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Tag: Sindh

  • Baby monkey gives hard time to wildlife team after it escapes KHI court

    Baby monkey gives hard time to wildlife team after it escapes KHI court

    A dramatic incident unfolded at the city court in Karachi when a baby monkey managed to escape while being brought alongside 13 other monkeys by the Sindh Wildlife Department, reported Geo News.

    Two individuals responsible for transporting the monkeys were arrested by the authorities for violating provincial wildlife laws. The suspects were brought before the district and sessions court on Thursday, which fined them Rs100,000 and ordered to hand over the baby monkeys to the zoo.

    The monkeys were being kept in wooden mango crates, and one clever little monkey managed to escape the confines of its container. The baby monkey sought refuge on a tree, proving to be quite elusive due to its small size and agility, making it challenging for the rescue team to catch. The Sindh Wildlife Department stated that they would continue their rescue operation the next day (Friday), which is today, in an effort to capture the baby monkey still at large in the city court area.

    The department had recovered them during a search of a passenger bus arriving in Karachi from Charsadda. The monkeys were suspected to have been illegally captured from the forests in Charsadda.

    Authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety and welfare of these rescued monkeys, aiming to return them to their natural habitats or appropriate care facilities.

  • Govt commits to reconstructing 150-year-old Marie Mata Temple in Karachi

    Govt commits to reconstructing 150-year-old Marie Mata Temple in Karachi

    The Sindh government has committed to undertake the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the historic Marie Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar of Karachi, Dawn has reported.

    During Question Hour in a session of the Sindh Assembly, the Minority Affairs Minister raised his concern, emphasizing that the demolition of any place of worship is strictly prohibited. Consequently, all construction activities on the temple site have been halted.

    The temple, which has a rich history of over 150 years, had undergone partial renovation around eight years ago, during which the temple deities were temporarily relocated to a nearby room located above a storm water drain. Unfortunately, last week, the structure on the temple’s premises was demolished by a builder who intended to construct a plaza in its place.

    A woman living on the property said that her ancestors gave the land for the temple, but now she’s building her house there.

    According to the minister, the minority affairs department will conduct a comprehensive survey to prepare a detailed report, and subsequently oversee the reconstruction of the temple on its original site.

  • Orangi Town trolls Mayor of Karachi for claiming Jahangir Road storm water drainage has been completed

    Orangi Town trolls Mayor of Karachi for claiming Jahangir Road storm water drainage has been completed

    On Saturday, the Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, published a tweet claiming that work on the storm water drain of Jahangir Road had been completed, and now contractors are beginning the construction phase of the road itself. 

    However, the tweet read that road work would not be finalised and that the storm water train would be ‘tested’ during the oncoming expected rain before a final binder takes place.

    It didn’t take long for the Orangi Town Twitter to clap back with its response: “It’s time to do the test, why is Murtaza bhai making a fool of the public? Now when this road sinks, you’ll say we were only testing it.” 

    Many Twitter users chimed in with similar opinions.

    One account tweeted, “Testing the drainage or [testing] public patience? This road has been in poor condition for ages. But now you have the plausible deniability, have to give it to you.”

    Another one added, “I hope the root of issue was solved or else it will be the same after a month just like at NIPA, where you posted pictures too.”

    https://twitter.com/mahnoorsiddequi/status/1680182128468713472?s=20

    Jahangir Road has for years been subject to terrible conditions, with poor drainage systems leading water to inundate the 1.5 kilometre long road, triggering terrible congestion as well as accidents. 

    Many residents complain that Jahangir Road is practically inundated the entire year, according to Geo News.

  • Interior Minister takes notice of threats to Hindu community

    Interior Minister takes notice of threats to Hindu community

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday took notice of threats to the Hindu community, instructing ministry officials to contact officers of Sindh government.

    Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Kheal Das Kohistani, met Rana Sanaullah and informed him about the recent situation and events in Sindh. In the meeting, it was emphasised to improve protection of the Hindu community.

    The Interior Minister further said that the protection of all religious minorities, including the Hindu community, is the responsibility of the state.

    On the other hand, in the northern districts of Sindh, police have increased the security of Hindu temples. According to police officials, the security has increased after the threats of dacoits for the return of Seema Rind.

    It should be noted that in the beginning of this month, Seema Haider, a Pakistani citizen, reached India with her four children after befriending a Hindu Indian boy on the PUBG game. In interviews given to BBC, Seema has said that she will live in India and not return to Pakistan.

    The highly publicised story led to extremist threats against the Hindu community in Sindh.

  • Sindh announces bus service for Hindu pilgrimage 

    Sindh announces bus service for Hindu pilgrimage 

    Sindh Minority Affairs Department, under the direction of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has announced a bus service to facilitate Pakistani Hindus who cannot afford the travel expenses of the pilgrimage to Shri Hinglaj Mata.

    This was announced by Sindh Minister for Minority Affairs Giyan Chand Esrani at Swami Narayan Mandir while inaugurating the construction work of the development scheme for Guru Nanak Durbar in Karachi.

    Hinglaj Yatra is the pilgrimage to the cave temple of Hindu Devi – Shri Hinglaj Mata – on the Makran coast in the Lasbela district of Balochistan. More than 250,000 people take part in the Hinglaj Yathra every year. 

    Sindh Minority Affairs Department stated that the bus service will begin on July 15. Gyan Chand Esrani said that lunch will be provided to the pilgrims during the journey, while those pilgrims who want to stay there for a couple of days during the pilgrimage will be provided with resting facilities by the department.

    He said that the application for the pilgrimage would be sent to the Director of Minority Affairs through District Panchayat. He also announced the construction of a hostel for poor girl students at Swami Narayan Mandir.

    Hinglaj Mata is one of the three Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, the other two being Shivaharkaray and Sharada Peeth. Over the last three decades, the place has gained popularity and become a unifying point for Pakistan’s Hindu community.

    The temple Shri Hinglaj Mata is in a small natural cave, in a narrow gorge in the hilly area of Lyari Tehsil in Balochistan. It lies within the domain of the Hingol National Park, lying on the west bank of the Hingol River.

  • Yamaha proposes a ferry service linking Do Darya and Port Qasim, expanding water sports facilities in Sindh

    Yamaha proposes a ferry service linking Do Darya and Port Qasim, expanding water sports facilities in Sindh

    In a groundbreaking announcement, a Japanese firm, Yamaha, has presented a proposal to launch a ferry service connecting Karachi’s Do Darya with Port Qasim, as well as develop various water sports facilities across the province of Sindh.

    The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah and Yoshiyuki ITO, the Senior General Manager for Central Asia and the Middle East at Yamaha Japan.

    The officials explored the potential of establishing water sports facilities at different barrages and lakes in Sindh, with a particular focus on enhancing recreational activities.

    A statement issued by the CM House outlined the discussion, revealing that the proposed ferry service between Do Darya and Port Qasim was among the key topics.

    Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed enthusiasm for the idea, emphasising the immense potential to develop water sports facilities in collaboration with Yamaha Pakistan.

    The chief minister further highlighted the possibilities for establishing these facilities at various barrages in Sindh, including Keenjhar, Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri Barrages.

    He underlined the importance of involving the private sector in such endeavors, which would contribute to the growth of water-based recreational activities in the region.

    During the meeting, the Yamaha representative informed Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah that the proposed ferry service would not only facilitate transportation but also provide recreational opportunities.

    Additionally, he emphasised the quality and performance of Yamaha’s WaveRunners, indicating their suitability for water sports enthusiasts.

    The introduction of a ferry service and the development of water sports facilities in Sindh would not only boost tourism but also enhance the overall experience for locals and visitors alike.

    As the proposal moves forward, collaboration between Yamaha and the provincial government holds the promise of an exciting future for water-based recreational activities in Sindh.

  • Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    A delegation from the Chinese firm ‘China Power’ expressed keen interest in setting up an industrial plant in Sindh for the production of electric vehicles. The meeting between the company representatives and Sindh Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Memon, took place in Karachi on Wednesday.

    Minister Memon warmly welcomed the company’s interest and assured them of the provincial government’s full support in facilitating investors and industrialists in the region. This move highlights the government’s commitment to promoting investment and boosting the manufacturing sector in Sindh.

    This is not the first time a Chinese company has shown interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in Karachi. Last year, another Chinese company agreed to establish Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing company in the city. This initiative aimed to make buses more affordable and accessible to the public.

    The announcement was made by Minister Memon following his meeting with the country manager of the bus company. The manufacturing plant, to be established on an 18-acre land, is expected to be operational within the next 20 months, with an annual production capacity of 500 buses.

    Minister Memon emphasised that the establishment of a public transport manufacturing plant remains a top priority for the provincial government, and efforts are being made to expedite the project. He further mentioned via his Twitter account that he had a detailed meeting with a leading Chinese bus manufacturing company, and they have agreed to initiate Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing plant in Karachi.

    The interest shown by ‘China Power’ and the previous commitment from the Chinese bus manufacturing company indicate growing confidence in the investment potential and business environment of Sindh. These ventures can not only enhance the local manufacturing sector but also contribute to the development of sustainable transportation options in Pakistan.

    Overall, the collaboration between Chinese companies and the provincial government of Sindh demonstrates a significant step towards fostering industrial growth and expanding the electric vehicle and public transportation sectors in the region.

  • Pakistani film ‘Hum-Saya’ receives Best Short Documentary award at Venice Film Festival

    Pakistani film ‘Hum-Saya’ receives Best Short Documentary award at Venice Film Festival

    Director Dawood Murad’s venture ‘Hum-Saya’, produced by the Centre For Social Justice, has received the prestigious award for ‘Best Short Documentary on Human Rights’ at the Venice Intercultural Festival 2023. The film focuses on the story of two girls who are abducted, forcibly converted and then married off, while also exploring the turmoil their families undergo.

    In an Instagram post, the director revealed that the film will also be screened in Venice, Italy, on June 23 and later at Kellogg College, Oxford, on June 16.

    A recent report compiled by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan found that in the year 2021, at least 60 cases of forced conversions were reported in the media, out of which 70% of the girls were under the age of 18 and were from Sindh.

    The data also revealed that blasphemy cases were on the rise in the country. In 2021 there were 585 blasphemy cases registered in Punjab, out of which 16 were filed against the Ahmadi community.

  • Here are some tips to remember as Cyclone Biparjoy reaches Karachi

    Here are some tips to remember as Cyclone Biparjoy reaches Karachi

    Authorities in Karachi are on high alert as Geo reported today that residents of Defence Housing Authority have been warned to take precautionary measures after Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea moves closer to the coast.

    Residents are being advised to keep their basements and windows shut and call DHA helpline 1092 in case of any emergency.

    A a list of requirements in case of emergency has also been shared on their Twitter account.

    As authorities prepare for the worse, citizens of Karachi on Twitter are sending each other advise in order to help prepare in case the worst situation happens. Twitter user Sabah Bano Malik began this trend when she asked her followers what things to keep in mind as the cyclone approaches the city:

    “As someone whose never experienced a cyclone what do I do,” she wrote.

    Whether it is having a prepared kit or stocking up, Karachi citizens came forward with the best tips:

    https://twitter.com/whereizmydeath/status/1667939730250686464?s=20

  • Exclusive: Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai discusses inclusive education policy initiated by Sindh Govt

    Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai took to social media to announce that she was collaborating with Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah to work on the first ever transgender inclusive education policy, which will allow more members of the khwaja sira community to enroll into schools and continue to pursue higher education through scholarship programs set up by universities.

    Speaking to The Current, Rai, who is working as a Violence Case Manager for Gender Alliance Initiative, spoke about the importance of the policy, which is a step forward in helping transgender individuals pursue their academic dreams and help in empowering their community:

    “Through this policy, we aim to help members of the Khwaja Sira community pursue higher education, especially those who can read and write but could not study in schools. When we had our meeting to discuss this policy, one of the first things we talked about was setting up a scholarship program for the transgender community in universities. So that more transgender people can study ahead.”

    We also talked about how this policy will help in setting up more safe and inclusive environments for transgender individuals:

    “We had also discussed setting up more safer environments within schools for transgender people. We are forming up a draft of the things we want. Although it won’t be a part of this policy that we are drafting, but ahead in the future we will start including books with chapters that will discuss the history of the transgender community.

    In this policy, we have ensured that it is strictly forbidden that no teacher can misbehave with a transgender student. Our biggest concern is to ensure that teacher’s are trans-friendly.”

    Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah was seen speaking on the importance of the education policy at the Sindh Assembly, highlighting the importance of such a step which will help members of the transgender community become equal members of our society by providing them fair education policies.