Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: A high-level meeting of the central departments of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) was held today at the party headquarters in Bahadurabad under the chairmanship of Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, with senior leaders Syed Aminul Haq and Kaif Aluri also in attendance. The meeting reviewed strategic plans regarding the Gul Plaza tragedy, the ongoing Karachi Relief Campaign, and humanitarian initiatives planned under the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation during the holy month of Ramadan. Addressing the participants, Dr. Siddiqui reiterated the party’s commitment to the victims of the Gul Plaza incident, stating that MQM-P would not leave the affected…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Pakistan Teachers’ Association (PTA), Karachi Division, convened a significant organizational meeting at Bahadur Yar Jung Academy, bringing together professors, teachers, and educational leaders from schools, colleges, and universities across Karachi. The meeting marked the completion of organizational bodies for Karachi Division and all its seven districts. The event also highlighted the formation of women teachers’ committees in all districts, strengthening inclusivity and representation within the association. The gathering was attended by Prof. Dr. Fayyaz Ahmed Shaheen, central president of PTA, Dr. Anwar Iqbal Siddiqui, President of Karachi Division, and prominent leaders from Multan, including Raja…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Let Karachi Live march has given the final warning against ongoing injustices in the city, as Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engr. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced an indefinite sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly, starting February 14, until all demands for an empowered local government and accountability are met. The march, held on Shahrah-e-Faisal, saw participation from tens of thousands of Karachiites, including women, children, senior citizens, JI workers, social activists, political figures, and representatives from traders, lawyers, and other professional associations. The protest came in the wake of the Gul Plaza tragedy, which claimed over 80…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Senior MQM-P leader and Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal, inaugurated a new digitalized health care center under the Federal Health Care Digitalization Program at the Federal Government Dispensary in F.C. Area, near Rangers Headquarters, Karachi. Speaking at the ceremony, Mustafa Kamal described the establishment of digital health care centers as a significant step toward providing timely, high-quality, and modern medical services to urban populations. He emphasized that the government aims to promote a preventive health care system rather than focusing solely on treatment. Highlighting Pakistan’s growing population as a major challenge, he said, “Countries…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The third edition of the Empower School Cricket Tournament concluded with a grand closing ceremony, organized by Empower Education Consultancy to promote sports and healthy competition among school students. Mr. Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, attended the event as the Chief Guest. He distributed medals and awards to the winning and runner-up teams, commending the young players for their talent, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. In his address, Mr. Dadabhoy praised Empower Education Consultancy for its role in encouraging sports at the school level. He highlighted the importance of…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh’s senior minister and provincial minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, visited Karachi Film School in Korangi, where he attended the screening of student-made films and interacted with aspiring filmmakers. During the visit, students briefed the minister on their projects, sharing insights into their creative work. Speaking to the media, Sharjeel Inam Memon noted that this was his second visit to the film school, Pakistan’s only institution offering a one-year diploma in filmmaking. He said the school provides a platform for young talent to build careers and deliver positive messages to audiences…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to advance a comprehensive market reform agenda aimed at deepening Pakistan’s capital markets. Speaking to the new SECP leadership in Islamabad, the minister outlined a vision for a more efficient, competitive, and transparent financial ecosystem that could attract a broader range of investors while reducing reliance on traditional banking channels for financing. He emphasized that expanding participation beyond banks was essential to creating a resilient and diversified financial system. Aurangzeb highlighted the role of insurance companies,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level inter-ministerial meeting in Islamabad today focused on strengthening Pakistan’s economic and trade ties with the European Union. The meeting brought together senior officials from key ministries and agencies to review strategies for expanding bilateral commerce and enhancing engagement with Europe’s largest economic bloc. During the discussions, Dar highlighted the importance of fostering closer trade cooperation and identifying new avenues for economic partnership, underscoring that a proactive approach was essential to fully leverage opportunities offered by the EU market. Deputy prime minister noted that sustained engagement,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Owais Leghari has announced that, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s direction, the electricity cost burden on Pakistan’s industrial sector has effectively been reduced to zero. Leghari explained that a reduction of Rs4.40 per unit in industrial electricity bills has been implemented. Earlier in the government’s term, the cost burden stood at Rs8.90 per unit. With the adjustment and reductions in wheeling charges through cross-subsidy, electricity for industries is now available at approximately 11.5 US cents per unit. Officials described the move as a measure to support industrial growth and ease operational costs,…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is on the verge of finalizing a $2 billion investment agreement with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced during a meeting with Khalaf Khalafov, the special envoy of the Azerbaijani president, in Islamabad. Sharif conveyed warm regards to President Ilham Aliyev and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening brotherly ties with Baku, extending an official invitation for President Aliyev to undertake a state visit at the earliest convenience. The discussions, officials said, covered a broad spectrum of regional developments and explored avenues for closer political and economic cooperation. Sharif emphasized the importance of strengthening engagement between…