Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Saturday sought a detailed report from Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho over the killing of five people in Ratodero of District Larkana in Sindh. Earlier in the day, police said five people, including a passerby, were killed when armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire at […]

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that the law and order situation in the riverine (katcha) areas of Sukkur and Larkana divisions has improved, with effective measures taken to control crime and a number of criminal elements also surrendering, which has contributed to the improvement. He said that along with maintaining […]

I have never understood why we expect one government sitting in Karachi to run both the busiest port city in the country and cotton fields six hours away in Larkana using the same rulebook. It doesn’t work, and honestly, the numbers back me up on this. Karachi division alone now holds more than 20.3 million […] The post Why Sindh Needs More Provinces? appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

WEB DESK: Sindh has been placed on alert as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) activated emergency arrangements ahead of forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across the province until July 25. The PDMA has issued a weather advisory for 23 districts, warning of rain with thunderstorms in several areas, including Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Larkana, and Khairpur. The authority also forecast thunderstorms in Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro, and Shaheed Benazirabad, while light rain is expected in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Larkana, and Thatta. PDMA Sindh Director General Salman Shah said strong winds and lightning could pose risks to weak structures, directing district administrations and relevant departments, particularly in Karachi, to remain alert. He said dewatering pumps and emergency response vehicles have been prepared to deal with any rain-related emergencies, adding that low-lying areas have already been identified for swift action in case of urban flooding. The DG said 10 dewatering vehicles have been prepared for Karachi, while Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will have 25 vehicles each. Another 15 vehicles each have been allocated for Sukkur and Larkana. He added that dewatering vehicles in Karachi will be deployed at different locations for immediate response, with technical teams accompanying the operations. Salman Shah said the PDMA control room is operational 24 hours a day to monitor the situation, while coordination with district administrations and relevant departments is being maintained to ensure timely response during the monsoon spell. The post Sindh braces for heavy rains as PDMA activates emergency arrangements appeared first on HUM News English.

A VIEW of the crumbling roof of one of the rooms at the ART Centre in Larkana, which is in a state of disrepair.—Dawn LARKANA: The Anti­ret­roviral Treatment (ART) Centre at Chandka Medical College (CMC) Children’s Hospital registered 73 new HIV-positive cases among children in June alone, with most patients belonging to different parts of Khairpur district, raising concerns over the growing burden on the facility and the shortage of healthcare staff. Officials at the centre said around 20 follow-up patients visit the facility daily. They pointed out that the centre was functioning without a pharmacist and required additional junior doctors to cope with the increasing caseload. The ART Centre operates under the Directorate of Communicable Disease Control (CDC). During a visit, _Dawn_ observed that a portion of the ceiling plaster had fallen in the area where doctors and support staff perform their duties. Prof Dr Shanti Lal, head of the Department of Paediatrics at CMC Children’s Hospital, said routine HIV screening in the hospital’s outpatient department had been introduced on Jan 7. > Concern raised over staff shortage, dilapidated condition of building “We are maintaining data on HIV cases and coordinating closely with ART centres to ensure that every screened patient undergoes confirmatory testing and receives the required medicines,” he said. According to hospital sources, HIV-positive children referred to the hospital range in age from five months to 14 years, while ART Centre officials said most of their patients are between five months and eight years old. Prof Dr Shanti Lal and ART Centre officials agreed that mother-to-child (vertical) transmission of HIV had become almost negligible due to timely diagnosis and treatment. Explaining the importance of early intervention, Prof Shanti Lal cited the case of a hospital employee who tested HIV-positive but, after prompt treatment, achieved an undetectable viral load. His newborn child also tested HIV-negative. He said studies conducted by his department showed that boys accounted for 52 per cent of reported paediatric HIV cases and girls for 48pc. Recalling the 2019 HIV outbreak in Ratodero, he said the infection had primarily affected children between the ages of two and five years, with contaminated blood identified as the principal route of transmission. However, ART Centre sources said unsafe blood transfusions, weak surveillance, medical malpractice and the repeated use of syringes remained among the major factors contributing to HIV transmission. Describing the situation as alarming, Prof Shanti Lal said the growing number of HIV-positive children represented “the tip of the iceberg” and called for stronger preventive measures and greater public awareness. Despite the establishment of an ART Centre at Gambat on May 26 this year, HIV-positive children from Khairpur district continue to be referred to Larkana. When contacted, Dr Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, Director of the Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jillani Institute of Medical Sciences, Gambat, said paediatric HIV services had not yet started because the lady doctor assigned to the centre was undergoing specialised training. He said medicines had recently arrived at the facility and expressed hope that treatment for children would begin within a fortnight after completion of the training. Dr Bhatti attributed the rising number of reported HIV cases in Khairpur largely to unsafe medical practices by unqualified practitioners operating in the kutcha areas along the Indus River. He also observed that the increase in screening had resulted in the detection of more cases. Calling for strict action against quacks, he said social stigma also discouraged many families from disclosing HIV infections. Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital, Qambar, Dr Sartaj Jaj said an ART Centre had been established at the hospital but medicines and diagnostic kits were yet to arrive. Until the facility becomes fully operational, HIV-positive children from the district will continue to be referred to Larkana, further increasing the workload of the ART Centre there. The human cost of the disease was reflected in the case of Rahib Ali Junejo, a labourer from Nazar Mohalla, Larkana, whose young son was recently diagnosed with HIV. Speaking to _Dawn_ at the ART Centre, he said he had exhausted all options before reaching the facility. “I cannot afford medicines or travel to Karachi for my son’s treatment. Here, the doctors examined him, carried out the required tests and provided medicines free of cost,” he said. Another mother from Dadu, whose HIV-positive child was admitted to the Nutrition Ward of CMC Children’s Hospital, said her baby had failed to gain weight despite receiving uninterrupted treatment. Health experts stressed that expanding screening, ensuring safe blood transfusions, eliminating unsafe injection practices and strengthening ART facilities across Sindh were essential to preventing further spread of HIV among children. They also called for closer scrutiny of pathology laboratories to ensure mandatory screening of donated blood and stronger enforcement by the Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Authority. _Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2026_

LARKANA: Recognizing the unique oral healthcare needs of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Department of Community Dentistry at Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC), Larkana, organized a community outreach and research visit to the NDF Rehab Center, combining academic research, preventive oral healthcare, and public awareness under a single initiative. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. A. Bari Memon, the activity reflected a growing emphasis on inclusive healthcare and evidence-based community dentistry, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. The visit brought together faculty members and undergraduate dental students to engage directly with autistic children and their caregivers through oral health assessments, awareness sessions, and preventive education activities designed specifically for children with special healthcare needs. Research-driven approach to special care dentistry As part of an approved academic research project, a team of second-year BDS students comprising Sana Altaf, Mansoor Ahmed Bughio, and Mohsin Ali conducted structured oral examinations among children attending the rehabilitation center. The research project received approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, ensuring that all procedures were carried out according to established ethical and scientific standards. The oral assessments were designed to collect data that could contribute to a better understanding of the oral health status and dental care needs of children with autism spectrum disorder, a population that often faces significant barriers in accessing routine dental services. Healthcare experts note that children with autism frequently experience challenges related to oral hygiene maintenance, sensory sensitivities, dietary habits, and communication barriers, all of which can increase their risk of dental diseases if preventive care is not adequately addressed. Focus on oral health education and prevention Beyond research activities, the BADC team placed strong emphasis on oral health awareness and preventive education. Students conducted interactive demonstrations of proper tooth-brushing techniques using child-friendly communication methods tailored to the needs of autistic children. The sessions focused on helping children and their caregivers understand the importance of maintaining daily oral hygiene practices to prevent common dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Parents and caregivers also received counseling on preventive oral healthcare, dietary considerations, and the importance of regular dental checkups. Dental professionals involved in the initiative highlighted that children with special healthcare needs often require individualized oral health strategies and greater parental support to maintain good oral hygiene. Addressing an often-overlooked healthcare need Globally, research has shown that children with developmental and neurodevelopmental disorders frequently encounter difficulties in accessing dental care due to limited availability of specialized services, financial constraints, behavioral challenges, and lack of awareness among caregivers. Community-based initiatives such as the NDF Rehab Center visit play an important role in reducing these barriers by bringing oral healthcare education and preventive services directly to families. The Department of Community Dentistry noted that integrating research with service delivery allows future dental professionals to better understand community health challenges while simultaneously contributing to public welfare. Building socially responsible dental professionals The initiative also provided valuable experiential learning opportunities for dental students, enabling them to gain firsthand exposure to special care dentistry, community engagement, and public health research. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. A. Bari Memon, students participated in activities that emphasized empathy, evidence-based practice, ethical research, and patient-centered care. According to organizers, the visit reflects Bibi Aseefa Dental College's broader commitment to producing socially responsible healthcare professionals capable of addressing the oral health needs of diverse populations. Promoting inclusive oral healthcare The outreach activity underscores the growing recognition that oral health is an integral component of overall health and quality of life, particularly for children with special needs who may require additional support to achieve optimal health outcomes. By combining academic research, preventive education, and community service, the initiative contributed to improving oral health awareness among autistic children and their caregivers while generating valuable data that may help inform future healthcare interventions. As Pakistan continues to strengthen efforts toward inclusive healthcare and preventive dentistry, programs such as this demonstrate how academic institutions can play a meaningful role in improving oral health literacy, expanding access to care, and supporting vulnerable communities through research-driven outreach initiatives. Stay informed, stay alert CLICK HERE TO JOIN Dental News Pakistan on WhatsApp for real-time oral health updates, dental innovations, research breakthroughs, and expert insights from around the world.

Larkana police’s Women and Child Protection Cell (WCPC), along with other officials, conducted a raid and stopped a forced child marriage involving two teenagers in Khero Dero village of the district on Friday. A 13-year-old girl was being forced into marriage with her 16-year-old cousin when WCPC officials, the SHO of Women Police Station Larkana and the SHO of Lashari Police Station reached the spot, according to a statement by Child Protection Officer Larkana Gada Hussain Abbasi. Naween Mangi, who runs the Ali Hasan Mangi Memorial Trust in Upper Sindh, alerted the police about the marriage. After finding out about the girl being “forcibly married off,” Mangi said she tried to intervene through the community to stop the marriage. When that did not work, she involved the district police. The WCPC statement added that the groom and his family fled upon police’s arrival. “The girl, along with her parents, was brought to the Women Police Station Larkana for her safe custody,” the statement added. The girl’s parents were counselled regarding the legal age of marriage, police said. Officials also obtained a written surety from the parents that they would not marry their daughter until she turns 18, according to police. “Police was proactive and helpful,” Mangi told _Dawn_. The girl expressed willingness to stay with her parents, and she was handed over to them, the statement said further. The statement further said that if the girl had refused to stay with her parents, the case would have been produced in court and she would have been sent to a Darul Amaan. Mangi told _Dawn_ that she would not have felt comfortable sending the teenage girl to a Darul Amaan, owing to concerns about the living conditions in such facilities. She said she was concerned about the girl’s safety and that her organisation is closely monitoring the girl and her family, adding that police had not offered protection to the girl but remained in contact with her. According to Mangi, the groom’s family has publicly stated that the two teenagers are married and that the girl is missing. However, the girl’s parents have confirmed in a video statement that she is at home and not missing. Mangi acknowledged that despite counselling and obtaining written surety from the girl’s parents, the risk of another attempt at underage marriage remains because the custom is deeply entrenched in society. She added that her organisation is closely monitoring the family, and is “very confident” that the girl’s rights will be protected. According to the United Nations’ International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), Pakistan is home to over 19 million child brides, with nearly 1 in 6 young women married before the age of 18 and as many as 4.8m girls married before the age of 15.

LARKANA: Water shortages in Sindh and Balochistan are deepening as Punjab continues to draw excess water, threatening the downstream provinces’ agricultural activities and drinking water supplies. According to data from the Sukkur Barrage Control Room on Wednesday, the total upstream inflow at Sukkur Barrage was recorded at 50,620 cusecs, while the total withdrawal stood at 32,120 cusecs. Irrigation department sources and representatives of growers and millers stated that the combined water allocation for Sindh’s seven canals is 53,200 cusecs. With the actual supply at just 32,120 cusecs, Sindh is facing an overall shortage of 21,080 cusecs, or 39.6 per cent. In contrast, upstream barrages and canal systems in Punjab continue to withdraw water well above their allocated share. Against an allocation of 44,000 cusecs, Punjab is currently drawing 53,394 cusecs — an excess of 9,394 cusecs, or 21.35pc. This continued over-withdrawal is directly reducing water availability downstream. **Barrage and canal breakdowns** The water distribution data across key canal systems paints a critical picture: **Right Bank Canals (Sukkur Barrage):** North West (NW) Canal: Receiving 2,100 cusecs against an allocation of 4,260 cusecs (50.7pc shortage).Rice Canal: Receiving 5,300 cusecs against an allocation of 8,700 cusecs (39.1 pc shortage).Dadu Canal: Receiving only 860 cusecs against an allocation of 5,997 cusecs, marking the most critical deficit at 85.7 pc. **Left Bank Canals & Kotri Barrage:** Nara Canal: Receiving 8,820 cusecs against an allocation of 13,037 cusecs (32.3 pc shortage).Khairpur Feeder East: Receiving 1,440 cusecs against an allocation of 2,150 cusecs (33pc shortage).Rohri Canal: Receiving 10,530 cusecs against an allocation of 15,541 cusecs (32.2pc shortage).Khairpur Feeder West: Receiving 1,160 cusecs against an allocation of 3,525 cusecs (67.1pc shortage).Kotri Barrage: Receiving 11,905 cusecs against an allocation of 26,900 cusecs (55.74pc shortage). **Impact on Balochistan** Under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, Balochistan is entitled to 2,200 cusecs through the North West Canal. However, because the total supply in the NW Canal has dropped to 2,100 cusecs, Balochistan is receiving less than its allocated share. Prior to the 1991 accord, Balochistan’s share was 451 cusecs. In light of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Accord, Sindh now routes the revised 2,200 cusecs to the neighboring province. Flows are monitored at the Garang Cross Regulator, located at RD-102 of the Khirthar/North Western Canal near the Sindh-Balochistan border, which serves as the primary inter-provincial control and measurement point. **Official demands for equitable distribution** Well-placed sources confirmed that irrigation officials formally communicated the severe deficit on Wednesday to the chief engineer of the Barrage Management Unit. The correspondence highlighted that the 85.7pc shortage in the Dadu Canal and the 50.7 pc shortage in the NW Canal are severely impacting the districts of Larkana, Shikarpur, and Qambar-Shahdadkot, alongside downstream areas in Balochistan. The communication — which was also sent to the secretary irrigation Sindh, secretary (technical) irrigation, and the director of regulation —called for immediate steps to ensure equitable distribution. Officials warned that the current scarcity poses an acute threat to seasonal crops, particularly rice production. **Agro-economic threat to Larkana** The water crisis threatens a vital economic hub. According to Khair Muhammed Shaikh, president of the Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Larkana Division is a leading rice-producing region. “Larkana District alone produces around 242,000 metric tons of rice annually. The division contributes approximately Rs90 billion per year in foreign exchange from rice production alone. Furthermore, out of 650 rice mills in Sindh, nearly 500 are located in the Larkana region, underscoring its central role in agro-processing and trade.” _Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026_

LARKANA: The Right Bank Canal System of Sukkur Barrage is currently experiencing a critical irrigation water shortage, severely impacting the command areas of Larkana an Qambar-Shahdadkot districts, as well as the lands in Balochistan, fed through the North West Canal (NWC) during the peak Kharif crop season. The impact is also affecting Dadu Canal, Rice Canal and those irrigating the Sukkur district. Sources privy to the situation told _Dawn_ on Saturday that the prevailing shortfall across the canal network has reached an alarming level — North West Canal (-) 64.1%, Rice Canal (-) 38.0% and Dadu Canal (-) 82.0%. Credible data obtained from sources in Sindh’s irrigation department indicates that Punjab is currently drawing 53,394 cusecs against its allocated share of 44,000 cusecs — an excess withdrawal of around 21.35%. Similarly, Taunsa Barrage is lifting 25,694 cusecs against its entitled share of 24,000 cusecs, reflecting an over-withdrawal of approximately 9.3%. Meanwhile, the pond level at Chashma Barrage has recorded a continuous rise, climbing from 644.9 feet on Friday to 646.4 feet on Saturday, indicating accumulation of water in the upper reaches even as downstream scarcity deepens to a more critical situation. > Official data shows crisis deepening due to over-withdrawal by Punjab A reliable source told _Dawn_ on Saturday that the chief engineer Barrage Management Unit was kept abreast about the current water situation. He was requested due consideration and necessary action. The matter was also conveyed to the irrigation secretary and the department’s technical secretary, besides other officials concerned. Despite Sindh having submitted an indent of 130,000 cusecs, only 100,000 cusecs is being released, leaving the province to contend with a massive shortfall. The irrigation people said that the particular concern is the controversial Chashma-Jhelum (CJ) Link Canal, which remains operational and is drawing approximately 16,500 cusecs — a volume that exceeds the combined flow of several canals at the tail-end barrages that irrigate the country’s major agricultural zones. The ongoing water crisis in Sindh’s Right Bank Canal System is affecting millions of acres of agricultural land and stands in direct contradiction to the principles of equitable water distribution enshrined in the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. In the light of the grave situation, the federal authorities are being urged to take immediate steps to ensure Sindh receives its rightful water share without delay; review and regulate excess water withdrawals in the upper reaches; streamline operations of link canals in accordance with the designated allocations; and established regulations to ensure adequate water supply to Sukkur Barrage’s Right Bank canals to meet the agricultural needs of Larkana, Shahdadkot, the Balochistan segment, Dadu and Sukkur districts. The situation demands urgent high-level intervention before the ongoing shortfall causes irreversible damage to the region’s agriculture and rural livelihoods. This report is based on field data and official irrigation records from the Sukkur Barrage Right Bank Canal System. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has constantly been reminding the authorities concerned that Sindh, as a major contributor to the national economy, produces 5.5 million tonnes of rice annually and generates $1.4 billion in rice exports. Cutting the province’s water share during Kharif amounts to ‘economic massacre’ of this lower riparian province. “Sindh produces 67% of the country’s agricultural output, yet it is being deprived of its rightful water share,” he stresses. The current shortages of water in Right Bank canals of Sukkur Barrage pertaining to Larkana, Shahdadkot, Dadu, Shikarpur, NW Canals and Balochistan are as under: NWC (-) 64.1%, Rice Canal (-) 38% and Dadu Canal (-) 82%, respectively, says Ishaq Mugheri, a former president of the Sindh Abadgar Board’s Qambar-Shahdadkot district chapter. Most farmers and landowners in Shahdadkot, Qubo Saeed Khan and other vast areas irrigate their lands with supplies from the Saifullah Magsi branch and due to incomplete remodeling of the major irrigation channels, the paddy transplantation had not been started. He says: “We are still waiting water to reach the tail-end to start preparing paddy nurseries.” Mr Mughiri says that Dadu Canal allocation is 4,995 cusecs but being provided only 860 cusecs; North Western Canal allocation is 6,260 cusecs and is provided 2,100 cusecs for Larkana and Qambar- Shahdadkots. The Rice Canal’s allocation is 8,700 cusecs but it is provided only 5,300 cusecs. The withdrawal at Taunsa is 25,694 cusecs against the entitled allocation of 24,000, 9.3% in excesses. Another issue that would crop up between Sindh and Balochistan is over their respective water share from Grang Regulator as presently NWC is receiving lesser water, which is the key channel for water distribution, Mr Mugheri said. _Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026_

Areas including Sukkur, Kashmore, Larkana, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Dadu, Khairpur and Umerkot are likely to experience scattered rain