Latest news with #SindhGovernment
Business Recorder
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
‘Sindh govt fully prepared for monsoon challenges'
KARACHI: As the monsoon season sets in, Spokesman Sindh Government Mustafa Abdullah Baloch has announced that the Sindh Government is fully prepared to tackle the challenges expected from upcoming heavy rains, saying that the provincial administration has taken all necessary steps to safeguard lives, agriculture, and infrastructure. Baloch has said that the Monsoon Contingency Plan 2025 has been activated across the province in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district administrations. The plan includes de-silting of drains, deployment of dewatering pumps, establishment of emergency control rooms, and a province-wide alert system to respond swiftly to any rain-related emergency. ' He said that special attention is being given to rural areas where the impact of flooding can be more severe. The Agriculture and Livestock Departments have activated mobile units for veterinary care and fodder distribution. Crop-monitoring teams are also in place to assess potential damage and provide immediate support. He said that the government is in close coordination with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for real-time weather updates. He noted that early warnings are being shared with all local bodies, and flood-prone areas are under active surveillance. 'We are ready to respond the moment a risk is detected.' To ensure public safety, the Information Department has launched a mass awareness campaign across television, radio, and digital platforms. Citizens are being advised to follow safety guidelines, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, and contact local help-lines in case of emergencies. 'The Sindh Government has taken all necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with heavy rains. With well-coordinated planning, adequate resources, and active field teams across the province, we are in a strong position to respond effectively to any situation that may arise. Our focus remains on protecting lives, maintaining essential services, and ensuring timely support wherever needed,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Sindh building authority chief suspended as 27 dead in Karachi building collapse
ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan's southern province of Sindh said on Monday the director general of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had been suspended after a residential building collapsed in the provincial capital of Karachi last week, killing 27 people. The suspension comes as part of a broader crackdown ordered by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who has also directed the registration of a police case (FIR) and promised 'ruthless action' against those responsible for the collapse. The five-story apartment block in the neighborhood of Lyari crumbled on Friday morning, with residents reporting ominous cracking sounds moments before it came down. Rescue operations concluded on Sunday after three days of digging through debris. Authorities had previously said the building had been declared unsafe, and eviction notices were issued between 2022 and 2024. However, some landlords and residents told media they had never received any such notices. 'The chief minister today suspended the DG Sindh Building Control Authority,' Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said at a press briefing on Monday, referring to Muhammad Ishaque Khuhro who was appointed in February this year. 'Whichever building control authority personnel were involved in this, who had direct responsibility, they were suspended by the local government minister on the first day.' Memon added that the chief minister had ordered the home minister to immediately register an FIR, adding: 'Whoever is involved in this, strict action should be taken.' He said a fact-finding report had been ordered and must be submitted within two days. An initial committee had already been formed, but its scope had now been expanded to include the Karachi commissioner and other senior officials. 'As soon as the committee submits its report, ruthless action will be taken,' Memon said. Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor construction practices, aging infrastructure and lax enforcement of regulations. Karachi, a city of more than 20 million, is especially vulnerable due to unregulated urban sprawl and widespread illegal construction.
Business Recorder
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
BISP Chairperson visits Swat to honour Hilal Khan
PESHAWAR: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, visited Swat on Sunday on the special directions of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to meet Hilal Khan, the brave volunteer who risked his life to save people during the recent Swat River tragedy. The visit came two days after the tragic incident in Swat, where 14 members of a tourist family from Sialkot were swept away by a sudden flash flood in the river while having breakfast, after being stranded for almost two hours. With official rescue teams failing to respond in time, Hilal Khan jumped into action. Using a makeshift boat, he fought the strong currents of the river and tried to save as many lives as possible. He managed to rescue a couple of family members and later helped fished out the bodies of those who drowned, returning them to their grieving families. Senator Rubina Khalid praised Hilal Khan for his bravery and humanity. 'Hilal Khan is the face of humanity. He acted when it mattered most,' she said. 'His courage and selfless service are an inspiration for the entire nation. Heroes like Hilal are the pride of Pakistan. Saving one life is like saving all of humanity.' Speaking to the people of Swat, Senator Rubina Khalid said that President Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were deeply moved by Hilal Khan's bravery. They instructed her to meet him personally, offer support, and assess how the Sindh Government could help strengthen local volunteer rescue efforts in Swat region. Senator Rubina Khalid announced that the Sindh Government would provide equipment and resources to local volunteers to support future rescue operations. She also contributed Rs. 100,000 from her own pocket to Hilal Khan to help him and fellow volunteers purchase basic rescue equipment. 'This is a small personal contribution to the cause of volunteerism in Swat,' she concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Using up to 300 units: Sindh plans solar tax exemption for power consumers
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning, and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, stated that the Sindh Government is making every possible effort to exempt electricity consumers using up to 300 units from the solar tax and is actively engaging with the federal government in this regard. He expressed these views today as the chief guest at the National Environmental Sustainability Conference and Awards Ceremony organized by the Youth Parliament, held at a local hotel. Chairman of Youth Parliament Rizwan Jaffer, Reham Khan, and other dignitaries also addressed the event. In his speech, the Energy Minister emphasized that the use of green energy is the need of the hour, and Sindh has been at the forefront of this initiative. The province is self-sufficient and rich in wind and solar energy resources, and work in this sector is progressing rapidly. Solar panels are being distributed among the most underprivileged and off-grid households in remote areas of Sindh. All these initiatives are being undertaken under the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and the directives of the Chief Minister of Sindh. The Sindh Energy Department is working tirelessly on this front. Nasir Shah stated that while the government is fulfilling its responsibilities towards the country's and the province's development, it is also essential for every individual to contribute their part. Sindh is the only province receiving substantial amounts in foreign dollars as carbon credit from international organizations—thanks to the mangrove plantations initiated along Sindh's coastal belts under the special instructions and interest of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. The plantation of one million mangroves in a single day has also earned a place in the Guinness World Records. He expressed his happiness at the rapid progress of the Youth Parliament due to their dedication and hard work, noting the presence of a full house of youth at the event. He mentioned that the Sindh government wishes to take important legislative steps for the youth in the assemblies, but constitutional and legal barriers are in the way. Nasir Shah also highlighted that major efforts are underway to improve treatment plants and infrastructure in Karachi on a priority basis. He rejected the narrative that Karachi is unliveable, pointing out that people from across the country continue to migrate and settle in the city, unlike Sindh residents, who do not leave for other provinces in the same manner. Since 2013, Karachi and Sindh have not been receiving their fair share from the federal government, which is currently allocating only 2% to 3%—a clear injustice to the province. The Sindh Government, after introducing electric buses, is now planning to distribute electric scooters to working women. Special training and issuance of driving licenses for women are also under consideration. At the end of the ceremony, the Minister for Energy distributed awards. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Karachi water crisis: Experts propose ‘sustainable' solutions
KARACHI: Pakistan's largest city – Karachi - continues to face an escalating water crisis as growing demand, aging infrastructure and mismanagement threaten the livelihoods of millions of its residents. Experts, researchers, and stakeholders raised serious concerns over Karachi's worsening water crisis. They were speaking at the 'Rebuild Karachi' seminar held at a local hotel. The event was organized by the Pakistan Engineer Forum. The theme of the seminar was 'Karachi's Water Crisis and Its Solutions.' Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed, Professor at NED University and noted water expert argued that the city can no longer rely solely on the Indus as climate change, rising temperatures, and increasing demand threaten its sustainability. He emphasized that while rising temperatures in the Himalayan region could temporarily increase water availability until 2070, this should not be mistaken for a permanent solution. He also highlighted the historical data showing an average downstream water flow of 23 MAF annually from Kotri Barrage— a volume that could be utilized to address urban shortages through reservoir development. On alternative ground, he explained that an enormous amount of water is wasted after every rainfall in Karachi, with 1.83 million acre-feet (MAF) going untapped annually.'Karachi, despite being an arid region, receives enough rainfall to manage its water needs if proper infrastructure is in place,' he stated. Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed said that experts have long advocated for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge initiatives. Dr. Ahmed proposed that 27 wells be constructed across Karachi to capture rainwater and replenish underground aquifers. Additionally, existing bore wells can be repurposed as injection wells to channel rainwater back into the ground in rainy season Dr. Ahmed shared the example of Lahore, where similar work has already been started. However, he added that Karachi still has a lot of potential to save rainwater and improve groundwater recharge efforts. He told that a comprehensive study on this subject was submitted to the Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab and the Sindh Government as well, but it has yet to be implemented. According to the study, Karachi receive enough rainfall annually to significantly ease the city's water shortage if harvested properly. Speakers proposed several medium- and long-term solutions to tackle the crisis. They also urged the government to speed up work on the K-IV bulk water supply project. The project is vital to meet the city's growing water demand. Water expert Muhammad Bashir Lakhani told the audience that currently, Karachi requires between1,200 to 1,600 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to meet its residential, commercial, and industrial needs. However, the city receives only about 500 to 550 MGD, creating a substantial shortfall that affects the lives of millions daily. Around 300 MGD is sourced from underground wells, placing immense pressure on the city's groundwater reserves. He further said that Karachi's water needs are primarily met through the Indus River via the Kotri Feeder, which is just 0.5 percent in overall country's share and less than 2 percent of Sindh's total share. He said that Indus and Hub Dam are the only two sources of water for the metropolis. In response to growing pressure, the long-delayed K-IV Water Project was redesigned in 2022 and construction resumed in September of that year. The revised plan includes three new reservoirs at Pipri, Taiser Town and Manghopir to support water supply. He told that as of now, 60% of the work has been completed, with an expected completion date of June 2026. The federal government is funding the main construction part of K-IV while additional augmentation and distribution work are expected to be finalized by June 2027 for which Sindh government will be responsible, he added. Moreover for maintaining continuous water pressure, a 50 megawatt Power plant will also be constructed to ensure supply. During the seminar many experts and concerned citizen cast doubts over the timely completion of augmentation work within city to provide water to the citizens at their door steps. Moonis Ahmed, prominent journalist from Samaa TV, pointed out how Karachi's water has effectively turned into 'white gold' — a commodity exploited by mafias and corrupt officials. Illegal water hydrants, tanker mafias, theft and unauthorized connections deprive many neighborhoods of their rightful share, adding to the crisis. He said that deeply flawed water distribution system within the metropolis is an uphill task and is yet to be addressed. On the political front, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Munam Zafar Khan, while talking at the occasion expressed serious concerns over the worsening water crisis in Karachi, stating that the city's basic rights are being denied due to inaccurate population figures and poor governance. Khan paid tribute to the Pakistan Engineer Forum and its team for organizing a much-needed platform to discuss Karachi's civic issues. He pointed out that Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, and its actual population exceeds 35 million, while official records misleadingly show it as 20.3 million. This underreporting, he claimed, has deprived the city's residents of their rightful share in water, power, and civic services. 'Karachi is the fifth largest city in the world, yet remains deprived of basic facilities despite being located on the seashore,' Munem Zafar remarked. He criticized the unjust distribution of water in the city, adding that while water is available, it does not reach citizens equally due to widespread mismanagement and the influence of tanker mafias. Referring to the much-delayed K-IV water project, Munam Zafar said authorities have now committed to completing the project by June 26, 2026. However, he emphasized that beyond new projects, immediate reforms are needed in water distribution to end the dominance of illegal water tanker operations, which are present in the city in the tens of thousands. The seminar was attended by water experts, engineers, civic activists, and members of the business community, all of whom called for immediate, practical steps to resolve the city's worsening water crisis. Water experts unanimously agreed that Karachi's future lies in a combination of surface and groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, and the infrastructure development. Without immediate action, the city risks descending into an even deeper crisis. The proposals are on the table — now, it remains to be seen whether political will and administrative efficiency can rise to meet the challenge. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
