Tag: Ghotki

  • OGDCL confirms gas discovery near Ghotki, Sindh

    OGDCL confirms gas discovery near Ghotki, Sindh

    On Wednesday, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) announced the finding of gas from an exploration well near Ghotki, Sindh.

    “The joint venture (JV) of Guddu Block comprising Oil & Gas Development Company Limited as an operator (70 per cent), SPUD Energy PTY Limited (SEPL) (13.5 per cent), IPR Transoil Corporation (IPRTOC) (11.5 per cent), and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL) (5 percent) has discovered Gas from an exploratory well namely Umair South East # 01, which is located in District Ghotki, Sindh,” the company stated in a notice.

    The Umair South East # 01 well, according to OGDCL, was spudded on May 9, 2022, as an exploration well to investigate the hydrocarbon potential of the Pirkoh Formation and Habib Rahi Limestone (HRL) to a projected depth of 785m.

    “Based on the interpretation of wireline logs, successful Drill Stem Test-1 in HRL tested 1.063 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) gas through choke size 32/64” at 210 pounds per square inch (PSi) Well Head Flowing Pressure (WHFP)”.

    The finding of Umair South East-1 is the outcome of Guddu Joint Venture Partners’ aggressive exploration approach, according to the Pakistani oil and gas business.

    “It has opened a new route and will favourably contribute to alleviating energy demand and supply gaps from indigenous resources, while also adding to OGDCL’s and the country’s hydrocarbon reserves base,” it said.

    The discovery comes at a fortunate time for Pakistan, which has recently experienced huge power outages and a gas scarcity.

    Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) discovered gas/condensate earlier this month in the Bannu West-1 ST-1 Exploration Well, which was drilled in the Bannu West Block in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

  • Court sentences Hindu teacher to life in prison over ‘blasphemy’ charges

    Court sentences Hindu teacher to life in prison over ‘blasphemy’ charges

    A session court sentenced a Hindu teacher, Nautan Lal, to life imprisonment over charges of ‘blasphemy’ in Ghotki, a district in Sindh. He was fined Rs50,000 as well, reports SAMAA News.

    The verdict was announced by the additional session judge, Mumtaz Ali Solangi today. The court took two years to convict Nautan Lal who has been in jail since 2019 as an undertrial prisoner.

    According to the verdict, he is charged with Section 265-H of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

    A case was also registered against Lal under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). He was accused of passing derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet P.B.U.H

    He was sent back to Central jail in Sukkur. His requests for bail have been rejected twice for the past two years.

    In September 2019, a video was circulated across social media in which an intermediate student claimed that the owner of Ghotki’s Sindh Public Higher Secondary School committed blasphemy.

    Member of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat, Mufti Adul Karim Sayeedi registered a blasphemy case against the school owner.

    However, teachers clarified that the Nautan Lal did not teach at the school but he just visited on that day. He used to teach Physics at Government Degree College Ghotki.

    A protest erupted in the town and a violent mob attacked the Hindu Temple in Ghotki and damaged its idols.

  • ‘Rs 620bn needed for Pakistan Railways’ total up-gradation,’ says Azam Swati

    ‘Rs 620bn needed for Pakistan Railways’ total up-gradation,’ says Azam Swati

    Railway Minister Azam Khan Swati on Wednesday said he needed Rs 620 billion for the total up-gradation of the Pakistan Railways, a few days after the fatal Ghotki train accident that claimed over 60 lives and injured over 100 passengers. 

    “I was at the site till the entire track was not restored,” said the minister, stating with regret that 63 people had died in the accident and 23 were being treated in hospitals for injuries. 

    Sharing details from the initial report, the minister said the black boxes from the trains had been retrieved. He added that work had not yet started on them for the probe, but reassured that a thorough investigation will be conducted. “It will take us at least three to four weeks,” he said, as reported in Dawn.

    “The accident occurred due to the 12 bogies being derailed,” he said, explaining that bogies of the Millat Express train had shifted to the other track.

    “I saw the signs of brakes on the tracks myself,” Swati said, adding that there was a need to do a lot more.

    Swati said relatives of the deceased will be given Rs 1.5 million by the government as compensation, adding that every injured person will be provided Rs300,000 by the authorities. Swati said that no value could be placed on the injured and the lives lost, adding that they were “precious” and “priceless”.

  • Bilawal slams PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal, calls him ‘office-bearer on paper’

    Bilawal slams PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal, calls him ‘office-bearer on paper’

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday criticised the government over the Ghotki train accident and said that he was shocked at the ‘callous’ attitude of the government.

    Differences between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also became visible in the National Assembly (NA) session when PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal criticised the chair for giving the floor to the PPP chairman before him. Ahsan Iqbal said that being from the largest Opposition party, it was his right to get the floor first. When Bilawal took the floor again, he hit out at Iqbal and the PML-N and termed him an “office-bearer only on papers”.

    Responding to Bilawal’s remarks, Ahsan Iqbal tweeted, “PTI attacks him [Bilawal] for a will written on a piece of paper. I don’t know why he felt the need to attack me with this piece of paper issue.”

    Speaking on the floor, Bilawal said a tragic incident has occurred in Ghotki and lamented that a poor person’s life is not safe during travel via the railways.

    “They (government) do political point-scoring even when an incident like these happen,” he said, adding, “I want to convey a message to the affectees of the crash: We stand with you and demand answers from the authorities.”

    Later in the day, Bilawal tweeted that his request to suspend all other business to discuss Ghotki train accident was denied by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

    “PM, railway minister not in NA to answer why in three years of this government we’ve had more train accidents than any other govt in history of Pakistan. Shocked at callous attitude of govt,” he added.

  • ‘By the grace of Almighty Allah, this is the first train accident of 2021’: Firdous

    ‘By the grace of Almighty Allah, this is the first train accident of 2021’: Firdous

    Special Assistant to Chief Minister of Punjab, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan made a shocking statement on the Ghotki Incident. She said: “By the grace of Almighty Allah, ever since the government came into power, this is the first train accident that happened in this year 2021″.

    https://twitter.com/taimoorze/status/1401902200520118278?s=21

    Firdous faced backlash from the public calling her statement ‘unbelievable’.

    A woman reacted to the comments of Firdous, and wrote on Twitter, “What have we done to deserve this ?”

    Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan tweeted a clarification regarding her controversial statement. “This is the first major train accident in the last 15 months. One of my statements given in this regard is being taken out of context.”

    Two express trains collided on Monday in Sindh’s Ghotki and killed over 50 passengers, while more than 100 others have been injured, said police and rescue officials.

    In the midst of the tragic incident of Ghotki, Firdous’ statement was thought to be inept and lacked empathy.

  • Timeline of major train accidents in Pakistan during PTI tenure

    Timeline of major train accidents in Pakistan during PTI tenure

    Two express trains collided in Sindh’s Ghotki today. At least 50 passengers have lost their lives, and 100 others are injured. The Millat Express derailed and the Sir Syed Express train hit it soon afterwards, railways officials confirmed, saying that the collision took place between the Raiti and Obaro railway stations. In 2019,BBC published a report stating, “historical data from Pakistan Railways shows there were 757 train accidents between 2012 and 2017. That’s an average of about 125 incidents a year.”

    Sheikh Rashid served as the Railway Minister from August 20, 2018, to December 14, 2020. A total of seven major train incidents happened during his tenure. At present, Azam Khan Swati is the Railway Minister. The present train accident in Ghotki has happened during Swati’s tenure.

     Timeline of major railways accidents during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI):

    June 7,2021: Ghotki

     At least 32 people were killed and 64 injured after two express trains collided in Sindh’s Ghotki.

    Feb 28, 2020: Rohri

    At least 19 people were killed when a train collided with a passenger bus near Sindh’s Rohri.

    October 31, 2019: Rahim Yar Khan

    More than 70 people died in a fiery explosion on a moving train, which officials later blamed on a short-circuit fire. The incident occurred near Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab.

    July 11, 2019: Sadiqabad

     A Quetta-bound train collided with a cargo train near Sadiqabad in Punjab, killing 24 and injuring over a 100. The accident was later found to the result of a delay in the switching of train tracks.

    June 20, 2019: Makli Shah

     Three people were killed when a passenger train collided with a stationary cargo train at Makli Shah, near Hyderabad.

    December 18, 2018: Narowal

    12 children were injured when a passenger train crashed into a school van near Narowal, Punjab. Eyewitnesses said the accident happened due to dense fog and because the gate at the crossing was left open.

    September 27, 2018: Sehwan

    A Peshawar-bound train had derailed in Sehwan, Sindh, due to which 11 bogies overturned.

    September 16, 2018: Attock

    Nine bogies of the Peshawar-bound Khushal Khan Khattak Express from Karachi derailed near Attock. 20 passengers were injured.

    June 9, 2018: Sukkur

    Twenty-three bogies of a Karachi-bound freight train derailed in Sukkur.

    People are recalling the words of Prime Minister Imran Khan when he said, “Anywhere in the world when a train accident occurs, the railway minister resigns. Until the minister doesn’t resign, the inquiry doesn’t process properly.”

    https://twitter.com/MurtazaViews/status/1401828986632740865
  • PM Imran ‘shocked’ over Ghotki train accident, orders thorough investigation

    PM Imran ‘shocked’ over Ghotki train accident, orders thorough investigation

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said he was ‘shocked’ over the Ghotki train accident that resulted in the loss of lives of many passengers.

    As per reports, at least 50 passengers have lost their lives and 100 people were injured Monday morning when two passenger trains collided at Ghotki between the Raiti and Obaro railway stations.

    PM Khan has directed Railways Minister Azam Swati to arrive at the site and provide the affectees with medical assistance and support for families of the dead.

    “Shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead. Have asked Railway Minister to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to the injured and support for families of the dead. Ordering a comprehensive investigation into railway safety fault lines,” PM Imran wrote in a Tweet.

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also took to Twitter stating that the “the entire railway system in terms of safety and maintenance needs an overhaul”.

    Also Read: PM Imran drives in without protocol, interacts with street vendors in Islamabad

    Army officers and Rangers workers have arrived at the site in Ghotki to help people with the relief and rescue operations, said the ISPR. Military doctors and paramedics have also reached the crash site. 

    This is a developing story.

  • Muslims in Sindh head to temples to protect Hindu brethren

    Muslims in Sindh head to temples to protect Hindu brethren

    After blasphemy allegations against a Hindu teacher in Ghotki and the subsequent unrest, people, particularly Muslims, in Sindh are coming out of their houses to express solidarity with members of the Hindu community and promote harmony.

    As per the details, hundreds have taken to streets, condemning the actions of those who vandalised a Hindu temple in the area besides causing harm to others’ properties.

    They also demand immediate arrest of those involved in such acts.

    Among other incidents making to social media, people are visiting their nearby temples to guard members of the Hindu community as they offer prayers.

    https://twitter.com/Team_Sindhi/status/1173562028767797248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1173562028767797248&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpropakistani.pk%2F2019%2F09%2F18%2Fmuslims-guard-mandirs-in-ghotki-to-show-solidarity-with-hindus%2F
    https://twitter.com/Team_Sindhi/status/1173551796368941056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1173551796368941056&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mangobaaz.com%2Fmuslims-in-ghotki-are-guarding-hindu-temples-after-the-mob-incident-to-show-their-respect

    In another example, students at a local school gathered to form a Hindu Swastika, promoting the message of peace and national harmony.

    https://twitter.com/Team_Sindhi/status/1173998898299494400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1173998898299494400&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpropakistani.pk%2F2019%2F09%2F18%2Fmuslims-guard-mandirs-in-ghotki-to-show-solidarity-with-hindus%2F
  • Naya Pakistan: Police register blasphemy case against 50 rioters for attacking temple

    Naya Pakistan: Police register blasphemy case against 50 rioters for attacking temple

    Police have registered a blasphemy case against 50 rioters for vandalising a Hindu temple following blasphemy allegations against a local teacher in the Ghotki district of Sindh, journalist Mubashir Zaidi has claimed.

    “Police registers balsphemy case against 50 rioters who vandalized Hindu temple in Ghotki,” he tweeted Monday.

    Heavy contingents of police and rangers were deployed in the district Sunday after violent protests over alleged blasphemy by a school principal belonging to the Hindu community. A temple, school and businesses owned by Hindus in the city were ransacked by the rioters.

    The case against the individuals, who attacked the temple, was registered under sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class),  147 (rioting) and 149 (connivance) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

    Dawn quoted Sukkur Additional Inspector General (AIG) Jamil Ahmed as saying that Section 295 was included because the protesters had vandalised a Hindu temple.

    “The Sindh government and its ministers seem serious to bring the culprits to book,” a rights activist from the Hindu community told a private media outlet on the condition of anonymity.

    However, the activist said that the people still felt insecure and wanted an end to injustice on the basis of faith.

    Another case was lodged against 150 people — 27 named and 123 unidentified persons — for blocking roads. A third FIR [First Information Report] pertaining to rioting and theft was filed against 23 people, including 11 unidentified persons, over reports that protesters had stolen goods from multiple shops in Shahi Bazar.

    RIOTS OVER ‘BLASPHEMY’:

    Law and order of Ghotki and surrounding areas deteriorated on Sunday as people in large numbers took to the streets to protest against an alleged incident of blasphemy.

    The protests began on Saturday after an FIR was filed against the principal of Sindh Public School on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Rajput, a student’s father who claimed that the former had committed blasphemy.

    The FIR was lodged under Article 295(c) — that pertains to “derogatory remarks in respect of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)” — of the PPC.

    Residents of the area demanded that the police arrest the principal, issued a call for a shutter-down strike, and took to the streets in protest. Videos of stick-wielding protesters were shared on social media on Sunday, in which they were seen vandalising a Hindu temple and damaging the school where the alleged incident took place.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also shared a video of protesters breaking the infrastructure of the school and expressed concern over the situation.

    “Alarming reports of accusations of blasphemy in Ghotki and the outbreak of mob violence,” it said in a tweet.