Karachi sees drop in robbery, murder cases

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Rakhni and nearby areas in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday, causing tremors that were felt across the region. According to seismic monitoring authorities, the earthquake originated at a depth of 37 kilometres below the surface. The moderate tremor was felt in Rakhni and surrounding localities, prompting residents to leave their homes and workplaces as a precaution. There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or significant property damage following the earthquake. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and assessing whether the tremor caused any structural damage in affected areas. Earthquakes of moderate intensity are relatively common in Balochistan due to the province’s location along active tectonic fault lines. The region lies near the boundary where the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate interact, making it one of Pakistan’s most seismically active areas. Although a magnitude 4.0 earthquake is generally considered moderate, its impact can vary depending on factors such as the depth of the quake, the distance from the epicentre, and local geological conditions. Shallow earthquakes are often felt more strongly than deeper ones, even if their magnitude is relatively low. Emergency management officials have advised residents to remain alert for any possible aftershocks, although no additional seismic activity had been reported immediately after the initial tremor. Citizens are also encouraged to follow official safety guidelines and avoid spreading unverified information on social media. Pakistan frequently experiences seismic activity because of its geographical location on the collision zone of major tectonic plates. While many earthquakes are minor and cause little or no damage, stronger tremors have historically resulted in significant destruction, particularly in mountainous regions. Disaster management authorities continue to monitor seismic developments and will provide updates if further activity is recorded or if any damage assessments reveal new information. Residents in the affected areas have been urged to report any structural damage to local authorities and to remain cautious until the situation is fully assessed. The latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness in vulnerable regions, including adherence to building safety standards and public awareness of emergency response procedures.

Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has clarified that the recent statement made by Noreen Niazi regarding the “Battle of Truth” (Maarka-e-Haq) does not reflect the official policy of the party. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized that the remarks were Noreen Niazi’s personal views and should not be interpreted as PTI’s official position. During the media interaction, Barrister Gohar said that every Pakistani takes pride in the country’s success in what he described as the Maarka-e-Haq. He stressed that Pakistan’s defense is strong and capable of protecting the country from any external threat. According to him, the nation remains united when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty, and no enemy has the ability to defeat Pakistan. Addressing questions about Noreen Niazi’s comments, Barrister Gohar explained that, according to the information available to him, the interview in question had actually been recorded around three months ago. He stated that the remarks expressed during that interview represented Noreen Niazi’s personal opinion and not the official stance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He reiterated that the party’s policies are determined through its official leadership and decision-making process, not through individual statements. The PTI chairman further said that the party has consistently been trying to improve the overall political atmosphere in the country. He noted that political leaders should avoid reopening old controversies and instead focus on reducing tensions. According to Barrister Gohar, this is a time for restraint and reconciliation rather than confrontation. He remarked that everyone should avoid revisiting past disputes if the goal is to create a more stable political environment. Speaking about the current political climate, Barrister Gohar also referred to comments made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He pointed out that the senior politician had already clarified his earlier remarks. Barrister Gohar observed that, during emotional speeches, public figures may sometimes say things that they later need to explain. However, he added that if a statement is incorrect, it should be acknowledged as such regardless of who made it. He further emphasized that certain sensitive matters should not be discussed publicly if doing so could worsen the political situation. According to him, some issues are better left untouched in order to help the country move toward greater political stability and national harmony. He urged political leaders and stakeholders to exercise caution in their public statements and avoid comments that could increase tensions. Barrister Gohar also spoke about PTI’s position regarding the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He stated that, at present, the party’s official decision is to boycott the elections. However, he indicated that the decision is not necessarily final and could be reviewed if political conditions improve in the future. He revealed that there had been internal discussions within the party about reconsidering the boycott. According to Barrister Gohar, some members believed that PTI should revisit its decision and participate in the elections. Nevertheless, he explained that the party leadership could not reach a consensus on changing the existing policy. As a result, the decision to boycott the AJK elections remains in place for now. The PTI chairman concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to promoting political stability and constructive dialogue. He stressed that while differences of opinion are a normal part of politics, all political actors should prioritize national unity and work toward creating an environment that supports peace, democratic processes, and institutional stability.

Muzaffargarh: A wedding celebration turned into a tragedy after an overloaded rickshaw carrying members of a wedding party plunged into a canal on Monday evening, leaving at least seven people dead and several others missing. According to rescue officials, the incident occurred when the rickshaw, which was carrying a large number of passengers including women and children, reportedly lost control while travelling along the canal-side road. The vehicle skidded off the road and fell into the water. Local residents and rescue divers immediately launched an operation to search for the passengers. Nine people were rescued alive and shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Some of those rescued were reported to be in critical condition. Rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of seven people. The deceased have been identified as 14-year-old Dilawar, son of Abdul Rasheed; seven-year-old Muneeb, son of Rashid; 58-year-old Sakina Bibi, wife of Allah Ditta; 15-year-old Sameera Bibi, daughter of M Shafiq; M Saim, son of M Iqbal; seven-year-old M Sabtain, son of Musharraf; and nine-year-old Raju, son of M Iqbal. Several passengers are still believed to be missing. Those reported missing include M Bilal, son of M Iqbal; M Yasir, son of Fida Hussain; M Ali, son of M Shafiq; Usman, son of Ghulam Fareed; Shakir, son of Ashiq Hussain; Hassnain, son of Musharraf Ali; Iqbal Bibi, daughter of Fida Hussain; Kaleem Ullah, son of Basheer Ahmad; and Zareef, son of Wazeer Ahmad. The rickshaw was reportedly carrying far more passengers than its permitted capacity, raising concerns about dangerous overloading. Rescue teams continued their search operation on Tuesday as authorities feared the death toll could increase. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the families of the wedding party, with relatives anxiously awaiting information about their loved ones as the recovery operation continues.