Author: Aziz Khatri
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…
By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi Mayor and spokesperson for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) statements, saying fear of defeat in Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections had led to political frustration. Reacting to remarks by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari, Wahab said the postponement of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s public gathering was due only to security concerns, adding that public enthusiasm for the PPP remained stronger than before. He said if the rally had taken place, Mirpur in Azad Kashmir would have witnessed a historic public gathering similar to those…
By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted an extended scholarly lecture by renowned religious scholar, researcher and literary figure Ayatullah Allama Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi on the theme “The Genre of Salam in Urdu Poetry: A Study in Creative Tradition and Critical Insight.” The event, held at Haseena Moin Hall, was attended by a large number of writers, poets, researchers, academics, students and literature enthusiasts. The proceedings were conducted by Syed Javed Hassan, while Arts Council President Mohammad Ahmed Shah welcomed the distinguished speaker. Addressing the gathering, Ayatullah Allama Syed Aqeel-ul-Gharavi said the literary tradition of Salam in…
By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: Karachi has been placed under a rain emergency as authorities intensify efforts to manage waterlogging and prepare for further wet weather, Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said after reviewing the city’s post-rain situation. During a citywide inspection on Friday, the mayor assessed drainage operations, the performance of pumping machinery and field staff, and the progress of ongoing development projects. He directed officials to deploy all available resources to provide maximum relief to residents. Mr Wahab said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had placed its Municipal Services and Engineering Department on high alert, with all available machinery mobilised…
By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari was briefed on ongoing efforts to improve civic facilities, municipal services and urban development in Karachi during a meeting with Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad. The Deputy Mayor briefed the president on development projects being carried out under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), including infrastructure improvements, drainage systems and other initiatives aimed at enhancing city services. Salman Abdullah Murad also updated President Zardari on the progress of various projects designed to support Karachi’s development and provide better municipal facilities to residents. During the meeting, President Zardari congratulated the Deputy Mayor on…
By Aziz Khatri KARACHI: The School of Visual & Performing Arts (SOVAPA) of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has presented the fifth production of its Alumni Series, the acclaimed Urdu classical drama Naql-e-Makani, receiving widespread appreciation from audiences for its powerful storytelling and outstanding performances. Staged at Studio II, the play was written by legendary fiction writer Rajinder Singh Bedi and directed by Farhan Ahsan, with Aayan Aamir serving as assistant director. The lead roles were performed by Alaiza Javed as Azra and Adil Shakir as Nafees, while the supporting cast included Hamza Ranjha as Saiyaan Sharabi, Sheriyar Anwar…