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  • Who was Zainab Market named after? Twitter has a hilarious discussion about road names

    Who was Zainab Market named after? Twitter has a hilarious discussion about road names

    Ever thought about what was the meaning behind names of popular roads like Tariq Road in Karachi or Abdul Rehman Road in Lahore? A Twitter user decided to finally decode the question, posting a Tweet on X (formerly Twitter) asking who were the people after whom these roads were named.

    “Anyone ever wonder who the Zenab behind Zenab market, Tariq behind Tariq Road, Hasan behind Hasan Square really are? Who are these people? How did they become so iconic and important to Karachi?”

    A user was kind enough to explain Zainab Market’s name, and it turns out because that’s the name of the owner’s daughter.

    Soon, people brought up some hilarious road names and attempted to decode what they had really meant. For instance, there’s really a road in Karachi called Anda Mor?

    Then there’s another place called Mochi Mor? Kya mochi sirf wahan par baithtay hain?

    And Bandar Road doesn’t actually mean Monkey- but it’s the road that leads to the port.

    Finally we got an explanation behind Tariq road, it’s named after Tariq bin Ziyad, the Muslim General who led the invasion on Iberia.

  • Rs5.1 trillion debt threatens energy sector, govt thinking about privatisation of power companies

    Rs5.1 trillion debt threatens energy sector, govt thinking about privatisation of power companies

    The caretaker government is contemplating significant changes in response to mounting circular debt and losses in the power and gas sectors in Pakistan.

    Two key strategies are under consideration: privatising both power generation (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos) or transferring management control to private entities for a duration of 20 to 25 years.

    This policy shift is driven by the alarming circular debt crisis in the power sector, totaling Rs2.3 trillion, and a staggering Rs2.8 trillion in the gas sector. Combined, this amounts to over $17 billion, endangering sector sustainability.

    Energy Minister Muhammad Ali disclosed that the government is considering transferring management responsibilities for four power generation plants and 10 state-run Discos to private entities under long-term concession agreements. Discussions with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) for such agreements are ongoing.

    The power generation plants under consideration include the Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki power plants, the Guddu power plant, and the Nandipur power plant. The government is exploring options such as transferring Discos to provincial governments, complete privatisation, or management delegation to private investors.

    After privatisation or management transfer, uniform tariffs may no longer be mandatory, allowing for varying tariff structures. This move is aimed at reducing government subsidies and losses.

    The government is also considering public listings, but only for profitable entities. This shift towards privatisation is seen as a means to spur economic growth, job creation, and increased tax revenues.

    Regarding gas availability, the situation is expected to be similar to the previous year, with gas load-shedding planned. Gas tariffs are set to increase, particularly for low-income consumers.

    Government-independent power producer (IPP) agreements will be honoured as international investments prevent alterations. Short-term strategies to reduce circular debt include cost reduction measures, extending loan terms, boosting local power generation, and upgrading transmission lines.

    The gas sector’s annual losses of Rs350 billion are a significant concern, primarily due to the reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) procured at a higher cost than what is sold domestically.

    In summary, the Pakistani government is considering a major overhaul of the power and gas sectors, with privatisation and management transfers as primary options to address circular debt and losses. These reforms aim to reduce financial burdens, encourage efficiency, and stimulate economic growth, all while ensuring essential services remain accessible to consumers.

  • Sanam Javed, three other women arrested again after release

    Sanam Javed, three other women arrested again after release

    Lahore Police has rearrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed and three other women on Tuesday after they were released from jail.

    The other three women have been identified as Afshan Tariq, Ashma Shuja and Shah Noor.

    The court had ordered their release on bail from Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, in the May 9 Jinnah House attack case.

    According to the police, the women have been arrested in the second case related to the Jinnah House attack.

  • Hina Shah surrenders to police in Fatima murder case

    Hina Shah surrenders to police in Fatima murder case

    Hina Shah, one of the central suspects in 10-year-old Fatima Phariro’s murder case has surrendered to police, ARY News has reported.

    Hina Shah is the wife of Pir Asad Shah, the other central suspect in the death of the child.

    According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samiullah Soomro, Hina Shah surrendered due to constant raids and police investigations.

    She has been moved to the women’s police station and will be presented before the court for remand.

    Previously, Fatima’s mother complained that SHO Khanwahin Ghani Dayo issued threats to abduct or kill her. She added that he also used foul language while alluding to Fatima.

    “SHO Khanwahin has been assisting pirs of Ranipur” she claimed and has insisted on protection from Khanwahan police officer.

    When the caretaker home minister of Sindh visited the family last week, he ordered the SHO to hold officials accountable.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters were also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of the child were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught the media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the girl had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • Confirmation of polio virus in various cities

    Once again, the presence of polio virus has been confirmed in samples collected from different cities across Pakistan.

    According to officials, two samples from Hangu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one from Karachi have tested positive for polio.

    These samples were taken from Hangu Civil Hospital and Jani Chowk.

    Reportedly, the polio virus found in Hangu is genetically similar to the virus found in Rawalpindi.

    Similarly, other samples were taken from the Kemari area of Karachi.

    Overall, 27 samples in Pakistan have tested positive for polio virus so far.

    A seven-day anti-polio campaign in Karachi will start from October 2.

    More than 2.6 lakh children will get the vaccine, while children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years will also be given vitamin A.

    During the anti-polio campaign, 3,500 personnel will be on duty.

  • Why doesn’t Imran Khan want to be transferred to Adiala Jail?

    Why doesn’t Imran Khan want to be transferred to Adiala Jail?

    Journalists were left in confusion about the current location of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday when officials from Adiala jail denied Khan’s lawyers assertion that Imran had been shifted to their facility.

    A twist in the story has now propped up. According to journalist Saqib Bashir’s sources, Imran Khan has said during the jail hearing that he doesn’t want to be transferred to Adiala jail as he is comfortable in Attock Jail.

    The PTI chief further stated during the hearing that “I will request my lawyers to withdraw the application.

    On Monday, the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Aamir Farooq, issued an order to shift the PTI chief from Attock to Adiala jail. The chief justice remarked that Imran Khan deserves a better class in jail as he is the former prime minister of Pakistan.

    His rights should not be violated, Justice Farooq stated.

  • Babar Azam ko 2,000 ka fine kyun hua?

    Babar Azam ko 2,000 ka fine kyun hua?

    Pakistan’s men’s Cricket team Captain Babar Azam was fined Rs2000 by Traffic Police authorities in Gulbarg, Lahore.

    According to the police, Babar Azam was driving his car without a license in the wrong lane.

    Babar Azam is leading Pakistan Cricket team in World Cup 2023 in India. The mega event will starting on October 5.

    Read More: Social media users’ reactions on WC squad

  • At least six men involved in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder

    At least six men involved in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder

    Latest CCTV evidence reveals that at least six suspects came to kill Hardeep Singh in two cars.

    The Washington Post has reviewed the video and gathered accounts of witnesses that suggest that it was a “larger and more organized operation than has previously been reported”.

    According to Washington Post, Nijjar’s gray pickup truck was by strewn bullets. While Bhupinderjit Singh, first person to visit the site, described the scene: “It was blood and shattered glass everywhere,”

    The community members state that investigators told them that the assailants fired about 50 bullets out of which 34 hit Nijjar.

    On the other hand, the Sikh community protested outside the Indian High Commission in Canada against the killing of Hardeep Singh, raising slogans against Modi. Canada’s defence minister says there are credible intelligence reports pointing towards Indian interference, and it will not back down.

    Nijjar’s murder

    Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader, was shot outside a Sikh temple on 18 June in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. As per the police’ evaluation, it was a “targeted” attack.

    The world reacted after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement citing suspicion towards India in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder case.

    “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,”, said Trudeau.

    On the other hand, in a tit-for-tat move, India ordered a senior Canadian diplomat to leave the country, keeping in view the “growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities”.

    India’s foreign ministry has rejected all allegations, deeming them as “absurd”.

  • India finally issues visas for Pakistan squad

    India finally issues visas for Pakistan squad

    India has finally issued visas for the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup late on Monday night.

    IICC has also said that India has issued visas for the Pakistan cricket team after complaints of delay.

    According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the team has been asked to collect their passports from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

    Sources said that all 33 passports have been collected from the Indian High Commission. Earlier, due to the delay in the issuance of NOC (No Objection Certificate) by the Indian government, Pakistan team’s departure was in doubt, prompting PCB to write a letter to the ICC.

    Read More: Muhammad Asif slams Babar Azam, World Cup squad

    According to sources, the Indian High Commission has informed the PCB about the progress and said that visas have been issued to the Pakistan team and soon the squad members will get their passports and other travel documents.

    The Pakistan cricket team will leave for India early Wednesday morning where they will play the first warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29.

  • Unleashing the Potential of Energy Efficiency in the Building Industry

    Unleashing the Potential of Energy Efficiency in the Building Industry

    The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) is at the forefront of transforming the building sector in Pakistan by promoting energy-efficient practises. NEECA serves as the federal focal agency mandated for initiating, catalysing, and coordinating all energy conservation activities across all sectors of the economy. In this article, we will delve into NEECA’s initiatives and highlight how organisations can leverage energy efficiency to gain a competitive edge and boost the bottom line.

    The Landscape: Rapid Urbanisation and Economic Growth

    Pakistan is experiencing rapid urbanisation, leading to a surge in construction activities and a growing demand for energy. As the building sector expands, the need for energy efficiency becomes paramount. By embracing energy-efficient technologies and practises, organisations in the building industry can not only contribute to an energy-smart future but also tap into new economic opportunities.

    NEECA’s Solutions: Capitalising on Energy Efficiency

    NEECA is spearheading a range of initiatives to promote energy efficiency in the building sector. One significant intervention is the development and implementation of Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC-2023). These codes encompass energy efficiency standards for building envelopes, HVAC systems, lighting, and more. By complying with ECBC-2023, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to efficiency and unlock new business
    prospects.

    NEECA is also driving the adoption of energy-efficient appliances through the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Labelling Regime. By complying with MEPS and labelling regimes, organisations can offer energy-efficient products to the market, meet customer demands, and enhance their brand reputation. Moreover, the growing market for energy-efficient appliances presents a lucrative opportunity for organisations to expand their product portfolios and increase profitability.

    Impact: Efficiency Translated into Profitability

    Embracing energy efficiency in the building industry brings forth a myriad of benefits. By implementing energy conservation practises and adopting energy-efficient technologies, organisations can significantly reduce energy consumption, optimise operational costs, and enhance overall profitability. Improved building performance, efficient appliances, and smart energy management systems create a competitive advantage, positioning organisations as leaders in the market.

    Potential for Opportunities in the Building Sector:

    As a leader in the building industry, it’s time to seize the opportunities presented by energy efficiency. Embrace NEECA’s initiatives by complying with Energy Conservation Building Codes, adopting energy-efficient appliances, and integrating smart energy management systems. Collaborate with NEECA to stay ahead of the competition, tap into emerging markets, and drive profitability through efficient practises. By capitalising on energy efficiency, you can unlock new avenues for growth, enhance their market position, and contribute to a more prosperous Pakistan. Let’s embrace energy efficiency as a catalyst for success and shape the building industry’s future.

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