ANP Rally at Maripur Road 11th May 2008

I didn’t have my camera with me but even if I did, they freaked me out so I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to snap a photograph, but have you guys seen the HUGE van that the “Speed Controllers” drive around? They are supposedly checking to see if people are breaking the speed limit by hiding in some dark, dingy alleyway. The funny thing was, the location where I saw them “hiding” was so they could view the road immediately after a speed breaker, so I doubt they found ANY cars breaking the speed barrier, but then maybe they’re also after the pedestrians… (more…)

Here is “Where in Karachi” with bit of a twist.

Translation: “Receive receipt after depositing Any Type of cash”

Where in Karachi could one possibility find such a cash counter where you can get a receipt for “any type of cash” and what exactly do they mean by “Any Type” ?

Let your imaginations go wild and be creative, Imaginable or even unimaginable possibilities, guesses, assumptions, views, thoughts all are welcome.

The exact location where I spotted this sign will be revealed after 24 hours.

Just caught this sign being erected today at the Mohd Ali Society signal, in an attempt to relieve the traffic congestion on Shahrai Faisal at Awami Markaz the traffic police will not permit a right turn onto Shahrai-Faisal heading towards Baluch Colony between the hours 8am - 10am & 5pm - 8pm.

This specific picture is off the sign located on Fatima Jinnah road at the MAHS & Sh-Faisal intersection (Awami Markaz), but I also witnessed another similar signboard being welded specfically jsut before this same Awami Markaz signal on main Shahrai Fasial (traffic heading towards saddar) which also read the similar rules, preventing the right turn and a much used U-turn at the same signal.

I personally think this is a good move and will lighten the traffic congestion drastically on the main artery, I have yet to see if the Tipu Sultan signal has been handled in this similar manner as that too is a sore spot for many rush hour traffic commuters. Just a warning out to those who might get caught confused in this sudden new development, don’t say we didn’t warn you, as I dread the first few days we are bound to see a major confusion until people realize the changes

A short interview about the daily life of this ordinary man. Gulam Nabi sells bubble-water at Seaview.
[Low quality version for slow connection, DOWNLOAD for off-line viewing]

There is a massive traffic jam from Baloch colony to Nursary. Avoid this route if you are traveling on share-e-faisal.
One of KMB author MB is stuck in this traffic jam and updating us. Does any one know the reason of this traffic jam!!?? or is it the usual, a VIP movement?

As an urban location Karachi has always been slightly expensive to live in. Recently though the cost of living in this great city of ours has risen by astronomical amounts, with the cost of every day usage products going up by 30 - 40% in the last few months. If we study this increase in costs over the last 2 years we will see a difference of almost double in prices.

In Jan 2006, a five-litre tin of Dalda cooking oil was for Rs395, which has now increased to Rs750. Ghee saw a similar increase, with the five-litre tin going from Rs395 to Rs730. Similarly, Basmati rice went from Rs36 per kg to Rs85-90 during the same period, while kernel rice went from Rs50 per kg to Rs105. Basmati tota has gone from Rs22 per kg to Rs54-60, while Irri 9 is tagged at Rs65 as opposed to Rs16 per kg in Jan 2006.

Obviously nobodies income has doubled in the last two years, specially the salaried class. Therefore everyone is feeling the pinch of these rising costs. People are using less fuel, eating out less and buying only essentials to make their days go by.

The point is though, as an agri based nation how can we allow our prices to go up by so much? Most of this is a result of bad policing i.e the current export of rice from our nation, when there is a shortage of it locally.

I appeal to our new city government to please provide a subsidy in essential food products rather than spending it on meaningless flyovers. I know traffic has to be distributed as well, but the rate of suicides in this city is going up day by day, i would rather be stuck in a jam then see my fellow karachites stand in long lines for flour. I also appeal that immediate bans be placed on the export of all essential food groups from our city and nation.

Are we surprised? Definitely not, and one needs to be too naive to know who could do it. And rest assure, this will be JUST-ANOTHER scandal going down the drain. So well, ladies and gentlemen just like it happens in every fairy (devil) tale of this city once again an accident, fire, or some similar drama had to happen to save the MAN from being humiliated. This is what THE NEWS came up with few days back and this is now where the script is heading :- ( What’s interesting (or may be not interesting) is none of the local channels are reporting this. Probably the 90-factor is too difficult to ignore. )

Related: PkPolitics

The master file containing the secret official record and copies of 3,128 eligibility certificates of government properties sold in Karachi in open market and the official correspondence of former housing minister Safwanullah, has been stolen from the housing ministry.

The file contained the relevant information and the hand written decisions of the former minister. The official order of inquiry into the stealing of the master file reads that “the master file was submitted to the minister housing Safwanullah and since then it was missing”.
read FULL STORY

Later today evening the police in Karachi did a massive crackdown on gangsters located within the densely populated area of Lyari which then erupted in a gun battle, reports came in that a few people have been killed and a number injured. It seems that IG Karachi Shoaib Suddle in getting into action

Police in Karachi were embroiled in a deadly gunbattle with gangsters Wednesday in Lyari, a rundown town of the country’s biggest city. Police sent 100 officers and four armoured vehicles into Lyari on Wednesday in a bid to arrest underworld kingpins fighting a bloody turf war, Lyari police chief Imran Shaukat said. However, the officers met stiff resistance from gang members armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades. Shaukat said there were “a few casualties, some fatal.” He said at least one gangster was killed and police also suffered casualties. DAWN Latest News