Zahoor Mistry, one of the five terrorists who hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999, was killed in Pakistan, according to several media reports.

The reports claimed that Mistry was killed in an attack by two bike-borne assailants on March 1 in Karachi city. The police suspect that the killing was a well-planned execution.

Pakistani news outlet Geo TV confirmed the death and reported the murder of a "businessman" in Karachi without mentioning any details.

According to reports, Mistry was living under new identity ‘Zahid Akhund’ and was running a furniture shop in the city.

CCTV footage of the murder shared by Geo TV revealed that two armed motorcyclists were roaming on the streets of Akhtar Colony before entering a furniture warehouse after what looked like a recce of the area.

According to police, four pistol shells were recovered from the spot.

With this killing, only two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) hijackers are now alive in Pakistan —Ibrahim Azhar, elder brother of Masood Azhar and Rauf Asghar.

The local media reports, citing an intelligence official, said that top Jaish-e-Mohammad leadership, including Rauf Asgar, attended the funeral prayer for ‘Akhund’ in Karachi.

Asgar is the Operational Chief of JeM and brother of Jaish chief Masood Azhar.

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC-814 en route to New Delhi from Kathmandu was hijacked by Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

The flight was hijacked by the terrorists when it was near Lucknow. It was taken to Amritsar for fuelling. It was then taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where passengers and crew remained captive for more than eight days.

One Indian passenger, Rupin Katyal (25), was brutally murdered by Mistry on December 25, 1999.&nbsp;His body was retrieved from the hijacked plane in UAE. He along with his wife were returning to Delhi after honeymoon in Kathmandu on that fateful day.

The hijack situation ended when the former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government was forced to release three terrorists —Masood Azhar Alvi, Syed Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar — to save the lives of 176 passengers and 15 crew members on board.

(With inputs from agencies)

Zahoor Mistry, one of the five terrorists who hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999, was killed in Pakistan, according to several media reports. The reports claimed that Mistry was killed in an attack by two bike-borne assailants on March 1 in Karachi city.

Zahoor Mistry, one of the five terrorists who hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999, was killed in Pakistan, according to several media reports. The reports claimed that Mistry was killed in an attack by two bike-borne assailants on March 1 in Karachi city. The police suspect that the killing was a well-planned execution. Pakistani news outlet Geo TV confirmed the death and reported the murder of a "businessman" in Karachi without mentioning any details. According to reports, Mistry was living under new identity ‘Zahid Akhund’ and was running a furniture shop in the city. CCTV footage of the murder shared by Geo TV revealed that two armed motorcyclists were roaming on the streets of Akhtar Colony before entering a furniture warehouse after what looked like a recce of the area. According to police, four pistol shells were recovered from the spot. With this killing, only two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) hijackers are now alive in Pakistan —Ibrahim Azhar, elder brother of Masood Azhar and Rauf Asghar. The local media reports, citing an intelligence official, said that top Jaish-e-Mohammad leadership, including Rauf Asgar, attended the funeral prayer for ‘Akhund’ in Karachi. Asgar is the Operational Chief of JeM and brother of Jaish chief Masood Azhar. On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC-814 en route to New Delhi from Kathmandu was hijacked by Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The flight was hijacked by the terrorists when it was near Lucknow. It was taken to Amritsar for fuelling. It was then taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where passengers and crew remained captive for more than eight days. One Indian passenger, Rupin Katyal (25), was brutally murdered by Mistry on December 25, 1999. His body was retrieved from the hijacked plane in UAE. He along with his wife were returning to Delhi after honeymoon in Kathmandu on that fateful day. The hijack situation ended when the former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government was forced to release three terrorists —Masood Azhar Alvi, Syed Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar — to save the lives of 176 passengers and 15 crew members on board. (With inputs from agencies)

Terrorist who hijacked Indian plane IC-814 shot dead in Pakistan’s Karachi

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead on Friday in an armed attack on his car in Karachi`s North Nazimabad area. According to the police, the private TV channel's senior producer Athar Mateen was assassinated at the main thoroughfare in North Nazimabad while he was on his way back home after dropping his children to school, Geo News reported.

The police said that Mateen, who was driving a car, tried to foil a robbery bid when he saw armed motorcyclists robbing another citizen, by shoving his car into their motorcycle. At this, one of the motorcyclists, who fell on the ground, opened fire at Mateen's car, Geo News reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/he-is-not-a-subordinate-official-pmls-ahsan-iqbal-takes-a-dig-at-imran-khan-during-bill-gates-visit-454262">'He is not a subordinate official': PML's Ahsan Iqbal takes a dig at Imran Khan during Bill Gates' visit</a>

The assailant fired three shots, but Mateen sustained only one bullet injury which killed him on the spot, the police said. Meanwhile, the assailants crossed the road on foot and fled while snatching another motorcycle, the Pakistani newspaper said. Recently, The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) released a report to highlight how press freedom deteriorated in 2021 as compared to the previous two years in Pakistan.

In the report titled "Pakistan Media Freedom Report - 2021", CPNE said in 2021 alone, five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Karachi-based social media activist and community journalist Nazim Jokhio, who was abducted and killed mercilessly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-protests-against-increasing-harassment-of-women-in-sindh-universities-454216">Pakistan: Protests against increasing harassment of women in Sindh universities</a>

The report also said that Pakistan is one of the countries, where violence against journalists is increasing and not even a single murderer has been brought to justice.

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead on Friday in an armed attack on his car in Karachi`s North Nazimabad area. According to the police, the private TV channel's senior producer Athar Mateen was assassinated at the main thoroughfare in North Nazimabad while he was on his way back home after dropping his children to school, Geo News reported.

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead on Friday in an armed attack on his car in Karachi`s North Nazimabad area. According to the police, the private TV channel's senior producer Athar Mateen was assassinated at the main thoroughfare in North Nazimabad while he was on his way back home after dropping his children to school, Geo News reported. The police said that Mateen, who was driving a car, tried to foil a robbery bid when he saw armed motorcyclists robbing another citizen, by shoving his car into their motorcycle. At this, one of the motorcyclists, who fell on the ground, opened fire at Mateen's car, Geo News reported. Also read | 'He is not a subordinate official': PML's Ahsan Iqbal takes a dig at Imran Khan during Bill Gates' visit The assailant fired three shots, but Mateen sustained only one bullet injury which killed him on the spot, the police said. Meanwhile, the assailants crossed the road on foot and fled while snatching another motorcycle, the Pakistani newspaper said. Recently, The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) released a report to highlight how press freedom deteriorated in 2021 as compared to the previous two years in Pakistan. In the report titled "Pakistan Media Freedom Report - 2021", CPNE said in 2021 alone, five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Karachi-based social media activist and community journalist Nazim Jokhio, who was abducted and killed mercilessly. Also read | Pakistan: Protests against increasing harassment of women in Sindh universities The report also said that Pakistan is one of the countries, where violence against journalists is increasing and not even a single murderer has been brought to justice.

Pakistani journalist shot dead in Karachi

Residents of Karachi in Pakistan were thrilled to see a meteor lighting up the sky on Saturday (January 29). The falling fireball meteor was recorded by many (who could quickly take sights off the wonderful event and take out their phones). Social media buzzed with photos and videos of the meteoroid falling from the sky.

It has been reported that the falling meteor was visible in the sky around 7:15 pm local time. It was seen not only from Karachi&nbsp;but from some other parts of Sindh province as well. It was seen by many people and local astronomers reportedly confirmed that it was really a space rock burning through Earth's atmosphere.

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Exclusive Scenes of Falling of Meteor in Karachi Last Night..❤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meteor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meteor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a> <a href="https://t.co/MH1yVzoYxt">pic.twitter.com/MH1yVzoYxt</a>
— Weather Of Karachi- WOK (@KarachiWok) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarachiWok/status/1487865527552913418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Saw meteor in Pakistan. People from karachi and hyderabad saw it on Saturday. It was in green light. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meteor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meteor</a> <a href="https://t.co/WjBT0RCD9H">https://t.co/WjBT0RCD9H</a> <a href="https://t.co/C0U9HCuKdf">pic.twitter.com/C0U9HCuKdf</a>
— asadMmanc (@asadMManc) <a href="https://twitter.com/asadMManc/status/1487906838989656065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/meteor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#meteor</a> hurtled through the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/night?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#night</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sky?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sky</a> over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a> last night and was visible to stargazers in the metropolis and other parts of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sindh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sindh</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astronomical?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Astronomical</a> groups confirmed the event as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rock</a> could be seen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/burning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#burning</a> up in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earth</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/atmosphere?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#atmosphere</a>, before crashing to the ground <a href="https://t.co/yp53cwtMVh">pic.twitter.com/yp53cwtMVh</a>
— Haider Ali (@Haider__Al1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Haider__Al1/status/1488032623561633793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Such a phenomenon is often called a 'falling star' because it really appears as if a star is falling from the sky. It is also held in many cultures that if you make a wish when you see a falling star, it becomes a reality.

Scientifically speaking, a meteoroid is just a space rock that is drawn to Earth due to gravity. As it falls towards the Earth, it travels through Earth's atmosphere. The immense friction this process causes generates a lot of heat and the meteoroid can be seen glowing as falls. Most meteoroids burn up before reaching the surface of the Earth. But if they are of sufficient size, small parts do fall on Earth. These are then called 'meteorites'.

Watching meteors burning through the sky sure makes for a beautiful sight. But meteoroids of very big size can also collide with Earth to wipe humanity off the only planet it calls home.

Residents of Karachi in Pakistan were thrilled to see a meteor lighting up the sky on Saturday (January 29). The falling fireball meteor was recorded by many (who could quickly take sights off the wonderful event and take out their phones).

Residents of Karachi in Pakistan were thrilled to see a meteor lighting up the sky on Saturday (January 29). The falling fireball meteor was recorded by many (who could quickly take sights off the wonderful event and take out their phones). Social media buzzed with photos and videos of the meteoroid falling from the sky. It has been reported that the falling meteor was visible in the sky around 7:15 pm local time. It was seen not only from Karachi but from some other parts of Sindh province as well. It was seen by many people and local astronomers reportedly confirmed that it was really a space rock burning through Earth's atmosphere. Exclusive Scenes of Falling of Meteor in Karachi Last Night..❤#BreakingNews #Meteor #Karachi pic.twitter.com/MH1yVzoYxt — Weather Of Karachi- WOK (@KarachiWok) January 30, 2022 × Saw meteor in Pakistan. People from karachi and hyderabad saw it on Saturday. It was in green light. #Meteor https://t.co/WjBT0RCD9H pic.twitter.com/C0U9HCuKdf — asadMmanc (@asadMManc) January 30, 2022 × A #meteor hurtled through the #night #sky over #Karachi last night and was visible to stargazers in the metropolis and other parts of #Sindh. #Astronomical groups confirmed the event as the #rock could be seen #burning up in the #earth's #atmosphere, before crashing to the ground pic.twitter.com/yp53cwtMVh — Haider Ali (@Haider__Al1) January 31, 2022 × Such a phenomenon is often called a 'falling star' because it really appears as if a star is falling from the sky. It is also held in many cultures that if you make a wish when you see a falling star, it becomes a reality. Scientifically speaking, a meteoroid is just a space rock that is drawn to Earth due to gravity. As it falls towards the Earth, it travels through Earth's atmosphere. The immense friction this process causes generates a lot of heat and the meteoroid can be seen glowing as falls. Most meteoroids burn up before reaching the surface of the Earth. But if they are of sufficient size, small parts do fall on Earth. These are then called 'meteorites'. Watching meteors burning through the sky sure makes for a beautiful sight. But meteoroids of very big size can also collide with Earth to wipe humanity off the only planet it calls home.

Watch video: Fireball meteor brightens up Karachi sky

Pakistan is dealing with the rising Covid-19 cases, the country's positivity rate has doubled in a week. On Wednesday, the highest number of people in the country tested positive since the 14th of October, 898 cases were recorded, the positivity rate reached 1.8 percent, the omicron variant is the reason behind this latest surge.

Pakistan witnesses rise in covid-19 cases, Lahore and Karachi accounts for 60% surge

An 11-year-old boy was killed and 18 were injured during a celebratory firing on New Year's Eve in Pakistan’s Karachi city, officials said.

The boy, Mohammed Raza, was hit by a stray bullet when he was standing outside his home in North Karachi, a police officer said.

He was taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where he died during treatment, reported Dawn newspaper.

18 people, including one nine-year-old boy, who were injured by stray bullets were brought to the JPMC.

A 21-year-old man suffered a bullet wound in his back. He is stated to be out of danger after surgery.

“Due to the aerial firing, 18 other people were admitted to hospitals with bullet wounds," an official said.

Though the authorities had warned of attempted murder charges against the violators, the number of casualties this time was higher than the previous year, when only four individuals were injured in the metropolis.

According to the police, cases have been registered on complaints of aerial firing, and arrests are being made.

The Pakistan Medical Association condemned the incident, asking the government to impose a complete ban on aerial firing during all celebratory occasions.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram tweeted youngsters to stay away from such acts like "Rambo", instead behave like civilised people.

(With inputs from agencies)

An 11-year-old boy was killed and 18 were injured during a celebratory firing on New Year's Eve in Pakistan’s Karachi city, officials said. The boy, Mohammed Raza, was hit by a stray bullet when he was standing outside his home in North Karachi, a police officer said.

An 11-year-old boy was killed and 18 were injured during a celebratory firing on New Year's Eve in Pakistan’s Karachi city, officials said. The boy, Mohammed Raza, was hit by a stray bullet when he was standing outside his home in North Karachi, a police officer said. He was taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where he died during treatment, reported Dawn newspaper. 18 people, including one nine-year-old boy, who were injured by stray bullets were brought to the JPMC. A 21-year-old man suffered a bullet wound in his back. He is stated to be out of danger after surgery. “Due to the aerial firing, 18 other people were admitted to hospitals with bullet wounds," an official said. Though the authorities had warned of attempted murder charges against the violators, the number of casualties this time was higher than the previous year, when only four individuals were injured in the metropolis. According to the police, cases have been registered on complaints of aerial firing, and arrests are being made. The Pakistan Medical Association condemned the incident, asking the government to impose a complete ban on aerial firing during all celebratory occasions. Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram tweeted youngsters to stay away from such acts like "Rambo", instead behave like civilised people. (With inputs from agencies)

1 killed, 18 injured during celebratory firing on New Year's Eve in Pakistan

At least 15 people were killed and several others injured as a gas explosion ripped through Paracha Chowk in Karachi's Shershah area.

Pakistan: 15 killed & several injured as gas explosion rocks Karachi's Shershah area

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured as a glass cylinder blast ripped through Paracha Chowk in Karachi's Shershah area.

Pakistan: 12 killed, several injured as blast rocks Karachi's Shershah area

Wildlife authorities in the Pakistani city of Karachi are spending most of their time at the beach monitoring green turtles who come to the area to lay eggs. Once the mother turtle leaves, the staff hurry to dig out the eggs and move them to a three-feet-deep pit in a hatchery. And eventually, the hatchlings are released into the sea.

Pakistan wildlife trust ramps up efforts to protect green turtle hatchlings

December 4, 1971: How Indian Navy's 'Operation Trident' in 1971 destroyed Karachi port

Hundreds of hotel owners and shopkeepers in Karachi, Pakistan protested against the latest lockdown. They demanded that the restrictions be eased. The authorities announced the week-long partial lockdown to curb the spread of the highly dangerous Delta variant.

Hotel owners, shopkeepers in Pakistan's Karachi protest against partial lockdown

A cargo ship 'Heng Tong 77' got stuck off the Karachi coast in Pakistan after an apparent engine failure. Port authorities have said that efforts are underway to free it.

Cargo ship 'Heng Tong 77' stuck off Karachi coast due to an engine failure

Syeda Aiman has learned to shoot while she skates. She isn’t a hockey player, but an officer on a counterterrorism unit in Pakistan.

The 20-member unit carries out counterterrorism surveillance and community policing on in-line skates. It also has an equal number of male and female officers. Both facts are rarities in this city of at least 15 million, where the roads are crumbling and nearly every institution is male-dominated.

Police officials say the unit, which first appeared in public in December, is a success. Critics call it a gimmick. But most Karachiites can at least agree that it’s been odd to see armed officers skating through their shopping malls.

“It’s a new concept for the public,” Aiman, 25, said. “When we started skating we were excited, but also nervous about falling. But the fear goes away when you’re in the field.”

To some degree, the unit is a response to a public relations crisis. Police departments in Pakistan are among the country’s “most widely feared, complained against and least trusted government institutions,” the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said in a 2016 report. Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, rose to power in 2018 in part by promising police reform.

This month, nine police officers were suspended in the eastern city of Lahore after they jailed employees of a restaurant that had refused to give them free burgers. Many people saw that incident as a sign that police corruption was still rampant.

Fear and mistrust of the police run high in Karachi, where several officers have been charged with killing civilians in staged shootouts. In one high-profile example, a police inquiry found two years ago that Karachi officers had killed an aspiring model and three others, then falsely claimed that the victims were militants. The commander in charge of the operation, Rao Anwar, is now on trial for murder.

Maqsood Ahmed, a deputy inspector general with the regional Sindh Police, said the new in-line skating unit was designed in part to address criticism that Karachi police officers didn’t know how to interact with civilians. The sight of officers on skates, he added, has helped to “lighten the mood” in malls and other family-friendly places where they patrol.

“People should feel that they are our friends and that they are there to protect us,” he said.

But the skating unit isn’t just out to make friends.

Ahmed said its primary responsibility was counterterrorism surveillance in public areas, including parks and cricket stadiums. He said the in-line commandos had already made arrests, improved the force’s response rate at crime scenes and protected several high-profile officials, including Khan and President Arif Alvi.

Aiman, who joined the Sindh Police two years ago, said she had a deep commitment to the counterterrorism wing that her in-line skating unit belongs to. As a girl, she paid close attention to the Pakistani military’s crackdown on insurgents in mountainous tribal areas, and she used to volunteer at a Karachi arms fair.

“I believe that terrorists deserve to die,” she said over breakfast at her apartment. “You have to kill them. They don’t deserve to be alive.”

Cities in Britain, France, the Netherlands and elsewhere have started skating police units over the years, with mixed results. Mudassir Ali, a Sindh Special Security Unit police commando who has trained officers for the skating unit, said that he modelled it on examples from abroad.

Ali said those on skates typically worked in tandem with officers in patrol cars and that they had been trained to jump and climb stairs in “areas that don’t have the best roads or infrastructure.”

Even though the commandos mostly help to maintain public order in places like malls and popular street food areas, he added, they are armed and ready to shoot criminals if necessary.

“We can even hold onto a car at 120 kilometres per hour,” or 75 mph, he said.

Not everyone is impressed.

Jasim Rizvi, a resident of Karachi’s middle-class Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood, said he saw the unit as a publicity stunt.

“Maybe the police had nothing to do so they decided to hop on skates,” said Rizvi, who was recently mugged outside his home. “I only see the police in action when they’re accompanying so-called VVIPs.”

Putting officers on skates to improve the police force’s relationship with the community could potentially make sense in Karachi, but not if they are armed, said Zoha Waseem, a research fellow at the Institute for Global City Policing at University College London.

There is little evidence from other cities that in-line skating units help police forces fight crime, she added. Also, Karachi is full of potholes.

“This is why it’s hard to see this initiative as something more than police propaganda,” she said. “We don’t know how sustainable it will be, and I wonder if this budget could have better been spent elsewhere.”

Ahmed said the unit had another purpose beyond community engagement and crime-fighting: empowering women. Many of its 10 female officers are from impoverished rural areas of Sindh province, he added, and the unit is a “merit-based” outfit created in part to combat entrenched sexism.

“We say that there should be equality between men and women at workplaces, but this is not always possible due to cultural issues,” he said.

Women walking alone in Pakistan draw stares, or worse; sexual harassment is common in workplaces and beyond; and the country has one of the highest gender pay gaps in the world. Khan, the prime minister, drew a backlash in April for saying that rape cases had risen because of how women dressed.

Aiman, who grew up in Karachi, said that as she trained for the in-line skating unit, she learned strategies for projecting authority and avoiding situations in which people could try to take advantage of her because of her gender.

“The way people look at men and women is different, especially female police officers and especially female officers on in-line skates,” she said.

In-line skating is trendy in a few of Karachi’s middle-class neighbourhoods, but Aiman did not know what it was until a police colleague explained the activity to her last year.

Her relatives were sceptical about it, she said, and she suffered minor injuries during training sessions. But after about two weeks, she was weaving through crowds at cricket stadiums and other public places, with a watchful eye on crowds and a holstered handgun on her belt.

“Our training is quite good,” she said. “When we skate, we’re in control and we keep a strong grip on our weapons.”

Now her friends want to take skating lessons, too, and her parents and siblings are coming around to the idea of having an in-line skating officer in the family. The other day they were surprised — and impressed — to see her climb a staircase with her skates on.

“They made me do it again, just to make sure,” Aiman said.

Syeda Aiman has learned to shoot while she skates. She isn’t a hockey player, but an officer on a counterterrorism unit in Pakistan. The 20-member unit carries out counterterrorism surveillance and community policing on in-line skates.

Syeda Aiman has learned to shoot while she skates. She isn’t a hockey player, but an officer on a counterterrorism unit in Pakistan. The 20-member unit carries out counterterrorism surveillance and community policing on in-line skates. It also has an equal number of male and female officers. Both facts are rarities in this city of at least 15 million, where the roads are crumbling and nearly every institution is male-dominated. Police officials say the unit, which first appeared in public in December, is a success. Critics call it a gimmick. But most Karachiites can at least agree that it’s been odd to see armed officers skating through their shopping malls. “It’s a new concept for the public,” Aiman, 25, said. “When we started skating we were excited, but also nervous about falling. But the fear goes away when you’re in the field.” To some degree, the unit is a response to a public relations crisis. Police departments in Pakistan are among the country’s “most widely feared, complained against and least trusted government institutions,” the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said in a 2016 report. Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, rose to power in 2018 in part by promising police reform. This month, nine police officers were suspended in the eastern city of Lahore after they jailed employees of a restaurant that had refused to give them free burgers. Many people saw that incident as a sign that police corruption was still rampant. Fear and mistrust of the police run high in Karachi, where several officers have been charged with killing civilians in staged shootouts. In one high-profile example, a police inquiry found two years ago that Karachi officers had killed an aspiring model and three others, then falsely claimed that the victims were militants. The commander in charge of the operation, Rao Anwar, is now on trial for murder. Maqsood Ahmed, a deputy inspector general with the regional Sindh Police, said the new in-line skating unit was designed in part to address criticism that Karachi police officers didn’t know how to interact with civilians. The sight of officers on skates, he added, has helped to “lighten the mood” in malls and other family-friendly places where they patrol. “People should feel that they are our friends and that they are there to protect us,” he said. But the skating unit isn’t just out to make friends. Ahmed said its primary responsibility was counterterrorism surveillance in public areas, including parks and cricket stadiums. He said the in-line commandos had already made arrests, improved the force’s response rate at crime scenes and protected several high-profile officials, including Khan and President Arif Alvi. Aiman, who joined the Sindh Police two years ago, said she had a deep commitment to the counterterrorism wing that her in-line skating unit belongs to. As a girl, she paid close attention to the Pakistani military’s crackdown on insurgents in mountainous tribal areas, and she used to volunteer at a Karachi arms fair. “I believe that terrorists deserve to die,” she said over breakfast at her apartment. “You have to kill them. They don’t deserve to be alive.” Cities in Britain, France, the Netherlands and elsewhere have started skating police units over the years, with mixed results. Mudassir Ali, a Sindh Special Security Unit police commando who has trained officers for the skating unit, said that he modelled it on examples from abroad. Ali said those on skates typically worked in tandem with officers in patrol cars and that they had been trained to jump and climb stairs in “areas that don’t have the best roads or infrastructure.” Even though the commandos mostly help to maintain public order in places like malls and popular street food areas, he added, they are armed and ready to shoot criminals if necessary. “We can even hold onto a car at 120 kilometres per hour,” or 75 mph, he said. Not everyone is impressed. Jasim Rizvi, a resident of Karachi’s middle-class Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood, said he saw the unit as a publicity stunt. “Maybe the police had nothing to do so they decided to hop on skates,” said Rizvi, who was recently mugged outside his home. “I only see the police in action when they’re accompanying so-called VVIPs.” Putting officers on skates to improve the police force’s relationship with the community could potentially make sense in Karachi, but not if they are armed, said Zoha Waseem, a research fellow at the Institute for Global City Policing at University College London. There is little evidence from other cities that in-line skating units help police forces fight crime, she added. Also, Karachi is full of potholes. “This is why it’s hard to see this initiative as something more than police propaganda,” she said. “We don’t know how sustainable it will be, and I wonder if this budget could have better been spent elsewhere.” Ahmed said the unit had another purpose beyond community engagement and crime-fighting: empowering women. Many of its 10 female officers are from impoverished rural areas of Sindh province, he added, and the unit is a “merit-based” outfit created in part to combat entrenched sexism. “We say that there should be equality between men and women at workplaces, but this is not always possible due to cultural issues,” he said. Women walking alone in Pakistan draw stares, or worse; sexual harassment is common in workplaces and beyond; and the country has one of the highest gender pay gaps in the world. Khan, the prime minister, drew a backlash in April for saying that rape cases had risen because of how women dressed. Aiman, who grew up in Karachi, said that as she trained for the in-line skating unit, she learned strategies for projecting authority and avoiding situations in which people could try to take advantage of her because of her gender. “The way people look at men and women is different, especially female police officers and especially female officers on in-line skates,” she said. In-line skating is trendy in a few of Karachi’s middle-class neighbourhoods, but Aiman did not know what it was until a police colleague explained the activity to her last year. Her relatives were sceptical about it, she said, and she suffered minor injuries during training sessions. But after about two weeks, she was weaving through crowds at cricket stadiums and other public places, with a watchful eye on crowds and a holstered handgun on her belt. “Our training is quite good,” she said. “When we skate, we’re in control and we keep a strong grip on our weapons.” Now her friends want to take skating lessons, too, and her parents and siblings are coming around to the idea of having an in-line skating officer in the family. The other day they were surprised — and impressed — to see her climb a staircase with her skates on. “They made me do it again, just to make sure,” Aiman said.

First they lace up their skates, then they fight terrorism

Saudi Arabia has decided to shift a planned $10 billion oil refinery to Karachi from Gwadar, the epicentre of the country`s flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, further highlighting the infrastructural deficiencies of the project in the port city.

Tabish Gauhar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Power and Petroleum earlier this month had said that Saudi Arabia will not install a refinery at Gwadar but has indicated to set up a refinery along with a petrochemical chemical complex elsewhere.

In 2019, Saudia Arabia had signed MoUs of $20 billion in various sectors of the economy and from this amount, announced to invest $10 billion in refinery and petrochemical complex at Gwadar.

The Special Assistant had informed that Aramco conducted a feasibility report according to which it found that setting up the refinery at Gwadar was not feasible, but said another refinery can be established near Karachi in the next five years.

According to Nikkei Asia, the decision to shift the project to Karachi highlights the infrastructural deficiencies in Gwadar and further supporting the impression that the port city is losing its importance as a mega-investment hub.

"Gwadar can only be a feasible location of an oil refinery if a 600-km oil pipeline is built connecting it with Karachi, the centre of oil supply of the country," a Pakistani official in the petroleum sector told Nikkei Asia on condition of anonymity.

According to the Japanese newspaper, there is currently an oil pipeline from Karachi to the north of Pakistan, but not to the east.&nbsp;

"Without a pipeline, the transport of refined oil from Gwadar [via road in oil tankers] to consumption centres in the country will be very expensive," the official said.

The official further said that given the pace of development he did not see Gwadar’s infrastructure issues being resolved in the next 15 years. Earlier this month, Pakistani media had reported that the oil facility was withdrawn amid worsening ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the recent past.

Saudi Aramco, at that time, is reported to have indicated to Pakistan authorities to ask Imran Khan to contact the top Saudi leadership on the decision about setting up the refinery and petrochemical complex.

However, Pakistan`s Foreign Office had then suggested that it was not the right time to contact Saudi leader Mohammad Bin Salman on the project because of the ties that had turned cold because of the foreign policy of the country.

Saudi Arabia has decided to shift a planned $10 billion oil refinery to Karachi from Gwadar, the epicentre of the country`s flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, further highlighting the infrastructural deficiencies of the project in the port city.

Saudi Arabia has decided to shift a planned $10 billion oil refinery to Karachi from Gwadar, the epicentre of the country`s flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, further highlighting the infrastructural deficiencies of the project in the port city. Tabish Gauhar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Power and Petroleum earlier this month had said that Saudi Arabia will not install a refinery at Gwadar but has indicated to set up a refinery along with a petrochemical chemical complex elsewhere. In 2019, Saudia Arabia had signed MoUs of $20 billion in various sectors of the economy and from this amount, announced to invest $10 billion in refinery and petrochemical complex at Gwadar. The Special Assistant had informed that Aramco conducted a feasibility report according to which it found that setting up the refinery at Gwadar was not feasible, but said another refinery can be established near Karachi in the next five years. According to Nikkei Asia, the decision to shift the project to Karachi highlights the infrastructural deficiencies in Gwadar and further supporting the impression that the port city is losing its importance as a mega-investment hub. "Gwadar can only be a feasible location of an oil refinery if a 600-km oil pipeline is built connecting it with Karachi, the centre of oil supply of the country," a Pakistani official in the petroleum sector told Nikkei Asia on condition of anonymity. According to the Japanese newspaper, there is currently an oil pipeline from Karachi to the north of Pakistan, but not to the east. "Without a pipeline, the transport of refined oil from Gwadar [via road in oil tankers] to consumption centres in the country will be very expensive," the official said. The official further said that given the pace of development he did not see Gwadar’s infrastructure issues being resolved in the next 15 years. Earlier this month, Pakistani media had reported that the oil facility was withdrawn amid worsening ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the recent past. Saudi Aramco, at that time, is reported to have indicated to Pakistan authorities to ask Imran Khan to contact the top Saudi leadership on the decision about setting up the refinery and petrochemical complex. However, Pakistan`s Foreign Office had then suggested that it was not the right time to contact Saudi leader Mohammad Bin Salman on the project because of the ties that had turned cold because of the foreign policy of the country.

Pakistan's Gwadar loses shine as Saudis shift billion-dollar oil refinery to Karachi

Two passenger trains collided near Dharki, a city in the Ghotki District in upper Sindh province of Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and injuring 50 more on Monday morning.

Reports suggest that the Sir Syed Express train, which was heading towards Lahore, collided with the Millat Express, which was derailed on the way to Sargodha from Karachi. 
 
Villagers, rescuers, and policemen transferred the dead and injured passengers to nearby hospitals, according to local police.&nbsp;

The cause of the derailment and the subsequent accident was not immediately known.&nbsp;

In Pakistan, train accidents are frequent because successive governments have paid little attention to upgrading the deteriorating signal system and ageing tracks.&nbsp; 
 
Corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of investment have all contributed to the downfall of Pakistan's rail network over the years.

In October 2019, a train running between Karachi to Rawalpindi caught fire, killing at least 75 people.

In Karachi in 2016, two trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided, killing 21 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two passenger trains collided near Dharki, a city in the Ghotki District in upper Sindh province of Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and injuring 50 more on Monday morning.

Two passenger trains collided near Dharki, a city in the Ghotki District in upper Sindh province of Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and injuring 50 more on Monday morning. Reports suggest that the Sir Syed Express train, which was heading towards Lahore, collided with the Millat Express, which was derailed on the way to Sargodha from Karachi. Villagers, rescuers, and policemen transferred the dead and injured passengers to nearby hospitals, according to local police. The cause of the derailment and the subsequent accident was not immediately known. In Pakistan, train accidents are frequent because successive governments have paid little attention to upgrading the deteriorating signal system and ageing tracks. Corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of investment have all contributed to the downfall of Pakistan's rail network over the years. In October 2019, a train running between Karachi to Rawalpindi caught fire, killing at least 75 people. In Karachi in 2016, two trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided, killing 21 people. (With inputs from agencies)

30 killed, 50 injured as passenger trains collide in Pakistan's Sindh province

A Pakistani nurse narrates how her time inside a COVID-19 ward in Karachi resulted in mental trauma over the last year. Mariam Wardak gets you the story.

South Asia Diary: Pak nurse recounts trauma from working in COVID ward

Water shortage has become a never-ending issue in one of Pakistan's largest cities Karachi.

Pakistan: Water crisis in Pakistan's financial Capital Karachi

With rising temperatures, shifting rainfalls and extreme weather conditions availability of fresh water is becoming a worrisome situation in South Asia, especially in Pakistan with Karachi being the sixth highly water insecure metro in the world.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan fails to keep up with rising demand of fresh water

An NGO in Karachi is helping women living in poverty to earn living by making bricks for heritage projects. The women were previously beggars and have no other source of income. WION tells you more.

Pak NGO hires women to build bricks to heritage projects

Don't get surprised if in Pakistan's Karachi you see cops running after criminals with rollerblades.&nbsp;

This is a part of rigorous training of a group of police officers for a new armed rollerblading unit to control theft and harassment on the city's streets.&nbsp;

The 20-member unit comprises 10 men and 10 women cops who were seen gliding in a circle and lowering and lifting their unloaded guns in unison.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-president-meets-pakistans-imran-khan-365844">Sri Lankan President meets Pakistan's Imran Khan</a>

"We felt we needed to come up with an innovative approach to control street crime," Farrukh Ali, head of unit, was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

He explained how these police officers can comfortably nab thieves riding bikes. &nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fdi-in-pakistan-down-by-27-per-cent-in-the-first-seven-months-investment-from-china-dwindles-report-365744">FDI in Pakistan down by 27 per cent in the first seven months; investment from China dwindles: Report</a>

"This rollerblading will really benefit us. With this training, we can reach narrow alleys very quickly where it is usually difficult to go," Aneela Aslam, an officer of the group said.&nbsp;

However, Farrukh said this team cannot be deployed across many parts of the city as rollerblading require good and even roads.&nbsp;

They would be commissioned to public places where the theft and harassment rate is high, the unit chief said.&nbsp;

He also said that the unit would only use handguns, and in certain locations, including shopping malls, the cops will not be armed.&nbsp;

These police officers are expected to officially begin this duty next month, though, they were recently seen deployed outside the venue of the Pakistan Super League cricket tournament.

They have also started patrolling Karachi's bustling beachfront.

Don't get surprised if in Pakistan's Karachi you see cops running after criminals with rollerblades. This is a part of rigorous training of a group of police officers for a new armed rollerblading unit to control theft and harassment on the city's streets.

Don't get surprised if in Pakistan's Karachi you see cops running after criminals with rollerblades. This is a part of rigorous training of a group of police officers for a new armed rollerblading unit to control theft and harassment on the city's streets. The 20-member unit comprises 10 men and 10 women cops who were seen gliding in a circle and lowering and lifting their unloaded guns in unison. Also read | Sri Lankan President meets Pakistan's Imran Khan "We felt we needed to come up with an innovative approach to control street crime," Farrukh Ali, head of unit, was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. He explained how these police officers can comfortably nab thieves riding bikes. Also read | FDI in Pakistan down by 27 per cent in the first seven months; investment from China dwindles: Report "This rollerblading will really benefit us. With this training, we can reach narrow alleys very quickly where it is usually difficult to go," Aneela Aslam, an officer of the group said. However, Farrukh said this team cannot be deployed across many parts of the city as rollerblading require good and even roads. They would be commissioned to public places where the theft and harassment rate is high, the unit chief said. He also said that the unit would only use handguns, and in certain locations, including shopping malls, the cops will not be armed. These police officers are expected to officially begin this duty next month, though, they were recently seen deployed outside the venue of the Pakistan Super League cricket tournament. They have also started patrolling Karachi's bustling beachfront.

Meet Karachi's cops who roll on 'blades' to catch criminals

Police in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is deploying an armed rollerblading unit to curb theft and harassment on its teeming streets.

Your Story: Karachi cops train for an armed rollerblading unit

A report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 5 has revealed that most of the Hindu holy sites across the country were in a state of decay.

The seventh report of the one-man Dr Shoaib Suddle commission submitted to the Apex Court has depicted a dismal picture of most revered Hindu sites in the country. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-historical-hindu-temples-of-pakistan-33163">Also read | Five historical Hindu temples of Pakistan</a> 
 
The Commission was set up by the apex court in 2019 to oversee implementation of its judgement on minority rights.

It regretted that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) "failed to maintain most of the ancient and holy sites of the minority Hindu community".

Dr Shoaib Suddle's one-man commission has been established by the Supreme Court but it has three supporting members, Dr Ramesh Vankwani, Saqib Jillani and the attorney general for Pakistan, who has nominated the deputy attorney general to participate in fact-finding activities of the commission, the report said.

Some of the major Hindu temples in Pakistan include Shri Hinglaj Mata temple (Balochistan), Shri Ramdev Pir temple (Sindh), Umarkot Shiv Mandir (Sindh), and the Churrio Jabal Durga Mata temple (Sindh).

In December last year, a temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district was torched by members of radical Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman group).

The attack on the temple drew strong condemnation from human rights activists and the minority Hindu community leaders, prompting the Supreme Court to order its reconstruction.

The Supreme Court in its order of January 5 directed the ETPB "to submit a detailed report of all temples, Gurdwaras and other religious sites all over Pakistan which come under the purview of ETPB".

According to the ETPB letter, out of 365 temples, only 13 were being managed by them, leaving responsibility of 65 with the Hindu community, and practically abandoning the rest of 287 to the land mafias, the report said.

The commission said that the ETPB, with its staff spread across the country and boasting huge paraphernalia, was managing 31 places of worship out of a total of 470.

However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents.

They often complain of harassment by the extremists.

(With inputs from agencies)

A report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 5 has revealed that most of the Hindu holy sites across the country were in a state of decay. The seventh report of the one-man Dr Shoaib Suddle commission submitted to the Apex Court has depicted a dismal picture of most revered Hindu sites in the country.

A report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 5 has revealed that most of the Hindu holy sites across the country were in a state of decay. The seventh report of the one-man Dr Shoaib Suddle commission submitted to the Apex Court has depicted a dismal picture of most revered Hindu sites in the country. Also read | Five historical Hindu temples of Pakistan The Commission was set up by the apex court in 2019 to oversee implementation of its judgement on minority rights. It regretted that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) "failed to maintain most of the ancient and holy sites of the minority Hindu community". Dr Shoaib Suddle's one-man commission has been established by the Supreme Court but it has three supporting members, Dr Ramesh Vankwani, Saqib Jillani and the attorney general for Pakistan, who has nominated the deputy attorney general to participate in fact-finding activities of the commission, the report said. Some of the major Hindu temples in Pakistan include Shri Hinglaj Mata temple (Balochistan), Shri Ramdev Pir temple (Sindh), Umarkot Shiv Mandir (Sindh), and the Churrio Jabal Durga Mata temple (Sindh). In December last year, a temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district was torched by members of radical Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman group). The attack on the temple drew strong condemnation from human rights activists and the minority Hindu community leaders, prompting the Supreme Court to order its reconstruction. The Supreme Court in its order of January 5 directed the ETPB "to submit a detailed report of all temples, Gurdwaras and other religious sites all over Pakistan which come under the purview of ETPB". According to the ETPB letter, out of 365 temples, only 13 were being managed by them, leaving responsibility of 65 with the Hindu community, and practically abandoning the rest of 287 to the land mafias, the report said. The commission said that the ETPB, with its staff spread across the country and boasting huge paraphernalia, was managing 31 places of worship out of a total of 470. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country. The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. They often complain of harassment by the extremists. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Most Hindu temples in poor conditions’: Pakistan Supreme Court Commission

Four TikTokers, including one woman, were shot dead in Pakistan's Karachi early on Tuesday morning.

Dawn reported that all four deceased were active on social media, particularly Tik Tok. Two of them have been identified as Muskan and Amir -- they were friends.

According to the report, they were rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their wounds.

Empty shells from 9 mm pistols were found near the car.

An official said the murders "appeared to be the outcome of some personal issues", adding there were no witnesses to the incident.

An investigation into the matter is underway.

Four TikTokers, including one woman, were shot dead in Pakistan's Karachi early on Tuesday morning. Dawn reported that all four deceased were active on social media, particularly Tik Tok.

Four TikTokers, including one woman, were shot dead in Pakistan's Karachi early on Tuesday morning. Dawn reported that all four deceased were active on social media, particularly Tik Tok. Two of them have been identified as Muskan and Amir -- they were friends. According to the report, they were rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their wounds. Empty shells from 9 mm pistols were found near the car. An official said the murders "appeared to be the outcome of some personal issues", adding there were no witnesses to the incident. An investigation into the matter is underway.

Four TikTokers shot dead in Pakistan’s Karachi

Pakistan's spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali grabbed three wickets in the space of ten runs to halt South Africa's fightback on the third day of the first Test in Karachi on Thursday.

When it looked like South Africa would end the day at parity after wiping out Pakistan's big 158-run first innings lead, Yasir struck twice and Nauman once to leave the tourists on 187-4 at close.

Nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj was unbeaten on two and skipper Quinton de Kock was yet to score, as South Africa now lead by 29 runs with six second innings wickets in hand.

Earlier, Pakistan scored 378 to take a crucial lead over South Africa's first innings total of 220.

Opener Aiden Markram, who scored a polished 74 for his 8th fifty, added 127 for the second wickets with Rassie van der Dussen who scored a solid 64.

But Yasir, with figures of 3-53, changed the scenario by dismissing Dussen caught and then trapped Faf Du Plessis leg-before for ten, while Nauman had Markram caught by a close-in fielder to trigger a three wicket collapse in 33 balls.&nbsp;

Markram, dropped on 27 by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam off spinner Yasir, also had a leg-before decision overturned on four.

Dussen also had a leg-before decision overturned on 56. Markram hit ten boundaries and Dussen five.

Both Yasir and Nauman will be major threats for South Africa on a fourth day National stadium pitch which produced 14 wickets on day one, four on the second and six on the third.

South Africa were off to a confident start with Markram and Dean Elgar defying Pakistan's attack, and were 37 without loss at lunch.

Elgar, in visible discomfort after being hit on the left hand by a rising delivery from pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, was caught by diving wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Yasir for 29.

In the morning Pakistan's tail added 70 runs to frustrate South Africa, who were looking for quick wickets.

South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada bowled Hasan Ali for 21 to reach 200 wickets in his 44th Test.

Rabada, 25, is the eighth South African to take 200 or more Test wickets.&nbsp;

Pakistan were 323-9 at that point, but Yasir and Nauman added 55 valuable runs for the final wicket.

Yasir, who scored a Test century in Australia in 2019, hit a six and four fours in his 38 not out, while debutant Nauman scored three boundaries before falling for 24.

Rabada with 3-70 and spinner Maharaj, who took 3-90, were the pick of the South African bowlers.

Pakistan's spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali grabbed three wickets in the space of ten runs to halt South Africa's fightback on the third day of the first Test in Karachi on Thursday.

Pakistan's spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali grabbed three wickets in the space of ten runs to halt South Africa's fightback on the third day of the first Test in Karachi on Thursday. When it looked like South Africa would end the day at parity after wiping out Pakistan's big 158-run first innings lead, Yasir struck twice and Nauman once to leave the tourists on 187-4 at close. Nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj was unbeaten on two and skipper Quinton de Kock was yet to score, as South Africa now lead by 29 runs with six second innings wickets in hand. Earlier, Pakistan scored 378 to take a crucial lead over South Africa's first innings total of 220. Opener Aiden Markram, who scored a polished 74 for his 8th fifty, added 127 for the second wickets with Rassie van der Dussen who scored a solid 64. But Yasir, with figures of 3-53, changed the scenario by dismissing Dussen caught and then trapped Faf Du Plessis leg-before for ten, while Nauman had Markram caught by a close-in fielder to trigger a three wicket collapse in 33 balls. Markram, dropped on 27 by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam off spinner Yasir, also had a leg-before decision overturned on four. Dussen also had a leg-before decision overturned on 56. Markram hit ten boundaries and Dussen five. Both Yasir and Nauman will be major threats for South Africa on a fourth day National stadium pitch which produced 14 wickets on day one, four on the second and six on the third. South Africa were off to a confident start with Markram and Dean Elgar defying Pakistan's attack, and were 37 without loss at lunch. Elgar, in visible discomfort after being hit on the left hand by a rising delivery from pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, was caught by diving wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Yasir for 29. In the morning Pakistan's tail added 70 runs to frustrate South Africa, who were looking for quick wickets. South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada bowled Hasan Ali for 21 to reach 200 wickets in his 44th Test. Rabada, 25, is the eighth South African to take 200 or more Test wickets. Pakistan were 323-9 at that point, but Yasir and Nauman added 55 valuable runs for the final wicket. Yasir, who scored a Test century in Australia in 2019, hit a six and four fours in his 38 not out, while debutant Nauman scored three boundaries before falling for 24. Rabada with 3-70 and spinner Maharaj, who took 3-90, were the pick of the South African bowlers.

Yasir helps Pakistan foil South Africa fight in first Test

The protesters have asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Quetta, where demonstrators have kept up a five-day long vigil alongside coffins carrying the victims' bodies

Protests over killing of Hazara miners spread to Karachi

Pakistan stands at the nexus of the illegal falcon trade, in which the birds of prey - including some endangered species - are trapped and trafficked for wealthy Gulf Arabs, for whom falconry is a treasured tradition.

Poachers' paradise: Gulf hunts fuel falcon trafficking surge in Pakistan

Large crowds of Pakistanis dressed as Santas marched from the Christian cemetery in Karachi to the Press Club on Sunday (December 20), with some wearing masks as the coronavirus continues to plague the country.

Pakistanis of different faiths gather for pre-Christmas festivities amid coronavirus concerns

Pakistan's Christian transgender people, often mocked, abused and bullied, say they have found peace and solace in a church of their own. Shunned by other churches, they can raise their voices high here. The church, called the First Church For Eunuchs, is the only one for transgender Christians in Pakistan.

First Church of Eunuchs; transgender Christians unite at new Karachi church - only one in Pakistan

Thousands of labourers on Wednesday staged a protest against China in Sindh`s Karachi complaining about unequal wages received by them as compared to their Chinese compatriots.&nbsp;

Earlier, The News International reported that the Chinese staff recruited by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority for Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project was getting huge salaries in comparison to their Pakistani employees.&nbsp;

The huge disparity in the salaries is impacting the morale of the Pakistani staff, who are also given a different grade system than the Chinese. Besides, even as the Chinese staff is being paid in Yuan, the locals are getting their salaries in Pakistani rupees (PKR).

"On Wednesday, the value of 1 CNY against 1 PKR was equal to Rs 24.02. According to the data of the salaries of 93 Chinese working at the OLMT project, the Chinese staff is highly paid. If the salaries of Pakistani officials working on the same/equivalent seats are compared with those of Chinese staff, the Pakistan employees are getting mere peanuts. According to data, a Chinese-origin deputy chief executive officer/CFO/director with grade L2 is being paid 136,000 CNY per month which is equal to over Rs 3.26 million. There were three positions and all were filled with Chinese. No Pakistani was hired on this designation," The News International stated. 
 
Giving another example of the disparity in salaries, The News International said while 12 people of Chinese origin working on the slot of train dispatcher/train crew are getting 57,000 CNY each, equal to Rs 1.36m, the locally recruited employees working on the OLMT project are getting much lower salaries. The Pakistani employees have demanded a salary hike from the government in accordance with the salary of their Chinese counterparts.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Beijing has put a hold on projects that are part of the USD 62 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China`s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing political unrest and foreign debt limits have resulted in a slowing of Chinese investments in Pakistan. According to sources, Pakistan in 2017 had decided to cut the salaries of contractual employees responsible for executing various projects in the CPEC. Pakistan`s finance ministry had refused to pay the employees as per the agreement. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development on Tuesday cleared the CPEC Authority Bill 2020 with majority despite members belonging to opposition parties strongly opposing the bill, reported The News International. Former minister for planning Ahsan Iqbal opposed the bill and presented seven reasons for opposition to the creation of the CPEC authority. However, after conducting a heated debate, the NA panel passed the CPEC authority bill with a majority.&nbsp;

“Creation of CPEC authority is superfluous and unnecessary," he said.&nbsp;

"Ministry of planning has discharged the role diligently and effectively in the past. “The national debt of USD 80 billion on account CPEC is bound to pose a danger to the sovereignty of Pakistan in coming years; as has been the CCP methodology in numerous under-developed countries. The incidents clearly depict the Chinese Communist Party`s (CCP) core motive, which is using the CPEC project to turn Pakistan into a `Chinese colony’. As Imran Khan states China as an `all-weather` friend, till then, the CCP will maintain a facade of Pakistan-China friendship whilst continuing to exploit Pakistan and market outdated items from its industries to Pakistan. Pakistan`s debt burden is also being pushed up by the CCP on every available opportunity.

Thousands of labourers on Wednesday staged a protest against China in Sindh`s Karachi complaining about unequal wages received by them as compared to their Chinese compatriots.

Thousands of labourers on Wednesday staged a protest against China in Sindh`s Karachi complaining about unequal wages received by them as compared to their Chinese compatriots. Earlier, The News International reported that the Chinese staff recruited by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority for Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project was getting huge salaries in comparison to their Pakistani employees. The huge disparity in the salaries is impacting the morale of the Pakistani staff, who are also given a different grade system than the Chinese. Besides, even as the Chinese staff is being paid in Yuan, the locals are getting their salaries in Pakistani rupees (PKR). "On Wednesday, the value of 1 CNY against 1 PKR was equal to Rs 24.02. According to the data of the salaries of 93 Chinese working at the OLMT project, the Chinese staff is highly paid. If the salaries of Pakistani officials working on the same/equivalent seats are compared with those of Chinese staff, the Pakistan employees are getting mere peanuts. According to data, a Chinese-origin deputy chief executive officer/CFO/director with grade L2 is being paid 136,000 CNY per month which is equal to over Rs 3.26 million. There were three positions and all were filled with Chinese. No Pakistani was hired on this designation," The News International stated. Giving another example of the disparity in salaries, The News International said while 12 people of Chinese origin working on the slot of train dispatcher/train crew are getting 57,000 CNY each, equal to Rs 1.36m, the locally recruited employees working on the OLMT project are getting much lower salaries. The Pakistani employees have demanded a salary hike from the government in accordance with the salary of their Chinese counterparts. Meanwhile, Beijing has put a hold on projects that are part of the USD 62 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China`s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing political unrest and foreign debt limits have resulted in a slowing of Chinese investments in Pakistan. According to sources, Pakistan in 2017 had decided to cut the salaries of contractual employees responsible for executing various projects in the CPEC. Pakistan`s finance ministry had refused to pay the employees as per the agreement. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development on Tuesday cleared the CPEC Authority Bill 2020 with majority despite members belonging to opposition parties strongly opposing the bill, reported The News International. Former minister for planning Ahsan Iqbal opposed the bill and presented seven reasons for opposition to the creation of the CPEC authority. However, after conducting a heated debate, the NA panel passed the CPEC authority bill with a majority. “Creation of CPEC authority is superfluous and unnecessary," he said. "Ministry of planning has discharged the role diligently and effectively in the past. “The national debt of USD 80 billion on account CPEC is bound to pose a danger to the sovereignty of Pakistan in coming years; as has been the CCP methodology in numerous under-developed countries. The incidents clearly depict the Chinese Communist Party`s (CCP) core motive, which is using the CPEC project to turn Pakistan into a `Chinese colony’. As Imran Khan states China as an `all-weather` friend, till then, the CCP will maintain a facade of Pakistan-China friendship whilst continuing to exploit Pakistan and market outdated items from its industries to Pakistan. Pakistan`s debt burden is also being pushed up by the CCP on every available opportunity.

Thousands of Pakistani labourers protest in Karachi against China's unequal wages for locals

Barely 2 years of Imran Khan rule and his 'Naya Pakistan' wants a new leader. After Gujranwala, anti-govt protests have now reached Karachi. The show of strength is unlike anything the Pak PM could have ever imagined. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story.

Gravitas: 'Naya Pakistan' wants a new leader

Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported. Citing police statement, it was reported that Khan`s car had stopped near a shopping centre in Shah Faisal Colony to purchase sweets when armed pillion riders opened indiscriminate fire on the car and fled.

While both Khan and his driver died, his aide escaped the uneventful incident as he had gone to purchase sweets.Dawn quoted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah as saying that some miscreants wanted to "sabotage the peace in the city".

Counter-Terrorism Department Deputy Inspector General Omar Shahid Hamid said that the police were focusing on two possible motives behind the incident.He said in addition to the sectarian aspect of the gun attack, they were ascertaining as to whether a third party wanted to create sectarian conflict.Pointing to "certain incidents" that may trigger sectarianism in the city such as Adil, a prominent figure in the Deobandi school of thought was recently targeted.

Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported.

Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported. Citing police statement, it was reported that Khan`s car had stopped near a shopping centre in Shah Faisal Colony to purchase sweets when armed pillion riders opened indiscriminate fire on the car and fled. While both Khan and his driver died, his aide escaped the uneventful incident as he had gone to purchase sweets.Dawn quoted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah as saying that some miscreants wanted to "sabotage the peace in the city". Counter-Terrorism Department Deputy Inspector General Omar Shahid Hamid said that the police were focusing on two possible motives behind the incident.He said in addition to the sectarian aspect of the gun attack, they were ascertaining as to whether a third party wanted to create sectarian conflict.Pointing to "certain incidents" that may trigger sectarianism in the city such as Adil, a prominent figure in the Deobandi school of thought was recently targeted.

Pakistan religious scholar shot dead in Karachi

A survey has revealed that a majority of Pakistanis fear that the South Asian country has been moving in the wrong direction since 2019. The survey was conducted by France-based lpsos, world’s third-largest market research company, and released on Sunday.

‘4 out of 5 Pakistanis fear country headed in wrong direction,’ says survey

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