National

Sindh Senior Minister for Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that 80 to 85 per cent of the work on the corridor along Karachi’s University Road has been completed. He said the remaining work is expected to be finished by September 15, after which the road project will be fully completed. Sharjeel Memon made the remarks during a visit to the BRT Red Line project. He reviewed the ongoing construction work and the traffic situation along University Road. The minister said traffic is currently moving smoothly on the road and that there are no major disruptions to the flow of vehicles. He also announced that a large number of double-decker buses are expected to arrive in Karachi next month. Electric vehicles will also be introduced as part of efforts to improve the city’s public transport system. According to the minister, the Sindh government has already approved 500 electric buses. He added that Pink Scooties would soon be made available for women as part of initiatives aimed at improving mobility and transportation options. Sharjeel Memon said the provincial government was working on several public service projects across different sectors. He maintained that the Pakistan Peoples Party comes to power through the public mandate and focuses on completing development and welfare projects after assuming office. Speaking about Thar, the minister said the region has extensive coal reserves that can be used to generate relatively inexpensive electricity. He said Thar coal could also be utilised to meet the energy requirements of power plants across Pakistan. He further highlighted what he described as the Pakistan Peoples Party’s contribution to the country, including its role in Pakistan’s development as a nuclear power. Discussing the performance of the Sindh government, Memon said work was continuing around the clock in different departments. He said significant progress had been made on a housing programme aimed at constructing 2.1 million homes, with a large number of houses already completed. The minister described the housing initiative as one of the largest projects of its kind in the world. He also referred to the Shahrah-e-Bhutto, saying heavy traffic on the newly constructed road demonstrated its importance and success. He claimed Sindh was the only province focusing on practical development rather than political propaganda. On Karachi’s transport needs, Memon said public transport services would be expanded across the city without discrimination. He said voters could support any political party, but the government would continue to provide transport facilities in every part of Karachi. The minister also highlighted developments in Sindh’s healthcare sector. He said the provincial government was providing free and modern medical facilities and had introduced several initiatives before similar measures were adopted elsewhere. Memon also pointed to the province’s air ambulance service, saying the facility had already been operational for some time.

A 45-year-old woman was found dead inside an apartment in Rawalpindi’s Lalkurti area, with her hands tied behind her back and a wire around her neck. The woman, identified as Hina Javed, was discovered in the bathroom of a second-floor apartment at Askari Apartments on Thursday morning. According to the police complaint, the incident came to light after Hina’s father-in-law contacted her brother, Fahad Javed Malik, and informed him that an emergency had occurred at the residence. Malik and other family members then reached the apartment and found Hina dead. The family told police that Hina’s hands had been tied with cloth and that her mouth was gagged. A wire was also found around her neck and connected to the bathroom shower. Police collected evidence from the scene as part of the investigation. Hina’s relatives have accused her husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, his domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad and his father, Asghar Ali Fayyaz, of being involved in the alleged killing. Police have not yet established the responsibility of any suspect, and the allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation. Hina had married Faisal in November 2025. Her brother told police that she had previously complained about domestic violence and alleged that she had faced repeated physical and psychological abuse after her marriage. The family also alleged that Hina’s husband had previously subjected another wife to abuse, which they believe may be relevant to the case. Hina was employed by a semi-government organisation, while her husband had reportedly faced periods of unemployment, according to her family. Police registered a murder case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 302 deals with murder, while Section 34 concerns acts carried out by multiple people with a common intention. The woman’s body was shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police said evidence from the apartment was being examined and efforts were underway to locate the suspects. Civil Lines police said the investigation was continuing and that no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. Authorities said further action would depend on the findings of the investigation and forensic examination. The complainant also alleged that Hina had faced severe physical violence and torture during her marriage. He further claimed that her husband had allegedly abused his previous wife, who later obtained a divorce. Police registered the case at Civil Lines police station under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The provisions relate to murder and acts allegedly committed by several people with a common intention. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Hina’s death. Police are expected to rely on forensic evidence, the post-mortem examination and statements from family members and other witnesses to determine the actual cause of death and establish responsibility. The case has once again highlighted concerns over violence against women and domestic abuse in Pakistan. Rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger protection mechanisms and timely action when women report threats or violence within their homes.

Families of crew members killed in a cargo aircraft crash in the Arabian Sea have called for an immediate search for the aircraft’s wreckage and black box in the deep sea. The families also complained that authorities and the company involved have not provided adequate assistance in obtaining death certificates and completing other legal formalities for their deceased relatives. They urged the government to intervene and help resolve these issues. Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, the victims’ families said more than 40 days had passed since the crash, but they had seen little progress in efforts to locate the missing parts of the aircraft. They said the prolonged lack of information had increased their distress and created the impression that the victims had been forgotten. The families called for the search operation to be resumed as soon as possible, particularly for the aircraft’s black box, cockpit and other major wreckage believed to be lying on the seabed. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 operated by private cargo company K2 Airways, crashed into deep waters off the Balochistan coast on July 7 while travelling from Sharjah to Karachi. Some wreckage was recovered from the crash area, but the aircraft’s black box, cockpit and the remains of the crew members have not yet been located. The families demanded that the authorities seek assistance from international companies and foreign experts specialising in deep-sea recovery operations. They also called for greater cooperation from the company’s owners and relevant government institutions, saying families should not be left to deal with legal and administrative difficulties on their own. The victims’ relatives said they wanted a transparent investigation into the crash and a serious effort to recover the remaining wreckage and flight data recorder.

KARACHI: Karachi police have finalised an extensive security plan for the Chup Tazia processions, deploying more than 6,000 officers and personnel across the city. According to a police spokesperson, a total of 6,065 personnel will be assigned to security duties at the two major processions. Around 3,745 police officers and personnel will secure the procession scheduled to begin from Nishtar Park in the morning. Another 2,320 personnel will be deployed for the procession originating from Qasr-e-Musib later in the day. The security arrangements include dedicated teams for checking and searches, route protection and surveillance. Police personnel will also be stationed at rooftops, entry and exit points, return routes and other locations considered sensitive. CCTV control rooms will monitor the movement of the processions and help security officials respond quickly to any developing situation. Police have also planned deployments at major hospitals as part of the overall security arrangements. Officials said the measures were designed to protect participants, maintain order and ensure emergency services remain accessible. The authorities said security teams would conduct thorough checking along the routes and at key access points. Traffic management arrangements have also been put in place to minimise disruption and facilitate the movement of participants and commuters. Karachi police urged citizens attending or living near the procession routes to cooperate with security personnel and follow official instructions. The public has also been advised to immediately inform police about any suspicious person, activity or unattended object. Police said the arrangements would remain focused on ensuring a peaceful observance, maintaining public safety and enabling a swift response in case of any emergency