Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Strong winds, heavy rain, and landslides have caused widespread damage across several cities in Pakistan, leaving many communities struggling to cope. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, fierce storms toppled trees and electricity poles, leading to power outages in multiple areas. Peshawar also saw trees uprooted and damage to solar panels and vehicles during the violent gusts. In Attock, a thunderstorm brought heavy rain, while in Muzaffarabad, a sudden cloudburst claimed three lives and damaged several houses and a mosque. The Neelum highway remains blocked at eight points due to landslides, disrupting travel and supply routes. Meanwhile, snowfall…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) staged a protest outside the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) building, raising alarm over the prolonged non-payment of pensions and dues owed to thousands of retired employees from the city’s town municipal administrations (TMAs). The demonstration, led by the Pensioners’ Action Committee, echoed growing frustration and anger among pensioners and their families, who say they’ve been ignored for far too long by both the KMC administration and the Sindh government. The protest site bore witness to retired municipal workers and their supporters gathering in the sweltering heat, many holding placards demanding justice…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Three dynamic startups from Sohail University stood out at the inaugural Sindh Startup Exhibition, where their innovation, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial drive captured the attention of judges, visitors, and dignitaries alike. Organized by the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the event brought together 50 promising ventures from across the province. Among the many participants, the Sohail University teams drew particular praise for their unique solutions and forward-thinking approaches. Their projects, shaped through academic mentorship and real-world relevance, reflected not only creativity but a commitment…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A traffic police officer was shot and killed near Mai Kolachi crossing in Karachi on Tuesday, in what appears to be a targeted attack. According to police officials, the officer was stationed at a traffic police checkpoint when armed assailants on a motorcycle approached and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The slain officer was identified as Zain, who was posted at the Sultanabad traffic section. The Sindh home minister has taken notice of the incident and requested a detailed report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South. SSP South, Manzoor Ali, visited the crime…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Federal Minister Masood Malik’s recent visit to the office of Sindh’s Provincial Adviser on Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, Dost Muhammad Rahmoon, marks a critical step in addressing the escalating climate challenges facing the province. The meeting underscored a shared recognition of the urgent need for federal and provincial governments to join forces in confronting the devastating impacts of climate change, which continue to threaten vulnerable communities across Sindh. In their discussions, both leaders acknowledged the increasing severity of environmental shifts—from rising temperatures and erratic rainfall to the intensifying threat of coastal erosion and flooding—that…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The intermediate exams scheduled for 28 May in Karachi have been postponed, the board confirmed. This delay comes in observance of the nationwide public holiday on Youm-e-Takbeer, which led authorities to reschedule the exams out of respect for the occasion. According to the spokesperson for the intermediate board, the exams originally set for Wednesday, 28 May, will now take place two days later, on Friday, 30 May. The board has communicated this change to ensure students and educational institutions can adjust their preparations accordingly. This decision reflects the board’s recognition of the significance of Youm-e-Takbeer, a…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A celebration to honor under-10 footballers, who proudly represented Pakistan at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Cup in Malaysia was held. The event was attended by Malaysian General Counsel Herman Hardynata and Vice Consul Azua, who awarded medals and certificates to the young athletes. Beaming parents joined in the celebrations, cheering their children’s international success. Adding to the pride, Nadir Gabol, Spokesperson for the Government of Sindh, attended the ceremony, lending strong support and encouragement to the budding players. His presence underscored the importance of investing in youth talent. Also present was Lyari’s own boxing sensation Aliya…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, in a statement marking the 35th anniversary of the Pakka Qila (Hyderabad) tragedy, paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and said that the wounds of the barbarism inflicted on the founders of Pakistan and their descendants on May 26 and 27, 1990, remain fresh even today. He recalled the brutal violence of those days, saying that the level of cruelty witnessed was unimaginable — women clutching the Quran emerged from their homes begging for mercy, only to be gunned down alongside innocent children by killers who mocked…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Electricity has been restored at Karachi’s Gharu pumping station and filter plant, allowing the crucial water supply to the city to resume at a rate of 30 million gallons per day. The interruption, caused by a cable fault linked to K-Electric, had brought water pumping to a complete halt, sparking concerns about shortages in several key areas. According to a spokesperson from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, the fault was repaired by 8:20 am, following a power outage that began the previous day at around 10:35 am. The disruption was traced to a failure on…

These projects are set to significantly boost connectivity and stimulate economic growth across multiple regions of the country By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Under the leadership of Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) met recently to assess and approve significant development initiatives that aim to advance Pakistan’s infrastructure and industrial growth. According to a statement issued by the Planning Ministry, the CDWP gave the green light to development projects amounting to Rs104 billion during the session, marking a decisive step forward in the country’s ambitious development agenda. In addition to these approvals, three major projects valued…