Author: Aziz Khatri

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Council held its general meeting on Monday at the Council Hall, KMC Head Office, with Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab presiding. During the session, seven resolutions were unanimously approved, including four listed on the agenda and three private motions. The meeting began with prayers and condolences for a young child who had tragically fallen into an open manhole in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, highlighting the human cost of urban infrastructure challenges. The opposition held the Mayor accountable for the tragic death of the innocent child who was unfortunately preyed by an open manhole. Among the…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, inaugurated a modern swimming pool at the KMC Sports Complex on Kashmir Road on Monday, marking a significant addition to the city’s recreational infrastructure. The facility, built at a cost of 150 million rupees, is designed to meet international standards and provide a safe, high-quality experience for residents. Addressing a press conference, Mayor Wahab expressed his deep sorrow over a tragic incident that had occurred the previous day, offering condolences to the affected family and assuring that strict action would be taken against those responsible. He highlighted that the newly…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has said that Karachi’s long-awaited Ke-4 water supply project is now 64% complete, with officials indicating that it could be finished by 2026, provided the necessary funding is secured. Retired Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed, WAPDA chairman, described the project as “crucial” for the city and noted that PKR 8.6 billion has already been invested. During a site visit, he urged contractors to accelerate construction while ensuring that additional resources were made available to meet deadlines. Once completed, the Ke-4 project is expected to supply Karachi with 650 million gallons…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: K-Electric has conducted a major operation in the Jalalaabad neighborhood of Nazimabad, exposing what officials described as a large and organized underground network used for electricity theft. According to the power utility, the raid led to the seizure of more than three thousand kilograms of underground cables that had been laid covertly to siphon electricity from the system without detection. A company spokesperson said the cables formed part of an extensive setup designed to bypass the official supply network, contributing significantly to commercial and technical losses. The operation followed internal assessments showing that the utility had…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi police have arrested a key suspect in the murder of Shahnaz, whose mutilated body was found near China Port on 25 November. According to South DIG Asad Raza, the suspect, identified as Ehtesham, was found in possession of the victim’s mobile phone. Initial investigations reveal that he killed Shahnaz over a financial dispute. In a chilling attempt to destroy evidence, the suspect allegedly disfigured her face with a stone and burned her fingers to hinder identification and forensic analysis. Shahnaz, a resident of Madina Colony, had been reported missing since 22 November. Her family’s search…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: A wide-ranging gathering of Karachi’s business community, students, civil society members, doctors, engineers, journalists, academics, and lawyers voiced strong support for granting the city the status of a separate administrative unit, alongside advocating for the creation of new administrative divisions across Pakistan. The meeting, which included notable participants from Punjab such as Mian Amir Mahmood, provided a forum for residents and professionals to articulate longstanding grievances regarding what they described as systematic neglect and inequities faced by the city. Speakers at the session detailed the challenges Karachi has endured over decades, including underinvestment, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have denounced the large-scale illegal occupation and sale of land across Karachi, accusing the Sindh government of backing the land mafia. In a joint statement, they described the ongoing land distribution from Sohrab Goth to Surjani Town as “broad daylight robbery under government protection,” calling it a disgraceful mark of corruption. They said that over the past 15 years, Karachi’s residents have been deprived of both basic facilities and their property rights, while valuable residential and commercial plots in areas such as Sohrab Goth, Al-Asif Square, and Surjani Town…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier healthcare trade event, the 22nd Health Asia Exhibition, has opened in Karachi, drawing major international participation and positioning the country as an emerging hub for investment in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare infrastructure. The three-day exhibition has attracted delegates and investors from across the world, with notable representation from Russia and China. A senior Russian delegate described the event as a “remarkable platform” to forge long-term commercial partnerships, revealing that 14 Moscow-based companies are actively exploring joint ventures with Pakistani firms to expand their presence in South Asia. Similarly, a Chinese representative underscored Pakistan’s…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has ordered the immediate cancellation of multiple development contracts after prolonged delays, while launching Rapid Response Teams to carry out urgent road repairs and city rehabilitation on a fast-track basis. The decision followed a high-level review at Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) headquarters, where officials assessed the progress of 637 ongoing development schemes funded under District and Provincial ADPs, Emergency Works, Special Schemes, and CLICK projects. Senior Director Engineering Junaid Ullah Khan reported that 118 new Provincial ADP schemes had been initiated across all districts, with additional initiatives under special funding streams.…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: District South Police successfully arrested two suspects following an armed confrontation during routine patrols, preventing further planned criminal activities. SSP South, Mahzoor Ali, said the incident occurred late last night when officers signaled a suspicious vehicle to stop. The occupants attempted to flee and opened fire on the police. Responding swiftly, officers injured and apprehended two suspects, while two others escaped. The arrested suspects, Abid, son of Mahamand, and Sohail, son of Farooq, were found in possession of two pistols with ammunition, two mobile phones, and a vehicle. The fugitives were identified as Abrar, son of…