Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has found several power stations and electricity companies lacking in safety performance, raising concerns about potential risks to workers and the public. NEPRA released its 2024–25 report on the health, safety, and environmental practices of companies involved in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The report warned that company heads would be held personally accountable for safety lapses and any accidents occurring during operations or affecting the public. According to NEPRA, violations of safety laws and standard operating procedures remain a major cause of workplace incidents. The regulator evaluated companies…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The government’s approach to addressing Karachi’s infrastructure and governance issues is fragmented, with patchwork solutions replacing long-term planning, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor on Sunday. Speaking in Karachi, Shakoor criticised the Sindh government for copying development initiatives from Lahore for political reasons rather than addressing the root causes of the city’s poor governance and deteriorating infrastructure. He noted that while a few double-decker buses had been imported, the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and the creation of a modern, integrated public transport system combining buses and rail remained long-standing and unmet…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Senior leader of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Sadiq Idris has said the survival of Karachi depends on the unity of the Mohajir nation, stressing that the creation of a new province in Sindh is a constitutional right and must be based on urban Sindh. Sadiq Idris made the remarks while meeting various delegations of the Sindh Urban Graduate Forum from across the city at the residence of party chief Afaq Ahmed. He expressed serious concern over what he described as continued injustice and fascism against urban Sindh. He said the MQM had demanded a southern…

By our correspondent WASHINGTON: The United States has announced criminal charges against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro following a major military operation in the country. Speaking to the media, US President Donald Trump said he had ordered a “special operation” in Venezuela’s capital, describing it as a striking display of American air, land, and naval power. Trump said Maduro was brought to face justice and described the mission as “unprecedented and spectacular,” adding that US forces would continue to manage Venezuela until a transfer of power is secured and that American oil companies would enter the country. Trump also outlined plans…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains in power for much longer, the country could face severe instability. He said Modi’s actions against minorities were aimed at consolidating his own political standing. Speaking to Geo News, Asif said that Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs in India were increasingly being targeted, describing attacks on minorities as “state policy”. He accused Modi of showing no regard for religious or human values and recalled the Gujarat riots during Modi’s tenure as chief minister, saying the violence had stained his hands with the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has likened the nation’s economic revival to Pakistan’s historic “Battle of Truth”, saying the country will achieve growth in the economy with the same determination. In a statement, Iqbal highlighted the role of engineers in driving the country’s development, noting that projects ranging from dams to industrial initiatives relied heavily on their expertise. “Engineers are the ones who solve human problems,” he said. He also spoke about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, observing that the current generation had witnessed the country’s journey from traditional slate boards to 5G technology. The…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected recent comments by India’s foreign minister, accusing New Delhi of attempting to divert attention from its own role in regional terrorism and instability. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Inderabi said India’s involvement in fostering terrorism across the region was “well established” and described the minister’s allegations as “irresponsible”. He highlighted the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as a clear example of state-sponsored terrorism targeting Pakistan. Inderabi also accused India of supporting extraterritorial killings, sabotage, and terrorist networks abroad. He criticized India’s Hindu nationalist ideology, saying it promoted extremism and violence, and pointed to…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Medical Aid Committee (MAC) of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) celebrated its founding anniversary on Saturday at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters, unveiling its 2026 calendar and poster. Senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar congratulated MAC staff and volunteers, calling them “the movement’s strongest arm” and praising their dedication during blood donation camps, emergency relief operations, and natural disasters. He emphasised unity within the ranks and maintaining a spirit of service as the key to connecting with the public. Former provincial minister and MQM-P central leader Shabbir Qaimkhani addressed the volunteers, highlighting ethics and professionalism.…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Saturday inaugurated the two-day “My Brand Pakistan” exhibition at the Karachi Expo Centre, calling for urgent attention to Generation Z and warning that the youth cannot be left at the mercy of circumstances. Addressing the gathering, Hafiz Naeem said that apart from JI, no political force was ready to take responsibility for shaping the next generation. “The ruling elite fears Generation Z, yet the nation cannot afford to neglect its youth,” he said. The exhibition, organised by the Pakistan Business Forum, featured 280 companies and 700 brands.…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Saturday announced the launch of a city-wide “Save Karachi” campaign, emphasising that the survival and economic stability of Pakistan are intrinsically linked to the development of its largest metropolis. Speaking at a press conference at MQM-P headquarters in Bahadurabad, Dr Sattar said that despite being treated unfairly, Karachi contributes more than 65 per cent of federal revenues, 95 per cent of provincial revenue, and 50 per cent of national exports. He warned that unless the city’s fundamental rights were safeguarded, national progress would remain at…