Category: 1. Pakistan

KARACHI: The Sindh government’s updated assessment on Saturday revealed a stark rise in potential devastation from expected high floods at Guddu Barrage and torrential rains, with over 273,000 families — approximately 1.65 million people — on the right and left banks of the Indus River at risk of displacement.

A day earlier, the provincial government had anticipated the displacement of over 52,000 families due to high flows, but the number of people expected to be affected swelled owing to apprehensions of unexpected high floods that could submerge the entire katcha (riverine) area.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, at a press conference, disclosed that there was a risk of 273,000 families being impacted, with 1,651 villages and 167 union councils at risk, but asserted that the government was fully equipped to respond.

“There is neither a shortage of funds in the province nor an emergency situation at present. However, the government is fully prepared to face every challenge,” he said confidently.

Sharjeel says 273,000 families, 1,651 villages, 167 UCs may be impacted; CM briefed on barrage water flows

Mr Memon said the provincial government was fully active in view of the flood situation, and all departments were working on an emergency basis.

The senior minister, who also visited the Provincial Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell established at the Sindh Secretariat to continuously monitor the situation, said that cabinet members, MPAs, district administrations and the entire machinery were present in the field.

“A Provincial Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell has been set up to oversee the flood situation, which will remain operational 24/7,” he added.

“At present, 192 rescue boats and mobile health units have been made operational,” he said.

According to the senior minister, the flood situation was being directly monitored by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

“The district administration is in constant coordination, and people from potentially affected areas are being shifted to safe locations,” he said.

He said that relief camps had been set up, though most people preferred to stay with relatives, adding that 300 camps had also been established for livestock.

He further said that the provincial government was providing updates on the situation every three hours, while the Punjab government was also extending cooperation by providing kits in response to the flood situation.

CM briefed

Meanwhile, the chief minister contacted the assigned ministers regarding the expected flood situation in the River Indus and instructed them to strictly monitor the embankments and irrigation systems on both the right and left banks of the river.

According to a statement issued from the CM House, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro briefed the chief minister on the river situation.

The briefing revealed that at 12 noon on Saturday, the upstream water flow at Guddu Barrage was recorded at 383,299 cusecs and the downstream at 350,943 cusecs. At Sukkur Barrage, the upstream flow was 313,000 cusecs and downstream 259,050 cusecs, while at Kotri Barrage, the upstream was 264,131 cusecs and downstream 233,216 cusecs.

Mr Shah was informed that the current status of the barrages was under control and that all safety measures had been completed.

The chief minister urged residents living along the riverbanks and in low-lying areas to fully cooperate with the administration to ensure their protection in case of any emergency.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2025

LAHORE: Unrelenting monsoon rain spells have continued to wreak havoc on Punjab’s agriculture, with the latest spell on Saturday further straining the province’s rural economy.

While the rainfall varied in intensity, some areas, such as Mandi Bahaudin, recorded 81mm of rain, and Bahawalnagar 44mm. Hafizabad received 63mm, Gujrat 34mm, and Okara and Sahiwal both recorded 10mm. These rains, coming just days after previous downpours, have aggravated the already dire situation for farmers in the region.

The monsoon season, which began in late June and briefly paused in early August, has been marked by alternating spells of rain across the province, with little respite in between. This prolonged downpour has caused extensive damage to a range of crops, further undermining the rural economy.

Cotton, particularly the early-sown varieties, has borne the brunt of the weather. Malik Naeem, a farmer from Bahawalnagar, estimates that 95pc of the cotton crop in his district and surrounding areas has been destroyed.

“Rain spells in July ruined the flowering, and the August rains obliterated the remaining fruiting,” he explained. “Between these spells, high humidity caused a severe pest attack.” Naeem added that out of 1,000 acres of cotton in his village, only 50 to 60 acres are likely to yield any return on investment. He warned that the cycle of damage could persist, leaving the soil too soaked to support the next planting.

Downpours have devastated cotton, maize, and vegetable crops

The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has confirmed widespread damage, estimating that 800,000 acres of early cotton crops have been severely impacted, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the arrival of cotton at their units.

The maize crop has also suffered due to delayed sowing. Khalid Khokhar of the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) noted that the early arrival of monsoon rains left insufficient time between downpours for maize to be sown. He lamented that government policies, combined with the rains and floods, had stripped the agricultural sector of its vitality, leaving many rural communities in financial distress.

The effects of the rain are already being felt in urban areas as well. Vegetables, particularly those sensitive to over-watering, such as sesame, have been destroyed by the rains and floods. Ramzan Sajjad, a trader at Ravi Road Vegetable Market, expressed concern that transport issues caused by damaged infrastructure would lead to soaring vegetable prices in urban markets.

“It will be difficult to get vegetables to the market in the next two months, and those areas affected by flooding will take even longer to recover,” he said.

The incessant rains have also caused significant damage to rural roads, further complicating transportation. While rains can benefit agriculture, this year’s downpours have turned into localised flooding, which leaves water standing in fields.

An official from the Agriculture Department explained that this continuous saturation has choked the roots of crops, leading to their demise. “The rains have been a curse for crops for almost 70 days out of their total 120-day life cycle, and it’s still ongoing,” he added.

While the full extent of the damage will only be clear once the monsoon cycle concludes in mid- to late September, experts agree that the costs have already reached catastrophic proportions. The combined impact of the rains and flooding is not only devastating for farmers but also poses a significant threat to the country’s agricultural output and overall economy.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in China on Saturday to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War in Beijing and other official engagements.

At Tianjin airport, the prime minister was received by Minister and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the General Administration of Customs of China and Yu Yunlin, Chairman and Party Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Congress, China’s ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zedong and Pakistan’s ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.

The prime minister will address the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit to be held from Aug 31 to Sept 1.

During the visit, the prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with China’s President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Strengthening bilateral and economic ties, CPEC’s 2nd phase and Pakistan’s stance on global issues are on agenda

PM Shehbaz will also interact with heads of prominent Chinese business entities and chair the second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference to be held in Beijing on Sept 4 to explore new avenues for strengthening trade and investment relations between Pakistan and China.

Besides, he will meet leaders of other countries attending the SCO Summit.

“I look forward to meeting H.E. President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to further build upon our bilateral ties with China, our All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner, as well as with other key countries of the region,” PM Shehbaz said on X.

The premier said his goal is to “enhance regional cooperation, stren­gthen multilateralism, and advance shared goals for peace and prosperity”.

The prime minister is leading a delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, besides senior officials.

The SCO Council of Heads of State summit will gather leaders from member states China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.

According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the prime minister will address the summit to present Pakistan’s perspectives on regional and global issues and reaffirm the country’s commitment to multilateralism.

Leaders from Mongolia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkiye, Egypt, the Maldives, Myanmar and others, as well as the chief of the United Nations and heads of various regional and international organisations, will also attend as part of the expanded format.

A key focus of the visit is Pak-China economic partnership.

The visit is also expected to mark the formal launch of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II), which focuses on industrial cooperation.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the focal person for the initiative, said both sides are expected to “set clear priorities and agree on tangible, measurable outcomes”.

To further this economic agenda, PM Shehbaz will chair the second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing on Sept 4 to explore new avenues for trade and investment.

The SCO summit is described as a powerful show of Global South solidarity as it’s the bloc’s largest meeting since its founding in 2001.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived in Tianjin, marking his first visit to China in seven years and signalling a potential thaw in relations after a deadly border clash in 2020.

Other leaders, including Iranian and Turkish presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will also attend the summit.

Multiple bilateral meetings are expected to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

The Kremlin confirmed Putin will discuss the Ukraine conflict with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

He is also scheduled to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program, a meeting that comes after Britain, France, and Germany triggered a “snapback” mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran.

With input from Agencies

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2025

UPPER DIR/KOHAT/BAJAUR/MOHMAND:

UPPER DIR/KOHAT/BAJAUR/MOHMAND

At least five law enforcers were martyred and seven others injured in a series of terrorist attacks in different tribal districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Saturday, local officials and sources said, adding that three terrorists were also eliminated in retaliatory operations.

Terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — which is officially designated as Fitna al-Khwarij — launched a brazen attack on a security outpost in the Soni Darra area of Upper Dir district near the Pakistan-Afghan border on the night between Friday and Saturday.

The assault left three border guards — Naik Gulfam, Sepoy Awwal Khan, and Sepoy Shakeel Marwat — martyred, while three others, Sepoy Masood Akhtar, Adil Muhammad, and Usman Muhammad, sustained injuries, local officials confirmed to The Express Tribune.

They added that the terrorists initially overran the outpost. However, upon receiving reinforcements, forces, aided by a legion of local tribesmen, retaliated and managed to reclaim the post, forcing the attackers to flee.

Following the deadly assault, a grand jirga of Sultan Khel and Painda Khel tribal elders was convened, where participants vowed to protect Dir’s peace, resist displacement, and support targeted action against terrorists.

Elsewhere, terrorists attacked policemen in the limits of Lachi police station, Kohat, killing Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashfaq and injuring two constables. Police responded with a successful operation, during which three terrorists were killed while they were on the run in the rugged mountainous terrain.

Meanwhile in Bajaur tribal district, terrorists dropped explosives on Loi Mamond police station with a quadcopter, injuring ASI Muhammad Habib and a local resident, Najeebullah. Both were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar.

A separate incident occurred Friday night in the same tehsil’s Gohati area, where a mortar shell hit a house, killing one man, Shakirullah, and injuring another, Niaz Muhammad.

On Saturday morning, clashes broke out between terrorists and police in Dweizai, Pandialai Tehsil of Mohmand district, resulting in injuries to two Elite Force personnel. During the transfer to the hospital, Constable Arif succumbed to his wounds.

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain has announced that around 500,000 pensioners of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) will receive their enhanced pensions along with arrears from Sept 1.

Under this disbursement, the EOBI will release nearly Rs10 billion in monthly pension payments.

The federal cabinet has already approved the pension increase, raising the minimum pension from Rs10,000 to Rs11,500 per month. In addition, formula-based pensions have been increased by 15 per cent, effective from January 1.

HYDERABAD:

The rain-triggered flood cutting a swathe through Punjab may soon extend its devastation to Sindh, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands living in the province’s riverine areas. Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon cautioned on Saturday that 1.65 million people residing in 15 districts of Sindh might be impacted by the rising waters.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Sharjeel detailed that 1,651 villages, spread across 167 Union Committees and Union Councils and home to approximately 273,000 families, face the threat of inundation. He further warned that around 102 points along thousands of kilometres of the Indus River embankments showed structural weaknesses during previous major floods in 2010 and 2015.

To keep residents informed, the provincial government’s Rain and Flood Emergency Monitoring Cell has been activated. Accessible via four landline numbers, the cell will provide flood updates every three hours. Sharjeel urged the media to rely on this official source for accurate and timely information on the evolving situation.

Addressing concerns about the relocation of people living on the riverbed, Sharjeel said that most residents prefer to stay with relatives rather than moving to relief camps. “The inhabitants of the katcha areas are well aware of when to evacuate in the face of impending floods,” he explained. Nonetheless, the provincial government is proactively establishing relief camps based on estimated numbers of displaced individuals in each district. Additionally, 300 camps for livestock are being set up across Sindh to safeguard animals during the crisis.

Sharjeel also emphasised that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah are closely monitoring the situation and actively issuing directives to ensure a coordinated response.

Flood update

Irrigation authorities recorded 364,573 cusecs of water flow at Guddu barrage, 256,660 cusecs at Sukkur, and 265,328 cusecs at Kotri on Saturday. Currently, the flood status at all three barrages remains low. Guddu barrage can withstand up to 1.2 million cusecs, Sukkur up to 960,000 cusecs, and Kotri up to 870,000 cusecs.

During the devastating 2010 floods, Kotri barrage successfully passed between one million to 1.2 million cusecs of floodwater without structural damage or spillover from its levees. Meanwhile, the Indus River has begun reclaiming its land, locally known as katcha. Residents of hundreds of villages in the Larkana, Sukkur, and Hyderabad divisions started evacuating their homes for safety on Saturday.

The floodwaters also reached the Torhi embankment, a site whose breach in 2010 caused flooding that affected almost half of Sindh province after a 15-year gap. Separately, residents of Larkana have raised concerns about weak spots developing on the Moria loop bund, criticising irrigation authorities for failing to reinforce the dyke so far.

Locals claim 50 Jamshoro villages submerged

The people in Jamshoro claimed that over 50 villages have so far gone under water but the district administration put the figure of the villages which will be submerged at 28. Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro, Ghazanfar, told that relief camps are being established in 30 school buildings.

He added that eight relief camps, 12 medical camps and five veterinary camps will be set up in Hyderabad besidese 10 mobile teams of Rescue 1122 will remain in the field for evacuation.

In Ghotki district, which borders Punjab, the provincial minister Muhammad Bux Mahar said if water level crossed 700,000 cusecs the services of Pak army and rangers will be sought to evacuate people from the katcha areas. The district administration in Kashmore-Kandhkot district, which is home to Guddu barrage, kept appealing to the dwellers of riverbed villages to relocate to safe areas. The authorities assured the people that they will be provided all required facilities in the relief camps if they opted to stay there.

MULTAN:

The administration of Multan division on Saturday initiated the use of drone technology for surveillance of low-lying areas to ensure effective monitoring of flood-affected regions and timely rescue operations.

According to a spokesperson, Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan 257,666 people had so far been shifted to safe locations across the division. Of them , 238,419 people were evacuated from Multan district,14,212 from Khanewal, 2,728 from Lodhran and 2,307 from Vehari.

To facilitate displaced families,84 relief camps are operational across the division, including 25 in Multan, 22 in Khanewal,24 in Lodhran and 13 in Vehari.

The camps were providing uninterrupted food supplies and medical facilities, while fodder and water for livestock have also been arranged.

The commissioner said damage assessment would be carried out once the water recedes and compensation would be paid to the affected people.

Published on: August 31, 2025 2:28 AM

Senior Provincial Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb Saturday called for unity and cooperation, reaffirming the Punjab government’s dedication to mitigating flood damages and ensuring public safety, as the government stands united with the people like one fist.

During her exclusive talk with the media channel, she mentioned that around 300,000 people were being rescued and relocated to relief camps, adding, the authorities are committed to implementing measures to mitigate future flood damages.

She appealed to the public to cooperate with the relief efforts and urged everyone to remain patient and vigilant. With collective efforts and timely interventions, she expressed confidence that the authorities can mitigate the effects of flooding and ensure the safety of people and property.

She further mentioned that the Chief Minister Maryum Nawaz Sharif was actively engaged with all concerned departments, overseeing relief efforts and ensuring medical aid reaches those in need.

The Chief Minister’s proactive approach has been instrumental in coordinating the response to the crisis, with special emphasis on medical relief activities, she mentioned.

She also commended the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) for its proactive preparedness, particularly given that three major rivers are currently on high alert, adding, the authorities are working diligently to respond to the natural calamity, ensuring timely relief and support to those affected. Their efforts are crucial in mitigating the impact of the disaster and providing aid to people in need.

She emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity among all segments of society during this challenging time, urging everyone to come together and support one another.

She added that institutions from the federal level to Punjab were actively working together to respond to the situation, adding, this collaboration is crucial in ensuring a unified and effective response to the crisis, with all stakeholders playing their part in providing relief and support to those affected.

Responding to a query, she stated that while the government would address the damage to livestock and properties after the flood, the immediate priority was to save human lives, adding, the focus is currently on rescue and relief efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of people affected by the disaster.

Turkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan has expressed high concern on devastating floods in Pakistan and urged the international community to extend immediate support to the victims. 

In a message posted on social media platform X, Erdoğan said she had personally witnessed the plight of flood-hit families during her trip to Pakistan 14 years ago in 2010.

“At that time, Turkiye was among the first nations to extend a helping hand to Pakistan,” she wrote. “Today, the prayers, hearts, and aid of the Turkish people are once again with Pakistan and its people.”

She said the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) was closely monitoring the situation in affected areas and was working to provide urgent assistance including health care, shelter, food, and water.

Offering prayers for those who lost their lives in the disaster, Erdoğan wished a swift recovery for the injured. She also appealed to the global community to stand by Pakistan in these difficult days.

“It is my hope that the spirit of solidarity and compassion will help heal the wounds of the victims,” she added.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who expressed his condolences over the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by recent floods in Pakistan.

Erdogan conveyed Turkiye’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan during this difficult time and offered full assistance in ongoing rescue and relief efforts. He reaffirmed that Turkey stands firmly by Pakistan in moments of crisis and is prepared to provide comprehensive support.

Read More: Erdogan offers flood aid in call with PM Shehbaz

PM Shehbaz thanked the Turkish president for his gesture, calling the conversation a reflection of the longstanding brotherly ties between the two nations. He noted that Pakistan and Turkiye have consistently supported one another in times of need.

The two leaders also reviewed progress in strengthening strategic and economic cooperation between their countries. They agreed to maintain close consultations and planned to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Leaders’ Summit in Tianjin, China.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday praised the relentless efforts of district commissioners, police, rescue teams, and the Pakistan Army in mitigating the flood devastation, directing authorities to take proactive measures to help victims.

Speaking at a meeting with district commissioners at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters, she directed members of the provincial assembly to visit their respective constituencies and personally contact people to find out if they are getting the required assistance and aid.

“We have witnessed remarkable team work in Punjab,” she stated, acknowledging the combined efforts of the Army and various agencies that helped save over 600,000 lives.

Read More: Monsoon devastation claims 831 lives across Pakistan

The chief minister mentioned that the province faced the worst flood crises due to continuous rains and the release of water from neighbouring India. However, the timely evacuation of residents was a remarkable achievement by the combined rescue teams.

She said relief efforts for flood victims were underway around the clock, adding that the largest rescue operation in Pakistan’s history had been carried out in Punjab.

She added that continuous rainfall had worsened the situation, prompting the largest rescue operation in Pakistan’s history. More than 450,000 livestock were rescued and relocated to safe areas, he said.

Maryam expressed appreciation for the relentless work of the authorities, stating that not only were lives saved, but more than 450,000 animals had been rescued as well.

She also underscored the need for preventive measures in areas at risk, stressing that even forced evacuations should be carried out when necessary to save lives.

To ensure the safety of animals, she instructed that boats be replaced with rafts to transport cattle more effectively.

Also Read: Worst monsoon floods in decades leave millions displaced in Pakistan

The chief minister also called for the construction of temporary shelters, proper sanitation facilities, and the utilisation of school buildings as relief camps.

“In Punjab, the government is accountable to the people. We must reach out to those in need, rather than waiting for them to call for help,” she asserted, urging authorities to maintain a compassionate approach.

The chief minister praised the efforts of local officials, particularly the deputy commissioner of Narowal, for prompt cleaning of the Kartarpur Gurdwara, which faced heavy flooding.