karachicharacter
Paying it forward
By Shiraz Mukarram
"I always wanted to be in a space where I could just be myself, and Karachi has provided me with that," says Fatima Haider.
Haider is one of the founder members of The Delta Group, a non-governmental organisation responsible for the affairs of a government boys' school, Bulandi. An MBA postgraduate from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Haider believes that educating others is the best way to give back to society, which is why she wants Bulandi to grow. Kolachi met with the educationist recently to talk about her experiences in the city.

Many people have started to question the University of Karachi's (KU) ability to envisage successful changes after the new admission policy and introduction of entry tests sparked protests amongst KU students.

Various student organizations have voiced their dissent, claiming that the changes will discriminate against students who are not from Karachi. These include the Students' Alliance - an umbrella of organisation comprising the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT), the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), the People's Students Federation (PSF), the Punjabi Students Association (PSA), and the Northern Areas Students Association (NASA).

"The protests were actually against the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO), which is striving to safeguard the interests of the people of Karachi," said a senior professor at KU, requesting anonymity. He added that usually, the Students' Alliance was led by the IJT, but the recent protests had been initiated by the Imamia Students Organisations.

The evolution of the policy

Currently, the Admission Committee of KU is dominated by the MQM nominees. It was these nominees who proposed the introduction of entry tests. Although nine departments at the university already hold entrance tests, it was not until this year that the administration made them mandatory across all departments at all levels. According to the new policy, candidates will need a minimum of 50 percent marks at Intermediate level to stand eligible for taking the entry tests. In addition to this, the price of the admission form has increased from Rs300 to Rs700, a step the Students' Alliance has protested vehemently against.

The students are also against having to take the entry tests in colleges, claiming that it would create more opportunities for cheating and that it demeans the quality of the Intermediate Boards and ironically for KU degrees as well. Regardless, the tests were approved by the administration, and the National Testing Service (NTS) has been chosen to conduct the tests at different levels, beginning with MS/PhD.

The NTS tests have proved to be unpopular amongst KU teachers, who point out that it not part of the Higher Education Commission. Initially, the NTS had not been called upon. Instead, a member of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR), Dr Sohail Barkati, had asked the chairpersons of various departments to prepare 100 questions for the proposed tests at M.Phil/PhD level. The move is said to have angered the Vice-Chancellor, the deans of different faculties and other BASR members, who felt that Barkati was acting out of bounds. Moreover, Barkati published a news item in an Urdu daily suggesting that BASR will adopt his admission policy, after which the VC rejected Barkati's proposal and opted for the NTS.

The NTS asked for 100 test questions from each department of different faculties, offering teachers Rs100 (per question) for their service. In addition, the NTS offered to pay Rs25 per question to check or revise the questions as well. However, it is alleged that a number of deans used the opportunity to select a few of their favourite teachers for the task.

The teachers received money, but the tests were marred by irregularities. A total of 2,600 appeared for the MS tests, and sixty percent of the candidates who took the test, failed. They also feared that the tests for BS (for which more than 10,000 students apply each year) would have resulted in chaos. As a result, further NTS for BS are not scheduled to take place until 2010 and further two committees have been formed to devise ways to conduct the tests.

"Why is the administration bent on spending money on tests if KU teachers are ready to provide the same service for free?" question several teachers at KU, who are said to be against the NTS tests.

However, the university will continue to hold entry tests in the departments of Applied Physics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Visual Studies, Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, and Commerce.

What the teachers say

Dr Saleem Shahzad, the director of the Admission Committee, believes the entry tests are justified. "These are all professional programmes," he said. "When these departments were set up, the faculty concerned expressed the need for holding aptitude tests. Since then, entry tests have been held in these departments every year."

However, Dr Darkhshan Jabeen Haleem, a professor in the Biochemistry Department, spoke against the proposed tests.

"It is not fair that a student who has worked hard for two years and done exceptionally well in Intermediate examinations should be subjected to more tests. With entry tests, a student scoring above 70 percent marks is placed at par with the one who has scored 50 percent marks. This is unfair."

But opinions such as these are not widespread. Mubarak Zaman, Director Public Relations, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, informed Kolachi that his university conducted admission tests judiciously and 'took into account the merit and intelligence of a student at the same time.'

"We have earmarked 10 percent marks for Secondary School Certificate results of a candidate, and 40 percent marks for Higher Secondary Certificate results. We allot 40 percent marks for IQ tests which comprise English, General Knowledge, and related subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. All students have equal opportunity to qualify for admission," he elaborated.

A senior professor at the Institute of Business Administration, on the condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at the reaction the entry tests had garnered at KU.

"What is the big deal?" he asked. "If a student obtains good marks in his intermediate level examination, he can do fairly well on entry tests too. We have been doing it for a long time and it works exceedingly well."

Prof Javed Aziz Khan, Registrar of NED University of Engineering and Technology, defended his university's practice of conducting entry tests, saying that "they want only the best students."

"I do not see what is wrong with entrance tests," he declared. "It ensures that the students who have good marks and the intellect come to us."

Others have raised objections to the entry tests on grounds that foreign students would find it difficult to get admission, but Prof Kaleem Raza Khan, Chairman of the Department of English Literature and Foreign Students Advisor, dismissed the idea. He said that since foreign students have a different admissions procedure altogether, they would not be affected by the new policy.

"We have to encourage more foreign students to our universities. Even the prosperous countries are doing it. Why not us?" he questioned. Prof Khan is of the opinion that if the university wants to encourage enrollment of overseas students, it should extend the best facilities alongwith a peaceful environment to them.

With 52 departments and 17 research institutes and centres to its name, the University of Karachi (KU) is the largest university in not just the city, but in the entire country.  

It is also the oldest university in Karachi and imparts education in nearly all fields at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate level. Today, it is recognised as a premier centre of learning and research in the sub-continent. It is home to over 20,000 students, including those from foreign countries, and up until this year, these students have been given their admission based on merit.  

From this year onwards, however, the university administration is set to hold entry tests for all students. Student wings of various political parties disagree with the decision and have protested against it, but a large number of apolitical students are in favour of the new policy.  

"I think admission tests should be held in KU," says Yusra Mohsin, a second-year student of the Geography Department. "The standard of education at the university will rise, and more people will be comfortable with the choices of departments and subjects," she believes. 

Rabia Ali, a final-year student at the Mass Communication Department, holds a similar view. "Admission tests should be held. It's necessary that students have prior knowledge of the field they are choosing. Through tests they can decide whether the student is capable of doing well in the field or not." 

But not all students agree with such an assessment. "How can a pre-entry test prove our potential as good students?" questions Aqsa Hussain, another student at the university. "In an entry test, there is a now-or-never situation, whereas in an open-merit system, one has enough time to improve and prove themselves. An open-merit system should always be preferred." 

However, a brief survey of students at KU revealed that the majority are in favour of admission tests. The popular opinion is that admission tests help deserving students gain admission in the department of their choice and raise the standard of the university.

Anam Tirmizi, a student at the English Literature Department, for example, feels entry tests are necessary "so that only honest, hardworking, and capable students are given admission. It will not only improve the university's standard, but bring it at par with other international universities." 

Mifrah Haq, a former student, concurs. "I think admission tests show the aptitude of a student towards that particular subject." 

Asma Siddiqui, another former student, also believes that entry tests enable universities to choose the right students for the course, and Hina, a current student, feels that with the way things are in the education system overall, "entry tests should be mandatory."

Students are of the opinion that because the quality of education imparted at colleges is quite poor and interactive learning is not encouraged, it is difficult to determine the intellect of a student. A pre-entry test, they believe, will help filter those students who may not be interested in the subject and are only seeking admission at the university for a "Masters" degree.  

"Tests should be held because our system of education involves rote-learning at the school and college level and it is easy for everyone to get high marks regardless of whether they have actually understood the subject or not," she said. 

Naurin Sultana, another final-year student, cites another reason for staunchly supporting the concept of admission tests. "Some students also get admissions based on fake mark sheets," she said. "Through an admission test, only deserving students with the right knowledge of the subject would get good marks, and colleges will work hard at educating their students to get them admitted into a reputable university." 

Many students feel that even if fake mark sheets are taken out of the equation, admission tests are equally helpful in determining merit than any other exam potential candidates may have taken before applying to the university. 

"Our educational system is questionable in many areas, which is why a test must be conducted before admissions," asserts another student, Faizan Raheem, of the International Relations Department. "As far as merit is concerned, an entry test can show how capable a candidate is."

Bombay Bakery is one of the pioneering bakeries, not just of Hyderabad but of Sindh. Situated in a bungalow in the centre of the city, it has been churning out delicious cakes and cookies since before partition.

Hyderabad has many bakeries to its name, but none as famous as Bombay Bakery, which is known for its fresh and unique items. The cakes are especially popular on festivals and special occasions. Be it Eid, Diwali, or Christmas, the place is buzzing with customers queuing up in long lines outside.

"The owner of the bakery does not give out his recipes to his staff," confides a local to Kolachi. "This is why you can have good cakes anywhere, but you will never find a cake anywhere else that tastes like a Bombay Bakery cake."

Bombay Bakery may have a multitude of items to its name, but it also has a special timetable for them.

Cream cakes, for example, are only available in the morning, and coffee and chocolate cakes in the afternoon and evening. Locals and visitors alike say that the taste has been unchanged for decades – it has, in fact, become customary for visitors to take a Bombay Bakery cake back home with them.

"My daughter went to London with a cake from the bakery, and was immediately identified as Pakistani," says a trader from Hyderabad.

Taking items back home, however, has become more difficult with time. As security has increased in the area, it is no longer possible to drive up to the bakery. Today, just one gate serves as both entry and exit to the popular bakery.

Often, staff members of the bakery can be seen giving alms to beggars, who start to queue up outside in anticipation as closing time draws nearer.

It is not known how many cakes the bakery churns out in a day, but there is nothing ever left over at the end of the day. It is believed that many cakes from the bakery are 'gifted' to government officials as well. The owner is said to be a Hindu philanthropist, but was unavailable for comment.

Apart from Bombay Bakery, other delights of Hyderabad include haji rabri and sweets of Soghat-e-Shireen and Hafiz Sweets. These shops attract a large number of customers everyday as well, especially tourists, who often choose to unwind here.

Suffused with a cool breeze, lanes housing most food outlets of the city are jam-packed, particularly on weekends.

Music has been a central part of Pakistani culture since the country gained independence, with different genres taking many twists and turns. Music started off with the classical melodies of the post-independence period and has expanded today to incorporate more than 30 musical bands on air, with legends like Ali Azmat and Sajjad Ali still topping the industry. 

If Lahore is the heart of fashion industry in Pakistan, then Karachi is the soul of music, they say. It has produced musicians such as Sajjad Ali, Shafqat Amanat Ali, and groups like Vital Signs, Fuzon, Aaroh, Mizmaar, Karavan, Azal, and many more.  

All these musicians began their careers underground and had to struggle to become part of the mainstream. Similarly, nowadays many underground bands in Karachi are producing quality music. We take a very stereotyped view of underground musicians.

The popular image of these people is of a savage with long hair and a guitar in hand. As far as the appearance is concerned, this is not a wrong assumption. However, we ignore the craft they specialise in: their music. 

Underground music culture has been prevalent in Karachi for years, but even after the opening of so many private television channels, underground bands have not been given proper attention. Spoonful, a band of students from SZABIST, for example, have been playing underground for the past three years. Spoonful comprises Hamad Khan at lead vocals and lead guitar, Jasir Abro on bass guitar, Ali Haider Habib on rhythm guitar, and Abdul Aziz Kazi, who has been in the industry for over seven years, on drums. 

"Our music is influenced by the West," Jasir Abro told Kolachi. "We cover musicians like Led Zepplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and ACDC, because these are the musicians that actually created rock n' roll. We feel honoured to play their songs." 

Abro feels that underground rock bands have a very limited listenership in the areas of Defence and Clifton, because audiences in Pakistan have not been exposed to international genres of music. Still, in the recent past, there have been underground bands that have made it big. One of them is Mirage. Mirage had been playing underground for a long time, but few months ago, they released their first video, which was widely appreciated. 

One particular trend in the music industry is to escape to Bollywood. An underground band from Karachi, 82 Rockers, rocked the Bollywood charts with their track Lambi Judai. Before this, nobody knew them. After their Bollywood bash, however, their listenership has increased. This has become so common that a host at a local award ceremony asked his co-host, "Where is Pakistani music going?" The co-host replied, "To Mahesh Bhatt's house." 

These underground bands may be a laughing stock of the industry, but artists going to India should realise that after a long time, Pakistani musicians have their own with international appeal and that if they go, they are depriving Pakistan of their identity.

 "We don't want to sing some long ragas, find a good music producer to record them, and then release a video with glitter and gloss in it. It is sacrificing your passion. Art can never be a business," said Mohsin Ali Khan from Nuts n' Bolts.  

Nuts n' Bolts comprises Basit at lead vocals, Mohsin Ali Khan on rhythm and lead guitars, Jawed on drums, Ali on bass, and Arsalan on keyboards and synthethisers. All of them are studying for their bachelor's degrees at different institutes. 

Their band profile says:"Nuts n' Bolts: the brain responds, 'What a weird name', but then, what's in a name? We are not here to sell or repair. We're just trying to prove a point: that music sometimes does not require a name. It is just what you want to make you feel that there is still a reason to live when others want you to stop." 

A major setback for underground bands is that very few create original music. Most of them cover popular songs, making a playlist according to what the audience wants at gigs. Very few underground bands have original work, but The Great Drama Queen Conundrum (GDQC), with Usman Siddqui, Hassan Rahim, Nadir Siddiqui, and Ali Junejo, is one of such band.

They believe that the listeners in Pakistani have not matured as an audience; with most being unable to tell the difference between good and bad music, and commercial and non-commercial music.  

"Music is not respected as a performing art, and is not given the required attention," said Usman Siddiqui, GDQC lead guitarist. "The corporate sector should invest in underground rock bands so that more artists like Mauj, Coven, Sajid and Zeeshan, and Zeb and Haniya, can become mainstream and create a parallel music industry in Pakistan for those who want to hear West-oriented music." 

Siddiqui added that to establish a proper music industry in Pakistan, the government and corporate sector should open institutes that educate youngsters interested in the performing arts. 

"We had the National Academy of Performing Arts, which offered a degree in music, but unfortunately, its fate seems vague after the new government," said Ali Haider of Spoonful. "On the other hand," he continued, "pursuing music as a career is like a dream come true. If I can do that, then it's not about the money. It is all about the passion I have for music." 

The debate about treating music as a business or passion goes on. Many underground bands intend to pursue music as a career, but after looking at the record labels in Pakistan, which are limited owing to technological advancements in piracy, anyone who needs to feed his family would think twice before turning into a rock star. 

We criticise our musicians for not producing quality music, and our government for not institutionalising the performing arts, but first we should promise ourselves that the next time we like a song, we will buy the CD and not just download it. It will cost us a few calories and around Rs80, but this act will contribute to our own music industry, and will be the ray of hope underground musicians need.

Members of the Christian community have protested against the manner in which one of their oldest cemeteries in the city  – the Gora Qabristan – is being vandalized and abused. Not only are graves being desecrated but the land which the graveyard sits is also being encroached. For its part, the Karachi Christian Cemetery Board (KCCB) chooses to ignore their complaints, it is alleged.

Once known for its pristine maintenance, the largest Christian cemetery in the city has now become an easy prey for encroachment due to the absence of proper boundary walls. A visit to the graveyard – located on Shahrah-e-Faisal – shows that portions of the boundary wall have also been damaged which makes it easier for criminals, drug addicts and children to enter the premises. Moreover, the absence of a full-time caretaker on the graveyard premises has further been encouraging the trend, say visitors.  

According to details received by Kolachi from the community members, who recently visited the cemetery on All Souls Day (on November 2), some objectionable activities were witnessed on the graveyard which the members point out  but no action was taken by the cemetery board. "Despite reporting the matter to members of the KCCB, no action has been taken," complained Daphne Alfrey, a member of the Christian community.

 Alfrey said the indifferent attitude of the concerned authorities to resolve the matter has led to a further deterioration of the graveyard premises that is now being used as a playground by children in the day and as a criminal den in later hours of the day. The damage done to some of the graves is also extensive, complain community members.

 "Liquor is drunk at night and dancing on the graves is a daily occurrence too. Moreover, children are using the ground to fly kites and play cricket. This is a gross desecration of cemetery," she added. Observers added that constant neglect, also led to the thick growth of weeds and grass on the premises that are being used as criminal hideouts. "The thick growth of grass has also made it difficult for us to locate the graves of our loved ones," a senior citizen of the community told when Kolachi visited the premises.

This, however, is not the first time a complaint has been received. Prior to this, part of the cemetery facing the Aisha Bawany School on Shahra-e-Faisal also created controversy among the community members six years ago when some of members of the cemetery board decided to sell off the land for the construction of a petrol pump.                                                                                                    

"This happened around 2002. Since the site is waterlogged and unfit for digging graves, members of the cemetery board decided to sell-off that part of the land," Alan Lobo, treasurer of the present KCCB informed. He added that when he tried to resist the move in the past, certain members of the board targeted him and also filed a case against him in court, however, a stay order was issued and the property was saved.

 Lobo had been part of the cemetery board for several years till he left nine months ago. However, the Catholic Church once again nominated him as a treasurer owing to his positive contribution in the past. The current Board comprises two members each from the Catholic Church and the Church of Pakistan among other members.

 "I took charge only five days back. Right now, I have been looking for an honest caretaker for the graveyard," said Lobo adding that he was aware of the present situation and complaints from the community members.

 Due to the absence of a proper drainage system in the area, he said, the problem of water logging and salinity has also been threatening the site. The cemetery, which falls under the jurisdiction of Karachi Cantonment Board, was flooded during the monsoons last year. Some of the water has still not been drained.   

"We had lodged a complaint with the cantonment authorities for the inefficient drainage system following which the authorities broke portions of the boundary wall for the installation of a tubewell to drain the water and improve the system," he claimed, and said that the authorities would re-construct the walls once the installation work is complete.

Members of the community, however, fear that if the installation process is not expedited and the boundary walls are not reconstructed, the land mafia would gradually take over the entire premises and spread their tentacles in the area. Apart from the Gora Qabristan on Shahrah-e-Faisal, the other four Christian cemeteries are located in Qayyumabad, Azam Basti, Akhtar Colony and Mauripur.

"I always wanted to be in a space where I could just be myself, and Karachi has provided me with that," says Fatima Haider.

Haider is one of the founder members of The Delta Group, a non-governmental organisation responsible for the affairs of a government boys' school, Bulandi. An MBA postgraduate from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Haider believes that educating others is the best way to give back to society, which is why she wants Bulandi to grow. Kolachi met with the educationist recently to talk about her experiences in the city.

Kolachi: Tell us about your early life. How long have you been living in Karachi?

Haider: I was born in Kharian Cantonment (army base), which is between Lahore and Rawalpindi. I moved to Karachi in 1997 after getting married. Before that, I was living in Lahore. I also spent a year in Quetta, two in Multan, and four in Rawalpindi for my schooling. Moving to Karachi was just another experience.

Kolachi: So how has the experience in Karachi been so far?

Haider: Don't ask me! At first I hated Karachi and found it very daunting. I used to go back to Lahore every week or so. What surprised me most, though, was to see every person speak Urdu fluently. In Lahore or Rawalpindi, it is considered the language of the elite. It took me a while to adjust to Karachi, but today, I just love the city.

Kolachi: What was your aim in life? How did it change with time?

Haider: To be honest, I was really interested in IT and software houses. I have worked with one in Lahore (CresSoft). I always wanted to do something great in the field, but never knew that my volunteer work could take such precedence over my profession that I would adopt a school one day and take care of it like a baby.

When my son, Ahmed, was born, I had to quit my job because it required more hours. After some time, I decided to bring about some educational reforms at the government level. This happened because of the conditions under which this school was operating in a posh locality like Clifton. With heaps of garbage piled up in front and with no boundary walls, problems were innumerable. Even more disturbing was the inconsiderate attitude of the teachers and people running that school. They were actually resisting change.

Kolachi: Can you tell us more about Bulandi?

Haider: 'Bulandi' is basically an amalgamation of three different schools adopted and funded by The Delta Group. Right now, there are approximately 450 students studying on our premises. We try to organise as many events as possible for the children and ensure that they participate. Recently, we set up a new library for the school. We are also thinking of providing an internet facility for students and setting up a proper administration office. Bulandi is like a baby to me, but unfortunately, I will be moving to Riyadh for personal reasons. I seriously feel like I will be leaving a child behind. But I will try and visit frequently.

Kolachi: You are one of the founders of Delta Group. How the group was formed? Why the name 'Delta'?

Haider: I founded the group with four of my friends in 2003 to generate funds for the development of Bulandi. We started off by sharing part of our salaries on a monthly basis and now, by the grace of God, each one of is able to contribute a lot more than before. One of us suggested the name 'Delta' which means an incremental change. We all agreed to it.

Kolachi: What is your take on the political situation of Pakistan? Do you think it is important to vote?

Haider: Being in Karachi and staying well-connected to the media has made me quite aware of the political scenario in Pakistan and the world. I can't stand street violence and discrimination against our own people. I also dislike the fact that different parties cater to specific groups of people only, and not the masses at large. Their never-ending bickering is annoying.

Voting is obviously important. However, rigging is so common in our elections that individual votes no longer matter as they should. Although I'm confident about the future of Pakistan, I feel that politics, and even the media, are not as transparent as they should be.

Haider is full of life, but she often feels detached from the city and is dejected when she sees all her efforts going to waste owing to the complicated bureaucratic system in the country. Bulandi, for example, regularly suffers from power shortages like every other area in the city, but she wants things to change. Haider firmly believes that no matter how poor or rich you are, you should not be ignorant.