Mir Hazil Bizenjo passes away

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Veteran politician and chief of the National Party, Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, having served as a federal minister in the past, passed away at a private hospital of Karachi on August 20. 

According to details, the late Senator, who hailed from Balochistan, was suffering from liver cancer. He was shifted to Karachi where he breathed his last in a private hospital. He was 62.

His death was widely condoled. The President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, while expressing condolences with the bereaved family, said that late Bizenjo will always be remembered for the cause of politics and nationhood. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, also expressed grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the Bizenjo family.

Muharram moon sighted, Ashura on Aug 30

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Muharram-ul-Haram moon has been sighted on August 20, chief of the Ruat-e-Hilal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman declared. 

The first of Muharram will fall on August 21 while Ashura, the tenth of Muharram, be observed on August 30, Mufti Muneeb notified. 

With the sighting of moon on August 20, it has been confirmed that the Islamic Hijri New Year 1442 will now commence on August 21 in this part of the world.

Heavy rains inundate, frustrate Lahore

By Asma Hassan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The heavy monsoon rains, as was being forecast, have lashed Lahore and other cities of Punjab. Life has generally become miserable for people in many areas. 

In Lahore, the rain had started around midnight and lasted for about eight hours on August 20. 

As feared, the heavy rains became the cause of discomfort and inconvenience for the residents of the metropolis. 

Life became difficult even in the posh areas which were also inundated by rain water. Many roads turned into canals and rivers which made commuting hazardous. 

The rains have destroyed the routine life and the traffic flow has been greatly affected. The supply of electricity has also been disrupted in the hot and humid weather. 

The disruption of electricity in particular has caused considerable mental distress for the people of Lahore.

The students as well as the parents have been frustrated by the frequent power breakdowns which prevented them from attending their online classes.

As the educational institutions throughout the country have been prompted to engage into online teaching, because the campuses are closed, electricity has become the main necessity for taking online classes.

With the colossal problems caused by the rains, people have forgotten to enjoy the pleasant moments which are generally associated with it.

There was a time when people waited eagerly for the rainy weather for enjoyment but the miseries caused by rains in the recent times have compelled people to feel scared instead.

It’s being hoped that the concerned authorities will take preemptive and precautionary measures as more rain is being forecast during the next few days.

The government departments must take actions to save people from embarrassment and torture due to monsoon rains. They should arrange for the equipment like suction pumps to drain out rainwater which will enable the traffic running smoothly on roads.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrives Beijing

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has arrived Beijing on August 20 for a two-day official visit to China. 

At the Beijing Airport, the Foreign Minister was welcomed by Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque besides other senior Pakistani and Chinese officials. 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi will meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and hold talks to be focused on various fields including various projects under the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

New track for KCR within four months

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Railways Minister, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, has announced that the new track for the much talked about Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will be laid within four months. 

Addressing a press conference the Railways Minister pointed out that the Mainline 1 (ML-1) project, being implemented under the auspices of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was a very significant one and, after its implementation, the Pakistan Railways will enter into a modern era. 

To a political question, Shaikh Rashid, known for his farsightedness, asserted that the present government will complete its constitutional tenure of five years.

CCTV camera mounted atop police vans to monitor security

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi Police has prepared elaborate plan to ensure foolproof security for the month of Muharram.

In this connection, 10 police mobiles equipped with state of the art CCTV cameras would be deployed to monitor law and order situation in Karachi. 

These CCTV cameras can capture images from 360 degree security strength will help improved surveillance task.