Staff Reporter
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Works and Services Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Saturday said it were the great students of Sindh Madressatul Islam (SMI), who had had laid the foundation of Pakistan.
The separation of Sindh from the Bombay Presidency was the first step towards the creation, he said while speaking as the chief guest at the Sindh Madressatul Islam University’s 135th foundation day at a hotel, according to a press release.
Khuhro said he was proud of SMI as “we all are passing our lives with freedom in a sovereign country.” He appreciated the efforts of SMIU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh for making it possible to get the university status for a great educational institution, which was the greatest tribute that could be paid to its meritorious students, faculties and the founders.
Khuhro said Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh’s efforts had enabled the SMIU to become one of the country’s best universities.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shaikh said the SMIU had completed its 134 years of establishment. The personalities, who had got education from it, played a key role in laying the foundation of Pakistan.
He said though the SMI had primarily been established for the Muslims of Sindh, but latter people belonging to all faiths were benefitted by it.
Justice (R) Sarmad Jalal Usmani said he was inspired by the students’ performance on stage. He was proud to be part of an institution which was an alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he added. Justice (R) Ali Dino Metlo said though the SMIU had completed its 134 years, yet, it was a beginning of sorts and he hoped its students would make it a great institution.
Dr. Shaikh said Hasan Ali Effendi was the first person in Sindh who realized that the Muslims of Sindh could not progress until they did not attain expertise in science and technology. For that very reason he established this institution because people belonging to other communities were way advanced in the field of education in those times. He said it was a part of the history that how that institution had played a vital part in changing the whole region after its establishment.
Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh said the personalities that got education from the SMI had played key role in laying foundation of Pakistan. He added though the SMI had primarily been established for the Muslims of Sindh, but people belonging to all faiths would render their services here. He said former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, his father Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto and daughter, also a twice-elected prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, were also related to the SMIU.
Dr Shaikh said the SMIU offered quality education against affordable fees; while 40 per cent of its students had been given full scholarship. “We are producing leaders of the future in the shape of students. We offer study tours to our students in and outside the country to enhance their talents,” said Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh. Justice (R) Sarmad Jalal Usmani said he was hugely inspired by the students’ performance on stage.
He said he was proud to be part of an institution which was alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Christina Tripley (check spelling) of the US consulate general in Karachi congratulated the SMIU’s VC on completion of 134 years to SMIU. She said SMIU was a famous institution and its students were illustrious. She expressed best wishes for the progress of the university. Justice (R) Ali Dino Metlo said though the SMIU had completed its 134 years, yet, it was a beginning of sorts and he hoped its students would make SMIU greater in near future. Turkish consul general Tolga Ilke (check spelling) and director general of Institute of Business Administration Farrukh Iqbal also spoke. Earlier, cake was cut on the occasion of SMIU’s foundation day while students presented tableau to highlight cultures of the country’s four provinces.