Author: Ahsan Mughal

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Residents of Karachi experienced yet another earthquake tremor, with the intensity recorded at a magnitude of 3. The Seismological Centre reported that the tremor struck at 8:49 am, with its epicenter located approximately 30 kilometers east of DHA, one of the city’s prominent localities. The quake’s depth was measured at 13 kilometers, indicating a relatively shallow seismic event. This recent tremor marks the ninth time since yesterday that Karachi has felt earthquake activity, raising concerns among residents about the frequency and potential implications of these repeated movements. While none of the quakes so far have been…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, chairman of MQM Pakistan, has announced a forthcoming development package of Rs25 billion for Karachi and Rs10 billion for Hyderabad, expected to be released next year. The announcement came after a meeting with central committee members, senators, and national and provincial assembly representatives focused on addressing urban Sindh’s pressing public issues. Siddiqui revealed that discussions with the federal government are ongoing to advance infrastructure and other vital development projects. MQM-P chief acknowledged challenges stemming from resource allocation and jurisdictional disputes but reaffirmed MQM Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the people despite these hurdles. He…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi has highlighted a potential solution to Karachi’s persistent load-shedding problem, suggesting that the city could see an end to power outages if the government takes control of 300 specific power feeders and supports efforts to recover losses in those areas. His remarks came after a session with the Sindh Assembly’s energy committee, where he presented a detailed picture of the challenges facing the city’s electricity network. Alvi explained that around 70 percent of K-Electric’s grid is currently exempt from load-shedding, indicating that a significant portion of the system is functioning without interruptions.…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Retired employees of the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) gathered outside the KMC headquarters to protest against the prolonged delay in receiving their pending dues and pensions. The demonstrators called on Mayor Murtaza Wahab to take immediate action and ensure the release of their rightful payments, which have been withheld for an extended period, causing hardship for many who dedicated their working lives to serving the city. Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) joined the protest, showing solidarity with the retired workers and amplifying their demands for justice. The demonstration also saw the participation of Ali…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer, Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rahman, urged the youth to harness the transformative potential of social media, not only to expose injustice but also to foster positive change in society. Speaking at the Connect Karachi social media meetup, organized by the JI Women Wing at Faran Club, Rahman highlighted the party’s ongoing mission toward a peaceful Islamic revolution that embraces all sections of society. He called on young activists and social reformers to use every available platform to effectively communicate their message, stressing that social media should serve as a unifying force against what he…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: In a deeply unsettling incident that has stirred public outrage, robbers in Karachi openly snatched valuables from a man in broad daylight, as traffic police officers stood by without lifting a finger. The brazen crime took place near Steel Town Mor and has been widely condemned after footage of the robbery went viral on social media. The video, recorded by a passerby, captures the moment the robbers accosted the victim in front of stunned onlookers and indifferent traffic officials. The footage shows the robbers firing shots when the man resisted, adding a terrifying dimension to what…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Residents across Karachi are facing crippling power outages lasting between 12 to 14 hours a day, with large swathes of the city left without electricity during the sweltering pre-monsoon heat. From Lyari and Korangi to Landhi, New Karachi, and Sarjani, prolonged load shedding has become an unwelcome and exhausting part of daily life. Reports from the city indicate that other neighborhoods—North Karachi, Nazimabad, Malir, Quaidabad, and multiple blocks of the F.B. Area—are also caught in the grip of extended electricity disruptions. Even localities such as Model Colony, Jahangir Road, and PIB, often considered relatively stable in…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Delegations from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are expected to meet today at the Governor House in Karachi, in what is being seen as a significant consultation ahead of the federal budget. The talks are expected to focus on budget proposals, development schemes, fund allocations, and concerns raised by the city’s business community. The meeting will bring together key leaders from both parties. Governor Sindh Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar, and Ameen ul Haq are among those representing the MQM-P, while the PML-N delegation will be led by Federal…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan leader and rights-focused senator Nasreen Jalil has taken a firm stance ahead of the 2025/2026 budget, urging Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to prioritise the welfare of salaried and middle-income groups by reducing their tax burden. In a detailed letter addressed to the prime minister, Jalil stressed the urgent need for economic policies that do not merely reflect numbers on paper but genuinely uplift the grassroots level of society. Jalil’s letter underscores a critical perspective on Pakistan’s economic growth, highlighting that true progress remains elusive unless it translates into tangible benefits for…

By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The largest and most productive city continues to suffer neglect from both the federal and Sindh provincial governments despite its significant contribution to the country’s foreign exchange, revenue, and tax income. Take the Karimabad underpass project, for example, which was scheduled for completion in June this year but remains unfinished. When work began in May 2023, inflation was soaring at 38 percent, but now it has fallen to less than half a percent. Interest rates have decreased, prices of cement and steel have dropped, and labour costs have not increased—yet the project’s estimated cost has surged…