Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The first meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on the Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP) for the merged districts was held in Islamabad on Friday, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur presiding over the session.

The high-level meeting brought together key federal and provincial stakeholders, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing the longstanding challenges of the region. Among those in attendance were Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Engineer Amir Muqam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mubarak Zeb, K-P Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development K-P, representatives of 11 Corps, and senior civil and military officials.

The participants held an in-depth discussion on ongoing and upcoming development schemes under the AIP, which was launched to accelerate progress in the former FATA areas following their merger with K-P. Authorities presented detailed briefings on the status of projects and the pressing financial situation that continues to hamper implementation.

During the meeting, it was decided to initiate new joint projects under the program. These include the provision of solar power systems to households, construction of police infrastructure to improve law enforcement capacity, and strengthening of FATA University to expand higher education opportunities for the youth of the merged districts. Officials informed that the solar power project alone is estimated to cost Rs13.3 billion.

To ensure better planning and execution, the meeting approved the establishment of a technical committee comprising federal and provincial officials along with representatives of 11 Corps. The committee will be tasked with setting priorities, recommending timelines, and monitoring progress on the AIP schemes.

Speakers at the meeting underlined that restoring law and order, developing infrastructure, promoting trade, and creating employment opportunities would remain the foremost priorities for both the provincial and federal governments. They stressed that without tangible progress in these areas, peace and stability in the region would remain fragile.

The provincial government, however, voiced concern over the insufficient release of funds by the federal government. Officials noted that while the federal government had pledged Rs100 billion annually for development in the merged districts, only Rs158 billion has been released over the past six years against the committed Rs600 billion. Completion of already approved AIP projects requires Rs269 billion, they added.

Chief Minister Gandapur stressed that the development of the merged districts should not be seen as a provincial issue alone. “This is a national responsibility,” he remarked, urging the federal government to finalize the long-awaited NFC Award. “The new NFC Award is not only a constitutional requirement but also the need of the hour. Once implemented, and the due share for merged districts allocated, most of their financial difficulties will be resolved,” he said.

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Light rain fell in several parts of Karachi on Friday, shortly after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued fresh forecasts warning of more showers in the city between August 27 and 30, along with widespread heavy rainfall across the country during the same spell.

North Karachi, New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Board Office, Scheme 33 and Surjani Town were among the localities that received the morning drizzle.

According to the PMD, another monsoon system is likely to affect Karachi and other areas of Sindh from August 27. The department also predicted heavy rainfall in upper and central regions of the country between today and August 27. 

Rainfall is expected in Sindh and Balochistan between August 27 and 29. The PMD said monsoon currents are already entering the northern areas of the country.

The advisory further stated that Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and other adjoining areas may receive heavy showers until August 27, while parts of Gilgit-Baltistan are also likely to see rainfall with strong winds and thunderstorms. 

Showers are also expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Kohat and Peshawar. In Punjab, rain is likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Mandi Bahauddin. From Friday evening, Mithi, Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas are forecast to receive thunderstorms with rain.

The NDMA, in its latest advisory issued earlier in the day, also warned of potential widespread heavy rainfall and flooding in several parts of the country starting today.

The advisory says GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the regions most impacted by the monsoon rains, are likely to see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy downpours that can trigger flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in mountain valleys.

According to the NDMA, heavy rains are likely in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat and Hafizabad from August 23 to 30.

Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are also expected to receive heavy rains during the same period.

The NDMA added that Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche and Shigar may also experience heavy rainfall from August 23 to 30.

The authority has directed provincial and district bodies to step up monitoring of glacial sites, conduct evacuation drills in vulnerable communities and keep rescue services on high alert.

Meantime, civic agencies and law enforcement agencies have also been asked to prepare emergency plans, stock up on supplies and ensure roads can be cleared quickly if blocked by floods or landslides.

The NDMA has directed the public to avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas, especially near rivers and fast-flowing streams and nullahs, warning that vehicles could be swept away.

People living in low-lying areas have been told to stay vigilant and follow evacuation plans if instructed.

Tourists have been advised to avoid trekking around glaciers, take photographs close to dangerous sites or wander into unstable terrain.

The NDMA has forecast heavy rain across several parts of Sindh and Balochistan, also during the said period.

In Sindh, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Nawabshah are also likely to receive rain during the same period. Other districts, including Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, and Larkana, have also been placed on alert.

In upper Sindh, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore and Shaheed Benazirabad may experience heavy showers.

In Balochistan, parts of the province, including Lasbela, Khuzdar, Awaran and Qalat, may witness heavy showers. Coastal towns such as Gwadar, Turbat, Kech and Panjgur are also expected to be affected.

The wet spell could reach Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob and Loralai, while intermittent showers are forecast for Barkhan, Musakhel, Dera Bugti and Kohlu.

The NDMA alert says that rains may trigger urban flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas, warning people to remain cautious.

The Indus River flows may rise sharply, particularly at Guddu, Taunsa and Kalabagh, while the Ravi and Chenab are also expected to swell with increased discharge.

Officials say emergency equipment will be placed in advance, evacuation centres will be prepared, and early warning systems will stay active to help communities through the wet spell.

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad-based journalist Khalid Jamil was arrested by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) from his home in Islamabad’s Media Town, the agency confirmed on Friday.

In a statement, NCCIA said the arrest was made following “completion of official procedures” and that more details would be shared later. Sources said a case had been registered against the journalist earlier this year, without providing any further details.

Reports of his arrest began circulating on social media late Friday evening. Journalist Asad Ali Toor posted on X, claiming that Jamil had been picked up by FIA and NCCIA officials.

Adding to the reports, Khalid Yousuf Chaudry, a lawyer representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, shared a video showing NCCIA officials taking the journalist away in a white car.

“Anchor Khalid Jamil was picked up from his residence at 6:36 pm without any warrant. As of now, no FIR has been registered, nor was any warrant presented at the time of his arrest,” Chaudry said.

This is not Jamil’s first run-in with authorities. He was previously arrested in September 2023 by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over allegations of spreading anti-state narratives through social media.

Also Read: Punjab Police detain Aleema Khan’s second son

At the time, an FIR registered against him cited Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code, accusing him of sharing “highly intimidating” posts on X. He was remanded into custody by a district and sessions court and released on bail a week later.

Jamil, a prominent media figure, is currently unaffiliated with any news organisation. He runs a YouTube channel and frequently appears on television as a political analyst, often speaking out on human rights violations and political repression.

ISLAMBAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday constituted the 11th National Finance Commission for finalising a new resource distribution award, setting the stage for the Centre to try to retrieve some of the lost fiscal space that the provinces will try to resist.

“In pursuance of Clause (1) of Article 160 of the Constitution, the President of Pakistan is pleased to constitute the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) with immediate effect,” a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance read on Friday.

The five-year life of the 10th Commission ended last month, which held a few meetings but lost steam after the provinces did not find an incentive to negotiate due to chances of losing fiscal space to the Centre. Under the 7th NFC award of 2010, the share of the provinces increased by 10% to 57.5% of the total federal divisible pool without giving them additional responsibilities.

It contributed to massive increase in the public debt due to the unsustainable budget deficit that the federal government has been running since 2010. The central governments also unduly retained some of the expenditures to achieve their political objectives in the provinces.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will chair the nine-member commission. The four provincial finance ministers will be the permanent members. In addition to that, every province has a right to nominate one technical member.

Nasir Mahmood Khosa, former secretary and former executive director World Bank would represent Punjab. Sindh has retained Dr Asad Sayeed while Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan will again represent Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Balochistan has brought in Farmanullah as its technical member.

In a joint working paper written by Sajid Amin and Vaqar Ahmad, the authors had argued that “the future NFC awards include a gradual shift from a needs based distribution of resources to an efficiency-seeking sharing of resources”.

They had suggested cutting the population’s weightage down by at least 10% in the next two NFC awards; slash its share by another 15% in the subsequent two awards to ultimately reduce its weightage to 50% from 82%.

The federal government is already working on some of these liens. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has already proposed to freeze the population at 241.5 million for the purpose of the distribution of resources.

According to an internal meeting held this week in the finance ministry, one of the initial options being considered by the federal government suggests that at least 10% to 15% of the provincial shares in the federal taxes should be linked with improvements in the education, health, population management and climate indicators. The government also wants to incentivise provinces for tax efforts by linking the resources with tax efforts, said the sources.

The ministry is also preparing a paper to showcase how the federal government’s finances would look like in terms of public debt and budget deficits after five years. The theme of the paper will be that the existing 57.5% of the divisible pool that the provinces get has to be reduced and cuts are to be placed on the expenditures that are the responsibility of the provinces but are incurred by the Centre due to its own compulsions.

According to the terms of reference of the 11th Commission, the NFC will make recommendations to the President for the distribution between the Federation and the provinces of the net proceeds of the taxes mentioned in clause (3) of Article 160 of the Constitution.

The new commission will also make recommendations about the grants-in-aid by the federal government to the provincial governments. The commission will look into borrowing powers being exercised by the federal government and the provincial governments.

It will also discuss and decide issues relating to sharing of financial expense incurred or to be incurred by the federation in respect of subjects and matters falling within the domain of the provinces and issues relating to sharing of financial expense incurred or to be incurred by the federation or the provinces or both in respect of trans-provincial matters.

This is the major issue as the Centre is incurring expenses that are not trans-provincial in nature and putting undue burden on the federal exchequer. The federal government is funding roads in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, which should have been financed by the respective provincial governments.

The new commission will also discuss issues relating to financial expenses for national projects to be shared by the federation and the provinces; and any other matter relating to finance referred to the commission by the president.

The federal government may ask the provinces to set aside a portion of the divisible pool for building large dams. Dams are now a matter of national security and the provinces should contribute to it.

Under the 7th NFC award, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa gets 1% of the divisible pool for mitigating the impact of war on terror.

The federal government is also considering demanding explicit allocations for Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, which are the responsibilities of the Centre.

Another significant consideration by the Centre is that the transfers to the provinces should also be linked with onward allocations for the local governments, the sources added.

Heavy monsoon rains have continued to pummel the Indian subcontinent over the past week, bringing devastating flooding and landslides and leaving hundreds of people dead in what has already been one of the deadliest monsoon seasons in recent years.

Moist air surging inland from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea was driven into Pakistan and north-west India late last week by strong southwesterly monsoon winds. Combined with developing areas of low pressure, this triggered a succession of torrential downpours.

Last Friday more than 300 people were killed after cloudbursts – episodes in which hourly rainfall exceeds 100mm – struck mountainous regions of northern Pakistan and India. In Buner district, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 150mm was recorded in just one hour. The downpours unleashed destructive flash floods that swept through valleys and villages carrying rocks and debris.

More than 240 people were killed in that single event alone, making it the most catastrophic episode of the season so far. Since the onset of the monsoon in late May, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority estimates that nearly 750 people have died.

Farther south, Mumbai also endured extreme rainfall over the last week. Between 15 and 19 August, parts of the city recorded 837mm of rain – comparable to the annual average for southern England – leading to widespread and prolonged flooding. At least 21 people were killed, among them a man who was electrocuted after wading into flood waters containing a live wire.

Transport was severely disrupted, with roads waterlogged, train services halted leaving hundreds stranded on platforms, and numerous flights cancelled or diverted. With the Mithi River close to bursting its banks, hundreds of residents in low-lying neighbourhoods nearby were evacuated to higher ground.

Elsewhere, the heatwave that gripped much of Europe for more than a week has finally broken, replaced by severe thunderstorms. On Wednesday and Thursday about 500,000 lightning strikes were detected across the continent, most of them over southern France, Italy and the Balkans.

Italy bore the brunt of the storms, which were fuelled by an area of low pressure moving in from over the unusually warm Mediterranean, allowing moist unstable air to clash with the hot air mass that had built during the heatwave. Downpours from the storms triggered landslides, uprooted trees and blocked roads, and in Sicily rivers burst their banks, sweeping away cars. One person remains missing.