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Mohammed Ali and Muslim Khan's visit to Karachi provided a good excuse
to have a get-together of the METUPAKIS© in Karachi. The following METU-
PAKIS© gathered at the Karachi Marriott on the morning of January 22, 1999:
1. Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui
2. Ahsan Qasim Siddiqi
3. Mohammed Aslam
4. Mohammed Ali (visiting from Saudi Arabia)
5. Muslim Khan (visiting from Saudi Arabia)
6. Donald Dean
7. M. Fazlullah Shariff (visiting from Rawalpindi)
8. Azim Shibli
9. Nadeem Saeed
Forgetful Muslim:
Muslim Khan was most professor-like as usual. He could hardly remember
that he was even at METU. Message for Khalid Zaki: Muslim says that he
can't remember anything from the German experience. Please talk to him
in private.
Fraud as usual:
Mohammed Ali was late for the breakfast meeting, although we all got
together at his instigation. Since he was late, Kazi called up his home
(in Defence Phase V), and his father told him that sonny is not well, and
is still in bed. He promised to get Mohammed Ali to call back. Exactly
2 minutes later, a Mohammed Ali clone appeared at the breakfast table
at the Marriott, fully dressed up. He kept on insisting that he is the real
Mohammed Ali, and that his father had made a mistake. Out of courtesy,
we decided to let the clone sit at the table as long as he pays the bill.
Y2K gathering:
Mohammed Aslam (the Chota Consultant) has been chosen as the
Pakistan end focal point for organization of the gathering in Ankara.
Aslam will coordinate with Anwer Shareef, and provide details of how
the event is being organized. Look out for some messages from the
new "Co-ordinator".
Photographs:
Shibli was all over the breakfast meeting with his camera. We will post
the photographs on the web page as soon as Shibli processes the film.
Bhang:
Ahsan Qasim has kept a copy of 'Bhang' that originally announced his
appointment as the Rector of METU. Now that he has reached and even
surpassed this status, he will give Kazi a copy to be passed on to Fareed
for posting it on the web page for the benefit of others.
Want an Architect?
Yadullah Haider was appreciated for good architecture of the house he
has designed for Ahsan. He was equally appreciated for prolonging the
work and dodging Ahsan so consistantly. Nadeem Saeed was looking
for an architect but Ahsan was reluctant to recommend Yadullah. Next
meeting may focus on Yadullah's version of the story.
Almost There?
Somebody commented that with many now approaching their fifties the
era of ailments has started. Following were mentioned: heart diseases,
blood pressure, loss of memory and arthritis. Also mentioned was a
disease that found a cure in 1998. Mental health was not mentioned.
Another lost soul:
Masood Faiyaz couldn't make it to the meeting. He was not seen by most
after he left METU in 1974. Later he met Fazlullah Shareef and Aslam in
the evening. But his most eager meeting was with Mohammad Ali at mid-
night, after quarter of a century.
Abu Dhabi connection:
There was a remarkable degree of agreement of views on the subjects
discussed. But the most surprising congruence was found between
Fazlullah Shareef and Kazi. Both have lately met Rizwan. Their views on
Rizwan were identical.
The Islamabadis:
Kazi works in Karachi and lives in Islamabad where he spends the week
ends. It was good to see him sacrifice a weekend for the sake of attending
the get-together. The other surprise was Fazlullah Shareef who works near
Rawalpindi at Fauji Cement. Their presence did help in getting the quorum.
Scores of others were remembered. We did miss everyone else who was
not present. Please make it a point to be present at the next breakfast meet-
ing at the same place shortly after the Eid ul Azha.
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