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Email of Federal Secretary Tourism Govt of Pakistan Mr. Ali Arif Sahib

My dear Brother Syed Zafar Husain Sahib,
I was deeply shocked and grieved to learn about the sad demise of your elder brother, Mr. Tariq Hussain. I really immediately offered you my condolences. I can imagine your loss and it is most heartfelt and my family joins me in sharing your grief. May Allah rest the departed soul in peace. Ameen!
Zafar Sahib, you are loved and respected by your friends because of your being outspoken and blunt which is a rare quality found these days. I am also very grateful to you that while mentioning about Sheikh Akram Sahib, you have been kind enough to place me also in high esteem which I never deserved. It is indeed, your kindness. I consider myself lucky to have enjoyed your confidence in this regard.
By the way, I might tell you that I have always admired Sheikh Akram Sahib's role as Govt.'s Advisor on Planning Commission and I had the opportunity to attend his meetings on Railway projects and while in the PM Secretariat, I had the opportunity to meet him on a few occasions and on one occasion his wife, too. Yes, his career has been very outstanding and diversified which very few bureaucrats have possessed. I have also known his elder brother, Sheikh Ashraf, who retired as Secretary/Chairman, Pakistan Railways who always remained very kind to me.
Please convey my regards to the family. More next time.
Khuda Hafiz
Yours Sincerely,
Ali Arif, Islamabad

Mr. Ali Arif (Grade: BS-22)
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Govt of Pakistan

Personal / Career Profile:
Mr. Ali Arif was Born in Lahore on 14th October 1949.Inducted into Traffic & Commercial Department of Pakistan Railways in 1972 through qualifying the Central Superior Services Examination conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission, was able to further acquire the Bachelor’s degree in Laws and post graduation Master’s Degree in Economics along with international post graduation Diploma in Industrial Management from Netherlands; also attained Diploma Certificate of theory and practice in Freelance Journalism from Australian College of Journalism, Sydney, besides the two previous post graduation Master’s degrees in History and Political Science. This background of education and progressively responsible experience helped in successful discharge of duties on various management positions which were occupied in large public sector organizations, specialized agencies and international institutions.

Attended a number of courses in various management disciplines organized by the Pakistan Institute of Management, National Institute of Public Administration and Directorate of Research & Training, Pakistan Railways. These courses covered the subjects of Human Resource, Industrial Relations, Marketing and Personnel Management, Computer / IT literacy etc.,
• As a govt. servant with diversified experience accomplished various tasks within strict deadlines. Worked independently and also in the capacity as an active team member. Was able to maintain cordial relationship with colleagues and the public at all levels. Adjusted well in all types of social, cultural and business environment.
• On behalf of the District Administration of Kasur, was nominated to look after the project affairs of UNDP in connection with Rehabilitation & Reconstruction of Flood Damaged Areas and in that capacity, the appreciation expressed through issue of a letter of appreciation by the concerned quarters was placed on record at the level of Chief Secretary, Punjab, in the year 1992. Also remained in touch with the activities of SOS Villages of Pakistan, Lahore

II. Education/ Examinations Passed:

• Master of Arts (History)—1968—Punjab University, Lahore
• Master of Arts (Political Science)—1969—Punjab University, Lahore
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)----1981—Punjab University
• Master of Arts (Economics)—1987—Punjab University, Lahore
• Diploma Certificate awarded by Research Institute for Management Sciences (RVB-Delft), Netherlands, for successful completion of the International Post Graduate Course in “Industrial Management” with specialization in General Management (9th January to 6thJune, 1985)
• Diploma Certificate of Freelance Journalism awarded by the Australian College of Journalism , Sydney for successful completion of 6-month course of studies in theory and practice of Freelance Journalism on 19th December, 1997

III. Computer Literacy

• Attended course on Electronic Data Processing for Management held from 9thFebruary to 27th March, 1976 organized by Pakistan Computer Bureau (Cabinet Division), Rawalpindi
• Attended one-week computer course held from 24th to 31st January, 1995 at the Directorate of Research & Training , Pakistan Railways, Walton, Lahore from 24th to 31st January, 1995
• Completed successful course of instruction in Cambridge Computer Literacy in November, 1996 and was awarded Certificate of Achievement by the Director, Informatics International Singaporean 16th December, 1996
• Attended a course in Introduction to Personal Computers in June 1997 held by Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE, Hornsby College, Sydney

IV. Distinctions, Honours, Awards, Achievements, Social Services rendered and Courses Attended in Literary and Academic fields and Professional Skills, such as Marketing, Organization and Methods, Man
Management & Human Relations, Modern Labour Management and Industrial Relations, Railways
Operations Techniques, detailed as follows:

• Awarded Silver Pen Award ----- Chief Editor, Weekly Govt. College Gazette, Lahore(1964-66)
• Won President of Pakistan’s Gold Medal Award for Best Child Writer ( as a result of Essay-Competition among students below 16 years of age) –1963
• Awarded Certificate of Merit by the Garrett Historical Society of Govt. College, Lahore ---1964
• Awarded Certificate of Merit by the Govt. College, Lahore, for services rendered to Sondhi Translation Society ---1964
• Awarded Certificate of Merit by the Govt. College, Lahore, for being member of the Editorial Board of The Government College Gazette (an English Weekly) for the session 1964
• Awarded Merit Certificate by the The Literary Society, University of the Punjab, Lahore---1967-68
• Awarded Merit Certificate for obtaining 2nd position in Order of Merit in the Master of Arts in History Examination, 1968, Punjab University, Lahore
• Attended a course in Theory and Practice of Marketing held by Pakistan Institute of Management, Lahore from 19-1-1976 to 29-1-1976
• Attended a course in Organization and Methods held from 15th August to 27th August, 1981 at the National Institute of Public Administration, Lahore
• Attended a course in Man Management And Human Relations held from January 5 to 16, 1986 at the National Institute of Public Administration, Lahore
• Attended a course in Modern Labour Management And Industrial Relations held from 19th to 29th day of January, 1986 at the Directorate of Research & Training , Pakistan Railways, Walton, Lahore
• Attended a course in Advanced Techniques of Railway Operation held from 6thJanuary to 5th May, 1978at the Pakistan Regional Railway Training Centre, Walton-Lahore
• Awarded Certificate of IELTS (International English Language Testing System), Australia, on 25-08-1997
• Qualified the test for Certificate of Accreditation by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, Australia as a Paraprofessional Translator in the English and Urdu languages in February, 1999 General

• Rendered social services and took interest in the activities of Civil Defence Club, Govt. College, Lahore, Govt. Civil Defence Department, Lahore, Pakistan Tuberculosis Association, Child Welfare Council of Pakistan, St. John’s Ambulance Association (Pakistan) , Pakistan Red Cross Society (now changed to Hilal-I-Ahmar Society), and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as part of the extra-curricular activities during student career
• Awarded Certificate by The American Center, Lahore for participation in the American History Course held from November 10-28, 1975
• Member, Board of Governors of the Pakistan Embassy School/College, Tehran, from 30th January 2002 to January 2003

V. Participation at Regional and International Conferences:

• Represented the ECO Cultural Institute at the Council of Permanent Representatives Meetings of the ECO, Regional Planning Council Meetings of ECO, Council of Ministers Meetings of ECO and the Board of Trustees Meeting of ECO Cultural Institute
• Represented the ECO Cultural Institute at The Pedagogic Conference on Dialogue Among Civilizations & Global Issues jointly organized by The School of International Relations (SIR) and the United Nations University (UNU) held from August 31st to September 3rd, 2002 in Tehran
• Represented the ECO Cultural Institute at the International Congress and Exhibition of Arts & Crafts organized by the Ministry of Culture & Islamic Guidance, Islamic Republic of Iran, held at Isfahan, Iran, from October 4thto 9th October, 2002

VI. Fields of Work Experience:

Over thirty- four years progressively responsible work experience detailed as follows:

1. Pakistan Railways

For almost twenty years, worked for Pakistan Railways both at Headquarters, Lahore and also with the Federal Ministry of Railways in Islamabad on various responsible positions in the areas of marketing, commercial and Personnel. The posts included that of the Divisional Commercial and Divisional Personnel Officer to the rank of Manager/Director/Chief in the Planning, Marketing, Commercial, Personnel and Management Information Systems in the Railways. Also worked on the posts of Deputy Director (Traffic), Liaison Officer, Federal Minister for Railways, Marketing Manager (Freight), Chief Marketing Manager, Chief Dry Ports Manager etc. During this period, also worked in the RAILCORP (Railways Construction) Corporation, an autonomous body engaged in execution of overseas contracts for the development of Railways.

2. Punjab Small Industries Corporation

On deputation, worked in the Punjab Small Industries Corporation for three years and performed duties as Joint Director, Corporationin the areas of marketing, administration and also manned the post of Director (Admn.) These posts involved promotion and supervision of small-scale cottage industries centres and Industrial Estates and participation of the Corporation through display of carpets and other handicrafts items at some of the International Exhibitions during 1982 to 1985.

3. Other Assignments:

After post-graduation in History from Punjab University, started the career as a part-time lecturer in the History Department, Punjab University, Lahore for nearly a year, while for about six months, worked as Research Officer in the National Reconstruction Bureau, Punjab during 1970-71. Then, in the capacity as an officer of Traffic & Commercial Department, Pakistan Railways, was also able to work on deputation with the Punjab govt. in the capacity of Additional Secretary (Admin.), Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Punjab and as Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) in Kasur District. Also worked on deputation as Secretary to Speaker, Parliament House, National Assembly of Pakistan, Islamabad.

VII. Areas & Subjects dealt with as part of Work Experience:

• Designing and execution of commercial working with reference to directives aimed at promotion of Railway Traffic and prevention of leakage of Railway revenue;
• Administration/Labour & Personnel Management in different capacities for a large public sector like Pakistan Railways which included successful handling of cordial employer-employee relationship and training of personnel;
• Promotion of sale of carpets produced at the centres of Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), Pakistan and supervision and participation of Punjab Small Industries Corporation through display of carpets & handicrafts at the International Exhibitions held at Zaghreb and Jeddah during 1982 to 1985;
• Coordination with the concerned agencies involved in the Rehabilitation & Reconstruction of Flood Damaged Areas Project in Kasur District to strengthen the development objectives of the project through establishing linkages with the local nation building departments towards pushing the construction activities;
• Supervision and coordination of functioning of various branches in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Punjab, Pakistan; organizing exhibitions, conferences and fairs for the ECO Cultural Institute, Tehran and participation at similar forums as representative of ECO Cultural Institute, Tehran;
• Supervision and management of English Quarterly Journal of the ECO Cultural Institute, Tehran which is published by the Institute and distributed to all regional, international organizations and other diplomatic missions in Tehran and outside Iran;
• Planning high-level meetings, conferences, exhibitions and other functions attended by officials of the rank of ministers, ambassadors and other senior diplomats;
• Maintaining contact and liaison with region a land international organizations to fulfill objectives of the ECO Cultural Institute;
• Planning programmes to promote greater awareness and developing of relationships and understanding among the peoples of the region through coordination with ‘focal points’ , ECO governments and embassies;
• Supervision and management of the affairs of the ECO Cultural Institute including the role to lead, facilitate and develop individual and team resources to meet and implement the Institute’s objectives as enshrined in the Charter of the Institute;
• Planning, evaluation, execution and operation of Railway freight traffic and exploration of new avenues/channels to increase Railway revenue;
• Supervision and monitoring of Consultancy & Advisory Services provided by PRACS, a subsidiary of Pakistan Railways, established as a private limited Company, registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council and a member of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, responsible for the planning, design and management of projects concerning all disciplines of Railways.
• Follow up of the directives of the Prime Minister in respect of Development Schemes of MNAs & Senators (Parliamentarians) and other issues as assigned from time to time by the PM

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