Category: 1. Pakistan

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani said that 588 buildings in Karachi are deemed unsafe, with 456 of these located in the South District alone.

Speaking during ARY News programme ‘Aitraz Hai’, the minister said that 16 dangeour buildings have been evacuated over the past few months, though some critically unsafe ones remain occupied despite ‘efforts’ to clear them.

“Forceful evictions attract criticism, but we will proceed with action against unsafe buildings regardless,” Saeed Ghani added.

He said that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has called a high-level meeting on the dangerous buildings in Karachi.

Speaking on the recent collapse of a building in Karachi’s Lyari in which at least 21 person lost their lives, the local government minister said a team tried to evacuate the same building just days before the incident but the attempt he said faced resistance from the residents.

“The government tries to vacate unsafe buildings after issuing notices,” he added.

‘Officials involved in illegal constructions’

Saeed Ghani conceded that some officials of the concerned departments are involved in illegal constructions.

He said that the current laws do not allow the government to take strict action against so-called builders.

Read More: Death toll rises to 21 in Karachi building collapse

Saeed Ghani also called for harsh measures against citizens purchasing these buildings. He said that the Sindh government is also working to launch an app to guide the public, providing information on the legal status of constructions.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the collapse of a five-storey residential building in Karachi’s Lyari Baghdadi area has climbed to 21, with rescue teams recovering two more bodies from the rubble, according to officials from Rescue 1122.

The officials confirmed that 21 bodies have been retrieved so far, with fears that more individuals may still be trapped under the rubble. The operation, now in its second day, is expected to take at least eight more hours to complete due to the complexity of the debris removal process.

The devastating incident occurred as a six-storey residential building collapsed in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, Karachi.

The collapsed building, constructed in 1974, had been declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) three years ago, with multiple notices issued to residents to vacate the premises.

Major cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, observed Muharram 9 processions on Saturday under tight security, with mobile phone services suspended in some areas and key locations sealed amid fears of unrest.

Authorities in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar deployed tens of thousands of police personnel, sealed sensitive areas, and partially suspended mobile phone services in efforts to prevent any untoward incidents, Express News reported.

In Karachi, the main Muharram 9 procession began at 1:00 PM from Nishtar Park. Prior to the procession, a majlis was held at Nishtar Park, where Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi delivered a sermon. After the majlis, the Imamia Students Organisation led the congregational Zuhrain prayers.

The procession followed its traditional route—passing through Numaish, Saddar, Radio Pakistan, Jamia Cloth, and Denso Hall—before concluding at the Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

In Lahore, the main procession commenced at 10:00 am. Punjab Police spokespersons reported more than 147,000 officers and staff were stationed throughout the province to secure 1,689 processions and nearly 3,900 majalis (religious gatherings). In Lahore alone, 79 processions and 378 majalis are being protected by more than 10,000 officers.

Special instructions have been issued to the Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit (PRU). All teams are maintaining constant coordination with Rescue 1122, the fire brigade, Rescue 15, and other emergency services. Special attention is being paid to the safety of women and children.

Read: Karachi traffic plan for Muharram processions

“The entire province is on high alert,” said Punjab Police Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar. “We’re strictly enforcing Section 144 and the Loudspeaker Act.”

In Peshawar, the main procession began at 10:00 am from Husainia Hall. The Saddar and Cantonment areas of Peshawar have been completely sealed off, and commercial centres were closed.

Due to security concerns, mobile phone services suspended for Muharram 9 and 10. The city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service has also been halted for two days.

Meanwhile, over 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed in Peshawar, while entry of Afghan refugees into the city has been banned for two days. Several major roads, including Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Circular Road, and GT Road have been closed.

Muharram processions held in twin cities under tight security

The main Muharram 9 procession in Rawalpindi commenced from Imambargah Fatimiyah Chitian Hattian and concluded after passing through its designated route.

All roads adjacent to the procession route were sealed, while commercial activity remained suspended in Landa Bazaar, Iqbal Road, College Road, and Bohar Bazaar.

In Islamabad, the central Muharram 9 procession emerged from Imambargah Jamia Al-Asna Ashari, G-6 and concluded after returning to Imambargah Jamia Al-Asna Ashari via the same prescribed path.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon, speaking outside Imambargah Asna Ashari, said all arrangements for majalis and processions had been finalized weeks in advance.

Additional sanitation workers were deployed and drainage measures taken to handle last night’s rainfall. A mobile control room has been established for the first time, and street lighting issues along the route have been resolved.

DIG Islamabad Jawad Tariq said over 5,000 personnel from Islamabad Police and Rangers have been deployed. Multiple layers of checks are in place, with CTD commandos stationed on rooftops. Surveillance is being carried out using body cameras and modern monitoring tools.

Read more: Section 144 to remain in place across Punjab during Muharram

Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said extraordinary security measures were essential despite the absence of specific threats, citing the religious importance and sensitivity of Muharram. The entire route has been sealed with containers and barbed wire.

Photo: Islamabad Police- @ICT_Police/X

Photo: Islamabad Police- @ICT_Police/X

According to the IG, security personnel have shown dedication over the past eight days, and the full schedule of the procession will be followed strictly.

Speaking to the media during the procession, IG Rizvi said the event is being monitored through surveillance cameras. Covering a distance of 3.88 kilometers, the procession will return to its starting point. Police will remain on duty until its conclusion.

A total of 4,100 officers have been deployed directly for the procession, with overall security personnel reaching 5,800, including those assigned to traffic and rooftop surveillance.

A seven-layer security plan has been implemented to ensure peace and public safety. 71 search-and-sweep operations were conducted in the 14 days leading up to Muharram, stated police spokesperson.

The death toll from a collapsed old residential building in Karachi’s Lyari area climbed to 19 on Saturday, with rescue teams fearing the casualties could rise further as an operation to clear the debris is still underway.

Deputy Commissioner South Javed Leghari said that the rescue teams had recovered 19 bodies so far while six injured were being treated in hospital.

“Unfortunately, rescue teams who have been working since yesterday afternoon fear there are more bodies under the debris and rubble of the building and the casualties will increase,” he said.

The five-storey building in the Baghdadi area of Lyari collapsed on Friday. Initially, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab told the media at the incident site that seven bodies had been recovered and the injured were moved to hospital.

The building was on the list of dilapidated buildings in the old areas of Karachi. Leghari said there were 22 old buildings, out of which 16 had been vacated by the authorities, but six still remained occupied by residents who didn’t want to leave.

The official said the rescue operation will continue for another 10–12 hours.

Lyari is one of Karachi’s most congested low-lying and low-income areas.

Earlier this week, 22 people were rescued from an old building in the Soldier Bazar area when a portion of it collapsed, leaving residents trapped on the upper floor.

The provincial government has declared some 570 buildings in the old Karachi area as dangerous and asked residents to evacuate them.

– Ends

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday dismissed reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them baseless and part of a “sponsored narrative” aimed at sowing political confusion.

Speaking to reporters at Data Darbar, Dar said the current government was initially formed with critical support from the PPP. “When we started, our numbers were incomplete without them. Now that we have a simple majority, there’s no difficulty — but we will continue cooperating with PPP even more than before,” he said.

In response to a question about offering ministries to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Deputy Prime Minister said that the PPP had made no such request. “They are our allies and will remain so. We have an excellent working relationship, and they have extended full support to us,” he said. “Those who stand by you in difficult times are not abandoned when things get better.”

Dar noted that both parties had signed a formal agreement, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif representing the PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari signing on behalf of the PPP. “That agreement is a sacred document for us, and we are fully committed to its implementation.”

Read More: Govt basks in two-thirds glory

Addressing recent political speculation, the deputy prime minister categorically denied reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan.

He described the claims as “baseless rumours” and a “sponsored narrative”, adding that such stories were deliberately floated to create confusion. “These are merely someone’s wishlist. We have no need to approach anyone,” he said.

DPM reaffirmed the government’s openness to engaging with all political parties, saying it was prepared to work across the aisle in the national interest. “When Pakistan was under threat, we engaged not just with coalition partners, but also the opposition. The result was a unified message heard around the world.”

Discussing the economic outlook, Dar said the country had narrowly avoided default in April 2022 when the PDM government took office. “Had that change not happened, we might have defaulted. Yes, we paid a political price — but it stabilised the economy. Today, our reserves stand at $14.5 billion as of June 30.”

He credited PM Shehbaz efforts for key economic gains, including the reduction of interest rates from 22% to 11% and improvements in per capita income.

Dar, who also holds the designation of foreign minister, highlighted a diplomatic breakthrough with the United Arab Emirates, where he met Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on June 24. “This was the first meeting of the bilateral economic commission in 12 years. We resolved longstanding visa issues, and talks are underway to include blue passport holders as well.”

Also Read: Lyari building collapse: Death toll rises to 16 as rescue work continues

On Pakistan’s ties with Iran, Dar said Tehran now sees Islamabad as a sincere ally. “We condemned Israeli aggression against Iran and extended full diplomatic support to a brotherly country,” he said.

Touching on defence and regional matters, Dar said Pakistan had responded firmly to Indian hostility in the past. “India started the war, and we shot down six of their fighter jets. We stood our ground and defeated a much larger enemy,” he said.

While the ceasefire along the Line of Control was holding, Dar acknowledged that tensions could always escalate. “India’s war rhetoric seems driven by domestic compulsions. We remain alert — we’ve handled such situations before and will continue to do so.”

On domestic governance, Dar said corruption must be tackled across all provinces, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, through due legal process. “Accountability should be uniform,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, the deputy premier said extensive arrangements had been made for the annual urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, adding that Sufi teachings continue to inspire peace and unity. “We’re ensuring all possible facilities for visitors at the shrine,” he said.

 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday dismissed rumours regarding President Asif Ali Zardari’s removal from the office and the enactment of 27th constitutional amendment as social media speculations.

He was addressing the media during his visit to Sindh’s Rohri city on the eve of Ashura.

A journalist sought his comments on reports suggesting President Zardari was being removed from office and that another constitutional amendment was is in the offing.

Denying the speculations, Naqvi advised against paying heed to the social media reports.

He also asked the media to refrain from political speculation for at least two days in respect for Ashura days.

“Some people are bothered as for the first time, politicians, government, and military establishment are on the same page. Those elements are spreading misleading narratives,” he said.

His statement came after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) obtained a simple majority in the National Assembly after the reinstatement of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan following the top court’s Constitutional Bench verdict.

It also handed the ruling alliance a two-thirds majority in the lower house, as its strength rose from 218 to 235 members.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar also said today that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would remain a key ally of the PML-N despite the latter securing a simple majority in the National Assembly as a result of the reserved seats ruling.

“PPP is and will remain our coalition partner,” said the deputy prime minister, recalling that without the PPP’s support, it would not have been possible to form a government following the 2024 general elections.

Talking to journalists at Data Darbar shrine in Lahore, Dar said that the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led party stood by the government during difficult times and the Nawaz Sharif-led party would not abandon it in the times of stability.

To a question, he replied that the coalition partner has not demanded any ministerial portfolios from the PML-N.