Author: Aziz Khatri

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of West Zone, Irfan Ali Baloch, conducted an inspection of the Manghopir venue ahead of the annual Tablighi Ijtema, scheduled from 25 to 28 December, to review and strengthen security arrangements. Upon his arrival, DIG Baloch was welcomed by SSP West Tariq Alhai Mastoi, DSP Manghopir, DSP Pakistan Bazaar, and SHOs of Manghopir and Pakistan Bazaar, along with other senior police officers. During the visit, he met with the venue management and religious scholars, discussing police security measures in detail. Officials of the Manghopir administration expressed satisfaction with the proposed arrangements…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Ajmair Nagri police apprehended two street criminals during an armed confrontation near God Luck Wedding Hall, close to 4J Stop. One suspect was wounded in the encounter, while the other was arrested without resistance. Authorities recovered two 30-bore pistols with loaded magazines, three mobile phones, and a 125cc motorcycle from the suspects. The arrested individuals were identified as Faryal, son of Tariq, who was wounded, and Habibullah, son of Haq Nawaz, who was taken into custody without resistance. The wounded suspect was immediately taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment, while the other was brought…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi’s mayor, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has directed the immediate formation of independent vigilance teams to monitor major arteries of the city and ensure that small and medium-scale road repair issues are resolved within 24 hours. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting of the engineering department held at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) head office on 18 December, where progress on ongoing development projects across the city was reviewed. Wahab said separate emergency tenders for minor repair works had already been executed using funds collected through municipal taxes, adding that the availability of both resources…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi’s traffic police chief has said that vehicles using fake number plates are committing a criminal offence and their drivers should be sent to jail. Speaking on a morning television show, DIG Traffic Police Karachi Pir Muhammad Shah said the introduction of the e-challan system had led to a 50% reduction in road accidents. He claimed that since the system was launched, many motorists had started fitting fake number plates to their vehicles to evade penalties. He said strict fines would be imposed on vehicles using fake number plates as well as on those whose registration…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, will host the four-day 18th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2025 – “Jashan-e-Pakistan” from December 25 to 28, showcasing Pakistan’s literary heritage and cultural diversity. Announcing the event at a press conference, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah highlighted the conference’s history of promoting dialogue and peace through literature, noting that it was launched 18 years ago during a period of ethnic violence. He said the conference celebrates Urdu alongside Pakistan’s regional languages, featuring writers and poets from across the country and internationally. Renowned poetess Zehra Nigah emphasized that literature and language…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Sindh government has said it will put in place comprehensive security and traffic arrangements for the Christian community across the province during Christmas, following a request by its spokesperson, Sukhdev Hemnani. In a letter to the inspector general of police, Hemnani, who is also a member of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, called for heightened vigilance and coordinated planning to protect churches, places of worship and communal spaces. He cited constitutional guarantees including the right to life and liberty, freedom of religion, equality before the law and the protection of minorities. In response, the IG…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Sindh’s inspector general of police, Ghulam Nabi Memon, has inaugurated the renovated Yadgar-e-Shuhada memorial, a modernized gymnasium and a new Evolution Wall at the Central Police Office in Karachi, marking a symbolic and functional upgrade of the provincial force’s headquarters. The ceremony on Monday was attended by additional and deputy inspectors general and other senior officers, with the DIG headquarters briefing participants on the scope of the projects. The Evolution Wall presents a visual history of Sindh Police uniforms and weaponry, combining archival imagery with contemporary design elements, including stone inscriptions, an embossed guard of honor…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi police have foiled a house robbery attempt in the city’s West Zone, arresting three suspects following an armed encounter in Shadman Town No 2, Sector 14-B, officials said on Wednesday. According to a statement issued by the media cell of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, West Zone, the action was carried out on the instructions of DIG West Zone Irfan Ali Baloch, who had ordered strict action against gangs involved in house robberies. Police at Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan station received an emergency call on 15 reporting that robbers had entered a house. Officers responded…

By Aziz KhatriKARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah launched a week-long polio vaccination campaign on Monday, urging parents and communities to ensure that children across the province receive the life-saving drops. The campaign, running from 15 to 21 December, will cover 1,345 Union Councils in all 30 districts of Sindh, aiming to reach every eligible child in the province. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Haji Camp CMC School in Karachi’s old city, Shah expressed concern over the resurgence of polio in recent years. He noted that nine cases had already been reported in Sindh this year, adding…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted a mega musical concert for its members and their families to celebrate the success of the 39-day World Culture Festival 2025, with internationally acclaimed singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan delivering a rousing performance at the YMCA Ground. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan opened the evening with the devotional kalam Allah Hoo before performing iconic pieces associated with Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, including Dum Mast Qalandar and Akhiyan Udeekdiyan, prompting the audience to sing, sway and dance along. Thousands attended the event, which turned into a night of celebration for…