Category: 1. Pakistan

LAHORE: The situation in various residential areas, including ParkView City society on Multan Road, worsened in the wee hours of Friday after the floodwater accumulated up to five to six feet there and damaged houses, valuables and structures.

“Almost half of the ParkView City society is full of water. In most houses of its six blocks, the accumulated water level is five to six feet, which is impossible to be drained out by the residents on their own. Moreover, the residents have already shifted either to their native towns or the relatives in Lahore,” Muhammad Abdullah, a resident of the society, says while explaining Friday’s situation to Dawn when contacted.

At present, according to him, various blocks of the society, including Diamond, Crystal, Silver, Tulip (Extension), Overseas (Extension) and Platinum, are under water.

“From the housing society’s Main Gate (Multan Road) to the fourth roundabout, there is no water. However, soon after passing the fourth roundabout, one can see water everywhere. Like others, a huge quantity of water is accumulated at our home. Moreover, our other house, which is under-construction these days, is also full of water,” he adds.

Most houses are inundated with 3-4 feet floodwater

Talking to Dawn, Waryam, a local real estate agent, says 1,500 to 2,000 houses, most of them five-marla, have been submerged by 3-4 foot floodwater.

“The situation at 10 marla houses is also the same. Besides this, the empty plots, land etc is also full of water. At present, no residents are living there as all had left the area by Thursday night,” he added.

According to an official source, the next three days are very critical. “There are reports that around 300,000 cusecs floodwater is likely to be released by India soon. If it comes, it may cause massive devastation in Lahore. Let’s see what happens in the coming days, since the river capacity to bear the water is 250,000 cusecs,” he warns.

The situation has worsened at Mohlanwal along the Multan Road where water entered the locality and submerged many houses. This locality is also very near to the Ravi river.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza says the water level in the Ravi River is gradually reducing as the situation on Friday was better than Thursday. However, he warns that anything bad may happen in the coming days if India releases floodwater more than the capacity (250,000 cusecs) of the Ravi.

He says though even if India releases 300,000 cusecs, Lahore will receive it at Jassar point in next three to four days.

“But till reaching Jassar, it will be reduced to 200,000 or so that can flow and pass through Ravi easily,” he maintains.

The DC says the 220,000 cusecs floodwater, which was flowing in the Ravi on Thursday night onwards, has now reduced to 160,000 cusecs.

“I think the situation will improve in the coming days in case India does not release water and there are no rains in the catchment areas of the Ravi,” he said.

When this report was filed at 10pm, the floodwater in Ravi had receded to 151,000 causes at Shahdara. “The floodwater at the moment is 151,000 cusecs,” Mr Raza said and added that after receding of water, the official teams are focusing on provision of services at the 18 flood relief camps in Lahore.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2025

Work has begun on the construction of the ‘Marka-i-Haq Monument’ in Sector H-8 to pay tribute to the courage of Pakistan’s armed forces, who successfully repelled Indian aggression in the four-day conflict earlier this May.

The monument is being built at Pakistan Movement Park, which is currently undergoing expansion and redesign to give it a fresh look. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has handed over the site to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), which has already moved heavy machinery and cranes to the location. Earth-leveling work has started, while older structures at the site are being dismantled to make way for the new project.

According to CDA officials, the initiative is being carried out on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with full funding provided by the federal government. “The purpose of this project is to honour the sacrifices of Shuhada and Ghazis of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” an official source confirmed.

Although the final design has not yet been unveiled, insiders revealed that the monument will feature a symbolic ‘unbreakable wall’ to reflect Pakistan’s strong and impenetrable defence. The country’s tallest national flag, already located at the site, will remain part of the project, though its position may be adjusted.

Pakistan Movement Park, originally developed by CDA to showcase the nation’s history through pictorial displays, has long suffered from neglect. The boundary wall remains unfinished, and marble work has not been properly polished or maintained. The faded picture walls were demolished on Thursday to be replaced with new, enhanced features as part of the monument’s development.

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 15:35 IST

Pakistan’s defence minister blamed India for flood in Sialkot, claiming floodwater brought dead bodies, debris, and livestock from across the border.

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Pakistan’s ministers never fail to amuse the world with their bizarre claims; this time it’s Pak’s defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who blamed India for the flood in their country. He further claimed that the floodwater is carrying dead bodies into Pakistan from across the border.

As per a report by Pakistani media outlet, Dialogue Pakistan, Khawaja Asif went to the flood-affected areas in Sialkot and here he told the reporters that floodwater is carrying dead bodies from India. He also claimed that debris and livestock also came to Pakistan.

He said that the floodwater from India created hurdles for the municipal teams trying to drain water from the region.

However, his claims are being ridiculed by Pakistanis and they accused the minister of covering up government’s failure by blaming it on India.

Pakistan Floods

Pakistan’s Punjab province witnessed the worst floods in decades and the government launched one of its largest evacuation drives, with authorities expecting a rise in the water levels of the Chenab River at Head Trimmu. These floods affected over 1.46 million people across the province, Dawn reported.

At least 17 people have died as extremely heavy floods in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers inundated hundreds of villages, submerging farmlands and damaging vital grain crops.

Floods in the Chenab alone submerged 991 villages, affecting more than one million people. District-level damage includes 395 villages in Sialkot, 127 in Jhang, 124 in Multan, 48 in Chiniot, 66 in Gujrat, 51 in Khanewal, 45 in Hafizabad, 41 in Sargodha, 35 in Mandi Bahauddin, and 19 in Wazirabad. More than 73,000 animals were shifted to safety, with 72 veterinary camps established.

The Sutlej floods drowned 361 villages, including 72 in Kasur, 86 in Okara, 24 in Pakpattan, 27 in Multan, 23 in Vehari, 104 in Bahawalnagar, and 25 in Bahawalpur. Nearly 127,000 people were relocated and 70,000 animals rescued, with 90 veterinary camps operational.

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Imagine a child born in Pakistan today. By the time they are an adult, they’ll only be able to reach 41 percent of their potential because of challenges they face, such as lack of access to good health, education and nutrition, early stimulation and responsive caregiving, and safety and security.

The largest loss in this potential happens in the first few years of life. It’s as if a child starts life with the potential of a high-performance sports car, but because they do not get the right fuel, maintenance, or training, he/she might only end up performing like a run-down dabba Suzuki, running at less than half its capacity.

Children who get the best start in life are more likely to be happy, productive and socially integrated youth and adults. Therefore, the first few years of life are extremely important in human development. It is a time where more than one million neural connections are formed each second as children interact with their environments–a pace never to be repeated.

The quality of a child’s early experiences, especially the nurturing and stimulation they receive, makes a critical difference in brain development and sets the foundation for behaviour, learning, health, and ultimately opportunities for lifetime.

This makes early childhood a time of great opportunity, but also of great risk because when children aren’t given the right conditions to thrive, the consequences can be severe for them and their families, as well as for society as a whole.

A pioneering study by researchers from the Aga Khan University and the University of British Columbia in Canada, published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly Journal, studied the developmental health of children in early years in Pakistan. The study surveyed thousands of children three to eight years old across 397 public schools in Sindh and found that one in four children in Pakistan are at risk of poor development and one in ten are at risk in at least one of developmental domains such as physical, social-motional or cognitive development.

Findings further showed that children who experienced social disadvantages such as poverty, language, being of a minority background, and lower levels of maternal education were more at risk of poor development.

We know that children growing up in poverty who face numerous challenges, including inadequate nutrition, unsafe housing conditions, and scarcity of opportunities to play and learn, often have physical and mental health problems. Beyond these physical conditions, parental stress arising from income insecurity and lack of education also negatively impact family dynamics, parenting styles and daily interactions with children.

Worse yet, these children who face adverse early childhood conditions are more likely to pass on these deprivations to future generations, continuing the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

Children speaking only non-dominant languages other than Urdu, Sindhi and Punjabi in the study were shown to do more poorly in social skills and cognitive and language development. Research has shown that children’s development and well-being are positively impacted when they learn and receive care in their native language.

Further, protective factors like household wealth, higher levels of maternal education, and a nurturing home environment characterized by activities such as reading, storytelling, and playing were less common in homes where a minority or indigenous language was spoken.

These issues, from inadequate nutrition and unsafe homes to parental stress and language barrier, are not isolated problems. Instead, they highlight a systemic issue. Evidence shows that in countries where social and human development aren’t prioritized, children remain at risk of poor development or not achieving their full development potential. These disadvantages mean some children are forced to carry more weight and jump over more hurdles than others in life’s race, creating undue stress and strain on both children, their families and their progeny. It leads one to wonder – is it a child’s fault to be born into a poor family? The answer is obviously, absolutely not. So, the urgent question then becomes: what steps can we, as a community and a nation, take to level this playing field, truly giving all children the strong start they deserve?

There’s a proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. In Pakistan, with our strong collective cultural orientation and deep-rooted values of communal living, our communities are uniquely positioned to be that ‘village.’ This could begin simply by establishing makeshift, community-based early learning centers, utilizing readily available spaces like a madrassa, a mosque, a wedding hall, or even a room or balcony in a neighbor’s home. Within these spaces reading circles, story times, and playgroups could be offered in local languages in line with our diverse cultural traditions of Pakistan in addition to exchange of ideas and tips to add to a child’s daily routine to enrich caregiving. Such programs, by being deeply embedded in the local community, also offer a safe and accessible space for families, especially women to bring their children and in turn encourage women’s empowerment. Ultimately, these grassroots efforts can be further strengthened and institutionalized through partnerships between government, private organizations, and academic institutions, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact. An apt example of this model are the Early Childhood Development Centers in the remote villages of Chitral. These examples shows that coordinated grassroots efforts by civil society can play a crucial role in giving children in Pakistan a start in life they deserve and could also complement efforts by the government in this regard.

Investing in early years isn’t just a feel-good idea; it’s smart economics. Global estimates show that for every rupee we spend on a child’s early development – things like good nutrition, early learning, and a safe and nurturing environment – we can expect a 13-fold return.

Salima Kerai is a post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from August 30 to September 4 to attend the 25th SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the premier will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

He will also attend a military parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War, alongside President Xi and other world leaders.

The prime minister is further scheduled to interact with leading Chinese businessmen and executives to enhance trade, investment, and economic ties, and address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.

The Foreign Office said the visit is part of high-level exchanges aimed at deepening the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” advancing the second phase of CPEC, and maintaining regular communication on key regional and global issues.

The three-day important 25th meeting of SCO Heads of States is planned for 31 August, September 1 and 2.

This year’s summit will be the largest since the SCO was founded in 2001, a Chinese foreign ministry official said last week, calling the bloc an “important force in building a new type of international relations”.

Among the attendees at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to take place in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The theme of this year’s meeting will be, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” The annual event is likely to focus on key discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, trade and the SCO’s long-term strategic direction and way forward.

The security-focused bloc, which began as a group of six Eurasian nations, has expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries in recent years. Its remit has also enlarged from security and counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation. 

• PM to attend military parade in Beijing alongside President Xi.
• Premier scheduled to interact with Chinese businessmen.
• PM to address Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference.
  

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a visit to China from August 30 to September 4 to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the premier will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

He will also attend a military parade in Beijing, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War, alongside President Xi and other world leaders.

The prime minister is further scheduled to interact with leading Chinese businessmen and executives to enhance trade, investment, and economic ties, and address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.

The Foreign Office said the visit is part of high-level exchanges aimed at deepening the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” advancing the second phase of CPEC, and maintaining regular communication on key regional and global issues.

The three-day important 25th meeting of SCO Heads of States is planned for 31 August, September 1 and 2.

This year’s summit will be the largest since the SCO was founded in 2001, a Chinese foreign ministry official said last week, calling the bloc an “important force in building a new type of international relations”.

Among the attendees at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to take place in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The theme of this year’s meeting will be, “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” The annual event is likely to focus on key discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, trade and the SCO’s long-term strategic direction and way forward.

The security-focused bloc, which began as a group of six Eurasian nations, has expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries in recent years. Its remit has also enlarged from security and counter-terrorism to economic and military cooperation. 

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has assured that all minority religious sites damaged during recent floods, including Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, will be restored to their original condition on priority, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

During his visit to the flood-hit districts of Punjab, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, the army chief met members of the Sikh community.

He said it was the responsibility of the state and its institutions to protect religious sites of minorities, reaffirming that Pakistan would “leave no stone unturned” in fulfilling this duty.

The Sikh community expressed gratitude to the army chief for the relief and rehabilitation support being provided by the civil administration and the military during the calamity. Field Marshal Munir also carried out an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to assess the damage caused by the floods.

The purpose of the visit was to review the flood situation, oversee rescue and relief operations, and evaluate preparations for the next spell of rains. He was briefed on the prevailing conditions and ongoing measures to minimise losses.

Appreciating the efforts of the civil administration and troops, the COAS lauded their coordinated and tireless work in saving lives and providing relief to flood-affected families.

While interacting with soldiers, he commended their high morale, operational readiness, and unwavering commitment to serving the nation under challenging circumstances.