ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in the eastern Punjab province issued flood warnings for different parts of the province on Thursday, with the death toll from nearly six weeks of monsoon rains and floods across Pakistan rising to 154, officials said.
Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. Last month, a United Nations official warned that about 200,000 people could be affected by the ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan. In 2022, torrential rains and floods killed over 1,700 people and caused estimated losses of over $30 billion to the Pakistani economy.
Many of the 154 deaths this monsoon season have occurred in Punjab and the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the disaster agency and provincial authorities.
“Due to the rains, the water levels in rivers, dams and streams are rising,” the PDMA said in its latest statement, predicting that the current monsoon spell would last until Aug. 14. “There is a risk that the lower to medium flood situation in the Indus River will persist for the next few days.”
“An alert has been issued regarding the flood situation in the Indus River,” it added. “There is also a risk of flooding in the streams connected to the Chenab and Ravi Rivers.”
The PDMA said there was significant flooding in Nala Aik in Sialkot, calling on the local administration of the area to remain alert.
“Preparations are complete in view of the possible flood risk,” Irfan Ali Kathia, the PDMA chief, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Citizens are advised to take precautionary measures during the rainy season.”
The PDMA said that the new spell of monsoon rains in Punjab will begin from Aug. 9 till Aug. 12.
“During August 10 and 11, most of the districts of South Punjab are likely to experience wind and thundershowers,” the authority said.
It said during this time, monsoon rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Gujarat divisions.
“In view of the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, the concerned departments should be alert,” the PDMA said.
BALOCHISTAN
The top PDMA official in the southwestern Balochistan province said his team was closely monitoring the rain situation and conducting assessment of crop damage to compensate affected farmers.
“The PDMA is identifying and establishing safe places to accommodate people affected by the heavy downpour,” Naveed Ahmad Sheikh was quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency.
“In light of the hazardous weather conditions, the PDMA has notified Section 144 to restrict tourist activities, prioritizing the safety of visitors,” he added.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is often invoked to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area to maintain public order and prevent emergencies.
Balochistan suffered disproportionately during the 2002 floods in Pakistan and was hit particularly hard by heavy rains, which led to severe flooding across many districts.
The floods caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, homes and agricultural lands, displacing thousands of people and resulting in significant loss of life.
More flood warnings in Pakistan as 154 killed in six weeks of monsoon rains
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More flood warnings in Pakistan as 154 killed in six weeks of monsoon rains
- Many of 154 deaths occurred in eastern Punjab, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, disaster authorities say
- Section 144 banning public gatherings imposed in Balochistan to restrict tourist activities, prioritize safety of visitors
Pakistan evacuates diplomats’ families, non-essential staff from Iran as Israel conflict worsens
- Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran, consulates will continue to remain functional, confirms official
- Israel and Iran have been locked in conflict since last Friday, trading missiles and air strikes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started evacuating families of its diplomats and staff, as well as members of some non-essential staff from Iran, a senior foreign ministry official confirmed on Tuesday as Tehran’s military conflict with Israel intensifies.
Thousands of residents of Iran’s capital Tehran are reportedly fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies out of fear that Israel will intensify its strikes against regional foe Iran in the coming days.
Iran and Israel have been locked in military conflict since Friday when the latter attacked the former’s nuclear facilities and military leadership in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Israel’s strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran while Tehran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded.
“The foreign ministry is moving out families of diplomats and staff and some non-essential staff from Iran,” the official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media, said in a statement.
“However Pakistan embassy in Tehran and our consulates will continue to remain functional.”
Pakistan has been repatriating hundreds of its citizens from Iran and Iraq since the conflict began last week. Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites there. Many were left stranded since Friday as airspaces closed following Israel’s attacks.
Pakistan repatriated 268 nationals from Iraq via two flights on Monday while on Sunday, it evacuated 450 nationals from Iran.
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue.
Pakistan says resolved over 30,000 Hajj pilgrims’ complaints
- Pakistani pilgrims were assisted in travel, lost tickets, accommodation, food and other issues, says religion ministry
- Multiple channels were provided to pilgrims for complaints, including call center, WhatsApp and toll-free numbers
ISLAMABAD: A facilitation center set up by the Pakistani government in Makkah for this year’s Hajj resolved over 30,000 complaints filed by pilgrims, the religion ministry said on Tuesday.
This year’s Hajj took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent over 115,000 pilgrims under both the government and private schemes.
Ayesha Ijaz, the person in charge of the facilitation center in Makkah, told Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry that the center has been specially set up to help Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
“The facilitation center established by the Government of Pakistan in Makkah to provide exemplary facilities to Pakistani pilgrims during and after Hajj 2025 has successfully resolved over 30,000 complaints,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said.
It said thousands of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims were provided immediate assistance related to travel issues, lost tickets, accommodation, food and other important matters.
“The center operates round the clock and has various special departments, including the Departure Cell, Zong Desk, Maktab Desk, Madinah Departure Cell, Complaints Cell and 24/7 Call Center,” Ijaz said.
Hafiz Obaidullah Zakaria, who is in charge of the Complaints Cell, said 30,147 complaints have been registered so far related to Hajj 2025.
“Of these, 2,446 complaints were resolved within 24 hours, 113 are under process, while 580 complaints were declared inauthentic,” he was quoted as saying by the religion ministry.
The religion ministry said this year, multiple channels were provided to pilgrims for registering complaints, including a 24-hour call center, WhatsApp, toll-free numbers and other platforms.
It said the number of complaints had been reduced significantly, which reflected impressive arrangements undertaken by the government.
“The timely actions of the facilitation center and effective complaint management have set a new precedent for Hajj operations, which has been appreciated not only by the authorities but also by the pilgrims,” the ministry said.
The last Pakistani flight carrying Hajj pilgrims back to the country is scheduled to arrive on July 10.
Provincial court delivers Pakistan’s first-ever conviction for insider trading
- SECP says bank official misused insider information related to investment, disinvestment decisions for “personal gain“
- Financial regulator says court slaps $30,380 penalty on convict, with the amount to be deposited within seven days
KARACHI: A Pakistani court recently handed its first-ever conviction for insider trading, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said on Tuesday, hailing the judgment as one which will boost investors’ confidence in the country’s capital markets.
Insider trading refers to the practice of buying or selling a publicly traded company’s securities while in possession of material information that is not yet public information. The SECP said it had filed a case against Zakir Hussain Somji, assistant vice president of investments at Habib Metropolitan Bank (HMB) Limited, after inspecting suspicious trading activity from Jan. 1, 2014, to Feb. 2, 2016.
The regulator said it was suspected that the accused, through his position at HMB, misused insider information related to the bank’s investment and disinvestment decisions for personal gain. The SECP said a probe revealed Somji bought 11,795,100 shares of various companies, including 1,230,900 shares (10.43 percent) acquired from HMB. He sold 11,836,600 shares — 4,915,200 (41.52 percent) of which were sold back to HMB, earning an “unlawful profit” of Rs2,866,646 [$10,116.39].
“Sindh Special Court (Offences in Banks) handed out first ever conviction for insider trading in the history of Pakistan in a case filed by The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP),” the regulator said.
It said Somji had been convicted by the court on June 14 for violating provisions of Section 128 of the Securities Act, 2015, which related to insider trading.
The regulator said the court slapped Somji with a penalty of Rs 8,599,938 [$30,380] which was three times the “unlawful gain.”
“The amount is to be deposited within seven days, failing which the convict will be remanded to jail until full payment is made,” the SECP said.
The regulator said the judgment reaffirms SECP’s mandate to ensure market integrity and investor protection.
“It sets a strong precedent for future enforcement actions and sends a clear message that market abuse and regulatory violations shall not be tolerated,” it added.
Pakistan’s militancy-hit Balochistan unveils ‘largest’ $3.6 billion annual budget
- Province earmarks $2.26 billion for non-development spending, $307 million for health and $423.5 million for schools
- Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land yet its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s militancy-hit Balochistan on Tuesday unveiled its $3.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani described as the “largest” one in the province’s history.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land size but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators. The province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-lying insurgency for decades where ethnic separatist militants demand a greater share of the province’s mineral resources for locals.
Nosherwani presented the budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta, with Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai chairing the session.
“For the upcoming fiscal year, the total budget is estimated at Rs1,028 billion [$3.63 billion]— the largest in the province’s history,” Nosherwani told lawmakers during the budget session.
“Out of this, the non-development budget is Rs642 billion [$2.26 billion] while the overall provincial development (PSDP) budget is Rs249.5 billion [$878 million],” he added.
The finance minister pointed out that the budget includes a Rs42 billion [$148.3 million] surplus, describing it as a “historic milestone” for the province.
Nosherwani said the government has earmarked over Rs120 billion [$423.5 million] for the schools sector and Rs29.1 billion [$102.7 million] for the higher education sector.
The provincial government has also allocated Rs87 billion [$307 million] for the health sector, ₨26 billion [$91.8 million] for the agriculture sector and Rs1 billion [$3.53 million] for food, he said.
He said the government had decided not to purchase new vehicles, except for the ones required by law enforcement personnel.
“To create employment opportunities in 2025–26, the provincial government plans to introduce 4,188 contract positions and 1,958 regular jobs across departments,” Nosherwani said.
He credited the provincial government for not overlooking any segment of society in the annual budget.
“These measures cover government employees, women, pensioners, youth, migrants, laborers— people from every walk of life,” the finance minister said.
Pakistani journalists protest Israel’s bombing of Iranian state TV
- Israel bombed state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s building on Monday as its conflict with Iran escalates
- Charged Pakistani journalists in Karachi accuse Israel of targeting journalists deliberately to silence their voices
KARACHI: Dozens of Pakistani journalists protested in Karachi on Tuesday against Israel’s move to bomb Iran’s state-run television channel this week, accusing Tel Aviv of deliberately targeting journalists to silence their voices.
Footage of anchor Sahar Emami went viral on Monday in which she can be seen denouncing Israel at the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building before the live broadcast was interrupted by a huge blast. Shortly after, smoke and debris filled the screen.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) confirmed that Israel’s strike on the IRIB building killed Nima Rajabpour, editor-in-chief of Khabar TV, and Masoumeh Azimi, a secretary at the state-run television channel. Israel and Iran have been targeting each other with missiles since Friday, when the Jewish state attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Dozens of Pakistani journalists protested the move outside the Karachi Press Club. The protest was organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ). Journalists carried placards inscribed with messages condemning Israel, shouting slogans expressing support for the people of Gaza and Iran.
“It [Israel] has assassinated anyone across the world who tried to unmask its true face, anyone who tried to speak the truth,” PFUJ Secretary-General A.H. Khanzada told Arab News, accusing the Jewish state of killing journalists from Gaza to Iran.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has counted 178 journalists killed in Gaza by Israel since October 2023, making it the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded.
Khanzada urged the IFJ to redefine its global parameters of press freedom.
“If these are not corrected, many problems will arise — and these problems will affect the entire world,” he said, calling the response from global media organizations to the attack as “insufficient.”
Aamir Latif, a former Karachi Press Club secretary, agreed that Israel was systematically silencing journalists.
“Israel is not in a business to tell the truth,” Latif said. “In fact, it is in a business to block the truth. That is why it is targeting journalists whether it is Gaza or whether it is Iran,” he added.
Latif lamented Israel’s moves to target hospitals, media workers and other protected entities in the Middle East, saying they were directly violating international laws.
Veteran journalist and former PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas called the Iranian TV bombardment a “direct assault on freedom of expression.”
“The figure [of journalists being killed in Palestine] is nearly around 150, which is even far bigger than the journalists killed in the Second World War,” Abbas told Arab News.
KUJ President Nasrullah Chaudhry said Pakistani journalists stood in solidarity with their Iranian counterparts.
“Since October, we have documented Israeli war crimes against media in Gaza,” Chaudhry said. “This is part of the same pattern.
“The media of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular firmly stands against Israel aggression and assaults on journalists,” he told protesters.
The protest ended with Pakistani journalists pledging to continue highlighting what participants called the “systematic targeting of truth tellers” by Israel across multiple conflict zones.
