October 1, 2010
A friendly transition in PAT: Welcome to the new Chairman!
Dear fellow Publicans,
Salaams and greetings.
1. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of PAT and the Advisory Council held at my residence in Karachi on Thursday, 30th September 2010, the under-signed had the privilege to propose the name of Publican Admiral (r) Shahid Karimullah (Class of 1963) to be the next (second) Chairman of PAT effective 1st October 2010 for a 2-year period. The proposal was unanimously seconded by all present, and was heartily acclaimed.
Present at the meeting were: Khawaja Fariduddin, Zaffar A. Khan, Shirley Hyder Valika, Sabiha Pervaiz, Shahid Karimullah, Nighat Mir, Khalid Zaki, Hussain Jamil, Tariq Usman Siddiqui, Zohair Ashir, Atiqur Rehman, Shamim Riaz, Saeed Khalid, Chaudhry Arshad Iqbal, Dr. Masroor Afreedi, Nudrat Alvi. Waseem Ghani and the under-signed. Due to a long-standing prior commitment overseas, Tahir Sadiq was the only Trustee unable to attend. PAT Accountant Rizwan Ayub assisted.
2. Earlier, in August 2010 in response to my requests for resignation from the post of Chairman to be formally accepted, the Board and the Advisory Council, after deferring the request more than once, had graciously agreed. For purely personal and unavoidable reasons, I had conveyed that it would not be possible for me to do justice to the position of Chairman for the remaining period of the original 3-year tenure. It has also been agreed, in principle, that subsequent to an amendment being made to the relevant portion of the Rules, the tenure of all office-bearers of PAT will henceforth be 2 years instead of 3 years.
3. In felicitating Publican Shahid Karimullah on his unanimous election, the under-signed said that it is a privilege for PAT to be now led by an individual of exceptional distinction. With a notable record in Public School itself, Publican Shahid Karimullah went on to serve Pakistan at the highest level of the Pakistan Navy at its Chief of Staff. During his career, he was recognized for personal courage in combat and his impeccable professional conduct and integrity. He then went on to ably serve Pakistan in another capacity as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Representing the Class of 1963 from Public School, he will also ensure the progressive and equitable participation of different successive batches of former Publicans in leading and managing PAT, now and in the future.
Prior to his election, the under-signed made the following observations:
a) That Publicans in general and members of PAT in particular can take genuine pride - with humility ! - in having been able to provide practical, multiple benefits to about 2100 students of the three successor Schools of the original Public School in the short period of 20 months since PAT was formally registered on 29th January 2009.
b) In these 20 months, with funding support from Publicans in Pakistan and overseas, and with the valuable time and other resources devoted by Trustees and Members to organizing various projects, PAT has enabled activities of significant diversity: hundreds of books and dozens of computers gifted to students; compilation and publication of the Publican Alumni Year Book 2009; Impromptu Declamation and Impromptu Creative Writing events with prizes; 3 workshops for teachers' capacity-building; 5 lectures by Distinguished Publicans to inform and motivate students; 120 scholarships per year for 60 girls and 60 boys for a 3-year period (with the second year having just begun) at Rs.500 per month per student; over Rs.2 million invested in an Endowment Fund and a current balance of over Rs.1.5 million to support on-going projects; career counselling and frequent inter-actions with the Administration, Principals and staff to support education.
c) In the preceding period, between June 2008 and December 2008, Publicans participated in the Golden Jubilee with great enthusiasm to make the celebrations truly memorable.
d) While the creation of a website was part of the original plans outlined in June 2008, Publican Ashraf Kapadia a short while later individually developed the Old Publicans website and facilitates regular, convenient communication between all of us.
e) Recording my appreciation and thanks to all Trustees and members of the Advisory Council and to all Members of PAT, for their dedicated contribution in all spheres, the under-signed said that they had set an excellent example of constructive cooperation during some of the most disturbed and difficult conditions that Karachi has witnessed in its recent history.
f) Few, if any other alumni body can claim an equivalent record of service in so short a time.
4. The under-signed thanked colleagues for the presentation of a memento and Vice Chairman Zaffar Ahmed Khan for his generous remarks on behalf of others present.
5. One is confident that with the new Chairman and with the active participation of Publicans, PAT will, Insha-Allah be able to sustain and strengthen its role in the service of qualitative education.
6. As a member of PAT, the under-signed will continue to provide all possible support in the future.
Thank you for your attention.
With best wishes,
Javed Jabbar
Emails from Old Publicans
Email from Aftab A. Siddiqui (Class of 1970)
From: Aftab Siddiqui
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 2:17 AM
To: javedjabbar.1@gmail.com; administrator@oldpublicans.com
Subject: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
Dear Javed Saheb,
Salam. Thank you so much for your services to PAT. You have set a very high standard for the future Chairs of PAT. It was a pleasure meeting you and Bhabi at Qamar's house in Maryland. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.
Welcome to the new Chair. I am hoping to see exciting things happening at PAT. Thanks.
Aftab A Siddiqui
Class of 1970
Arlington, Texas
Email from Masood Alam (Class of 1964)
From: masood alam
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 11:46 AM
To: javedjabbar.1@gmail.com; shahidkarimullah@hotmail.com; administrator@oldpublicans.com
Subject: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
Dear Jawaid Jabbar Assalamoalykun
I want to convey and registar my personal thanks for the effort,and services, you have rendered to publicans.You have been a beacon for of all us .I think that today we all publicans are united due to your great effort. Here I should mention that we the class of 1964 setion 10th B got together and met ony due to your efforts and of not forgetting Ashraf Kapadia. In shuch a short span of time you and your team has really wonderful achievment under your belt.Specially in the field of education. I hope and pray that Admiral Shahid Karimullah carry on this good work as you have done during the past years.
I once again salute you and your team ,for all the good work you have done.
Regards
Lt Col Masood Alam(retd) Class- 1964
Email from Nasir Waheed (Class of 1969)
From: Nasir Waheed
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 4:49 PM
To: javedjabbar.1@gmail.com; shahidkarimullah@hotmail.com; administrator@oldpublicans.com
Subject: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
Dear Javed,
It is to thank you for leading the Publicans in the initial period of trial and tribulations and coming out ion flying colours. Your leadership has set the correct direction for the PAT and I am thankful for the efforts made by you along with the other team members of your committee. It is also time to welcome the new Chairman Admiral (r) Shahid Karimullah and to assure him of the full support of the Publicans in making the PAT more effective and dynamic in providing service to qualitative education..
With warm regards
Nasir Waheed
Mirza Naseeruddin (Class of 1969)
From: Mirza Naseeruddin
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 5:37 PM
To: javed.jabbar1@gmail.com
Subject: Fwd: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
Javed Bhai,
I have followed the formation of PAT since it's inception.
I have participated with "comments".
But PAT would not be what it is without your passionate participation. And you've left with a bombshell.
You owe an explanation for the love of Publicans at large, personal reasons apart, PAT reasons notwithstanding.
I see you coming up from another sphere though not entirely new to you.
I don't know if it's politics(it shouldn't be) but who knows!
I don't know though many of us 'suspect' it to be so
Sincerely & with best wishes,
Naseer( Class of '69 )
Email from Syed Ayaz Mahmood (Class of 1974)
From: Ayaz Mahmood
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 10:51 PM
To: administrator@oldpublicans.com
Subject: RE: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
It is indeed heart wrenching to know that our favourite JJ has decided to call it a day. His exuberance and the ability to gel everyone together elevate him to a pedestal reserved only for people of high merit. He has always been a natural leader who could make things happen. The 'Golden Jubilee' celebrations would last forever in our memories for which we must all thank him. What followed the celebrative part was perhaps not as pompous but even more substantial in view of the services that were rendered for the cause of education benefitting students and their teachers.
We owe our debt of gratitude to JJ but we don't have the means to pay it back.
Syed Ayaz Mahmood
Email from Qamar Adil Owais Kazmi (Class of 1969)
From: Qamar Kazmi [mailto:insaan@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2010 6:42 AM
To: javed.jabbar1@gmail.com
Subject: Re: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman !
Dear Javed Bhai,
salaam,
I would like to take this opportunity to my sincerest thanks to you for the exceptional service you have provided in leading the Publicans. Your shoes will be a big ones to fill; you led us by example and you have shown us the commitment that is needed to make a difference.
I was not entirely surprised because you had indicated during our conversations about the demands on your time from other organizations and causes thyat you have been involved with. I salute you for your
dedication to public service.
My only hope and request to you is that you continue to be involved with PAT in another capacity (ex-officio member?) so that we benefit from your experience and wisdom.
Thanks again,
Khuda Hafiz,
Qamar Kazmi
Email from Syed Mubeen Ahmed (Class of 1979)
From: Mubeen Ahmed Syed
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2010 11:55 AM
To: javedjabbar.1@gmail.com
Subject: A friendly transition in PAT: welcome to the new Chairman ! A corrigendum !
We would like to welcome the new Chairman.
With Best Wishes and Regards,
Mubeen