Tag: Karachi

  • My 9:00 pm news is my Nikkah: News anchor Junaid Zafar’s hilarious marriage announcement

    My 9:00 pm news is my Nikkah: News anchor Junaid Zafar’s hilarious marriage announcement

    News anchor and marathon runner Muhammad Junaid, one of the most recognizable faces on prime time television, got nikkahfied to Aamina.

    Junaid Zafar has been associated with Geo News since many years, one of the channel’s most recognizable faces.
    He shared the news on his X (Twitter) handle, posting the pictures with the caption, “My today’s 9:00 pm news is that I had my Nikkah. Alhamdulillah” Muhammad Junaid and his wife Aamina’s families have shared some lovely moments from their close nikkah ceremony.

    Here the pictures:

  • K-Electric seeks Rs10.69 per unit hike in basic power tariff

    K-Electric seeks Rs10.69 per unit hike in basic power tariff

    K-Electric has proposed a substantial increase in its basic power tariff, seeking to raise the rate by Rs10.69 per unit to reach Rs44.69 per unit.

    This proposal has been made under the 7-year Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) framework.

    Currently, K-Electric’s average basic tariff stands at Rs34 per unit. The utility company has detailed its request, including specific components for the proposed increase. The Energy Purchase Price (EPP) component is to be set at Rs18.88 per unit.

    Additionally, transmission charges are projected to be Rs3.48 per unit, and distribution charges at Rs3.84 per unit. Operation and maintenance costs are requested to be Rs0.42 per unit, while the retail margin is sought to be Rs0.59 per unit.

    Furthermore, K-Electric has asked for the recovery of lost allocation at Rs2.88 per unit and working capital at Rs2.07 per unit.

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has invited stakeholders to submit their feedback on K-Electric’s request within the next seven days.

    A decision on the proposal is anticipated soon. If approved, the new tariff will impact millions of electricity consumers in Karachi and its surrounding areas.

    Last month, K-Electric submitted a request for a significant hike of Rs18.86 per unit in the power tariff. This adjustment was based on the Fuel Charge Adjustments (FCA) for seven months, submitted to NEPRA.

    Concurrently, K-Electric also requested a reduction in the power tariff by Rs0.29 per unit for a two-month period.

    In another development, the federal government has outlined a plan to privatise several profit-making power distribution companies (Discos). The companies slated for privatisation include Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).

    These developments come at a critical time for Pakistan’s power sector, where tariff adjustments and privatisation efforts are expected to have significant implications for both the economy and consumers.

  • Suzuki eyes biogas plant in Karachi to strengthen its presence in Pakistan

    Suzuki eyes biogas plant in Karachi to strengthen its presence in Pakistan

    Suzuki Motor Corporation is poised to bolster its footprint in Pakistan with plans to establish a biogas plant in Karachi.

    This strategic move was articulated by Kenichi Ayukawa, the Global Vice President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, during a high-level meeting held in Islamabad on Thursday. The meeting convened Ayukawa and Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Federal Minister for Industries and Production.

    Hailing the delegation, Minister Hussain underscored the pivotal role of the automotive industry in Pakistan’s economic landscape. He highlighted its substantial contributions spanning employment generation, economic expansion, technology infusion, and industrial advancement.

    Notably, the government is steadfast in its commitment to fortifying the local automotive sector, extending tax exemptions and other inducements to automakers, and investing in research and development initiatives.

    Furthermore, to foster the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, incentives are being extended for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids, encompassing duty-free import privileges for plant and machinery essential for establishing EV manufacturing facilities.

    This proactive stance has already yielded tangible results, with 43 companies securing manufacturing certificates for the local production of EV 2/3 wheelers.

    Suzuki’s envisaged biogas plant in Karachi aligns with the broader strategy to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency while contributing to the nation’s energy diversification efforts.

    This development signals a promising trajectory for Suzuki’s endeavors in Pakistan, reflecting a shared commitment to economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.

  • New schedule announced for Matric and Inter Exams in Karachi

    New schedule announced for Matric and Inter Exams in Karachi

    The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) on Wednesday announced the new schedule for the matric and inter exams, previously postponed due to the ongoing heatwave.

    Today, the examination board released a notification including the revised exam schedule.

    The remaining exams of Class 10 will resume on May 28 as per the schedule.

    BIEK’s Chairman Professor Nasim Ahmed Memon on Wednesday said that the exams of inter classes are scheduled to take place from June 1.

    “Intermediate exams will be held from June 1 as it is not possible to conduct them from May 28,” said the chairman.

    Memon said that the Board has sought permission from the education minister to extend the exams for four days. He added that 21 higher secondary schools were set up as a centre for the exams.

    The chairman said that the Inter exams were to be held in the centres in the morning while matric exams were scheduled for the evening.
    Speaking about the matric exams, the chairman said that they were postponed due to hot weather. “Postponed papers will be taken from May 28 in the same centres,” he added.

    The BIEK chairman said that it was not possible to hold matric and intermediate exams in the same centres at the same time.

    The BSEK had postponed the remaining papers of the secondary classes which were supposed to be held between May 21-27, in light of heatwave in Sindh.

  • Punjab to close schools, exams to be postponed in Karachi as heatwave gains strength

    Punjab to close schools, exams to be postponed in Karachi as heatwave gains strength

    As a stifling heatwave gains strength across Pakistan, the Punjab government has decided to shut down all schools across the province for a week while Sindh has decided to postpone matric exams.

    A notification issued by the Government of Punjab states that due to the heat wave, a seven-day-long holiday has been announced in schools. Therefore, schools will remain closed from May 25 to May 31. However, schools that are carrying out exams will be allowed to continue.

    PDMA Punjab had issued alerts earlier that the heat wave will span across Punjab from May 21 to 27.

    Karachi

    Class 9th and 10th exams have been postponed in Karachi due to a possible heat wave.

    The Board of Secondary Education has announced that there will be no matriculation board papers between May 21 and 27.

    On the orders of the Minister for Education Boards and Universities, the Matriculation Board Karachi exams have been postponed and now the Matriculation Board exams will be held from May 28 as per the schedule.

    Although the Intermediate exams were postponed earlier, now the Inter exams will start from May 27 instead of May 22.

    The plains of Punjab and Sindh are in the grip of intense heat and a heatwave alert has also been issued by the Meteorological Department.

  • From Karachi to Cannes: Pakistani animation debuts with ‘The Chronicles of Umro Ayyar’

    From Karachi to Cannes: Pakistani animation debuts with ‘The Chronicles of Umro Ayyar’

    ‘The Chronicles of Umro Ayyar.’
    The film, which is categorized as an adventure fantasy, draws inspiration from the epic story of Tilism e Hoshruba. As he journeys through time and fantastical worlds, the story narrates the exciting exploits of the fabled trickster hero ‘Umro Ayyar.’

    In addition to the animated movie, Ingenuity Productions is developing the 3D animation series ‘Science Voyagers’ in which a curious child sets out on time-traveling escapades to meet the greatest scientists in history.
    ‘Umro Ayyar’is directed by Syed Arsalan Ali and Haris Bashrat. The story is written by Zafar Abdullah, BinMasoodFarid and Talha Abdur Rahim.
    Haris Basharat who is also the proudcer of ‘Umro Ayyar, said, “We aim to showcase the Pakistani animation industry’s potential globally. We believe that the film’s impressive visuals and storyline will engage audiences worldwide,”

    The search for genuine connection and overcoming selfishness, however, is a deeper message that cuts through the fantasy veneer and speaks to audiences of all ages. The path taken by ‘Umro Ayyar’ turns becomes a monument to the strength of forming relationships that cut over barriers of race, gender, class, age, and personality.

    In addition to the animated movie, Ingenuity Productions is developing the 3D animation series ‘Science Voyagers.’ In this series, a curious child sets out on time-traveling escapades to meet the greatest scientists in history.

    Furthermore, the business is recognized for creating two 2D animated series: Yolki and Hatch, which centers on early development, and Aria and the Magic Jungle, which emphasizes environmental awareness.

  • PIA’s flight to Canada lands back in Karachi after four hours

    PIA’s flight to Canada lands back in Karachi after four hours

    A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Islamabad to Toronto was diverted back to Karachi on Friday after a technical fault was noticed by the captain only four hours into the journey.

    The Boeing 777 with 268 passengers onboard was scheduled to take off from Islamabad Inter­national Airport at 2:15 pm on Friday, but departed an hour late. When flying over Russia the pilot noticed a technical issue and decided to head back.

    PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said that PIA flight PK-781 was diverted back to Karachi after it developed a technical fault, reported Dawn.
    He said that after the issue was detected, the plane landed in Karachi around 1 am on Saturday.

    The spokesperson claimed that the technical problem with the aircraft was minor, but the captain preferred to return back, rather than to continue the long flight over the Atlantic.

    The decision to bring the aircraft back to Karachi was made due to better arrangements at the engineering base and availability of spare parts, he said.

    Arrangements to receive the flight at Karachi Airport were said to be in place and the passengers were accommodated at the airport hotel.
    The flight is now scheduled to depart for Toronto at 1pm today (Saturday).

    The aircraft, bearing registration number AP-BGZ, had previously reported the same fault, according to Dawn.

  • Class 9 English paper leaked before examination

    Class 9 English paper leaked before examination

    Matriculation exams are in progress across Sindh including Karachi, where serious lack of management has come to the fore once again.

    According to Geo News, the English paper of class 9 in Karachi went viral on social media before it even started.

    This is not the first case of its kind. A number of matriculation papers have been recently leaked. A physics paper was leaked just a few minutes after the examination started while the mathematics paper was out 30 minutes after the scheduled time.

  • Karachiites to suffer more water shortages

    Karachiites to suffer more water shortages

    The Water Corporation has warned the people of Karachi suffering from shortage that there will be further reduction in water supply, advising carefully storing and using water.

    Geo reports that according to the spokesperson of Water Corporation, the supply of water from New Pump House Gharo will be suspended from May 16 to 19 due to development works of K-Electric and Water Corporation.

    The annual work by Water Corporation and K-Electric in New Pump House Gharo will result in a shortage of 13 MGD of water in the city.

    The Water Corporation also said that new electrical panels and electrical equipment will be installed in New Pump House Gharo, and the total duration of development works will be 72 hours.

  • Hazim Bangwar claps back

    Hazim Bangwar claps back

    Hazim Bangwar, Assistant Commissioner for North Nazimabad, Karachi, has responded to criticism on his unconventional attire at the Hum Style Awards.

    He asserted that he has carried his office “with respect and dignity and always dressed appropriately”, adding that no doctor or officer wears their uniforms outside their office.

    Background

    Hazim Bangwar, has often been the subject of attention on social media — but this time he is in the spotlight for a very ludicrous reason.

    He is not an average Pakistani Commissioner.

    In a world full of stereotypes, he is a gritty fashion icon with a unique sense of style. He has a passion for singing and has released a few songs too. He is often attending events including the red carpet premiere of Money Heist, Korea.

    And only recently, he made an appearance at the red carpet of Hum Style Awards in an all-black, sleek costume-like attire with a long, pleated neck piece.

    His edgy look was criticised on social media by one account— and former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry.

    However, many people jumped in to support Hazim Bangwar.

    In all this debate, the question is: does one’s attire matter? Does wearing a crisp, white shalwar kameez with a waistcoat, or the finest of suits make one more diligent in their job?

    By all accounts, Hazim is doing a good job as Commissioner. Why then should we be bothered by his clothing choices, worn at a private event?

    Trolls really need to come to a grip with trying to dictate their choices onto public servants.