Grand Master Ashraf Tai felicitates Jahangir Moghul

Grand Master Mohammad Ashraf Tai, the leading exponent of martial arts in the country, has felicitated Jahangir Moghul on being elected as the President of the Karachi Gymkhana for the year 2015. 

“It’s a matter of immense pleasure for the sports community that a person of the calibre of Jahangir Moghul, a great supporter of sports, has been elected to the top position at the Karachi Gymkhana,” the founder of the famous Tai’s Karate Centre remarked. 

“The management and the trainees of the Tai’s Karate Centre are delighted with the news of his election as the President of the Karachi Gymkhana. He has been a regular visitor to our club over the years and his blessings and support have remained motivational for us,” Grand Master Ashraf Tai added. 

“I am confident that the Karachi Gymkhana will become more friendly to sports during Jahangir Moghul’s tenure as the President. He has passion for sports and he also has the desire of promoting sporting culture in the society. Let’s hope that greater sports activities are held at their club in the coming year,” he hoped. 

“We wish Jahangir Moghul the best of luck as he will be shouldering the dual responsibility of leading the Karachi Gymkhana as well as the Rotary International in the new year. Both the assignments present enormous challenge but having known him personally, I have no doubt in my mind that he will deliver on both fronts,” the Grand Master reckoned. 

It may be recalled that before getting elected as the President of the Karachi Gymkhana on Sunday, Jahangir Moghul had been elected as the District Governor of Rotary International’s District 3271 for 2015-16. Recognized as one of the most prominent social figures and philanthropists, he also happens to be the President of the Sindh Softball Association.

Jahangir Moghul elected as Karachi Gymkhana’s President

The popular figure Jahangir Moghul was elected as the President of the Karachi Gymkhana for the year 2015 whose annual elections were held at the club’s premises on December 21. 

An acclaimed entrepreneur and philanthropist, Jahangir Moghul has been known and respected for his monumental contribution in the social sector as well. He has already been elected as the District Governor of Rotary International’s District 3271 for 2015-16. 

The success in the Karachi Gymkhana’s Presidential election is another feather in his cap. He had been elected in the Managing Committee of the Gymkhana on numerous occasions during the last couple of decades and now he has come up trumps while contesting for the top post for the first time. 

He is still remembered for having facilitated the visiting teams from England and South Africa in an exceptional manner during the Cricket World Cup 1996. As the Convenor Sports of Karachi Gymkhana he had organized their week-long practice and training sessions at the club, having handled the foreign and local media very efficiently. 

Jahangir Moghul was born at Karachi on January 5, 1956. After having completed his education, besides furthering the interests of his family business, he carved a niche for himself in the community service from a young age. 

He has been recognized as one of the most prominent social figures and philanthropists, having gone out of way for the cause of humanity. He has supported numerous individuals and bodies quietly who remain eternally grateful to him for the timely and generous help. He has been a Patron of the famous Tai’s Karate Centre for the past many years besides being the President of the Sindh Softball Association. He has actively participated in many welfare projects too. 

Besides contributing to Rotary proactively and generously for over quarter of a century now, he has lent support to various welfare organizations. He has had outstanding record in his scholastic career having studied at the most prestigious of educational institutions. 

After doing Senior Cambridge from the Karachi Grammar School, he did graduation in science from D J College. He did post graduation at the Institute of Business Administration before undertaking courses in collateral services, through Bank of America, at San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

After completing education he joined the family-owned enterprise, Moghul Group, having interests in cotton, commodities, ginning, textile, finance, steel, oil and petroleum, having been in business since 1947. He has attended innumerable workshops, symposiums and seminars besides taking various short courses from time to time. 

Jahangir Moghul has been elected to the sub-committees of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) over the years having looked after matters relating to Foreign Affairs, Finance and Law & Order. He has also served in the Board of Directors of Karachi Cotton Association, Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association, Karachi Customs Group and Karachi Seed Merchants Association and Pakistan Banks Association. 

He has been an active Rotarian since 1984. Having been elected to various positions in Rotary Club of Karachi Mehran, including its President in 1995-96, he was elected as the Charter President of Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan in 2004. He has served the cause of Rotary at the district level consistently for more than three decades.

Jahangir Moghul commends women library scientists

Jahangir Moghul, a prominent social figure and philanthropist, has commended the role of the women library scientists of the country in taking the profession to higher level with their talent, commitment and dedication. 

He made the observation during his recent meeting with a group of eminent library scientists at the Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi. 

Jahangir Moghul, who has been elected as the Governor of Rotary International’s District 3271 for the year 2015-16, vowed to play a proactive role in the development of library culture in the society and he sought the support of the library scientists in accomplishing the mission. 

“We value your contributions you have made in the field of Library & Information Science and we will be more than glad to have your input in carrying out our projects aimed at enhancing the literacy rate in our country,” he remarked. 

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, the first-ever woman library scientist to have earned the doctorate degree, who has also authored more than 30 books on the subjects of library science and research, presented a copy of the latest issue of Adab-o-Kutub Khana to Jahangir Moghul who was thoroughly impressed by the contents inside the covers. 

Jahangir Moghul, who is a Presidential candidate in the Karachi Gymkhana’s elections to be held on December 21, was also presented a copy of the book ‘Darakhshan Sitaray’ by its author Dr Nasreen Shagufta, who is the Secretary of the Bazm-e-Akram, besides being the editor of the Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal (PLISJ). 

‘Darakhshan Sitaray’ is an account of the top 30 women library scientists of Pakistan and the book has been published by Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), under the supervision of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari and Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, both of them having served as the chairperson of the Library Science & Information department at the University of Karachi. 

Jahangir Moghul lauded Dr Nasreen Shagufta, who has taught the subject at the various colleges besides also having worked as a librarian, for having brought out an excellent book on a worthy topic.

“Highlighting the accomplishments of the leading women personalities of the profession should serve as motivation to the young generation who can learn a great deal by reading this particular book,” he noted. “Let me put on record my appreciation to the learned ladies of this particular profession for having done wonders and set examples for others to follow,” Jahangir Moghul concluded.

Jahangir Moghul proposes National Library Day on Dec 2

Jahangir Moghul, a renowned social figure and philanthropist, has proposed December 2 to be celebrated as the National Library Day of Pakistan to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, one of the pioneers of Library & Information Science in the country, as an acknowledgement to his contributions.

It was in the fitness of things that Jahangir Moghul, having been elected as the Governor of Rotary International’s District 3271 for the year 2015-16, made the announcement during a meeting with Dr Sabzwari, the Founder President of the Library Promotion Bureau (LPB) and the Founder Chief Editor of the Pakistan Library Science & Information Journal (PLISJ), on his 79th birthday which was celebrated in a simple but graceful manner on December 2.

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, the first-ever woman library scientist to have earned the doctorate degree, who has authored more than 30 books, and Dr Nasreen Shagufta, Secretary, Bazm-e-Akram, and Editor, PLISJ, were also present on the occasion.

Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari and Prof Dr Nasim Fatima have served as the chairperson of the Library Science & Information department at the University of Karachi, while Dr Nasreen Shagufta has taught the subject at the various colleges, besides also having served as a librarian.

“Let me announce at this moment that Rotary International’s District 3271, on its part, will be holding a grand function on December 2, 2015 to mark the National Library Day and pay tribute to Dr Sabzwari, having become a legend in his own lifetime,” Jahangir Moghul declared.

“We will submit a proposal to the concerned authorities to take the necessary action to approve December 2 as the National Library Day at the governmental level and facilitate programmes to promote library culture in every nook and corner of the country,” he added. 

“We are really inspired by the untiring efforts of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari and his team, which has worked selflessly for decades. They are the people who are the role models for the youngsters. Let us recognize their services at the highest level,” Jahangir Moghul felt.

“The awareness about the libraries will be helpful in guiding the young generation. They will be inclined towards reading in their leisure hours which will let them learn but their culture and the country in a detailed manner. The National Library Day could be a perfect occasion to kickstart this campaign,” he reckoned.

Jahangir Moghul congratulated Dr Sabzwari for having pursued the scholastic activities with missionary zeal and hoped that his example will be followed by the other luminaries in the profession.

Jahangir Moghul hails Collector Customs for honouring Jalaluddin

Jahangir Moghul, one of the eminent social figures and a known sports patron, has hailed the recent decision of the Pakistan Customs of dedicating the coming year (2015) to Jalaluddin, a household name in the cricket circles. 

“It’s a matter of pride for the entire sports community that the Pakistan Customs will be celebrating 2015 as a tribute year to Jalaluddin in a big way and quite a few programmes have been planned to make it count,” Jahangir Moghul observed while talking to the representatives of the media during the launching ceremony of ‘2015: Jalaluddin’s Tribute Year’ at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on November 27. 

Jahangir Moghul, who was recognized during the ceremony for being the presidential candidate of the Karachi Gymkhana in the coming elections due to be held on December 21, showered Jalaluddin with praise for his overwhelming contribution to the game of cricket in the role of a cricketer, coach and administrator. 

“Jalaluddin has set very high standards. He has become a role model in the field of cricket coaching. He has been working hard with a missionary zeal and he’s engaged in community service with great passion. It’s an honour for all us that he’s a member of the Karachi Gymkhana, the club which holds a special place in the history of Pakistan cricket,” Jahangir Moghul noted. 

“Let me place on record my appreciation for the top functionaries of the Pakistan Customs for taking this landmark decision of declaring 2015 as Jalaluddin’s Tribute Year. Nazim Saleem, Chief Collector Enforcement, South, and Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement South, deserve to be complimented in particular while Khalil Masood, Ex-member Customs and former Chairman, Corporate Law Authority, also merits special mention in this regard,” he added. 

Pakistan Customs has decided to pay tribute to Jalaluddin in a befitting manner in view of his overwhelming contribution to the game of cricket. A grand gala dinner in his honour will be organized at a five-star hotel while an exhibition T-20 match between Pakistan Stars-XI and Pakistan Customs-XI, dedicated to him, will be staged at National Stadium, Karachi. 

Some other side events like the launching of a book on the history of Pakistan Customs cricket and conducting a seminar on cricket coaching are also planned to be a part of the programme to be held in January-February 2015.

Jahangir Moghul considers Ashraf Tai as Bruce Lee of Pakistan

Jahangir Moghul, a renowned social figure and philanthropist, has compared Pakistan’s most famous Grand Master Mohammad Ashraf Tai to Bruce Lee, the legendary Hong Kong American martial artist and martial arts instructor. 

“Grand Master Ashraf Tai has remained an iconic figure throughout the country for decades and his students and trainees have taken bando karate, introduced in Pakistan by him in 1971, to different corners of the world. He commands the same kind of respect in Pakistan which Bruce Lee had earned for his exploits in martial arts,” Jahangir Moghul, elected as District Governor of Rotary International for the year 2015-16, remarked during his recent visit to the headquarters of Tai’s Karate Centre, housed at the KGA Gymkhana in Karachi. 

He has also proposed Lifetime Achievement Award for the legendary martial artist, Grand Master Ashraf Tai, in recognition of his meritorious services in the promotion of karate. 

Credited to have introduced bando karate, the Burmese style of martial arts, in Pakistan way back in 1971, Grand Master Ashraf Tai earned worldwide fame with his accomplishments against the top-notchers of the sport. 

Jahangir Moghul, who has been proactively involved in community service and social work over a number of years, besides doing justice to his various portfolios in the managing committees of the Karachi Gymkhana, has remained an ardent supporter of Grand Master Ashraf Tai. 

“He’s an icon of marial arts and a role model for the youngsters of the country. It has been a privilege visiting the Tai’s Karate Centre and watching the Grand Master in action imparting training to the keen learners of different age-groups. It’s quite extraordinary that he has not lost the intensity despite the bouts of illness during the last couple of years. Let’s pray for his long life with immaculate health,” Jahangir Moghul observed. 

“Grand Master Ashraf Tai is a deserved winner of the Pride of Performance Award which was bestowed upon him by the President of Pakistan more than a decade time. Heroes like him need to be recognized again and again. He should be considered for a Life Achievement Award at the highest level now,” Jahangir Moghul reckoned. 

He recalled that Grand Master Ashraf Tai had created a sensation by overpowering Stanley Michael of Malaysia in the final of the Afro-Asia Championship in 1978 and he confirmed his superiority in the continent by outwitting Japan 's Koha Yash a year later. 

It may be recalled that Grand Master Ashraf Tai is also credited to have founded the Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) and succeeded in having the body affiliated to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) as well as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).  Having received numerous awards in various continents of the world during his illustrious career, he was declared the International Grand Master of the Year in 2000 by an institution based in the United States . 

The Tai's Bando Karate Centre has trained thousands of martial artists. The branches of his centres have not only been functioning with great success all over the country but the students trained by him have also been operating the centres named after him in quite a few countries like the United States of America (USA), England, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, France, Holland and Bangladesh. 

Grand Master Ashraf Tai holds the distinction of claiming the highest degree (8th Dan) in the martial arts history of the country. Only a handful of martial artists have matched his feat worldwide. He had started karate at the age of nine with his master Lee Phow Shin while he received black belt at the age of 16. He started participating in a lot of local tournaments, most of which were professional. 

Less than a year after migrating to Karachi from Chittagong in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1970, he started the first-ever martial arts school in Pakistan by the name of Tai’s Karate Centre which was located at the Hill Park. He then shifted the centre to its present premises at the KGA Gymkhana. 

The Tai’s Karate Centre expanded gradually. In the beginning when he started teaching karate at the Hill Park, there are hardly six to seven students and the Grand Master had to persuade people to come and learn karate. The students trained by him spread the word around in a few years time the growth became phenomenal and the rest is history.

Jahangir Moghul felicitates record-breaking Misbah-ul-Haq

Jahangir Moghul, a noted social figure and philanthropist, has felicitated Misbah-ul-Haq on becoming Pakistan’s most successful Test captain after having equalled world record of the fastest century just a days ago.

“Well done Misbah. Your resilience and will power have made the whole country proud. We salute you. You have led by example and the odd setbacks didn’t deter you from losing your focus. You have proved to be a worthy leader and you thoroughly deserve the records coming your way,” Jahangir Moghul, who has been a known supporter of sports, acknowledged. 

With the latest win over New Zealand in the first Test, Misbah now has 15 victories, having moved ahead of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, both of whom had led Pakistan to 14 wins apiece. More creditably Misbah has achieved 15 wins in 33 Tests where Javed Miandad and Imran Khan had needed 34 and 48 Tests respectively for 14 victories each.

“It’s very heartening indeed to find Pakistan recording their third successive Test win in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the victory over New Zealand has followed the whitewash of the Australians just the other week. The aggressive manner in which Misbah is leading from the front the remaining two Tests against New Zealand should also produce victories for Pakistan,” Jahangir Moghul, who has headed the Karachi Gymkhana’s Sports Committee with distinction for a number of years, hoped. 

“Misbah, better known for his cool and calm attitude, has not let go the opportunity of cashing in when he found the opponents floored. It was during the second Test at Abu Dhabi where Misbah equalled the 28-year-old record for the fastest Test century off 56 balls after having smashed the fastest Test half-century off just 21 balls. The master blaster was absolutely unstoppable that day,” he added.

Jahangir Moghul, having been elected as the District Governor for of the Rotary International’s District 3271 for the year 2015-2016, believed that the blockbuster performance of Pakistan’s team augurs well for the future of the country. 

“The youth of the country in particular looks forward to our cricketers. They are the role models for our youngsters. Let’s hope that this momentum is sustained for a longer time and we are able to capitalize on it,” he concluded.