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Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Ex-SHO dismissed over collusion with gutka mafia
The former SHO of Surjani Town police station, Ghulam Hussain Pirzada, has been dismissed from service after a departmental inquiry found him guilty of receiving regular bribes from sellers of the illegal carcinogenic substances of gutka and mawa. According to a formal notification of the dismissal issued by the Sindh Police Establishment Department, credible intelligence reports triggered the appointment of DIG Zulfiqar Mehr as the inquiry officer to investigate the allegations of corruption and negligence. A team of officers under his supervision collected detailed information about the network of those allegedly involved in the illicit gutka and mawa business in Surjani inquiry revealed that Pirzada was receiving weekly payments totaling Rs1.1 million from known figures in the illegal trade. Despite occupying the SHO position, Pirzada took no action against the organised sale of banned substances.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Cattle meant for illegal slaughter seized from abandoned NMC school
Nagpur: In back-to-back operations on Wednesday, the Sadar police cracked down on two cattle-related offences, rescuing livestock worth over Rs2.35 lakh and arresting one suspect. The first raid took place at the old Lal Corporation School near Gaddigodam Masjid in Sadar. The school, which has been closed for over 10–15 years, was being used to confine cattle in cruel conditions, allegedly for slaughter. Based on an informant's tip, police officers raided the site at around 5.30am and rescued one red cow, one white calf, seven red-and-white calves, and one red-and-white bull. The animals, worth approximately Rs1.25 lakh, were tied up without food or water. The accused in the case, Shoaib Gafur Qureshi (42), a resident of Gaddigodam, is currently absconding. A case was registered under multiple sections of the Maharashtra Animal Protection Act, 1976 (Amendment 2015). Police inspector Manish Thakre of Sadar police station stated that the abandoned school has been a hotspot for such illegal activities. "We've already written to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to hand over the property to us. It was also suggested as a site for a cyber lab or a new police station. Locals even use it for weddings and public functions — it's high time the space is properly secured." In a separate incident, a Bolero pickup vehicle was intercepted at Juna Katol Naka Chowk near the Zilla Parishad School. Acting on an alert received on 112, officers led by PSI Vilas Gusinge stopped the vehicle and discovered nine bovines, including one white cow, one red cow, three white-red cows, and one calf, valued at Rs1.1 lakh. The driver, Vinod Kailas Dhumal (27) from Kalmeshwar, was arrested. He confessed to transporting the animals for Shoaib Gafur Qureshi, the same accused as in the earlier case. The four-wheeler vehicle, worth Rs5 lakh, was seized. A fresh case was registered under BNS, including charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Maharashtra Animal Protection Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act. Both operations were conducted under the guidance of DCP Rahul Madane and ACP Sunita Meshram. Authorities have urged the public to remain alert and report such offences to prevent further cruelty and enforce animal protection laws effectively.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
KMC session over water crisis ends in slugfest
A special session of the Karachi City Council was convened at the KMC Headquarters to discuss the debilitating water crisis in the metropolitan city. Attendees at the meeting, chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, included both treasury and opposition members, as well as senior officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The session, which lasted over two and a half hours, focused on pressing concerns related to water shortages, poor distribution, water theft, and institutional inefficiencies. The meeting was adjourned by the mayor and will reconvene on Friday. Despite assurances of attendance, KWSC CEO Ahmed Siddiqui and COO Asadullah Khan did not show up in the session due to recent Sindh High Court orders revoking their appointments. Their absence drew concern from several council members. A contentious moment arose during the meeting when Mayor Wahab asked KWSC Chief Engineer (Bulk) Syed Ijaz Ahmed to leave, stating that he was not the appropriate official for the discussion. This move was strongly objected to by opposition leader Saifuddin Advocate, who deemed it disrespectful and inappropriate. Many council members expressed surprise, especially as another senior KWSC official, Chief Engineer (Distribution) Muhammad Ali Sheikh, remained present without being questioned. The incident led to accusations of political bias and undue targeting of officials. PPP leader Najmi Alam criticised the KWSC's operational structure and revenue generation. He proposed dividing the utility into three administrative zones with designated officers to enhance efficiency. Alam highlighted that despite leasing rights being granted to numerous informal settlements, proper billing procedures are not in place. He noted that KWSC generates only Rs600 million in revenue, with 400 vacant positions and widespread unauthorised water connections, particularly in District West. During the session, Shahid Farman, Chairman of the Union Council in Karachi Admin Society, made serious allegations against Farhan Ghani, Chairman of Chanesar Town and brother of Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani. Farman claimed that Ghani was shielding water theft in his jurisdiction and that KWSC staff had admitted being unable to act due to political interference. This accusation sparked a heated exchange with PPP council members, which Mayor Wahab eventually calmed. The city mayor acknowledged that water theft, particularly from the K-III supply line, remains an issue. However, he claimed that efforts are ongoing to curb the problem. He also presented a comparison between KWSC and K-Electric customer bases, noting that KWSC has only 1.4 million registered customers, compared to 3.8 million for K-Electric. He stated that only half a million water consumers are billed, and an even smaller fraction actually pay their dues. Since taking office, the mayor said the KWSC's revenue has increased from Rs1.1 billion to Rs1.8 billion, but the funds are largely consumed by operational and maintenance expenses. Meanwhile, outside the KMC Headquarters, retired employees staged a protest demanding payment of pensions and arrears pending for over a decade. The demonstrators chanted slogans against the mayor and the Sindh government, calling attention to their prolonged financial hardships. A delegation from the MQM-Pakistan, led by opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khursheedi, joined the protest in solidarity. The issue of unpaid pensions affects retirees across all local government bodies, from Karachi to Kashmore, he said, holding the mayor accountable for the disbursement of payments and demanded financial autonomy for local governments. The MQM delegation departed after a brief media interaction, while the protesting retirees attempted to enter the KMC building but were prevented by security personnel. The demonstration concluded peacefully.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Express Tribune
FIA arrests human trafficker from Taftan
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested from Balochistan a key member of a racket involved in human trafficking as part of its ongoing crackdown against human smugglers. According to a statement issued by the FIA spokesperson on Saturday, the alleged trafficker, identified as Iftikhar Hussain, was taken into custody by the FIA anti-human trafficking circle from the Taftan area of Chagai district which shares borders with Iranian province of Sistan Baluchestan. The arrested suspect, the FIA said, is a key member of an organized human smuggling gang and has been involved in illegally sending citizens abroad through unauthorized routes. "The suspect has unlawfully facilitated the travel of several individuals to foreign countries. Action against him was taken based on a tip-off. "He was found involved in placing fake FIA immigration stamps on passengers' passports. Several passports and mobile phones were recovered from his possession. Further investigation into the matter has been initiated," the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the FIA Faisalabad Zone on Saturday also arrested a man involved in human trafficking and visa fraud. The suspect, identified as Umar Irfan, was arrested during a raid in Sahiwal. According to the FIA, he had been wanted since 2018 for scamming people by promising jobs abroad. He allegedly took over Rs1.1 million from innocent citizens by offering fake overseas employment and demanding illegal payments.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt misses investment target
Listen to article Pakistan's investment ratio has slightly improved to 13.8% of the economy's size in the outgoing fiscal year but remained below the official target, as private investment stayed almost stagnant despite the government's multi-front efforts to attract non-debt creating foreign inflows. The Sovereign Wealth Fund remained dormant, while the Special Investment Facilitation Council's (SIFC) efforts also proved fruitlessboth vehicles had been set up two years ago to significantly boost investment. According to figures approved by the National Accounts Committee, investment as a percentage of the economy missed the official target again this fiscal year. Against a target of a 14.2% investment-to-GDP ratio, it remained at 13.8%, according to provisional figures. These will be officially released next Sunday at the launch of the Economic Survey of Pakistan. Still, the 13.8% figure marks an improvement from the previous year, when the ratio fell to a five-decade low of 13.1%. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government had established the SIFC through an Act of Parliament to raise investment levels and remove growth bottlenecks. Despite year-long efforts, these have not yet produced tangible results. The government also established the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund (PSWF) to attract investment from the Middle East. However, it remains non-functional due to disagreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over its legal framework. SIFC has now shifted its focus toward resolving issues faced by domestic investors and helping the government formulate and implement economic policies. The fixed investment-to-GDP ratio also rose to 12%, up from last year's 11.4%, though still short of the official 12.5% target set in the previous budget. Private sector investment inched up to 9.1% of GDP, below the targeted 9.7%. The public sector investment-to-GDP ratio rose to 2.9%, contributing to the overall improvement. This assumes that the full Rs1.1 trillion development budget will be spent. Failure to meet the investment target limits the government's ability to address deteriorating infrastructure and social sector challenges using its own funds, resulting in increased reliance on loans for development. The savings-to-GDP ratio surpassed the official target of 13.3% and surged to 14.1% due to an anticipated current account surplus in this fiscal year. The IMF last week released its staff report, offering a detailed look into the workings of the SIFC and the Sovereign Wealth Fund. IMF projected foreign direct investment (FDI) for the fiscal year at 0.5% of GDPslightly lower than last year. In absolute terms, FDI is estimated at $2.1 billion this year. The IMF said that addressing the anti-export bias caused by restrictive trade policies and an ineffective tariff structure is central to unlocking Pakistan's competitiveness and attracting private investment. The government has again assured the IMF of its intent to amend the Sovereign Wealth Fund law and ensure transparency within the SIFC. According to Pakistan's commitment, "By end-March 2026 we will, in consultation with Fund staff, enact the necessary legal amendments to the PSWF Act and other legislation to strengthen the PSWF's legal framework, governance arrangements, and transparency and accountability mechanisms." To end ambiguity surrounding the Fund's legal standing, the government has assured the IMF that it will be defined as a state-owned enterprise (SOE) and made subject to the SOE Act. Other legal changes will also be made in the law to ensure the SWF's governance structures correspond with a holding entity's nature and mandate, and narrow its mandate to holding and managing SOEs on behalf of the state and creating value through their operational and financial improvement. The law will be amended to limit the wealth fund's role to attract foreign direct investment by facilitating and mobilising co-investment in strategic commercial ventures that generate financial returns in line with the SWF's investment mandate, while ensuring that the SWF and any sub-funds are neither the sole investors nor the first loss in any project, and that any investment is only motivated by financial risk-return considerations, according to the IMF report. The IMF report added that the revised legislation will ensure that all privatisation and procurement processes follow rules set by the SWF's Board. These rules must align with international best practices, ensuring open, transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory procedures. Minimum disclosure requirements will be established for every stage of the process, including beneficial ownership. These rules will operate independently of government regulations but will generally align with official guidelines for divestment and procurement. Regarding the SIFC, the government assured the IMF that it would take additional measures to promote investment, maintain competitive neutrality, and ensure a level playing field. "We commit to ensuring that the SIFC does not propose, nor that the government provides, regulatory, spending, or tax-based incentives of any sort, or any guaranteed returns, or take any other action that could distort the investment landscape," the report stated. It added that all SIFC-led investments will follow the standard Public Investment Management framework.
