Category: 1. Pakistan

• To be deployed in Lahore, Faisalabad, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal and Okara districts
• Chenab, Ravi hit ‘exceptionally high flood’; Sutlej in ‘very high flood’
• Authorities on red alert; urgent evacuations ordered across the province
• NDMA chief warns nearly half of country’s glaciers melting at accelerated pace
• PM says Pakistan can’t tackle climate crisis alone

LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has called in the army in six districts to assist civil authorities in rescue and relief operations as the province is facing an unprecedented flood emergency due to a combination of heavy rains and India’s decision to release waters from two dams.

Both Pakistan and India have been ravaged by intense monsoon rains and flooding in recent weeks. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said late on Tuesday that India had opened all the gates of its Thein Dam on the Ravi River.

The announcement came a day after Pakistan received a second warning from India that it intended to release water from the rapidly filling Madhopur Dam, Reuters reported. Both dams are located on the Ravi River, which flows from Indian Punjab into Pakistan.

At the same time, heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of the Chenab River have swollen downstream flows, placing thousands of citizens at risk. The Sutlej River is also reaching alarming levels and recording catastrophic discharges.

As of 2am on Wednesday, the Chenab at Head Marala and the Ravi at Head Jassar were declared to be in an “exceptionally high flood” condition, with outflows exceeding 900,000 and 200,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs), respectively.

Authorities have warned that Head Khanki and Head Qadirabad on the Chenab may also reach exceptionally high flood levels within the next 24 hours due to persistent heavy rainfall in the river’s upper catchments.

Head Khanki on the Chenab and Head Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River were both placed in the “very high flood” category, recording outflows of 426,578 and 245,236 cusecs, respectively.

Officials fear the Ravi River may inflict the most widespread damage, as unlike the Chenab, which is a flowing river, the Ravi is now largely dry for most of the year, particularly the section that flows into Pakistan. The sudden release of water from India has triggered emergency evacuations across several districts, including Lahore and Kasur.

In Kasur, 72 villages and 45,000 residents have been affected. Tens of thousands more have been impacted across the Sutlej basin, including Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur.

Authorities said that 14,000 citizens and 17,000 livestock have been relocated to safety, with 67 relief camps, 38 medical camps, and 46 veterinary centres established.

The PDMA said it had also mobilised 130 boats, 115 outboard motors, 500 rescue workers, 1,300 life jackets and 1,600 tents.

Rescue 1122 said it had evacuated 28,055 people from Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Vehari.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia ordered urgent evacuations from riverbeds and nullahs, particularly Deg Nullah.

Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed also warned of landslides in Murree and Galiyat.

Authorities cautioned that further inflows from India could compound the crisis, testing the disaster response capacity as both the Ravi and Sutlej rivers continue to surge.

Army called in

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the army has been requisitioned in Lahore, Faisalabad, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal and Okara districts to support district administrations in protecting lives and property. The decision was taken after local administrations formally requested immediate deployment of troops.

“The army has been called in to aid civil authorities and ensure the safety of citizens,” the spokesperson said, adding that district administrations, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and police were already working on the front line in the affected areas.

The Home Department confirmed that a formal request had been sent to the federal interior ministry for the deployment of troops. The number of personnel to be deployed in each district will be finalised in consultation with the local administrations.

More intense monsoon

Meanwhile, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that next year’s monsoon is expected to be 22 per cent more intense, with the potential to cause widespread destruction.

He warned that nearly 45pc of Pakistan’s 7,500 glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace and projected that 65pc of the country’s glaciers could vanish within the next 52 years.

Pakistan has more glaciers than any country outside the polar regions, with over 13,000 identified, primarily in the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Himalaya ranges of Gilgit-Baltistan. The country’s glaciers are of immense importance as they feed the Indus River system, which serves as the lifeline for the nation’s agriculture, drinking water and energy generation.

“This year’s devastating floods were largely caused by glacial melting,” Lt Gen Malik said, cautioning that unchecked melting could deplete Pakistan’s water reserves and expose the country to severe drought and famine-like conditions.

He noted that the current monsoon, expected to last until Sept 10, has already claimed around 800 lives nationwide.

Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan pointedly asked, “If Rescue 1122 and district administrations are operating on the ground, then what exactly is NDMA’s role?”

The NDMA chairman explained that while Pakistan’s current disaster management relied mostly on ground sensing, the authority had recommended that the government adopt remote sensing technology using climate satellites for more accurate forecasting. “We can now provide early warnings up to six months in advance to provincial authorities,” he said.

According to NDMA estimates, Pakistan suffers $4 billion in annual flood-related losses. April this year was recorded as the hottest month in the country’s history.

Pakistan hardest-hit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that Pakistan cannot face the climate crisis alone, urging the international community to provide both technical and financial support to help the country cope with ravaging floods and extreme weather.

“The devastating floods of 2022 and the loss of over 700 lives due to extreme weather events this year alone are stark reminders that Pakistan cannot face this crisis alone,” the prime minister said while addressing the launch of the New Electronic Vehicles Policy 2025-30 on Tuesday.

He stressed that Pakistan remains among the hardest-hit nations despite contributing little to global emissions.

Syed Irfan Raza in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025

• Calls on lawmakers to quit parliamentary bodies, including PAC; party’s political committee also endorses his opinion
• Jailed founder refuses to accept Salman Akram Raja’s resignation; throws his weight behind Achakzai as potential replacement for NA opposition leader

ISLAMABAD: Changing its mind once again, the PTI has decided to boycott the upcoming by-elections for national and provincial assemblies, in line with the opinion of its incarcerated leader, Imran Khan.

The decision was taken by the party’s political committee, which met to consider Mr Khan’s input following a meeting with his legal team at Adiala Jail on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Khan’s message was relayed to the media by his sister, Aleema Khan, who also met Mr Khan in prison.

She was flanked by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja — whose resignation was reportedly turned down by the incarcerated former PM.

Denying reports of a bitter exchange with Mr Raja, she said the lawyer was “like family” to them. She said her brother had asked the party’s political committee to hold another meeting on the by-election issue based on his instructions, and report back to him.

Later on Tuesday night, PTI MNA Amir Dogar confirmed that the political committee had endorsed Imran Khan’s opinion on not contesting by-elections, adding that party lawmakers would also start quitting parliamentary bodies soon.

Imran’s view

Talking about nominations to appoint new opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, Salman Akram Raja said that for them, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz were still the opposition leaders, adding that they were still contesting their cases and would fulfil all legal requirements.

“If there is a need after that, then the name that Imran has repeated today for the NA opposition leader is that of Mehmood Khan Achakzai,” he said.

Mr Raja explained that Imran gave his “clear directions” about participating in the by-polls after listening to all those allowed to meet him today, including his sisters.

A day earlier, the party’s political committee had voted 12-9 to take part in the by-elections. Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram had even tweeted that candidates would be given Sunni Ittehad Council tickets to avoid the chances of their being declared ‘independents’.

According to insiders, Sheikh Waqqas Akram, Salman Akram Raja, SIC leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Arif Alvi, Sajjad Burki, ex-GB CM Khalid Khursheed and some others were against the decision to take part in by-polls, while those in favour included Aliya Hamza, Sanaullah Mastikhel, Aamir Dogar, Farhat Abbas and others.

Talking to Dawn, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser confirmed that in Imran Khan’s opinion, the party should not go into by elections, and that its lawmakers should leave all parliamentary standing committees, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“Parliament has already been made a rubber stamp, as the voice of the opposition members has been suppressed by not telecasting their remarks on the floor of the house. Secondly, after the passage of the 26th constitutional amendment, courts have come under immense pressure,” he added.

Mr Qaiser said that the jailed PTI founder had given his opinion, and asked the party’s political committee to review its decision.

“Imran Khan was of the view that the government will not let the PTI candidate to win by-elections… [and] if [we] take part in the elections, it will legitimise the government’s illegal action of de-seating PTI legislators,” he said. He, however, said the PTI will continue its street protests and continue to approach the courts to seek justice.

When contacted, Mustafa Nawaz Khaokhar – who is part of the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan opposition alliance alongside the PTI – said there seemed to be two opinions in the party regarding by-elections, one suggesting that it should not legitimise the de-seating of its lawmakers, while the other was opposed to ceding political space.

He agreed that this was causing a visible rift in the PTI’s ranks, which had created disappointment in the party workers.

Commenting on the situation, political analyst Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said it was quite unfortunate that the decision taken by the party’s political committee to contest by-elections was reversed by jailed founder Imran Khan.

The PTI is more of a ‘one-man show’ than any other political party, he noted.

He also noted with irony that the party had decided, once again, to leave all parliamentary committees, especially the PAC. “This is the same act it committed when it left the National Assembly and ceded all provinces, where it was ruling, one by one,” he added.

Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad and Mansoor Malik in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025

KARACHI: As dense clouds continue to dominate the city’s skies following recent monsoon devastation, health experts and senior environmentalists have urged the authorities to speed up the process of clearing standing water and lifting solid waste before the next spell to minimise the threat of disease outbreaks.

They also stressed the need to prioritise regular cleaning of storm water drains and rainwater harvesting in ways that help replenish depleting groundwater resources and minimise the threat of urban flooding.

“There is a high risk for the spread of vector and water-borne diseases this year, given the high intensity of rains we have just experienced. We must try to utilise the brief time available right now before the next spell hits as pools of standing water will soon turn into breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” shared Dr Imran Sarwar, who heads the emergency department of the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

He added that generally cases of gastroenteritis, malaria and dengue see sharp increase soon after the rains, especially during this season.

Overflowing gutters, pools of standing water, heaps of garbage fast becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes, experts warn

At the moment, Dr Sarwar pointed out, most patients reporting at the emergency department suffered from viral infections. “But, this pattern is likely to change in the coming days, as happens every year during and after the monsoon.”

Sharing his clinical observations, Dr Abdul Wahid Rajput, Medical Superintendent at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre, said the vector and water-borne diseases constituted 30 to 40 percent of the patient load.

“The threat of water and vector-borne diseases must not be taken lightly as these diseases can kill, if complications occur. All age-groups are affected,” he said, adding that the city’s infrastructure was fragile and citizens shared the responsibility with the state to contribute towards making their neighborhoods livable.

Killing mosquitoes

Talking of solutions, Dr Waqar Ahmed at Karachi University’s Institute of Environmental Studies said that a small amount of oil, such as vegetable, neem or mineral or kerosene oil, added to the water where mosquitoes breed could kill these insects.

“This is an old traditional method. Unfortunately, most people have forgotten it. If citizens start doing so, there will be a sharp decline in mosquito population and cases of illnesses the insects cause,” he said, adding that the method didn’t cause any harm to the environment because the oil used was in too small a quantity.

Dr Ahmed also suggested that rainwater could also be used to replenish underground water resources with rain.

“If we could collect rainwater on the roofs and then direct it into boring channels going inside the ground, we could help recharge our reservoirs,” he explained, regretting that growing concretisation of the city had left limited unpaved spaces for replenishment of underground water.

The city authorities, he stressed, should also think and plan for rainwater harvesting, and make it mandatory on new buildings to have this mechanism.

“This will also help minimise urban flooding. The other strategy is ensuring regular cleaning of storm water drains and removing encroachments over them,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025

KARACHI: The city may see drizzle / light rain in the morning or night over the next two days as partial cloudy and humid weather is expected to persist, the Met department said on Tuesday. The maximum temperature recorded in the metropolis on Tuesday was 32.5 degrees Celsius.

According to a Met official, the cyclone built up over the western Pacific withdrew substantial moisture from the monsoon currents in the Bay of Bengal and, currently, there is no possibility for Karachi to have (significant) rains.

Meanwhile, hot and humid persist in most parts of the province, with temperature soaring to 40.5°C in Dadu, Mohenjo Daro and Rohri (39.5°C), Jacobabad and Sukkur (39°C), Khairpur (39°C) and Padidan (38.5°C).

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025

LOWER DIR: Three more militants were killed in a joint search and strike operation in Upper Dir district on Tuesday, raising the number of militants killed in the operation to at least eight in the past two days, officials said.

The District Police Officer (DPO) of Upper Dir, Syed Mohammad Bilal, told reporters that one of those killed was a local militant commander. He said the situation was fully under the control of police and security forces.

The DPO appreciated the support and cooperation extended by local residents during the ongoing operation.

According to police, the operation, jointly conducted by Upper Dir police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) under the command of DPO Bilal, targeted militant hideouts in Hatun Dara, Dobando, and adjoining mountainous areas.

During an exchange of fire, an important militant commander identified as Sajidullah, believed to be the mastermind of militant activity in the region, was killed. His body was later recovered, police confirmed.

The official described the operation as a “major success” against the insurgents’ network, saying security forces were determined to eliminate the threat of militancy from the district.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed all registered political parties to submit their consolidated and audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2024-25, by August 29.

In accordance with Sections 204 and 210 of the Elections Act, 2017, and Rules 159 and 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, parties are required to file their annual financial disclosures on Form-D by August 29, 2025.

Under Section 210 of the Elections Act, political parties are legally bound to submit, within forty days after the end of each financial year, their financial statements on Form-D, duly audited and certified by a Chartered Accountant.

The statements must include a comprehensive breakdown of the party’s annual income and expenditures, sources of funding, as well as its assets and liabilities.

The documents must be signed by an authorized party official, confirming that no funds were received from any prohibited sources as defined under the Elections Act, 2017, and that the statements provide a true and fair view of the party’s financial position.

The submission must also include a valid and current renewal certificate issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) as proof of the auditor’s accreditation.

ISLAMABAD:

Three Afghan women married to Pakistani citizens have petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to prevent their deportation and to seek permanent residence in Pakistan.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas took up the petitions but later referred the matter to the chief justice, noting that a case of a similar nature was already pending before the chief justice’s court.

During the hearing, Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani, counsel for the petitioners, argued that foreign women who marry Pakistani nationals were entitled to citizenship rights.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an agreement between the heirs and the accused through the video link in a murder case.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the issue of consent between the accused and heirs in a murder case.

During hearing, Justice Rizvi remarked that it could not be confirmed through video link whether the heirs of the deceased entered into the consent under pressure or of their own free will.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that unless the relatives of the deceased appear in the sessions court in person and confirm the consent, there is no consent.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has instructed the party not to participate in upcoming by-elections. He also advised the parliamentary members to resign from all committees and referred the matter to the party’s political committee for final consultation.

The instructions were relayed after a meeting at Adiala Jail with his sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, as well as senior party leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and Barrister Ali Zafar.

Later, speaking to the media, Aleema said that Imran reiterated his firm opposition to the by-polls and called on all PTI lawmakers to resign from parliamentary committees.

“The political committee will deliberate on the matter, but Khan sahib has made his position clear: entering these elections would validate the unlawful disqualifications and selective justice we are facing,” she said.

“He told us to convey a clear message: keeping me in solitary confinement will not yield any results,” Aleema quoted him as saying. She further quoted her brother as reaffirming his resolve, saying, “I will not bow down, nor will I make any deal.”

While confirming that her brother was in stable health, she noted that he was experiencing eye problem, requiring medical attention. “We are submitting a request to the court for medical examination, and PIMS doctors will soon conduct a check-up,” she added.

Aleema added that Imran denounced the current state of the media, saying, “Mainstream media, being under state control, has lost credibility.” 

On regional policy, he voiced opposition to the forced repatriation of Afghan refugees, calling it a violation of Islamic values. “He said he was ashamed of how Afghans were being treated,” Aleema noted.

The PTI founder also expressed sorrow over flood-related devastation in Buner and other areas, underscoring the need to appreciate the long-term significance of the ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ project.

Turning to personal grievances, Aleema and Uzma condemned the arrest of their sons Shershah and Shahrez. “Shahrez is a businessman and has represented Pakistan in sports. What threat did he pose?” Uzma asked. Aleema added: “If they want to arrest someone, arrest me — but targeting our children shows their fear.”

She further stated that Imran refused to accept the resignation submitted by Salman Akram Raja, instructing him to continue with his responsibilities. She also dismissed rumours of any friction between her and Salman Akram Raja, calling him a “trusted legal advisor and part of the family.”

Speaking separately to the media, Raja stated that his resignation had not been accepted. He confirmed that the party’s political committee would reconvene later in the evening to finalise the strategy regarding by-elections.

“We discussed national issues, the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa following the floods, and the hardships Bushra Bibi is facing in detention,” he added, noting that Imran remained engaged and composed despite the conditions of solitary confinement.

Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar told reporters that PTI was planning a major public rally in September to demand judicial independence and Imran’s release. “It will be a rally for democracy and judicial freedom,” he said.

He also confirmed that his basic jail privileges had been restored, including access to books, newspapers and television.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a high-flood alert for the Ravi River after India released additional water into the tributary.

A devastating monsoon season marked by record rainfall, glacier melt, and widespread flooding has exposed Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change. The “high flood” warnings this week have put Punjab on high alert and prompted mass evacuations in various places.

In a high flood alert posted at 5:40pm, the NDMA said: “Heavy rainfall expected in the upper regions of Ravi over the next 48 hours. The Indian dam Thein is 97 per cent full, and its spillways may be opened at any time. Due to potential discharge, a high-level flood is expected in the Ravi River. High-level flow is also expected in Pir Panjal, Bain, Basantar and Deek.”

The NDMA cautioned citizens to stay away from rivers, drains and low-lying areas, along with avoiding unnecessary travel.

It also issued instructions to agencies and emergency services to remain on high alert.

A statement from the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said India had opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River and 210,000 cusecs of water were entering Pakistan from Kot Ninan.

“In the next 24 hours, the water flow at Kot Ninan will increase further. In the next 48 hours, very high level of flood will pass through Jasar Shahdara and Head Baloki,” it said, adding that the Lahore commissioner and deputy commissioners of other districts had been alerted.

The PDMA spokesperson said the water level in the Ravi River was continuously increasing, adding that there was a high level of flood at Jasar with 142,000 cusecs of water continuously entering and a low level of flood at Shahdara at 56,000 cusecs of water.

The spokesperson said the PDMA had instructed the administration of the districts adjacent to the Ravi River to take emergency measures and instructions were issued for the immediate evacuation of citizens in the river’s basin.

Meanwhile, an update from Kasur Division Signaller Ghulam Mustafa at 8pm said there was a “very high flood” in the Sutlej River with the flow at 208,973 cusecs and rising.

Earlier today, state-run APP reported that nearly 150,000 people have so far been relocated to safer areas from flood-prone regions, adding that it followed early warnings and alerts issued by NDMA regarding rising water levels and potential flooding.

The PDMA initiated “large-scale evacuation operations” in vulnerable places following the swelling of the Sutlej River, the report said.

“Emergency response teams were deployed, and all concerned departments were placed on high alert to safeguard public life and property,” it added.

The data provided by the NDMA showed evacuations included 89,868 residents from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari, according to the APP.

It further said that around 40,000 people had moved to safer locations soon after the initial alerts.

A day earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued orders to evacuate the people living in areas around rivers and low-lying regions, while the Ministry of Climate Change predicted heavy rains in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore divisions “with a high risk of both riverine and urban flooding”.

An alert by Punjab PDMA on Monday reported “high flood level” in the Sutlej River at 10am, urging district administrations across Punjab to maintain a “high level of preparedness and mitigation of the disaster”.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also issued a flood warning for the Chenab River and Ravi River yesterday, stating that the intensity of rainfall over the eastern rivers was “likely to increase significantly”.

In light of a flood alert by India, more than 24,000 people had been relocated from the low-lying areas of the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers since Saturday, according to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad.