Author: Aziz Khatri

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Amid growing concern over rising manhole deaths in Karachi, Mayor Murtaza Wahab urged on Tuesday that the issue of “open manholes” should not be politicized. This year, more than two dozen people, mostly children, have died after falling into uncovered manholes, highlighting the city government’s struggle to secure all sewer openings. The mayor’s remarks came a day after an eight-year-old boy died after falling into an open sewer in Korangi’s Mehran Town. Speaking at Kidney Hill Park, Wahab, a senior PPP leader, said: “If someone has removed a gutter’s cover and placed it on the side,…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori met with MQM-Pakistan Chairman and Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with senior party leader Dr Farooq Sattar, to deliberate on the federal development package for Karachi and broader national political and economic issues. The discussions, held at Governor House, reflected an emphasis on both the immediate infrastructure and civic needs of the province and the ongoing challenges facing Pakistan’s political landscape. He condemned a statement reportedly issued by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the United Kingdom, describing it as an act of terrorism targeting Pakistan and Field Marshal Syed Asim…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The four-day 18th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2025 – Jashan-e-Pakistan, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, ended on Sunday at the YMCA Ground, bringing together writers, scholars and artists in a wide-ranging celebration of literature and the fine arts. The closing session was presided over by the poet Iftikhar Arif, with Sindh’s chief secretary, Syed Asif Hyder Shah, attending as chief guest. A packed stage reflected the scale of the gathering, with leading literary figures including Muhammad Ahmed Shah, president of the Arts Council, Khurshid Rizvi, Nasir Abbas Nayyar, Asghar Nadeem Syed, Hameed Shahid, Ghazi…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has declared 2025 as the “year of development,” unveiling a comprehensive Rs 46 billion plan for infrastructure and civic improvement across the city. The announcement came during a press briefing at KMC headquarters, attended by city council members and officials. Mayor Wahab outlined an ambitious programme, with a target to complete 799 development schemes by 30 June 2026. Key projects include the upgrading of four major city corridors with Rs 4 billion, construction of new graveyards costing Rs 400 million, and the completion of repair work on the old Hub Dam…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, has announced that the long-troubled Jahangir Road will be rebuilt within two months, following repeated complaints from residents about its poor condition. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Wahab also addressed delays in other major infrastructure projects across the city. He said problems affecting the University Road project would be resolved by July, while work on the long-delayed Karimabad underpass would be completed soon. “We apologize to the citizens for what has happened so far,” the mayor said. “As a nation, we cannot move forward unless we accept our…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The father of an eight-year-old boy who died after falling into an open sewer in Karachi has said the tragedy occurred because the drain had been left uncovered for weeks. Speaking to the media, Azhar Ali, the father of Delbar, said his son was playing outside their home in Korangi’s Mehran Town when he slipped into the open gutter. “There was no cover on the sewer. It has been missing for at least a month,” he said. Family members said Delbar was the couple’s only child. They added that uncovered gutters are common in the area…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Sindh’s inspector general of police, Ghulam Nabi Memon, has inaugurated the traffic helpline 1915 and the SSP Traffic South complex, the Sindh police said. The traffic helpline 1915 has been established at the Central Police Office in Karachi, while the SSP Traffic South office has been set up at Artillery Maidan. The inauguration ceremonies were attended by the additional IGP Karachi, deputy inspectors general for traffic and training, SSPs Traffic South and AVLC, the PD-IT wing, and other senior officers. Briefing the gathering, the DIG Traffic Karachi said the 1915 traffic helpline has been fully digitalised.…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The father of an eight-year-old boy who died after falling into an open sewer in Karachi has said the tragedy occurred because the drain had been left uncovered for weeks. Speaking to the media, Azhar Ali, the father of Delbar, said his son was playing outside their home in Korangi’s Mehran Town when he slipped into the open gutter. “There was no cover on the sewer. It has been missing for at least a month,” he said. Family members said Delbar was the couple’s only child. They added that uncovered gutters are common in the area…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated several new recreational and visitor facilities at Karachi Zoo, saying the historic site, also known as Gandhi Garden, is being transformed into a modern recreational and educational center in line with international standards. Speaking to journalists during the opening of new animal enclosures, a renovated reptile house, a pedestrian bridge and other facilities, Wahab said the zoo had suffered decades of neglect, with dilapidated pathways, enclosures and visitor amenities. He said a modern enclosure spread over two acres had now been completed, where lions Chandni and Rani are being…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon has congratulated the newly elected office-bearers and governing body members of the Karachi Press Club following the annual elections for 2026, in which the Democrats panel emerged successful. In a statement issued by the Sindh Police public relations office, the IG extended his heartfelt congratulations to all newly elected representatives, saying their success was a clear reflection of the trust and confidence placed in them by the journalistic community. Memon congratulated President Fazil Jameeli, Vice-President Irshad Khokhar, Secretary Aslam Khan, Joint Secretary Muhammad Farooq Sami and Treasurer Imran…