Category: 1. Pakistan

Pakistan plans to ask Qatar to delay delivery of liquefied natural gas supply over the next five years as the South Asian country grapples with weak demand and mounting import costs.

Government officials are in Qatar this week to request a delay for delivery of two LNG shipments per month in 2026, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The deliveries would be rescheduled to after 2031, the people said. Pakistan imports about nine cargoes from Qatar per month.

Paramilitary soldiers from Frontier Corps stand guard outside their headquarters, where supporters of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan protest against the arrest of their leader, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

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LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faced a fresh leadership jolt on Monday as Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced his resignation, while senior leader Hammad Azhar withdrew from contesting the upcoming Lahore by-election.

Taking to X, Raja said an incident had compelled him to step down. “My life is an open book. None of my actions contradicts any principle. I do not accept compromise on intellectual and economic integrity. Tomorrow, I will resign from office by requesting Imran,” he posted.

He said he was not a traditional politician but had stood firm despite internal and external pressures. “We endured subtle attacks, accepted economic uncertainty, and faced false cases, but I regret nothing. I am not afraid of jail,” Raja said, highlighting his role in key cases such as the Tyrian, Iddat, cipher, military courts, and reserved seats disputes.

Raja’s departure from the secretary general position stems from what he characterised as irreconcilable differences regarding his responsibilities within the party structure. He revealed that he had requested Imran, through Advocate Ali Bukhari, to allow him to focus on legal battles earlier, but he had declined.

Meanwhile, Azhar’s withdrawal from the NA-129 constituency race adds another layer to PTI’s electoral challenges. The seat became vacant following the death of his father, veteran politician Mian Azhar, creating expectations that the younger Azhar would seek to continue the family’s political legacy in the constituency.

Instead, Azhar designated his cousin, Chaudhry Arsalan Zaheer, as the family’s preferred candidate. Zaheer previously chaired Lahore’s fruit and vegetable market committee during PTI’s tenure in government and has collaborated with the Azhar family in previous electoral campaigns.

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The decision reflects practical considerations surrounding legal vulnerabilities facing PTI leadership. Azhar noted that Zaheer faces no pending court cases, including those related to the May 9 unrest that resulted in numerous party members’ legal troubles. This clean legal status reduces potential disqualification risks that could compromise the seat.

“Personal constraints make it impossible for me to actively participate in campaigning or serve effectively in the assembly,” Azhar explained, while announcing his sister would oversee campaign operations.

Party sources confirmed that PTI leadership had granted Azhar discretion in candidate selection, though his own legal challenges significantly influenced the final choice. The development illustrates how ongoing judicial proceedings continue affecting PTI’s political calculations and candidate viability.

These leadership changes occur against the backdrop of PTI’s complex relationship with electoral participation. The party has maintained an inconsistent approach to by-elections, with imprisoned founder Khan previously advocating boycotts to demonstrate solidarity with disqualified members.

The dual announcements highlight PTI’s broader organisational struggles as it navigates leadership transitions while confronting sustained legal pressure on key figures.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Monday said he would request party founder Imran Khan tomorrow and step down from his party position in the wake of an undisclosed incident that occurred.

In a post on X today, he said: “An incident has occurred today that now demands a decisive decision from me. My life is an open book. None of my actions contradicts any principle. I do not accept compromise on intellectual and economic integrity. Tomorrow I will resign from my position by requesting Khan sahib. My legal services will remain available without compensation.”

Raja did not disclose what the incident was that compelled him to make the decision to step down.

He added that he had already sent a request to Imran last week to allow him to focus on legal matters away from the post of the secretary general.

However, he said Imran had not accepted his request, adding that he was grateful to the PTI founder for the trust reposed in him.

“My entire legal and intellectual life has been governed by the principles that are part of my nature: human dignity, which is the basis of democracy, resistance against social and state oppression of women and minorities, economic justice and the supremacy of law and Constitution.”

Listing some famous cases for which he is renowned, Raja said he had a long list in which he had the opportunity to support his principles. He added that he entered the political arena, along with providing legal assistance, on Imran’s instructions during the period of PTI’s tribulation.

“My aim was to contribute to the struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution, law and democracy. I am proud that I got the opportunity to contribute to the achievement of this goal with my body, mind and money.”

The PTI has been subject to recent discord in the party leadership and ranks that had prompted Imran to prohibit his party members from publicly discussing the party’s internal matters and to shun all their differences.

Raja has had differences with others in the PTI before, including interim chairman Barrister Ali Gohar in April over access to Imran.

Raja had previously announced to step down from the party office in the wake of allegations and recriminations among party leaders over the ‘failure’ of PTI’s final November protest call in Islamabad last year.

Raja had submitted his resignation to Barrister Gohar, who had confirmed its receipt while maintaining that the decision to accept or reject the resignation would be made by Imran. Until then, Raja was asked to continue performing his duties.

Sources had said the political and core committee’s guns were trained on Raja, as he was censured for his complete failure in mobilising the masses and bringing out any rally from Lahore to reinforce the workers from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter who were pushing towards D-Chowk.

However, sources privy to developments had told Dawn that Raja was already demoralised as former first lady Bushra Bibi was calling the shots and had allegedly insulted several party leaders in meetings held in Peshawar ahead of the November 24 protest.

Raja also faced harsh and offensive commentary on his video message from a day earlier, where he presented “excuses” for not making it out of Lahore.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has filed an application with the City Police Officer (CPO) seeking the registration of a case against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and several officials over the conditions of his imprisonment.

The request, submitted through Advocate Tabish Farooq via courier, accuses eight individuals including CM Maryam Nawaz, the Superintendent of Jail, ASP Zainab, and SHO Aizaz—of denying Khan his lawful rights as a prisoner.

According to the application, Khan has been kept in a cell without proper lighting and his family has been barred from meeting him, allegedly on the directives of the Punjab chief minister.

It also notes that Adiala Jail falls under Punjab’s jurisdiction and recalls previous remarks by Maryam Nawaz in which she described Khan as a “fitna” who would be dealt with.

The plea further alleges that ASP Zainab, SHO Aizaz Azeem Raja, and others colluded to harass Khan’s family, including denying his sisters visitation rights in violation of High Court orders.

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain-wind/thundershowers in Kashmir and northeastern Punjab on Tuesday, with isolated spells expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, southern Punjab, and northeastern and southern Balochistan.

Heavy rainfall is likely in parts of Kashmir and northeastern Punjab, while hot and humid conditions are expected to prevail in other parts of the country.

The PMD has also issued warnings of landslides and mudslides in hilly areas of Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, during tonight and on August 26, which may cause road closures.

Torrential downpours are also likely to generate flash floods in local nullahs and streams.

Urban flooding is feared in low-lying areas of Narowal, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala and Lahore, while heavy rain, windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels. The public has been advised to remain cautious.

According to the regional forecast, Islamabad is likely to experience hot and humid or partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind/thundershowers during morning and night hours, with a 40 percent probability.

In Sindh, partly cloudy and humid weather is expected in most districts; however, isolated rain or thundershowers may occur in Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar.

In Balochistan, partly cloudy and humid conditions are expected, with rain and thundershowers likely in Barkhan, Zhob, Musakhel, Loralai, Awaran and Lasbela. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts will remain hot and humid, though rain or thundershowers may occur in Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Mansehra, Peshawar, Kohat, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu and Waziristan.

Punjab is expected to witness partly cloudy conditions with chances of rain-wind/thundershowers in Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Dera Ghazi Khan, with isolated heavy falls likely in northeastern districts.

In Kashmir, cloudy weather with rain and thundershowers is expected, along with isolated heavy rainfall, while Gilgit-Baltistan is likely to remain partly cloudy.

During the past 24 hours, rain and thundershowers occurred at isolated places in northeast Punjab, upper Sindh, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while hot and humid weather prevailed elsewhere. Recorded rainfall included 62 mm in Kasur, 40 mm in Larkana, 29 mm in Dir, 19 mm in Malam Jabba, 13 mm in Narowal, 11 mm at Lahore Airport, 9 mm in Rawalakot, 6 mm in Bagrote and lesser amounts at other stations.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded were 41 C in Dalbandin and Nokundi and 40 C in Panjgur.

As flood waters surged through the streets and submerged the houses, Bilawal Jamshed rushed to the rooftop with his family, terrified the water would swallow everyone in Mingora, Swat, in Pakistan’s northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“Everything happened in seconds, as if a dam had burst and water rushed toward us. We were lucky it was morning and we could escape to the rooftops. Imagine if it had happened at night,” says Jamshed, 36, while walking through streets still filled with foul-smelling sludge, as residents and volunteers struggle to clean up more than a week after the devastating floods.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been the worst-hit region in Pakistan, with torrential rains and flash floods killing more than 400 people, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. Thousands of houses in Swat have reportedly been damaged, with losses worth billions of rupees.

Punjab province is on high alert and 19,000 people have been evacuated as rivers have surged again with a new monsoon spell. A 7km (4-mile) lake was created in Gilgit, in northern Pakistan, after a mountain mudslide on Friday.

A map shows Mingora in northern Pakistan

Since the monsoon season began in late June, 788 people have died in heavy rains that have caused flash floods and glacial lake outbursts sweeping away roads, villages, livestock and farmland and resulting in the displacement of thousands of people across Pakistan. According to figures released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday, the deaths include 200 children, 117 women and 471 men.

Buner, a district adjacent to Swat, reported the highest death toll, with more than 200 people killed as torrential rains and flash floods wiped out downstream villages. Almost 100 people are still missing.

On a visit to Buner last Wednesday, the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, told residents: “It is Qayamat – doomsday – for you. It is for us as well. If we want to prepare for it [floods], we need to make policies. If we don’t, God won’t forgive us.”

The government and authorities have been facing a backlash for allowing the construction of hotels and restaurants on riversides, and poor urban planning. Residents in Swat have told the Guardian that while the provincial government has started to crack down on illegal construction, a federal minister was among those who had built a resort near a river.

Pakistan’s climate change minister, Musadik Malik, says he has been instructed by Sharif to make a plan to deal with the abnormal monsoons, to improve drainage systems and stop illegal construction.

“As the PM made it clear, the government won’t spare any powerful person’s illegal construction. We can’t tolerate more deaths and destruction, we have to ensure water drains and nullahs [watercourses] are clear,” Malik says.

Mujeeb ur Rehman, a labourer in Mingora, has sent his family to stay in a nearby village unaffected by the floods while he surveys the damage to their home. “Our refrigerator, washing machine, gas cylinders and all our belongings are gone,” he says.

Jamshed cries as he explains the impact on his family: “My father is a diabetic patient who needs frequent access to the toilet. The water tank and house are filled with mud. We don’t have clean drinking water. It has been nine days, and my father still has not received his insulin dose.”

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WaterAid Pakistan has warned about the threat of waterborne and other diseases to millions of residents. Its country director, Mian Muhammad Junaid, says: “Water contamination has reached 80% in parts of the region. This will result in widespread disease and sickness, from cholera to diarrhoea, threatening many more lives, unless we intervene right now.”

Pakistan, which has a population of more than 240 million, is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis, witnessing heatwaves and torrential rains. Devastating flash floods in 2022 killed at least 1,700 people and affected more than 33 million.

Naseer Memon, an author and climate crisis expert, says there are three main elements aggravating the floods.

“First, encroachment in the flood plains – such as high population, lack of housing. Second is decades-long massive deforestation … Third, there is almost no climatic analysis or impact assessment of the region for infrastructure development,” he says.

Malik has acknowledged that deforestation has worsened the situation in Pakistan but says the rise in global temperatures cannot be avoided, and that “powerful countries” contribute the most to the climate crisis.

“These countries responsible for the destruction, are getting 85% of green financing. This is hypocrisy. The loss and damage fund was created and we got zero funds despite getting a commitment of billions of dollars as our glaciers are melting and we contribute less than 1% in global warming,” says Malik.

Pakistani authorities have been accused of downplaying the floods and blaming “cloudbursts”, sudden intense rainfall, while ignoring poor urban planning and governance issues.

Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, a climate change and sustainable development expert, insists “there is maladaptation, which means that the investments end up causing more harm than good. For example, public sector investment in the country that gave us infrastructure, but in reality … is creating additional risks and hazards for the larger population.

“I see this crisis as an opportunity for Pakistan to turn around its decision-making on climate change. Entire Pakistan is in the eye of the storm. This should be a wake-up call for the policymakers.”