Day: July 29, 2026

Karachi: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Sindh have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable water management under a Green Climate Fund (GCF)-supported initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable farming communities from the growing impacts of climate change.

The commitment was reiterated during a high-level review meeting between an FAO delegation, led by Robert Simpson, Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific and FAO Representative ad interim, and senior officials of the Sindh Government, chaired by Bilal Ahmed, Acting Chairman of the Planning and Development Department.

The meeting assessed progress under the GCF-funded project, Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management, reviewed key achievements, and discussed future interventions to enhance climate adaptation, improve water governance, and strengthen interdepartmental coordination.

FAO informed the meeting that the project was being implemented in three districts of Sindh with the objective of improving climate information services, promoting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening farmers’ resilience, and ensuring sustainable water resource management.

Officials highlighted that Master Trainer Farmer Facilitators have been trained to lead Climate Business Farmer Field Schools across project areas, where farmers were receiving practical training in climate-resilient farming practices, efficient irrigation techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods to improve productivity while reducing climate-related risks.

The meeting was also informed that the Hydro Informatics Center of the Sindh Irrigation Department was using data generated through FAO-installed Automatic Weather Stations to provide localized weather advisories, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and better prepare for extreme weather events.

FAO further announced plans to collaborate with Sindh Agriculture University to formally accredit the Farmer Field School curriculum, ensuring the long-term institutionalization and expansion of climate-smart agricultural practices across the province.

Appreciating FAO’s continued technical support, Bilal Ahmed acknowledged the significant progress achieved under the project and reaffirmed the Sindh Government’s commitment to ensuring its successful implementation. He also stressed the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders to maximize the project’s impact.

Speaking on the occasion, Robert Simpson emphasized that sustained collaboration between FAO and the Government of Sindh was essential to strengthening food security and supporting farmers facing the increasing challenges of climate change.

He underscored the importance of agro-meteorological information systems in developing effective early warning mechanisms, enabling farmers to anticipate climate hazards, adopt appropriate adaptation measures, and build long-term resilience. He also emphasized institutionalizing the Farmer Field School approach to ensure the continued dissemination of climate-smart agricultural knowledge and innovation.

The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by FAO and the Government of Sindh to deepen cooperation in advancing climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening water management, enhancing institutional capacity, and securing sustainable livelihoods for farming communities across the province.

Karachi: Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) constituted an inquiry committee to probe in the matter of HIV cases reported at the Social Security Landhi Hospital.

The Commissioner SESSI Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro, in a statement issued here on Tuesday, informed that the five member committee was constituted on direction of Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Security, Saeed Ghani, to review all the cases and the overall situation and determine individual or institutional responsibility.

The committee, headed by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Naila Zaheer, included Medical Officers Dr. Ashraf, Dr. Rashid Hassan Naqvi, and Dr. Tanveer Qadir Khanzada, as well as Deputy Director (Audit) Muhammad Tahir.

The inquiry committee would investigate matters concerning confirmed HIV cases, laboratory and screening tests, hospital staff, and SESSI workers and their families, and submit its detailed report within seven days.

The Commissioner SESSI informed that the committee would examine epidemiological links between the reported cases and investigate the potential sources of infection. It would also review injection practices and the use of disposable syringes or needles; inquire into the procurement and availability of medicines and disposable items; and assess the implementation of biomedical waste management, Standard Operating Procedures, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols at SS Landhi Hospital.

The committee would compile data on the affected children and their parents and submit a detailed report containing findings and specific recommendations to improve the hospital’s overall operations.

Karachi: City administration’s campaign against profiteering continues in the city on the directives of Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi. All Deputy Commissioners have submitted reports on actions against profiteers carried out between 20 July and 26 July to the Commissioner on Tuesday.

The Commissioner’s Office has released details of the drive, showing that Assistant Commissioners visited in their respective areas to check the official prices at 3, 446 shops during the week.

A total of 535 profiteers were fined of Rs. 34 lakh 43 thousand and 980, while 41 shops were sealed, two profiteers were arrested, while785 shopkeepers were issued warnings.

Karachi: Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) has officially launched the “Green Pakistan, Clean Pakistan” campaign at its Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

Organised by the FUUAST Development Society (FDS), the campaign aims to transform the university into a cleaner, greener, more beautiful, and environmentally friendly educational institution.

The comprehensive cleanliness drive has been initiated on the directives of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari.

To support this initiative, Dr. Fouad, Chairman of Gulshan Town, extended special cooperation by providing heavy machinery for the removal of debris, campus cleaning, and the restoration of various areas. The work is currently in full progress across the campus.

The primary objective of the campaign is to make the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus completely green and clean before 14 August 2026, enabling the university to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day in a distinctive and dignified manner.

Karachi: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the newly constructed dual carriageway connecting Mehr-un-Nisa Hospital Road to Nasir Jump and Ibrahim Hyderi Creek Road in District Korangi, linking the districts of Korangi and Malir.

Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the newly constructed road from Mehr-un-Nisa Hospital Road to Nasir Jump and Ibrahim Hyderi Creek Road would make travel easier, safer and faster for citizens.

He said the project would not only provide modern transport facilities but also play a vital role in the overall development of the area.

The Mayor said the project had been completed at a cost of Rs 265. 259 million, under which a 1, 700-metre-long and 9. 3-metre-wide modern road had been constructed.

He said that, in addition to road construction, public convenience had been given priority through the installation of a 36-inch RCC storm-water drainage line for rainwater disposal and an 18-inch RCC sewerage pipeline to improve the sewerage system and effectively address drainage issues during the monsoon.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab added that 1. 5-metre-wide footpaths and kerb blocks had been constructed on both sides of the road, while 53 modern electric poles and streetlights had been installed to ensure safe travel during night-time.

The Mayor announced that the new dual carriageway from Nasir Jump to Ibrahim Hyderi had now been opened to the public, significantly strengthening connectivity between Korangi and Malir districts and providing improved transport facilities to hundreds of thousands of residents.

He said the alternative road near Mehr-un-Nisa Hospital Road and 16, 000 Road would reduce traffic congestion while providing easier access to the SIUT Hospital, industrial areas and nearby residential communities.

He said the completion of the Mehr-un-Nisa Hospital Road to Nasir Jump and Ibrahim Hyderi Road project fulfilled a promise made to the people and represented another important example of modern urban infrastructure development in Karachi.

The Mayor announced that KMC would soon issue tenders for additional development projects worth Rs. 13. 5 billion, while work on another Rs. 1 billion worth of development schemes would also commence shortly.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, MNA Syed Agha Saifullah, MPA Mehmood Alam Jamot, Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi General Secretary Rauf Naghori, Vice Chairman Jan Alam Jamot, members of the City Council and senior officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

Karachi: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday chaired a meeting regarding the Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases (KIKD) to review various matters related to enhancing the institute’s healthcare services, constructing a new block, and providing modern medical facilities to patients.

It was decided that KIKD, operating under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), would be further upgraded in line with modern healthcare standards.

The scope of the institute will also be expanded across the city through the establishment of satellite centres in different areas, enabling kidney patients to access quality treatment closer to their homes.

On the occasion, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced that he would personally donate a modern dialysis machine and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant for KIKD.

He stated that providing the best possible healthcare facilities to citizens is one of KMC’s highest priorities and that every possible effort is being made to achieve this objective.

The Mayor directed Senior Director Medical Services, Dr Babar Khan, to immediately identify a suitable site for the new block and ensure that construction work begins at the earliest so that patients can benefit from expanded and improved healthcare services without delay.

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that under the Pakistan Peoples Party’s city government, not only has Karachi’s basic infrastructure witnessed significant improvement, but healthcare institutions have also been continuously strengthened and upgraded.

He added that the KIKD is a reputable medical institution that provides treatment not only to patients from Karachi but also to people from across the country, making its further expansion a pressing necessity.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Department of the KIKD, Dr Khurram Daniyal, Senior Director Coordination Akhlaq Ahmed Yousafzai, Senior Director Medical Services Dr Babar Khan, and other relevant officials.