Tag: Karachi

  • Four Paws has reached Pakistan to treat elephant Noor Jehan

    International animal welfare group Four Paws has reached Karachi on April 4 to examine and begin treatment of ailing elephant, Noor Jehan. In a press release posted on their website, Four Paws revealed that since 2021, they have been strongly recommending that both elephants Noor Jehan and Madhubala are shifted from Karachi Zoo, as the facility does not comply with international standards of providing habitable living conditions for animals.

    “However, no such measures to relocate them have been taken,” the post read.

    The team was led by the head of the organization, Dr Amir Khalil, along with  Dr Frank Göritz and Prof Dr Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), and Dr Marina Ivanova from FOUR PAWS. Khalil spoke to journalists about Noor Jehan’s condition yesterday, as reported by Dawn and Express Tribune.

    He said that Jehan needs a detailed medical examination which includes endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, in order to provide proper insight into her condition.

    “We don’t know what went wrong with her. But, her condition has deteriorated very fast within a few weeks. She has got swelling on her hind legs as well as genital parts and she could barely walk. Right now, she has a 50-50 chance for survival,” he said.

    Khalil went on to reveal that their team was setting up a crane, wench and a fire brigade to help the animal remain stable and upright during surgery:

    “Our greatest concern is not to let the animal fall down. We fear that if Noor Jehan falls down, she it will not get up again. We will find out tomorrow whether it’s a fracture, trauma or an infection.”

    Today, the Karachi Metropolitan Center (KMC) spoke to DAWN and revealed that they were ready to facilitate the team in every way to help the elephants, and were making preparations to send them to Safari Park:

    “We are with Four Paws. All departments are ready to arrange any logistics needed for medical procedures. We are also making preparations to shift both zoo elephants to Safari Park within a month as per experts’ recommendation,” said Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman, Karachi Administrator.

    Rehman went on to add that Noor Jehan had been suffering from a neurological deficiency for the past two or three months which had impacted her hind legs. The government did not have the facilities for the treatment Noor Jehan needed in Pakistan which is why the international group was approached to help diagnose her illness and provide a solution.

    “The kind of treatment Noor Jehan requires isn’t available in Pakistan. So, we approached the international group to help us diagnose her illness and suggest and offer treatment, if possible,” Dr Rehman said.

  • Karachi teenage girl allegedly marries her kidnapper

    Karachi teenage girl allegedly marries her kidnapper

    A teenage girl who had been reported missing from Karachi has allegedly married her kidnapper in Lahore, according to police, Dawn has reported.

    The girl’s family had filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 365-B of PPC while the police had conducted raids in Peshawar and Lahore to find her.

    The police have claimed that the girl married the kidnapper with her consent. The family had named Abdullah in the FIR, and according to Korangi-SSP Sajid Amir Sadozai, the girl’s marriage documents are being verified.

    The girl had gone missing on February 13. The case is currently under investigation, and further details are yet to be revealed.

  • ‘More mouths to feed than we can cope with’: Street Kitchen ‘Khana Ghar’ feeds millions of Pakistanis amid inflation

    Due the ongoing inflation crisis in Pakistan, food and petrol prices have risen astronomically, leading to many families finding it difficult to afford basic necessities like rice or flour. Writing for The Guardian, Zofeen T Ebrahim has covered the story of the street kitchen ‘Khana Ghar’ set up in Karachi’s poorest district by Parveen Saeed, who has been serving food to families for the past 22 years.

    Opening up to The Guardian, Saeed said that the kitchen has become even more busy since Ramzan began, as more families have arrived to receive one-month food rations:

    “But we can only give one bag to one family, and we need their ID cards to check that,” she said. “There are more and more mouths to feed than we can cope with.”

    Saeed, who had received the Pride of Performance award in 2021, sells salan and roti to families for only Rs 3. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, the kitchen provided meals for 6,000 people, but afterwards it rose to 7000, and now currently stands at 8,200.

    Saeed revealed that people stand in line for long hours in order to eat, because the ongoing political and economic instability has made it difficult for people to make a living:

    “These people are not beggars, they have become destitute..where are the jobs?”

    “Food prices have hit the sky. It is heartbreaking as they have waited for a couple of hours, only to leave empty-handed.”

    The newspaper also spoke to some of the regulars who visit Khana Ghar. Former construction worker Mohammad Shakeel, a father of six, suffered a head injury and broken wrists after which finding work became incredibly hard. He said the food was a ‘Godsend’ because “with a kilo of flour costing 150 rupees, we would not be able to survive the jump in food prices.”

    A widow who has been relying on Khana Ghar to feed her polio ridden daughter and toddler grandson said, “Had it not been for Parveen, we would have died from hunger.”

  • TRIGGER WARNING: Lodhran court sentences man to 25 years in prison for raping daughter

    A court in the Lodhran has sentenced a man to 25 years in prison and subjected to Rs 1,00,000 fine for torturing and raping his 15 year old daughter, as reported by Express Tribune.

    The rape case was filed by the survivor’s paternal aunt, Yasan, who revealed that she was suspicious when the father, Irshad, brought the girl to her house unconscious.

    The complainant told the police that after the girl woke up, she confessed to her aunt that her father had drugged and tortured her. When she and other witnesses approached Irshad, he confessed to the crime.

    The aunt urged the police to take strict action against the rapist.

  • Stampede for ration kills 11 in Karachi including three children

    Stampede for ration kills 11 in Karachi including three children

    A stampede at a private charity food ration distribution site in Karachi’s SITE industrial area on Friday left at least 11 people dead, including three children.

    Eyewitnesses and rescue workers reported that several people fell into a nullah at the location during the stampede. Reports suggest that some of the victims were electrocuted as an electricity power-line had fallen into the nullah.

    Several people, including women and children, also fell unconscious during the incident.

    The Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received nine bodies and six injured victims, while the Civil Hospital received two dead bodies, bringing the death toll to 11.

    The incident is one of several recent deadly stampedes at free food and flour distribution sites across the country as the population struggles with rising inflation.

    The government launched the flour distribution programme to reach millions of families in need during the holy month of Ramzan that began last week.

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered an inquiry into the incident and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.

    Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman demanded a transparent inquiry and action against those responsible for the incident, blaming the government for the people’s carelessness.

  • Govt ministers come forward to aid elephant Noor Jehan, address poor facilities at Karachi Zoo

    Social media got together to raise its voice for Noor Jehan, one of the elephants at Karachi Zoo, who was suffering from a joint and bone disease which had left her hind legs completely paralyzed. Pictures of the distressed elephant emerged on Twitter, prompting animal rights activists to demand that the government help with proper treatment and for her to be sent to an elephant sanctuary.

    Government officials have responded with Salman Sufi, Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms, and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah pledging to provide immediate medical aid, as well as monitor reports of poor facilities at Karachi Zoo.

    Sufi shared a screenshot of Noor Jehan’s medical test on Twitter, writing that Karachi administration was keeping in touch with Four Paws, a global animal welfare organization that focuses on improving the living conditions of animals.

    “Thank you to everyone who keeps raising voice for #NoorJehan Her tests are being conducted regularly and so is the checkup. Karachi administration has assured of their cooperation with four paws. Team from Punjab wildlife is also arriving this week. We will keep pursuing.”

    The Current reached out to Sufi to ask how Noor Jehan is being provided with medical treatment and his response was:

    “Four Paws have been invited to assess the elephant and Wildlife Punjab has also been sent to assist them. Safari Park Karachi special room is also being constructed for her and regular tests are also being conducted.”

    When asked about whether the government is taking action on reports of negligence, especially food supply because of which many animals and birds were reportedly left to starve, Sufi said:

    “We are monitoring those reports and have requested the Karachi administration. Government of Sindh is actively pursuing this issue as well.”

    In regards to the vocal call by activists to shift Noor Jehan to an elephant sanctuary, Sufi responded that they would be following the doctor’s orders on what is best for the elephant.

    Nasir Hussain Shah visited Karachi Zoo on Monday, where he stated that an inquiry regarding the reports that food supply for animals had been cut off had been initiated and revealed that no such issues were found. He said that a team of doctors is arriving from Vienna. The government is in contact with them to provide the elephant with all the resources she needs.

    Yesterday, The News reported that Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori made a visit to Karachi Zoo, where he told reporters that allegations regarding political support to the zoo staff was false, and action shall be taken against anyone found guilty for spreading this rumor. Moreover, Tessori also revealed that the government was holding an inquiry over the treatment and care of Noor Jehan.

  • Trans activist Shahzadi Rai shares video of extremists stalking her home

    Trans activist Shahzadi Rai shares video of extremists stalking her home

    Prominent Karachi-based transgender activist Shehzadi Rai shared a triggering video on her Twitter page of two men stalking her home. In the clip the men be seen turning away when they spot the camera. Rai wrote in a tweet that she was terrified for her life, because the men were threatening her with bottles of acid.

    People tagged the Sindh police in replies to help Rai.

    The Current reached out to Rai for a statement, and she revealed that she did not know why the men were stalking her. Rai also shared that this was the fourth time these men had appeared outside her house, and that she was going to the police to get them arrested.

    Member of the Provincial Assembly Sindh Sharjeel Memon condemned the incodent on Twitter and asked Rai to send him relevant details.

    Rai later revealed in a video uploaded to her Twitter account that she was present at the Shahar E Faisal police station and called for better protection of the khwajasara community by the police.

    Rai also shared a picture of the police case filed against her stalkers and thanked the Sindh Govt for understanding the sensitivity of the situation by deploying police forces outside her home

  • Ali Haider Zaidi says will leave PTI if it allies with Zardari

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Ali Haider Zaidi said that he will leave his party and politics altogether if Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari allies with the party.

    In a wide-ranging podcast with Shehzad Ghias Shaikh, the former minister said, “Mei chordoga PTI, mei polticis bhi chordoga“(I will leave PTI, I will even leave politics).

    Zaidi said that saying Karachi is being ruled by Zardari’s “mafia”.

    When asked why PTI did not deliver on its promises to Karachi when Imran Khan was in power, the PTI leader was of the view that circumstances were different at the time, however, he admitted that the party could’ve done more.

    He also added that “Imran Khan is a figure whom everybody wants to be close with.”

    Answering Shehzad’s question about why Imran Khan didn’t visit the victims’ families of the 2020 PIA plane crash in Karachi, Zaidi said that he was overburned at the time.

    It is pertinent to mention that very few visits have been made by the-then prime minister Imran Khan to Karachi.

    Earlier this year, PTI suffered a major setback in Sindh local body elections when PTI Karachi Chapter President and Sindh Assembly lawmaker Khurram Sher Zaman suffered defeat in UC XI of Sadar Town for his nomination for Karachi mayor slot to the PPP candidate.

  • PSL 8: Karachi emerges as potential host city amid bill dispute

    PSL 8: Karachi emerges as potential host city amid bill dispute

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government regarding the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight matches scheduled to be held in the province.

    Sources indicate that the PCB is contemplating relocating the Punjab-leg of PSL 8 to Karachi after receiving a bill of Rs450 million from the provincial government, which the PCB and PSL franchises have unanimously decided not to pay.

    If the bill is not waived before the deadline tomorrow, the matches will be officially moved to Karachi. A meeting between PCB and the Punjab government is scheduled for later today to address the matter.

    The PCB has reportedly started preparations for holding additional matches in Karachi, and the revised schedule has been discussed with the franchises. The deadlock may also result in white-ball matches between Pakistan and New Zealand in April and May being moved out of Punjab.

    Currently, Rawalpindi is set to host 11 fixtures and Lahore nine matches, including the closing ceremony, playoffs, and the final. The victorious team will not only lift the Supernova Trophy but will also receive a cheque of Rs120 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs48 million.

    Lahore Qalandars will attempt to achieve a back-to-back title win, while Islamabad United will strive to become the most successful side by winning the trophy for the third time.

  • Father kills sleeping son for not offering fajr prayers

    Father kills sleeping son for not offering fajr prayers

    In a shocking incident, a 24-year-old man named Muhammad Sohail was killed by his father for not offering fajr prayers on Wednesday morning.

    The incident took place in the Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi where the father, identified as Haji Muhammad Saeed, returned from offering fajr prayers and found his son sleeping. Without any warning, the father hit the boy with a hammer, killing him.

    The accused claimed that he had repeatedly warned his children, including Sohail, to offer prayers on time, but the victim did not pay heed. Frustrated and angry, he lost control and killed his own son.

    The police were notified of the crime and have arrested the accused. A hammer and a knife, which are believed to have been used in the murder, were also found at the crime scene.

    A murder case has also been registered against the father.