Author: Imtiaz Hussain

By Imtiaz Hussain NAWABSHAH: Authorities have ordered the immediate evacuation of two commercial and residential buildings declared structurally unsafe, following a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Abdul Samad Nizamani at the DC office. Officials said a joint inspection report by a technical committee found the municipally owned Taiba Center and the district council’s Shan Plaza to be in an advanced state of deterioration, posing a serious threat to life and property. The committee recommended urgent evacuation of the buildings. It said that if rehabilitation was considered, a detailed structural investigation would be required, but given the extent of damage, demolition…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: An awareness session marking the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism was held at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development, bringing together students and academics to discuss tolerance, peace and community resilience. The event, organised jointly by the student welfare office and the Society of Women Technologists and Entrepreneurs, focused on the role of young people in challenging extremist narratives and promoting social harmony. The programme opened with a recitation from the Qur’an and a naat, followed by an introductory address by the society’s president. Hafiz Bilawal Magsi, a lecturer in…

By Imtiaz Hussain KHAIRPUR: Students were urged to prioritise social engagement and voluntary work alongside their studies at a seminar on the role of youth in nation building held at Shah Abdul Latif University. The one-day event, organised jointly by the university, the Sindh government’s sports and youth affairs department and Bhittai Social Watch and Advocacy during Students’ Week, brought together academics, development professionals and young people for a discussion on civic responsibility. Felix Kolbitz, country director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Pakistan, delivered the keynote address, focusing on labour rights, youth empowerment, economic justice and social democracy. In an interactive…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Shaikh Ayaz University hosted a Declamation Contest and Essay Writing Competition to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and raise awareness among students about the ongoing humanitarian and political challenges faced by the Kashmiri population. Dr Ishfaque Ali Kalhoro, program organizer, and Dr Ghulam Muhammad Mangnejo, overall coordinator, delivered remarks highlighting the importance of intellectual engagement, critical awareness, and moral responsibility among youth in advocating for justice and human rights. At the conclusion, prizes were awarded to winners. In the declamation contest, Samreen Mahar (BS Part III, English Language and Literature) won first place, with…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Sukkur IBA University hosted a certificate distribution ceremony on February 18 to mark the successful completion of IT training under the Peoples Information Technology Program (PITP) Phase-II. The event celebrated youth from Sukkur, Larkana, and Shaheed Benazirabad and highlighted the Government of Sindh’s efforts to equip young people with market-relevant digital skills. Dr Shahzaib Malik, Member IT from the Science and Information Technology Department, Government of Sindh, attended as chief guest and handed certificates to 400 top-performing students selected from 11 PITP centers across the three regions. The ceremony underscored PITP’s role in providing inclusive access…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad Division, Shahmir Khan Bhutto, on Tuesday detailed a wide-ranging plan to provide maximum relief to the public during the holy month of Ramazan, emphasizing strict price control, uninterrupted supply of essentials, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms. Addressing journalists at the Committee Room of the Commissioner Office, Shahmir Khan Bhutto said the Divisional and District Administrations of all three districts had devised a coordinated strategy to ensure citizens could access essential commodities at officially notified rates. He stressed that Deputy Commissioners across the division had been directed to strengthen the price control mechanism, while…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Transparency International Pakistan outlined a legislative roadmap for carbon markets at a high-level consultative meeting with parliamentarians and national experts in Islamabad, stressing the need for statutory backing to ensure legal certainty, data integrity, and enforceable safeguards. The consultation highlighted that while Pakistan’s Policy Guidelines for Trading in Carbon Markets, approved in December 2024, marked a key milestone, guidelines alone are insufficient. Experts said Parliament must enact a Carbon Markets Framework Act to define carbon credits, Internationally Transmitted Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), and Verified Emission Reductions as legal assets. The legislation should establish ownership rules, clarify treatment…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Hundreds of candidates who have successfully passed the IBA Test 40+ and PST/JEST exams continued their peaceful protest across Sindh on Tuesday, marking the 238th consecutive day of demonstrations. The protesters, comprising both men and women, are calling on the provincial government to issue appointment orders strictly on merit, citing thousands of existing vacancies exacerbated by retirements, promotions, and administrative delays. Among the demonstrators were Ayaz Magsi, Amjad Thebo, Ata-ur-Rehman Sheikh, and Maroof Channa, who stressed that their demands were lawful and centered solely on ensuring that qualified candidates receive the positions they have earned. They…

By Imtiaz Hussain KHAIRPUR: Shah Abdul Latif University’s Institute of English hosted a distinguished book launch ceremony to celebrate the English translation of Reflection, a collection of Sindhi short stories by Muhammad Ali Pathan, translated by alumna Rafia Bukhari. The event was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk, with Dean Faculty of Arts and Languages, Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Mashori, attending as chief guest. The program opened with a welcome address by organizer Ibrahim Khokhar, who highlighted the role of translations in bridging cultures and broadening literary horizons. The ceremony featured contributions from eminent scholars and literary…

By Imtiaz Hussain SUKKUR: Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University hosted a two-day book fair this week, aiming to promote reading and academic engagement among students and faculty. Organized in collaboration with Al Fatah Book Palace, the event was part of the university’s ongoing efforts to foster intellectual activity beyond the classroom, a focus repeatedly emphasized by Vice-Chancellor Tehmina Nangraj. The fair showcased a diverse collection of materials, including academic textbooks, research publications, competitive examination guides, literary works, and general reading resources. Students and staff flocked to the stalls in large numbers, reflecting what organizers described as a growing appetite for…