Here are eight news updates on Pakistan that you should know, continue reading to find out more
Karachi Climate March: People marched peacefully to protest against the cutting of trees that’s paving the way for mega housing projects
What happened: Dozens of ‘People’s Climate March’ participants held a rally near Karachi’s Boat Basin on Sunday evening to draw the attention of authorities to the negative impact of climate change, particularly the perceived environmental disaster unfolding in Malir and surrounding areas — allegedly due to trees being felled and agricultural lands being destroyed to make way for mega housing projects. The protest: Activists from roughly ten political parties and civil society organisations gathered near Clifton Beach and attempted to march towards Bilawal House, but police officers stopped them, according to organisers and witnesses. The police action prompted march participants from the Awami Workers Party, Indigenous Rights Movement, Karachi Bachao Tehreek, Malir Expressway Action Committee, Mazdoor Kisan Party, and others to hold a sit-in on the service road near the Bilawal House. What else: Men, women, and children marched in protest of Bahria Town Karachi, DHA Karachi, the takeover of people’ lands, the construction of the Malir Expressway, the destruction of agricultural land in Malir and Gadap, the demolition of dwellings on Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, and other concerns. 140 passengers refused to travel after PIA pilot tries to continue with the flight amid two-technical faults
What happened: On Sunday, more than 140 passengers refused to board a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight heading for Karachi after the captain made two efforts to complete the trip but was forced to return to Islamabad due to a mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. The fault: According to sources, Captain Amjad Malik, who was flying from Islamabad to Karachi, took off at 12.30pm on Sunday with 160 passengers on board, but was forced to return after half an hour because the plane’s inertial navigation system — a device that can precisely guide an aircraft without reference to the ground — developed a problem. According to unconfirmed accounts, the jet was forced to return to Islamabad due to “engine issues.” Details: The passengers exchanged words with the staff and a provincial leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) aboard, criticising the government and the airline management for causing them difficulty. Passengers were scared and enraged, but PIA officials said there was nothing wrong with the plane. After locals, Overseas Pakistanis also raised $50,000 for the Sialkot lynching victim’s family
What happened: Tens of thousands of dollars have been given by the Pakistani community throughout the world to provide direct help to the family of the late Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana, who was brutally killed by a mob in Sialkot. Details: To assist the victim’s widow and children, a lively people-to-people effort was launched. The cash generated will be used entirely towards the family’s urgent and long-term needs. The organisers have already made the required steps to guarantee that the first milestone payment of donations received is placed into the victim’s widow’s bank account (approximately 2.5 Million Sri Lankan Rupees). #JusticeforShahidRahimoon: Security guard tortured and killed in DHA, Bakhri
What happened: A security guard has been allegedly tortured and killed by the bungalow owner for whom he was working at Defense Housing Authority, Bhakhri Commercial. Details: People took on twitter with the trending hashtag of #JusticeforShahidRahimoon, as it is alleged that the security guard who belongs to Tharparkar came to Karachi for earning a livelihood for his family. His bruised body was found tortured and tied up. According to the sources, FIR has been lodged but no arrests have been made so far. What else: Columnist, Mian Mujeeb ur Rehman stated in regards of this incident: “Sindh police, government and rangers have failed miserably to improve law & order situation in Karachi, Pakistan.” Pakistan’s furniture exports increased by 202.49 percent
What happened: According to Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), Pakistan’s furniture exports increased by 202.49 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period previous year. Details: He was speaking to a group of SMEs led by Nasir Hussain, chief financial officer of Chenone, who had come to see him. He stated that compared to the same period last year, furniture worth $2.78 million was shipped during the current quarter. He stated that the furniture business has a great potential to dominate global markets through new designs and may greatly contribute to exports. However, he noted, a combination of incentives and facilitation was desperately required to grow exports even more. House robbery at the constable’s residence: His colleagues urge him to report less number of burglars
What happened: Police are hesitant to file a robbery report at a constable’s residence. The family claims that the Saddar police are insisting on registering a complaint only if the complainants report fewer robbers than the real seven. Details: Seven armed men stormed constable Manzar Ali’s house in Mohallah Madina Town in the city and tortured family head Bashir, Dr Humayun Bashir, Manzar Ali’s brother, and women, stealing valuables such as cash, gold ornaments, and electronics, as well as warm clothes and blankets meant for Manzar Ali’s sister’s wedding and even food. More: The SHO did not answer to our correspondent’s phone, however DSP Headquarters Sheikh Ilyas stated that no such robbery occurred. The family has requested that Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar and the IGP take action. Balochistan begins it five-day polio drive today; Aims to spread the campaign across 34 districts
What happened: All preparations have been ready for a five-day polio eradication campaign to begin on Monday in 34 Balochistan districts. During the campaign, 2.3 million youngsters in Balochistan will be given polio and vitamin A drops, according to Hameedullah Nasar, the Balochistan Coordinator of the Emergency Operation Centre. Details: Mr Nasar stated that 9,172 mobile, 949 fixed, and 592 transit teams had been deployed across the province to ensure that all children received polio vaccinations during the drive. “We have taken stringent security steps to avoid any unanticipated circumstance,” he added, adding that personnel of the Balochistan Levies Force, police, and Frontier Corps will be deployed to safeguard polio workers.