Extreme temperatures compound poverty in Pakistan's hottest city

In this picture taken on May 11, 2022, a woman fills containers with water from a hand pump during a heatwave in Jacobabad, in the southern Sindh province. (AFP)
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Updated 16 May 2022
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Extreme temperatures compound poverty in Pakistan's hottest city

  • Jacobabad in the arid Sindh province is in the grip of latest heatwave to hit South Asia
  • Canals in Jacobabad have run dry, with temperatures peaking at 51 degrees Celsius

JACOBABAD: By the time Pakistani schoolboy Saeed Ali arrived at hospital in one of the world's hottest cities, his body was shutting down from heatstroke. 

The 12-year-old collapsed after walking home from school under the burning sun, his day spent sweltering in a classroom with no fans. 

"A rickshaw driver had to carry my son here. He couldn't even walk," the boy's mother Shaheela Jamali told AFP from his bedside. 




In this picture taken on May 11, 2022, 12-year-old schoolboy Saeed Ali suffering from heatstroke rest laying on a hospital bed in Jacobabad, in southern Sindh province.

Jacobabad in Pakistan's arid Sindh province is in the grip of the latest heatwave to hit South Asia – peaking at 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit) at the weekend. 

Canals in the city -- a vital source of irrigation for nearby farms -- have run dry, with a smattering of stagnant water barely visible around strewn rubbish. 

Experts say the searing weather is in line with projections for global warming. 

The city is on the "front line of climate change", said its deputy commissioner Abdul Hafeez Siyal. "The overall quality of life here is suffering." 

Most of the one million people in Jacobabad and surrounding villages live in acute poverty, with water shortages and power cuts compromising their ability to beat the heat. 

It leaves residents facing desperate dilemmas. 

Doctors said Saeed was in a critical condition, but his mother -- driven by a desire to escape poverty -- said he would return to school next week. 

"We don't want them to grow up to be labourers," Jamali told AFP, her son listless and tearful at her side. 




 In this picture taken on May 11, 2022, a woman uses a paper sheet to fan her child amid a power cut during a heatwave in Jacobabad, in the southern Sindh province. (AFP)

Heatstroke -- when the body becomes so overheated it can no longer cool itself -- can cause symptoms from lightheadedness and nausea to organ swelling, unconsciousness, and even death. 

Nurse Bashir Ahmed, who treated Saeed at a new heatstroke clinic run by local NGO Community Development Foundation, said the number of patients arriving in a serious condition was rising. 

"Previously, the heat would be at its peak in June and July, but now it's arriving in May," Ahmed said. 

Labourers forced to toil in the sun are among the most vulnerable. 

Brick kiln workers ply their trade alongside furnaces that can reach up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. 

"The severe heat makes us feel like throwing up sometimes, but if I can't work, I can't earn," said Rasheed Rind, who started on the site as a child. 

Life in Jacobabad is dominated by attempts to cope with the heat. 

"It's like fire burning all around. What we need the most is electricity and water," said blacksmith Shafi Mohammad. 

Power shortages mean only six hours of electricity a day in rural areas and 12 in the city. 

Access to drinking water is unreliable and unaffordable due to scarcity across Pakistan and major infrastructure problems. 

Khairun Nissa gave birth during the heatwave, her last days of pregnancy spent wilting under a single ceiling fan shared between her family of 13. 

Her two-day-old son now occupies her spot under its feeble breeze. 

"Of course, I'm worried about him in this heat, but I know God will provide for us," said Nissa. 

Outside their three-room brick home, where the stench of rotting rubbish and stagnant water hangs in the air, a government-installed water tap runs dry. 

But local "water mafias" are filling the supply gap. 

They have tapped into government reserves to funnel water to their own distribution points where cans are filled and transported by donkey cart to be sold at 20 rupees (25 cents) per 20 litres. 

"If our water plants weren't here, there would be major difficulties for the people of Jacobabad," said Zafar Ullah Lashari, who operates an unlicensed, unregulated water supply. 

In a farming village on the outskirts of the city, women wake up at 3am to pump drinking water all day from a well -- but it is never enough. 

"We prefer our cattle to have clean drinking water first, because our livelihood depends on them," said Abdul Sattar, who raises buffaloes for milk and sale at market. 

There is no compromise on this, even when children suffer skin conditions and diarrhoea. 

"It is a difficult choice but if the cattle die, how would the children eat?" he said. 

Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country to extreme weather caused by climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index compiled by environmental NGO Germanwatch. 

Floods, droughts and cyclones in recent years have killed and displaced thousands, destroyed livelihoods and damaged infrastructure. 

Many people choose to leave Jacobabad in the hottest months, leaving some villages half empty. 

Sharaf Khatoon shares a makeshift camp in the city with up to 100 people surviving on a few meagre rupees that male family members earn through menial labour. 

They usually relocate the camp in the hottest months, 300 kilometres away to Quetta, where temperatures are up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler. 

But this year they will leave late, struggling to save the money for the journey. 

"We have headaches, unusual heartbeats, skin problems, but there is nothing we can do about it," said Khatoon. 

Professor Nausheen H. Anwar, who studies urban planning in hot cities, said authorities need to look beyond emergency responses and think long term. 

"Taking heatwaves seriously is important, but sustained chronic heat exposure is particularly critical," she said. 

"It's exacerbated in places like Jacobabad by the degradation of infrastructure and access to water and electricity which compromises people's capacity to cope." 

Along a dried-up canal filled with rubbish, hundreds of boys and a handful of girls in Jacobabad pour into a school for their end-of-year exams. 

They gather around a hand pump to gulp down water, exhausted even before the day begins. 

"The biggest issue we face is not having basic facilities -- that's why we experience more difficulties," said headteacher Rashid Ahmed Khalhoro. 

"We try to keep the children's morale high but the heat impacts their mental and physical health." 

With extreme temperatures arriving earlier in the year, he appealed to the government to bring forward summer vacations, which normally begin in June. 

A few classrooms have fans, though most do not. When the electricity is cut just an hour into the school day, everyone swelters in semi-darkness. 

Some rooms become so unbearable that children are moved into corridors, with youngsters frequently fainting. 

"We suffocate in the heat. We sweat profusely and our clothes get drenched," said 15-year-old Ali Raza. 

The boys told AFP they suffered from headaches and frequent diarrhoea but refused to skip lessons. 

Khalhoro said his students are determined to break out of poverty and find jobs where they can escape the heat. 

"They are prepared as though they are on a battlefield, with the motivation that they must achieve something." 


Authorities seize 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat in Islamabad, arrest ‘foreign national’

Updated 4 sec ago
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Authorities seize 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat in Islamabad, arrest ‘foreign national’

  • The seizure was made during a raid at a farmhouse in Islamabad’s Tarnol area, with authorities recovering 50 live donkeys as well
  • Official says the meat had been packed for ‘export to a neighboring country,’ more raids to be conducted to trace local facilitators

ISLAMABAD: Local administration in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad has seized around 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat from an illegal slaughterhouse and arrested a “foreign national,” officials said on Sunday.

The seizure was made during a joint raid by the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), local police and the Islamabad district administration on a farmhouse in Tarnol area, according to the IFA.

Fifty live donkeys were also recovered from the site and an IFA team was destroying the meat under the supervision of Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique.

Police have lodged a case against the arrested foreign national, who had been running the operation, and are looking for his local facilitators.

“A foreign national was arrested at the site which has been sealed and an investigation is underway,” Muhammad Nasir Butt, a spokesperson for the Islamabad district administration, told Arab News.

“We will conduct further raids as per the findings of the investigation and efforts are also underway to trace local individuals involved.”

Butt said the meat had been packed for “export to a neighboring country.”

“So far, we have not found any traces of meat being used in the local restaurants, but administration is investigating the matter from multiple angles,” he added.

According to a police report seen by Arab News, the farmhouse had no authorization to process donkey meat or export live donkeys.

“Due to the absence of records for [processing] haram meat, and on the basis of its supply and sale, legal action shall be taken against concerned individuals under Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act, 2021,” the report said.

Pakistan is frequently listed among countries with the highest number of donkey populations worldwide. The country’s donkey population rose to 6 million in fiscal year 2024-25, which ended in June, compared to 5.9 million in 2023–24, according to the latest economic survey.

In May this year, Pakistan Customs had foiled an attempt to smuggle donkey hides worth approximately Rs80 million (around $283,800) to China. The staff deployed on the Risk Management Profiling System of the Karachi Customs

Collectorate detected a container number SEGU-3154225 cleared from the South Asia Pakistan Port (SAPT) terminal in Karachi, whose export documents showed 285 packages of leather products were being sent to China.

The animal’s meat and hides are quite popular in China. Gelatin derived from donkey hides is highly sought after in China for its use in Ejiao, a traditional medicinal remedy. Several Chinese eateries sell donkey meat and burgers for consumption.

Dr. Siddique, who was part of the team that raided the farmhouse, said the availability of safe and quality food in Islamabad was the top priority of the IFA.

“We are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against those who endanger public health,” she was quoted as saying by the IFA.


8 killed, 18 injured as passenger bus meets accident in eastern Pakistan

Updated 18 min 48 sec ago
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8 killed, 18 injured as passenger bus meets accident in eastern Pakistan

  • Bus heading from Lahore to Islamabad falls in ditch in Chakwal, local media reports say
  • Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed 

ISLAMABAD: Eight people were killed while 18 others were injured after a passenger bus met with an accident in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province on Sunday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

As per local media reports, the passenger bus was heading to the eastern city of Lahore from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, when one of its tires burst near the Balkassar Interchange on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2).

Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn reported that the tire burst caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, due to which it fell into a ditch and overturned.

“Eight people were killed while eighteen others injured in a passenger bus accident in the area of Balkassar in Chakwal today,” Radio Pakistan reported.

“According to Rescue 1122, ambulances and rescue vehicles promptly reached the site of the incident.”

The state-run media said that the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition.

Pakistan motorway police frequently warns masses on its social media platforms against violating traffic regulations and overspeeding.


Pakistan suspends road travel to Iran, Iraq citing security concerns

Updated 53 min 23 sec ago
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Pakistan suspends road travel to Iran, Iraq citing security concerns

  • Travelers will still be allowed to visit Iran and Iraq by air, says interior minister.
  • Decision comes in wake of rise in militant attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that the government will not allow pilgrims to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, citing public safety and national security concerns for the ban. 

Thousands of Pakistani citizens visit Iran and Iraq annually for religious tourism and to visit religious sites, including observing Arbaeen (Arabic for “forty”), a significant religious occasion in Shia Islam. It marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain, who was “martyred” in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

Travelers to Iran and Iraq by road have often been targeted in sectarian attacks by armed groups in Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province, which shares a border with Iran.

Islamabad’s decision comes in the wake of a rise in militant attacks in the province by ethnic Baloch militant groups, who demand a greater share of the province’s mineral resources from Islamabad.

“After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year,” Naqvi wrote on X. 

The interior minister said this “difficult decision” was taken in the interest of public safety and national security.

However, he said Shia pilgrims will be allowed to travel by air to Iran and Iraq.

“Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,” he wrote. 

A Pakistani immigration official told Arab News earlier this month that Islamabad plans to overhaul its pilgrimage travel policy to Iraq, Iran and Syria after authorities confirmed around 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims went missing or overstayed in the three countries over the past decade. 

Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf revealed this month that 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims had either overstayed or gone missing in these countries without any official record of their whereabouts.

In response, Pakistani authorities have scrapped the long-standing “Salar system,” in which private group leaders managed travel logistics, and are introducing a new centralized, computerized structure to track and regulate pilgrim movement more effectively.

Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Pakistan’s director general of Immigration and Passports, said a new Ziyarat Management Policy has been finalized by the government under which pilgrims will only be allowed to travel in organized groups, and licensed tour operators will be held directly responsible for ensuring that all group members return to Pakistan before their visas expire.

Any operator found violating the policy or failing to ensure the return of all pilgrims will have their license canceled.


Pakistan PM takes notice of ‘unjustified delay’ of cash reward, support for boxer Shahzaib Rind

Updated 27 July 2025
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Pakistan PM takes notice of ‘unjustified delay’ of cash reward, support for boxer Shahzaib Rind

  • Rind had publicly criticized government for not paying him promised cash reward of $17,360, support worth $282,080
  • Information Minister Attaullah Tarar apologizes to Rind, says “inordinate delay” will be sorted out immediately

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar this week apologized to Karate champion Shahzaib Rind for the “unjustified delay” of a monetary reward and financial support the fighter said the government had promised to provide him, sharing that the prime minister has taken “serious notice” of the incident. 

Rind made history in September last year when he won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship, beating Brazil’s Luiz Victor Rocha in the final in Singapore. The remarkable feat made him the first person from Pakistan to win the world title. 

Following his achievement, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari presented Rind a cheque of Rs100 million [$352,600] while as per reports, former federal minister Sardar Yaar Muhammad Rind announced he would give Rind 25 acres of land. 

Rind took to social media platform X on July 23, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support his training camp and upcoming fights. However, the Pakistani fighter said it was “all a lie, I never got a penny from them.”

“Dear Shahzeb, there seems to be some miscommunication,” Tarar wrote to Rind on X on Saturday. “We sincerely apologize for this unjustified delay, sportsmen like you are our real heroes and we value your achievements.”

The minister acknowledged that Rind had brought honor to the country and made everyone proud through his achievements. 

“The Prime Minister has taken serious notice of this inordinate delay and rest assured, it will be sorted out immediately, inshallah [god willing],” Tarar added.

He said Sharif had instructed authorities that such mistakes must never happen again.

“We regret this unjustified delay and the inconvenience caused,” he added. 

Rind responded by thanking Tarar, saying he appreciated Sharif taking notice of the incident. 

“Inshallah, with your support, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of champions,” he wrote. 

Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.


Pakistan says wants ‘strongest relations’ with US despite iron-clad partnership with China

Updated 27 min 25 sec ago
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Pakistan says wants ‘strongest relations’ with US despite iron-clad partnership with China

  • Pakistan Deputy PM Dar says his Friday meeting with US secretary of state was “very cordial” 
  • Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with the US and its traditional rival, China

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday Islamabad wished for “strongest relations” with the United States (US) despite enjoying an iron-clad partnership with Washington’s rival, Beijing.

Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with China and the US. While aligned with the US for military cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, Islamabad has strengthened economic ties with Beijing through initiatives like the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained over the past several years as both world powers compete for global influence in several domains. The US and China have disagreements over several issues such as trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

“Our government and we have emphasized and will continue to emphasize that our relations and iron-clad brother partnership with China, our relations [with the US] should not be looked at through that lens,” Dar, speaking to the Pakistani community in New York, said during a televised address. 

“We want strongest relations with the United States of America as well.”

Dar pointed out that Islamabad, under the previous government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from 2022-2023, had made it clear to Washington that this was its official policy. However, the Pakistani foreign minister said the Joe Biden administration did not engage with Islamabad. 

“I’m glad that they [Trump administration] have actively engaged themselves with us,” Dar said. 

Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday in a face-to-face meeting, during which the American official recognized Pakistan’s “constructive role” for peace in the region and worldwide. 

The Pakistani deputy prime minister pointed out that this was the first time in nine years that the foreign ministers of the US and Pakistan had met each other.

“I would say the meeting was very cordial, we touched all the regional and global issues. We touched our bilateral issues,” he said.

Dar is currently on an eight-day visit to the US till July 28, where he kept a busy schedule in New York and chaired several high-profile United Nations Security Council meetings under Pakistan’s rotating presidency this month.