Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: In a significant move to combat environmental degradation, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced a comprehensive strategy to tackle marine pollution along Karachi’s coastal belt. This includes the formation of a dedicated “Marine Pollution Control Cell” to safeguard marine life and coastal habitats from the growing threat of untreated industrial and domestic waste discharge. The announcement was made by SEPA’s newly appointed director general, Waqar Hussain Phulpoto, during a roundtable on “Environmental Governance” hosted by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) at a local hotel. Phulpoto highlighted the growing severity of marine…

By our correspondent KARACHI: In a welcome development for public health officials, the number of parents in Karachi refusing to vaccinate their children against polio has declined significantly, according to new data from the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). The findings reflect a stronger performance in the April immunization campaign, which successfully reached over 94 percent of its target areas across the city. Officials attribute the improvement to enhanced community engagement and sustained awareness efforts led by frontline health workers, supported by local administration and civil society partners. While resistance to the vaccine has historically posed a barrier to eradication efforts,…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Stanislavski Theatre Club marked the culmination of its eighth batch with the staging of Watan Ka Beta, a theatrical production inspired by the works of Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy. The performance was held on Saturday, 17 May 2024, at the Russian House in Karachi. Building on the success of its previous productions, the club once again brought its artistic vision to the fore with a moving tribute to patriotism, sacrifice, and love—aligning with the dual celebration of Mother’s Day and Russian Soldiers Day. The play featured powerful acting performances, heartfelt poems, and soulful Russian…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Altaf Shakoor on Sunday declared that after the successful defence against India, it is now time to defeat the internal enemy: corruption. Addressing a press conference, he said corruption and bribery are eroding the nation’s foundations and must be rooted out with the same resolve shown against external threats. He criticised Pakistan’s political elite, calling their corruption a “curse,” and claimed they are among the most corrupt politicians globally. Despite being the fifth largest country in the world by population, Pakistan is perceived as one of the poorest due to entrenched…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Privatization, Abdul Aleem Khan, held a significant meeting with Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister Murat Khusnullin on the sidelines of the Kazan Forum, signaling Islamabad’s intent to deepen ties with Moscow across a broad spectrum of sectors. The discussions marked a step forward in what both sides described as a shared ambition to strengthen developmental partnerships and enhance cooperation. During their talks, Aleem Khan highlighted Pakistan’s eagerness to explore new avenues for collaboration with Russia, underlining the country’s commitment to building sustainable and mutually beneficial ties. The minister emphasized that Pakistan views Russia…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accepted an official invitation to visit Iran next week, following a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. During the call, Sharif extended well wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and thanked President Pezeshkian for his efforts to ease regional tensions, including the dispatch of Iran’s foreign minister during a recent crisis. Sharif expressed gratitude for Iran’s support amid what he described as India’s unprovoked aggression, noting the loss of innocent lives, including women and children. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment…

Dar cautioned that publicly disclosing water policy details could weaken Pakistan’s hand at the negotiating table and risk further heightening regional tensions By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has underscored the critical need for discretion in discussing Pakistan’s strategies on water-related issues, reflecting the sensitive and complex nature of the matter amid ongoing tensions with India. Speaking in an interview with a private television channel, Dar emphasized that revealing government plans in public forums is neither appropriate nor strategic, especially given the geopolitical weight these issues carry. He reiterated that Pakistan has already…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has lauded Pakistan’s armed forces for their swift and decisive response during Operation Bunyan-e-Marsos, declaring that “history will bear witness” to how the nation’s defenders repelled the enemy within hours. Speaking during his visit to Gujranwala Cantonment, the president said the military stood “like a wall of steel,” drawing strength from the unyielding spirit of the people. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir received the president during his visit, where the two reviewed the progress and success of the recent military operation, dubbed the “Battle…

By our correspondent MULTAN: In a major breakthrough against transnational cybercrime, Pakistani intelligence agencies, in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, have dismantled a global cybercrime network operating out of Multan. The operation led to the arrest of 21 suspects, including the alleged ringleader, Rameez Shehzad, who is reportedly involved in multimillion-dollar online fraud schemes targeting American and other foreign nationals. According to officials, the raid was the result of joint intelligence sharing between Pakistan, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Dutch law enforcement authorities. The arrested individuals are accused of orchestrating sophisticated scams using…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani recently held a key meeting with a delegation from the World Bank to discuss ongoing reforms in Pakistan Railways. The discussions centered on improving governance within the railway system and, in particular, upgrading track infrastructure, which remains vital to enhancing operational efficiency and safety. The delegation, led by Jun Jung Eon Oh, the World Bank’s South Asia Manager, included several transport experts who exchanged detailed views on the landmark ML-1 project alongside other railway initiatives. The ML-1 project, considered the backbone of Pakistan’s railway modernization efforts, aims to…