Author: Ahsan Mughal

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) of staging a “mock political contest”, saying both parties are engaged in what he described as a “Nora kushti” in Karachi’s governance landscape. Speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq in Karachi, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said the city had witnessed poor sanitation conditions during Eid-ul-Azha, blaming both parties for what he called the deterioration of civic services in the country’s largest metropolis. He said institutions such as the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and the water supply system were still…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Karachi Traffic Police have announced a detailed traffic diversion plan due to the construction of a new flyover at Azeempura Interchange, aiming to manage congestion across key city routes including Shahrah-e-Faisal and Korangi. According to officials, vehicles coming from Singer Chowrangi and Korangi towards Shahrah-e-Faisal will be diverted via Shahrah Bhutto Interchange and redirected towards Defence. Rita Plot Chowk has been completely closed for traffic from all directions during the construction period. Traffic coming from the airport and Shahrah-e-Faisal will be diverted from 2 Number Chowrangi in Shah Faisal and rerouted towards Defence through EBM Causeway…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Hot weather is expected to continue in the city during the next 24 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. The Met Office said the maximum temperature is likely to remain between 34°C and 36°C today. The minimum temperature recorded in the city was 26.4°C. It added that southwesterly winds were blowing at a speed of 16 kilometres per hour, while humidity levels stood at 74 per cent. #Karachi #WeatherUpdate #KarachiWeather #PakistanWeather #Heatwave #MetOffice

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Despite extreme heat, prolonged load shedding continues across several areas of the city, with even exempted zones facing power outages. Residents in Kemari, Kharadar, Lyari, Orangi Town, Baldia Town and Saeedabad are experiencing extended electricity cuts. Power interruptions have also been reported in Liaquatabad C-1 area, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Rizvia and Pak Colony. Several sectors of New Karachi and North Karachi, as well as North Nazimabad, are also facing frequent outages. In addition, residents of Buffer Zone, Shadman Town, Gulshan-e-Umair and Scheme 33 are suffering from ongoing load shedding during the severe heat. #Karachi #LoadShedding #Heatwave #PowerCrisis…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Temperatures in Karachi were expected to rise further from Monday, with the mercury likely to reach 41 degrees Celsius, according to weather indications. The city had recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius on the previous day.In view of the rising heat, heatwave camps were established across various districts of the city on the orders of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Officials said the arrangements were being made to provide relief to citizens amid the intensifying heat conditions, with measures focused on preventing heatstroke and ensuring access to basic first aid and drinking water…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The chairman of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said on Thursday that in developed societies workers sell their time and skills, but in Pakistan they are often forced to “sell their dignity”, as he addressed a Labor Day gathering in Karachi. Speaking as chief guest at a ceremony organized by the party’s United Labor Federation at Liaquat Memorial Auditorium, Siddiqui framed his party as an extension of a broader workers’ movement. He argued that Pakistan’s political future lay in a model shaped by such foundations, while urging a renewed alliance between workers and…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: A cooperation protocol has been signed between the İbn-i Sina Institute, the World Ageing Council and Badar Expo Solutions, marking a formal partnership aimed at expanding collaboration in the healthcare sector and advancing international engagement on health policy, innovation and investment. The agreement was signed by gerontologist and World Ageing Council chairman Dr Kemal Aydın and Badar Expo Solutions Chief Operating Officer Tanveer Abbas Abdullah, with both sides describing the arrangement as a step towards strengthening strategic cooperation in health systems development and related industries. Under the framework of the agreement, the International Health Summit (IHS)…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Hajj flight operations formally began across Pakistan, with the first flight departing from Karachi carrying 160 pilgrims.The departure marked the start of this year’s pilgrimage travel, with thousands set to leave in the coming weeks. The flight left from Jinnah International Airport via a private airline, while pilgrims were seen off by Nihal Hashmi and senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. More than 31,000 pilgrims are expected to travel from Karachi to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. Under the Road to Makkah Project, Saudi authorities will complete one-time immigration…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: A new gas load-shedding schedule has been implemented across various areas of Karachi, further adding to the difficulties faced by residents already struggling with energy shortages. According to sources, gas supply will now be available in limited time slots throughout the day. Supply will begin early in the morning at 5:30am and continue until 10:00am, after which it will be suspended until noon. Officials said gas will be restored from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, before being cut off again from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The evening supply window will run from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, providing some relief during…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The Private Schools Alliance in Karachi has demanded the postponement of matriculation exams scheduled to begin on April 7. The alliance stated that examination centers have not yet been finalized, admit cards have not been issued, and exam materials are still undelivered, making proper arrangements incomplete. However, a spokesperson for the matric board assured that all arrangements for the exams have been completed. Admit cards have been uploaded on the board’s official website, and private candidates have received their cards at their residential addresses. The board further stated that the office will remain open during the…