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Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
90% allocated to rural Sindh: MQM-P
The fourth day of general debate on provincial budget continued in the Sindh Assembly with Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed in the chair on Thursday. The attendance of government and opposition members in the House was extremely low, indicating a general lack of interest in the budget debate. Rehan Akram of MQM-P stated that in its seventeenth budget, the Sindh government once again allocated 90 per cent of the schemes to rural Sindh. He alleged that the Anti-Corruption Department has become a department of corruption. He claimed that the Sindh government has effectively turned corruption into an industry. He also highlighted the water crisis and sewerage problems in his constituency. Environment Adviser Dost Muhammad Rahimoon said, planting more trees is need of the hour for environmental improvement. MQM-P's Muhammad Daniyal said, our proposals were not included in the budget in the pre-budget session of the Sindh Assembly. There is no drinking water in the city and the mayor claims to wash the streets with 'rose water'. Provincial Minister for Labour Shahid Thaheem drew attention of the house towards severe load shedding in the province where the power utilities increase outage times by two hours if complaints are lodged. He mentioned that although gas has been discovered near Shahdadpur, gas is not supplyied to the area. He demanded an increase in hospital funding. Mahesh Kumar of MQM-P said the budget lacks schemes that would allow the minority community to play a role. He demanded interest-free loans for minorities to help them start businesses. Dr Fauzia Hameed called the budget a budget of destruction. She said it may benefit a few families, but offers nothing for the public. She emphasised that Sindh's resources should be spent on its people. She questioned why the CM holds so many ministries, asking whether there are no other capable individuals. Jameel Soomro of PPP said, opposition always terms the budget anti-people, even though many taxes have been abolished in the current budget. Provincial Minister for Women's Development Shaheena Sher Ali said small loans will be given to women for small businesses. PPP's Ismail Rahoo pointed out water shortages and other public issues in his constituency. PTI's Rehan Bandukda mentioned water crisis in his constituency and said that Karachi has become the world's fourth worst city to live in. Najam Mirza of MQM-P said that discussion must be focused on the budget instead of praising the leadership. He described the budget as salt on the wounds of the people. Special Assistant for Public Health Engineering Saleem Baloch said, water scarcity is a critical issue. Last year, 29 schemes were completed, and 34 new ones have been added this year. PTI's Rehan Rajput said in his speech that the Sindh government proudly presented a budget with a Rs38 billion deficit. He claimed that 80 per cent of the budget is spent on just a few departments, which is wrong. PPP's Mumtaz Jakhrani said that a large number of teachers have been recruited in Sindh, and that NICVD centres are present at every divisional headquarters. He said Rescue 1122 now operates from Karachi to Kashmore and that no one serves the people like PPP. Senior minister Sharjeel Memon told the Deputy Speaker that a few words spoken during the debate on Thursday should not have been said on the floor. He requested that remarks about chief minister should be removed. MQM's Muhammad Rashid Khilji praised Sharjeel Memon's work against drug trafficking and questioned why the Excise Ministry was taken from him. The Sindh Assembly session was adjourned until 10am on Friday.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold prices plunge
KARACHI: Gold prices on Thursday took a big plunge, reflecting the global bullion market's bearish trend, sinking under $3,300 per ounce, traders said. World's fluctuating bullion market lost $19 to rest at $3,291 per ounce, scaling down the local gold prices by Rs1,900 per tola and Rs1,629 per 10 grams. The sizeable drop pushed back the gold prices to Rs347,500 per tola and Rs297,925 per 10 grams, according to All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. Domestic silver prices fell by Rs38 and Rs33, dropping to Rs3,428 per tola and Rs2,938 per 10 grams, respectively. The global silver prices stood at $33 per ounce, the association added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bhatta Chowk cattle market opens today
The main cattle market for sacrificial animals at Bhatta Chowk, serving the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, officially opens Friday (today). Situated at the confluence of the two cities, the market has already received two trailers filled with sacrificial animals. Entry fees have been set at Rs3,000 for large animals and Rs2,000 for smaller ones. From Sunday, May 18 onwards, more trailers and trucks carrying livestock are expected to arrive, marking the beginning of the market's peak activity and the formal start of buying and selling. Space allotments for livestock traders have begun, and preparations are underway for fodder stalls, animal grooming services, temporary eateries, tea stalls, and beverage vendors. A sizable area next to the market has been designated for parking vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. Temporary electricity and water connections for stalls and animal enclosures have also been made available. Water for drinking and bathing the animals will be sold at Rs3,000 per tanker. Tents and shades have started arriving in large numbers to provide shelter, and installation will begin today. Though the number of animals is still limited, the market is now officially open to the public. Weighing stations are being set up where animals will be sold based on weight, with prices aligned with the local meat market rates. In addition, various organisations, NGOs, and religious groups have launched online Qurbani services. Customers can now book their share of a sacrificial animal online. A share in a large animal such as a cow or bull is priced at Rs40,000 for approximately 1516 kg of meat, and Rs38,000 for 14 kg. A small animal costing Rs70,000 yields around 15-16 kg of meat. While Bhata Cattle Market begins operations today, it is expected to see a major influx of buyers closer to payday. To mark the opening, traditional drum performances have been arranged, and the event is open to all, including citizens and butchers. Following today's inauguration, additional livestock markets in Chungi No 22, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Dhok Syedan, High Court back area, and Rawat will also become operational by Sunday. Traders from all over the country will bring sacrificial animals for sale in these markets. The business activities at these markets will also benefit various stakeholders, including government departments, transporters, service stations, hotels, and fodder sellers. The animals brought for sale in these markets will be examined by a team of doctors and support staff from the Livestock Department to ensure they are healthy and fit for sale. Sick animals will not be allowed to be sold in the markets.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Online platforms offer Qurbani services
As Eidul Azha approaches, online Qurbani services have begun in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, offering both small and large animals for sacrifice. Bookings are now open, and under the new system, citizens can receive sacrificial meat at home without visiting animal markets. Instead of receiving a physical share in the animal (such as a cow, bull, goat, or sheep), participants will receive packaged meat. For collective sacrifices, shares are being offered and booked online. It has been announced that all animals for Qurbani will be healthy and the meat provided will be of high quality. A share of a cow, bull, or calf sacrificed on the first day of Eid is priced at Rs40,000, entitling the participant to 16 kilograms of meat delivered to their home. On the second day, the share will cost Rs38,000, with the same quantity of meat delivered. The price for a goat or sheep is set at Rs70,000, with 14 kilograms of meat delivered. Private sector groups and religious organisations have become active in managing collective sacrifices. Payments can be made online, with teams available to collect the money in person too. Delivery of meat to each participant is promised between 1pm and 5pm on Eid days. Organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Alkhidmat Foundation, Akhuwat, and others have also started selling sacrificial animals online. Photos and videos of the animals, along with their prices, are being uploaded for selection and purchase. A weight-based pricing system is being introduced, with animals sold per kilogram based on current market rates.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Intense hailstorm smashes windows, damages vehicles in Pakistan's capital
ISLAMABAD: An intense hailstorm and heavy rainfall battered Pakistan's capital Islamabad and its surrounding areas on Wednesday evening, leaving several vehicles damaged and house windows smashed. Footage on social media showed hailstones raining from the sky in Islamabad during Wednesday evening. Several Islamabad residents posted videos of their car windscreens smashed while others shared images of the windows of their houses damaged by hails. Islamabad district administration said in a statement that its emergency teams were deployed to manage traffic and drain rainwater accumulated on the streets. 'The extent of the damage caused by the hailstorm is still being assessed,' Islamabad administration spokesperson said in a statement. 'There are reports of broken windows of vehicles and houses in various areas.' He added that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to key highways, while drainage work was already underway in several parts of the city to prevent water from accumulating on the roads. An Islamabad resident told Arab News his car had been significantly damaged by the hailstorm. 'It would cost me around $178 (Rs50,000) to repair the windscreen, windows and side mirrors,' Ahmed Qureshi, a resident of the city's Diplomatic Enclave, told Arab News. 'My vehicle will also need to be repainted to fix the dents caused by the hailstorm.' Several mechanic shops in Islamabad's G-6 Markaz area were swamped with concerned citizens inquiring about the cost of new windshields. Muhammad Ali, a mechanic, told Arab News three types of windshields were available for Toyota and Honda cars. These cost from $57-$135 (Rs16,000 to Rs38,000), adding that it takes about 20 minutes to install one. 'The windshield supplier isn't answering his phone due to the overwhelming number of calls he has received,' he said. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain with thunderstorm in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and other parts of the parts of Punjab on Wednesday evening.
