Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: Dr Akram Sultan, consultant heart specialist at Tabba Heart Institute, has been reappointed as convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Sindh Regional Standing Committee on General Health and Safety Measures for 2026. According to an official FPCCI notification, the appointment recognizes Dr Sultan’s professional expertise and contributions in cardiology and public health. As convener, he will lead the committee’s activities, select professional members from across Sindh, and coordinate initiatives to improve health and safety standards. Dr Sultan also serves as coordinator of the Pakistan Cardiac Society Karachi Chapter and as…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet subcommittee on sugar sector deregulation met at Tughlaq House in the provincial secretariat to discuss the future of the industry. The session was attended by several provincial ministers, including Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, Industries and Commerce Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo, Tourism Minister Syed Zulfiqar Shah, and Agriculture Minister Muhammad Bux Mahar, alongside senior officials from relevant departments. During the meeting, participants reviewed key policy considerations surrounding the proposed deregulation of the sugar sector. Discussions centered on the potential economic and social impacts of loosening controls, as well as the framework needed to…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has condemned the handling of the recent Gul Plaza fire, calling it a glaring example of the Sindh government’s “gross incompetence” and the failure of the city’s mayor to ensure public safety. Zafar, accompanied by District Secretary and UC Chairman Noman Hameed, visited the homes of missing traders and workers affected by the tragedy. Speaking on Wednesday, he expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis, noting that several hours after the incident, many bodies have yet to be recovered—a situation he described as a direct consequence of administrative negligence. “Gul…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Chairman Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Afaq Ahmed has strongly condemned remarks by the Pakistan Peoples Party in the National Assembly referring to the Gul Plaza fire as a routine accident, calling the characterization both insensitive and misleading. Speaking in a statement today, Afaq Ahmed highlighted the scale of the tragedy, noting that 61 bodies have been recovered so far while hundreds remain missing. He described the fire as one of the worst human catastrophes in Karachi’s history, asserting that the provincial government’s administrative negligence cannot be ignored. “This fire destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of families…

By our correspondentKARACHI: The Syndicate of the University of Karachi (KU), chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, convened on Wednesday at the VC Secretariat to approve a series of important nominations and to acknowledge the university staff involved in protecting KU’s land from illegal encroachment. During the meeting, Sadiqa Salahuddin was nominated as a Syndicate member on the Selection Board, while Professor Dr. Syed Shahbib Ul Hasan and Professor Dr. Anila Amber Malik were nominated as Syndicate representatives on the Advanced Studies and Research Board. Several other significant appointments were approved, including Shumaila Samad as Syndicate representative…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The University of Karachi (KU) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its campus land after the No Objection Certificate (NoC) for an illegally constructed fuel station was officially revoked. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi held a follow-up meeting with concerned authorities to discuss permanent measures for protecting KU property and preventing future encroachments. The session, attended by Deputy Commissioner East Nasrullah Abbasi and Director General Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh Imtiaz Abro, focused on strengthening collaboration between KU and regulatory bodies to ensure long-term land security. Deputy Commissioner Nasrullah Abbasi informed that the NoC for the…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Pakistan Justice Association (PJA) has expressed its full support for the business community in Karachi following the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, emphasizing the need for a transparent investigation and careful reconstruction of the site. Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, PJA Chairman Sardar Muhammad Iqbal, accompanied by Ashraf Jabbar Qureshi, Zohaib Tahir, Beshab Simon, Dr. Naseeruddin Shaheen, Amr Riaz, and other officials, described the fire as a tragedy that impacted both human lives and livelihoods. “Gul Plaza was not merely a building; it was the center of employment, investment, and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Managing Committee of BVS Parsi High School announced that students whose parents or guardians suffered financial losses as a result of the incident may apply for a full concession in school fees. The move is intended to provide temporary relief to families facing hardship following the unexpected tragedy. Parents seeking the concession have been asked to submit a written application to the school principal, along with supporting documents for verification. The school emphasized that the measure is part of its efforts to support the community and ensure that children’s education continues uninterrupted despite the financial…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Chairman of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Education and Vocational Training, held a key meeting with a delegation from the British Council Pakistan led by Country Head, James Hempson. The meeting was also attended by Federal Education Secretary Nadeem Mehmood, IBCC Chairman Ghulam Ali Mallah, and other senior officials. The discussions focused on improving Pakistan’s education system, promoting technical education, and expanding international partnerships. The British Council delegation congratulated Dr. Siddiqui on the successful All-Pakistan Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference and commended his ongoing reforms in the education sector. During…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held a high-level strategic consultation with Mr Osman Dewani, Regional Vice President for South Asia at the World Bank, to review ongoing and upcoming development projects in the province. The meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of major initiatives aimed at improving essential services and social welfare across Sindh. Key projects discussed included the Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project, the expansion of the K-IV water supply scheme, the STARS WASH rural water and sanitation program, and social protection schemes for mothers and children. The Chief Minister stressed…