Bahria Town to set up varsities in Karachi, Hyderabad

Malik Riaz announces launching of Bus Rapid Transit Service in Karachi on two corridors, Rs5m for
PHF, gives plots to MQMs Shuhada; visits MQMs HQ

Azeem Samar
Friday, November 28, 2014
From Print Edition

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KARACHI: Founding Chairman Bahria Town Malik Riaz Hussain on Thursday

announced to construct universities of international standard, at Karachi and Hyderabad,
to be named after chief of Muttahida Quami Movement Altaf Hussain. This was stated by
Riaz at a press conference here along with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at
Governor House. Earlier, Bahria Town chief and Sindh Governor had a meeting.

The chairman of Bahira Town said that 10 to 20 percent prospective students of the proposed
universities would be given higher education free of cost. He said that steps had been taken to
link these universities with international universities. In this regard talks were under way with
Middlesex University in London.

Designs of construction of the two universities were ready while the construction of the proposed
university in Karachi would begin next month. Malik Riaz also announced to launch Bus Rapid
Transit Service (BRTS) in Karachi on two corridors, one from Super Highway to Karachi
Airport and the other from Super Highway to Merewhether Tower.

He said the BRTS project would be launched with a cost Rs70 billion for which world-class
highway network and corridors would be built. He said construction work on the proposed mega

projects would begin as soon as Sindh government gives permission. He said construction of
road corridor for BRTS in Karachi could begin by January next year.

Malik Riaz also announced that bereaved family members of martyred activists of MQM would
be given residential plots in Bahria Town. He also announced to donate Rs200 million to Rs250
million for procurement of land for building the proposed institute by Dow University of Health
Sciences in Karachi.

He also announced donation of Rs5 million for Pakistan Hockey Federation and in case Pakistan
emerged victorious in the upcoming Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament being held in India,
then he would give away Rs10 million prize money to the Pakistani national hockey team.

He said the Sindh governor had introduced to him the Pakistan national hockey team as he would
like to actively become part of the efforts for revival of national game of hockey in the country.

Malik Riaz said eight Dastarkhwan (free food distribution centres) of Bahria Town had been
functioning in Karachi whose number would be increased to 58. The Bahria Town chairman said
that he was working on a plan under, which deserving people of Karachi would be given free of
cost food, education, and necessary medical services.

He said the under-construction hospital of Bahria Town in Karachi would be completed in one
year as at present Bahria Town had to shift patients needing medical attention to Lahore and
Rawalpindi.

He said the hospitals of Bahira Town provided free of cost health services to patients likewise
the proposed hospital in Karachi would also provide free treatment. He said the Bahria Town had
completed construction of seventh largest mosque in Lahore while it would now construct the
worlds third largest mosque having capacity of 0.8 million.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ishratul Ebad expressed gratitude for Malik Riaz for
announcing and launching mega development projects in Karachi. He expressed special thanks

for Bahria Town chairman for announcing construction of universities for Karachi and
Hyderabad.

The governor said Malik Riaz was a noble and God fearing person who had always actively
participated in welfare, relief, and rehabilitation activities in the country while always supported
his compatriots during all the times of distress.

Later Bahira Town chairman along with Sindh Governor visited the headquarters of MQM,
Nine-Zero in Azizabad. Hanif Khalid adds from Islamabad: Altaf Hussain telephoned to Malik
Riaz from London and thanked him for announcing construction of two universities after his
name.

Shamim Bano adds:

Later, Riaz paid a visit to the MQM headquarters on the invitation of Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul-Ebad and the MQM Coordination Committee. As soon as the news of two new universities
was aired on television channels, the supporters and workers of the MQM thronged to the party
headquarters and chanted slogans for Malik Riaz and Altaf Hussain.

While addressing on the occasion Altaf Hussain said that Malik Riaz had sought permission from
former president Asif Ali Zardari before coming to the MQM headquarter who allowed and
directed him to established two universities in Karachi and Hyderabad in the name of Altaf
Hussain. Riaz thanked Altaf Hussain and his supporter for their warm welcome.

Expressing his gratitude to Allah Almighty, he said that 75 percent of his assets for the poor and
needy people and the development in the country and especially in the city.

Altaf Hussain said that promotion of education and establishment of universities in two major
cities will weaken the mindset of feudal who were against education for their people in interior
of Sindh, while their children were being educated in schools of elite class. The MQM chief said
that existing quota system would be abolished and there would be equal share for rural and urban
Sindh.

MQM will built hospitals and educational institutions if the party is given power, Altaf said
adding that the MQM did not want the division of Sindh but more administrative units be carved
for effective governance.

He also asked the prime minister, federal ministers and chief minister Punjab to show patience
on November 30 the day when Imran Khan is going to hold public meeting and at the same time
he also asked Imran Khan and his supporters to avoid confrontation with the government and foil
all such conspiracies that would lead to violence and bloodshed. He asked the PTI workers to
record their protest in peaceful manner.