According to party officials, the clash broke out between supporters of two rival groups within the party.

A police officer, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that police were present at the scene and the situation was under control. He added that, so far, no one had approached the New Town police to lodge a complaint.

The official added that police contingents had rushed to the scene to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

Another police official told Dawn that at around 7:20pm, an MQM-P meeting was underway at the party’s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad, where senior leaders were present.

He said the situation escalated after Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui left the meeting, with a scuffle breaking out between workers belonging to groups led by Anis Qaimkhani and Mustafa Kamal, and those supporting Dr Siddiqui and Aminul Haque. It was not clear what led to the scuffle between the two groups.

According to the official, workers from the Qaimkhani group allegedly assaulted members of the Siddiqui group and forcibly removed them from the party’s headquarters. Later, Siddiqui group workers gathered at a nearby park.

The official said heavy firing was also reported from inside the party headquarters, causing fear and panic in the area.

One person, identified as Amir Ali, 40, sustained a bullet injury and was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Later, Farooq Sattar, Ali Khursheedi and Haque arrived at the park and asked the workers to come for a press conference, which did not take place, the police officer added.

At around 10pm, the leaders left the party headquarters and the workers also dispersed.

Police remained present at the site, but no arrests were made, the official added.

Meanwhile, police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said one person with a firearm injury and three others injured by sticks and stones were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital from Bahadurabad.

She added that the person with the firearm injury, who had wounds on his arm and chest, was later shifted to a private hospital.

In a post on X, Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said: “They set out to divide Sindh, but failed to keep their own house in order.”

“Those who sought to divide others have themselves splintered into factions today. The people have once again given a fitting response to those who pursued the politics of hatred against Sindh’s unity,” Javed said.

“Every dream of dividing Sindh was buried before, and it has been buried once again today. Sindh was united, Sindh is united and Sindh will remain united.”

KARACHI: Widespread downpour in Umerkot, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta and some other districts on Sunday left at least eight people dead and many others injured, besides playing havoc with civic life and electrical, telecommunication and drainage networks.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, chairing a high-level meeting in the office of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives, and directed deputy commissioners to provide immediate assistance to the affected families and ensure compensation in accordance with the official policy.

The meeting was attended by Adviser to the CM on Rehabilitation Gianchand Israni, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Rehabilitation Mustafa Shaikh, Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero, PDMA Director General Salman Shah and other senior officials.

The commissioners of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions, as well as the DCs of rain-affected districts and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) chief participated in the meeting through video link.

Eight killed in lightning, roof collapse and other rain-related incidents, say officials; Umerkot TMO suspended for ‘negligence’ amid emergency

The chief minister was informed that eight people had lost their lives and as many others injured in rain-related incidents across the province.

Giving a district-wise assessment, the officials concerned said that three people were killed in Tharparkar district — three of them by lightning strikes — while two others had accidental fall into rainwater-filled pits and one person died after drowning. Eight other people were injured in rain-related incidents.

Umerkot district, which received the highest amount of rain — 169mm — in Sindh, reported one death by drowning, the officials said, adding that one person was killed in a roof collapse incident in Badin district.

The CM placed the provincial administration on ‘high alert’ and directed all relevant departments to strengthen emergency preparedness and response measures to cope with localised flooding and infrastructural damage.

He underscored the need for safeguarding human lives and ensuring uninterrupted public services, being his government’s foremost responsibility, during the ongoing monsoon spell.

Taking a serious notice of the absence of Umerkot town municipal officer (TMO) from the district during the emergency situation, the CM ordered his immediate suspension, and directed the Local Government Department to ensure that all officers remain stationed in their respective areas during the monsoon emergency.

Briefing the meeting on weather conditions, Adviser Rehabilitation Gianchand Israni informed the CM that moderate to heavy rainfall was expected in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions over the next few days, with cumulative rainfall likely to range between 20mm and 60mm.

PDMA Director General Salman Shah informed the meeting that over the last 24 hours, Umerkot taluka received the highest amount of rainfall (169mm) followed by Kunri (149mm), Kaloi (140mm), Diplo (135mm), Kingri Ghulam Mohammad (133mm), Latifabad (114mm), Hussain Bux Marri and Mirpurkhas City (111mm), Mithi (106mm), Dhali (104mm), Hyderabad Rural (93mm) and Hyderabad City (89mm).

The CM noted that rainfall in several areas had crossed the threshold of heavy and very heavy rain, necessitating heightened vigilance by district administrations.

Hyderabad Commissioner Fayyaz Abbasi briefed the meeting on the situation in the division following two days of rains across all its nine districts.

He said that the Hyderabad district recorded the highest cumulative rainfall of 360mm, followed by Badin (212mm), Tando Allahyar (102mm), Tando Mohammad Khan (99mm), Sujawal (80mm), Thatta (55mm), Matiari (49mm), Jamshoro (9mm) and Dadu (5mm).

He said that in Tando Mohammad Khan, the roof of two rooms of a residential house was damaged due to rainfall.

Breaches in irrigation channels

The irrigation secretary informed the CM that two breaches, measuring approximately 15 and 8 feet, had developed in the Mirwah Canals near Seerani in Badin district on Sunday morning.

The breaches inundated around 200 houses before emergency teams reached the area and plugged them with the help of local administration.

The chief minister directed the irrigation department to maintain continuous surveillance of canals, distributaries, embankments and other vulnerable structures.

He also ordered continuous monitoring of canals, drainage channels, embankments and flood protection structures, particularly in Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad districts.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) in January this year floated tenders for the construction of a cricket stadium and academy at the PQA Housing Complex but the process for the same is yet to be completed.

“The bidding process [for the project] has consumed such a long time. Had it not been the case, the entire project could have been completed [by now]. We floated [the] tenders in January and still the project yet to begin,” a PQA official said, adding that further delays would result in cost escalation.

“I don’t know why this project is facing inordinate delays. Prolonged delays like this create doubts. If the work is carried out with dedication this project could be completed in a few months.

“We have taken eight months [only] in the bidding process, what to talk of completing the project on fast track,” he said.

However, PQA secretary Shahnawaz Mangrio speaking to Dawn dispelled the impression that the said project in the country’s largest city had faced excessive delays, claiming that the authority was taking time in order to complete all the necessary procedures.

“We will construct a state-of-the-art cricket stadium,” Shahnawaz vowed.

Meanwhile, PQA’s documents showed that initially five firms submitted their bids for the project on Jan 20.

Later, the bids were technically evaluated as a result of which two firms were declared non-responsive. In May, the bids submitted by the remaining three firms were opened. Out of them, M/s Glamour Construction turned out to be the lowest bidder which submitted a bid worth Rs52 million.

The Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) estimated that the cost of this project was Rs60 million. After opening the financial bids, the PQA was supposed to issue work orders for early start of the project, but, sources said, the orders for the same had not been issued yet, which raises questions.

A PQA official said that the matter of the stalled project was likely to be shared with the board of authority through a presentation after which the project would start.

“The PQA has already taken several months in the technical evaluation process of [the bidding] companies. Everything [regarding the tendering process] has been done. I don’t know the reasons behind the delay in the issuance of the order to start the work [on the project],” he stated.

Some PQA officials requested the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to look into the matter to avoid any further delay in starting the project. “Karachi is already facing a significant dearth of proper sports facilities. Therefore, this project should be started on priority basis,” said one of the employees.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

They said that two youths were swept away while swimming at Sandspit. Edhi volunteers managed to rescue one of them but the other one drowned.

Later, the body was recovered by Edhi divers. The deceased was identified as Tabish Imran, 25, and the rescued youth as Zahid Waseem, 17.

In another incident, a teenager drowned at the sea on Sunday.

An Edhi Foundation spokesperson said that the teenager was swimming in the sea near Turtle Beach when strong waves swept him away.

He drowned, and his body was recovered and shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi for medico-legal formalities.

The deceased was identified as Yasir Naseer, 18.

Mauripur SHO Anser Iqbal said it was the weekend and a huge crowd had gathered at the seaside.

He said police personnel deployed there tried to prevent people from swimming in the sea, but some youths managed to enter the water.

Biker dies in accident

A teenage motorcyclist was killed and his pillion rider injured in a road accident on Mauripur Road on Sunday, according to police and rescue services officials.

A traffic police official said that Hasnain Sohail, 15, was riding a motorbike with Shayan Ahmed, 16.

The motorcyclist lost control, causing it to skid and collide with the footpath. As a result of the impact, Hasnain sustained a critical head injury.

He was taken to Civil Hospital Karachi, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

One’s heart went out to the mothers who shared the challenges they faced or still are facing balancing work with motherhood.

Mariam Hassan, young mother of a toddler and an infant, said that her baby girl was diagnosed as lactose intolerant so she could not feed her baby formula while at work herself.

“Pumping to refrigerate or freeze mother’s milk was not known here then so I had to keep my baby with me while working,” said the electronic media reporter.

She talked about how her team of driver, engineer and cameraman supported her by standing guard outside their DSNG van to give her privacy when she would be breastfeeding her baby inside.

Working women share experiences, social challenges of motherhood at seminar

Journalist Benazir Raz Soomro also shared how she found support from home when her husband changed his office timings for their baby.

“He was working during the day to be home to take care of the baby by the time I would go to my office in the evening. And if I worked during the day, he would go to office in the evening so that someone would always be there for our baby. Still, even at work I would constantly be thinking about my baby,” she said.

Dr Saira Saeed, Professor OBGY

Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital and Isra University said that breast milk is important for the baby’s nourishment and growth but there are also a number of benefits of breastfeeding for the mother, which include reduction in chances of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, blood pressure control and better mental health.

“It also helps control postpartum depression and ovulation to help in contraception,” she said, while adding that health professionals should counsel mothers during pregnancy about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.

Dr Faria Arain, Senior Registrar at Koohi Goth Women’s Hospital, said that there are several misconceptions about breastfeeding that need to be cleared. “New mothers often discard the first yellowish milk whereas that milk is most nutritious and beneficial for the baby. Mother’s milk also helps gland development in babies and prevents stunting,” she said.

Prof Muhammad Khalid Shafi, Chair, National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group, Pakistan, who is also a part of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, said that the infant mortality rate is going up in Pakistan.

“Health-wise our country is not doing so well,” he said, while pointing to various problems such as healthcare providers promoting baby formula instead of breast milk. “Formula is artificial. It is not milk. And just like no advertisements are allowed for medicine, there should not be any promotion for baby formula,” he said. “A law was also passed in 2023 where any healthcare provider promoting baby formula can get his or her practicing licence suspended or cancelled,” he said.

Child Nutrition and Development Specialist with Unicef, Dr Mazhar Iqbal said that every newborn deserves to benefit from environments that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

“Yet across the world, millions of families who want to breastfeed cannot, not because of lack of will but because the systems around them fall short. They must change now,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Met Office in Latifabad recorded 42mm of rain until 5pm, while the City Office recorded 40mm.

Power outages were also reported in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) spokesperson claimed that electricity supply remained suspended on 285 of the company’s 722 11kV feeders.

In Hyderabad city, which has 166 feeders, 66 feeders were unable to provide electricity, he confirmed.

All major arteries and roads in the city were inundated due to rainfall. Meanwhile, water supply was severely affected as the facilities of the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) remained without electricity.

In the absence of electricity and with roads inundated, business activities were also affected. Trade activities in the City Cloth Market, Tower Market, Anaj Mandi and Latifabad Units 5, 10, 11 and 12 were disrupted as roads remained submerged.

Elsewhere in Sindh, Mithi district recorded the highest rainfall, at 126mm, until 8am on Sunday, according to the PMD. It was followed by Chhor, which received 81mm of rain, and Badin, with 69mm.

A day earlier, PMD had forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan until Aug 4.

While gas is often thought to have a distinctive smell, it is in fact odourless. Gas suppliers deliberately add odorants to the gas as a safety measure to alert consumers to potentially life-threatening leaks.

In a media alert issued on Sunday, the SSGC said that odourants used to give gas its distinctive smell were added in larger quantities for testing purposes. This resulted in a stronger-than-usual smell, prompting reports of a gas leak from various parts of Karachi.

“The SSGC administration wishes to make it clear that all system pressures are normal and that no gas leak of any kind has been reported,” the statement said. “The smell is solely due to the relatively larger quantity of odourants added to the gas during the testing of the odourisation plants.”

The company requested its customers to remain calm and continue their regular activities.

Gas leaks can be life-threatening, causing explosions and fires as well as death by suffocation.

In January, three women suffocated to death, while another fainted in a gas leak incident in an apartment in Rawalpindi’s Bahria Town Phase VII.

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Saturday demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accusing him of undermining the Constitution by “endorsing a hybrid system”, declaring that the country’s democratic system of governance had collapsed and calling for creation of new provinces.

The demand by the provincial chapter of the PPP came two days after the interior minister held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House and discussed the overall political and law-and-order situation in the country. Later, he spoke at the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad the same day, where he said the current ‘system’ of governance had “collapsed” and stressed the need for more provinces in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, the senior PPP leader said the interior minister had no moral or constitutional justification to continue to remain in office after questioning the country’s democratic system.

“If the federal interior minister believes that the democratic system has failed and openly praises a hybrid system, then he has no business sitting in Parliament or remaining in the federal cabinet,” Mr Khuhro said. “He should resign from his post.”

Khuhro says interior minister damaging military’s reputation

Flanked by PPP Sindh General Secretary Waqar Mehdi, PPP-Karachi President and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and other party leaders, Mr Khuhro rejected recent discussions about creating new provinces.

“Constitution clearly lays down the procedure for altering provincial boundaries.” He explained that no new province could be established without a two-thirds majority resolution passed by the provincial assembly concerned.

“The Constitution is crystal clear. A new province cannot be created unless the provincial assembly concerned approves it with a two-thirds majority. There is no such demand or constitutional process underway in Sindh,” he said.

Referring to the past, the PPP leader said that the Punjab Assembly had previously passed a resolution supporting the creation of a new province.

“If anyone wants to create a new province, they should first implement the proposal in Punjab. Sindh has no need for another province,” he added.

He warned against what he described as unconstitutional narratives, saying Pakistan could not afford any extra-constitutional experiment and that democratic continuity remained the only solution to the country’s political and economic challenges.

“The country cannot bear another unconstitutional adventure. The supremacy of the Constitution and continuity of democracy are the only guarantees for Pakistan’s stability,” he said.

The PPP leader also accused the interior minister of dragging the armed forces into political debate despite the military’s stated commitment to remaining apolitical.

“By repeatedly invoking the name of armed forces for political purposes, the interior minister is damaging both democracy and the reputation of the military,” Mr Khuhro said.

Criticising the proposals for creating as many as 22 provinces, he questioned how the country’s fragile economy could sustain the financial burden of additional provincial governments, chief ministers and bureaucratic structures.

Recalling constitutional and political history of the country, he said repeated military interventions, the dissolution of elected governments and the misuse of constitutional provisions had weakened democratic institutions.

He said that only constitutional supremacy and uninterrupted democracy could address the country’s longstanding problems.

Responding to a question, Mr Khuhro said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had no reason to fear from MQM leader Mustafa Kamal.

He also said the issue of the Jalalpur Canal was pending before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and would be raised whenever the council convenes.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

Addressing a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters alongside senior leaders, MQM-P Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the country’s existing political and administrative structure had failed to meet public needs and required fundamental reforms.

“Provinces are not sacred or immutable boundaries. If new administrative provinces are not created, the country cannot move forward,” Mr Siddiqui said, adding that administrative reorganisation should be viewed as a governance measure rather than a political controversy.

Accompanied by senior leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Nasreen Jalil, he said the party believed Pakistan’s leadership should shift from hereditary political elites to the descendants of the country’s founders and the educated middle class.

“To save Pakistan from decline and put it on the path of progress, the reins of leadership must be entrusted to the ideological heirs of the founders of the nation and the capable middle class, rather than to traditional feudal and dynastic elites,” he said.

Dr Siddiqui maintained that creating new provinces would strengthen the federation by bringing government closer to the people. Commenting on Sindh, he claimed that a transparent population census would significantly alter the province’s political landscape.

Dr Sattar called for the implementation of Article 140-A of the Constitution, which provides for the devolution of political, administrative and financial responsibility to elected local governments.

He also demanded a countrywide referendum on the creation of new administrative units.

Dr Sattar said that Pakistan needed to move beyond decades of temporary and ad hoc policymaking and instead pursue structural reforms that empowered local governments and provided greater opportunities for young people to participate in national leadership.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

The judge of a special court for control of narcotic substances, Kamran Atta Soomro, found Amjad and Hassan Siddiqui guilty of carrying over 26 kilograms of hashish in October 2023 at a Gulshan-i-Maymar locality.

The lawyers for the accused persons argued that their clients were innocent and had been framed with mala fide intention and ulterior motives as the alleged recovery was foisted upon them.

They also contended that the accused persons did not know each other and never came into contact while no private person has been made a witness in the case and there were material contradictions in the evidence of prosecution witnesses, making the case doubtful.

A prosecutor of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) argued that the witnesses had fully supported the case of the prosecution and both accused were apprehended at the spot and they had voluntarily produced 22 packets of narcotic wrapped in yellow tape.

After recording evidence and hearing both sides, the special court pronounced its judgement and observed that the accused persons have failed to bring anything on record to show any enmity, ill will or mala fide on the part of complainant or other witnesses to falsely implicate them in the case.

“All the witnesses were cross examined by learned defence counsel at length, but nothing could be brought on record, which can create dent in prosecution case,” it added.

According to the prosecution, the ANF had received spy information about delivery of a huge quantity of drugs and they had arrested them at the spot when they were exchanging hashish and recovered 22 packets from a bag and each packet contained 1,200 grams.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

HYDERABAD: A portion of Gangaram Nivas building — a heritage site at Holmstead Hall — adjacent to the Mukhi House Incline collapsed as Hyderabad, like many other cities and towns of the interoir Sindh, received a moderate spell of monsoon rain on Saturday evening.

No one was injured by the fall of the debris, which fell on the street that runs parallel to the rear outer wall of the building.

Soon after the incident, access to the locality housing the building was closed to people till the removal of the debris. Panic gripped the area as the debris fell with a thud.

Assistant Commissioner City Noor Hussain said that a small upper part of building collapsed amid a dust storm and rainfall.

Shops and godowns located in the building were closed to avoid any loss, he said.

A Culture department official, Rukunul Din Qureshi, said that shops were sealed so that debris could be removed. No residence is located in the building, he said.

The first rainfall of the current monsoon in Hyderabad city broke a long spell of severe heat. It was followed by massive power breakdown the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) region as the dust storm preceded rain.

People have been experiencing severe heat since June.

Atmosphere on Saturday remained suffocating until the rainfall brought a pleasant change in the weather.

The Met office at the airport recorded 10mm rain and its city office 5mm rain. The highest temperature at the airport office was recorded at 40.2 degree Celsius and the city office at 40 degree Celsius.

The dust storm that started at 5:40pm persisted till 6:10pm with a speed of 40 nautical miles. Its speed was recorded at 30 nautical miles northeast at the airport office, starting at 5:50pm and ending at 6:05pm.

The city remained without power supply since 5:45pm till late in the evening.

A Hesco spokesman confirmed that due to rainfall and dust storm, 355 feeders out of 722 remained without power supply. In Hyderabad, 157 11kV feeders out of 166 remained without electricity. He said that restoration work would begin once rain stopped. He advised consumers to observe precautions on roads and streets during rain to avoid electrical shock.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

“Delayed diagnoses, hazardous air quality, and chronic supply shortages of vital oncology medicines are collectively undermining cancer care across the country,” the association said in a message released on Saturday in connection with World Lung Cancer Day 2026.

This year, the day is being observed globally under the theme ‘Together Through Lung Cancer’.

The PMA identified key factors fueling the lung cancer epidemic in Pakistan: widespread use of combustible cigarettes, gutka, naswar and unregulated vaping products remains the primary driver of lung and oral malignancies.

PMA seeks national health emergency declaration over escalating lung cancer burden

It added that unregulated vehicular and industrial emissions, hazardous smog and particulate pollution in major urban centres are now recognised as primary environmental carcinogens.

Highlighting Pakistan’s cancer statistics, the association said the country currently records over 185,000 new cancer cases across all categories annually, with lung cancer ranking among the most fatal malignancies, particularly among men,” the association stated.

Drawing attention to national health trends, the PMA highlighted alarming clinical observations: “Approximately 78 per cent of lung cancer patients in Pakistan present at advanced stages (Stage III or IV), severely restricting curative treatment options and driving a high mortality-to-incidence ratio”.

Sharing its concern over urban factors contributing to the disease, it said that up to 30pc to 40pc of urban cases now occur in individuals with no personal smoking history, pointing to severe environmental hazards as a leading factor in the development of the disease.

According to the association, the misattribution of early lung cancer symptoms (such as persistent cough and shortness of breath) to endemic conditions like tuberculosis frequently delays proper oncological workups by crucial months.

To curb rising mortality rates and ensure equitable patient care through immediate policy action, the association demanded that the government establish a unified, mandatory cancer registry to accurately track epidemiological data, identify high-risk areas, and allocate healthcare resources effectively.

The association called for urgent federal intervention by the Ministry of Health and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to resolve “ongoing market shortages of essential oncology and diagnostic therapies, ensuring patients are not forced to rely on unregulated or smuggled alternatives”. It also demanded the introduction of low-cost or state-subsidised screening programmes at public tertiary hospitals for high-risk populations to ensure early detection, as well as the strict enforcement of ambient air quality standards for vehicles and industries.

“We need to strictly implement tobacco control laws in public spaces and in and around educational institutes. Expand provincial public health coverage programmes to include molecular profiling, targeted therapies, and modern immunotherapies for lung cancer patients”, it said.

The association also emphasised the need to benefit from the advancements currently underway in cancer treatment.

“Pakistani patients cannot benefit from early detection or modern therapies if basic diagnostic pathways and medicine supply chains remain fragmented. We call upon both the public to take persistent respiratory symptoms seriously and the government to prioritise oncology infrastructure in the national health budget,” it said.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026

On Thursday, Naqvi urged all political parties to “settle” various national-level issues, including the question of creating new provinces.

Addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 being held in Islamabad, Naqvi said there was “only one solution” to improving the country’s overall condition: “You will have to take [the matter of] administrative units, provinces or whatever you may call it, to the public.”

Addressing a press conference in Karachi today, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that, due to immense population growth, additional administrative units were essential to ensure proper governance.

“No country in the world has seen population growth as fast as ours,” he said. “We need to manage and administer that, but how will we do that without additional administrative units?”

Sattar noted that, with such a large population, questions arose about how administrations would be able to address fundamental issues and ensure effective service delivery.

“Two things have become clear: we need administrative units. Enough is enough,” he declared.

“The ad-hocism we have seen for around 80 years must end. [Interior Minister] Mohsin Naqvi presented a clear administrative framework for Pakistan’s future in his speech, which is welcomed by citizens from all walks of life.”

“Pakistan’s economy is tied to its political and administrative structure.”

“We need curative treatment, not symptomatic treatment,” he stated.

Sattar added that the door needs to be left open for Gen-Z to play a representative role in Pakistan’s political, economic and social landscape.

“Political parties should move in this direction, as they are of the opinion that the system is infertile; it cannot ensure people’s prosperity or progress, build national consensus or strength, or guarantee the country’s security,” he stated.

“If we want to avail ourselves of these benefits, Pakistan must walk among the world with its head held high; the youth have to stand on their feet; we have to look the world and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) in the eye and talk to them. New administrative units are essential for this; without them, we will not move forward.”

Speaking before Sattar, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui noted that the conference addressed by Naqvi was an economic one, not a political one.

“We understand that there are no higher administrative units other than districts and divisions within a province. With One Unit, provinces were dissolved, but they returned after the end of the One Unit scheme in a different form,” he said, addressing the press conference.

“This issue of the limits of administrative units never existed, nor was it part of Pakistan’s politics. Are these [units] so sacred that we cannot talk about them? When nobody spoke about them, we did,” Siddiqui added.

He also stated that no matter which province people live in, they are still living within Pakistan, noting that the state itself is indivisible.

“The Constitution demands the division of provinces. But because of the pressure from a growing population, the procedures outlined in 1973 can no longer be enforced. This is why the MQM submitted an amendment bill in the National Assembly; it was not opposed and has been supported by the standing committee,” Siddiqui said.

“This MQM demand, which is in accordance with Pakistan’s population growth, is an administrative necessity and addresses the country’s economic issues,” he added.

“Our voice is being echoed by others. Today, we thank you all for highlighting this need during the month of Pakistan’s independence.”

Siddiqui said the party further believed that the current system of democracy, “where benefits never reach the people”, was not needed.

Ex-PM Abbasi says system needs to be changed

Former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also addressed a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, stating that the current state of affairs could not continue for much longer, but noted that the government was beginning to realise it.

“I am grateful to my interior minister for acknowledging after four or five years that the country is not running,” he stated. “It should have been discussed in parliament or the cabinet. The country knows it is not running, but it has finally dawned on the rulers.”

Abbasi added that the military’s spokesperson had acknowledged this during his press conference on Friday and that reform was the only way to keep the country functioning, but “there are always people who do not want meaningful change”.

“This is a matter of interests; if we talk about reforms in this country, then those whose interests do not align with reforms will oppose them,” he added. “The country is not being run well; we do not have money, and we are not ready to undertake reforms.

“Reforms are needed in this country; otherwise, the situation will get worse. Your debts, costs and taxes will continue to increase.”

Abbasi noted that simply creating new provinces would not solve the issue, but that the entire system needed to be changed.

“After 78 years, we don’t know how to buy flour. Our farmers have been ruined, and today we are even importing wheat by spending precious dollars,” he said, alleging that those in power were more interested in purchasing official vehicles and aircraft than addressing the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

He stressed that constitutional supremacy and the rule of law were necessary for political stability and economic growth.

“Without the rule of law, investment will not come, and without investment there can be no sustainable economic progress,” Abbasi said.

‘Better late than never’

In a post on X, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif voiced his agreement with Naqvi on the matter of new provinces, but criticised the interior minister for failing to raise the issue earlier and for not implementing the 12 points of the National Action Plan that fall within his remit.

“As a political worker, I also strongly feel that the system’s evolutionary process has, for decades, remained subject to group and personal interests. It needs to be freed from those influences,” he wrote.

Asif also suggested that the matter be discussed in both parliament and the cabinet, adding that doing so would strengthen institutions and the system, while any changes would proceed through the constitutional process.

“Mr Naqvi is a highly respected and influential member of the cabinet. That said, it is generally acknowledged that he attends meetings of both parliament and the cabinet only occasionally,” he noted.

“In my opinion, sidelining these institutions and instead inviting the country’s distinguished and respected business leaders to speak before a captive audience on such an important issue does not carry the same weight or receive the same recognition as discussing it in the relevant constitutional forums,” Asif stated.

Asif added that Naqvi had held powerful positions in Pakistani politics for the past three-and-a-half years and could have initiated a discussion or made progress towards systemic reform during that time.

“Nevertheless, better late than never.”

Asif also referred to a press conference by ISPR chief Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who mentioned the 13 points of the National Action Plan.

“One of those points — which was the responsibility of our armed forces — is being implemented and fulfilled through the sacrifice of lives. The remaining 12 points fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior, and they have not been implemented,” he noted.

“Mr Naqvi should begin reforming the system by implementing the National Action Plan. Let systemic change begin with his own ministry. It is not only our respected business community — the entire nation stands with him.”

Various political parties have demanded the creation of more provinces or administrative units to ensure better governance.

The MQM-P — an ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition — has been demanding that Karachi be designated a province separate from Sindh.

However, the PPP, which rules Sindh and is also an ally of the PML-N government at the Centre along with MQM-P, has strongly opposed the suggested move.

On the other hand, the PPP and the PTI have long advocated for a South Punjab province.

A day prior, Inter-Services Public Relations chief Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry commented on Naqvi’s remarks about the need for new administrative units in Pakistan: “We have been saying this earlier also as a primary stakeholder in security that good governance is essential for the security and stability of Pakistan.”

“Now our population is 240-250 million people, and we still have four provinces. We have to see whether this is serving the purpose of good governance. That debate has to be sensibly held by politicians, by those in power, even those who have previously been in power, and those who are responsible to the people of Pakistan,” the DG ISPR said, adding that it had to be done according to the will of the people of Pakistan.

Later on Friday, PPP Secretary-General Nayyar Bokhari said that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) will deliberate on creating new administrative units, which should be created through the mechanism provided in the Constitution rather than by executive order.

“The Constitution of Pakistan has clearly laid down the complete procedure. Without a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assembly, the National Assembly and the Senate, neither the creation of new provinces nor any alteration in provincial boundaries is possible,” he told Dawn.

“New provinces cannot be created through an executive order. They can only be created through a constitutional decision of parliament,” he added.

Additional reporting by Ikram Junaidi

Light rain was reported in Gulshan-i-Maymar, Gulshan-i-Hadeed, Super Highway and nearby areas, DawnNewsTV reported.

Meanwhile, the PMD has predicted light to moderate rain with dust and thunderstorm in Karachi from today till August 3.

According to the forecast, a westerly wave, affecting the northern areas, is likely to strengthen and affect upper and central parts of the country.

Under the influence of the system, moderate rainfall with dust and thunderstorms is likely in Karachi from Saturday (today) till Monday with occasional gaps, it said.

It also forecast moderate to heavy rainfall in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Matiari and Shaheed Benazirabad districts.

The department also forecast rainfall with dust and thunderstorm in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Thatta and Jamshoro districts.

For Saturday, the department said that the maximum temperature was expected to range between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius in the port city. It predicted cloudy weather with a chance of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged as the winner in the elections in AJK’s Mirpur division. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling.

Political temperatures remain high as the second phase of AJK elections is set to be held tomorrow in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division. The third phase is scheduled for August 10 in all 12 refugee constituencies and 11 constituencies of Poonch division.

In the latest exchange, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah remarked on President Asif Ali Zardari’s role as he responded to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s allegations of rigging in the 2024 general elections.

“If you call the votes secured by the prime minister votes of Forms-47, then on what forms has the president gotten votes on?” Sanaullah said.

On Wednesday, Bilawal had taken a direct jibe at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying: “If someone is sitting on the PM’s seat, or someone is sitting on the CM’s position today, even a child knows that it is not because of the people’s votes or your performance but because of Form-47.”

Sanaullah, also the prime minister’s aide on political affairs and a federal minister, was addressing a gathering in Jhelum Valley alongside Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam.

Sanaullah further said: “If you say to Mian Nawaz Sharif that he became the prime minister for the first time or every time through rigging, […] then remember, it is also discussed here that someone also became the prime minister for the first time after breaking apart the country.”

He was referring to PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who became the president of Pakistan in December 1971 after the secession of Bangladesh (then-East Pakistan) following the 1970 elections.

In August 1973, Bhutto took the oath as the prime minister in 1973 under the new Constitution.

Sanaullah also took a jibe at Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose recent remarks have sparked a fresh debate in political circles on the matter of creating new provinces.

Calling Naqvi a “blessed one” of President Zardari, the PML-N leader said the interior minister had “made the [political] journey of 30 years in three-and-a-half years”.

“You began from where and have now reached where, and now you realise that this system is completely dysfunctional.”

In his speech, Muqam criticised the PPP’s governance in Sindh, saying that no performance of the party could be seen.

He also said the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) — a scheme that the PPP often takes credit for launching — was not “anyone’s personal programme but the government’s”.

Earlier on Saturday, PPP leader Saeed Ghani alleged that the PML-N had never won a general election without rigging.

This followed a press briefing by Punjab’s education and sports ministers, where they said that the chief ministers of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had nothing to show for their performance.

PML-N never won an election without rigging: Ghani

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Ghani said, “The PPP did not secure power through rigging in any of the elections held till today.

“On the other hand, however many times the PML-N has secured power, it has not been without rigging.”

Ghani, also the Sindh labour minister, made the allegation as he responded to a PML-N member calling on the PPP to not “give lectures on democracy”.

“If you do not want to give the PPP the right to speak on democracy, then will you give it to Gen Musharraf or Gen Zia, or the leaders created by them?” he quipped, referring to the two former military dictators.

The PPP leader said he “did count the 1985 election”, alleging that PML-N supremo and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif “conspired” against ex-prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo.

He further claimed that his party “became a target of rigging” in the 1988 and 1990 elections, which resulted in the PML-N winning. He went on to allege that the PPP was again “controlled and prevented from forming a government in Punjab” in 1993.

Ghani alleged that the PPP was restricted to “16-17 seats” in the 1997 general elections, when Nawaz’s PML-N again formed the government.

He contended that although the PPP secured power in 2008, the “PML-N was made to win seats, especially in Punjab, through rigging during Musharraf’s tenure”.

Ghani claimed that the PML-N was “made to win” the 2013 elections as well.

“Then the elections in 2024 [took place]. No matter how many times they say, everyone, even children, know that the PML-N was badly defeated in the elections,” he asserted.

The PPP leader alleged that Nawaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz “lost their own seats and then blame us”.

Ghani made the remarks after explaining the rationale for his party’s stances on new provinces in Sindh and Punjab, stressing that it was based on the wishes of the people.

He emphasised that the Constitution required any such move to be made through the elected representatives in the provincial assembly concerned.

He noted that the “people of Sindh, its representatives and its assembly say there is no need for further provinces in Sindh”.

On the other hand, Ghani pointed out, the Punjab Assembly and the Senate had passed resolutions over a decade ago calling for two new provinces in Punjab.

“If the people and the elected representatives of Sindh say that there is no need for any new province in Sindh, then no one in Punjab has the right to say whether there should be a new province in Sindh or not,” Ghani asserted.

He went on to stress that the PPP advocated for more provinces in Punjab as the “people of Punjab and their elected representatives” desired that.

The PPP leader emphasised that his party “represented” the citizens of each of the provinces when taking a stance for Sindh and Punjab.

At the outset of his press conference, Ghani also took exception to comments made by “two ministers”, saying it seemed that they “did not know anything about Sindh”.

“They are restricted within a circle called Maryam Nawaz. They only see and say what she tells them, shows them and explains to them,” he said in an apparent reference to the Punjab ministers.

The lawyers observed a complete strike at the City Courts and boycotted judicial proceedings in protest against the alleged “physical assault, harassment and inhumane treatment” meted out by SHO Rao Muhammad Aslam to former KBA office-bearer Ishfaq Ahmed Buriro.

Litigants and police were barred from entering the City Courts premises, where cases were adjourned due to the KBA’s complete strike.

An order issued by the office of SSP-Central Dr Muhammad Imran Khan on Friday stated that the SHO of Gulbahar police station had been suspended with immediate effect and reverted from the rank of sub-inspector to his substantive rank of assistant sub-inspector.

Legal fraternity observes strike at City Courts

The order further stated that he had been transferred to the SSP Reserve, District Central, with immediate effect and would report to the office on a daily basis during the suspension period.

However, KBA President Aamir Nawaz Warraich did not welcome the action taken by the SSP against the police officer, demanding that an FIR be registered against the officer.

He said the lawyers would continue their strike and boycott court proceedings until a case was registered.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Warraich said the lawyer had gone to the police station over an issue regarding a friend’s family. However, he alleged that the police officials present there, including the SHO, misbehaved with him, physically assaulted him and later “illegally confined him in the lock-up”.

Earlier in morning, the KBA condemned the alleged action of the SHO against the ex-office bearer and termed it as a “grave violation of fundamental rights, human dignity and the principles of justice and rule of law”.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

In a letter dated July 25, a copy of which is available to Dawn, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah asked the Universities and Boards Department to examine the request submitted by KU employees’ union “Mulazmeen Ittehad” and take necessary action. An official communication issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat said the matter had been referred to the secretary of the Universities and Boards Department.

The application by the KU employees had called for financial assistance for the university and requested an audit of former vice chancellor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi’s seven-year tenure.

The communication stated that the chief minister endorsed the application and directed the department to process the request. The Secretariat instructed the Universi­ties and Boards Depart­ment to deal with the matter in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and government policy, and to inform the Chief Minister’s Secreta­riat of the action taken at the earliest.

Representatives of the Karachi University Teachers Society (Kuts) and Mulazmeen Ittehad welcomed the government move.

Kuts President Dr Ghufran Alam said the teachers’ body appreciated the continuation of the audit and inquiry process, along with the inquiries that were already underway.

He said the process, as directed by the Sindh chief minister, would help ensure transparency and strengthen confidence in the outcome of the investigations.

Dr Alam also urged the committee members and the Sindh government to release the promised grant for the university, saying the institution urgently needed financial support. “The grant will provide much-needed relief to the university, its faculty and employees,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of Mulazmeen Ittehad Farhan Khan also welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step towards addressing the university’s financial problems. He said the employees’ body was not against any individual and that its demand for an audit was aimed solely at ensuring accountability and transparency.

Mr Khan said the university had acknowledged that it was facing a financial deficit and serious financial challenges. “That makes it necessary to determine how all this happened and who is responsible. The audit should identify the factors that contributed to the crisis,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

KARACHI: The Sindh government and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) on Friday signed a five-year Rs439 million agreement to build a province-wide inclusive education system for differently-abled persons, with a dedicated Special Educational Needs Unit to be set up at the AKU-IED.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the AKU-IED and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) at Chief Minister (CM) House in the presence of CM Murad Ali Shah.

According to a press statement issued by CM House, the provincial government would contribute Rs278.56m, while the AKU-IED would contribute Rs160.65m.

The Special Educational Unit (SEN) at the AKU-IED will serve as a centre of excellence for teacher training, research, innovation, policy support and demonstration of best practices in inclusive education under the agreement, effective from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031.

Sindh govt, AKU-IED sign Rs439m pact; CM Murad says agreement will strengthen special needs education across province

The partnership will also establish specialised facilities, including sensory rooms, therapy rooms and resource centres, and support evidence-based policymaking and public awareness campaigns.

Disability inclusion partners including the Network of Organisations Working for Persons with Disabilities Pakistan (NOWPDP) will also support implementation, advocacy and community outreach.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the agreement marked an important step towards the province where every individual, regardless of ability, had the opportunity to learn, grow, contribute and thrive. “This MoU is far more than a formal agreement; it is a strategic partnership to strengthen inclusive and special needs education across Sindh,” he said.

Mr Shah said that the collaboration between the government would build institutional capacity, improve teacher preparation, strengthen research and create new opportunities for children with disabilities to access quality education.

He said that the partnership would help develop a more responsive education system through professional development, stronger community engagement and policy decisions grounded in evidence.

The chief minister said that the initiative could serve as a model for Pakistan on how governments and academic institutions can work together for an inclusive future.

AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin said that the partnership reflected a shared commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of ability, has access to meaningful learning.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

LAHORE: As the River Indus continues to flow at a medium flood level at Guddu and Sukkur barrages, water levels in the country’s major reservoirs — Tarbela and Mangla dams — have risen significantly over the past 15 days due to torrential rains in their catchment areas.

According to reports issued by the Water and Power Deve­lopment Authority (Wapda), the water level at Tarbela dam increased from 1,504.31 feet on July 16 to 1,537 feet on July 31, a rise of 32.69 feet. The reservoir is now just 13 feet below its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet.

Also, the water level at Chashma Lake, which has a total capacity of 649 feet, rose to 648.50 feet on Friday from 646.80 feet on July 16.

Similarly, the water level at Mangla dam rose from 1,173.20 to 1,195.55 feet over the same period, while its maximum conservation level is 1,242 feet.

Officials attributed the rise in reservoir levels mainly to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, although snowmelt also contributes significantly to filling Tarbela dam.

According to the Flood Fore­casting Division (FFD) of the Met Office, the River Indus at Sukkur would remain at a medium flood level, while flows at Guddu were expected to rec­ede from medium to low flood level over the next 24 hours.

It said the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers were currently flowing below low flood level.

The FFD forecast that the Chenab at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad would fluctuate between low and medium flood levels and could reach a high flood level at Marala during the forecast period.

“Medium to high flows are expected in the nullahs of the Jhelum, Chenab (Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik and Palkhu) and Ravi (Bein, Basantar, Deg and Sakki).

Urban flooding

“Flash flooding is expected in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, streams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan, while urban flooding is expected in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargo­dha, Mandi Bahauddin, Sial­kot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal and Faisal­abad,” the FFD report said.

It also warned of urban flooding, waterlogging and prolonged ponding in Badin, Hyd­erabad, Jamshoro, Khair­pur, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazir­abad, Suja­wal, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, Thatta and Umerkot.

According to Wapda’s daily water report issued on July 31, inflows and outflows at Tarbela on the Indus were 241,000 and 184,300 cusecs, respectively. At Mangla on the Jhelum, inflows were 45,100 cusecs and outflows 7,400 cusecs, while at Marala on the Chenab, inflows were 80,600 cusecs and outflows 66,500 cusecs.

Separately, the Provincial Disaster Management Auth­ority (PDMA) Punjab issued a fact sheet on the monsoon and flood situation in Punjab, covering rainfall, river and dam conditions, damage, relief measures and precautionary advice for the public.

Rainfall across Punjab

According to the PDMA spokesperson, rainfall during the past 24 hours included 75mm in Attock, 67mm in Sialkot, 56mm in Joha­rabad, 46mm in Lahore, 44mm in Sar­godha, 27mm in Khushab, 21mm in Murree, 17mm in Rawalpindi, 15mm in Narowal, and 7mm each in Chiniot and Mianwali.

The authority said advance planning, timely deployment of machinery and effe­ctive drainage operations enabled rainwater to be cleared quickly despite heavy rainfall, providing significant relief to residents. The spokesperson said the current spell of monsoon rains was expected to continue until Aug 5.

The PDMA, district administrations and other relevant agencies remain on high alert, with continuous monitoring of rivers, dams and barrages.

PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa said there was a low flood situation at Kalabagh and Chashma on the River Indus. He said water storage stood at 85pc in Tarbela, 54pc in Mangla, 46pc in Thein dam, 40pc in Pong dam and 37pc in Bhakra dam.

According to the PDMA report, 45 people have died and 279 have been injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab during the current monsoon season. Of the fatalities, 33 were caused by the collapse of mud and dilapidated buildings, six by drowning, four by electrocution and two by lightning strikes.

Mr Jappa said the injured were being provided the best possible medical treatment and that affected families would be compensated in accordance with the Pun­jab government’s policy.

He urged citizens to take precautionary measures during the monsoon, not allow children to bathe in rain drains, low-lying areas, rivers or canals, and to contact the relevant authorities immediately in case of an emergency.

According to the PDMA, its control room is monitoring the situation round the clock to ensure a timely response to any emergency.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday launched World Breastfeeding Week with a renewed commitment to strictly enforce the province’s law against the promotion of infant formula and expand the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to improve breastfeeding practices and maternal and child health across the province.

Launching the week-long global campaign, followed by Breastfeeding Month throughout August, Sindh Health and Population Welfare Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said breastfeeding remained one of the most effective interventions for protecting newborns, improving child nutrition and reducing infant mortality.

She said the government would strengthen implementation of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-feeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, which prohibits the promotion, advertising and marketing of infant formula, breastmilk substitutes and commercial complementary foods intended for children up to three years of age.

Dr Pechuho said the government would remain vigilant in enforcing the law to protect families from unethical commercial practices that discourage breastfeeding and undermine mothers’ confidence.

The minister said Sindh was also expanding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative by transforming tertiary, district and regional hospitals into baby-friendly institutions where mothers are supported to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, newborns receive immediate skin-to-skin contact and unnecessary formula feeding is discouraged.

She said more than 3,000 healthcare providers had already been trained in clinical lactation management, breastfeeding counselling and maternal nutrition to strengthen breastfeeding support across public health facilities.

Dr Pechuho said exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, followed by the timely introduction of safe, nutrient-rich homemade complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding, protects children against severe diarrhoea, pneumonia and acute malnutrition.

Along with routine immunisation, she said, optimal breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways to improve child survival and health.

Marking this year’s World Breastfeeding Week under the global theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” the minister urged healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, the media and families to work together to create an environment where every mother receives the support needed to breastfeed successfully.

Supporting the campaign, Unicef said breastfeeding was a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of child survival, nutrition and development, calling on governments, healthcare professionals, employers, communities and families to strengthen the support systems mothers need to breastfeed successfully.

Unicef Sindh Chief of Field Office Prem Bahadur Chand said investing in evidence-based policies and services and protecting breastfeeding would help ensure that every child in Pakistan received the healthiest possible start in life.

He said Unicef would support a series of advocacy, awareness, community engagement and media activities throughout August across the country to encourage collective action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026

A notification available with Dawn states that all public and private educational institutions under the department “shall remain closed on Aug 4, 2026 (Tuesday) on account of Chehlum (20th Safar 1448 AH)”.

The notification has been sent to the principal secretaries of the Sindh governor and chief minister, as well as other senior officials.

The Chehlum of Imam Hussain is observed on Safar 20, highlighting the sacrifices rendered by Imam Husain (AS) and his companions in Karbala.

Earlier today, the department said private schools in Sindh have been allowed to decide their weekly teaching and working days according to their own schedules and convenience.

A circular issued by the province’s Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions clarified a notification issued by the education department on July 29, which directed that classes would be held six days a week at schools and colleges across the province from August 1 until further notice.

The new circular clarified that the directive would not apply to privately managed schools.

A circular issued by the province’s Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions clarified a notification issued by the education department on July 29, which directed that classes would be held six days a week at schools and colleges across the province from August 1 until further notice.

The new circular clarified that the directive would not apply to privately managed schools.

“It is hereby clarified for all privately managed schools across the province of Sindh that they may manage their weekly working days according to their own schedules and operative convenience,” Additional Director (Registration) Rafia Javed said in the circular.

A copy of the circular is available with Dawn.

In its July 29 notification, seen by Dawn, the Education and Literacy Department said: “In supercession of this department’s notification of even number dated March 31, 2026, it is hereby notified that all public and private educational institutions under the administrative control of the School and Literacy Education Department, Government of Sindh, shall observe a six-day working week (Monday to Saturday) with effect from August 1, 2026 till further orders.”

The College Education Department issued its own version of the notification a day later, directing that a six-day working week be observed by all public and private educational institutions under its administrative control.

On March 31, as cited in the two notifications, the Sindh government had announced that Saturday and Sunday would be “off” days at educational institutions, as part of the austerity and fuel conservation measures adopted to deal with the economic impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Sindh chief minister’s spokesperson, however, told Dawn that teachers had also stopped working on Saturdays, although the March decision applied only to students. He said this had affected students’ education and the completion of the annual curriculum. The six-day week was introduced to facilitate completion of the curriculum.

The meeting came after the government admitted that more than 90 children have so far been tested positive for HIV/AIDS at two Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run hospitals, linking the crisis to the absence of infection control protocols at the hospitals, including the reuse of contaminated syringes.

The delegation of labour organisations included representatives of Pakistan Institute of Labour, Education and Rese­arch, National Trade Union Federation, Peoples’ Labour Bureau, Workers’ Education and Research Organisation, Interna­tional Union of Food, Home-Based Women Workers’ Federa­tion, State Bank Democratic Workers’ Federation and Karachi Union of Journalists.

During the meeting, labour leaders voiced serious concerns over the spread of HIV among children at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital (KBVH) and a Landhi hospital — both operating under SESSI.

Minister Ghani assures labour leaders of measures to rebuild public trust

They demanded a thorough and transparent investigation and called for strict action against all those found responsible, without discrimination.

They also expressed full confidence in Minister Saeed Ghani, saying that they believed he would mobilise every available resource to ensure quality treatment and welfare of the affected children and their families.

In his response, Ghani said he had been personally monitoring the issue since it first surfaced in October 2025 and had kept the Sindh chief minister fully informed of every development.

He assured labour representatives that both he and the Sindh labour department were closely monitoring every aspect of the situation and that the affected children and their families would not be left to face the crisis alone.

“The ongoing inquiry would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Anyone found responsible would face both departmental disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecution under the relevant laws,” he assured the delegation.

He also shared that a high-level standing committee comprising some of Pakistan’s leading infectious disease specialists, healthcare institutions and international organisations would be formed to oversee the treatment of the affected children.

The committee, he said, would include representatives from Aga Khan University Hospital, Indus Hospital, Sindh Healthcare Commission, World Health Organisation and other experts in HIV management.

The minister reiterated that the Rs2 billion SESSI endowment fund had been created to safeguard the welfare of the affected families and this fund, he assured the attendees, could be expanded, if necessary.

In addition, the minister pointed out, an independent and autonomous committee comprising respectable members of civil society would be established to oversee the endowment fund and ensure complete transparency and accountability.

On the ongoing HIV/AIDS screening measures the government has taken, Ghani said the government would not halt HIV screening despite concerns that expanded testing could result in the identification of more cases.

“We will not stop the screening process under any circumstances because we do not want anyone living with HIV without knowing their condition,” he observed.

SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bux Kalhoro, Focal Person Dr Saadat Memon, SESSI governing body members Muhammad Khan Abro, Nasir Mansoor, Zehra Khan were also present during the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

The decision was taken during a meeting between Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and NTC Managing Director retired Major General Ali Farhan at CM House on Thursday.

The meeting was attended among others by Special Assistant to CM on Information Technology Mohammad Ali Rashid, Chairman of Planning and Development Board Bilal Memon, NTC General Manager South Muhammad Irfan and Director Development South Atta-ur-Rehman Malik.

Sources told Dawn that a high-level committee would finalise a proposal to determine if the project would be carried out through a Public-Private Partnership or handed over to the NTC on a contract basis.

Murad says protection and accessibility of govt data are critical

They said that the committee would comprise the special assistant to the chief minister on IT, the Sindh IT secretary, IT experts from the province, and the MD NTC along with his team.

The sources said that the committee would submit its proposal on whether the project should be executed under the PPP mode or awarded to the NTC on a contract basis within three months.

According to a press statement issued by CM House, the chief minister directed the planning and development board, the IT department and the NTC to jointly prepare a comprehensive roadmap covering technical specifications, implementation timelines, governance mechanisms and future expansion requirements.

He said the project could be initiated through a public-private partnership model with the NTC. “Government data is a national asset,” he said, adding that its protection, management and accessibility were critical for effective governance, public trust and institutional efficiency.

CM Murad said that the provincial government wanted Sindh to lead in digital innovation and e-governance.

He said that secure data infrastructure had become a strategic requirement worldwide. “A modern provincial data centre will provide secure storage, cloud-based services and business continuity solutions for government departments while reducing operational risks and improving inter-departmental coordination,” he added.

The chief minister said the facility would serve as the backbone for future initiatives in artificial intelligence, smart governance, Safe City systems, digital records management and citizen-centric services.

He also stressed that the project was designed to bridge the digital divide by extending high-speed connectivity to rural and remote areas of Sindh, ensuring access to healthcare, education and online public services at the grassroots level.

CM Murad said that the centralised data facility and robust connectivity network would also support the upcoming Safe Cities project for advanced surveillance and real-time data processing for law enforcement.

Briefing the meeting, Maj-Gen Farhan said the NTC, established under the Telecom Reorganisation Act of 1996, was the country’s sole government-owned ICT service provider. “It already operates Tier-III compliant data centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Quetta, providing secure hosting, cloud computing and disaster recovery services,” he added.

The NTC chief said that nearly 1,000 kilometres of optical fibre network was being maintained by the NTC across Sindh, which provided the infrastructure needed for large-scale digital initiatives, including Safe City projects and integrated government communication systems.

“The corporation now plans to establish an advanced data centre in Karachi to meet provincial e-governance requirements and strengthen data sovereignty,”

The participants also reviewed opportunities for cooperation in telecommunications, data management, cloud services, cybersecurity and digital governance.

Concluding the meeting, the chief minister reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to work closely with NTC to develop secure ICT infrastructure and expand digital connectivity across the province.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

Official sources told Dawn on Thursday that the action was taken following the completion of disciplinary proceedings under the Sindh Civil Servants (Effici­ency and Discipline) Rules, 1973.

Those dismissed include Food Supervisors Muhammad Hassan and Muhammad Mithal Magsi; District Food Controller Muha­mmad Munawar Arain; Food Inspectors Muhammad Abbas Memon, Zaheer Abbas Shar, Imr­an Ali Magsi, Qurban Ali Magsi and Ghulam Mustafa Mirani.

They said that recovery of Rs5.128bn from the sacked officials had been ordered.

Sindh govt finds them guilty of theft, illegal disposal or adulteration of wheat stocks

They said that the proceedings related to shortages, misappropriation, illegal release and transportation, adulteration and deliberate deterioration of wheat stocks at centres in Dadu, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur, Kashm­ore-Kandhkot and Shikarpur.

Speaking to Dawn, Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman said that government wheat was a public asset meant to ensure food security and affordable flour for citizens.

“Anyone found involved in the theft, misappropriation, illegal disposal or adulteration of government wheat will face dismissal, recovery of every rupee and criminal prosecution. No position or influence will provide protection,” he said.

Zaman said that accountability would not be limited to departmental penalties and that recovery and criminal proceedings would be pursued to their logical conclusion. “The Sindh government will protect every grain of public wheat. Strict monitoring, physical verification and transparent stock management are being strengthened across the province,” he added.

Officials said that Food Inspe­ctor Zaheer Abbas Shar faced the largest recovery of over Rs2 billion for wheat shortages reported at the Procurement and Receipt Centre (PRC) Thari Mirwah, PRC Setharja and WPCs Sikandarabad and Choondiko in Khairpur. Food Inspector Muhammad Abbas Memon has been held liable for over Rs1 billion for losses at PRCs Sanghar, Nauabad and Khipro, while Food Supervisor Muhammad Mithal Magsi faces recovery of Rs849,161,882 in the Shikarpur case.

Food Supervisor Muhammad Hassan has been ordered to pay Rs700,453,297 for shortages at PRC Radhan and WPCs in Dadu, and Food Inspector Imran Ali Magsi Rs310,837,583 for shortages at PRC Khudabad.

Food Supervisor Qurban Ali Mag­si faces recovery of Rs67,515,209 for stocks at K.N. Shah, and former DFC Muhammad Munawar Arain Rs56,593,000 for illegal release of wheat to a non-functional flour mill.

In the eighth case, Ghulam Mustafa Mirani was dismissed for his alleged role, in collusion with centre in-charges, in large-scale shortages at PRCs Kashmore and Kandhkot.

The officials said that exact recoverable amount in his case will be determined by the Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

An official statement issued after the ceremony highlighted that the initiative would encompass the rehabilitation and improvement of key roads and corridors, drainage and sewerage infrastructure, green belts and other essential municipal facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, the mayor said that the rehabilitation of industrial areas was one of the priorities of the Sindh government, as a strong industrial sector was essential for economic growth.

He said that, for the first time, around Rs9.5bn had been approved and released for the rehabilitation of industrial areas across Karachi, with the funds being made available through the respective trade and industrial associations so that development works could be undertaken according to the actual needs of each industrial area.

Scheme forms part of a Rs9.5bn rehabilitation initiative for Karachi’s industrial zones

“We have changed the traditional procedure to ensure that the business community gets practical and timely results”, the statement quoted the mayor as saying.

“Trade and industrial associations have been given greater flexibility to identify priority works, select suitable contractors and vendors, and choose appropriate materials according to the requirements of their respective areas.

The objective is simple: development work should respond to ground realities and should not remain stuck in lengthy procedural delays”, the mayor added.

He added that the provincial and local governments were working together to address Karachi’s long-standing infrastructure challenges.

“We have taken practical steps to remove unnecessary hurdles and ensure that development reaches the areas where it is most needed”, he said.

The mayor further announced that the government was now moving towards addressing another major challenge confronting Karachi: water supply and wastewater management.

Sharing details with the business community, he said that the TP-1 Sewage Treatment Plant would soon begin operations with a treatment capacity of 35 million gallons per day (MGD), while an additional treatment capacity of 65 MGD was planned by December, taking the total additional capacity to 100 MGD.

He said the initiative would significantly contribute to addressing the city’s water and wastewater-related concerns, particularly those affecting the industrial and business communities.

“Development does not end with the laying of a foundation stone. We want to ensure that these projects are completed on time and deliver the intended results. I have asked the business community to remain engaged with us through regular monthly follow-up meetings so that issues can be identified and resolved without delay,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

Raza’s bullet-riddled body was recovered from bushes in Block-1 of Guli­stan-i-Jauhar on Wedne­sday. He had been missing since he left his home in PECHS on Tuesday.

The grieving father, Mir Husain Ali, told the media that Mir Raza was his only son and that coming to terms with his loss was extremely difficult for him.

He said his son had no known enmity with anyone. He urged the authorities to ensure justice by arresting those involved in his son’s murder.

He told the media that his son had been running his own food business — Wafflix — for the past five years. He had initially established a shop in Bahad­urabad before opening a branch in North Nazimabad.

The father said his son had become engaged last year and was due to be married in August. The family had been busy making arrangements for the wedding.

Meanwhile, police have made little headway into the investigations of the murder case.

A senior official, speaking to Dawn on condition of anonymity, said investigators had obtained some leads and were following them to establish the motive behind the killing and identify those involved.

He said Raza had left home after receiving a call on his phone. The official added that his mobile phone remained missing.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

Chakiwara police, in a statement, said that Zubair Baloch, 40, was shot and injured on main Chakiwara Road, while two passersby were also injured. They were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that Zubair had been arrested in seven criminal cases in 2012 and was released in January 2025.

He added that Zubair was sitting outside his residence in Singu Lane when armed suspects on a motorcycle opened fire on him and fled the scene.

Zubair sustained multiple injuries, including to his chest and abdomen, and was undergoing surgery. DIG Raza noted that one of the injured passersby was also in serious condition.

The DIG added that the police were investigating the incident from different angles, including gang rivalry and personal enmity.

A social activist from the area told Dawn, on the condition of anonymity, that Zubair had joined a “political party” a few months ago and had raised its flags in his area.

The activist also mentioned rumours in Lyari that some gangsters who had fled to Dubai and Iran after the Karachi operation had returned following the US-Iran war, and that residents were fearful of a possible resurgence of the past gang war in the area.

They added that the attackers had covered their faces and fled when a nearby shopkeeper returned fire.

Earlier in March, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) rejected bail applications of Uzair Baloch in seven cases pertaining to murder, police encounter and possession of explosives.

Uzair, along with others, had been charged with attacking law enforcers with firearms and explosives in 2012 within the jurisdiction of the Kalakot police station.

In April 2020, a military court had convicted Uzair Baloch of espionage and sentenced him to 12 years in jail.

The decision was announced in two separate notifications issued by the Sindh Education and Literacy Department and the College Education Department.

In its notification, seen by Dawn and dated July 29, the Education and Literacy Department said: “In supercession of this department’s notification of even number dated March 31, 2026, it is hereby notified that all public and private educational institutions under the administrative control of the School and Literacy Education Department, Government of Sindh, shall observe a six-day working week (Monday to Saturday) with effect from August 1, 2026 till further orders.”

Similarly, the notification issued by the College Education Department, issued on July 30 and seen by Dawn, stated: “In supercession of this department’s notification of even number dated March 31, 2026, it is hereby notified that all public and private educational institutions under the administrative control of the College Education Department, government of Sindh, shall observe a six working days in the week (Monday to Saturday) with effect from August 1, 2026 … till further orders.”

According to the notification, work timings at colleges will be from 8:30am to 1:30pm from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday during the morning shift, and from 8:30am to 11:30am on Friday. During the evening shift, work timings would be from 3pm to 7pm Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, and from 2:30pm to 5pm on Friday.

On March 31, as cited in the two notifications, the Sindh government had announced that Saturday and Sunday would be off days at educational institutions as part of the austerity and fuel conservation measures adopted to deal with the economic impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Sindh chief minister’s spokesperson, however, told Dawn that teachers had also started taking off on Saturdays while the March decision applied to only students.

As a result, education and completion of the annual curriculum were getting affected, he said.