KARACHI: Bagh-i-Jinnah was the place to be for all aspiring computer scientists and IT experts hoping to join the Bano Qabil 2.0 scholarship programme by taking the aptitude test organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami in collaboration with Al-Khidmat there on Sunday.

Although there were several things happening all at once, those who had registered for the hour-long test were the first to take their seats. Also there were those candidates, who had successfully completed the first phase of the programme, Bano Qabil 1.0, waiting patiently for their convocation ceremony. Many were also there to exhibit their respective projects.

Roughly, there must have been almost one hundred thousand people there bringing up the issue of conducting the tests on such a huge scale. Therefore, many were complaining of too much delay in starting the tests.

“I think I will ask my daughter to forget it. We arrived here at 4pm and now it is almost time for Isha prayers,” complained one very upset mother getting up to leave the parents’ waiting area to go find her daughter.

Jamaat-i-Islami launches Bano Qabil 2.0 scholarship programme

But when she finally found her, the daughter refused to leave without taking the test. “Good things come to those who wait, Maa,” she pointed out to her mother.

Both male and female candidates were taking the tests simultaneously although they were seated separately with a segregating grill or fence decorated with pretty fairy lights between them. They all had come with dreams of securing a bright future for themselves.

Mohammad Shoaib there wanted a future in web development for himself. “I also registered and appeared for the IT tests at Governor House earlier. I have already cleared that test. Now I’m here hoping to get into this programme as well,” the young man told Dawn.

There was also Khurram Rahman Maalik, who said that he already had a good job in the banking sector but wanted to do more. “I’m 35 years old. I have a job with a bank. But I know that I am capable of much more so here I am. I want to be able to do something more than just a nine-to-five job, perhaps be in a position where I can open more doors and provide opportunities to other able persons,” he said.

On the ladies side of the fence, one noticed a boy seated quietly. On being informed that he was out of place, the boy, Abdullah, pointed to the two girls seated beside him, indicating that he was accompanying them. Just as one assumed that he was their little brother, the boy introduced one as his mother and the other as his chachi (paternal aunt).

Shaista Asim, the boy’s mother, said that she was there to appear for the test and her older son was on the other side seated among the men to also take his test. “He has already cleared the Bano Qabil 1.0 test and is here for this one,” she said, adding that she had two other children back home also, who might come to sit the next test organised by the JI. Her devarani (sister-in-law) sitting next to her, who looked even younger than her, also said she had also left four of her kids at home, who were aspiring to come the next time, whenever that is. And then when one inquired if the husbands of both were also sitting somewhere with a pencil case and exam board in hand, they giggled in unison to inform that they were both pharmacists and not that much into IT.

On the men’s side, there were Mohammed Naeem and Mohammed Fahad, a father and son, getting slightly nervous. “Well, we are not really nervous, but rather anxious, maybe due to the long wait,” pointed out the father.

And right on the queue, as if he had heard him, the gentleman with the microphone on the tall stage announced that they would be distributing the papers shortly. Rais Khan, an invigilator, said the question paper comprised around 50 IT-based multiple choice questions, as everyone prepared to receive the question papers.

Meanwhile, Sindh Interior Minister retired Brig Haris Nawaz, who was watching over from the high stage, appreciated the work being done by the JI and Al-Khidmat for the empowerment and enhancement of skills among the city’s youth. “If they follow the courses that they get enrolled in, well, they can earn up to 200 billion rupees for Pakistan in the field of IT,” he said.

Ameer JI, Karachi, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the future of Karachi and Pakistan was present at the Bagh-i-Jinnah. “I also congratulate the successful candidates on Bano Qabil 1.0,” he said, while adding that he was all for equal opportunity among men and women and for providing opportunities to those worthy of it.

“We are all for education and enhancing of skills so that those who are really capable can take over the running of this country on merit from the feudal landlords who wrongly think it to be their right to rule. Our ancestors who fought for Pakistan’s creation and freedom didn’t make all those sacrifices to let feudal lords rule here,” he reminded.

“We have faith in the abilities of our youth. We have 6500,000 people here in our city, who are aged between 14 and 25 years and 40 to 50 per cent of them are educated. They are our assets. We will empower them,” Hafiz Naeem concluded.

The IT courses in Bano Qabil 2.0 have been increased from the six courses that were offered in Bano Qabil 1.0 to 15 courses now, resulting in a two-year diploma.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2023