Day: July 24, 2026

Karachi: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh on Thursday issued a province-wide alert in view of forecast monsoon rains and strong winds, directing all district administrations, relevant departments and emergency response agencies to remain on high alert and ensure precautionary measures.

According to Director General PDMA Sindh Syed Salman Shah, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms across various parts of Sindh from July 23 to 25 due to strong monsoon currents penetrating from the Arabian Sea.

He said heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad.

Light to moderate rain has been forecasted for Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur and Khairpur, while Larkana, Naushahro Feroze and Thatta are likely to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms today and tomorrow.

Salman Shah warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, electricity poles, solar panels and billboards.

He said all relevant authorities had been instructed to adopt precautionary measures and remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency.

He added the PDMA had activated its monsoon preparedness plan and kept dewatering pumps and other essential machinery ready for deployment.

Low-lying areas vulnerable to urban and flash flooding had also been identified to ensure a swift response. “If the situation arises in any area, dewatering machinery will be immediately shifted to the affected locations,” he said.

The DG PDMA also urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather, stay away from electricity poles and unsafe structures, and follow official safety advisories.

Karachi: The College Education Department, Sindh, has launched the ‘Strengthening and Digitization of the College Education Department’ project aimed at modernizing governance, administration, and service delivery across public colleges in the province.

In this regard, a high-level review meeting was chaired by Secretary College Education Sindh, Nadeem ur Rehman Memon, to assess the project’s progress, implementation strategy, and various phases, here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Director General Monitoring, School Education and Literacy Department, Yaseen Qurban, Director General Colleges, Zahid Rajper, Director Development, Sajjad Abro, Regional Director Colleges, Gulab Rai, and other relevant officials.

During the briefing, participants were informed that the project seeks to further strengthen and integrate the Sindh Electronic Centralized College Admission Program (SECCAP) to facilitate fully online admissions in public colleges across the province.

The initiative will also introduce a Face Recognition Attendance System for students, teaching staff, and non-teaching employees.

In addition, comprehensive digital records and profiles of all employees will be developed, while human resource management processes will be automated. Pension and General Provident (GP) Fund management systems will also be digitized.

The centralized dashboards will be established to enable effective monitoring of performance, attendance, financial affairs, and administrative activities throughout the department.

Addressing the meeting, Secretary College Education Sindh Nadeem ur Rehman Memon said that the project represents a significant step towards transforming governance, transparency, accountability, and service delivery within the College Education Department.

He stated that the adoption of modern technology would not only improve administrative efficiency but also provide students, teachers, and employees with faster, more effective, and user-friendly services.

He further noted that data-driven decision-making, improved human resource management and enhanced financial transparency would strengthen the overall performance of the department.

The Secretary directed all concerned officials to ensure the timely completion of every phase of the project so that public colleges across Sindh could be aligned with modern digital systems and the process of educational reforms could be accelerated and made more effective.

Karachi: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, organized a recognition ceremony at NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, to celebrate the outstanding achievements of distinguished researchers and scientists from Sindh and Balochistan.

The event honored scholars featured in the globally acclaimed Top two percent Scientists List in recognition of their exceptional research excellence and international impact. The ceremony also recognized recipients of the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) 2025-26 research grants for their contributions to advancing high-quality research, innovation, and knowledge creation in Pakistan.

The ceremony was graced by Governor Sindh, Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi; Sardar Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards, Government of Sindh; Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman HEC; Dr Fahad Shafiq, Coordinator, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (Sindh); and Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, renowned scientist and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, said a news release.

The event was attended by vice chancellors of public and private sector universities from Sindh and Balochistan, heads of higher education institutions, eminent researchers, scientists, academicians, NRPU awardees, and other distinguished guests.

Speaking at the occasion, the Governor Sindh congratulated the researchers and scientists on their remarkable achievements, stating that their accomplishments have brought immense pride to Pakistan on the global stage. He commended the HEC for creating a conducive environment that supports research excellence and innovation.

Emphasizing the transformative power of research, he encouraged scholars to continue producing impactful knowledge that addresses societal challenges, improves the quality of life, and contributes to sustainable national development.

Chairman HEC, Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, emphasized the significance of recognizing outstanding researchers as a means of promoting a culture of excellence and innovation in Pakistan. He highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of education, research, and economic development, and appreciated the contributions of the vice chancellors of Sindh’s universities in strengthening the province’s research ecosystem. He encouraged universities to continue fostering collaboration, innovation, and impactful research for national development.

Provincial Minister, Sardar Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, congratulated the researchers recognized among the world’s Top two percent Scientists and the recipients of the NRPU grants. He acknowledged their invaluable contributions to scientific advancement and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting research, innovation, and academic excellence across higher education institutions.

Coordinator, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Sindh, Dr Fahad Shafiq briefed the participants on the Government of Pakistan’s flagship initiatives aimed at empowering youth through education, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital opportunities. He highlighted the government’s commitment to equipping young people with the skills and opportunities needed to contribute effectively to Pakistan’s socio-economic development and knowledge-based economy.

Earlier, the ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Dr Syed Habib Ali Bokhari, Member (Research and Innovation) HEC. He highlighted the vision and strategic initiatives of HEC’s Research and Innovation Division, emphasizing HEC’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s research and innovation ecosystem. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation by Adviser, Research and Innovation Division, HEC, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali Nasir, who elaborated the Division’s flagship programs, major achievements, and future initiatives aimed at promoting excellence in research, innovation, commercialization, and higher education.

Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, renowned scientist and former Federal Minister and founding Chairman HEC, congratulated the distinguished researchers on their remarkable achievements and underscored the pivotal role of sustained government support in advancing research, innovation, and the knowledge-based economy.

He emphasized that continued investment by the Governments in science, technology, and higher education was essential for Pakistan’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr Muhammad Tufail, Vice Chancellor, NED University of Engineering and Technology, who thanked the Higher Education Commission, distinguished guests, researchers, and participating institutions for making the event a success. He reaffirmed the collective commitment of universities, government institutions, and HEC to further strengthen Pakistan’s research and innovation ecosystem through sustained collaboration, academic excellence, and impactful research for national development.

Karachi: Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Muhammad Sakib Sadakat, on Thursday called for strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh by promoting greater business-to-business engagement and increasing the exchange of trade delegations.

Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of the S.I.T.E. Association of Industry (SAI), the deputy high commissioner said both countries possessed significant untapped commercial potential that could be realised through closer collaboration. He invited Pakistani industrialists to visit Bangladesh to explore trade and investment opportunities, assuring them of the High Commission’s full support in facilitating business contacts and market access.

The SAI delegation was led by President Abdul Rehman Fudda and included Senior Vice President Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry, Vice President Muhammad Tahir Goreja, former President Abdul Rasheed, and Chairman of the International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs Committee Junaid-ur-Rehman.

During the meeting, both sides discussed measures to enhance bilateral trade, diversify traded products, facilitate the exchange of business delegations, and improve trade connectivity between the two countries.

The industrialists stressed the need to increase the frequency of direct flights and expand sea cargo services between Pakistan and Bangladesh, saying improved logistics would lower trade costs and significantly boost bilateral commerce.

Muhammad Sakib Sadakat encouraged Pakistani exporters to study the Bangladeshi market and tailor their products to local demand, describing Bangladesh as a promising destination for Pakistani exports and investment. He assured the delegation that the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission would provide every possible assistance to businesses seeking to enter the Bangladeshi market.

He emphasised that sustained private-sector engagement and stronger institutional cooperation would help unlock the full potential of bilateral trade and investment.

The SAI delegation also invited the deputy high commissioner to visit the association at a mutually convenient date to further strengthen cooperation between the business communities of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Karachi: The Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) organized a one-day training session on “Forensic DNA Sample Collection During Mass Disasters” for officers of Rescue 1122 at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi.

A total of 25 Rescue 1122 officers participated in the training session, which was organized in response to the recommendations made during the multi-stakeholder consultation held at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, following the tragic Gul Plaza incident. The event was jointly organized by the Government of Sindh and the SFDL, University of Karachi.

Among those who addressed the participants were Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director ICCBS, Dr. Abid Jalaludeen Sheikh, Director Rescue 1122, Dr. Summaiya Syed, Police Surgeon Karachi, Prof. Dr. Syed Abid Ali, Acting Director ICCBS, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, In-charge and Project Director SFDL, Amir Hasan, Director CPLC, Shanakht Project and Dr. Amir Hussain, Legal Advisor of SFDL, along with other experts.

Dr. Abid Jalaludeen Sheikh stated that, under the law, all kinds of rescue operations covered under the jurisdiction of Rescue 1122, and the organization would now lead all rescue operations in the city. He appreciated the role of ICCBS in fostering coordination among stakeholders. He also requested the ICCBS administration to provide specialized forensic training to selected Rescue 1122 officers.

He pointed out that incidents such as the Gul Plaza tragedy required proper planning and well-defined response strategies. He emphasized that effective emergency response and public safety must remain the top priorities during rescue operations aimed at saving lives.

He further stressed that effective emergency management required comprehensive preparedness, coordinated prevention strategies, and the ability to take timely and well-planned action.

In his video message, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah welcomed the participants to the specialized training session. He said that the training had been organized in response to the recommendations made during the multi-stakeholder consultation held at ICCBS following the tragic Gul Plaza incident.

“I am confident that this training will further strengthen our collective capacity to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters while upholding the highest standards of forensic science,” he said.

He noted that the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) has been at the forefront of forensic DNA analysis in Pakistan.

Professor Dr. Syed Abid Ali appreciated the dedication of Rescue 1122 personnel and said they shoulder a vital responsibility in responding to disasters and protecting lives. He also acknowledged the pivotal role of SFDL, under the leadership of Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, in providing high-quality training opportunities for stakeholders.

Dr. Summaiya Syed told the participants that the knowledge and skills they acquired during the training would help ensure that biological evidence was collected, preserved, and transported properly, thereby maintaining its integrity and evidentiary value.

“Your actions at the scene can make the difference between the successful identification of victims, the resolution of a criminal investigation, and the delivery of justice,” she remarked.

Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan outlined the operational ecosystem of SFDL, noting that it has emerged as a leading center for capacity building in forensic science by regularly conducting training programs for judges, investigating officers, medico-legal experts, prosecutors, and crime scene investigators.

He said that SFDL has been providing scientifically robust forensic evidence that has significantly strengthened criminal investigations and contributed to improving the conviction rate in Sindh from three percent to sixteen percent.

Dr. Amir Hussain delivered a lecture on the legal aspects of the use of forensic DNA evidence in courts of law. Amir Hasan highlighted the objectives and activities of the CPLC Shanakht Project. The Rescue 1122 officers also visited the laboratory, observed its operations, and expressed appreciation for its state-of-the-art equipment, technical expertise, and high standards of work.

The program concluded with a technical session followed by a question-and-answer session led by Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan and other experts.

Karachi: Soldier Bazaar Police have arrested a woman allegedly involved in motorcycle theft and recovered a stolen motorcycle from her possession.

According to the district East Police spokesperson on Thursday, the suspect, identified as Sehar Batool, wife of Kashif Khan, was arrested during an operation conducted on a tip-off.

The spokesperson said the arrest was made with the help of CCTV footage, which allegedly showed the suspect and her husband involved in stealing motorcycles.

The couple had allegedly been involved in dozens of motorcycle theft incidents, while the footage captured them taking away stolen motorcycles.

Police recovered a motorcycle bearing registration number KQX-2361 from the woman’s possession.

A case has been registered against the arrested suspect and her absconding husband under the relevant provisions of the law, while further investigation is underway, the spokesperson added.