KARACHI, July 18: The organization of prominent old students of the University of Karachi, Unikarians is being reactivated to play its due role towards the improvement of the city’s atmosphere. This was announced by the Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Syed Safwanullah, while addressing a news conference here on Monday in his capacity as the president of the Unikarians.

He said that debates contribute towards building a congenial atmosphere as well as fostering the spirit of dialogue which leads to understanding and reconciliation.

The minister said that the Unikarians was the biggest organization of the old students of the KU with a registered membership of over 2,500.

He recalled the contributions of the organization for Karachi University in the shape of Shaikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Islamic Faculty, mosque as well as library.

Mr Safwanullah said that the Unikarians also played a role towards fostering academic values and atmosphere in Karachi.

For the past 15 years it is organizing international ‘Mushaira’ on annual basis under the auspices of the ‘Sakinan Shehr-i-Quaid’, he added.

He stated that a trust had also been formed for extending financial assistance to the poets, writers and teachers in need and for the publication of their works.

The minister said that a sum of Rs50 million would be generated and the income out of the principal amount would be utilized for such activities.

He announced that a debate competition for the students of varsities and colleges of Karachi will be organized next month.

The topic of the competition would be “Karachi is the symbol of peace”.

Mahfooz Yar Khan, who is the chairman of the Debate Committee, said that the contest would be held on August 27 at the auditorium of the Jinnah University for Women.

Those securing first three positions would be given individual prizes while the best team would be awarded ‘Nishan-i-Zafar’.

The 10 best participants would be selected for the extempore debate contest.

The winner in this category would be conferred gold medal and a cash prize of Rs15,000.

The second and third position holders would be given silver and bronze medals and cash prizes of Rs10,000 and Rs5,000 respectively.

There will also be a competition among the winners of this contest and the debaters of the past, it was further pointed out.—APP