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’
Shehbaz Speed was a term popularly used for projects completed in a short duration when Sharif was the Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab.
While giving a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of K-IV project, Bilawal addressed PM Shehbaz, stating, “We are looking at you, you should form your own team to solve these problems being faced by Sindh including Karachi.”
He added that the prime minister has the support of the two major parties of Sindh and all partners of the coalition government want to solve the problems of the country together. “When we all continue to work together, all of Pakistan’s problems can be solved,” he said.
Talking about Karachi, he said that if the government pays attention to the metropolis according to its potential, then not only the IMF could bid farewell, but the whole nation could also stand on its own feet.
About the May 9 episode, he warned that if serious crimes like setting fire to Jinnah House Lahore, demolishing martyrs’ memorials and attacking military installations are neglected, then running this country will become not only difficult but impossible. He also asked that if the conspiracy of May 9 events had been hatched either in Bilawal House, Raiwand or Nine Zero, what would have been the reaction to it.
Bilawal said that when the police went to comply with the court notice in March this year, Zaman Park had been turned into a battleground. He added that even during PTI’s long march, participants had arms, but the government did not take action, adding that the Prime Minister could have banned PTI on the basis of foreign funding case and Al-Qadir Trust case if he wanted. “But we didn’t want the impression of political vendetta and setting a bad precedent,” he said.
The Sindh government is all set to launch a “Pink Taxi Service” featuring electric cars for facilitating female citizens of the province.
The development was announced by Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The minister said that initially, 200 electricity-powered taxis will start operating in Karachi, of which fifty will be women-only taxis driven by female drivers. He said that the hiring of female drivers and setting up of charging and parking depots is yet to be done.
He said that the project will also provide job opportunities to unemployed youth, while eco-friendly taxis will save oil worth billions of rupees.
Prior to this, the government also launched a pink bus service for women which is being frequented by a large number of female commuters.
Shahzadi Rai announced on her Twitter account on Wednesday that she has become the first transgender person to serve on the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the first such appointment in history. In a tweet she said:
“I’m excited to share that I have submitted my papers KMC for transgender/Khawajasara reserved seats. It is the first time in Pakistan’s history that such an opportunity has been available, and I am grateful to the @PPP_Org@BBhuttoZardari@SyedNasirHShah@BakhtawarBZ@SaeedGhani1.”
Speaking to The Current, Rai talked about her goals to help empower the transgender community and ensure that protecting human rights for all remains a priority for the organisation:
Our priority is that any policy or project initiated should be inclusive for transgender people. We want to work for all the people in Karachi and make life better for them, whether it is men, women or khawaja sira people. We want to implement human rights because I am a feminist and a human right’s activist for the last 12 years, so when we enter politics we shouldn’t forget about our basic principles.”
Since her announcement, civil society bodies and transgender activists on Twitter have offered congratulations on the historic feat, welcoming it as a necessary step towards including the transgender community into all kinds of policy making.
AM KHI congratulates the khawaja sira community on becoming part of local govt for the 1st time in history, esp @ShahzadiRai who has been selected to serve on the KMC! This is a win for all Pakistani feminists & we hope to soon see khawaja siras in national & prov. assemblies.💙 https://t.co/GIrEZMP6si
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) May 24, 2023
I'm super proud of my Guru @ShahzadiRai for all the political work she does and continues to do it no matter what, she is the beacon of hope & pride for the KhawajaSira community. We're also grateful to @MediaCellPPP for their support to our KS community. 🙏 https://t.co/OPF0kWODH6
A tragic accident took place at the Government Degree College in Khairpur, Sindh, when a student, Mehtab Ali, passed away during Grade XI intermediate board examinations due to load shedding in extreme heat.
According to The Nation, Ali fainted during his exam and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away despite attempts to revive him.
While students are giving their final examinations, the ongoing power outrage has exposed them to the heatwave, putting many at risk of suffering from heat strokes or nose bleeds. The Sindh Minister for Board and Education, Ismail Rahoo, has encouraged authorities to ensure that examination halls have uninterrupted power supply so that such fatal incidents can be avoided.
Abdul Rehman in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V in 2022, has been arrested in Sweden. The breakthrough was confirmed by a senior police official on Monday.
According to Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) South Asad Raza, Nisar was apprehended by Swedish authorities.
“A Swedish police delegation has also arrived in Karachi,” the SSP said. He further said that the suspect will be transferred to Karachi in ten to fifteen days after the completion of all legal formalities.
Karachi police also made contact with Interpol to request their assistance in arresting the suspect.
According to the police, Nisar came to Karachi last year from Sweden in November. He lives there with his wife and two children.
Murder:
A heated exchange between Khurram Nisar and the police officer came to light in CCTV footage last year, in which the accused was seen pulling out his gun after getting out of a black car.
Khurram is the son of a former Deputy Commissioner. According to the authorities, he had arrived in Karachi on November 5, 2021 from Sweden, before flying back in November the next year.
Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone by introducing its groundbreaking online air taxi service, revolutionising air travel for its citizens. This innovative service offers individuals the utmost convenience in booking air travel according to their preferred time and destination.
With just a few taps on a user-friendly mobile app, individuals can now reserve an air taxi from the comfort of their homes, mirroring the simplicity of booking a regular taxi.
The official launch of the aerial air taxi service took place in Karachi, marking a momentous occasion. The lease agreement for the highly acclaimed DA 40 Diamond series aircraft was officially signed at the Civil Aviation office adjacent to Karachi Airport.
Imran Aslam Khan, the Chief Operating Officer of Sky Wings Aviation, expressed his genuine excitement as the aircraft designated for aerial tours successfully arrived in Pakistan after a flawless test flight.
Notably, this remarkable single-engine plane boasts a comfortable seating capacity of four passengers.
Imran emphasised that the primary objective of this exceptional air taxi service is to provide emergency transportation from Karachi to remote areas in rural Sindh and Balochistan through captivating aerial tours.
The German-manufactured aircraft demonstrates remarkable capabilities, with a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour and a flight range of 2,000 kilometers, making it an ideal choice for efficient air travel across the region.
To further enhance the convenience for passengers, Imran revealed that the mobile app, which is set to launch soon, will empower citizens to effortlessly select their desired time and destination for air travel, putting the control in their hands.
Significantly, the fare for this novel air taxi service will be significantly lower compared to typical charter services, which often begin at a staggering cost of Rs2.5 million for a trip from Karachi to various cities in Sindh and Balochistan. This affordability factor opens up endless possibilities for a wider range of individuals to experience the convenience and luxury of air travel.
The initial phase of the air taxi service will commence with eight aircraft of varying capacities, with promising plans for expansion in the near future. Importantly, this remarkable service is not limited to political, religious, or business personalities.
Anchor Muhammad Junaid made the country proud when he became the first ever Pakistani journalist to participate in the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon, a feat he completed in a week.
In the Boston Marathon, held on April 17 in Eastern Massachusetts, Junaid completed the run in 3 hours, 36 min and 38 seconds. He participated along side other Pakistani-Americans like Salman Khan, Hamid Butt, Prem Kumar, Aamad Butt and Shariq Samad. Dr Salman & Hamid Butt are Abbott 6 Start Finishers.
Whereas in the London Marathon, which Junaid finished in 3 hours, 21 minutes and 38 seconds, he ran alongside others Pakistani or Pakistani origin marathons runners. Sadiq Shah, Faisal Shafi, Semeena Khan, Danish Raza, Prem Kumar, Farrukh Sadiq, Dr Jehanzeb Mughal, Danish Elahe, Imran Aleem & Ammar Mumtaz were also among them.
Saqid Shah, a Quetta born and currently a Karachi resident made history at the London Marathon by completing the race in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds, becoming the fastest Pakistani runner in London Marathon. He appeared on the Geo News show ‘Geo Pakistan’, along with Muhammad Junaid.
The Current reached out to Junaid to chat about his recent accomplishments, and how running become one of his favorite hobbies, and the Geo News anchor gave us some interesting insights.
Q. You mentioned in your bio that you previously participated in the Boston Marathon. Is running your passion?
Junaid: I started more organised and focused running a few years ago and ran marathons in Karachi and Istanbul. Women and men of the running community realised that the number of Pakistanis in International marathons is very limited and we decided to train to run them. Every marathon has its own value but running Boston marathon can be any runner’s biggest dream. I collaborated with Pakistani Americans & partnered with South Asian Circle of Hopkinton through Hopkinton Board in Massachusetts to run Boston Marathon and open paths for more South Asians in future. It’s an achievement for South Asians in USA and Pakistanis here.
Q. Winning this race seems like an impossible task, so how did you train for this marathon? Especially considering that you’re a Karachi food lover.
Junaid: The goal is to finish the marathon in a good time, preferably faster than your previous time, for any marathon runner 70 KM per week is considered a standard mileage. Per week can vary for everyone, but yes you have got be careful with food. Protein is most important in that because it helps make and repair cells, which are critical for growth and development. So yes chicken, yogurt, milk, eggs, cheese, seafood, nut butters and then good carbs like wholegrain items, sweet potato, brown rice, and lots and lots of water, in my experience anyone involved in sports should avoid carbonated drinks because of the amount of processed sugar in them.
Q. You met politicians like MP Zarah Sultana who congratulated you for your prestigious win! How did that feel?
Junaid: For the Boston Marathon, Pakistani-American Shahid Ahmed Khan, who is currently a member of US President Joe Biden’s prestigious President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts (PACA), Irfan Nasrullah, and the President of South Asian Circle Ruta Upalekar and her team’s role was significant in helping me prepare for the marathon. From Pakistan, it was nearly impossible without support of Geo News. London Marathon was a collaboration for me with the Pakistani-British Journalist Saima Mohsin to raise funds for Scope, a UK charity working mainly for people with disabilities and facing cost of living crises. In that collaboration, we met British Pakistani MPs Naz Shah and Zarah Sultana, who are an inspiration for many and they assured us of their support to work in order to send more Pakistanis of all genders in world sports specially London Marathon.
Q. These initiatives are wonderful but sadly such things have not taken place in Pakistan. Should Pakistani politicians also start setting up running marathons, now that petrol prices are soaring and we’re looking for cheaper ways to travel?
Junaid: Pakistan does not have any international standard running events so far but Shoaib Nizami and other partners are working to organise Pakistan’s first internationally recognised marathon, Karachi Marathon, this year, which can help people here to get first hand experience of running an official marathon.
Junaid revealed that currently he is gearing up along side other Pakistani marathon runners to participate in the upcoming Berlin Marathon being held on September 24, where 50 runners from Pakistan are expected to participate.
Besides the fact that Pakistanis are underrepresented at these races, the number of women runners is even less but the running community is trying to change that. Last year, at London Marathon, Kaukab Sarwar and Hira Diwan ran in the race for TCF with the help of a friend of Pakistan, Mike Nithavrianakis. It is expected that a bigger number of women will be participating in Berlin Marathon this year. Hira Diwan, who is a British Pakistani, has run four world major marathons including New York & Chicago.
The US Embassy in Islamabad has announced the cancellation of all routine consular appointments scheduled for Monday due to security concerns. The embassy issued a security alert on Sunday, stating that there is a possibility of road closures and/or traffic delays, which could impede the movement of people.
The alert clarified that although the embassy is still operational, it is limiting the movements of its personnel to official and mission-essential travel only. The US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore, however, are open for routine consular appointments, according to the notification.
US citizens who are traveling in-country are advised to be aware of potential disruptions to mobile phone service and have contingency communication plans in place. The embassy urges US citizens to remain vigilant and maintain good situational awareness of their surroundings. It also recommends that they pay attention to local media for security updates and planned road closures.
Furthermore, the US embassy strongly encourages its citizens to avoid large gatherings, unnecessary travel, and comply with all established security checkpoints. It is essential to take the necessary precautions and maintain a high level of security awareness to ensure personal safety while traveling in Pakistan.
More than 60 domestic and international flights from various airlines have been cancelled due to the unstable situation in Pakistan, with many other flights being uncertain about their arrival and departure.
The cancellations have affected flights to major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, where the number of passengers has decreased.
According to the airport schedule, more than 60 domestic and foreign flights from various airlines have been cancelled, including flights from Karachi to Jeddah, Madinah, Muscat, Dubai, Riyadh, Baghdad, and Baku. The arrival and departure schedule of Karachi Airport provides a comprehensive list of the affected flights, including those cancelled between Karachi and Islamabad, Lahore, Turbat, and Peshawar.
To ensure that their travel plans are not disrupted, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status.
According to Minute Mirror, the following flights have been canceled according to the arrival and departure schedule of Karachi Airport:
Karachi to Jeddah: ER 811 and ER 812
Karachi to Medina: PK 743
Salam Air flight to Muscat: OV 292
Emirates Air flights to Dubai: EK 605 and 604, EK 609 and 608
Karachi to Muscat: WY 323 and 324
Karachi to Riyadh: PK 729
Flight to Baghdad: IF 331 and IF 332
PIA flight from Baku to Karachi: K 154
The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Islamabad:
PK369
PF121
PF122
9P670
9P871
PA200
PF127
ER502
The following flights have been canceled between Lahore and Islamabad:
PK302
PK303
9P840
9P841
PF141
ER520
PA406
PK306
PF147
The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Turbat:
PK501
The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Peshawar:
