Latest news with #Rs600
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs600m corruption unearthed in Dasu project
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday detected mega corruption in Dasu Hydropower Transmission Line project, calling for a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The committee which met with its chairman Senator Saifullah Abro in the chair, was informed that that the project contract was awarded on the basis of a letter from the Engineering Development Board (EDB) in 2015, while the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) presented wrong figures. The chair expressed anger over the alleged corruption in the project, amounted to Rs600 million. "How could the project be given to a company based on a letter," he raised the question. "It is the responsibility of all institutions to investigate it." The committee was informed that Nespak presented wrong figures during the scrutiny of the bidder, and the Nespak managing director confessed to the wrong figures. The committee directed action against the wrong figures presented by Nespak officials. "The negligence of the Power Division [in this issue] should be investigated. This matter should be investigated by NAB and FIA," Abro told the committee. "The officials who gave wrong figures should be terminated," he added.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cattle markets buzz, but prices soar
As Eidul Azha approaches, the cattle markets are setting up in different specified places of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), including Sangjhani, Sector I-15, Bharakahu, Lehtrar Road and Islamabad Expressway. At I-15 cattle markets, Abdul Shakoor, who brought his animals from Arifwala, said: "We are satisfied with the market setup, especially the availability of basic facilities like water and electricity." He emphasised that water is crucial for maintaining the health and vitality of the animals when the temperature is at its peak. Moin Khan, the manager of the Mandi, highlighted that the market spans over 1,000 kanals and is divided into blocks to streamline management. "We have focused particularly on ensuring the availability of water, electricity, and proper security arrangements," he said. Each trader has been allotted around 150 to 200 square feet of space to conduct business in an organised way, he said, adding that additional measures have also been taken to ensure safety and prevent any untoward incidents. The different sizes of cow, goat, and sheep are available in this mandi but prices are high as compared to last year. Sardar Shah, a goat seller from Mianwali said that the prices of goat are between Rs50,000 and Rs350,000 according to their specifications. While Muhammad Imran, another seller, who brought their cows from Multan, offered prices Rs230,000 to Rs600,000 or their bulls depending on their weight and size. However, residents are enthusiastic about the market's setup, but got frustrated over the high prices of both small and big animals. A customer, Abdul Manan, who was looking for a sacrificial animal, said: "The market is impressive in scale, but the prices are shockingly high. A goat of average weight is being sold for Rs120,000, significantly more than what I paid last year for a similar one." On the other hand, traders argued that the cost of raising animals has increased, which has forced them to increase the prices. Sardar Shah explained that fodder, transport, and other essentials are expensive which affects the final price of the animals. Despite high prices, buyers are struggling to find suitable animals for the Islamic ritual. They are actively bargaining to negotiate better prices and remain hopeful of finding their desired animal in the large cattle markets, where animals of all sizes are available.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- 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
27-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
BISE extends registration date
A woman goes through the process of finger scanning for the Unique Identification (UID) database system, also known as Aadhaar, at a registration centre in New Delhi, India, January 17, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Bahawalpur has extended the date for registration, online data entry and admission into 9th Class for Session 2025-27. According to a spokesman for BISE Bahawalpur, date for registration, online data entry and admission into 9th Class for Session 2025-27 has been extended to 20th June. He said candidates can apply with Rs600 late fee till July 4.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Quack vets thrive during Eid season
With Eid-ul-Adha just around the corner, a large influx of sacrificial animals is arriving in markets across the port city — yet no arrangements have been made to examine their health, leaving ample room for quacks posing as vets to mishandle their ailments. Every year, quack veterinary clinics are set up across different areas of the city for treating sick sacrificial animals. With no system for diagnosing animal diseases, sick animals are treated on the basis of their symptoms and are administered unnecessary antibiotic injections without proper testing which not only puts their own life at risk but also imperils the health of the people consuming their meat. Furthermore, Karachi is simultaneously facing a shortage of veterinary doctors ahead of the religious festival. According to Director Veterinary Livestock Dr Hizbullah Bhutto, every year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, illegal quack clinics with no certified veterinarians start treating sacrificial animals. "Due to the large-scale movement of animals from one province to another, the possibility of an outbreak is obvious. Only 990 veterinary doctors are available across the province while so far 1.5 to 1.7 million sacrificial animals have been brought to Karachi alone," revealed Dr Bhutto. Veterinary expert, Dr Irshad Abbasi confirmed the operation of quack vet clinics across Sindh before Eid- ul-Adha. "The common man is unaware that these clinics do not have a certified veterinary doctor. It has been observed that the same type of cheap antibiotic is administered to all animals, which can be lethal. In the current season, diseases including foot and mouth disease are common among animals," explained Dr Abbasi. Reportedly, this year, quack clinics are charging a fee of Rs1,000 for checking an animal. However, no institution, including the Livestock Department, has been able to verify these clinics. Moreover, there is no mechanism for registering and identifying animals brought into livestock markets, which are neither vaccinated nor given healthy feed. "Animals brought on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha are not vaccinated since they are only present temporarily. Taking action against quacks is the responsibility of the district administration while the registration of animals brought into Karachi is the responsibility of the municipal administration, which collects a tax of Rs600. The Livestock Department is tasked with checking sick animals upon receiving information," confirmed Dr Bhutto, who further added that 10 camps had been set up at the border of Punjab and Balochistan for animal check-ups. On the other hand, Dr Abbasi felt that buyers too should play a proactive role in assessing the health of the animal they intended to purchase. "The purchase of sacrificial animals should be done in daylight so that the hooves and mouth of the animal can be checked. Furthermore, the animal should also be examined for signs of lethargy and swelling. Moreover, people visiting the cattle market should wear light-coloured, full-sleeved clothes to protect against insects attached to the animal's body," advised Dr Abbasi. Speaking of the role of citizens, on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Adha it is often seen that people slaughtering animals on the streets fail to clean the place afterwards due to which various bacteria grow rapidly in the blood left clotting on the ground. Later on, the stench emanating from the animal carcasses further contaminates Karachi's already polluted air. Spokesperson to the Commissioner of Karachi, Ghulam Muhammad Khan claimed that strict action will be taken against quack clinics set up for checking sacrificial animals. "The public should report these quack clinics by contacting the Commissioner's Office."
