Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Karachi Federal-B-Area
Brief History
Federal-B-Area, Mansoora and Gulberg Town
Over the years Federal-B-Area has changed a few names depending on which local government is in power but the original name of Federal-B-Area still thrives. In 1983 after a religious party’s victory in local body elections, Federal-B-Area was renamed as ‘Mansoora’ and North Nazimabad was renamed as ‘Taimuria’. These names however, didn’t become very popular. Today the name ‘Mansoora’ has become relegated to a cricket ground only in Federal-B-Area’s block 10 where as ‘Taimuria’ has been relegated to the name of North Nazimabad’s police station only.
website where it is shown as Gulberg Town and divided into 8 Union Councils...
I recently came across an article by Osman Samiuddin at cricinfo.com where he has written about Federal-B-Area in following words:
months of strong sea-breeze the situation is like this sher:
itna na tez chal ke hil jaayen bam-o-dar
ae sar-phiri hawa mein ‘kiraaye’ ke ghar mein hooN
Federal-B-Area is not a posh locality either and street crime is no less than other areas of the city “BUT” all these signs of ‘Urban Decay’ are our collective failure of civics and the society as a whole.
best way to highlight the features of town planning, symmetry and
geometry that has gone behind the layout of Federal-B-Area.
Boundaries of Federal-B-Area:
Sub-Divisions in Federal-B-Area:
Federal-B-Area is divided into 21 blocks (sub-zones). These are numbered 1 through 21, unlike North Nazimabad where blocks are numbered alphabetically from A through T. The 21 blocks of Federal-B-Area are divided into plots of various sizes wihch have following categories:
R - 120 sq yards,
A - 240 sq yards
B - 400 sq yards,
C - 600 sq yards,
D - 1000 sq yards
North Nazimabad, Karachi also follows the above plot categories with an
additional category of F - 2000 sq yds plots.
Shahrah-i-Pakistan through Federal-B-Area:
Another aspect of Federal-B-Area’s geography is that Shahrah-i-Pakistan runs through it. This main artery of the city roughly bisects Federal- B-Area into two zones. The importance of Shahrah-i-Pakistan cannot be over looked. It is the same road which runs from Karachi Port to all the way to Landi Kotal in NWFP.
Following photo shows Shahrah-i-Pakistan in 2008 after it was relaid and
recarpeted. Photo is taken at the ramp of Liaquat flyover looking
towards Aisha Manzil.
North of Federal-B-Area (at Sohrab Goth chowrangi), Shahrah-e-Pakistan becomes the super highway which is scheduled to be upgraded as a 6 -lane Motorway (M9). At Hyderabad bypass, Super Highway meets the trans-Pakistan highway N5. Before Karachi Northern bypass (M10) was built, Shahrah-i-Pakistan through Federal-B-Area used to carry more than 75% of Pakistan’s road cargo from Karachi port to upcountry.
Following photo shows Sohrab-Goth interchange on Shahrah-i-Pakistan which forms the Eastern boundary of Federal-B-Area.
Federal-B-Area Block by Block:
Lets visit all the individual blocks of Federal-B-Area
Blocks 1 and 2:
Both blocks are located on the south side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. The
se blocks border the Li
aquatabad area and are separated from it by the Karachi Circular Railway Track. Bazaar-e-Faisal is the main commercial center of Block 2. Karachi’s famous Government Delhi Boys Science College is also located in block 2.
Block 3:
It is also located on the South side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. This is a very diverse area. Several languages are spoken here. Aga Khan community has a big presence in Block 3 besides Bantwa Memons, Okhai Memons, Katchi Memons, people with roots from Junagarh state etc. Meena bazaar is the main commercial center of Block 3.
Following photo shows Meena bazaar facade in Block 3. I took this photo
on December 22, 2009.
Besides Miandad Sports, another place to frequent in Block 3 is ‘United Bakery’ which makes the best gulab-jaman in Pakistan
Block 4:
Block 4 is located on north side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. A lot of residential plots in Block 4 are fast changing into commercial businesses like schools and hospitals. Look at the satellite image of Block 4 below and one can appreciate the symmetry as well as the ratio of free space to residential space.
Blocks 5 and 6:
Both of these blocks are located North of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Block 5 borders North Nazimabad with ‘Gujjar nullah’ in between. Block 6 used to have a famous cricket ground by the name of ‘Gulfishan’. It is under the occupation of Pakistan Rangers for the past 17 years now. Just like Block 4, it is also fast changing into a commercial zone.
The photo below shows the satellite image of Block 6.
Blocks 4, 5 and 6 combined make up one union council of Gulberg town
called Aisha Manzil Union Council.
Block 7:
It is located on South side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Block 7 is f
amous for Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan school and college as well as the tableeghi jamaat’s Madani Masjid.The photo below shows the image of Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan school located in Block 7. Spread across 21 acres, it is also the largest school of karachi. It houses a Cricket ground, a soccer ground and a hockey ground besides several shaded areas. This is also the school where I spent 10 years of my life. As with all other blocks of Fede
ral-B-Area, a good part of my school days and hot summer afternoons from Grade V to Grade X were spent in the sports grounds of my school shown in the photo below. A ce
ment cricket pitch is visible in the image below. It was built when I was
in Grade X - 1987. It was a historic moment for o
ur school otherwise we used to play on a turf wicket which we had to roll daily using a hand-roller pulled and pushed by atleast 5 guys together.
Block 8:
It is located on South side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. It is famous for Jinnah groun
d. Karachi City government has plans to build a 140 ft tall fountain in Jinnah ground which is also close to the HQ of ruling part in Karachi in Block 8 of Federal-B-Area.
Following photo is one of the famous landmarks of Federal-B-
Area called ‘mukka chowk’ located at the interestion of Block 8 and Block 9.
Block 9:
Block 9 is famous for Dastagir Housing Society. It is lo
cated on
south side of Sha
hrah-i-Pakistan. Some of us may remember the famou
s PTV ad of 80s calling for “gas ka ilaaj—Farzana Dawakhana Dastagir # 9″. Yes, Farzana Dawakhan is located here. Sa
ngam Sports Cricket ground is located in Block 9. The ground is named after a cricket club called Sangam Sports which used to play here years ago.
Federal-B-Area’s main post office (Postal Code 75950) is located in Block 9.
Block 10, 11, 12 and 13:
All these blocks are located on north side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Fa
mous landma
rk in Block 10 is Mansoora Cricket Ground.
Blocks 11, 12 and 13 combined are also called Gulberg.
Before moving to Lahore, Javed Miandad had a residence in Block 12.
Following image shows the views of Blocks 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Blocks 14 and 15
All these blocks are located on East side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Main landmarks in B
lock 15 are the famous T-Ground as well as the U
BL Sports Complex. The cricket ground of UBL Sports complex is a first class Cricket venue. The comples and also includes an astro-turf hockey Ground and a track-and-Field arena as seen in the image below.
Following photos show block 14 and 15.
Block 16:
Block 16 is famous for Karachi Medical and Dental College. Block 16 has several aparmtent blocks especially along the main roads. One of them called Yousuf Plaza located in Block 16, is one of the largest apartment complexes in Pakistan.
Blocks 17 and 18:
All these blocks are located on north side of Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Block 17 is als
o called ‘Samanabad’. It is famous for Pak-Flag Hockey Ground located he
re. Block 18 area is also called ‘Ancholi’.
Blocks 19 and 20:
Block 19 and portions of Block 20 are called ‘Al Noor’ society and both blocks
are located north of Shahrah-i-Pakistan.
Following image shows Blocks 17, 18, 19 and 20.
Block 21:
This is the industrial zone of Federal-B-Area with several industrial
units and a now defunct Movie Studio located here. Some of the industries located in Federal-B-Area include Textiles and
Packaged Food.
Following is a satellite image showing portions of block 20 and 21
of Federal-B-Area. Sohrab Goth Flyover and Lyari Expressway’s interchange on Highway N5 is visible in this image. Sohrab Goth flyover is also the zero-point on Karachi-Peshawar-Torkham highway N5.
Federal-B-Area’s Postal Code: 75950
Following photo is a night shot of Aisha Manzil intersection with 4 corners forming the boundaries of Block 6, 7, 9 and 10 of Federal-B-Area.
Population: According to 1998 census, the population of Federal-B-Area was 453490.
Karachi Mass Transit Plan and Federal-B-Area
Karachi’s Mass transit Plan (KMTP) had an elevated light train planned for Federal-B-Area which was to run from Sohrab Goth to Merewether Tower with Sohrab Goth-Karimabad portion falling in Federal-B-Area.
My personal sense is that KMTP is now practically dead as current City Government has come up with their own Karachi 2020 Vision and they are concentrating on several Signal Free Corridors (2 East-West Corridors are built and 1 North-South corridor is under construction).Federal-B-Area has also gained on all this infrastructure development and is within reach of atleast 2 Signal Free corridors and Lyari Expressway. Telephone Exchange: Federal-B-Area has a dedicated land line Digital Telephone Exchange under PTCL. The telephone area code for Federal-B-Area exchange (called Azizabad Exchange) is 636.
Closing Remarks:
I’ll put Federal-B-Area as second to only North Nazimabad in town planning features in Karachi. On Pakistan level, I’ll place it several localities down the line behind Islamabad sectors, Lahore’s Model Town and a few cantonments. In a big picture, it is definitely in one of the top town planning examples of Pakistan.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Greenwich University
http://www.greenwichuniversity.edu.pk
Greenwich University, established under an Act of Sindh Government, is duly recognized by the Higher Education Commission as an autonomous degree-awarding university. Greenwich, as a seat of learning, is known for its academic excellence, and recognized, across the world, as one of the leading institutions of higher education in Pakistan. Greenwich University is also legally empowered to offer its degree program overseas, and to grant affiliation to other institutions.
Educational experience that takes the students beyond their classroom learning's. We consider education a life-long endeavor, and therefore, constantly develop our programs to provide our students with professional skills and knowledge to take their place as leaders in the world of business, commerce, or any other professions they may choose to pursue.
PHOTOS
The National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences
The Foundation The Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) was established in 1980, as a private national institution. The Foundation is registered with the Central Board of Revenue, Government of Pakistan, as a charitable institution.
Today it stands recognized as the leader and trendsetter in this field in Pakistan and abroad. The management of the Foundation vests in a Board of Governors, elected in accordance with its Charter. The members of the Board are eminent personalities in their respective fields and are associated with the Foundation in an honorary capacity. The Board oversees and manages the affairs of the Foundation through a full time Secretary General, Rana Ghulam Shabbir.
FAST has established the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NU) so as to expand the activities of existing institutes establish more campuses throughout the country, and to maintain its tradition of academic excellence. The University has been established/chartered by the Government of Pakistan under ordinance No.XXIII of 2000 on 1st July 2000.The establishment of the university is a major step forward in the technological progress of the country.
The University
The National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences has the honor of being the first multi-campus private sector university set up under the Federal Charter granted by Ordinance No.XXIII of 2000, dated July 01, 2000. The University started with an impressive advantage in that, thanks to the selfless and imaginative efforts of the FAST, it inherited three first rate computer science institutes located at Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, in spacious buildings and prestigious settings. The establishment of the Peshawar campus is proof of FAST's commitment to quality education for all and to contributing to the progress of the nation.
These institutes, individually as well as collectively, have established leadership position due to the splendid vision of an enlightened management and tireless efforts of a highly qualified faculty. Over the years FAST has become the hallmark of excellence in the academic arena, domestic market and international community.
Dow University of Health Sciences
http://www.duhs.edu.pk
Dow University of Health Sciences has introduced teaching and learning methodology which facilitates students to become skilled life long learners. Dow University of Health Sciences strives for its students to develop better communication skills to communicate with their patients and prepare its students for a meritorious professional career.
Dawood College of Engineering and Technology
http://www.dcet.edu.pk
Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Karachi is a Federal Degree Awarding Institution. Its administrative control has been vested in the Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council of the College responsible for the governance of the College. The College having met the requirements of Higher Education Commission, has been awarded a degree awarding status by the Government of Pakistan, with effect from 31-10-2007 through an Ordinance No. LXIII of 2007 promulgated by the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf.The foundation stone of the college was laid by President of Pakistan (Late) Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan in 1962. The institution was established by Dawood Foundation as Dawood College of Engineering and Technology. The Dawood College houses purpose built two campuses of five acre land each. The institution was established to provide top quality enginerring education to students from every walk of life regardless of thier sex and ethinical background and the institute still thrives on this policy.
The Dawood College houses purpose built two campuses of five acre land each. The main campus of the college is housed in a multi-storeyed building located near Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum. The building comprises of various facilities including class rooms, Laboratories, workshops, drawing halls, studios, students’ cafeteria, auditorium, girls Common room etc. The Department of Architecture and Planning is housed in a separate premises in Block-17 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal , which is named as Iqbal Campus. This premises also includes the Urban Design Graduate Programme, Architecture and Planning under-graduate Programmes, and Karachi Mega-City Institute as well as number of forthcoming post graduate programmes related to building and area conservation, rural studies, and environmental studies.
The college offers degree programmes in the field of Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Management, Metallurgy & Materials Engineering and Architecture. The college intends to add new disciplines relating to the cutting edge technologies in the near future.
The Higher Education Commission has allocated Rs. 197.87 million for the strengthening of academic infrastructure of the college. The library has been completely renovated with new furniture, fixtures, books, latest encyclopedia/ ASTM /ASM Hand Books through this Project. The state of the art equipment has also been added in the laboratories of all the Engineering and Architecture programmes. The down link via satellite communication has been installed with the help of HEC in main campus as well as Iqbal Campus.
Since the DCET is located in the largest Industrial City of Pakistan, various Engineering departments are directly involved in providing solutions/ consultation to local industries. This interaction with the industry provides an opportunity to the students for internship/ practical training on the industrial plants in the relevant fields.
adabhoy Institute of Higher Education
| Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE) was set up in the year 2000 by Dadabhoy Foundation. The institute received its charter from the government of Sindh in 2003. It has been recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC) of Education Department Government of Sindh. DIHE ranks as a top grade educational institution and also as a “W” (A) grade educational Institution because of its well designed academic programs, appropriate educational facilities, high class foreign educated PhD faculty and state-of-the -art facilities. The Institute offers academic programs at two campuses, the Hill Park Campus, located at Shaheed-e-Millat Road and North Nazimabad campus located in Block “A” North Nazimabad. The Hill Park Campus offers degree programs in the faculties of Business Administration, Science and Law. | Chairman's Message Rector's Message Vision, Mission and Goals Dadabhoy Foundation  |
BBA, BBA (Financial Engineering), MBA (Islamic Banking), MBA (Banking and Finance), MBA (Human Resource), MBA (Finance), MBA (Marketing), and M.Phil leading to PhD. The Executive Development Center of Business School complements the degree based programmes and provides a continuous range of seminars, workshops and short courses on specialized topics of particular interest to employees of the corporate sector.
The Science Faculty offers degree programmes for BS (Computer Science), BS(Software Development), BS (Information Technology), BS(Electronics and Communication), BS( Process and Financial Engineering), MCS and MS(Information Technology), MS/Phil leading to PhD .
The degree programs offered by Law Faculty include: LLB and LLM.
While DIHE benefits from an excellent academic foundation, it also offers second to none environment that nurtures the overall development of all the students. Some of the activities that are focused on these objectives include:
- Remedial English classes (Free of cost classes for students who need them.)
- Student Grooming classes
- An active sports programme,
- Ongoing cultural activities like theatrical programmes, poetic and musical evenings etc
- Student’s societies
The administrative staff and faculty member of NN campus are committed to their professional responsibilities. The NN Campus is moving towards the path of excellence.
Baqai Medical University
http://www.baqai.edu.pk
The Baqais( Dr.Fareed Uddin Baqai and Dr.Zahida Baqai) both medical practitioners and surgeons by profession, after completing their medical education in Pakistan and Great Britain, started practicing the art of healing in an underdeveloped country and in a fast growing city of Karachi, the then capital of Pakistan. The enormity and complexity of health care problems and the paucity of proper infrastructures for health care delivery systems motivated them to develop a comprehensive concept of community development on the basis of self reliance and without depending upon the public sector financing. The concept started unfolding itself in concrete actions when the Baqai Foundation acquired a large piece of land on Super Highway just at the outskirts of Karachi and established the first ever rural Medical Centre supported by secondary and tertiary health care facilities in 1976.Mission
To provide quality education comparable to international standards to its students so that they can acquire the state of art knowledge of subjects for which they otherwise would have to go abroad to internationally known seats of learning. | |