Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Karachi president Saeed Ghani has said that if the people and elected representatives of Sindh do not want new provinces, then no new provinces should be created in the province. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Ghani said the Senate and Punjab Assembly had passed resolutions calling for the creation of two new provinces. If the people and elected representatives of Punjab wanted new provinces, he said, they should be created there. Ghani also claimed that the PPP had never come to power through electoral rigging. He alleged that in the…

By our corresondent LAHORE: Two more Pakistani cricketers have secured contracts for the Lanka Premier League (LPL), while national team fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons. Young Pakistan batter Khawaja Nafay has signed with Jaffna Kings and will join the squad as a replacement for Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran. Meanwhile, all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed will represent Dambulla Sixers. He has been brought into the squad as a replacement for Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi. Kandy Royals have also confirmed that Shaheen Shah Afridi will no longer participate in the Lanka Premier League. According to…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for the creation of administrative units across Pakistan based on population, saying the existing provincial structure should be reviewed to improve governance. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi on Saturday, Siddiqui said the business community across the country had also raised concerns similar to those highlighted by his party. He said the provincial structure had been abolished after the One Unit system but had not subsequently been restored in a way that addressed the country’s administrative needs. “We demand that administrative units in Pakistan…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The number of children living with HIV in Pakistan has reached around 7,500, according to figures from the federal Ministry of Health, highlighting growing concerns over the nutritional and medical needs of affected children. The ministry’s data shows that children account for around 12 per cent of approximately 62,000 HIV patients currently receiving treatment in the country. Sindh has emerged as the province with the highest number of registered children living with HIV, with around 4,200 cases recorded, according to the available figures. In response to the nutritional needs of affected children, the federal government has…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across most parts of the country from August to October, raising concerns over water availability, agriculture and weather-related hazards. According to the weather outlook, several areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan are expected to receive less rainfall than usual during August. Below-normal rainfall is also likely in parts of north-eastern Punjab, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gilgit-Baltistan, however, is expected to receive rainfall close to the seasonal average during the month. The PMD said temperatures across the country were likely to remain above normal in…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has said Pakistan should consider creating new administrative units to improve governance, stressing that any such reforms should not be based on ethnicity and must have broad political consensus. The minister also called for dialogue among political parties, civil society and other stakeholders following the recent debate on governance, saying all sides should work together to identify practical measures to strengthen the country’s governance framework. Meanwhile, an unofficial map widely shared on social media depicts Pakistan’s four provinces being reorganized into 18 administrative units. The map…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Khidmat-e-Khalq Vocational Training Institute (KKVTI) held an information technology and artificial intelligence awareness workshop in Lyari, bringing together students, trainers and community leaders to promote digital skills and emerging career opportunities in Pakistan’s growing technology sector. The workshop, titled “Demystifying Tech: Navigating Modern IT Careers & The Freelance Economy,” took place at the Muslim Kutchhi Kumhar Jamaat Hall in New Kumhar Wara. It was organized by Sir Zaman and attracted a large number of students eager to learn about the changing demands of the digital economy. The keynote session was delivered by software engineer, IT trainer…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not tolerate injustice under any circumstances and would not allow the public’s rights to be taken away. Addressing a press conference, Sharjeel Memon demanded that re-elections should be held in constituencies where rigging had been identified, particularly in the constituency of Chaudhry Yaseen, where he called for a fresh election. He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not be allowed to undermine the public mandate, adding that the PPP would not let its mandate be stolen. Sindh senior minister criticized remarks by…

By our correspondent KARACHI: A new public park has been inaugurated in Korangi as part of ongoing efforts to expand recreational facilities and improve green spaces across Karachi. Korangi Town Chairman Muhammad Naeem Sheikh attended the inauguration ceremony of Waqar Lodhi Shaheed Park in Union Council 9, developed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab formally inaugurated the park alongside the father of the late Waqar Lodhi. The ceremony was attended by PPP Korangi District President Jani Memon, Information Secretary Ahmed Raza, union council chairmen and vice-chairmen, local government representatives, officials of the KMC Parks and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 11.50%, citing an improving inflation outlook, stable economic indicators and continued uncertainty stemming from tensions in the Middle East. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee chaired by SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad. He said inflation had continued to follow a downward trend over the past year, with average inflation standing at 5.5% between July and February. Speaking after the meeting, Ahmed said Pakistan recorded a current account deficit of $139 million in the 2025–26 fiscal year and…