Category: Karachi

Karachi: The total liquid foreign reserves of Pakistan stood at US$ 16,408.7 million as of December 27, 2024 while the reserves held by the central bank were recorded as $ 11,710.5 million.

The State Bank of Pakistan, Thursday, reported that foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank 'decreased by US$ 143 million to US$ 11,710.5 million due to external debt repayments' during the week ended on December 27, 2024.

The break up shows that net foreign reserves of $ 4,698.2 million were held by commercial banks during the week under review.

Total liquid foreign reserves held by the country, in the previous week ended on December 20, 2024, were $ 16,371.5 million. Among them foreign reserves held by the central bank were recorded as $ 11,853.5 million while commercial banks held net reserves of $ 4,518 million.

Karachi: Arther Miller's acclaimed play, Death of a Salesman, will open at the National Academy of Performing Arts-NAPA in Urdu from 8 January 2025.

This was announced by CEO NAPA Junaid Zuberi at a press conference on Thursday. Flanked by play's director Faizan Chawla and the cast members, he said this play was very relevant to Pakistani society even though it has not been adapted.

Chawla, who also spoke at the press conference, said he had always wanted to direct this play because of its relatability to the present-day Pakistani society.

The cast members that were present at the press conference included Safia Bhalaisha, Usama Khan, Zohair Zubair, and Ashmal Lalwani. They described their respective characters and said this play had layers of themes.

CEO NAPA Junaid Zuberi said this play had been selected because of its emotional depth.

Karachi: The 7th Agricultural Census 2024 - Integrated Digital Count was officially launched here on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards modernizing data collection in the country's agriculture sector.

The event saw the presence of prominent figures, including Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, and Minister for Planning, Development, and Energy, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, along with Dr Naeem-uz-Zafar, Chief Statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Dr Naeem-uz-Zafar, in his keynote speech, described the census as a trans-formative initiative for the agricultural sector, stating that this is the first time the census will integrate data on agriculture, livestock, and machinery into a single, digital operation. He emphasized the role of modern technology, including tablet-based data collection and GIS dashboards, in ensuring accurate and timely data. "This census will guide evidence-based decision-making for sustainable growth in agriculture," Dr Naeem noted.

The census aims to provide detailed insights into Pakistan's agrarian structure, crop patterns, livestock, and mechanization. Extensive training has been conducted for nearly 1,700 enumerators and supervisors in Sindh, ensuring a high standard of data collection. Sindh, with its 8.2 million acres of cultivated land, plays a crucial role in Pakistan's agricultural economy, contributing significantly to cotton, rice, sugarcane, and wheat production.

Muhammad Ali Malkani highlighted the importance of the census in addressing food security, climate resilience, and rural development. He emphasized that the data collected would be instrumental in driving sustainable progress and uplifting farmers. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also expressed the government's commitment to using technology to overcome challenges in the agriculture sector.

Journalists raised questions about the 16-year gap since the last agricultural census and the effectiveness of this census amidst the ongoing climate crisis. Field operations for the census will continue until February 10th, with final results expected by August 2025. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments to leverage technology for sustainable development in agriculture.

Karachi: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar emphasized the importance of peaceful protests while ensuring public roads remain open, in light of ongoing sit-ins across Karachi.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Police Office on Wednesday, he stated that while the government is ready to provide protesters with a safe space, blocking roads will not be tolerated.

Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar urged protesters to vacate the roads, warning that action would be taken if they refused. "I am offering negotiations through Commissioner Karachi and Additional IGP Karachi," he said. "We are open to dialogue, but the government will enforce its authority."

The Home Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, stating that law enforcement agencies will fulfill their duties to protect citizens and prevent the shutdown of the city. He clarified, "We will not compromise on the safety and freedom of movement for the people of Karachi."

IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon and Additional IGP Karachi Javed Alam Odho were also present during the briefing.

Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar noted that initial agreements with the protesters included assurances that roads would not be blocked, but over time, the number of sit-ins grew, leading to disruptions. "Our intention is not to target any group, but if the state's authority is challenged, we will assert it," he added.

He further disclosed that 19 individuals had been arrested and 3 cases registered under various legal sections due to the unrest. The Home Minister expressed concern over the difficulties citizens face due to road closures.

In reference to the situation in Parachinar, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar acknowledged the Sindh government's solidarity. "We condemn the atrocities in Parachinar, and as proposed by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori, we have sent aid. The ongoing violence there is condemnable, and the KP government must seek a resolution."

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said while claiming to be peaceful, the protesters have caused damages, including the burning of eight motorcycles, one belonging to a traffic cop. Several police personnel were also injured, with five sustaining minor injuries and three in serious condition.

Karachi: The Public Accounts Committee of the Sindh Assembly, Wednesday, directed to initiate measures for recovery of Rs20 billion water charges due on different state owned entities and seek assistance of federal government in the regard.

The Sindh Assembly PAC, in a meeting presided over by the Chairman Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, reviewed audit paras pertaining to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Ministry of Local Government, said a statement issued here.

The Sindh PAC directed the Additional Chief Secretary Local Government and CEO Water Board to communicate to the relevant federal government institutions for the payment of dues to federal institutions situated in the province.

The PAC also summoned the relevant officials of various federal government institutions to the PAC on January 21 in the regard.

The PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro said that the Water Board owed Rs20 Billion outstanding arrears of water charges to Pakistan Steel Mills, Sui Southern Gas, PSO, KPT, Pakistan Railways, PIA, National Shipping Corporation, Port Qasim Authority, Marine Fisheries, Cantonment Boards, Karachi Shipyard, Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, Cotton Export Corporation, and other institutions.

The some of the outstanding amount dates back to 2016 while only the Pakistan Steel Mills has to pay Rs10 billion arrears of water charges, he added.

Nisar Khuhro has said that Sindh has provided water facilities to federal institutions, but these federal institutions are not paying dues. He requested the federal government to take notice of the issue and initiate necessary measures for payment of dues to KWSB.

Karachi: Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori on Wednesday has announced to provide free modern IT courses to as many as 500000 youth during 2025.

Addressing the people at Governor House during New Year celebrations, he said under the Governor's Initiative, more opportunities would be provided to the people of the province.

The Governor informed that since last year, 900,000 ration bags were distributed among deserving people and 50,000 youth were enrolled for IT courses.

He said that mote employment, clean water, affordable electricity supply and cleanliness would be ensured in 2025.

Earlier, new world record was set by setting off fireworks for more than 40 minutes at the Governor's House on New Year celebration.