End of an era as Mehdi Hassan passes away

KARACHI: After being unwell for a long period of time, Pakistan’s legendary classical singer Mehdi Hassan passed away at a local hospital in Karachi on Wednesday. He was 84.

His son Asif told reporters outside the ghazal maestro had been suffering from multiple lung, chest and urinary tract conditions. His health suddenly deteriorated for the worse early Wednesday, leading to his death around 12:15 PM.

Mehdi Hasan’s body was taken to Karachi’s Gulberg area where family members as well as a large number of relatives, friends and fans had gathered.

So far, no announcement has been made for the legendary singer’s funeral.

The undisputed ghazal king, or the ‘Shahenshah-e-Ghazal’, had not only captivated millions of music fans across South Asia, but had a major following throughout the world.

Hassan was born to a family of musicians on July 18, 1927 in Indian Rajasthan, and later migrated to Pakistan after partition.

Although he was involved in music since his childhood, he formally started his musical journey from Radio Pakistan in 1952 — a career that would span over 25,000 recordings including songs featured in movies as well as ghazals.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his condolences, calling Hassan “an icon who mesmerised music lovers” in Pakistan and the sub-continent for decades.

Indian singing legend Lata Mangeshkar told a Pakistani private TV channel that his death was a “big loss”.

Hassan also won awards and accolades in India and Nepal, as well as Pakistan.

He was born in India and migrated to Pakistan after partition and independence from British rule in 1947.

MQM delegation meets with president

 

President Asif Ali Zardari. – File Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met with President Asif Ali Zardari at the presidential house on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the MQM, DawnNews reported.
Topics like Karachi’s law and order situation, extortion mafia and kidnapping for ransom came under discussion during the meeting.
Zardari taking serious notice of the unrest in Karachi ordered the Sindh Government to control  law and order situation and to immediately submit a report on the recent incidents of lawlessness.
The president also ordered for the immediate arrest of criminal elements so they could be brought to justice.

Islamabad's first movie "Mud house & the Golden Doll" launched

ISLAMABAD: Large number of viewers and residents from federal capital enjoyed the screening of Islamabad's first feature film titled "Mud house and the Golden Doll".
The film encircles the social issues and breaking the orthodox taboos present in the society.
The film was launched and screened by Icarus Incorporated-the only international currently operating in Pakistan.
The film was launched at Pakistan National Council of Arts, where whole cast of the movie was present.
The film was directed by Hamza Abbassi- veteran theater actor- who incidentally played the homeless man in the movie as well, with his vision of trying to make a difference through a lenses hits close to home.
The event was attended in force by the media, large numbers of diplomats and heads of certain corporate entities.
A large number of viewers were present on the spot lauded the film based on the Iranian style of film making, as it dare to challenge convention and features a plot based on true events.
The commercial launch of the movie is expected in the next one month at 3D cinemas in Pakistan.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

Sindh CM asks police, rangers to control city's situation

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has condemned the murder of the brother of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Shakir Ali.
The Chief Minister telephoned Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad in Dubai and expressed his condolences over the killing of the brother of former MPA of the MQM, a spokesman to the Chief Minister said in a statement late Tuesday.
He said the IG Police Sindh and the director general Rangers have been directed to ensure all possible steps to improve law and order situation in the city and protect the life and property of the people.
The spokesman further said the law enforcement agencies have been instructed to increase patrolling and keep an eye on anti-social elements.
He said the Chief Minister has also called for ensuring immediate arrest of the killers of Shakir Ali's brother to bring them to justice.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

Submission of Private Hajj applications likely to be completed this week

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing process of submitting Hajj applications under private scheme is likely to be completed within a week, said a private Hajj Group Organiser (HGOs).
Talking to APP he however said, that the applications can be submitted by June 30.
According to an official of the ministry of Religious Affairs, the application forms have already been sent to across country Haji Camps for the onward distribution among the HGOs.
He said as many as 89,000 will perform Hajj under private hajj scheme.
Responding to a question he said eighty present buildings have so far been hired for the government scheme Hujjaj. Quality buildings have been hired and government scheme hujjaj will not face any problem this year. Hajj flights would be started from September 17, he said.
Ministry of religious affairs has received 2000 applications for the registration of new Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs). A scrutiny committee headed by Joint Secretary Hafiz Sher Ali has been assigned to ensure transparent registration process, he said.
Saudi authorities have been asked to enhance the Hajj quota of the country by 10,000.After approval the quota would be distributed among the HGOs on merit, he said.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

22nd death anniversary of Begum Raana Liaquat Ali observed

ISLAMABAD: The 22nd death anniversary of Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, the founder president of All Pakistan Women's Association was observed on June 13.
An APWA spokesperson said here on Tuesday that Begum Raana, the wife of the Pakistan's First Prime Minister, developed APWA from a voluntary woman workers organization to a world famous NGO. Begum Raana, once a professor of economics, advocated integrated development.
To encourage female literacy, she popularized the concept `You educate a woman, you educate a family' and formulated APWA's creed `health, education and training'. APWA, her lifelong commitment, was affiliated with international agencies and set up multi project centers for women throughout Pakistan with schools, dispensaries and maternity homes, family planning clinics in urban and rural areas.
On the anniversary day a floral wreath will be laid on the grave of Begum Liaquat Ali Khan and Quran khawani held at all the projects of APWA.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

Altaf expresses grief on the death of Mehdi Hassan

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), chief Altaf Hussain has expressed his deep grief over the death of renowned vocalist Mehdi Hassan.
He said that the void created by his departure would never be filled and the nation has lost a great asset in Mehdi Hassan, said a statement issued by MQM here on Tuesday.
Altaf Hussain said that Mehdi Hassan was the most towering personality in the field of ghazal-singing in the world.
He strengthened brotherly relations between the people of Pakistan and India with his unmatched singing.
Altaf Hussain offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and admirers of Mehdi Hassan and prayed Almighty Allah to shower his blessings on the his soul.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012