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Tag: Karachi

  • ECP says LG polls will be held tomorrow

    ECP says LG polls will be held tomorrow

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday said the local government (LG) elections in Karachi and Hyderabad would be held on January 15 (tomorrow) as per schedule.

    The commission has rejected the demand of the Sindh government to postpone it over security threats to political leaders.

    It has also directed the Sindh government to ensure “foolproof preparations for peaceful elections”.

    ‘Threats to politicians’: Sindh govt once again asks ECP to delay LG elections

    Earlier in the day, the government asked ECP to delay the polls in Karachi and Hyderabad, citing “threats to various political leaders and workers of political parties” after warnings by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government sent a letter to the commission with polls set to take place in less than 24 hours. The letter mentions the threat and it is added that the Sindh cabinet had also expressed its concern with the non-availability of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces for static deployment at polling stations.

    The provincial government is repeatedly requesting ECP to delay the polls to calm down Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), which has warned that it will quit the coalition government if its grievances are not addressed before polls.

    ECP clears confusion; LG elections in Karachi, Hyderabad to be held on Jan 15

    On Friday, ECP said that the local government elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other districts would be held as scheduled on January 15.

    The ECP rejected the notification issued by the Sindh government last night.

    The decision was taken during a meeting of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and attended by all four members.

    Local government elections — scheduled for January 15 — will not be held in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Dadu, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced early Friday.

    The decision came after an emergency meeting of the PPP presided by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and attended by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers and the district presidents of the party’s Karachi chapter, among others.

    In a press conference, Memon said that the decision was taken after the Sindh government withdrew a notification regarding the delimitations of the constituencies in Karachi after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) expressed reservations about it.

    “They (MQM-P) are our allies in the federal government and we take the concerns of our allies very seriously,” the minister said.

    Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vowed to “resist” the decision as they termed the delaying of the local body polls “unacceptable”.

    JI Karachi president Hafiz Naeem-Ur-Rehman termed the decision an “ambush” on Karachi and Hyderabad by PPP and MQM-P.

    “There will be a sit-in today at 3pm outside the Election Commission’s Sindh office,” JI Karachi President Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman had announced in a press conference, early Friday morning.

    PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi said that the provincial government took the step as they were afraid of defeat.

    PTI leader Ali Zaidi, in a separate media talk on Friday morning also announced that the party will be holding a protest rally outside the Sindh Assembly at 4pm today.

  • Karachi father throws his two children in sea after fight with wife

    Karachi father throws his two children in sea after fight with wife

    A man threw his two children into the sea near Mantora seaside in Karachi on Thursday. The man is a male nurse by profession.

    The man acknowledged in a video message that he threw his kids into the water because he was fed up with his family’s problems. He said that his wife was having an affair and that her family was supporting her. The man claimed to be a nurse by profession and an Essa Nagri inhabitant. He added that he attempted suicide by jumping into the water but was unsuccessful.


    As per the police the search operation to find the children was under way.

  • Gold price hits new all-time high of Rs187,200 per tola

    Gold price hits new all-time high of Rs187,200 per tola

    For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the price of gold passed Rs187,000 per tola.

    On Monday, the price of 24-carat gold per tola increased by Rs3,300, reaching an all-time high of Rs187,200 compared to the last trading day’s sale of Rs183,900.

    According to the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of gold increased by Rs3,300 per tola and Rs2,829 per 10 grammes, respectively, to settle at Rs187,200 and Rs160,494.

    From Rs126,000 per tola on December 31, 2021, the yellow metal has increased by Rs57,900, or 45.95 per cent .

    According to the group, the price of gold in Pakistan has been “overcost” by Rs6,500 per tola when compared to pricing in Dubai. This indicates that the price of gold in Pakistan is currently higher than it is on the global market.

    The discrepancy between the official price of gold and the price it is being sold for is growing. The official price in the Sarafa market, as announced by the association, is Rs187,200 per tola. But the price at which it is being sold is reportedly higher.

    According to Geo, due to the rupee’s depreciation against the US dollar during the present cycle, financial experts and goldsmiths predict that the price of gold may increase to Rs200,000 per tola.

  • ‘Should embrace each other with all their hearts’: Sindh governor calls upon all MQM factions to unite for Karachi

    ‘Should embrace each other with all their hearts’: Sindh governor calls upon all MQM factions to unite for Karachi

    Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori has called upon all the factions of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to unite on a single platform to resolve the issues of Karachi.

    Talking to Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News‘ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Tessori said: “Being the governor of Sindh, I can only request my friends. I cannot force anyone. And I request them because Karachi is a friendly city for everyone but there is no one who is friendly to Karachi.”

    Tessori said that the city of lights had become a city of criminals. “I requested Mustafa Kamal when he visited the Governor’s House. My aim is to develop this city and to facilitate its residents,” he said on the show.

    “Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui is the leader; he leads the MQM and he will be leading the party in the future,” said Tessori, adding that he can’t play a political role but he will request the leaders of PSP, MQM and Farooq Sattar to join hands.

    “I requested my friends that rather than criticising each other they should become workers of this city and serve the people. Upon my request, Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar have agreed. They also agreed on the leadership of Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Neither Farooq Sattar nor Mustafa Kamal raised objections to Siddiqui’s leadership. They spoke respectfully. They respect Siddiqui,” the governor said.

    “I have no idea how quickly they will move to make a [unification] decision, but if it were to happen, it would have to be sustainable and based on the will of Karachi’s residents,” he asserted.

    Asking that all factions “embrace eachother with all their hearts”, the Governor said he had asked the other leaders to put aside their egos and work for the betterment of the city and its people.

    He said that he sees no intervention by institutions in political matters. “I took the initiative and there is no intervention of the establishment or institutions [in the unification of MQM factions].”

  • New Zealand back in Pakistan after cancelling tour in 2021 over security threats

    New Zealand back in Pakistan after cancelling tour in 2021 over security threats

    New Zealand’s cricket team arrived in Pakistan today (Thursday), a year after cancelling their previous tour over security threats.

    The Kiwis— led by veteran fast bowler Tim Southee are here to play two Tests and three One-Day Internationals (ODI). Upon reaching their hotel in Karachi, they were welcomed with Sindhi ajraks.

    New Zealand sparked deep frustration in Pakistan in September 2021 when they failed to show up at Rawalpindi Stadium and announced they were flying home due to threats.

    The visitors will rest today before starting training in Karachi on Friday. The first test match begins on December 26, while the second Test will be played in Multan from January 3, followed by the ODIs on January 10, 12 and 14 in Karachi.

    New Zealand last visited Pakistan to play test cricket in 2002 and last played an ODI series here in 2003.

    For the Test series, Pakistan announced a 16-man squad on Wednesday, with a recall for fast bowler Hasan Ali while Shaheen Shah Afridi will miss out on the series due ta a knee injury.

    The arrival of the Kiwis comes just days after England whitewashed Pakistan at home in a three-match Test series.

  • Police chief advises Karachiites not to resist robbers during mugging

    Police chief advises Karachiites not to resist robbers during mugging

    Additional Inspector General of Police Jawed Alam Odho has advised the residents of Karachi to not resist robbers if they are being held up.

    The police chief’s statement has come forward during a press briefing in Karachi on the killing of a young man in a mugging incident.

    On Thursday, two robbers shot dead a 21-year-old student — Bilal Nasir — of the NED University of Engineering and Technology.

    During the mugging bid, Bilal succeeded in getting hold of one of the robbers, but the robber opened fire from close range. The youth was shot in his chest and leg, killing him on the spot.

    Police have managed to arrest one suspect in Bilal’s killing—Nizamuddin. According to Odho, the suspect is a teenager, an Afghan who has been illegally living in Karachi.

    Odho remarked that this year, the situation of robbery, dacoity, and street crime had remained “stable” with an overall increase of 7 per cent.

    He also said that in 2022, 518 people were severely injured or killed during street crimes. However, in 2021, the figure was 522.

  • ‘Defence walon ka Karachi’: Twitter expresses anger over article about Karachi

    ‘Defence walon ka Karachi’: Twitter expresses anger over article about Karachi

    Artist Osman Yousefzada is being criticised for a piece he wrote about life in Karachi for the Financial Times. The article is being panned for presenting an elitist point of view about Pakistan’s largest city.


    “I also go to Café Flo. It is a little taste of France in Karachi, with white linen tablecloths and a leafy outdoor terrace. It’s run by Florence Villiers, the daughter-in-law of popular singer Noor Jehan who was probably the Édith Piaf of Pakistan. I always order the tuna tartare – it’s amazing. For traditional Pakistani food I go to the Village Restaurant, one of the oldest in Karachi. They grill all the food in front of you, and everything is served on tin plates with elegant earthenware finger bowls. Burns Road, which was recently pedestrianised, is the street food mecca. Everywhere you look there are bun kabab coming out of ovens and skewered chickens being barbecued over open fire pits. Don’t miss Waheed Kabab House’s chapli kababs,” read the article.


    As per Twitter users, Osaman’s guide is actually a ‘misguide’ to Karachi and one can not describe the metropolis by talking about ‘Okra’, an expensive, higher end bakery cafe in Karachi.
    Have a look at the reactions.

    https://twitter.com/MerryBaloch/status/1600259296947712000
  • Majority of fatal accidents in Karachi involved motorcycles: report

    Majority of fatal accidents in Karachi involved motorcycles: report

    More than 180 people were killed and over 150 were injured in 215 traffic accidents in Karachi during the current year.

    The majority of the 91 traffic incidents, which resulted in 69 fatalities and 77 injuries, occurred in district west. In a similar manner, truck collisions resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals and 10 injuries.

    According to Express Tribune, there were a total of 141 motorcycle accidents, 110 of which were fatal, resulting in 130 fatalities and 84 injuries.

    A total of 215 traffic incidents in various parts of the city from January 1 to November 27, 2022, resulted in 184 fatalities and 152 injuries, according to information provided by the Traffic Police.

    In Traffic Zone West, where there were 91 traffic incidents overall, 69 people died and 77 were hurt. A total of 36 traffic incidents occurred in the district of Malir, 34 of which were fatal, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and the injuries of 29 others.

    The data show that the Traffic Zone of District East reported 26 accidents, 21 of which resulted in fatalities, and 13 of which resulted in injuries. Similar to this, there were 19 traffic incidents in district central, resulting in 18 fatalities and 9 injuries. In Korangi, there were a total of 17 traffic incidents, which resulted in 14 fatalities and 9 injuries.

    In district south, there were about 20 traffic accidents that resulted in 16 fatalities and 12 injuries, while only three people were hurt in six accidents in the city district.

    Data from the traffic police show that 35 traffic accidents—the maximum number—involved collisions with trucks, resulting in 41 fatalities and 10 injuries. Similar to the previous example, 23 traffic accidents involving trailer collisions resulted in 20 fatalities and 15 injuries.

    Due to collisions with water tankers, a total of 21 accidents occurred, resulting in 14 fatalities and 16 injuries. The same is true for 17 accidents involving dumpers, which resulted in 15 fatalities and 8 injuries, and 17 accidents involving oil tankers, which resulted in 15 fatalities and 19 injuries.

    The collision with the buses resulted in a total of 14 traffic accidents, 12 of which resulted in fatalities and four in injuries. In addition, 12 people lost their lives and 31 were hurt in 16 accidents caused by collisions with minibuses, and 5 people lost their lives in 8 accidents caused by collisions with coaches.

    The data indicates that 23 traffic accidents involving car and jeep collisions resulted in 19 fatalities and 16 injuries. As a result of the collision with unknown vehicles, 20 people were killed and 5 were injured in a total of 20 traffic accidents.

    Up to 10 accidents involving motorcycle collisions resulted in four fatalities and five injuries. Similar to this, ten traffic accidents using Suzuki trucks resulted in six fatalities and nine other injuries. The majority of traffic accident reports involve victims on motorcycles.

    According to the data, 110 out of 141 motorcycle-related traffic accidents that occurred during the current year were fatal, resulting in 130 people losing their lives and 84 others being injured.

  • Gold price hits new all-time high of Rs164,200 per tola

    Gold price hits new all-time high of Rs164,200 per tola

    Despite a $4 decline in the international market price to $1,794 per ounce, domestic gold prices rose to an all-time high of Rs164,200 per tola and Rs140,604 per 10 grammes on Monday. This is an increase of Rs700 and Rs601 from Saturday.

    The president of the All Sindh Saraf and Jewellers Association (ASSJA), Haji Haroon Rasheed Chand, claimed that the pressure on bullion rates has been caused by exchange rate changes.

    He claimed that despite the ongoing peak wedding season, jewellery sales remained low due to high gold prices.

    On January 1, the price of a tola and ten grammes of gold was Rs126,200 and Rs108,196, respectively, while the price of the precious metal was $1,830 per ounce on the world market. In the interbank market, the dollar was worth Rs177, while the current exchange rate was Rs223.99.

  • Karachi 6th most affordable city in the world: Report

    Karachi 6th most affordable city in the world: Report

    Karachi has been ranked as the sixth most affordable city in the world in the Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) index 2022 by a report published by Economic Intelligence.


    The WCOL has ranked Damascus (Syria) as the most affordable city of the world followed by Tripoli (Libya), Tehran (Iran), Tunis (Tunisia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Karachi (Pakistan).


    The report lists Singapore as the most expensive along with New York City.
    Singapore, bagging the top position for the eighth time in ten years, remains the most expensive in the world, coupled with New York, followed by Tel Aviv (Israel), Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Zurich (Switzerland) in the list of top ten countries.
    The survey was conducted between August 16 and September 16, tracking the prices of 200 goods.