logo
‘Special Muharram Cell' established at Governor House

‘Special Muharram Cell' established at Governor House

KARACHI: The Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori has announced the establishment of a 'Special Muharram Cell or Control Room' to resolve all the issues including security, electricity, stagnant rainwater and roads in Muharram ul Haram at the Governor House here on Sunday.
Talking to media persons after a meeting with Ulema along with Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Mohammed Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, the Sindh Governor said that the Governor House is open to all schools of thought to arrange their programs including Majalis, and 12 Rabiul Awwal.
He said we have to be away from difference of opinion and have to bring the people at one platform for respect and unity.
Tessori said that everyone has to play its role for the development and prosperity of the country.
He said that no example is seen in the world like 'Karbala'.
Speaking about the recent Indian aggression, he said that Pakistan gave a befitting response to her (India).
Replying to a question regarding bumpy roads in the city, the Governor said that they would talk to the administration for the resolution to the problem.
He said that a Special Cell is being established for the purpose in the Muharram ul Haram.
Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Mohammed Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on the occasion welcomed the announcement of establishing a Special Cell in the Governor House. Ashrafi said that he was against disrespecting to any school of thought.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is Hafiz e Quran. He said that the people, who met him out of the country were praising Pakistan for giving a befitting response to India.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US and India — strategic autonomy or alliance partnership
US and India — strategic autonomy or alliance partnership

Express Tribune

time4 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

US and India — strategic autonomy or alliance partnership

The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam This piece attempts to deconstruct the imperatives of Sino-India bilateralism in the backdrop of US-China competition. In my piece, "War of Humiliation" in the South Asia magazine (November 2020), discussing the Sino-Indian escalation in Ladakh, I had concluded that expecting India to stand up to China as a bulwark, that the US continues to prop it, is too far-fetched. That China and India would never — willingly or unwillingly — walk into a full-blown war, that is in nobody's interest. If anyone expects India to stand upto to China — doing the US bidding — in a resurrected Great Game 2.0; then it is not knowing India of Chanakya Kautilya (375-283 BC). The wizard, also called Vishnugupta or the Indian Machiavelli, said: "Do not reveal what you have thought of doing... keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution." Fast forward to 2025, there is a lot of debate nudging India to be in a 'partnership alliance' with the US to counter China; as most analysts in the US/European camp, think India cannot do it alone. Some emphasise that 'strengthening Quad' (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising Australia, India, Japan and America) would be a good starting point for New Delhi. Realising that India is a 'hedging' middle power, eager to play both if not all sides, the US think-tanks deduce that transfer of more sophisticated and advanced technology to India would depend upon India's overt anti-Beijing credentials. The basic premise of such thinking is that a shooting Sino-Indian war is inevitable, and that militarily embroiling China through India is cost effective and makes strategic sense. This is a faulty presumption, just like encouraging Ukraine, a militarily weaker side, to go on the offensive against a militarily stronger Russia that was on the defensive, in the much-touted Ukrainian counter offensive in 2023, that failed. The recent chasm in the US-India relations emanate from India profiting from the Russian oil imports, debunking sanctions; Indian protectionism in trade against US agricultural products; Modi's refusal to acknowledge President Trump's role in the May 2025 Pakistan-India ceasefire; and the less than expected tenacity by India in the cited conflict. However, these are transient factors originating from the 'Trump Factor', who is in his last presidential term. There are compelling reasons for Washington to keep India in its orbit and repair the damaged relations, even if New Delhi is not very forthcoming. First, in the US strategic construct China, Iran, North Korea and Russia make a substantial 'authoritative scale (mass of alliance power)' presenting a unified challenge, needing a unified response. Moreover, China under President Xi has moved away from its confrontational 'wolf warrior' diplomacy, with emerging profile in the Global South, Africa in particular. Its BRI networks 126 countries through highways, railways, pipelines, power plants, grids, IT, social welfare and poverty-alleviation projects. BRI's staggering investment of over $1.3 trillion will ultimately cover 60% of the world population and 40% of its GDP, providing a viable economic alternative, catapulting the present US-led predatory economic system. Second, America's inability to compete with both China and Russia, requires 'strategic diplomacy', some US analysts emphasise. Its core purpose being 'cultivating favourable balances of power in critical regions' to project power far beyond material means. Strategic diplomacy aims to limit rival's options, without seeking to remove the sources of conflict. The US is moving past the age of 'globalized utopia', of being the single-most powerful hegemon, enjoying comprehensive security enabled by techno-military capabilities. It gravitates towards alliance partnerships and strategic diplomacy. And under its 'pivot to Asia' strategy, building the largest anti-China coalition, India stands out to bridge the gap between Washington's rhetoric and capabilities. US analysts feel Biden Administration was unable to properly cultivate New Delhi against Beijing. They feel Trump should nudge India closer 'as an ally on the level of Japan or NATO partners'. Will India do the US bidding willingly, under coercion or under inducements? The straight answer is no, under any conditions. Way back in a meeting with the US officials, when asked to analyse the US-India potential relationship, my answer was to 'go ahead and find out'. However, much that India will drag its feet on becoming involved in bloc politics, alliance partnership with the US, and ignore its 'strategic autonomy', Washington will persistently deploy the pressure-inducement combo to rope in New Delhi against China. Even if that means making India, as some suggest, a regional policeman and hegemon in South Asia, deferring to its advice and actions concerning other countries like Pakistan. The other touted US 'deputy sheriffs' to include Australia in Pacific Islands, Vietnam in continental Southeast Asia and Nigeria in Africa. Expecting India to go against one of its largest trading partners (despite an otherwise obscure border conflict), is not understanding geo-economics and history. First, Sino-India annual trade is over $100 for the third consecutive year. It was $124 billion for FY2024. Second, India has historically conceded against formidable adversaries, from Afghans to Moghuls to Portuguese to the British. That historic constant has not changed, Modi or no Modi. Third, militarily, Indian discussions concede China's conventional and nuclear advantage. India responds to this "conventional asymmetry" through infrastructural build-up, force modernisation and new raisings, compared to Beijing's better military infrastructure, capabilities, and logistics. The Indian security establishment remains concerned about greater survivability of Indian forces on the battlefield, in an environment of uncontrolled escalation, instead of investing in new weapon platforms especially the nuclear ones. However, paradoxically, the cited asymmetry also serves as a strong catalyst for peaceful co-existence. It is, therefore, no surprise that India gravitates towards better relations with Beijing under its 'Look East Policy', burnished by the recent chasm with Washington. When China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi on August 18, 2025, during his two-day visit to New Delhi emphasised both nations to view each other as 'partners' and not 'adversaries or threats'; his Indian counterpart Jaishankar acknowledged the Chinese overtures, saying both countries were seeking to 'move ahead from a difficult period in our relations'. Wang met Premier Modi on Tuesday, reaffirming 'positive trend' in the bilateral ties. In sum, India it too smart to fall for the US trap.

Staff shortages at India's aviation regulator and air traffic control threaten safety, lawmakers say
Staff shortages at India's aviation regulator and air traffic control threaten safety, lawmakers say

Business Recorder

time10 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Staff shortages at India's aviation regulator and air traffic control threaten safety, lawmakers say

NEW DELHI: An Indian parliamentary committee on aviation has warned that staffing shortages at the country's air safety regulator and lack of air traffic controllers pose a threat to safety in one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is grappling 'with a profound and persistent shortage of technical and regulatory personnel,' with almost half of its posts unfilled, the committee said in a report on Wednesday. Lawmakers were reviewing aviation safety in India in the aftermath of the deadly Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people in June, the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. A few days before the crash, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed an annual global meeting of airlines in New Delhi, underscoring how India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals. Staffing shortages at the DGCA were 'an existential threat to the integrity of India's aviation safety system,' said the transport, tourism and culture committee report that also followed several helicopter accidents in northern India. India aviation watchdog finds 263 lapses at Indian airlines in annual audit It said the root of the crisis lay in an outdated recruitment model under which a recruitment agency hires personnel on behalf of the DGCA. The civil aviation ministry, which houses the regulator, has described the process as 'slow and inflexible,' according to the report and the DGCA faces a challenge in attracting and retaining highly skilled professionals. The ministry and the DGCA did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told lawmakers last month that the government would fill up 190 of the more than 500 unfilled positions in the DGCA by October. The parliamentary committee recommended launching a focused recruitment campaign and suggested a new regulatory authority could be created to replace the DGCA. The committee also said India's air traffic controllers were under immense pressure due to staffing shortages caused by failures in workforce planning. Some air traffic controllers were not adequately trained, the committee added. The report criticised the Airports Authority of India and the DGCA for a 'deeply troubling practice' of not following duty time limitations for the controllers, saying that raised the risk of fatigue and increased the chances of a controller error.

PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir visit flood-hit K-P, assure full support to victims
PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir visit flood-hit K-P, assure full support to victims

Express Tribune

time10 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir visit flood-hit K-P, assure full support to victims

PM Shehbaz, COAS during briefing on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in K-P on August 20. Photo: PID Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday visited flood-affected districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla and Swabi, pledging that every available national resource would be mobilised to accelerate recovery and restore normalcy. According to the Prime Minister's Office, prime minister and field marshal received a comprehensive briefing on rescue and relief operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Federal ministers and senior officials also joined the visit. The Prime Minister and COAS received a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 During their interaction with survivors, Shehbaz assured victims of the federal government's and Pakistan Army's unwavering support. 'We will extend maximum assistance in this critical hour,' he said, while appreciating the 'tireless dedication' of the armed forces and civil administration. Premier also drew attention towards illegal encroachments, timber smuggling and mining in worsening the disaster. He stressed that Pakistan 'must act as a hard state where no one is above the law' and directed action against violators. PM said more than 350 people had been killed in K-P alone, while nationwide casualties exceeded 700. The prime minister disbursed relief cheques among victims and announced seven days of free electricity for affected households. He also ordered immediate repair of damaged road infrastructure, regardless of whether it fell under provincial or federal jurisdiction. براہِ راست: وزیرِاعظم کی ضلع بونیر میں حالیہ بارشوں و سیلاب کے متاثرین سے ملاقات — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 'Hotels and houses built on waterways increase the impact of floods,' Shehbaz warned, calling for stricter policies to prevent illegal construction and protect natural water channels. He also urged the preservation of forests, noting that deforestation was a factor behind destructive cloudbursts. Recalling the 2022 floods, Shehbaz said hundreds of thousands of acres of crops were destroyed and homes washed away in Sindh, prompting Rs100 billion in federal aid. 'Today, with the support of all stakeholders, the government is fully committed to facing this new challenge,' he said. The prime minister stressed that there should be no politics in times of crisis. He praised K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin, the armed forces and civil administration for their relief efforts. He also lauded the support of Field Marshal Munir, 'under whose cooperation the government is striving to stabilise the economy.' Pakistan ranks among the world's 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, Shehbaz noted, adding that climate change, deforestation and unchecked development have amplified the scale of natural disasters. COAS interacted with troops, police and civil administration personnel involved in rescue efforts, lauding their selfless commitment in assisting victims of floods and torrential rains. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 Field Marshal Asim Munir also interacted with troops, police and civil personnel engaged in relief efforts, commending their 'selfless commitment' and directing formations to 'spare no effort in alleviating the hardships of flood-stricken families.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store