Sindh Province

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Karachi administration has launched an emergency operation to evacuate hundreds of unsafe buildings across the city as part of a comprehensive safety plan ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. The move is aimed at preventing loss of life and property caused by the collapse of aging and structurally compromised buildings during heavy rainfall.
The decision was taken following a detailed briefing by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, who directed all relevant departments to immediately implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas.
According to the SBCA, a total of 584 buildings across Karachi have been declared dangerous due to their deteriorating structural condition. Of these, 59 buildings have been categorized as highly dangerous, requiring immediate evacuation because they pose an imminent risk of collapse. The list also includes 29 heritage buildings, many of which have suffered decades of neglect and require urgent conservation alongside public safety measures.
District South has emerged as the most vulnerable area, accounting for 442 unsafe buildings, making it the city's largest concentration of dangerous structures. Other affected districts include District Central with 73 buildings, Keamari with 28, Korangi with 18, and District East with 16 buildings identified as unsafe.
The Karachi administration has instructed the SBCA to issue evacuation notices without delay and place prominent public warning signs on all identified buildings to alert residents and passersby about the potential danger.
Commissioner Hassan Naqvi stressed that protecting human life remains the administration's highest priority. He said buildings found to be beyond repair will be demolished after technical evaluations to eliminate the risk of collapse during the monsoon season.
Authorities have also warned that if occupants refuse to vacate highly dangerous buildings despite official notices, the government will seek assistance from utility providers to disconnect gas, electricity, and water supplies to enforce evacuation orders.
Officials believe these preventive measures are essential as Karachi has repeatedly witnessed building collapses during periods of intense rainfall, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage. The administration has urged residents living in unsafe structures to cooperate with authorities and relocate immediately to avoid potential tragedies during the monsoon months.
The evacuation campaign forms part of the city's broader disaster preparedness strategy, with officials continuing inspections and monitoring vulnerable buildings to minimize risks before the arrival of heavy seasonal rains.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s energy sector has witnessed an important development as daily crude oil production of 2,000 barrels has started for the first time from Sanghar district in Sindh.
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has formally informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange about the commencement of oil production from the newly developed reserves.
According to OGDCL, a 4 inch diameter pipeline, approximately 1.5 kilometers long, has been laid to bring the crude oil production into immediate use and connect it with the relevant supply system.
The company stated that crude oil production from the Bobi Deep One well will help meet domestic energy requirements and reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
Energy sector experts believe that increased local oil and gas production is a positive development for Pakistan’s energy security, foreign exchange reserves and industrial growth.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Pakistan Academy of Engineering (PAE) has proposed the construction of Karachi's first underground railway network, describing the project as a long term strategic solution to the city's worsening traffic congestion, rapid population growth and increasing demand for efficient public transportation.
The proposal was presented during the academy's 40th Symposium, titled "Importance of Underground Mobility in a Megacity," where transportation planners, engineers and infrastructure experts from Pakistan, the United States and China examined the role of underground rail systems in improving mobility across major metropolitan cities.
During the symposium, experts reviewed successful metro and subway networks operating in Singapore, New York, Washington D.C., Delhi, Friedberg and Dhaka, highlighting how underground transit systems have helped reduce road congestion, improve commuter safety and support sustainable urban development.
Following detailed discussions, participants unanimously recommended the development of two underground railway corridors in Karachi. The first proposed route would connect Numaish Chowrangi with Merewether Tower, while the second corridor would run from FTC on Shahrah e Faisal to I.I. Chundrigar Road and Tower, linking key commercial and business districts with major urban centers.
PAE President Prof. Dr. Brigadier (Retired) Nasim Akhtar Khan said Karachi's expanding population and rising transportation demand require long term infrastructure planning rather than short-term traffic management measures. He emphasized that an underground railway system would provide a sustainable and efficient mass transit solution capable of meeting the city's future mobility requirements.
According to the academy, the proposed underground rail network would complement Karachi's existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system by creating an integrated public transportation network that would significantly increase passenger capacity while improving travel efficiency across the city.
Transport experts also noted that the project could deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits by reducing traffic congestion, shortening travel times, improving connectivity between residential, commercial and industrial areas, lowering vehicle emissions and providing millions of daily commuters with a safer, faster and more reliable mode of transportation.
The proposal reflects growing calls for large-scale urban infrastructure investment as Karachi continues to expand as Pakistan's largest metropolitan and commercial hub, placing increasing pressure on its existing transport network.