Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: The soul-stirring song Tanha Akeli Hoon, filmed on Pakistan’s leading film and television actress Saba Qamar, has gained widespread popularity in the voice of Pakistan’s first opera singer, Saira Peter. The composition was created by the renowned music director Naveed Nashad. Saira Peter has previously lent her voice to several of Nashad’s compositions. These include the title song Tanhai Ko Zehar Mante Hain for Dil Awaiz, as well as the title tracks of Girift and Nehir. The operatic singer’s voice is increasingly being seen as an essential element of drama soundtracks. Based in London, Peter brings…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain and snowfall across various parts of the country over the coming days. According to the Met Office, Islamabad, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, and Galiyat are likely to receive rainfall, while snowfall is expected in mountainous regions. A cold wave continues to affect several areas, with a new series of westerly winds expected to enter western parts of the country on Sunday night, moving towards the northern regions by Monday. In Balochistan, rain, wind, thunderstorms, and scattered snowfall are expected in districts including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin,…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The School Education and Literacy Department on Sunday extended the revised school timings across Sindh until February 4, as the province continues to experience a severe cold wave. Under the adjustment, all public and private schools are required to start classes at 9am, while closing hours remain unchanged. The Sindh Education Department had first announced the revised timings on January 10. In its latest notification, it stated that the adjustment for all educational institutions under its administrative control would remain in effect until February 4. A spokesperson for the department said the decision was taken in…

By our correspondent HYDERABAD/KARACHI: Senior leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Haider Abbas Rizvi, has sharply criticized the Sindh government for what he described as widespread mismanagement, corruption, and neglect in Karachi and Hyderabad. Speaking at a press conference at the MQM district office, he said that Karachi no longer appears to be the provincial capital, accusing authorities of shifting public funds to Dubai instead of addressing local crises. Rizvi highlighted the aftermath of the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi, describing the scene as a “crime scene” where human remains were being indiscriminately dumped. “People in Karachi have literally…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Amid its ongoing privatization drive, the federal government has announced the inclusion of Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) in its active privatization program. The Ministry of Privatization said the move aligns with the ongoing privatization of Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP). The aim is to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, maximize revenue, upgrade infrastructure, and attract both domestic and international private-sector investment. Officials told The News that the decision effectively ends months of stalled talks with the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan has engaged with potential partners from the UAE, Turkey,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, following a telephonic discussion between senior officials from both countries. The conversation took place between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. During the call, they reviewed the state of bilateral relations, with particular focus on trade and economic collaboration. Both officials highlighted the potential for deeper engagement to boost commercial ties and mutual development. The discussion also covered recent regional and international developments, with the two sides sharing perspectives on challenges and opportunities in South Asia…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan, took part in the funeral prayers of four of the six members of a family who died in the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, following the identification of their bodies. The prayers were held at the Eidgah Ground in Delhi Colony on Sunday. Ameer District South Sufyan Dilawar, JI Karachi Secretary Information Zahid Askari, Secretary of the Public Aid Committee Najeeb Ayoobi, and other party members also attended. Speaking to the media, Monem Zafar Khan criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party’s provincial government, which has been in power for 18 years,…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan, took part in the funeral prayers of four of the six members of a family who died in the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, following the identification of their bodies. The prayers were held at the Eidgah Ground in Delhi Colony on Sunday. Ameer District South Sufyan Dilawar, JI Karachi Secretary Information Zahid Askari, Secretary of the Public Aid Committee Najeeb Ayoobi, and other party members also attended. Speaking to the media, Monem Zafar Khan criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party’s provincial government, which has been in power for 18 years,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the Chitral avalanche. In separate messages, they extended condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the elevation of the departed souls. The President directed federal, provincial, and local authorities to speed up relief efforts in the affected areas and maintain clear communication with the public. The Prime Minister instructed relevant federal rescue and relief agencies to intensify aid operations in coordination with the provincial government. He also asked the chairman of the National…

By our correspondent KARACHI: At a landmark international conference on “Sustainable Green Energy, Environment, and Digital Innovations,” held at the Dr. A.Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Karachi, leading scientists, engineers, and policymakers urged urgent action on electronic waste (e-waste), climate protection, and sustainable development in Pakistan. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Karachi, and the Institution of Engineers Pakistan, Karachi Center. Opening the conference, Vice-Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Engineer Professor Dr. Samreen Hussain, highlighted the growing global challenge of electronic waste. She warned that…