Day: July 11, 2026

Karachi: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik has stressed the need for inclusive dialogue, climate preparedness and coordinated action to address the country’s growing environmental challenges, saying proactive planning is essential ahead of the monsoon season.

He expressed these views during an interactive session with climate experts, environmental activists and media representatives at the Climate Action Centre here on Friday.

The Minister said Karachi’s diversity of people and ideas had motivated his visit, adding that while the city represented a wide range of perspectives, this diversity was not adequately reflected in its infrastructure and development. He said the government was committed to listening to climate experts and civil society to formulate practical and effective climate policies.

Referring to the approaching monsoon season, Dr Musadik said the government was closely monitoring preparedness measures and reviewing steps required to minimise
the impact of heavy rains and other climate-related emergencies before the peak of the season.

He said northern parts of the country were expected to receive heavy rainfall and could face flooding due to accelerated glacier melting caused by rising temperatures. He added that the government was closely monitoring the situation and that the country’s reservoirs and dams had the capacity to store substantial volumes of water for improved water management during periods of excessive rainfall.

The Minister cautioned that some regions could experience drought because of below-normal rainfall, while urban areas remained vulnerable to cloudbursts and intense downpours that could lead to urban flooding. He said both floods and droughts posed serious threats to agriculture, food security, infrastructure, livelihoods and the national economy, highlighting the need for coordinated response mechanisms.

During the question-and-answer session, Dr Musadik said meaningful environmental progress required collective efforts
despite limited resources. He stressed the importance of involving local communities in identifying solutions to environmental challenges, saying sustainable climate action could only succeed through public participation and collaboration.

He also acknowledged the contributions of climate activists, researchers and environmental organisations, saying their efforts should be recognised and encouraged to strengthen Pakistan’s climate resilience.

Highlighting Pakistan’s renewable energy potential, the minister said the country possessed abundant solar and wind resources and called for a supportive policy and investment environment to accelerate their adoption. He said greater use of renewable energy would reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment while advancing the country’s long-term climate and sustainability goals.

The dialogue concluded with an exchange of recommendations between the minister, climate experts and media representatives, reaffirming the
government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, environmental sustainability and collaborative efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s resilience to climate change.

Karachi: Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, has said that the Fisheries Department of the Sindh Government aims to provide all essential facilities directly to the doorsteps of Sindh’s fishermen to help elevate their economic status.

He said that the government will also direct the Fishermen Cooperative Society to extend all the facilities currently provided to marine (sea) fishermen to inland fishermen across Sindh as well.

The Provincial Minister expressed these views during a high-level meeting with delegations from various fishermen’s organizations representing Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Kashmore, Kandhkot, and other districts.

The meeting was scheduled upon the request of the fishermen to hear their grievances.

The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum was a key participant in this meeting. The meeting was also attended by the Provincial Secretary for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Kazam Hussain Jatoi, the newly elected Chairperson of the Fishermen Cooperative Society, Fatima Majeed, and Director of Marine Fisheries Sindh, Dr. Asim Karim.

Moreover, Fisher Folk Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Mirani, General Secretary Saeed Baloch, and Majeed Malkani were also present.

Muhammad Ali Malkani informed the fishermen that under the “Aquaculture” project launched in collaboration with the World Bank, the government will introduce projects worth millions of rupees to support the fishermen in fish trading and hunting, enabling them to stand on their own feet.

The Provincial Minister emphasized that the government supports the one-and-a-half-month ban on fishing because it is the fish breeding season. Therefore, this ban will remain effective from June 15 to August 1. He further announced that fishermen’s identity cards will now be linked with NADRA so that their fisherman identity can be verified through their computerized national identity cards (CNICs). Consequently, fishing licenses, boat registrations, aid funds, and World Bank projects will only be accessible to fishermen who possess these integrated ID cards.

Earlier, leaders of the fishermen’s organizations apprised Provincial Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani of the issues faced by them and their respective regions.

Malkani said that if a legislative amendment is required to resolve these issues, it will be enacted. The Provincial Minister also mentioned that he would coordinate with other provincial departments, such as the Forest, Irrigation, and Environment departments, to alleviate the hardships faced by the fishing community.

He added that a formal letter would be written to the Chief Minister of Sindh stating that since the contracting (Thekedari) system has been abolished through a legislative bill, no contracts should be issued anywhere. Fishing rights should be strictly reserved for licensed fishermen only.

Karachi: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik on Friday said that we can protect our health and the well-being of our elders by adopting a simple principle of filtering and purifying smoke emissions from our factories

The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination said this in his media talk at Urban Forest Clifton here on Friday.

He said that if one lives in a place where regional pollution can shorten elders’ lives by two to four years, then he considers this Urban Forest to be a great service, a perpetual charity (Sadaqah-e-Jariyah).

He said that he noticed that the water used here in this Urban forest is actually sewage water, the very water that we do not know what to do with, the water we do not even want to pass by. This same water has been used here.

Speaking about the water used in the Urban Forest, he said, first, it is treated to a certain extent so that it becomes usable, and then through it, the life has been given to forest. All the carbon dioxide and pollution that destroy our lives, what we consider filth, has been utilized to try to generate life. This is the miracle here, and it is truly wonderful, he appreciated.

He said that this carbon, when it rises, it causes temperatures to rise and when temperatures rise; Glaciers melt and when glaciers melt, floods come, devastation occurs. This has happened in our region many times already; just a few years ago, more than a third, perhaps half, of Sindh was submerged, under several feet of water.

He said that the Urban forest firstly, produces oxygen; secondly, it is stopping that very thing which raises temperatures, melts glaciers, and brings destruction.

Dr. Musadik Masood Malik said that beneath the ground, another city is thriving. One city is visible to us, the city of trees and vegetation. But the actual city is underneath our feet, an entire bed of microbes, a whole forest. There is a forest above, and three times that size, there is a forest underground, made of microbes, which takes in carbon daily and stores it daily.

It is a massive battery that saves us from destruction. So, there is a world underground that is protecting us from catastrophe, and above ground, all these lush shrubs and trees that we see, on which birds are perched, are another world that is producing oxygen for us, he said.

He said that six thousand people have been lost to floods, and twenty thousand people have either injured or been disabled in these floods. Forty million people have been displaced, which is more than the population of many large European countries, and this displacement has happened in Pakistan alone.

He said that if a child misses school for even a month for no reason, it feels like very bad. Imagine, 1.8 billion school-days have been lost due to these floods. Because the people whose communities and settlements were destroyed, who were displaced and had to leave, they could not return home for four months. When they did return, their schools had been washed away. It takes an unknown amount of time to rebuild those schools.

He said that this Urban forest is a great endeavor and it represent a miracle and prayed for all those who participated in this work, and also extended gratitude to those who are now running it, whom the government has entrusted to operate it.

He expressed hope that they will run it with the same great heart, the same deep desire, the same passion with which it was built, and with the same sense of purpose and care.

Karachi: The University of Karachi has extended the deadline for submitting admission forms for the Chinese Language Certificate Courses till July 15, 2026.

The KU’s Confucius Institute for Chinese Language is offering admissions in basic Chinese in morning, afternoon, and weekend classes.

Prospective candidates can obtain and submit admission forms at the Habib Bank Limited branch located at the University of Karachi campus, between 9: 00 am and 4: 00 pm, by paying a fee of Rs 500.

The list of selected candidates will be displayed on July 17, 2026, while the admission fee can be submitted from July 20 to July 24, 2026.

Regular classes for the Chinese Language Certificate Courses will commence on August 01, 2026.

Karachi: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has finalised a comprehensive city-wide plan covering major mosques, procession routes, public spaces, and associated civic infrastructure to facilitate devotees and ensure smooth arrangements for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) during the holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.

Acting on the directives of Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, KMC has initiated the procurement process and floated tenders worth Rs 200 million for repair, illumination, decorative lighting, and other municipal arrangements along the city’s major procession routes and areas where Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) gatherings are traditionally held.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, attended by Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer and senior officers of the Engineering Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Karachi said that following the successful civic arrangements made during Muharram-ul-Haram, KMC is committed to extending the same level of planning and municipal support for the observance of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).

He said the Corporation aims to ensure that citizens participating in processions, religious gatherings, and Milad events are provided with a safe, clean, and well-managed environment.

The Mayor Wahab said that all major routes have been identified, while a dedicated emergency response mechanism will remain operational throughout the celebrations to promptly address any civic issues that may arise. Special emphasis will be placed on road repairs, street lighting, decorative illumination, cleanliness, and other municipal services to facilitate participants.

He further stated that, for the first time in KMC’s history, a dedicated budget has been allocated exclusively for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) arrangements, reflecting the Corporation’s commitment to institutionalising high-quality civic services for major religious events.

The initiative is aimed not only at ensuring efficient management this year but also at creating sustainable infrastructure and service standards for future celebrations.

During the meeting, Mayor Karachi directed Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffer to complete the procurement and vendor hiring process without delay and ensure that work begins immediately in accordance with the approved implementation plan.

He instructed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination so that every arrangement is completed well before the commencement of Rabi-ul-Awwal.