Tag: Karachi

Stampede at food distribution centre kills 11 in Pakistan’s Karachi city

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Karachi: At least 11 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured in a deadly stampede at a Ramzan food distribution centre in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Friday, officials said.
The stampede took place after some people unknowingly stepped on a live wire where food was being distributed, leading to the tragedy.
Soon, people started pushing each other, due to which some even fell into a nearby drain, police said.
At least 11 people, including women and children, died in the stampede and several others were injured.
“Initially two persons were electrocuted after stepping on the live wire and that led to panic and stampede,” SSP Ameerullah told PTI.
“Two children and two women fell in a drain when its wall collapsed due to the rush of the people,” he said.
At least 11 other people, including women, have died while trying to get free flour from government distribution outlets in Pakistan’s Punjab province in recent days.
With the latest incident in Karachi, the death toll from stampedes across free food centres in Pakistan has risen to at least 22.

The free food distribution initiative was launched by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week at a time when the country is in the midst of a severe economic crisis.
Pakistan has been negotiating with the IMF for the release of a USD 1.1 billion bailout package since February but has so far met with little success due to the stringent conditions imposed by the Washington-based lender.
The funds are part of a USD 6.5 billion bailout package the IMF approved in 2019, which analysts say is critical if Pakistan is to avoid defaulting on external debt obligations.
The weekly inflation level in Pakistan has touched an all-time high of 45 per cent.
Pakistan is scrambling to increase its forex reserves, which are currently estimated to be at USD 4.2 billion, according to the country’s central bank.
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#Stampede #food #distribution #centre #kills #Pakistans #Karachi #city
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 31, 2023
Flydubai Dubai-Dhaka flight diverted to Karachi as passenger dies midair

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Abu Dhabi: A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Dhaka was diverted to Karachi after a passenger passed away mid-journey on Saturday, February 18.
According to the flydubai, its flight FZ 523 from DXB to Dhaka Airport (DAC) on February 18 was diverted to Karachi Airport (KHI) for a medical emergency.
The flight took off at around 1:45 pm and was scheduled to land around 8:30 pm in Dhaka. After the emergency landing, the plane left for Dhaka at 8:17 pm, Karachi time.
As per the Pakistani media reports, 59-year-old Bangladeshi passenger Shab Sheikh died of a heart attack and was pronounced dead on arrival.
“Flydubai would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of a passenger who passed away. Our family assistance team is providing support and our thoughts are with the family of the passenger during this sad time. We are in touch with the relevant authorities,” a flydubai spokesman told The National.
In November 2022, a passenger on an EasyJet flight from Cyprus to London Gatwick also died.
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#Flydubai #DubaiDhaka #flight #diverted #Karachi #passenger #dies #midair
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 20, 2023
3 killed, 10 wounded as terrorists storm Karachi police headquarters

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Karachi: At least three attackers were killed and 10 people wounded on Friday night when a group of terrorists opened fire at the headquarters of Karachi police in south Sindh province, officials said.
The attack happened at around 7:10 p.m. local time when eight to 10 terrorists opened fire and hurled hand grenades at the Karachi police chief’s office near the Saddar area of Karachi, Deputy Inspector General of south zone Karachi Irfan Baloch told media.
He said four floors of the building had been cleared in the operation jointly launched by the Pakistan Army, paramilitary rangers and police, adding that during the clearance operation, a suicide bomber blew himself up on the fourth floor, partially damaging the building, Xinhua news agency reported.
The powerful explosion also shattered the window glasses of nearby buildings, said the police.
A heavy contingent of police and rescue teams reached the scene and cordoned off the area. Police also sealed off traffic on the main artery Shahrah-e-Faisal, where the building is located.
Eyewitnesses told the news agency that the lights of the building under attack had been turned off, while gunshots and multiple explosions could be heard.
Several police personnel were inside the office when the attack took place, said the police, adding that the attackers equipped with heavy weapons managed to enter the third and fourth floor of the building.
The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement issued Friday evening, it said the Karachi police office was the target of the attack.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack, appreciating the police and security forces for their effective action against the terrorists.
“Terrorists once again targeted Karachi but this kind of cowardly act could not weaken the resolve of police and law enforcement agencies. The whole nation stood with police and security institutions … collective efforts needed to root out the menace of terrorism,” the Prime Minister said.
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#killed #wounded #terrorists #storm #Karachi #police #headquarters
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 18, 2023
Two militants killed in gunfire amid attack on Karachi police headquarters

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Karachi: At least two terrorists were killed during an ongoing exchange of fire in and outside the office of the Karachi police chief as militants stormed the building located on Sharea Faisal, media reports said citing Sindh Inspector-General Ghulam Nabi Memon.
The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) office located on Karachi’s main artery, Shahrae Faisal, came under a gun and bomb attack on Friday evening, officials confirmed, Samaa TV reported.
At least one police officer has been martyred in the attack while an Edhi volunteer has been injured, Samaa TV reported.
Police surgeon Summaiya Syed said that one injured worker from the Edhi Foundation has been brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment, Dawn reported.
Sound of heavy and frequent exchange of fire and explosions emanating from the police complex, located near the Financial Trade Center (FTC) on main Shahrae Faisal, spread fear and panic in the area, the report said.
“The Karachi police office has come under attack,” Additional Inspector General, Javed Alam Odho, confirmed.
Sources said that there could be eight to 10 attackers, who came in a white vehicle while some officials said the terrorists gained access to the complex from the rear where the motor vehicle pool and workshop is maintained, Samaa TV reported.
Shortly after the sound of gunfire was reported, heavy contingent of police from nearby police stations was dispatched to the spot.

The lights inside the police headquarters were also turned off to prevent the terrorists from knowing where to go. Shahrae Faisal near the police station has been blocked for traffic as well, Samaa TV reported.
Around 60-70 staff work in the building, but by evening this number falls as people leave for the day.
Those inside said that they have locked themselves in their rooms to stay safe from the terrorists, Samaa TV reported
Confirming the incident, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is personally monitoring the situation.
Terming any suspected assailants involved as terrorists, he said that heavy contingent of police and paramilitary rangers have been dispatched to the spot, Samaa TV reported.
The locality from where the firing was reported is a densely populated area and the Saddar police station and Police Lines are also located nearby.
It is located just off Shahrae Faisal, which is the main artery of the city connecting the downtown, business district with the rest of the city and is full of commuters heading home for the day resulting in a rush hour, Samaa TV reported.
The firing reportedly took place at a time when security is already on high-alert in the city following the arrival of international cricket players for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the recently concluded international naval military exercise, Aman 2023.
Earlier in the day, the Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars practiced at the National Bank Arena in Karachi.
“I want the perpetrators behind the attack on the additional IG’s office to be arrested,” Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said, adding that an attack on the KPO is “not acceptable” at any cost, Dawn reported.
The Chief Minister also sought a report from the officer concerned and said that he is personally monitoring the situation.
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#militants #killed #gunfire #attack #Karachi #police #headquarters
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 17, 2023
Pakistan: Terrorists attack police chief’s office in Karachi city

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Karachi: Unidentified armed terrorists on Friday attacked the police chief’s office in Pakistan’s most populous city, Karachi, ensuing heavy firing between paramilitary rangers, police and the attackers.
According to sources, the number of terrorists involved in the attack is not confirmed.
The terrorists first threw half a dozen hand grenades into the main compound of the Karachi Police Chief’s office building and then entered the premises.
Atleast 12 personnel of Pakistani SFs lost their lives and many are hostage in ongoing fire fighting between Pak SFs and TTP & SLA fighters in Karachi Police Headquarter.
(Sources)#Karachi pic.twitter.com/QOspyppdN5
— Kashif Gulzar 🗨 (@KGulzar196) February 17, 2023
“Heavy firing is going on between paramilitary rangers, police and the attackers. All mobile vans in the district and area have been summoned urgently to the spot to surround the attackers,” one police source said.
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#Pakistan #Terrorists #attack #police #chiefs #office #Karachi #city
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 17, 2023
Pakistan’s ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf to be buried in Karachi

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Karachi: Pakistan’s former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf will be laid to rest on Tuesday in the Army Cantonment area here, officials said.
Musharraf, the architect of the Kargil War in 1999 and Pakistan’s last military ruler, died on Sunday in Dubai after a prolonged illness.
The 79-year-old former president was living in the UAE since 2016 in self-exile to avoid criminal charges back home.
He was undergoing treatment for amyloidosis in Dubai.
Musharraf’s mortal remains arrived here on Monday on a special flight from Dubai.
His wife Saba, son Bilal, daughter and other close relatives arrived with the body on the special aircraft of Malta aviation arranged by the UAE authorities.
The aircraft touched down at the old terminal area of the Jinnah International Airport amid heavy security with the former President’s family and the body was taken to the Malir cantonment area, officials said.
A close aide of the former president told the Dawn newspaper that Gen Musharraf’s burial would be held “with full state and military protocol”.
However, there was no word from the authorities. Earlier, local authorities said arrangements have been completed at the Malir Cantt where Musharraf will be buried at Karachi’s Old Army Graveyard.

The funeral prayers will take place at the Gulmohar Polo Ground in Malir Cantt.
The Information Secretary of the All Pakistan Muslim League, which Musharraf formed after taking retirement, said that all arrangements have been completed.
“The funeral prayers will be offered at the Polo Ground in Malir Cantt at 1:45 pm,” he said, adding that Musharraf would be laid to rest at the Army Graveyard.
The former military ruler’s body was scheduled to reach Karachi airport on Monday afternoon but delay in the availability of an aircraft and some other documentation and NoCs procedures between Pakistan’s mission in the UAE and the Pakistan government delayed the repatriation of Musharraf’s mortal remains.
Musharraf’s mother was buried in Dubai while his father was laid to rest in Karachi.
Musharraf, who seized power after a bloodless military coup in October 1999 and ousted the elected government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, ruled Pakistan till 2008 as chief executive and President.
The former president and army chief was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, according to his family.
Musharraf, who was born in New Delhi in 1943 and migrated to Pakistan after Partition in 1947, was the last military dictator to rule Pakistan.
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#Pakistans #exmilitary #ruler #Pervez #Musharraf #buried #Karachi
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 7, 2023
Pakistan: Karachi saw 140 street crimes in single day: Official

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Karachi: Karachi had witnessed 140 street crimes, including three murders and 36 incidents of cash snatching, ARY News reported.
Presenting a detailed copy of the criminal record in Karachi, Additional Inspector General (AIG) spokesperson said as many as 140 street crime incidents took place in the region in a single day.
The data was presented by AIG Javed Alam Odho to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
The report further revealed that two vehicles and eight motorcycles were snatched, whereas, 9 vehicles including 85 motorcycles were stolen. Six shootouts took place between the criminals and police officials, reported ARY News.
As per ARY News, 10 criminals were arrested in wounded condition while six suspected criminals were caught red-handed.
In the last 24 hours, 129 suspects were arrested including 24 street criminals, 21 car lifters, three murderers and arms recovered from 15 suspects.
Moreover, the arrested persons included 23 drug peddlers and 155 others who were involved in different crimes. Police seized 25 illegal weapons, seven kilograms of charas, 13 stolen mobiles, and 25 vehicles, according to ARY News.
Pakistan is currently facing the worst time since its creation as the country is witnessing a food crisis, devaluation of the rupee, electricity shortage, and attacks.

Earlier, in the first week of January, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho admitted that the number of street crimes increased in the year 2022 as compared to the previous year, according to The Express Tribune.
“Due to the increase in street crimes, we are witnessing a greater loss of human lives,” he said, adding that 109 people died in street crimes-related incidents during the outgoing year, whereas in 2021, only 75 people were killed by robbers.
The Karachi police chief claimed that from 2021 to 2022, the overall crime rate decreased by 15.4 per cent.
“In the year 2022, street crime increased by 7 percent, however, the city has the least number of murders compared to other cities,” he said.
Odho said that 8,866 suspects were arrested in the incidents of street crimes, 110 suspects were arrested for extortion and 5,420 were held in carjacking and theft cases.
Odhu said 129 suspects were killed in 889 police encounters in 2022 while a total of 38,286 accused were arrested. Additionally, Karachi police arrested 8,632 drug dealers during the year, The Express Tribune reported.
He said that drugs and illegal weapons have always been a big problem for the police. The accountability of the police officers is necessary, and encouragement for good performance could also be done through that.
Also, in 2022, 58 cases were registered against police personnel and officers involved in crimes. Moreover, 10 police personnel were martyred and 70 injured in the battle against criminals.
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#Pakistan #Karachi #street #crimes #single #day #Official
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 4, 2023