Latest news with #EXPRESS
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Tragedy hits family welcoming Hajjis
The SUV, battered and buried, emerges after being pulled from beneath the sand and gravel truck by rescuers. PHOTO: EXPRESS Two members of a family were killed and as many injured when a speeding dumper truck overturned onto their vehicle on Rashid Minhas Road in the early hours of Thursday. The victims were part of a convoy heading to Jinnah International Terminal to welcome relatives returning from Hajj. The deceased were identified by their family as 55-year-old Shaheena Naeem and her seven-year-old niece, Ayesha, daughter of Khurram Kareem. The injured included Khurram's wife, Anam, 30, and Khurram himself, who was driving the double-cabin pickup. The victims, residents of ROC Cooperative Housing Society, Scheme 33, were en route to receive their uncle, Kashif Kareem, and his family, who had just performed Hajj. Saud Khan, Shaheena's son, recounted the incident, saying that their convoy of four to five vehicles had stopped at the COD signal when a heavily loaded dumper truck, speeding recklessly, overtook from the left, lost control, and toppled onto their vehicle. "The dumper crushed our car under its weight, burying it in sand and gravel. The driver fled immediately, leaving us helpless," Saud said, his voice trembling with grief and anger. Family members and witnesses expressed severe frustration over the slow and disorganised rescue operation. Saud lamented that it took over three hours to extract the victims, with rescue workers forced to manually remove sand using shovels due to the absence of heavy machinery. "There were no oxygen cylinders available-rescue teams claimed they had run out. We kept begging for help, but the administration's response was shameful," he said. By the time the crushed vehicle was finally pulled out with the help of cranes, Shaheena and young Ayesha had already succumbed to their injuries. The tragedy has sparked outrage over the negligence of dumper truck drivers, who often flout traffic laws with impunity. Police confirmed that the driver escaped and remains unidentified, though witnesses alleged he appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Traffic was severely disrupted for hours as officials struggled to clear the wreckage. Family members, overwhelmed by grief, reportedly clashed with media personnel at the scene, with one allegedly assaulting a cameraman. This tragedy has also brought attention to Karachi's illegal sand and gravel trade. Despite Section 144 being imposed in Malir district to curb unauthorised extraction, trucks continue to operate at night, transporting material from Gadap, Memon Goth, and other areas. Chhipa Foundation spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid confirmed the accident occurred around 3:15am, attributing it to the driver's reckless speeding. SHO Gadap City, police station Sarfraz reiterated that illegal mining persists despite the ban, raising questions about enforcement. The funeral prayers for Ayesha were held in Buffer Zone, while Shaheena's took place in Liaquatabad. Both were laid to rest in the C-1 Area Graveyard.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Harry & Meghan latest update: Duchess of Sussex accused of hypocrisy over ‘money-making' personal social media clips
Meghan Markle is always in news for all wrong reasons. According to reports published in EXPRESS, Royal commentator Ingrid Seward has accused Meghan Markle of hypocrisy over a Father's Day video featuring Prince Harry and their children. In an interview shared on YouTube, the Editor of Majesty magazine said: 'They begged for privacy and now suddenly Meghan is flooding the marketplace with photographs of their children.' Royal commentator Ingrid Seward even mentioned, 'Everything they do online is aimed at them being able to make more money—otherwise why on earth would they do it?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meghan being a public figure, all the display of personal life on social media has been described as Duchess of Sussex trying too hard for visibility. (With inputs from agencies)
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Heat drives surge in demand for net curtains
A labourer carries brightly coloured rolls of net curtains on his shoulders for sale on City Saddar Road, aiming to attract customers seeking relief from the scorching heat and protection against insects. PHOTO: AGHA MAHROZ /EXPRESS Amid the ongoing intense summer heat, the demand and prices of colourful net curtains have soared in markets across the city. Residents and shopkeepers are increasingly buying these curtains to cover doors, windows, balconies, courtyards, and lawns, seeking relief from the heat and protection from insects, despite a noticeable hike in prices. Street vendors have also started selling these net curtains. The curtains are available in various colours, including white, blue, red, green, orange, and black. The most basic variety is being sold at Rs450 per meter, while slightly better quality costs Rs650. Good quality curtains are priced at Rs850 per meter, and the highest-quality colourful net curtains are available for Rs1,050 per meter. Stitching charges, depending on the size of windows or doors, are around Rs350. Apart from residential use, many people who keep livestock or pets have begun installing these curtains in animal enclosures to prevent mosquitoes and insects from entering. A large number of people are installing these beautiful net curtains on their balconies. They are also being used to cover water tanks on rooftops to prevent colour fading. These curtains are also in high demand in government and private hospitals, clinics, and dengue wards to prevent mosquito breeding. With the summer heat peaking in May, June, and July, demand for these curtains is expected to remain high. Large shops also have a high demand for the installation of these curtains. A resident, Agha Qizilbash, noted that the prices of net curtains have increased by 30 to 35 per cent compared to last year. However, their installation can significantly reduce the intensity of direct sunlight and provide shade, which is beneficial for livestock and birds. Shahbaz Ali, a street vendor, shared that last year the prices ranged from Rs300 to Rs800 per meter, depending on quality. This year, prices have risen significantly, now starting at Rs450 and going up to Rs1,050 per meter. He attributed the surge to the prolonged heatwave, rising temperatures, and the burden of increased taxes and duties on imported materials. Ali starts selling curtains from the end of May, and it's currently at their peak. After June, the sales of net curtains typically decline.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
FBR may detain 'tax evaders' sans warrants
Data shared with lawmakers reveals that over the past three years, the number of registered business taxpayers has increased by 5.3 million . PHOTO: EXPRESS The business community condemned the federal government's decision to allow the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to arrest traders and industrialists on suspicion of tax evasion. Office bearers of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry (HCSTSI), in their reaction to the federal and provincial budgets, categorically rejected the insertion of Section 37AA into the Sales Tax Act, on Sunday. They contended that the powers authorised to the FBR are unconstitutional and undemocratic besides being inimical to trade and industry. HCSTSI President, Muhammad Saleem Memon stated "granting FBR officers the power to arrest any trader without a warrant and to detain them for up to 14 days is a gross abuse of authority and a clear violation of human and economic rights." The chamber demanded the government withdraw from this decision, warning that if the authorities remained stubborn, the business community would resort to nationwide protests. With regard to the much delayed Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project, the chamber complained that a paltry sum of Rs15 billion was earmarked for FY 2025-26, for a project requiring around Rs400 billion. Memon argued "at this pace the project may take a decade or more to complete." The business community viewed the allocation as a reflection of the centre's disregard for vital road projects, which would benefit hundreds of millions of people travelling within Sindh, and towards Punjab.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
City in grip of 'severe heatwave'
As heatwave-like conditions grip the city, passersby find a refreshing escape in glasses of chilled sugarcane juice — Karachi's favourite remedy for the sweltering summer heat. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS The city endured second consecutive day of extremely hot and humid weather on Saturday, as low wind speeds and increased air humidity created heatwave-like conditions across the metropolis. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Karachi recorded a maximum temperature of 37.1 degrees Celsius. However, due to high humidity levels, which peaked at 65 per cent, the weather felt significantly hotter than the actual temperature, especially during the afternoon when extreme mugginess was reported. The Early Warning Centre forecast suggests that similar hot and humid conditions are expected to persist through Sunday, with temperatures ranging between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius and elevated humidity levels continuing. However, some relief is expected on Monday, as there is a likelihood of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning.
