Day: July 12, 2026

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a high-level meeting to review the overall security situation across the province.

The meeting reviewed the current security environment, including law and order, the latest threat matrix, and updates on intelligence-led security measures and the Integrated Response Framework Plan (IFRP).

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, senior officials of the civil administration, and heads of the military, Rangers, police, intelligence, and other relevant law-enforcement agencies.

Participants were briefed on the current security landscape, ongoing counterterrorism efforts, and measures being undertaken to maintain peace and stability throughout the province.

The meeting also reviewed preparedness and response mechanisms to address emerging security challenges.

Expressing satisfaction over the overall law and order situation, the participants reaffirmed their resolve to ensure a secure environment for the people of Sindh. The meeting underscored the importance of enhanced inter-agency coordination, timely intelligence sharing, and proactive measures to effectively counter security threats.

The meeting decided to further intensify intelligence-based targeted operations against terrorists, criminal elements, and their facilitators. It was emphasised that all relevant agencies would continue to work in close coordination to safeguard public safety, preserve peace, and strengthen the writ of the state.

The Chief Minister appreciated the contributions of all security and law-enforcement agencies and directed that coordinated efforts be further enhanced to sustain the gains achieved in maintaining law and order across the province.

Karachi: Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has underscored that the population planning is not merely a demographic challenge but a matter of social justice and sustainable development.

He said that the true strength of a nation lies not in the size of its population, but in how well it nurtures, educates, empowers and protects its people.

Bilawal, in his message on the occasion of World Population Day being observed Today, said that a country like Pakistan cannot afford unchecked population growth and must adopt a comprehensive, people-centred population planning strategy as a national priority.

He stressed that expanding access to quality healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and decent employment opportunities would transform Pakistan’s growing population into its greatest national strength.

He said that the PPP has always believed that investing in people is the surest path to national progress and shared prosperity.

Reaffirming the vision of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he called for inclusive public policies that leave no citizen behind and expressed the hope that World Population Day would renew the nation’s collective resolve to build a Pakistan where every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity,contribute meaningfully to society and realize their full potential.

Karachi: In a landmark step aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing tragic accidents, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has launched a sustainable initiative to install high-strength safety nets beneath manhole covers across the city.

The project is designed to provide an additional layer of protection, particularly for children and pedestrians, in the event of damaged, displaced, or stolen manhole covers.

Mayor Karachi and Chairman KWSC, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, visited Tariq Road to inspect the pilot installation, where the first safety net has been successfully installed and tested. The specially engineered safety net is capable of bearing a load of up to 180 kilograms, ensuring a strong and reliable safety mechanism beneath the manhole cover.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor said that the successful pilot project marks the beginning of a phased citywide rollout. He announced that KWSC would install these safety nets beneath manholes across Karachi in different phases, prioritizing high-footfall areas and locations vulnerable to public safety risks.

‘We have successfully tested the pilot project at Tariq Road, and the results are highly encouraging. This initiative is not merely an engineering solution, it is a commitment to protecting human lives. Our objective is to ensure that no child or citizen falls victim to such preventable tragedies in the future,’ he said.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab emphasized that the initiative reflected the city’s resolve to learn from past incidents and adopt permanent, sustainable solutions instead of temporary measures. He said that such tragedies must never be repeated.

‘We have witnessed painful incidents in the past that shook the conscience of the entire city. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that such accidents do not occur again. This project is a practical and long-term solution that will significantly improve public safety,’ he added.

The Mayor further stated that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had expressed serious concern over incidents involving open manholes and had directed the authorities to devise a comprehensive and sustainable solution to safeguard citizens. He noted that the implementation of safety nets is a direct outcome of those directives and demonstrates the city’s commitment to prioritizing public welfare.

During the inspection, Mayor Karachi directed KWSC Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui to expedite the implementation process and begin large-scale execution across the city without any unnecessary delay. He stressed that all requirements should be completed promptly so that the initiative can benefit residents at the earliest.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui briefed the Mayor on the technical aspects of the project, explaining that the safety nets have undergone successful load testing and have been designed to function as a reliable secondary barrier beneath manhole covers. He said the project will be implemented in phases, with priority given to areas where pedestrian movement is high.

Chief Operating Officer Asadullah Khan and other senior officials of KWSC accompanied the Mayor during the visit.