Tag: Sindh

  • Sindh government will start testing for drugs in schools

    Sindh government will start testing for drugs in schools

    Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has announced that children in educational institutions will undergo drug tests, with positive results reported only to their parents.

    Memon highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari, upon taking office, had directed officials to combat drug abuse, reflecting his concern over the rising trend of drug abuse.

    At the inaugural meeting of the high-powered anti-narcotics committee, Memon stated that if a child tests positive, only the parents will be informed, and the child will then be questioned about the source of the drugs, including suppliers, dealers, and their accomplices.

    The primary focus will be on making arrests.

  • Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    Monsoon spells to be unleashed all over country

    The meteorological department has predicted rain in different cities today.

    Rain may occur in some parts of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, as per the weather department.

    Battered with heat, Karachi is expected to receive rain this evening. Drizzling is expected in other areas of Sindh, such as Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, and Sjawal are also likely.

    The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded yesterday (Sunday)at Old Airport, around 20 mm, while 11 mm was recorded at Sarjani Town and 9.4 mm at Jinnah Terminal. Ten mm of rain was recorded on University Road, 7 mm on Shaara Faisal, 6.5 mm on Hassan Square, 2.5 mm on PAF Base Masrur, and 0.8 mm on North Karachi.

    Rain is also likely to descend in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir today.

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has predicted the fourth spell of monsoon to start in Punjab from today, while south Punjab is likely to experience cloudy skies from tomorrow.

  • 30 peacocks die in Thar’s extreme heat; many unwell

    30 peacocks die in Thar’s extreme heat; many unwell

    More than 15 peacocks have reportedly died in neighbouring villages of Tehsil Islamkot of Tharparkar district.

    Similarly, 15 more peacocks have died in Morano village, Seringho, Kehri Morani, while many others are sick.

    Jang reports that residents of the area state that the wildlife department has informed the authorities via a video, yet teams have not been sent for treatment of the animals.

    On the contrary, Deputy Conservator Mir Ijaz has said that peacocks are falling ill due to extreme heat, lack of food, and water; and that a team will soon be sent to ensure the treatment of the peacocks.

  • Town Chairman Mirpur Mathilo suspended in Nasrullah Gadani murder case

    Town Chairman Mirpur Mathilo suspended in Nasrullah Gadani murder case

    Shahbaz Ahmed Khan Lund, accused in the murder of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, and the Municipal Chairman of Mirpur Mathelo, has been suspended.

    The Sindh government suspended him under the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, and the notification has been issued accordingly.

    Journalist Nasrullah Gadani was killed in an attack by armed men on May 25 in Mirpur Mathilo.

    A murder case against unknown persons has been registered at Mirpur Mathelo police station.

    Gadani sustained three gunshot wounds in a deadly attack last month. Initially, he was transferred to Rahim Yar Khan for treatment and later, on the instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, he was moved to a private hospital in Karachi. Gadani, however, passed away during treatment there.

  • Dead camel, with all four legs amputated, found in Umarkot

    A dead camel, with all four legs amputated, was found near Kunari Tehsil in Umarkot District of Sindh Province. According to the owner, Abdul Rasheed Kapri, the camel had been ill for some time and had gone to graze with other camels yesterday.

    The incident came to light in the morning after villagers found the remains of the animal. It remains unclear whether the camel’s legs were amputated while it was alive or after its death.

    The owner of the camel stated that he does not wish to accuse anyone but is investigating the incident. So far, the owner has not informed the police about the incident.

    This is the second incident of camel leg amputation reported in Sindh within a few days.

    Recently, another camel in Sanghar had its leg amputated but has since received treatment and is now able to stand with an artificial leg.

  • Provinces intensify security protocols ahead of Muharram

    With Muharram approaching, security concerns loom large, exacerbated by recent terrorist activities across the country. Provincial governments have formulated plans to ensure peace.

    Punjab

    The Punjab Home Department has issued security guidelines that enforce Section 144 throughout the province. 502 locations have been identified as sensitive, with deployment of army and Rangers personnel at these sites.

    10,426 Muharram processions are scheduled across the province.

    The Punjab Interior Department has stipulated that processions and gatherings are permitted only along designated routes and locations.

    According to Punjab’s Interior Secretary, Noorul Amin Mengal, peace committees in each district are tasked with implementing all SOPs and monitoring assemblies and processions.

    Hate speech on social media is also strictly prohibited, and serious actions will be taken against violators; whereas unauthorized use of loudspeakers is also prohibited by law.

    Sindh

    The Sindh Home Department has also announced a province-wide curfew for the duration of Muharram.

    Starting from the first to the tenth of Muharram, a ban on motorcycle double riding has been imposed.

    Additionally, the display of weapons and the operation of drones are strictly prohibited.

  • No load shedding from 10pm to 6am in Sindh, Nasir Shah orders

    No load shedding from 10pm to 6am in Sindh, Nasir Shah orders

    Energy Minister in Sindh, Nasir Hussain Shah, has told K-Electric, Hyderabad-Electric, and Sukkhur-Electric that load shedding is unacceptable between 10pm and 6am in the province, adding that it will help citizens reduce their burden during crucial hours.

    He stressed that all power companies need to take initiatives to reduce load shedding.

    However, the minister said if load shedding is inescapable, the public must be informed in advance to avoid inconvenience.

  • Sindh Chief Minister is going to solarise govt institutions

    Sindh Chief Minister is going to solarise govt institutions

    Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting on energy where he instructed the Energy Minister to initiate the process of solarising government institutions.

    According to a spokesperson, Shah emphasised that solarising government buildings would reduce electricity bills.

    Energy Minister Nasir Shah pledged to expedite solarisation efforts in the new financial year.

    The Chief Minister then ordered that electricity supply should be disconnected in government’s residential buildings where bills are not being paid.

    Additionally, he instructed officials to settle HESCO, SEPCO, and K Electric bills in August.

  • Karachi commissioner refutes heatstroke fatality toll

    Karachi commissioner refutes heatstroke fatality toll

    Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi has denied the reported death toll of the heatwave that has engulfed the coastal city, asserting that the actual number of deaths is lower than claimed and remains unconfirmed by officials.

    Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the commissioner disclosed that ten people had succumbed to heatstroke over the past two days, with approximately 1,700 cases of heatstroke reported across the city.

    Providing specifics on recent fatalities, Naqvi stated that eight deaths occurred on Monday and two on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation estimated around 568 deaths from heatwave-related medical emergencies, and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan voiced concerns on the impact of the extreme weather and its extent.

    It is reportedly the first time since 2015 that temperatures in Karachi reached 42°C in June, with “feels like” temperatures peaking at 51°C.

    Addressing the unverified reporters, the commissioner urged welfare organisations to verify death figures with government authorities before releasing them to the public.

    Naqvi also instructed Karachi-Electric (KE) to refrain from load shedding between 12am and 6am during the heatwave, which typically lasts two to three days.

    The Karachi administration has established 124 heatwave centres equipped with water facilities as well as specialised wards in hospitals to provide medical aid to those affected by heatwave.

  • Witnesses name PPP MNA, two sons in Nasrullah Gadani murder case

    Witnesses name PPP MNA, two sons in Nasrullah Gadani murder case

    The case of the murder case of journalist Nasrullah Gadani has been taken to court. During the last hearing, witnesses named a local MNA of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and two of his sons for planning the assassination.

    The journalist’s brother and cousin Yaqoob Gadani and Salah Gadani recorded their statements under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before Second Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Mirpur Mathelo Muhammad Idress Jakhrani.

    Gadani was killed in Mirpur Mathelo on May 21. He was shifted to Karachi for treatment after the attack, where he succumbed to his injuries.

    According to the witnesses, on April 11, 2024, three people threatened Nasrullah because he did not stop reporting against them.

    On June 8, 2024, police reportedly arrested Asghar Loond, son of Hoat Loond, one of the three main suspects, and found the weapons, motorcycle, and three mobile phones used in the assassination.

    Police have declared Asghar Loond’s brother Barkat and Abdullah as absconders.