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India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Ek BrahMos chalega: Mithun Chakraborty's reply to Bilawal Bhutto's war threat
Responding to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's war threat over India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty ridiculed the former Pakistani foreign minister, delivering a mix of sarcasm and blunt rhetoric."Agar aisi baatein karte rahenge aur hamari khopdi sanak gayi toh phir ek ke baad ek BrahMos chalega... We have also thought of building a dam where 140 crore people will pee. After that, we will open the dam, and a tsunami will occur. I have nothing against the people of Pakistan. I have said all of this for him (Bilawal Bhutto)," Chakraborty BJP leader's remarks came shortly after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned of war if New Delhi moves ahead with altering the Indus Waters Treaty. While speaking at a function organised by the Culture Department of the Government of Sindh on Monday, Bhutto accused India of attacking Pakistan and engaging in 'barbarism', declaring that "every Pakistani is ready to fight a war"."Pakistan did not start this war; we have always spoken of peace. Pakistan's representatives have gone all over the world. We spoke of peace, but India spoke of war. But now that war has started. We would like to tell the Modi government from this land that we do not back down, we do not bow. And, if you think of carrying out such an attack towards the Indus, then the people of every province of Pakistan are ready to confront you, and this is a war you will surely lose," he Bhutto said that Pakistanis were "strong enough for war to reclaim all six rivers", vowing that the country "will never bow down".Earlier, during his second visit to the United States since the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir issued a nuclear threat to India, warning that Islamabad was prepared to plunge the region into nuclear war and "take almost half of the world" down if it faced an existential threat in any future clash with New Delhi."We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us. We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, we will destroy it with ten missiles. The Indus River is not the Indians' family property... We have no shortage of missiles, Alhumdulillah," Munir had said during a black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted by businessman and honorary consul Adnan threats to India from American soil and touting Pakistan's untapped oil and mineral wealth, the army chief inadvertently revealed his country's starkly weaker position compared to India."India is shining a Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari, but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?" he said.- EndsMust Watch
Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt declares Aug 9 public holiday on urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
The Government of Sindh has declared Saturday, August 9, 2025, as a public holiday across the province on the occasion of the annual Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (R.A), a revered Sufi saint and poet of Sindh. According to an official notification issued by the Services, General Administration & Coordination Department (SGA&CD), the holiday will apply to all offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the provincial government, except essential services. The notification, signed by Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Muhammad Fakhire Alam Ifran, was circulated to all relevant departments and officials, including the Sindh High Court, Police, Revenue Board, Public Service Commission, and Commissioners across the province. The annual Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is commemorated to honour the spiritual and literary legacy of the Sufi saint, whose poetry and teachings continue to influence Sindhi culture and identity. The event typically draws thousands of devotees to Bhit Shah, where his shrine is located. The holiday is observed annually on the 14th of Safar in the Islamic calendar.
Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Karachi to Sukkur: Sindh govt plans to launch sub-urban railway services: minister
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has stated that a proposal is under consideration to launch sub-urban railway services from Karachi to Sukkur, based on the model of Lahore. The project, a joint effort between Pakistan Railways and the Government of Sindh, aims to enhance public transport services across the province and is expected to benefit millions of daily commuters. It will also help reduce the load on inter-city bus services and ease travel-related difficulties for the general public. In a significant move to improve the railway system and enhance public transport facilities, the Sindh government has decided to launch a train service on the short route between Rohri and Sukkur. The minister expressed these views during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Pakistan Railways at the Energy Department's office. The delegation was led by Chairman/Secretary Pakistan Railways Syed Mazhar-ul-Islam, and included Chief Operating Officer Railways Amir Ali Baloch and Divisional Superintendent Railways Karachi, Rehan Lakho. Also present were Secretary Energy Department Sindh Mushtaq Ahmed Soomro, MD Thar Coal Energy Board Tariq Ali Shah, Additional Secretary Coal Dr. Waqas Rajput, Chief Technical Officer Shariq Raza, and other officials. The secretary of Railways offered several collaboration opportunities with the Sindh government and shared that Pakistan Railways, in collaboration with the Punjab government, has already launched sub-urban railway services in Lahore, benefiting over 80 million people. He emphasized the need for the Sindh government's support for similar projects in the province. Minister Nasir Hussain Shah affirmed that, as per the vision and directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Government of Sindh is committed to initiating and completing as many public-benefit projects as possible. He assured full cooperation with any institution working for public welfare and relief. The Minister confirmed Sindh's willingness to partner with Pakistan Railways on projects that serve the people. He further noted that the Sindh government had already completed its share of work for the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project, and the process of removing encroachments along the railway lines was underway when it was halted by railway authorities due to unspecified reasons. Nasir Shah highlighted that the Government of Sindh is progressing rapidly and successfully on multiple projects under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). He emphasised that the proposed railway track from Rohri to Karachi would be an ideal project, and assured that the Sindh government would prioritize the ML-1 project, providing all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and relevant support. He also pointed out that several projects of the Sindh government have been delayed due to inattention from the railway administration. To address these issues, he proposed the formation of a joint committee to resolve all pending matters. The meeting also discussed suggestions for improving railway stations across Sindh, addressing critical railway crossings, and potentially adopting railway stations for better maintenance. Proposals for cleanliness and the establishment of green belts along railway tracks were also reviewed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
06-08-2025
- Business Recorder
Sindh to launch camera based system in Karachi to curb traffic violations
The Government of Sindh announced on Wednesday a Faceless Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) would be introduced in Karachi to monitor violators. In a post on X, the Sindh Information Department said the new system would be a practical step toward justice, transparency, and modern traffic regulation. It added that traffic violations would be monitored by HD cameras instead of officers. 'Violations will be recorded, and an e-ticket, along with a photo, will be delivered to the violator's home.' As per the payment system, the violator will be imposed with a double penalty on payment after 21 days. Moreover, the driving license will be suspended after 3 months of non-payment. The notification added that the CNIC would also be blocked after 6 months of non-payment.
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Closure of industrial, commercial establishments: Sindh govt, not labour court, has jurisdiction to decide cases: SC
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court declared that under the Sindh Terms of Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 2015, the jurisdiction to decide cases of closure of industrial or commercial establishment is vested in the Government of Sindh, rather than the Labour Court. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard appeals against the Sindh High Court (SHC) verdict. The transitory facts of the case are that the petitioner (M/s Trio Industries (Pvt) Limited) was engaged in the business of printing of ceramic tiles on finished products manufactured by other ceramic tiles production companies. Due to the advancement of technology, the process of printing tiles has become an integral part of the manufacturing process, hence the petitioner's enterprise was no more a viable venture. The petitioner on 02.03.2017 applied to the Labour Department, instead of the Sindh Government, under Standing Order 15 of the Sindh Terms of Employment (Standing Orders) Act 2015 for permission to close down the factory. During the closure process, the respondents (employees of the factory) filed their Grievance Petition before the Labour Court and alleged that due to trade union activities, the petitioner has decided to remove them from service. They asserted that no proper application was moved to the Government of Sindh for seeking their approval in the closure of the establishment, which was the wrong method. SC determines right meaning of FMCG products The Sindh Labour Court, Karachi, dismissed the grievance petitions. The respondents then filed appeals under Section 48 (3) of the Sindh Industrial Relations Act, 2013 (SIRA). The Sindh Labour Appellate Tribunal, Karachi directed the petitioner to deposit the stipulated amount of compensation within one month. The petitioner filed a constitution petition before the Sindh High Court, which was also dismissed. The petitioner's stance was that the Joint Director, Labour, represents the government and the application for closing down the establishment was rightly submitted to him, as he was the proper authority for submission of such application, and hence, intimation or notice to the Chief Secretary, Sindh, was not required. The judgment noted that under Standing Order 15 of the 2015 Act, an application for closing down the establishment was to be moved to the Government of Sindh, rather the Labour Department. If, under Standing Order 15, the application for permission to close down was not decided within 15 days of its submission, the said application could be deemed to have been granted/allowed, it added. It said there must be some well structured procedure and mechanism to deal with and decide the applications submitted to the Government of Sindh for closing down the establishment in terms of Standing Order 15 of the 2015 Act. 'No doubt, the powers are given to the government, but there is no procedure to decide such application except providing the outer limit of 15 days; that, too, is in favour of the employer, to presume that his application is allowed if it was not decided or responded to within 15 days. Therefore, a clean slate is accorded to the employer to immediately shut down the whole business/establishment without checking whether the action is bona fide or mala fide or, while doing so, if the full and final accrued dues of employees have been settled or not. 'On the contrary, while assuming jurisdiction to accord permission, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that the close down is bona fide and permission is granted after ensuring the payment of dues to the employees.' The judgment said there is a need to enact a fool-proof procedure to deal with, examine, and decide such applications after hearing the employer and employees/their representative/Trade Union/CBA, and then render a speaking order so that an aggrieved person may file an appeal in the Labour Court in terms of Standing Order 15 of the 2015 Act. The court recommended that some necessary amendments in the 2015 Act or some rules or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are required to be enacted in the best interest of workers, to save them from unlawful removal from service in case of mala fide attempts/schemes, and also from deprivation of their lawful dues in case bona fide of employer is proved. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
