Tag: Lyari

  • PPP is all set to conquer Punjab and Sindh

    PPP is all set to conquer Punjab and Sindh

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally initiated his election campaign from NA-127 Lahore on Thursday.

    The party aims to leverage the perceived political vacuum created by the establishment in Pakistan.

    With the main rival, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), still deliberating on ticket allocations for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), PPP leaders have been actively canvassing for votes in their respective constituencies.

    According to the party’s central Punjab chief, a majority of aspiring candidates have already received confirmation regarding ticket allocations, making the official announcement a mere formality.

    PPP has unveiled its 10-point agenda as part of its manifesto, with the official manifesto set to be revealed in the coming days, as announced by the party’s information secretary.

    In contrast, PML-N, despite forming a manifesto committee over a month ago, has not made any public announcements regarding its plans.

    The recent introduction of an online portal by PML-N to gather public input on its manifesto suggests that the process is not in its advanced stages.

    Bilawal, who will contest elections from three constituencies, including NA-127 Lahore and the party stronghold Larkana, visited his election office at Green Town in Lahore to formally launch the campaign.

    During his election campaign trail, he would address rallies in Faisalabad (Jan 11), Layah (Jan 12), Bahawalpur (Jan 13), Balochistan’s Naseerabad (Jan 14), Sindh’s Larkana (Jan 15), Qambar Shahdadkot (Jan 16) Badin and Sanghar (Jan 17), Nowshero Feroz and Dadu (Jan 18), Rahim Yar Khan (Jan 19) Kot Daud (Jan 20), Lahore (Jan 21), Chiniot (Jan 23), Sarghoda (Jan 24), Lala Musa (Jan 25) Multan (Jan 26), Peshawar (Jan 27) , Rawalpindi (Jan 28), Kurram (Jan 29), DI Khan (Jan 30), Malakand (Jan 31), Khuzdar (Feb 1), Kashmor and Shikarpur (Feb 2) Mirpurkhas (Feb 3), Hyderabad (Jan 4) and his second last rally as per schedule would be in Karachi (Jan 5).

    The decision to contest from Lahore is seen as a strategic move, countering PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to contest from Karachi NA-242.

    The PPP aims to secure NA-127 Lahore, building on the momentum gained from the December 2021 by-election results, where the party’s candidate secured significant votes. The move is also seen as an effort to mitigate the risk of a complete loss for the party in Punjab.

    The party sees the absence of PTI from the political arena as a golden opportunity to capitalize on anti-PML-N votes. The PML-N is expected to issue the NA-127 ticket to its Deputy General Secretary Ata Tarar.

    Meanwhile, Mayor Murtaza Wahab asserted that the people of Karachi demonstrated their support for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the local government elections held on January 15, 2023, citing the party’s perceived capability to address the city’s issues.

    The mayor expressed these sentiments during the ‘Meeting the Editors’ program organized by the Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Thursday.

    “We worked for the resolution of the issues of the people of Karachi with sincerity. The development work will continue. People think that the next government will be of the PPP as they see Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as a viable leader,” the mayor said.

    Wahab attributed the success of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the local government elections to the boycott by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

  • Karachi mein kab aur kahan bijli nahi hogi?

    Karachi mein kab aur kahan bijli nahi hogi?

    The K-Electric (KE) on Thursday announced an hours-long power shutdown in parts of Karachi due to forthcoming “critical maintenance activity” at Malir Grid today (Friday).

    According to the official statement, the power distribution company would be undertaking a critical maintenance activity at Malir Grid on December 29.

    The maintenance work will be undertaken to ensure the stability and reliability of the power supply to consumers residing in these areas, the KE spokesperson said.

    As per the schedule, the power supply will remain temporarily suspended from 9am to 6pm for Malir Grid.

    For further guidance, customers may also reach out to KE’s social media platforms or via call centre 118, the company added.

    Following are areas served by the Malir Grid may experience power shutdown during the maintenance work:

    Askari-V Flats, Askari-V Malir Cantt, Model Colony Sheet-5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 Lassi Para, Rana Garden, Alamgir Society Block-A&C, Liaquat Avenue, Gulshan-e-Qamar, Deh-Tapo Memon goth, Block 8 & 8/A till Malir Cantt, Gulistan-e-Johar, Malir H-Area, F.South, Jinnah Square, Aleemabad, Sajan Goth, Sehar Town, Bismillah Town, D-4 Area, D-1, C-Area, S-2, S-1, D-2 Malir Colony, Bout Goth, F.South, G-Area, Ind Area, Jinnah Colony, Jaffer Tyar Malir, Malir Millat Garden, Sahibdad Goth, Abidia Center, Bout Goth, Askari V Bungalows, Malir Cantt. Sector H Bungalows, Model Colony RKV, Sheet # 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16, Jaffer Bagh, Tina Square, Sweet Homeland, Memon Goth Industrial Area, Damlottee Road, Malir Nafees Banglows, F.South, Nafees Town, Jaffer Tyar, Aleemabad C Area, Seher Town, Atiq Town, and Sajan Goth.

    The electricity firm had announced the power shutdown schedule for areas served by Memon Goth-New Landhi Grid and Orangi Town Grid on December 25 and 26 respectively.

  • ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari presented an ambitious 10-point election manifesto during a public gathering in the party stronghold Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 16th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    The manifesto, outlined on Wednesday, aims to establish a “pro-people” government after the upcoming February 8 elections.

    Here’s a breakdown of what Bilawal promised his party would do if they came into power:
    • Double salaries within five years
    • Free solar energy of 300 units for the poor; every district to have green energy parks
    • Education for all — rolling out projects for better education
    • Free health for all across Pakistan
    • Three million houses for flood affectees and the poor
    • Expand BISP’s scope; introducing more welfare schemes
    • BSIP-like programme for farmers and ‘Hari Card’
    • Enhanced support for labourers through Benazir Mazdoor Card
    • ‘Youth Card’ for unemployed youth and ‘Youth Markaz’
    • ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’

    At the core of the agenda is a commitment to double salaries and provide 300 free units of electricity per household. This goal is to be achieved through the creation of green energy parks in every district, focusing on harnessing solar and wind energy sources.

    In addition to economic measures, Bhutto-Zardari pledged to overhaul the health sector by replicating successful models such as NICVD, SIUT, and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences across the country. Another significant project, titled ‘Apni Zamin, Apna Ghar,’ aims to construct three million houses nationwide.

    The manifesto also includes provisions for free education, the expansion of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the introduction of Hari and Benazir Mazdoor Cards, and the establishment of youth centers in all divisional headquarters for career counseling and skill development.

    Bhutto-Zardari called for public support to navigate the current crisis, expressing confidence in the PPP’s ability to address national issues and strengthen the federation. Reflecting on the party’s past achievements, he highlighted the devolution of powers through the 18th Amendment and the successful implementation of the NFC award.

    The PPP chairman criticized certain politicians without naming them, accusing them of engaging in politics to evade legal challenges and jail time.

    “I had told my team that I wanted to contest from Lahore. I’ll take the battle to Lahore. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

    “Is it Lahore’s destiny that the same person will be installed for the fourth time?” Bilawal said while taking a jibe at the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who is eying a record-fourth term as the country’s prime minister.

    “Our paths are different with that of those we were in government for 16 months,” Bilawal said while referring to the PML-N-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government of which the PPP was a key part.

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari, speaking on the occasion, reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the promises made by his son. He criticized the central administration in Islamabad for its detachment from the struggles of the common people, contrasting it with the PPP’s “people-centric” approach.

  • Bilawal Bhutto not contesting elections from PPP stronghold Lyari

    Bilawal Bhutto not contesting elections from PPP stronghold Lyari

    The chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will not contest the upcoming election from Lyari, the party’s stronghold in Karachi, The News has reported on Tuesday.

    However, the former federal minister is contesting election from NA-128 (Lahore-XII), NA-194 (Larkana-I), and NA-196 (Qambar Shahdadkot-I). Bilawal has submitted nomination papers for these constituencies.

    According to some political analysts, the PPP has lost interest in the Lyari constituency after the defeat by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the 2018 elections, speculating that it has failed to regain the confidence needed to reclaim the seat in the polls set to take place on February 8 next year.

    However, PPP’s Sindh General Secretary Waqar Mehdi said that his party is in a good position in Lyari. He also mentioned the results of the recent local body elections in the same constituency, in which the PPP won the majority of seats.

    Mehdi predicted that PPP will not only win in Lyari but from other areas of city, adding that loyal candidates will be given tickets after the completion of the scrutiny process.

    Journalist Sameer Mandhro has claimed that after defeat in the 2018 polls, the PPP is not confident enough to win the seat from Lyari NA-239 (Karachi South-I) constituency.

  • Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft worth billions of rupees has been detected under the Teen Hatti Bridge in Karachi. The theft was revealed in a raid conducted by Karachi Water Corporation, which found a 22-foot-deep tunnel under the bridge where water was being stolen.

    Chief Operating Officer (COO) Asadullah Khan told Geo that the tunnel is stealing water from the Rexar Line that provides water to Lyari, adding that the 33-inch line was built to provide fifty lac gallon water daily to the area. Through this line, four connections of eight inches each were taken out to steal water.

  • Protests against loadshedding turn violent in Lyari

    Protests against loadshedding turn violent in Lyari

    Residents of Karachi’s Lyari staged a protest against prolonged load-shedding in their area on Wednesday, blocking both tracks of Mauripur Road and stopping vehicular traffic, Dawn reports. Police were allegedly forced to fire tear gas shells and baton charge the protestors to clear the road. 

    The vice chairman of UC-7 in  Lyari, Zohaib Baloch, who is one of the organisers of the protest, reportedly told Dawn that Lyari residents were facing up to 16 hours of load shedding daily, which exacerbated the crisis of water in the locality. 

    A large number of people, including women and children, staged a sit-in on Mauripur Road near Dua Hotel, blocking one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. 

    A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that they were compelled to take aggressive action when protestors started ‘smashing’ cars and other vehicles on the road.

    Baloch, however, claims that the police charged the locals with batons and fired tear gas at them in order to disperse the protest. He adds that their protest would continue until their demands were fulfilled. 

    According to Dawn, Baloch said that residents at Mira Naka in Lyari were protesting the same problem. Alas, this is not the first time residents of what is considerably one of Karachi’s oldest neighbourhoods have staged protests against insufficient facilities and provisions. 

    In fact, just earlier this week on Monday, residents of Lyari staged a protest against long hours of gas shortages, claiming that and the scarcity of fuel forces them to burn wood to cook meals. 

    The smoke that rises from the burning wood has caused sickness in children, while the infrastructure of houses has also been affected due to the use of wood fire. 

    Residents of Mandra Para, Rahiman Soomra and Baloch Mohallo placed gas cylinders and gas stoves on the road to protest, and the protestors included women and children.

    Karachi Press Club president Saeed Sarbazi said that K-Electric might have reasons to resort to load-shedding on the pretext of ‘losses’, but a host of issues must be considered for the problem to be resolved, Dawn reports. 

    He added that residents of Lyari were of a working-class background and thereby could not afford exorbitant electricity bills, saying that the problem required a political and social initiative.

  • Lyari rapper Eva B honored as first Pakistani woman to feature on Grammy’s Global Spin

    Only a year after ‘Kanna Yaari’ burst on our screens, there’s no stopping Eva B. The Lyari based rapper is setting milestones with her performance at the Grammy’s ‘Global Spin’ show with her song ‘Sunrise in Lyari’.

    The Global Spin is a platform where international artists are highlighted. Her track is described as ‘an infectious rap song about her roots in Karachi.” She had also exclusively written the song for the platform.

    Sharing the achievement on her Instagram page, the ‘Rozi’ rapper called this achievement a ‘testament to the power of dreams and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”

    “In this moment, I’m overwhelmed with a mix of awe, gratitude, and a burning desire to represent my roots. Being a Pakistani woman to hit the Grammy GlobalSpin stage is a testament to the power of dreams and the relentless pursuit of excellence. ”

    Eva B had won hearts across Pakistan with her upbeat hit ‘Rozi’ which she sang for the ‘Ms Marvel’ soundtrack and later featured alongside with actress Sonya Hussyn for ‘Khoon Hai Karachi Ka’ for the crime thriller film ‘Daadal’

  • Lyari River to be cleaned up with help of public, private orgs: Sherry

    Lyari River to be cleaned up with help of public, private orgs: Sherry

    Federal Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman on Wednesday announced the launch of a Lyari River clean-up drive in collaboration with public and private organisations.

    She made the announcement while speaking at a round table discussion that was organised by Coca-Cola Pakistan in collaboration with the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), ministries of maritime affairs and climate change.

    Held in continuation of the World Water Week, the theme of #SeeingTheUnseen, the roundtable session was chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, with Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, attending as a guest of honour and led by S.M Tariq Huda, Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust All these people represented apex bodies most impacted by the report that revealed catastrophic levels of waste accumulation over the last 20 years, of which less than 2 per cent is removed.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, who formed a committee to lead the Lyari Cleanup Project, said, “Pakistan has been identified as the most vulnerable to climate change as we clearly see from the present floods the country is facing. Broad-based partnerships are going to play a crucial role in ensuring that we develop solutions that can be scaled up by the use of technology.

    Fahad Ashraf, Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company, Pakistan said, “We have always known that the communities in Karachi’s harbour area are adversely impacted by poor waste management, but this is not a responsibility that falls on just one single entity because the quantum of the problem is too large. This is a call to anyone who cares about Pakistan’s water security to step in.”

    Moderated by public policy expert, Mosharraf Zaidi, this event aimed to co-create solutions that can be used to scale up sustainable interventions, emphasising on local and international expertise. In attendance were representatives of the global NGO, The Ocean Cleanup, WWF-Pakistan, Unilever, Nestlé, Engro, the packaging alliance CORE, SEED Ventures, Indus Earth Trust and the National Institute of Oceanography, to name a few.
    As part of The Ocean Cleanup and Coca-Cola’s global partnership to stem the tide of plastic waste by intercepting it in rivers around the world, they are looking to build a coalition that explores solutions to clean the Lyari harbour area.

    Mr Tariq Huda, Chairman of Karachi Port Trust, a partner in making the project a reality, said “This port connects Pakistan’s northern provinces and the overall Pakistan economy to the world, and water security, therefore, is a national security issue that we must neither deny nor delay solving.”
    The Environmental Scoping Study reveals that the Lyari harbour area, which was meant to be a spillway to control the flow of flood water, is now choked by accumulated debris. Every month, 9,000 tonnes of debris enter this river, almost entirely unclean.

    With about 33 million people nationwide impacted by the floods and an impending food security issue, this timely report calls for urgent and substantive action in densely populated cities like Karachi that are at a perpetual threat to urban flooding.

  • Electrician arrested for murdering and then raping a woman in Karachi

    Electrician arrested for murdering and then raping a woman in Karachi

    Police on Friday claimed to have arrested a suspect for his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of a woman after brutally killing her in Lyari, Karachi, ARY news reported.

    According to details, the body of a woman was found near the Cheel Chowk area of Lyari on January 18 under mysterious circumstances, only to be found later that the victim, Sumaira was murdered by an electrician, who use to come for repairs at her home.

    SSP Sarfaraz Nawaz while confirming the arrest said that suspect was an electrician by profession and has been arrested from the Kalakot area.

    “He used to frequently visit her home for repair works,” he said, adding that on the day of the incident, the suspect went to her home to repair a light. The electrician murdered the woman and later subjected her to rape and fled from the scene.

    He was arrested after the evidence collected from the crime scene pointed towards him.

  • Nabeel Qureshi is making a web series on the Lyari Gang War

    Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza of Load Wedding and Na Maloom Afraad fame have announced their new project: a web series based on the infamous Lyari Gang War of Karachi.

    According to reports, work on the web series is underway and the screenplay of the series has been written by Ali Abbas and Basit Naqvi, who also penned the script of Pakistan’s official entry to the Oscars Laal Kabootar.

    Nabeel further shared that they have been working on the series for a while now. He added that they are planning to release the series on a Pakistani OTT platform.

    Meanwhile, Fizza while speaking to a local media outlet said that the project is in its initial stages.

    “The Lyari Gang War has been making news yet again for a while now, so we thought this was a good time to start working on it,” said Meerza. “It’s too soon to reveal details, but we have completed our research on the subject and our script is in completion stages as well. We plan on covering the incidents from the beginning. We plan to start shooting in winters as the weather is nicer and it’s easier to work then.”

    She added that the cast has not been finalised as yet.

    Read more – Fahad Mustafa says ‘Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad’ will have ‘Mission Impossible type stunts’

    Fizza and Nabeel are currently gearing up for the release of their upcoming film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad starring Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa. The film was scheduled to hit theatres on Eid-ul-Azha but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation. Fizza said that they will release it whenever cinemas are operational.