Author: Aziz Khatri

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) hosted a high-level US business and congressional delegation in Karachi for discussions aimed at expanding trade, investment and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. The visit was facilitated by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Government of Pakistan, bringing together members of the US delegation, SIFC representatives, officials from the Pakistan Embassy in the United States and senior representatives of Pakistan’s private sector. ABC President Akram Wali Muhammad said Pakistan offered significant investment opportunities in technology, energy, minerals, manufacturing and other key sectors. He said…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nihal Hashmi has described free, responsible and dignified journalism as a cornerstone of democracy, saying freedom of expression must go hand in hand with national interest and professional responsibility. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) at Governor House. The delegation was led by CPNE Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio. The governor said local government institutions were the foundation of democracy and provided an effective mechanism for delivering public services. He added that the office of the Sindh governor was a…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi’s kidney care services are set for a major expansion after city officials approved plans to construct a new block at the Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases (KIKD) and establish satellite centers across the city to improve access to specialist treatment. Under the plan, KIKD, which operates under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), will receive significant infrastructure improvements, while new satellite centers will be established in different parts of Karachi. The initiative is intended to allow kidney patients to receive quality treatment closer to their homes, reducing the need to travel long distances for specialized care.…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: A new dual carriageway linking Korangi and Malir has been opened to traffic, with city officials saying the project will improve connectivity, reduce congestion and provide easier access to hospitals, industrial zones and residential neighborhoods. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the road connecting Mehr-un-Nisa Hospital Road with Nasir Jump and Ibrahim Hyderi Creek Road at a ceremony attended by elected representatives, city councilors and senior officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Speaking at the event, Wahab said the 1.7-kilometre, 9.3-metre-wide road had been completed at a cost of Rs265.259 million using modern construction standards…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has announced a Rs14 billion citywide road rehabilitation program that will upgrade 139 roads across all districts, in what officials describe as one of the largest infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the civic body. The announcement was made by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab while chairing a high-level review meeting at KMC headquarters. The program includes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of major roads, drainage networks, water supply lines and street lighting aimed at improving transport infrastructure and municipal services across the city. Wahab said the initiative marked a new phase in Karachi’s development,…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Pakistan’s fashion industry has the potential to become a stronger contributor to exports and employment, but requires greater government support to realise its full potential, leading designers and beauty professionals said at the closing ceremony of Style Runway Fashion Show Season 18. Speaking to reporters at the event, held at Barzaan Banquet, fashion industry figures said Pakistan’s designers, jewellers and beauty professionals have gained increasing international recognition for their creativity, craftsmanship and professional standards. Among those addressing the media were designer Saleem Iqbal of Anamta Bridal, Razib Tabani of Junoon, designer Noman Saleem, Ahsan Ali of…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Police in Karachi’s Keamari district, working alongside a federal law enforcement agency, have foiled a major inter-provincial drug smuggling attempt, arresting two suspects and seizing 66kg of high-grade hashish. According to police, the narcotics were being transported from Balochistan to Karachi in a concealed compartment of a Toyota Land Cruiser. Acting on intelligence, Mochko police and the federal agency set up a checkpoint on Hub River Road to intercept the vehicle. Officers said the suspects attempted to evade the checkpoint by driving onto an unpaved route. However, the Land Cruiser overturned after speeding along the rough…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi Mayor and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab has dismissed recent criticism from Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of becoming unsettled by the prospect of defeat in the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Responding to Bukhari’s remarks, Wahab said the postponement of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s public rally in Mirpur was solely due to security concerns and insisted that public enthusiasm for the party remained stronger than ever. He claimed that, had the rally gone ahead, Mirpur would have witnessed a turnout comparable to the…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nihal Hashmi met Sri Lankan Consul General Saniewa Pattiwila at the Governor House, where detailed discussions were held on bilateral relations, trade, investment, tourism and the promotion of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in various fields. During the meeting, Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nihal Hashmi said the historical, friendly and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka were based on mutual trust and cooperation, which needed to be further strengthened. He said Sindh offered vast opportunities for investment, trade, tourism and joint ventures that Sri Lankan investors could fully utilise.…

By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Water supply to parts of Karachi may be affected after a power breakdown at the Dhabeji Pumping Station disrupted operations, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) said. According to a spokesperson, the outage occurred at 8:45am on Sunday at the third phase of the Dhabeji pumping station, suspending power supply to the facility. K-Electric has declared a cable fault at the pumping station, and technical teams have been deployed to resolve the issue, the spokesperson said. The fault temporarily shut down three pumps at the station, which may reduce water supply to the city by…