Shafique Shah Lord Mayor of Birmingham

Councillor Shafique Shah has been appointed as the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Shafique's family originates from Dadyal, Azad Kashmir. The father of five became Lord Mayor on Monday 9th June 2014. His wife, Sadia Shafique became Lord Mayoress of Birmingham. 

The telecoms engineer grew up in Bordesley Green and has represented the inner city area as a councillor since 2005. He said: “What I am looking forward to is the opportunity to meet as many regular, hard-working citizens of the city that time will allow. “I intend to accept as many invitations as I can to visit city schools and meet the young people that will be the future leaders of our city.” Coun Shah went to Sir Wilfred Martineau School and later graduated in mechanical and manufacturing engineering. He worked as a senior manager for a telecoms company before branching out into business for himself and has travelled widely on business – including to China. 

“I have, as yet, not found any city as welcoming and warm as my home of Birmingham. I always feel proud to say I am a Brummie. I will work hard as an ambassador for our great city to show the world all the positive aspects Birmingham and its citizens have to offer.” Coun Shah is chairman of governors at Bordesley Green Girls School and has previously campaigned to increase the number of school places in the area. The new Lady Mayoress is a full-time mother and active member of her local community. She wants to use the position to support charities and voluntary groups. Coun Shah, a Birmingham City supporter, takes over from devoted Aston Villa fan Mike Leddy whose year as Lord Mayor is coming to an end.

Extracts used from Birmingham Mail

Posted in: News

Foreign NGOs Spying on Azad Kashmir

MUZAFFARABAD: Former Inter-Services Intelligence director general Hamid Gul has said that the recent visit of Nawaz Sharif to India was quite disappointing and asked the prime minister to adopt a strict Kashmir policy during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Addressing the ex-servicemen society at the Central Press Club on Thursday, the former intelligence chief said that foreign agencies (NGOs) were merely spying on Muzaffarabad instead of doing anything constructive in Azad Jammu Kashmir. He also outlined future plans by his son Abdullah Gul for forming a platform for youth, after seven years of continuous research and hectic efforts.

He informed the retired army officers that that he had phoned Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and had received assurances to look into the welfare of the retired officers who had always been badly sidetracked in all budgetary concerns. Deliberating over the organization of ex-servicemen, he said that this organisation was kept in abeyance for 17 years by none other than former president Pervez Musharraf. Gul said that ex-servicemen would evolve into one strong and constructive organization, which would also take due part in social and welfare projects of Muzaffarabad, doing away with the 'assistance of foreign NGOs.' The occasion concluded with a declaration applauding services of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, also demanding a Fauji Foundation Hospital branch in Muzaffarabad.

Posted in: News

Karachi Airport Under Attack

08/06/14 Karachi, Pakistan: Heavily armed gunmen have attacked Karachi's international airport, killing at least five security guards and hurling grenades, reports say. Pakistani media reported between four and 10 gunmen had attacked Jinnah International Airport's old terminal. Dawn News said security personnel had surrounded the airport and sealed off roads, and the army had been called in. All operations at the terminal have been suspended and flights are being diverted, it said. Staff are being evacuated. Billowing smoke The security guards killed were said to be part of the Airport Security Force (ASF). A doctor at Jinnah Hospital told Associated Press five bodies had been brought there, as well as one wounded person. Dawn said the gunmen had infiltrated from the Fokker Gate area. Some reports said they had cut through a barbed wire fence. There is no indication yet who is carrying out the attack. An ASF spokesman told Agence France-Presse that the gunmen had reached the runway and that a "gun battle is continuing between terrorists and [armed] forces".

Dawn reported that some attackers had managed to get inside one plane and that three planes had been damaged. Geo News said two attackers were also reported dead and that smoke is billowing from the terminal. The terminal is not normally used for commercial flights but for cargo and special VIP operations. Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant group. Karachi has been a frequent target for insurgent attacks. Gunmen attacked a naval base there in 2011, killing 10 personnel and destroying two aircraft in a 17-hour siege.

Reported by BBC News

Posted in: News

Academic Success for Faiza Qurban of Girls High School Mohra Kanyal

Faiza Qurban of Girls High School Mohra Kanyal received a medal and a certificate from the Education Minister Mian Abdul Waheed for her academic achievements. 

Posted in: News,Photos

Khalid Bhalote Administrator MCD - Dadyal Online Interview

An interview of Khalid Bhalote (Administrator MCD - Baldiya Dadyal) by Sameer Hussain (MD Dadyal Online) recorded in the MCD Office in Dadyal, Azad Kashmir (December 2013). 

Posted in: Interviews,News,Videos