Syed Mustafa Kamal, a lawmaker from Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), drew attention to the severe lack of basic amenities in Karachi by contrasting the city’s conditions with India’s recent success in space exploration.
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Kavita Solanki, the owner of ‘Kavita Didi Ka Indian Khana’ in Karachi, has introduced Indian street food favorites like vada pao and pav bhaji to Pakistan. The food stall has gained popularity due to the authenticity and taste of its homemade dishes. Solanki’s clientele comprises people from all faiths, particularly those seeking a meatless option.
The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has sealed two businesses in Karachi for tax evasion. Sajjad Restaurant at Do Darya and Dawat, an event management company in Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Phase VI, DHA, were found to have under-declared their sales and evaded Sindh Sales Tax (SST). Additionally, they failed to file tax returns despite multiple advisories and notices from the SRB. Sajjad Restaurant also violated rules by not integrating its Point of Sales (POS) system with the SRB’s prescribed system. The SRB remains committed to ensuring tax compliance and will continue taking action against non-compliant service providers.
The Karachi trader community has incurred a staggering loss of over Rs 3.5 billion due to the city-wide closure enforced during Iranian President Dr. Ibrahim Raisi’s visit. The one-day shutdown caused severe financial setbacks, with traders expressing strong disappointment over the government’s decision. According to Jameel Paracha, Chairman of the Sindh Trade Union, the closure of major roads in the city severely restricted movement, leading to a collective loss of over Rs 3.5 billion. Major commercial hubs such as the Electronics Market, Jodia Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, and Cloth Market were affected, with most shops remaining shut. Although hotels and restaurants remained open, business was minimal.
Karachi, Hyderabad, and other parts of Sindh are expecting a spell of rain, thunderstorms, and dust-raising winds this Thursday and Friday. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) anticipates a westerly wave to engulf most upper and central parts of the province by Friday. Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy conditions for most districts, with the aforementioned cities and others experiencing potential impacts from the weather system, including impacts on crops, loose structures, and human life. Farmers are advised to adjust their crop management practices accordingly. The weather is also expected to bring a slight drop in temperatures.
Ali Kerio, a 17-year-old judge’s son, was tragically shot and killed by his friend, Daniyal Nazeer Mir Bahar, the son of a retired police officer. The incident occurred in the upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V area of Karachi on February 8th when Kerio allegedly ate half of one of two zinger burgers that Bahar had ordered for himself and his girlfriend. Enraged by this, Bahar grabbed his security guard’s assault rifle and opened fire on Kerio, who died on the way to the hospital. The investigating officer has submitted a report implicating Bahar in the crime, who is currently in jail awaiting legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made his first official visit to Karachi since becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan for a second time. During his visit, he paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at his mausoleum and met with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Khan Tessori. PM Shehbaz also met with representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss economic improvement. Law and order and governance were key topics in his discussions with the governor and chief minister, particularly the rising crime rate in the city.
Despite the departure of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, several schools in Karachi remain closed due to road blockades. Containers have been placed as barricades in several areas, making it difficult for schoolchildren to reach their schools. The education department has stated that all educational institutions are open as usual, while school administrations in areas near the blocked routes have said that their schools are open but containers are being removed. Traffic police have reported that the main Sharea Faisal and surrounding roads have been restored for traffic.
Following Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Karachi, the city’s main arteries have reopened to traffic. Key routes such as Governor House Road, the path from Lucky Star to Shahrah Faisal, and the route from Metropole Chowrangi to PIDC and Ziauddin Ahmed Road are now accessible. The reopening has brought relief to commuters, who had been facing severe traffic disruptions. However, the flyover from Lucky Star to Jinnah Hospital remains closed, and traffic police are working to remove containers that had been placed on the roads during the visit.
In a heartbreaking incident, the roof of a residential building in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area tragically collapsed on Monday night, resulting in the loss of one life. Rescue teams and police promptly responded to the scene, rushing the injured to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where sadly, one individual succumbed to their injuries.