Author: Shaheen Hashim

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: The Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SSSI) held its monthly performance review meeting at the head office under the chairmanship of Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro on 24 December. The meeting was attended by Vice Commissioner Sikandar Baloch, Director of Contribution and Benefit Dr Ghulam Dastgir, Deputy Director Wasim Jamal, IT Director Hamid Ali, and all field directors of SSSI across the province. During the meeting, Commissioner Kalhoro instructed field directors to actively inform employers of commercial and industrial establishments about the benefits of the social security scheme, ensuring that workers and their families directly benefit from…

By Shaheen HashimKARACHI: In recent years, international organizations have sharply reduced funding for social welfare initiatives, making it increasingly difficult for local programs to continue. In response, some agencies have developed self-sustaining initiatives designed to reduce dependence on foreign aid. As part of this effort, the Country Head of the International Federation of Red Cross, Fareed Abdul Qadir, and Secretary General Ubaidullah Khan visited the organization’s Sindh headquarters. They met with provincial cabinet members and key figures, including Rehan Hashmi, chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in Sindh, to discuss strategies for sustaining operations amid shrinking funding. Fareed Abdul…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: Members of the Ikebana Society recently visited the State Bank Museum, enjoying a rich cultural and artistic experience at one of the city’s prominent heritage landmarks. The visit, organised by Dr Mansoor Ahmad and Fauzia Ahmad, provided an opportunity for enthusiasts of the Japanese art of flower arrangement to engage with the museum’s exhibits while showcasing their own creative work. During the visit, members of the Ikebana Society Board presented elegant floral arrangements to the museum as a gesture of appreciation. A commemorative plaque was also presented to Sikander Malik in recognition of his support and…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced the launch of a People’s Bus service connecting Tando Allahyar and Hyderabad. Speaking at an open court in Tando Allahyar, he said the service will begin within a month under orders from the party’s top leadership to address public issues directly. Memon highlighted the Pakistan Peoples Party’s development initiatives across Sindh, including free heart treatments, which he said are among the most expensive procedures, and promised the NICVD hospital will be upgraded soon. He urged citizens to take care of the People’s Bus service as they would their…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) was set to be completely digitized, with the attendance and salary system for its employees operated through a biometric system, Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro announced. SESSI organized a consultative meeting with representatives of various labor organizations to strengthen coordination and engagement with workers. The gathering also aimed to raise awareness about measures taken by Sindh Social Security to protect employees and their dependents through medical and financial benefits, while seeking suggestions to further improve SESSI’s facilities. The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Kalhoro and attended by Vice Commissioner Sikandar Baloch,…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: The head of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar, has said that Razia Sultana has not seen her father, the imprisoned Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, for 12 years, calling the separation a violation of basic human principles. Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Kumar said no faith permitted keeping a child away from a parent for such a long period. He argued that dialogue on Kashmir should resume from the point where past negotiations broke off, and that easing tourism restrictions in the region could help build trust. At the same event, Malik’s wife, Mushaal Malik, claimed…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon has announced that the provincial government will now conduct all public procurement, tenders, and government contracts electronically, marking a shift towards full e‑tendering across the province. Speaking in Karachi about a recent unfortunate incident, Memon emphasized that no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands. “Yesterday, the windows of the Peoples Bus service were broken. Celebrate Culture Day, but do not do anything that harms others,” he said. Memon also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), noting that relatives of PTI founder were giving interviews to Indian media.…

From Karachi to Tharparkar came alive as Sindhi Cultural Day was celebrated with vibrant rallies, music, and the proud display of traditional dress By Aziz Khatri/Imtiaz Hussain KARACHI/SUKKUR: Sindhi Topi and Ajrak Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across Sindh as well as Pakistan, showcasing the vibrant cultural traditions of Sindh. The day featured rallies, cultural events, and traditional festivities, while residents exchanged Sindhi caps and ajraks as gestures of goodwill, dubbing the occasion “Prosperous Sindh Day.” Cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah and Tharparkar — marked Sindhi Cultural Day on Sunday with rallies, music and a display of…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: A rally celebrating Sindhi culture on Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal took a violent turn on Sunday as participants clashed with police, prompting authorities to take action to restore order. The procession, which had gathered near the FTC on the route to the airport, blocked the busy thoroughfare before tensions escalated, with some participants reportedly throwing stones at officers. Several police vehicles and a water tanker were damaged during the unrest, and multiple protesters were taken into custody. Police said the rally had been instructed to move from Kala Pul towards Saddar, but demonstrators defied orders, leading to confrontations…

By Shaheen Hashim KARACHI: The spokesperson for the Sindh government and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, Sadia Javed, said that the growing environmental crises were largely the result of housing societies built on natural riverbeds, which had severely disrupted the ecological system. Sadia Javed expressed these views while addressing a training program organized by the Women Media Center in Karachi, where she attended as the chief guest. She stated that the project to provide 2.1 million housing units was underway, with ownership being granted to women. Sadia Javed added that under the Benazir Income Support Program, women were being equipped…