northern parts of the country.
Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs—from bone fractures to cardiovascular diseases—have been made over the last two years through AKDN projects, saving patients over Rs400 million.
AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research spokes have been extended throughout the country.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN)
in Gilgit.
According to a press release, Rahimabad School is one of the 106 Aga Khan schools in Gilgit-Baltistan that serves more than 23,000 children in the region.
As part of the organisation’s plan to expand quality provision of education further, the school has recently improved and extended its facilities. It has added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organisation’s commitment to early childhood education.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2016.
The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Gilgit Baltistan
Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
By Shabbir Mir
Published: May 25, 2016
The Express Tribune > Pakistan > Gilgit Baltistan
Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
Share Tweet
Extending health facilities: 50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre inaugurated
By Shabbir Mir
Published: May 25, 2016
0SHARES
Share Tweet Email
AKDN trains nurses, doctors, provides care in underdeveloped areas. PHOTO: ONLINE
AKDN trains nurses, doctors, provides care in underdeveloped areas. PHOTO: ONLINE
GILGIT:
A 50-bed medical centre was inaugurated by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan during their visit to Gilgit on Tuesday.
Aga Khan Medical Centre provides high quality diagnostics and secondary
health care.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, an official said, “Spokes that radiate from the centre will connect [the] Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Sost, Booni and Garam Chashma.”
The centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.
The “hub” and “spoke” model is intended to ensure that essential health care is accessible to everyone throughout Pakistan.
Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum – from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underdeveloped areas, both in southern and northern parts of the country.
Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs—from bone fractures to cardiovascular diseases—have been made over the last two years through AKDN projects, saving patients over Rs400 million.
AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research spokes have been extended throughout the country.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN)
in Gilgit.
According to a press release, Rahimabad School is one of the 106 Aga Khan schools in Gilgit-Baltistan that serves more than 23,000 children in the region.
As part of the organisation’s plan to expand quality provision of education further, the school has recently improved and extended its facilities. It has added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organisation’s commitment to early childhood education.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2016.
50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre opened in Gilgit
http://www.dawn.com/news/1260462/50-bed ... -in-gilgit
50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre opened in Gilgit
DAWN
The Newspaper's Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan inaugurated a 50-bed medical centre in Gilgit on Tuesday.
According to a media release, the Aga Khan Medical Centre was established to provide health care in large underserved areas and to complement the government’s efforts to attain the sustainable development goals in health.
The facility — the Gilgit Centre — would provide high quality diagnostic and secondary health care and connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchashma, it added.
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim — who both are members of the board of directors of the Aga Khan Development Network — also visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North, in Gilgit.
Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2016
50-bed Aga Khan Medical Centre opened in Gilgit
DAWN
The Newspaper's Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan inaugurated a 50-bed medical centre in Gilgit on Tuesday.
According to a media release, the Aga Khan Medical Centre was established to provide health care in large underserved areas and to complement the government’s efforts to attain the sustainable development goals in health.
The facility — the Gilgit Centre — would provide high quality diagnostic and secondary health care and connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchashma, it added.
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim — who both are members of the board of directors of the Aga Khan Development Network — also visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North, in Gilgit.
Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2016
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim visit Gilgit 2016
https://www.theismaili.org/news-events/ ... ate-health
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim visit Gilgit and inaugurate health centre
TheIsmaili.org
25 May 2016
Islamabad, 25 May 2016 — Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim were in Gilgit yesterday, where they inaugurated a 50-bed medical centre that will serve as a healthcare hub for the surrounding region. They also visited other AKDN programmes and a Jamatkhana in the area.
The new medical centre is equipped to provide high quality diagnostics and secondary healthcare services. It also serves as a digital link between clinics in outlying villages and connects them with state-of-the-art medical resources in Pakistan and around the world.
The medical centre is part of a “hub and spoke” model, says Nadeem Husain, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan. “The Aga Khan Medical Centre in Gilgit provides quality secondary healthcare to communities that are presently underserved, and is linked with primary health care units in Northern Pakistan as well as the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.”
“In addition to facilitating patient care, the new centre also adds capacity to provide continuing education for nurses, doctors and other health professionals, as well as to serve as a base for clinical research.”
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a working visit. In addition to inaugurating the medical centre, they visited a model high school in Rahimabad, the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre in Gilgit, and a Jamatkhana in Baladul Karim.
The Diamond Jubilee Model High School in Rahimabad is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23 000 children in the region. The school recently improved and expanded its facilities, adding pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting its commitment to early childhood education, a programme launched in 2009.
The Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North works with over 146 schools serving more than 76 000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. Over 15 000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff have benefitted, of which more than half are women.
In an earthquake-prone region like Gilgit-Baltistan, Jamatkhanas serve as safe shelters. All structures under the Jamatkhana development programme are seismically resilient and designed to resist seismic forces for a zone higher than that defined by the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
“The idea of constructing buildings that are safe from disaster using affordable and accessible technology was once a dream that was out of reach,” says Hafiz Sherali, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan. “The Baladul Karim Jamatkhana is also a demonstration of the established model of self-help construction where the Jamat provides assistance with land, local material and labour.”
Completed in 2014, the Baladul Karim Jamatkhana uses a seismic resistant technology developed by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, and is situated on a site that is safe from natural hazards.
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim visit Gilgit and inaugurate health centre
TheIsmaili.org
25 May 2016
Islamabad, 25 May 2016 — Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim were in Gilgit yesterday, where they inaugurated a 50-bed medical centre that will serve as a healthcare hub for the surrounding region. They also visited other AKDN programmes and a Jamatkhana in the area.
The new medical centre is equipped to provide high quality diagnostics and secondary healthcare services. It also serves as a digital link between clinics in outlying villages and connects them with state-of-the-art medical resources in Pakistan and around the world.
The medical centre is part of a “hub and spoke” model, says Nadeem Husain, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan. “The Aga Khan Medical Centre in Gilgit provides quality secondary healthcare to communities that are presently underserved, and is linked with primary health care units in Northern Pakistan as well as the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.”
“In addition to facilitating patient care, the new centre also adds capacity to provide continuing education for nurses, doctors and other health professionals, as well as to serve as a base for clinical research.”
Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a working visit. In addition to inaugurating the medical centre, they visited a model high school in Rahimabad, the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre in Gilgit, and a Jamatkhana in Baladul Karim.
The Diamond Jubilee Model High School in Rahimabad is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23 000 children in the region. The school recently improved and expanded its facilities, adding pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting its commitment to early childhood education, a programme launched in 2009.
The Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North works with over 146 schools serving more than 76 000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. Over 15 000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff have benefitted, of which more than half are women.
In an earthquake-prone region like Gilgit-Baltistan, Jamatkhanas serve as safe shelters. All structures under the Jamatkhana development programme are seismically resilient and designed to resist seismic forces for a zone higher than that defined by the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
“The idea of constructing buildings that are safe from disaster using affordable and accessible technology was once a dream that was out of reach,” says Hafiz Sherali, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan. “The Baladul Karim Jamatkhana is also a demonstration of the established model of self-help construction where the Jamat provides assistance with land, local material and labour.”
Completed in 2014, the Baladul Karim Jamatkhana uses a seismic resistant technology developed by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, and is situated on a site that is safe from natural hazards.
New Aga Khan medical centre inaugurated in Gilgit
http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/123157- ... -in-Gilgit
New Aga Khan medical centre inaugurated in Gilgit
May 27, 2016
Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan inaugurated the centre
GILGIT: In its push to provide healthcare in large underserved areas of Pakistan, and to complement the government’s efforts to attain the sustainable development goals in health, an Aga Khan Medical Centre was recently inaugurated by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The 50-bed Centre anchors a “hub” that provides high quality diagnostics and secondary healthcare. Spokes that radiate out from the centre will connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchasma.
The Gilgit centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan and in other countries, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. E-Health connections such as these have already had a major impact on health care in the region, improving diagnosis, treatment and overall care. Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs, from bone fractures to cardiovascular disease, have been made over the last two years, saving over 400 million Pakistani Rupees (US$4 million) in patient time and lost earnings due to travel for health concerns.
The hub and spoke model is intended to ensure that essential healthcare is accessible to all throughout Pakistan. Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum, from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underserved areas, both in the south and in the north.
The AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research spokes have been extended throughout the country.
The impact of these programmes over the last 30 years show that the model works: In a country where the ratio of maternal mortality per 100,000 live births is 190, the rate in areas where AKDN works has fallen to under 60. Where infant mortality remains 59 per 1,000 live births overall in Pakistan, it has fallen to 20 per 1,000 live births in areas served by the AKDN. Perhaps one of the most important indicators – the percentage of deliveries that are made with skilled birth attendants – has risen to 86 percent in areas where AKDN institutions work, while it has remained at 52 percent for Pakistan as a whole.
It is important to note that not all improvements can be attributed to AKDN’s health systems alone. AKDN also operates integrated programmes for safe water, adequate sanitation, improved livelihoods, and education.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN) in Gilgit.
The Rahimabad School is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23,000 children in the region. As part of the organisation’s plans for further expansion of quality provision, the school has recently improved and expanded its facilities and added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organisation’s commitment to early childhood education.
The not-for-profit school in Rahimabad was one of the beneficiaries of the PDCN’s Whole School Improvement Programme. PDCN has worked with over 146 schools serving more than 76,000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. These programmes have benefited over 15,000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff, over half of them women.
These education efforts, combined with other efforts to provide hydroelectricity, improve health, boost agricultural yields, provide safe drinking water and stimulate employment, have proven, when combined, to have important effects on the overall quality of health — and life in general.
New Aga Khan medical centre inaugurated in Gilgit
May 27, 2016
Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan inaugurated the centre
GILGIT: In its push to provide healthcare in large underserved areas of Pakistan, and to complement the government’s efforts to attain the sustainable development goals in health, an Aga Khan Medical Centre was recently inaugurated by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The 50-bed Centre anchors a “hub” that provides high quality diagnostics and secondary healthcare. Spokes that radiate out from the centre will connect the Gilgit hub through a digital health network to clinics in Singal, Gupis, Aliabad, Soust, Booni and Garamchasma.
The Gilgit centre is also connected to state-of-the-art medical resources in other parts of Pakistan and in other countries, including the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. E-Health connections such as these have already had a major impact on health care in the region, improving diagnosis, treatment and overall care. Over 8,200 tele-consultations for a range of needs, from bone fractures to cardiovascular disease, have been made over the last two years, saving over 400 million Pakistani Rupees (US$4 million) in patient time and lost earnings due to travel for health concerns.
The hub and spoke model is intended to ensure that essential healthcare is accessible to all throughout Pakistan. Since the opening of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing in 1983, agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have been involved in a number of activities along the entire health spectrum, from training nurses, doctors and other health professionals to providing care in underserved areas, both in the south and in the north.
The AKDN’s research into the burden of local diseases and health system design has been concentrated in Sindh, but research spokes have been extended throughout the country.
The impact of these programmes over the last 30 years show that the model works: In a country where the ratio of maternal mortality per 100,000 live births is 190, the rate in areas where AKDN works has fallen to under 60. Where infant mortality remains 59 per 1,000 live births overall in Pakistan, it has fallen to 20 per 1,000 live births in areas served by the AKDN. Perhaps one of the most important indicators – the percentage of deliveries that are made with skilled birth attendants – has risen to 86 percent in areas where AKDN institutions work, while it has remained at 52 percent for Pakistan as a whole.
It is important to note that not all improvements can be attributed to AKDN’s health systems alone. AKDN also operates integrated programmes for safe water, adequate sanitation, improved livelihoods, and education.
The education component of this integrated approach was highlighted by Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim when they visited a school in Rahimabad and the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN) in Gilgit.
The Rahimabad School is one of 106 Aga Khan Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan serving more than 23,000 children in the region. As part of the organisation’s plans for further expansion of quality provision, the school has recently improved and expanded its facilities and added pre-primary classrooms and a multi-purpose hall reflecting the organisation’s commitment to early childhood education.
The not-for-profit school in Rahimabad was one of the beneficiaries of the PDCN’s Whole School Improvement Programme. PDCN has worked with over 146 schools serving more than 76,000 students to improve the quality of instruction, management and administration. These programmes have benefited over 15,000 teachers, head teachers, education managers, and district supervisory staff, over half of them women.
These education efforts, combined with other efforts to provide hydroelectricity, improve health, boost agricultural yields, provide safe drinking water and stimulate employment, have proven, when combined, to have important effects on the overall quality of health — and life in general.
Conservation kudos: Shahi Hammam restoration wins UNESCO’s Award of Merit
LAHORE:
The conservation of the 17th century Shahi Hammam in the Walled City of Lahore has received the Award of Merit in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, announced in Bangkok on September 1.
To celebrate this, the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Aga Khan Culture Services Pakistan (AKCSP) organised a press briefing at the Hammam on Thursday.
The Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP), with financial support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) and facilitation from the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), carried out the conservation of the Mughal-era public bathhouse. The two-year project which was completed in 2015 is part of a successful public-private partnership between the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Government of Punjab. The primary objectives of the conservation effort were to re-establish the monument as a bathhouse through the exposure, conservation and display of the remains of the original waterworks, drainage and hypocaust system through archaeological excavation, structural consolidation and restoration of the historic floor levels.
WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said: “Conservation work at Dina Nath well and Wazir Khan square will be completed by March next year. These will be revived to their original glory.” AKCSP consultant Rashid Makhdum briefed the participants about the historic importance of Shahi Hammam and the techniques used during its conservation.
More....
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1178910/con ... ard-merit/
LAHORE:
The conservation of the 17th century Shahi Hammam in the Walled City of Lahore has received the Award of Merit in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, announced in Bangkok on September 1.
To celebrate this, the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Aga Khan Culture Services Pakistan (AKCSP) organised a press briefing at the Hammam on Thursday.
The Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP), with financial support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) and facilitation from the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), carried out the conservation of the Mughal-era public bathhouse. The two-year project which was completed in 2015 is part of a successful public-private partnership between the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Government of Punjab. The primary objectives of the conservation effort were to re-establish the monument as a bathhouse through the exposure, conservation and display of the remains of the original waterworks, drainage and hypocaust system through archaeological excavation, structural consolidation and restoration of the historic floor levels.
WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said: “Conservation work at Dina Nath well and Wazir Khan square will be completed by March next year. These will be revived to their original glory.” AKCSP consultant Rashid Makhdum briefed the participants about the historic importance of Shahi Hammam and the techniques used during its conservation.
More....
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1178910/con ... ard-merit/
Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan and the restoration of Amburiq Mosque Shigar Valley
http://archnet.org/#sites/5514
The total covered area of the Mosque is 63m². Building restoration was started in April 1998 and was completed in August 2000. Of the total restoration cost of US$ 18'300, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad provided US$ 16'250, while the remaining amount was contributed by the local community. Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan provided technical assistance and oversight of the project. The project won the Award of Merit in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards of 2005.
http://archnet.org/#sites/5514
The total covered area of the Mosque is 63m². Building restoration was started in April 1998 and was completed in August 2000. Of the total restoration cost of US$ 18'300, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad provided US$ 16'250, while the remaining amount was contributed by the local community. Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan provided technical assistance and oversight of the project. The project won the Award of Merit in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards of 2005.
President lauds services of AKDN
Islamabad
President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday appreciated the socio-economic work and services rendered by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Health services in Pakistan under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Talking to Hafiz Sherali, President Aga Khan Council for Pakistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president noted that continued engagement of AKDN in Pakistan especially the northern areas is making a visible difference in the lives of people and infrastructure in the country.
Hafiz Sherali apprised the President of the current projects being undertaken in Pakistan in various sectors with special reference to the establishment of School of High Excellence in Islamabad. He also briefed about the special projects which will be undertaken on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan on 11thJuly, 2017.
President extended an invitation to His Highness the Aga Khan to visit Pakistan during his Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/193997 ... es-of-AKDN
Islamabad
President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday appreciated the socio-economic work and services rendered by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Health services in Pakistan under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Talking to Hafiz Sherali, President Aga Khan Council for Pakistan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president noted that continued engagement of AKDN in Pakistan especially the northern areas is making a visible difference in the lives of people and infrastructure in the country.
Hafiz Sherali apprised the President of the current projects being undertaken in Pakistan in various sectors with special reference to the establishment of School of High Excellence in Islamabad. He also briefed about the special projects which will be undertaken on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan on 11thJuly, 2017.
President extended an invitation to His Highness the Aga Khan to visit Pakistan during his Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/193997 ... es-of-AKDN
Revival of social and political activities paved way for democratic culture in Karachi: Sindh Governor
KARACHI: Revival of social and political activities in Karachi has enabled people to exercise their right of expression which itself is prerequisite for a strong democratic culture, said Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Zubair here Thursday.
Talking to a delegation of Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council of Pakistan led by its President, Hafiz Sher Ali, he said democracy was crucial for the survival and development of any modern day country.
It is democracy that has helped restoration of peace in Karachi and consequent revival of business, economic, cultural and literary activities in the metropolis.
"We can now register that the city is attracting foreign investment that is not only paving way for eliminating poverty and eradication but also improving quality of life of citizens," he said
Sindh Governor appreciated that Aga Khan Foundation and its subsidiaries were providing needed support to many of the government run public welfare schemes.
Services rendered by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and its affiliated organizations, in health and education sectors are highly appreciable, said the Governor and acknowledged that updated medical facilities available at Aga Khan Hospital has helped thousands of local patients who otherwise could not go abroad for needed treatment.
The delegation that called on the Governor also included President, AKF - southern region, Amin Muhammad Lakhani and Shams A Essani.
http://www.brecorder.com/2017/07/07/357 ... -governor/
KARACHI: Revival of social and political activities in Karachi has enabled people to exercise their right of expression which itself is prerequisite for a strong democratic culture, said Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Zubair here Thursday.
Talking to a delegation of Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council of Pakistan led by its President, Hafiz Sher Ali, he said democracy was crucial for the survival and development of any modern day country.
It is democracy that has helped restoration of peace in Karachi and consequent revival of business, economic, cultural and literary activities in the metropolis.
"We can now register that the city is attracting foreign investment that is not only paving way for eliminating poverty and eradication but also improving quality of life of citizens," he said
Sindh Governor appreciated that Aga Khan Foundation and its subsidiaries were providing needed support to many of the government run public welfare schemes.
Services rendered by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and its affiliated organizations, in health and education sectors are highly appreciable, said the Governor and acknowledged that updated medical facilities available at Aga Khan Hospital has helped thousands of local patients who otherwise could not go abroad for needed treatment.
The delegation that called on the Governor also included President, AKF - southern region, Amin Muhammad Lakhani and Shams A Essani.
http://www.brecorder.com/2017/07/07/357 ... -governor/
Hydel station in remote Chitral village opens amid celebration
CHITRAL: The Pawoor village of Yarkhoon valley, situated 200 kilometres from the Chitral district headquarters, started getting electricity supply from a local mini hydropower station after its opening on Sunday amid celebrations by the people for the ‘big day’.
Accompanied by chief executive officer of Aga Khan Foundation Akhtar Iqbal, Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan Thomas Kolly flew to the village to inaugurate the station which was financed by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC), costing Rs194 million, including Rs10 million community share.
On the occasion, the Swiss envoy expressed his pleasure over the completion of the hydropower project with the active participation of the local community and said that the electricity would bring about behavioural change among people and would lead to development in all sectors.
“I also belong to a mountainous area like Yarkhoon Laspur and know the problems of the people in all sectors of development and feel how the electricity is crucial for their uplift and conservation of environment.”
More...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1403262
CHITRAL: The Pawoor village of Yarkhoon valley, situated 200 kilometres from the Chitral district headquarters, started getting electricity supply from a local mini hydropower station after its opening on Sunday amid celebrations by the people for the ‘big day’.
Accompanied by chief executive officer of Aga Khan Foundation Akhtar Iqbal, Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan Thomas Kolly flew to the village to inaugurate the station which was financed by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC), costing Rs194 million, including Rs10 million community share.
On the occasion, the Swiss envoy expressed his pleasure over the completion of the hydropower project with the active participation of the local community and said that the electricity would bring about behavioural change among people and would lead to development in all sectors.
“I also belong to a mountainous area like Yarkhoon Laspur and know the problems of the people in all sectors of development and feel how the electricity is crucial for their uplift and conservation of environment.”
More...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1403262
International Literacy Day: New library in Gulshan-e-Noor celebrates joy of reading
The very first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was a command to read. Thus, from the very beginning, learning and education has held a special place in Islam. For all communities and societies today, learning and education rests on literacy, or, the ability to read and write. The recently-established Gulshan-e-Noor Library and Reading Room in Pakistan aims to enhance the literacy of its visitors by providing them with access to knowledge, a space to hold educational programming, and a team of well-trained staff to facilitate learning.
Educators have agreed that reading to young children ignites curiosity and imagination, and that young readers are more likely to grow into successful adults who can eventually participate in the knowledge societies of today and tomorrow. It is also important to continue to hone one’s literacy skills later in life, and outside of formal educational settings. This helps to foster personal autonomy, and develop creative and critical thinking skills. Attending libraries, reading for pleasure, and participating in reading clubs are all ways to refine one’s literary abilities throughout life.
“Reading provides an opportunity to reflect and plays an important role in character building,” said Shayan Alwani, Chairman of the Local Education Board in Gulshan-e-Noor. “Reading at an early age makes a child ambitious about the future and ignites the hope for better opportunities.”
For many years, there had been no proper library in Gulshan-e-Noor. The new library, developed after consultation with the Jamat, holds 3,000 books on general knowledge, science, religious and educational literature, and other topics, while the reading room can accommodate 30 students for educational programming.
Since opening, the library has hosted programmes such as French classes, mathematics clubs, robotics classes, and a summer camp for the local Jamat.
Adnan Johar and Faizan Ali, both from Gulshan-e-Noor, said the library and its resources will assist in improving their knowledge in their own fields of interest, other academic subjects, and religious education. Adnan also appreciates the peaceful environment the library provides for readers.
In addition to the formation of educated adults, universal literacy helps to develop more rounded individuals, capable of living richer lives, who are better equipped to provide for themselves and their families, and eventually make a contribution to their communities and societies.
“The world has changed significantly and literacy is necessary for progress in life,” said President of the Gulshan Council Saeed Wazir Ali. “It is a reality of the world that without being literate, it will be difficult to achieve success in your life.” He quoted Nelson Mandela, by saying “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
The new facility at Gulshan-e-Noor is just one example of Libraries and Reading Rooms in Jamatkhanas across the world, encouraging members of the Jamat — young and old alike — to spend more time reading and learning, thus continuing a tradition that has lasted for over 1,400 years.
https://the.ismaili/pakistan/internatio ... oy-reading
The very first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was a command to read. Thus, from the very beginning, learning and education has held a special place in Islam. For all communities and societies today, learning and education rests on literacy, or, the ability to read and write. The recently-established Gulshan-e-Noor Library and Reading Room in Pakistan aims to enhance the literacy of its visitors by providing them with access to knowledge, a space to hold educational programming, and a team of well-trained staff to facilitate learning.
Educators have agreed that reading to young children ignites curiosity and imagination, and that young readers are more likely to grow into successful adults who can eventually participate in the knowledge societies of today and tomorrow. It is also important to continue to hone one’s literacy skills later in life, and outside of formal educational settings. This helps to foster personal autonomy, and develop creative and critical thinking skills. Attending libraries, reading for pleasure, and participating in reading clubs are all ways to refine one’s literary abilities throughout life.
“Reading provides an opportunity to reflect and plays an important role in character building,” said Shayan Alwani, Chairman of the Local Education Board in Gulshan-e-Noor. “Reading at an early age makes a child ambitious about the future and ignites the hope for better opportunities.”
For many years, there had been no proper library in Gulshan-e-Noor. The new library, developed after consultation with the Jamat, holds 3,000 books on general knowledge, science, religious and educational literature, and other topics, while the reading room can accommodate 30 students for educational programming.
Since opening, the library has hosted programmes such as French classes, mathematics clubs, robotics classes, and a summer camp for the local Jamat.
Adnan Johar and Faizan Ali, both from Gulshan-e-Noor, said the library and its resources will assist in improving their knowledge in their own fields of interest, other academic subjects, and religious education. Adnan also appreciates the peaceful environment the library provides for readers.
In addition to the formation of educated adults, universal literacy helps to develop more rounded individuals, capable of living richer lives, who are better equipped to provide for themselves and their families, and eventually make a contribution to their communities and societies.
“The world has changed significantly and literacy is necessary for progress in life,” said President of the Gulshan Council Saeed Wazir Ali. “It is a reality of the world that without being literate, it will be difficult to achieve success in your life.” He quoted Nelson Mandela, by saying “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
The new facility at Gulshan-e-Noor is just one example of Libraries and Reading Rooms in Jamatkhanas across the world, encouraging members of the Jamat — young and old alike — to spend more time reading and learning, thus continuing a tradition that has lasted for over 1,400 years.
https://the.ismaili/pakistan/internatio ... oy-reading
An iconic Pakistani mosque’s plaza is public once more
The 17th-century Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore is one of Pakistan’s architectural gems, a masterpiece from the Mughal era. But for years the Chowk, or public square, in front of the mosque was neglected.
No more. The Chowk now has been painstakingly restored, thanks in part to the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
The ornate, arched entrance to the mosque towers above the Chowk in the historic and cultural center of Lahore’s Walled City.
In 2012, the Walled City of Lahore Authority decided to reclaim the neglected Chowk. With guidance from experts at Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan, conservationists drew up plans for the restoration.
More...
https://share.america.gov/iconic-pakist ... once-more/
The 17th-century Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore is one of Pakistan’s architectural gems, a masterpiece from the Mughal era. But for years the Chowk, or public square, in front of the mosque was neglected.
No more. The Chowk now has been painstakingly restored, thanks in part to the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
The ornate, arched entrance to the mosque towers above the Chowk in the historic and cultural center of Lahore’s Walled City.
In 2012, the Walled City of Lahore Authority decided to reclaim the neglected Chowk. With guidance from experts at Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan, conservationists drew up plans for the restoration.
More...
https://share.america.gov/iconic-pakist ... once-more/
President lauds Aga Khan’s contribution for uplift of underprivileged communities across world
ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi said Prince Karim Aga Khan’s vision and untiring efforts in promoting global peace, inter-faith dialogue, cultural diversity and pluralism had contributed towards the development and uplift of economically disadvantaged communities across the world.
He said this in a meeting with President of the Aga Khan Council for Pakistan Hafiz Sherali who called on him to deliver a letter from Prince Karim Aga Khan.
In his message, Prince Karim Aga Khan congratulated President Dr Alvi on his election and also highlighted the continued partnership and collaboration between Pakistan and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to improve the quality of life of the people.
President Dr Arif Alvi said AKDN in rendering commendable services in the field of education, health and rural development in various parts of the country.
He appreciated the services of Aga Khan Foundation during 2005 Earthquake and said Aga Khan’s grandfather Sir Sultan Shah Aga Khan was a very close companion of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Ali Jinnah who and played a very important role in Pakistan Movement.
Hafiz Sherali also briefed the president about activities of AKDN in Pakistan.
http://www.app.com.pk/president-lauds-a ... oss-world/
ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi said Prince Karim Aga Khan’s vision and untiring efforts in promoting global peace, inter-faith dialogue, cultural diversity and pluralism had contributed towards the development and uplift of economically disadvantaged communities across the world.
He said this in a meeting with President of the Aga Khan Council for Pakistan Hafiz Sherali who called on him to deliver a letter from Prince Karim Aga Khan.
In his message, Prince Karim Aga Khan congratulated President Dr Alvi on his election and also highlighted the continued partnership and collaboration between Pakistan and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to improve the quality of life of the people.
President Dr Arif Alvi said AKDN in rendering commendable services in the field of education, health and rural development in various parts of the country.
He appreciated the services of Aga Khan Foundation during 2005 Earthquake and said Aga Khan’s grandfather Sir Sultan Shah Aga Khan was a very close companion of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Ali Jinnah who and played a very important role in Pakistan Movement.
Hafiz Sherali also briefed the president about activities of AKDN in Pakistan.
http://www.app.com.pk/president-lauds-a ... oss-world/
WCLA holds ‘Meet the Experts’ session at Shahi Hammam
–Experts share methodologies used by them in conservation of heritage site
–Students from different universities attend session; appreciate WCLA’s initiative
LAHORE: A session of “Meet the Experts” was organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) at the Shahi Hammam on Wednesday.
Experts, who were a part of the Hammam’s conservation process, shared their techniques and methodologies with the participants of the session, which included dozens of students from different universities such as the University of Engineering Technology, National College of Arts, University of Lahore, COMSATS and University of South Asia.
Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan (AKCS-P) senior architect Rashid Makhdum informed the attendees about the intricacies of conservation and Shahi Hammam along with the techniques used by them in the site’s conservation. He said that Shahi Hammam was the only building in Pakistan, which represented the Central Asian/Turkish/Irani tradition of public hot baths and was designed to service both the visiting travelers as well as the inhabitants of the city by Hakim Ilmuddin Ansari in the year 1635.
More...
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/1 ... hi-hammam/
–Experts share methodologies used by them in conservation of heritage site
–Students from different universities attend session; appreciate WCLA’s initiative
LAHORE: A session of “Meet the Experts” was organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) at the Shahi Hammam on Wednesday.
Experts, who were a part of the Hammam’s conservation process, shared their techniques and methodologies with the participants of the session, which included dozens of students from different universities such as the University of Engineering Technology, National College of Arts, University of Lahore, COMSATS and University of South Asia.
Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan (AKCS-P) senior architect Rashid Makhdum informed the attendees about the intricacies of conservation and Shahi Hammam along with the techniques used by them in the site’s conservation. He said that Shahi Hammam was the only building in Pakistan, which represented the Central Asian/Turkish/Irani tradition of public hot baths and was designed to service both the visiting travelers as well as the inhabitants of the city by Hakim Ilmuddin Ansari in the year 1635.
More...
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/1 ... hi-hammam/
VIDEO: How Mughal-era royal bath in Pakistan’s Lahore returned to pristine glory
This ancient Shahi Hammam (Royal Bath) is located within the Walled City of Lahore in Pakistan, steps away from a giant entrance called Delhi Gate.
The Hammam, also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam, is a Persian-style bath, which was built in 1635, during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
It was built by chief physician to the Mughal Court, Ilam-ud-din Ansari, who was widely known as Wazir Khan.
The Hammam consisted of three parts – an entrance, a dressing room, hot and warm baths and contained a reception chamber as well as a small prayer room.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-s ... glory.html
This ancient Shahi Hammam (Royal Bath) is located within the Walled City of Lahore in Pakistan, steps away from a giant entrance called Delhi Gate.
The Hammam, also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam, is a Persian-style bath, which was built in 1635, during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
It was built by chief physician to the Mughal Court, Ilam-ud-din Ansari, who was widely known as Wazir Khan.
The Hammam consisted of three parts – an entrance, a dressing room, hot and warm baths and contained a reception chamber as well as a small prayer room.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-s ... glory.html
“ANDHERE SE ROSHNI TAK KA SAFAR” REMEMBERING THE FIRST VISIT OF HIS HIGHNESS PRINCE KARIM AGA KHAN TO NORTHERN AREAS
Karachi (Press Release): The Pak Hunza Gilgit Social Welfare Organizations arranged a session “Andhere se Roshni Tak Ka Safar” to commemorate the first visit His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan to the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the present Iman of the Ismaili Muslim sect paid his first visit to the Northern Areas (Chitral, Gilgit, Ghizer and Hunza) in October 1960. During his six days visit, His Highness gave his first Didar to the Ismailies of Northern Jamat. Since then, the Ismilies of Northern areas celebrates this day every year with religious zeal and favor.
Photos and more
http://hunzawelfare.org/andhere-se-rosh ... ern-areas/
Karachi (Press Release): The Pak Hunza Gilgit Social Welfare Organizations arranged a session “Andhere se Roshni Tak Ka Safar” to commemorate the first visit His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan to the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the present Iman of the Ismaili Muslim sect paid his first visit to the Northern Areas (Chitral, Gilgit, Ghizer and Hunza) in October 1960. During his six days visit, His Highness gave his first Didar to the Ismailies of Northern Jamat. Since then, the Ismilies of Northern areas celebrates this day every year with religious zeal and favor.
Photos and more
http://hunzawelfare.org/andhere-se-rosh ... ern-areas/