come streets well
|

Come to streets, we’ll serve you water’: Nasir

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has responded strongly to recent statements by MQM-P leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal. The remarks have sparked a fresh political exchange between the Sindh government and the MQM-P leadership.

Shah reacted to the MQM-P leaders’ calls for political mobilisation and protests. He said they were free to take to the streets if they wanted to. In a sarcastic remark, he said the weather was hot and that “water would be provided” to them.

The minister also questioned MQM-P’s demand for an account of the past 18 years. He asked the party leaders to explain how much accountability they had themselves provided during their political tenure.

Shah also rejected suggestions about changing the existing structure of Sindh. He said the constitutional and geographical status of the province could not be changed according to the wishes of an individual political leader.

He also criticised Mustafa Kamal’s remarks about the creation of new provinces. Shah said the country was already facing difficulties in managing its existing four provinces. He questioned why there was now a demand for additional provinces.

The minister accused the MQM-P of turning towards public issues as elections approach. He said the party had previously enjoyed the benefits of political power but was now raising issues concerning the people.

Shah’s comments came after Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui accused the Pakistan Peoples Party of creating an ethnic and linguistic divide in Sindh. Siddiqui had also demanded an accurate population count and stronger local governments.

MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal had separately said that the party would take to the streets to demand its rights. The statements have increased political tension between the MQM-P and the Sindh government.

Sindh Culture Minister Zulfiqar Shah also criticised the MQM-P leadership. He said Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was struggling to protect his position as party chairman.

Zulfiqar Shah described the differences between Khalid Maqbool and Mustafa Kamal as the result of what he called divisive politics. He said the MQM-P leadership should first resolve its own differences.

He also questioned the competing positions within the party. According to Zulfiqar Shah, the divided leadership should first decide whose statements should be taken seriously.

The latest exchange comes amid renewed political debate over Sindh’s governance, representation and local government system. MQM-P has been demanding greater authority for local governments and an accurate population census.

The party has also raised concerns about political representation and resource distribution in Sindh. The Sindh government, however, has rejected calls that could affect the province’s existing constitutional and geographical structure.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Ro Khanna supports call to enforce ICC warrant against Netanyahu

    US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has backed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be arrested if he enters US jurisdiction under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Khanna said the United States should cooperate with the international court and uphold international law regardless of who is involved. Speaking during an interview on Capitol Hill, the California lawmaker said the US president should enforce ICC arrest warrants for any individual wanted by the court, including both Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin if they were to enter American jurisdiction. He argued that respecting international law is essential to protecting human rights and maintaining a rules based international order. According to Khanna, US authorities should act on such warrants rather than ignoring them. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024, accusing him of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack in October 2023. Israel has strongly rejected the accusations and criticized the court’s decision, maintaining that its military actions were carried out in self defense. Khanna’s remarks come after his recent visit to the occupied West Bank, where he said he was briefly detained by Israeli settlers and members of the Israeli military while visiting a Palestinian village. The congressman suggested the incident had strengthened his views on the importance of accountability and respect for international law. Khanna, who is considered a possible Democratic presidential candidate for the 2028 election, also joked that detaining potential future US presidents was unlikely to improve relations with Washington. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also been outspoken on the issue. He recently said he had explored whether city authorities could arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly later this year. Mamdani later acknowledged that a city mayor does not have the legal authority to carry out such an arrest but argued that the federal government could take action if it chose to do so. Mamdani has publicly stated that he believes anyone facing charges before the International Criminal Court should be held accountable through legal proceedings. His comments have attracted significant attention in the United States, where debate over the Gaza conflict and Washington’s relationship with Israel remains deeply divided. President Donald Trump has firmly rejected any suggestion that Netanyahu could be arrested while visiting the United States. Earlier this week, Trump stated that the Israeli prime minister would not face arrest under any circumstances during his stay in the country, making clear that his administration would not enforce the ICC warrant. Khanna responded by accusing Trump of ignoring international law and failing to prioritize human rights. He argued that refusing to cooperate with the International Criminal Court damages America’s credibility and weakens the international legal system. He also suggested that enforcing the ICC warrant could strengthen Washington’s influence over Israel, particularly after reports that Netanyahu continued military operations in Lebanon despite US pressure to observe a ceasefire. According to Khanna, accountability should apply equally to all leaders regardless of their position or political alliances. He said individuals facing serious allegations before an international court should not expect to travel freely without legal consequences. Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington next week for talks with President Trump. The meeting will be their first face to face discussion since the United States and Israel carried out joint military strikes against Iran earlier this year. During the visit, Netanyahu is also expected to attend the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who was widely regarded as one of Israel’s strongest supporters in the US Congress. The visit is likely to attract international attention as debate continues over the ICC warrant, the war in Gaza and the future of US policy toward Israel.

  • |

    Pakistan squad arrives in England for Test series

    Pakistan’s Test squad has arrived in England for a three-match series, with the team set to begin preparations ahead of the opening Test on August 19. The national side reached England after drawing their recent Test series in the West Indies 1-1. The upcoming tour will present another demanding challenge, particularly with England’s conditions expected to test Pakistan’s batters and bowlers. The Pakistan squad will take a short break on August 8 and 9 before returning to training. The team is scheduled to begin its first practice session on August 10 at the County Ground in Beckenham. Training is scheduled to start at 9:30am local time as the players begin adapting to the English conditions. Before the Test series gets underway, Pakistan will have an important opportunity to fine-tune their combinations during a four-day practice match against a Select XI. The warm-up fixture is scheduled to take place from August 12 to 15. The practice game is expected to help the team management assess players ahead of the first Test while allowing the squad to adjust to the pace, movement and weather conditions in England. Pakistan and England will then begin their three-Test series on August 19. The visitors will be hoping to carry lessons from their West Indies campaign into the tour and make a strong start in England. For Pakistan, the series will also provide an important test of their red-ball depth, with both experienced players and younger members of the squad expected to play key roles. With training, a four-day practice match and the opening Test all lined up, Pakistan’s preparations are now officially underway. The team will be eager to use the coming days wisely before the real contest begins on August 19, when Pakistan and England resume their battle in the longest format of the game.

  • | |

    Philippines school shooting livestreamed by studen…

    ZAMBOANGA, Philippines: A school in the southern Philippines was plunged into panic on Tuesday after a Grade 9 student opened fire inside classrooms, killing a fellow student before taking his own life, authorities said. The attack was reportedly livestreamed through a body-worn camera, adding a disturbing dimension to an incident that has renewed concerns over school safety in the country. The shooting occurred at a school attached to the privately run Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga city. According to a preliminary police report, the student entered the campus carrying a pistol and a rifle before firing inside two classrooms. Zamboanga Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said authorities confirmed that the attack had been livestreamed. Reuters said it verified footage showing the shooter entering one classroom and opening fire before switching weapons and moving to another classroom. Police identified the victim as a male Grade 10 student. The gunman, who was a Grade 9 student, later died by suicide. Two other people were wounded, while several students suffered injuries as they attempted to flee the building during the chaos. Classes were subsequently suspended. The motive behind the attack remained unclear. Officials said one of the weapons was a .40-caliber pistol issued by the Bureau of Customs to the shooter’s father, who is a customs official and has since been relieved of his post. A second firearm recovered from the scene was reportedly a licensed weapon belonging to the father. The incident prompted an immediate response from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate the shooting and examine measures to prevent violence in schools. “Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them,” Marcos said, stressing that schools should be among the safest places in the country. The school occupies an approximately eight-hectare site and includes facilities for grade school and junior high school students. Videos verified by Reuters showed students rushing from the campus as gunshots could be heard in the background. Tuesday’s attack comes less than two months after another school shooting in the Philippines. In June, at least three students were killed and about 20 others injured when two students opened fire at a public high school in Tacloban City. School shootings remain relatively uncommon in the Philippines, which has regulations covering firearm ownership, including background checks and psychological evaluations. However, officials continue to face challenges from the circulation of illegal firearms. The Zamboanga shooting also came less than 10 days after a student shooting rampage at a school near Bangkok, highlighting growing regional concerns over violence involving young people and the urgent need for stronger safeguards in educational institutions.

  • | |

    Medical colleges lower passing marks as seats rema…

    ISLAMABAD: A proposal to reduce the passing threshold for medical college admissions to 50 percent has emerged amid concerns over vacant seats despite efforts to lower merit requirements. The matter was discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar. The committee also examined complaints alleging that some medical colleges were charging fees above the permitted limit. Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar said medical colleges are allowed to charge annual fees of up to Rs1.8 million. He directed officials to provide details of institutions allegedly collecting higher fees from students. The chairman also questioned why seats were still remaining vacant after merit requirements had already been relaxed. He suggested that the passing marks could be set at 50 percent and that the proportion of difficult questions in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s entrance examination could also be reviewed. Federal Health Minister said 61 medical colleges had applied for permission to increase their fees. However, he clarified that colleges cannot raise fees independently and that only 35 of the 61 institutions had fulfilled the required conditions for a fee increase. Colleges failing to meet the prescribed criteria would not be permitted to charge higher fees. The President of the PMDC informed the committee that notices had been issued to medical colleges against which complaints of excessive fee collection had been received. Committee member Mustafa Kamal said vacant seats were also a concern for the authorities, but argued that high fees alone could not explain the situation. He pointed out that colleges charging around Rs3.5 million had not faced vacant seats, suggesting that other factors may also be contributing to the problem. The PMDC president further informed the committee that 468 additional seats had been approved for government medical colleges in Punjab, while 315 seats had been added for students from the former FATA region. When the committee chairman asked about an increase in medical seats in Sindh, the PMDC president said no additional seats had been allocated because the province had not submitted an application for an increase.

  • | |

    Araghchi says diplomacy possible if US changes course

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a return to diplomacy with the United States remains possible, but Washington must first accept that its pressure-based approach will not work. Araghchi made the remarks on Friday after holding what he described as constructive and creative discussions with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jassim Al Thani. The Iranian foreign minister said the United States should take steps to rebuild trust and engage Tehran through respectful dialogue. He also called on Washington to recognise Iran’s rights and honour commitments made under previous agreements. The comments come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly over sanctions, maritime restrictions and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and the US reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Islamabad in June through mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. The understanding included measures aimed at ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, removing a US naval blockade and beginning a 60-day negotiating process. Tehran has since accused Washington of failing to implement important parts of the agreement. Iranian officials have maintained that the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully reopened until the United States fulfils its commitments. The diplomatic dispute has also triggered a sharp exchange between Iranian and US officials. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after Bessent accused Tehran of spending large amounts of money abroad while Iranian citizens face economic difficulties. Ghalibaf rejected the criticism and argued that Washington should focus on its own domestic challenges rather than spending heavily on overseas military deployments and allies. The latest statements come as the United States maintains pressure on Iran and closely monitors maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. US Central Command said its forces had cleared sea mines from internationally recognised shipping lanes in the strait. Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said American military personnel from several branches had taken part in the operation. According to US officials, American forces have helped commercial vessels pass through the waterway while also stopping ships accused of attempting to bypass the maritime blockade. Iran, however, disputes Washington’s position and has warned that continued economic and maritime restrictions could provoke retaliation. Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran would target US economic interests if the blockade continued. He also claimed that Iran had managed to maintain significant oil exports and establish alternative routes despite restrictions. Rezaei further warned against any military advance toward Beirut or southern Lebanon, calling the area a red line for Iran.

  • | |

    Father challenges medical report in Mir Raza case

    The mystery surrounding the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali Khan remains unresolved as investigators continue to examine evidence, while the victim’s family insists he was murdered and has raised questions about the findings of the preliminary medical report. Mir Raza’s father, Hussain Raza, has rejected the possibility of suicide. He claimed his son was killed and alleged that attempts were being made to present the case as a suicide. He expressed concern over the medical report, saying it mentioned only the gunshot injury and did not describe what he believes were signs of physical violence on his son’s body. According to the father, Mir Raza had injuries on his face, hands and other parts of his body. He also claimed his son was shot from behind and questioned why the report did not include details of the alleged injuries. He further asked investigators to explain what happened during the period between his son’s disappearance on July 28 and the recovery of his body the following day. He said Mir Raza had spoken to his sister before leaving home and appeared to be in good spirits. The taxi driver who transported him also reportedly told investigators that Mir Raza seemed relaxed and was listening to music during the journey. The family has appealed to senior authorities for a transparent and impartial investigation. The investigation has made further progress with the recovery of another CCTV recording showing Mir Raza’s movements before his death. The footage reportedly captures him taking his mobile phone out of his pocket and throwing it away. Investigators are conducting forensic and technical analysis of the video to determine its significance. Police said the preliminary medical examination found that Mir Raza died from a gunshot wound to the chest. However, the firearm used in the incident and the spent bullet casing have not yet been recovered, leaving investigators without key physical evidence. As part of the ongoing investigation, police are also looking into Mir Raza’s financial dealings. Initial inquiries suggest he had borrowed money from several individuals. Authorities are preparing a list of those people and are questioning them to determine whether any financial dispute may have contributed to the incident. Investigators have so far included 12 individuals in the inquiry and recorded statements from 15 people connected to the case. Earlier CCTV footage showed Mir Raza leaving his shop in Bahadurabad during the early hours after taking a security guard’s pistol from a drawer. He later returned home, where he left behind his car, smartwatch, house keys and Rs39,000 before booking an online taxi. Further footage showed him traveling alone to Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Investigators believe he switched off his mobile phone near Johar Mor before reaching Block 2, where he was last traced.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *