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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Monsoon spell cripples Karachi
KARACHI: The first spell of monsoon rain has turned Karachi into a scene of urban chaos, once again exposing the city's fragile civic infrastructure, Business Recorder learnt on Saturday. Widespread chaos was reported in the old city areas, where inundated streets, overflowing sewage systems, and crumbling road infrastructure brought severe disruption to daily life across multiple neighbourhoods. Even the stretch near the Karachi Municipal Corporation's head office on MA Jinnah Road was inundated, with rainwater and sewage pooling on the streets outside the city's administrative hub. Commercial areas saw partial closures public transport was delayed, and clogged drains caused rainwater to accumulate for hours in low-lying areas. Manholes overflowed, broken sewerage lines spewed muck, and the city's already damaged roads buckled further under the pressure. From Nazimabad to Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saadi Town to Shahrah-e-Faisal, and even parts of the M-9 Motorway access routes affected by the rain with traffic halt and forced many to remain indoors. Amid growing public anger, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief Monem Zafar strongly criticized the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led Sindh government and the mayor's office for their failure to clean storm water drains before the rains began. He said, 'The people of Karachi are paying the price for the utter incompetence and criminal negligence of the Sindh government and the mayor's office.' Monem pointed out that major drainage channels — including New Karachi Nullah, Gujjar Nullah, Shadman Nullah, and Mahmoodabad Nullah — had started overflowing with the very first spell of rain. 'This was a visible and preventable disaster. Even after warnings by opposition members, no action was taken,' he said. NDMA issues impact-based weather alerts as monsoon rains lash Pakistan He added that Rs410 million were allocated last year for drain cleaning, and the mayor had promised that all nullahs would be cleaned every three months. 'These were hollow promises. Not a single drain was cleared properly. Karachi is now drowning in their incompetence,' he said. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed substantial rainfall across Karachi in the past two days. Rainfall amounts recorded include: Surjani Town 38mm, Gulshan-e-Maymar 28mm, Saadi Town 20mm, University Road 13mm, Nazimabad and Jinnah Terminal 09mm, Korangi Town and North Karachi 07mm, and Kemari and Orangi Town 06mm. Light rain was also reported from Saddar, DHA Phase II, and Gulshan-e-Hadeed. In addition to water logging, residents also faced long power outages — some lasting up to 18 hours — especially in areas like Lyari and Khadda Market. Markets shut down early in many areas, and delivery services were suspended in flood-affected zones. The PMD has issued a fresh warning, forecasting more rainfall and thunderstorms for Karachi and much of Sindh. Moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, along with an approaching westerly wave, are expected to intensify over the weekend. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in several areas of Karachi on Sunday, with maximum temperatures ranging between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and humidity around 80 percent. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has placed all district administrations and emergency services on high alert. Departments responsible for law enforcement, health, utility services, and welfare organizations have been asked to coordinate and take all necessary precautions. Other cities in Sindh are also expected to receive rain in the coming days. Moderate to heavy showers are likely in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta, Sujawal, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, and Badin, while lighter rainfall may occur in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, and Larkana. Meanwhile, widespread rain is also forecast for the upper parts of the country, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The ongoing monsoon activity continues to bring significant rainfall to various regions. On Saturday, Attock received the highest recorded rainfall at 102mm, followed by 65mm at Lahore Airport and 32mm in Chakwal. Other areas also reported notable precipitation. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Kotli received 25mm of rain, while Muzaffarabad recorded 4mm. Kakul in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 24mm, Malam Jabba 9mm, and Balakot 8mm. In Balochistan, Kalat recorded 21mm of rain and Lasbella 3mm, indicating the spread of the monsoon system into southwestern parts of the country as well. The weather office warned of flash floods in nullahs and hill torrents in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swat, and adjoining areas. Landslides could also affect roads in hilly terrain. Additionally, strong winds and lightning may damage solar panels, rooftops, vehicles, and billboards across several vulnerable districts. As Karachi residents brace for the next round of showers, they are left wondering whether the city's administration will respond or continue to let the rain wash away promises, again. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
JI riles provincial, federal govts for ignoring Karachi
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar stated that the federal, provincial and local government budget made it very clear that Karachi and Karachiites were the priority of none among the ruling parties. The JI leader expressed these views while addressing a post budget press briefing held at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regime allocated just Rs37.44 billion for Karachi out of its budget of Rs3,451 billion -- a mere 1.1 per cent of the total budget. He demanded that at least Rs500 billion be allocated for development in Karachi. Similarly, he said, each town should be granted Rs2 billion and each union council should be granted Rs20 million. Talking about the budget by nine towns in Karachi run by the JI, he dubbed it health, education and people friendly budget. Detailing the budget in the nine towns, he said that Rs870 million were allocated for the education sector as compared to Rs520 million in the last fiscal year. He said that an amount of over Rs310.5 million was allocated for the health sector as compared to Rs160 million in the previous year.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PMD warns heavy rainfall today: First spell of monsoon rain brings disruption
KARACHI: The first spell of monsoon rain has brought widespread disruption to Karachi and several cities across Sindh and Balochistan, with urban flooding, water logging, and power outages affecting daily life. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of more heavy rainfall through Saturday, raising concerns about flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. In Karachi, overnight showers turned streets into water channels in several neighbourhoods including Sher Shah Colony and SITE Town. Overflowing drains, stagnant rainwater, and sewage backflow created serious mobility and health challenges for residents. Electricity supply was also affected in many areas after water entered substations, leading to precautionary shutdowns. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that Karachi received between 2 mm and 17 mm of rain, while Mithi recorded 53 mm, Nawabshah 49 mm, and Hyderabad 43 mm. Other cities affected by the wet spell include Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta, Mirpur Khas, Badin, and Dadu. In addition to Sindh, parts of Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) also saw rainfall. The PMD has forecast more rain, wind, and thunderstorms in southern and north-eastern Balochistan, central and upper Sindh, and parts of Punjab and KP over the coming days. Officials have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert as moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal continue to fuel the weather system. The PMD also warned of possible damage to weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, solar panels, and kacha houses due to strong winds and lightning. In Murree, Galliyat, Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Kohistan, and other hilly areas, there is a risk of landslides which may disrupt road access. Flash floods may also occur in local streams and nullahs in parts of KP, southern Punjab, and Balochistan including Barkhan, Kalat, Lasbella, and Khuzdar. In Karachi, residents faced tough conditions on Friday morning as waterlogged streets made it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to move. Garbage mixed with rainwater formed pools of sludge, raising concerns about hygiene and disease. Political leaders responded with concern over the situation. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed a press conference, highlighting what he termed the city's inadequate budget allocation in the recently announced Sindh budget. He noted that only Rs37.44 billion; around 1.1 percent of the Rs 3,451 billion budget was assigned to Karachi. He called for a development package of Rs500 billion for the city, proposing that each of Karachi's towns receive Rs2 billion and every union council Rs20 million. Comparing the current Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) budget of Rs55 billion with 2005's Rs43 billion, Monem pointed out the need for inflation-adjusted investments to meet the city's growing needs. JI leaders also raised concerns over funding for key federal projects in Karachi, such as the K-IV water scheme and the Karachi IT Park. Monem stated that their current allocations — Rs3.2 billion and Rs6 billion, respectively — fall far short of the required Rs40 billion and Rs42 billion. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Azeemullah Usman, after visiting rain-hit areas in District Kemari, echoed similar concerns. He said that Sher Shah had been submerged within half an hour of rainfall, and stressed the need for immediate drainage and relief operations. He urged authorities to remain visible and responsive, especially in low-lying localities. By Friday evening, Karachi's temperature dropped to 29 degrees Celsius, with high humidity at 81 percent. Coastal areas remained under surge alerts due to high tides, further threatening vulnerable communities along the shore. As the weekend approaches, authorities continue to monitor the situation. Citizens are advised to follow official updates, avoid flooded areas, and take precautions to stay safe. Opposition leaders said that though rain offers relief from heat, its impact on cities like Karachi highlights the urgent need for long-term urban planning, upgraded drainage systems, and timely maintenance before each monsoon season. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pre-launch ceremony of ‘Mera Brand Pakistan' held
KARACHI: The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) held a pre-launch ceremony on Thursday at a local hotel in Karachi, ahead of its third consecutive mega exhibition titled 'Mera Brand Pakistan', scheduled for January 3 and 4, 2026. Organizers announced that the upcoming event will be the largest of its kind, quadrupling in scale compared to previous editions. Speaking at the ceremony, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar Khan linked the initiative to a broader national and humanitarian cause. He described Mera Brand Pakistan as a response to Israel's ongoing brutalities in Gaza, condemning the Zionist regime for using starvation as a weapon of war against innocent civilians. 'You cannot slaughter our women and children with one hand and sell us your products with the other,' Monem Zafar stated, urging a nationwide boycott of Israeli goods and calling on all stakeholders to support locally produced alternatives. Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) President Junaid Naqi echoed the call for strengthening domestic industries. He emphasized the need to enhance the quality and branding of Pakistani products and pledged full support to the Mera Brand Pakistan campaign. 'The nation must unite to prefer 'Made in Pakistan' over imported products, especially those linked to regimes engaged in oppression,' he said. PBF Acting President Amir Rafi shared the journey of the exhibition's growth, noting that the first event was organized within just 21 days in a single hall at the Karachi Expo Centre. The second expanded to two halls, and the upcoming third edition will be four times larger. He expressed gratitude to both exhibitors and the public—particularly Karachi's women—for their enthusiastic response. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
LG members march to Sindh Assembly
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has said that the PPP had ruined Karachi — once the city of lights and gateway to South Asia and now duly dubbed as the hub of crises. The JI stalwart expressed these views while addressing a march by local government representatives, including chairmen, vice-chairman, councillors etc. The march was taken out from Khizra Mosque to the Sindh Assembly buildinge on Friday. On the occasion, he demanded Rs500 billion funds immediately for the progress and development of Karachi. He demanded the government to release funds to all union councils and towns in Karachi as per the Constitution of Pakistan. Rs2 billion for each town and at least Rs2.5 million per month should be released to union councils, he said.
