Pakistan to conduct its first-ever digital census from Aug 1 to Aug 31, 2022
What happened: The Senate was informed on Jan 7 that the country’s first-ever digital census has begun, with field operations taking place from August 1 to August 31. Details: During question hour, the house was informed that the field operation, which would include face-to-face interviews, would be preceded by a pilot census from May 15 to June 15. In response to a query, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan claimed the national census cost Rs16.884 billion in 2017. Following Mr Shah’s objections, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) resolved to perform third-party validation of 1% of the census blocks at a meeting on November 13, 2017. The validation was increased to 5pc blocks during the CCI conference on November 24. IHC declares the ‘Navy Sailing Club’ illegal and orders its demolition within 3 weeks
What happened: The Islamabad High Court deemed the Navy Sailing Club on the bank of Rawal Lake “illegal” on Jan 7 and ordered its demolition within three weeks, in response to a petition challenging the club’s creation in the federal capital. Details: During a hearing presided over by IHC Head Justice Athar Minallah, the instruction came with orders for action against an ex-naval chief. The navy does not have the right to engage in real estate projects, according to the court, and the name of the institution cannot be used for such purposes. According to the IHC, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was not authorised to provide a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Navy because it had encroached on National Park territory. Citizens faced traffic blockades amid continual rain; Wardens found to be absent
What happened: On Jan 7, residents observed traffic jams on main routes due to the city’s constant rain. Due to the rain, most traffic wardens were absent, and there were long lineups of vehicles on practically every road. Details: M.M. Alam Road, Gulberg’s Main Boulevard, Canal Road, Mall Road, and other nearby thoroughfares remained congested. Some motorists were seen driving alone and directing traffic. Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan has urged traffic wardens and police officers in all districts of the province to carry out their responsibilities with maximum care and devotion during the current rainy spell. He instructed the traffic cops to keep the flow of traffic moving and to make it their motto to assist the citizens. Karachi’s Covid-19 positivity rate increases by 10% in a week
What happened: As the fifth wave of the coronavirus spreads across Pakistan, the positive rate in Karachi, the country’s financial hub, has doubled in a week, surpassing 10%, according to reports released on Jan 7. Details: The positivity rate in Karachi was 4.74 percent on December 31, 2021, according to data from the Sindh health department, when 160 people in the metropolis tested positive for the virus. On the other hand, 650 persons tested positive in the provincial capital on January 6, with a 10.25 percent positivity rate. Master plan for Gwadar has been approved and all the issue will be resolved soon, says GDA Director
What happened: Mujibur Rehman Qambrani, the director general of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), has stated that the port city’s master plan has been approved, and that all issues, including NOCs for builders and developers participating in Gwadar, will be resolved soon. Details: Qambrani told members of the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad) that Gwadar’s security issues were overcome, and that a Gwadar Investment Conference would be held soon. He predicted that Abad would play a key role in the development of Gwadar, and that the concerns that builders and developers encounter would be addressed first. Senior Vice Chairman of Abad, Hanif Memon, said his organisation was ready to play a key part in the development of Gwadar, but that issues with NOCs and land titles should be rectified as soon as possible. The GDA should build an automated one-window system for issuing NOCs and other relevant services, he said. Federal Minister for Energy inaugurated 132 KV grid station and gas pipeline at FIEDMC
What happened: The 132 KV grid station and gas pipeline at were launched at Faisalabad Industrial Estate Developement & Management Company (FIEDMC) by Federal Minister of Energy, Hamad Azhar. Details: He stated that the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company is doing a good job of providing amenities to the enterprises. The new 132 KV FIEDMC and Allama Iqbal Industrial City Grids, which contain FIEDMC’s efforts, were finished ahead of schedule on a priority basis. Previously, the 132 KVM grid station could not supply the demands of this industrial sector. New grids have been installed at FIEDMC as a result of increased industrial activity. New industrial connections will be available soon from the 132 KV Allama Iqbal Industrial City Grid. What else: Former Fesco CEO Fesco Ehtesham Javed, FIEDMC Chairman Zafar Sarwar, Fesco CEO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) Bashir Ahmed, and former Fesco CEO Fesco Ehtesham Javed were also in attendance.