Pak Academics Conspicuously Absent at Intl Forum - Are We on a Regress Path?

ISEC-5 Conference at Las Vegas held during Sep 22 thru Sept 27

I attended the 5th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (aka: ISEC-5) during 22 thru 27 Sept 2009 in Las Vegas.
This international Conference was hosted by University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

I also presented my research paper entitled, "Precast Ferrocement Barrel Shell Planks as Low Cost Roofs" in the afternoon session of 24th Sept-09.

The Conference per se was represented by the professional engineers, researchers and the academics from over 33 countries and over 170 research
papers were presented.

Being a Pakistani professional civil & structural engineer living and working in Riyadh-Saudi Arabia, I therefore am very proud to have represented both
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan at this august international forum. However, it was very sad to notice that the Pakistani professional engineers both from
the industry and the academics were conspicuously absent at this international forum. On the other hand I could see an active participation from a large
number of Indian professional engineers, researchers and the academics both from within the United States and outside - that is from India itself. Even
several Bangladeshi delegates were also seen at this forum.Some from the Arab countries that is from Egypt and Syria had also participated.

The question that immediately then came to my mind and am still very perturbed at this was as to why Pakistani professional engineers, researchers and
the academics remain so conspicuously absent in such international forums? I think this is too serious to be ignored as it leaves a very bad impression
on both Pakistan and the Pakistani engineers, researchers and the academics.

It is also very important to mention here that this is not the first occasion where I had observed such a conspicuous absence of the Pakistani engineers,
researchers and the academics. I regret to mention here that on similar international forums I have observed the same thing. To substantiate here I must
mention that I was not able find a single Pakistani, either coming from within the United States or from Pakistan, at the 5th International Conference on
Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering (aka: 5icchge) which was hosted by University of Missouri at Rolla in New York during 13 thru 16 April 2004.
On that occasion too I had proudly represented bot Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and had two papers to present.

In my opinion, these are not lone incidents. I hate to say here that I see a  pattern - a pattern of regression. We see Pakistan and Pakistanis regressing
instead of progressing. While our neighbors and all others are continuously marching ahead and progressing in all fields, we unfortunately seem to regressing 
- and regressing fast in all fronts actually. The professional engineers, researchers and the academics also seem to find themselves trapped under that
regressing influence.

I must say this trend of regression must be confronted otherwise very soon Pakistan and the Pakistanis would find themselves forgotten by the international
community and we would continue to remain in the news related to the terrorism activities alone.

Syed Faiz Ahmad; MEngg, MASCE (member: International Executive Committee - ISEC-6 in Zurich in 2011)
(aka: Faiz Al-Najdi)
Chief Structural Engineer
Saudi Oger Ltd
Riyadh-Saudi Arabia
Now reporting from: New York
29 Sept-09

Annual DesPardes Geek Get Together

Syed Faiz Alnajdi - DesPardes and PKonweb's Middle East Buraeu chif who is stationed in Riyadh visits New York for the annual DP and PK Geek's get together meet. He'll be visiting NY, NJ, Las Vegas, Virginia and Toronto.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Zardari did become President as part of deal

SEP 16 - Gen (R) Musharraf's lawyer Fowad Choudhry, appearing on Islamabad Tonight talkshow today, disclosed that the ex-president Gen (R) Musharraf and Mark Lyall Grant (British Director Political Affairs) play game of bridge together. Grant's actual title is: Director-General, Political, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has been UK ambassador to Pakistan also.

Watch Fowad on Islamabad Tonight - Sep 16 episode: ISLAMABAD TONIGHT with Nadeem Malik: SEP 16

Lyall is said to have been the chief negotiator between assaassinated PPP chairperson Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the thenPresident Gen (R) Musharraf. Thereafter, arrived in Pakistan in October 2007. The infamous deal is called 'NRO deal'.

Lyall was also said to have been the key player in negotiating the safe exit deal for his bridge partner Musharraf and then PPP Co-Chiarperson Zardari. Musharraf quit in August 2008.

Musharraf's departure let Zardari get himself elected in his place as the new President. He called it 'revenge of democracy' and echoed 'reconciliation' as PPP's new political catchphrase.

Lyall is also said to have been one of the key players in the stoppage of March 16's famous Long March which followed the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar.

Mark Lyall keeps visiting Lahore and has met Sharif brothers each time he has been in Pakistan while US envoys meet Zardari. Lyall last met Sharif on August 12.

Both Western powers appear to have their individual roles cut out for themselves. USA engages Zardari et al and UK engages Sharifs et al. Cool setup!

Musharraf enjoys the protection of these powerful allies – some outside the country like Saudia, UAE not to name USA and UK and couple of more.

During a visit to Pakistan last month, Lyall Grant, issued a statement denying press reports that he had been "meddling" in Musharraf's future. But that's for public consumption.

Last week the king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, sent a private jet to London to collect Musharraf and bring him to the kingdom for a three-day visit. The unspoken message, Pakistani analysts say, was clear: don't mess with Musharraf.

Musharraf's trip followed Sharif's trip and meeting with the King. While Musharraf's meeting lasted around three hours on one-on-one basis without aides, while reports say Sharif's sitting lasted an hour only and was with aides. Hmmm....

Meanwhile, Jehangir Badr who is Secy Gen of PPP and is also a senator was sitting at the table along with journalists including Asma Chaudhry of Dunya TV when President Zardari sitting among them disclosed the safe exit deal of Musharraf with international guarantors and stakeholders.

Jehangir Badr confirmed on September 15 episode of In Session by Asma that Zardari did discuss about the deal and some of its details. According to Asma, Zardari was willing to discuss the deal more, but other journalists started asking him questions on other issues.

Watch Asma Chaudhry program in detail:IN SESSION WITH Asma Chaudhry on Dunya: SEP 15

Hussain Haqqani issued 360 discretationary visas to US individuals

Note: Amb Haqqani issued 360 discretionary visas in one month and not 630 as claimed by Dr Shaireen Mazari. Please note this correction.

Sep 14: One must watch September 14 episode of Islamabad Tonight by Nadeem Malik on AAJ TV - a popular Pakistani private TV Channel owned by owners of the Business Recorder newspaper.

Firstly, for the first time if I can recall, former Senator Enver Baig (PPP) openly said today's said talk show today that "there was lack of leadership qualities"... (read Zardari - his party head)...that "honestly speaking ---there's a big vacuum ever since Benazir Bhutto was assassinated"......"people at the helm of affairs are inexperienced"..."we have given away more than neccessary". etc. I wonder why he has now vented on the media his "strong views" (to be polite) on Zardari's leadership, etc. Nothing's gonna change any way, unless...hmmm...you never know....but too much is at stake here...I better keep my views to myself.

Enver Baig belongs to that small group of old PPP Benazir loyalists who have been sidelined by Zardari. This group includes such stalwarts like Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Naheed Khan, Taj Haider, Nafees Siddiqui, to name only a few.

Dr. Shireen Mazari, who recently became the Editor of The Nation, disclosed on today's talk show that there is a tussle going on between the security agencies, the foreign office on one side and the Pakistan embassy in USA (read Hussain Haqqani) on the other side.

Shireen said Haqqani last month issued 630 discretionary visas to US individuals including Craig Davis of Blackwater who was deported from Pakistan. Haqqani also reissued visa to a journalist Nicholas (last name not known) without approval of the foreign office and the intelligence agencies, Mazari added.

Mazari also disclosed that the figure of 1000 US marines coming to Islamabad was first divulged by the foreign office themselves - later on they (FO) backtracked their statement under 'presurr' when there was uproar in the media and the public reacted strongly.

Watch today's Islamabad Tonight talk show on pkonweb.com: http://pkonweb.com/2009/09/15/islamabad-tonight-with-nadeem-malik-sep-14/

It's interesting!

Salim Ejaz as New York City Comptroller

By Mohammad Anwar
NY Muslim Examiner


"I recently found out that Mr. Salim Ejaz is running for the New York City Comptroller’s position. Salim Ejaz as you can probably tell by the name is a Muslim. He is the first Muslim to run for the post. Being a Muslim is not his only qualification. According to his website, he is the only CPA running and has 40 years of financial expertise. Salim has also worked for a division of General Mills, a Fortune 100 company as Audit Manager/Director. He has worked as the Director Audit for Nassau County.

During his service as Direct Audit for Nassau County he exposed waste and losses of over $600 million according to his website. His audit of the legal department which handled lawsuits for property tax claims revealed losses of $430 million in a period of 4 years. He also exposed the gross incompetence in the Assessment Review Commission, where the mismanagement was causing a loss of $70 million per year. His audit of health insurance agreement exposed fraud by a Deputy County Executive which caused a colossal loss of $100 million. Salim’s efforts helped in prevent the future losses of millions of dollars.

According to his website his agenda is to eliminate waste and abuse, cut taxes, improve fiscal controls and abolish cronyism. We can definitely use some one that can help with these things. The elections will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 in all 5 boroughs of New York City. There are over 800,000 Muslims that live in New York City but there hasn’t been any representation of them in City Hall. I have always encouraged Muslims to get involved in their communities and local governments. It’s great to see some people are already doing their part. There are two ways you can help Salim get elected:

If you live in New York city and are registered to vote you can vote for him on September 15th.

You can donate to his campaign or volunteer. For more information please call him at 646-784-1741.

Please go out, vote and get your voices heard. Your comments are appreciated. Please subscribe to stay in touch with what’s going on in the Islamic community in New York. (Source: Muslim Examiner)

Sal Ejaz website: http://salejaz.zshopnet.com/

Related PKonweb.com articles:
http://pkonweb.com/2009/09/02/salim-ejaz-nyc/

Related Dawn.com article: A Pakistani runs for public office in NYC
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/02-a-pakistani-runs-for-public-office-in-NYC-01