Day: July 11, 2026

Karachi: Karachi administration in compliance with the directives of the Sindh Government has intensified its district-wide enforcement campaign to ensure the availability of wheat flour at government-notified rates and to take strict action against profiteering, overcharging, hoarding and other violations.

According to the consolidated enforcement report inspection teams carried out 673 visits to flour mills, atta chakkis, wholesalers, retailers and other flour sale points across all seven districts of Karachi. The inspections resulted in the detection of 143 violations, while fines amounting to Rs1,205,000 were imposed on businesses found violating notified flour prices and other applicable regulations.

A total of 144 establishments were issued warnings, while two premises were sealed for serious violations. Penalties were also imposed on retailers selling wheat flour above the notified prices, while certain flour businesses (atta chakkis) were directed to obtain the required licences from the Food Department.

According to the district-wise report, the highest number of inspections was conducted in District Korangi, where teams carried out 202 visits, detected 27 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs364,000, issued 54 warnings and sealed one establishment. In District South, the administration conducted 135 inspections, detected 46 violations, imposed fines of Rs354,000 and issued 14 warnings. In District East, inspection teams conducted 103 visits, detected 21 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs165,000 and issued 16 warnings. In District Central, the administration conducted 81 inspections, detected 21 violations, imposed fines of Rs159,000, issued 39 warnings and sealed one establishment. In District Keamari, teams conducted 52 inspections, detected 21 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs154,000 and issued 11 warnings. In District West, inspection teams carried out 75 visits, detected seven violations, imposed fines of Rs9,000 and issued eight warnings. In District Malir, the administration conduct
ed 25 inspections.

The Sindh Government has directed the district administration to maintain strict surveillance of flour mills, atta chakkis, wholesalers and retailers and to ensure that the benefit of officially notified prices reaches consumers. The district administrations have further been instructed to conduct regular inspections, verify wheat and flour stocks and business licences, ensure the prominent display of notified price lists, and initiate immediate legal action against businesses involved in overcharging, artificial scarcity, illegal storage or non-compliance with government directives.

Karachi: In view of increasing climate-induced risks and the approaching peak monsoon season, a high-level meeting was held at the CM House to review Sindh’s preparedness for floods, urban inundation, heatwaves and other weather-related emergencies, while assessing the effectiveness of early warning systems and inter-agency response mechanisms.

The meeting brought together federal and provincial authorities to evaluate emerging climate trends, disaster forecasts, flood vulnerabilities and response capacities, and to strengthen coordination for protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure across the province during the ongoing monsoon season.

The Sindh government team included Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Adviser to the Chief Minister Gianchand Israni, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Environment Faisal Uqaili, Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero, DG PDMA Salman Shah, Secretary Rehabilitation Mustafa Shaikh and other officials.

The federal government team led by Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, included Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, Member NDMA (Climate Change), Executive Director NDMA Ms Zara and others.

The participants were informed that Pakistan is facing increasing climate-related threats, including glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, flash floods, riverine flooding, urban inundation, heatwaves, cyclones, droughts and sea-level impacts. Climate projections indicate above-normal temperatures and persistent hot and humid conditions across much of the country between July 15 and August 30, 2026, alongside an active monsoon season.

NDMA officials presented the National Resilience and Disaster Management Coordination Framework and outlined the transition from conventional early warning systems to predictive disaster intelligence through the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC). The briefing highlighted the integration of the National Common Operating Picture (NCOP) and Global Common Operating Picture (GCOP), enabling real-time monitoring of climate, hydrological and field data to generate impact-based advisories, forecasts and early warnings.

The meeting was informed that Sindh remains particularly vulnerable because it lies at the downstream end of the Indus River system, where flood levels, flood volumes and flood durations are generally at their highest. Officials explained that flooding in Sindh originates from three primary sources: the Indus River, hill torrents emanating from the Kirthar Range, and monsoon rainfall-induced flooding.

Participants reviewed vulnerable districts across the province, including riverine flood-prone areas of Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur, Shikarpur and Larkana; flash flood and hill torrent zones in Dadu, Jamshoro and Qambar Shahdadkot; and urban flooding hotspots including Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, Sujawal and Thatta.

The Irrigation Department briefed the meeting on Sindh’s flood protection infrastructure, which comprises approximately 1,325 miles of embankments, including 875 miles of frontline embankments, 331 miles of loop embankments and 119 miles of flood protection embankments, in addition to the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) system. The meeting also reviewed flood routing mechanisms across the Indus Basin and the flood classification system used at barrages in Sindh, ranging from normal and low floods to very high and super flood conditions.

Officials informed the meeting that flood protection bunds are being surveyed in coordination with the armed forces, while the National Highway Authority, Pakistan Railways and other critical agencies have been placed on alert. A 24-hour liaison mechanism between federal and provincial emergency operation centres has also been activated to ensure rapid information sharing and coordinated response.

The participants were further informed that projected El Ni±o conditions during 2026-27 could adversely affect Kharif crops through increased heat and water stress. Rice, cotton, maize and sugarcane are expected to face varying levels of productivity losses, posing additional risks to food security and rural livelihoods.

The meeting was told that over 41,600 trained volunteers, including Civil Defence personnel, Rescue Scouts, Pakistan Red Crescent volunteers, Al-Khidmat teams, Scouts and Guides, Helping Hands volunteers and NDMA volunteers, are available across Sindh to support emergency preparedness and response operations.

The NDMA briefing also highlighted the role of local media, community radio networks, telecom infrastructure and digital focal persons in disseminating multi-hazard warnings and combating misinformation during emergencies through a coordinated rumour-control mechanism.

The meeting reviewed long-term climate adaptation measures, including cool pavements, reflective roads, heat-stroke centres, innovative parks, managed coastal retreat, mangrove afforestation, urban tree corridors, green roofs, water harvesting systems and climate-resilient urban planning initiatives.

Officials from the Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Department presented a number of proposals aimed at strengthening climate resilience in Sindh. These included the establishment of a Sindh Climate Information System (SCIS), development of an integrated digital climate early warning platform, district-level climate risk dashboards, climate vulnerability mapping, digital monitoring and reporting systems, stormwater management projects, rainwater harvesting initiatives, urban flood modelling and ecosystem-based adaptation programmes.

The meeting was informed that Sindh has also proposed scaling up mangrove restoration across the Indus Delta, promoting sponge-city planning principles, expanding heatwave and flood action plans, strengthening groundwater recharge systems and enhancing integration with national forecasting institutions for improved climate forecasting and vulnerability assessments.

Speaking on the occasion, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said Sindh had significantly enhanced its preparedness for the monsoon season through improved coordination among departments, strengthened flood protection infrastructure and continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas.

‘We are closely monitoring river systems, drainage networks and flood protection structures. All relevant departments have been directed to remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation and protect lives and property,’ he said.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik said climate change was no longer a future threat but a present reality requiring coordinated national action. ‘Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate impacts despite contributing minimally to global emissions. Strengthening early warning systems, local resilience and community awareness is essential for safeguarding our people and economy,’ he said.

Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said the country was entering a new era of disaster management driven by technology, predictive analytics and real-time intelligence. ‘The transition from early warning to predictive disaster intelligence will significantly enhance our ability to anticipate risks, issue timely advisories and support informed decision-making at all levels,’ he said.

Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah assured that the provincial administration had activated its preparedness mechanisms and was maintaining close coordination with federal agencies. ‘All district administrations, emergency services and line departments have been instructed to remain vigilant. Our focus is on preparedness, rapid response and minimising the impact of any climate-induced emergency,’ he said.

The federal government team was informed that, on the directives of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, all departments have been directed to maintain a high level of preparedness throughout the monsoon season, with emphasis on coordinated action, effective communication and timely response to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related disasters.

Karachi: A meeting of the Film Oversight Board of the Information Department was held under the chairmanship of Senior Minister of Sindh for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, in which a detailed review was held of the progress of the ongoing film projects under the Information Department, their completion, future strategies and various issues related to the promotion of the film industry.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Information Kashif Gulzar Sheikh, Director General Information Moiz Pirzada, Director Films Hizbullah Memon, Board Members Zhalay Sarhadi, Waqas Rizvi and other relevant officials.

During the meeting, a detailed review was taken of the progress of the film projects being prepared under the management of the Information Department, while detailed discussions were also held on the projection of films, domestic and international distribution, participation in various film festivals, and collaboration with the private sector, digital release and advertising strategies in line with modern requirements.

On this occasion, various aspects of effectively introducing the Sindh government’s film projects through OTT platforms and social media were also considered so that these projects could be reached by maximum people.

Addressing the meeting, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is taking serious and practical steps for the promotion of film and creative industries.

He said that quality films are the best means of effectively presenting the culture, history, tourism and social values of the country and the province to the world, therefore, high quality, modern requirements and international standards are being specially taken into account in film projects.

Sharjeel Inam Memon said that in the present era, digital platforms are playing a key role in the success of films, therefore, the film projects of the Sindh government should be introduced on a large scale by using OTT platforms and social media effectively. He emphasized that the promotion of the film industry will not only provide new opportunities to young creators, directors, writers and artists, but will also effectively highlight the positive and bright image of Sindh at the national and international levels.

Karachi: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Friday, injected Rs 2,767.5 billion through Reverse Repo Purchase and Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based Open Market Operations (OMO) to maintain liquidity in the market.

The central bank conducted the Open Market Operation, Reverse Repo Purchase (Injection) for 7 and 14-day tenors on July 10, 2026, and injected Rs 2,262.5 billion against 14 bids while other Rs 505 billion were injected through Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based OMO.

The central bank, for the Reverse Repo Purchase of 14-day tenor, received 11 bids cumulatively offering Rs 2,059.5 billion at the rate of return ranging between 11.51 to 11.57%. The SBP accepted Rs 1,925 billion against 11 quotes at 11.51% rate of return. The total amount offered at 11.51% was Rs 1,316 billion, out of which SBP accepted Rs 1,181 billion on a pro-rata basis.

Moreover, the SBP also received 3 bids for the 7-day tenor, cumulatively offering Rs 337.5 billion at the rate of return ranging between 11.54% to 11.55%. The SBP accepted all the 3 quotes with the entire amount at 11.54% rate of return.

Meanwhile, SBP also conducted Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based Open Market Operation for the 7 and 14-day tenors. The central bank received 2 quotes for the 7-day tenor offering Rs 180 billion at rate of return ranging between 11.52 to 11.55%. SBP accepted the entire amount against both the bids at 11.52% rate of return.

The central bank also received one bid for the 14-day tenor offering Rs 380 billion at 11.52% rate of return. SBP accepted Rs 325 billion at 11.52% rate of return. The total amount offered at 11.52% was Rs 380 billion, out of which SBP accepted Rs 325 billion on a pro-rata basis.