Riverbank encroachments figure in PA

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday referred the issue of illegal constructions in flood-affected areas to the Law Reforms Committee, with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati stressing the need for a comprehensive policy to regulate development along riverbanks. He said that conflicting departmental laws had hindered effective action, and urged the local government, minerals, environment and […]

Schools to remain closed in Karachi today

All public and private educational institutions in Karachi will remain closed on Wednesday, September 10, following forecasts of heavy monsoon rains and severe weather conditions. The decision was made following a weather advisory from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), warning of widespread rain, strong winds, and thundershowers in the region, an official notification issued by the Karachi […]

End of euphoria?

Dhaka hosted Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Senator, on his recent two-day official (not bilateral) visit to Bangladesh. Warm handshakes, official photographs, talk of opening hearts, and even visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders dominated current affairs shows on Pakistani TV channels and social media. For opportunistic and impatient commentators, a “paradigm […]

PTA denies involvement in reported data leaks

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), on Tuesday, took notice of media reports regarding the alleged availability of subscriber data online. Clarifying the reports, the authority said it neither holds nor manages subscriber information, which remains the responsibility of licenced operators. Initial review shows the reported datasets include family details, travel records, vehicle registrations, and CNIC copies […]

Obstetric patients denied maternal care

Maternity facilities across major teaching hospitals in Lahore have come under severe pressure as a shortage of beds, overcrowding of patients and inadequate availability of equipment and staff instigate an alarming birthing crisis, threatening the lives of countless low-income women and their unborn babies. Although public hospitals in Lahore like the Lady Willingdon, Lady Aitchison, […]