PESHAWAR: A convoy of beautifully decorated 4×4 jeeps departed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to participate in a spectacular Jeep Rally in the Cholistan desert of Punjab province.
KP’s Deputy Speaker Mehr Taj Roghani attended the ceremony as chief guest. Deputy Secretary Sports, Tourism, Culture, Archaeology, Museums and Youth Affairs Babar Khan, Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and Frontier 4×4 Club President Babar Khan were also present at the occasion.
The TCKP is sponsoring the province’s team in the race that will be held from 15th to 18th February. The convoy of 4×4 jeeps first gathered at the Peshawar Museum and then departed for Punjab in a rally to test the skills of jeep drivers in the Cholistan desert. The 4×4 jeeps were tastefully decorated, highlighting the culture and tourism sights and adventure sports of the province.
Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Speaker Roghani said that progress and prosperity were not possible without the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country.
She described the departure of jeeps for Punjab as a good sign, pointing out that it would send a positive message to the world that peace had been restored and tourism and sports activities were being organized in every corner of the province.
“Our Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is no more a ‘no go area’ as tourists are coming in droves to enjoy holidays here owing to the robust and tangible steps taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government,” Roghani said.
Deputy Secretary Babar Khan claimed the province decided to participate in the Cholistan jeep rally to highlight and promote tourism, culture and adventure sports activities in KP.
He said this was the first time in the province’s history that its people were participating in the Cholistan jeep rally. He hoped that KP’s team would perform well and bring laurels for the province.
Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said the participation of KP jeeps in Cholistan rally was a step in the right direction since it would help boost tourism and adventure sports activities in the province.
KP drivers off to Cholistan desert jeep rally
KP drivers off to Cholistan desert jeep rally
Police lodge case over Karachi mall blaze under mischief, negligence and murder clauses
- The fire broke out at the densely packed Gul Plaza in the heart of Karachi on Jan. 17 and has so far claimed 71 lives
- Traders have estimated losses at $53.6 million, while the government has announced $35,720 for family of each victim
ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi have registered a case over a deadly blaze at Gul Blaza, which has so far claimed 71 lives, under mischief, negligence and murder clauses, a senior police official said on Saturday.
The fire broke out at the densely packed commercial complex in the heart of Karachi on Jan. 17, trapping workers and shoppers inside. It burnt for over 24 hours before being brought under control, leaving the building structurally unsafe.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. Police said preliminary indications pointed to a possible electrical short circuit, though officials stress conclusions will only be drawn after investigations are completed.
A week after the incident, police have registered the first information report (FIR) of the incident under sections 427, 436, 337-H (i) and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Karachi South Asad Raza.
“The FIR of the Gul Plaza tragedy has been registered under the government’s prosecution, with case number 08/2026 at Nabi Bux police station,” Raza told Arab News.
Section 427 relates to mischief causing damage, 436 concerns mischief by fire or explosive substance, 337-H (i) details punishment for rash or negligent act, and 322 details punishment for homicide.
Deadly fires are a recurring problem in Karachi, a city of more than 20 million people, where overcrowded markets, aging infrastructure, illegal construction and weak enforcement of safety regulations frequently contribute to disasters. Officials say a blaze of this scale is rare.
Identification has been significantly slowed by the condition of the remains recovered from the site, Syed said, noting that many bodies were found in fragments, complicating DNA analysis and prolonging the process for families waiting for confirmation.
Traders have estimated total losses from the fire at up to Rs15 billion ($53.6 million). The Sindh provincial government this week announced compensation of Rs10 million ($35,720) for the family of each person killed in the blaze and said affected shopkeepers would also receive financial assistance.
Separately on Saturday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) party urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to constitute an inquiry commission to hold those accountable whose negligence led to the Gul Plaza inferno.
“Incapability, mistake, apathy, shamelessness, impudence — these should be exposed,” MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar said, calling for an “independent judicial inquiry” into the Gul Plaza tragedy to ensure the truth comes to light.
LAHORE HOTEL FIRE
Meanwhile, a fire erupted at a hotel in the eastern city of Lahore in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, according to Rescue 1122 service.
Six people were injured due to the blaze at the hotel in the city’s Gulberg area who were shifted to hospital.
“All necessary steps be taken to quickly control the fire, instructions,” Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Aijaz directed authorities. “Immediate evacuation of all people from the building be ensured.”
