Karachi, Pakistan – The ongoing investigations into the recent incidents of building collapses in Karachi have been marred by severe weather conditions, with authorities facing a multitude of challenges in their efforts to rescue those trapped and assess the damage.
According to sources, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) team, led by senior engineer Arif Qasim, conducted a thorough inspection of the damaged building in Gul Plaza, alongside the affected Rampark Plaza. As per initial reports, a part of the building collapsed, affecting two columns of the adjacent Rampark Plaza. The outer structure of the building collapsed, affecting the inner section, causing some parts of the building to tilt towards Rampark Plaza. Following the installation of jacks to secure the affected area, the SBCA team will conduct a more thorough assessment of the building.
The authorities have stated that the debris from the collapsed sections of the building will be removed under the supervision of SBCA experts, while hot water is being drained from the basement to facilitate a more comprehensive inspection of the inner columns. The authorities have stressed that it’s premature to make any definitive statements regarding the likelihood of the building collapsing or not.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has established a special committee to investigate the Karachi Radio Pakistan incident, with various stakeholders voicing their concerns and demands for action.
In other news, a unique Liberty Bell initiative was launched in Islamabad to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence. The event was attended by American Envoy Natalie Baker, who inaugurated the Liberty Bell Initiative at the Lincoln Corner in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in London after participating in the annual World Economic Forum, while rescue efforts continue at the site of the collapsed building in Karachi, with a temporary halt to machinery operations to locate people trapped beneath the rubble.
In a separate development, severe cold waves have gripped Karachi, with the city experiencing a temperature drop to 20 km per hour. Various residents have expressed concerns about the harsh weather conditions, with multiple families stranded on the roads for hours due to the extreme cold.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance has praised the role of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in eradicating polio in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of close collaboration between relevant institutions to ensure the effective implementation of health programs.
Multiple districts in Sindh and Punjab have been affected by snowfall, disrupting road traffic and resulting in a reduction in the flow of goods and services. Local traders have expressed concerns about the lack of maintenance efforts, with the market association demanding a response from the authorities.
A woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a session court in Sargodha for murdering her husband. The accused was implicated in multiple serious cases, including the murder of a police officer and the abduction of several individuals.
In a related development, Deputy Commissioner East Karachi has ordered the regularization of an unauthorized petrol pump on the premises of the University of Karachi, which was previously revoked three days ago. A member of the MQM has written a letter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate corruption in World Bank-funded projects in Sindh.
Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will continue to work with the Board of Peace, alongside the United Nations and other countries. In a separate development, a resident of Garden has been identified, along with a resident of Metroville, and a resident of Gujranwala, who were involved in a recent incident.
Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta has shared her experiences, revealing that her mother once threatened to cut her wrist if she pursued a career in acting, labeling it as a “bad and immoral profession.”
