Category: Karachi

Karachi: Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that it is our clear decision that we will not become part of any political alliance, our alliance will be with the youth and the people. He said there is confusion in the opposition parties, adding that the bureaucrats and judiciary have to abide by the limits of the Constitution, adding that on August 28, there will be a peaceful and historic nationwide strike. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was addressing a meeting of nazimeen and officials at Idara Noor-e-Haq, head office of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi. Jamaat-e-Islami Central Secretary General Ameerul Azim, Naib Emir Osama Bin Razi, Emir JI Sindh Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Emir JI Karachi Munem Zafar and Secretary General Tawfiquddin also spoke on this occasion. Hafiz Naeemur Rahman said that there is no democracy in political parties as political parties come to power with the help of the establishment, there is confusion in the opposition parties, adding Jamaat-e-Islami cannot support par ties suffering from confusion. Hafiz Naeem Rehman said that on August 28 there will be countrywide peaceful and historic shutter down strike, adding no shop in Karachi should be open. He said the workers to encourage the shopkeepers and the public to this strike as this strike is for the rights of the people and traders. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the Federal Interior Minister contacted regarding the implementation of the agreement of the government with the Jamaat-e-Islami with respect to the reduction of electricity bills and taxes. He said that the membership campaign of Jamaat-e-Islami will start from September 1.

Karachi: Finance Director Asif Azad, who was named in 9 FIA cases on the charge of financial irregularities worth billions of rupees in the Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), was dismissed from his job after 11 years.

Allegedly corrupt …

Karachi: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for enhancing the national forest coverage by planting more trees to help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and global warming. He said that Pakistan was one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and global warming, and urged the youth and civil society in helping increase forest cover and planting more trees to mitigate their adverse impacts. The President expressed these views while planting a "Neem" sapling at Bilawal House, Karachi, as a part of the annual Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign, on Sunday. August 18 also marks the National Tree Plantation day in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that "Neem" was an environment friendly tree, offering numerous environmental benefits, such as clean air, cool shade, and acting as a natural mosquito repellent. He recalled that during Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed's first tenure as Prime Minister, he had served as the Minister for Climate and had initiated a tree plantat ion campaign, wherein Neem trees were planted throughout the country. He said that the need to plant trees had become of paramount importance in view of the rising temperatures in Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari urged the nation, particularly the youth and civil society, to actively participate in the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign and plant as many trees as possible in their neighborhoods and surroundings for a better environment. The President stated that Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign was a great opportunity to enhance forest cover, increase greenery in Pakistan, and make our environment healthy and clean. He remarked that enhancing forests and greenery would make our environment healthier and safer for our future generations. The President said that Pakistan had undertaken successful mangrove restoration, under which mangroves on millions of acres of land had been planted in Sindh. "We are working committedly to further enhance mangroves cover and plant more trees", he added. The President s aid that all segments of society should actively participate in tree plantation campaigns to bring down the temperatures, increase greenery and forest coverage.

Karachi: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Emir Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said on Saturday that the government would have 36 more days to implement the agreement in letter and spirit in order to provide across the board relief to the nation. The JI supremo expressed these views while addressing a press conference held at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters. He was flanked by JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar and other leaders, including Saifuddin Advocate, Taufiquddin Siddiqui, Zahid Askari, and Imran Shahid. Speaking on the occasion, Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the JI will hold a strike in collaboration with traders on August 28 against hiked electricity bills and inflation. He said that the Punjab government announced the relief under a pressure created by the JI with the help of masses and continuous activism. He said that the people in Punjab will be provided a relief of Rs28 per unit in the two months period. He added that the issue needs to be addressed on permanent basis. He made it clear that the relief should be provided to people across the country. If Punjab can announce the relief, so can other provinces, he said. Particularly talking about the Sindh province, he said that the province's budget clocked in at three trillion, with inclusion of Rs1885 billion or almost 62 percent by the federal government. In this backdrop, the Pakistan People Party government in Sindh can easily spare a few billions to provide relief to the masses, he said. The JI leader also reminded the PPP regime in Sindh about the promise, regarding 100 units free electricity, its leadership made during electioneering. Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that all the so-called political parties have been partners in crime. He added that no political party highlighted the issue of capacity charges because they were hands in gloves. On the occasion, he highlighted another scam in the name of capacity payment for Mittiari-Lahore power transmission line. He added that Rs1450 billion were paid despite the fact that the projec t used only 37 percent of it's capacity. Lambasting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, he said that not even a single segment of the society was happy with the policies of the government. The premier, he said, himself was confessing in one of his speeches that his policies were ruining the businesses in Pakistan. He quoted the premier as saying that the expensive electricity had pushed the Pakistani producers out of the competitive market. Why don't the prime minister take some drastic steps to address the crises, instead of talking rubbish, he said. The JI leader also expressed solidarity with media workers and highlighted the issue of their salaries. He also took up the issue of gas load shedding, it's excessive tariff, illogical taxation on the bills and the flawed governmental policies in this connection. In response to a question, he demanded of the government to ensure uninterrupted internet services as he said that the reported experiments in connection with internet firewall have already ruined the ma rket for Information Technology based freelancers. The three billion IT exports industry was on the verge of collapse, he said. Our demands are reasonable and we are asking for our due rights and not alms, he said while warning the government of a long march. He said that the party will mobilize masses in the days to come for their rights. He reiterated that the JI demands electricity on production cost, austerity drive within the ruling elite, and solid measures on war footing basis to revive the economy.

Karachi: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday forecast heavy monsoon rains across Sindh over the next 72 hours, warning that the inclement weather may cause flooding in certain districts of the province. The advisory issued on Saturday said that, 'A series of powerful monsoon winds is affecting the North-Central and Eastern and North-Eastern regions of Balochistan.' Intermittent thunderstorms were forecast in the districts of Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kishore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Qamber, Shahdadkot, Nowshahr Dafiroz, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpur Khas, Umarkot, Sanghar, Jamshwar and Dadu. The advisory predicted that the weather pattern would remain until August 19. The department also said that heavy downpours and thunderstorms could be expected until August 19 in Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Meyari, Tand and Muhammad Khan, Kand and Amiyar, districts of Sajawal and Andhi in Karachi Division. In Sindh, a total of 49 millimetres of rainfall was recorded on Saturday morn ing. Rohri saw the most rainfall, recording 16mm, while Hyderabad Airport saw the least with only 1mm recorded. Other districts and cities reported either trace rainfall or none at all.

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) has remarked during the hearing of missing persons case that if some one has gone missing on one's own even then it is responsibility of state to search him. Petitions on recovery of over 10 missing persons including retired officer of FIA came up for hearing before justice Naimatullah Phulpoto of SHC Thursday. Counsel for petitioner, state counsel and police authorities appeared in the court. The court while expressing resentment over traditional proceedings of police regarding recovery of missing persons remarked stereotype reports are filed in the court through copy paste. When steps have not been taken for recovery of missing persons then what is need of writing. Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto inquired was compensation paid to family members of the missing citizen Arsalan. The state counsel said the enforced disappearance of Arsalan has not been determined so far. The court remarked when compensation is not to be paid then why it is written in the report. In another m issing person case police officer replied Haider went missing on his own from Boot Baisan. No institution has taken him to custody. The court remarked if some one has gone missing on his own even then it is responsibility of state to search him. State cannot turn away its face from its responsibility. The court ordered to call meeting of JIT immediately to search the missing retired officer of FIA. The court while seeking reports about the remaining missing persons within three weeks ordered federal and provincial governments to take effective steps for recovery of missing persons.