Four dead as dust storm hits Pakistani port city amid heatwave 

A general view shows Pakistan's port city of Karachi on May 18, 2021 during a sand storm. (AFP)
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Updated 18 May 2021
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Four dead as dust storm hits Pakistani port city amid heatwave 

  • Extreme heat on Tuesday forced Karachi residents indoors, power outages reported across the city 
  • Met official says the storm was predicted, is expected to return tomorrow but with low intensity 

KARACHI: At least four people were killed after a dust storm hit Pakistan’s seaside megacity of Karachi following a spell of scorching heat which forced residents indoors for the second consecutive day, a metrological official and police said on Tuesday. 

The storm is likely to hit the city again tomorrow, Wednesday, the met official said, as heat persists despite light rainfall across the city.

“We had already predicted this storm on our yesterday’s weather advisory. The storm today lasted around thirty minutes and resulted in light rainfall,” Chief Meteorological Officer Sardar Sarfraz told Arab News.

The official said the likely cause of the storm could be the ongoing heatwave, as well as Cyclone Tauktae which is presently bearing down on India’s Rajasthan, some 550 kilometers east of Karachi. The intensity of the cyclone will decrease, he said.

A Karachi police statement said at least four people, including a woman and a nine year old child, were killed in storm-related incidents in different parts of the city, including because of buildings and electricity poles collapsing. A K-Electric statement had cautioned citizens not to touch electric poles and wires during the storm.

Earlier, hot weather and gusty winds forced residents of Pakistan’s seaside metropolis of Karachi to stay home for a second consecutive day despite the decision of the provincial government of Sindh to relax COVID-19 restrictions. 

According to the latest weather report by the country’s meteorological department, the “very severe cyclonic storm” Tauktae intensified into an “extremely severe cyclone storm” and crossed the Indian state of Gujarat on Monday night. 

However, it weakened into a “severe cyclonic storm” while moving over India’s Rajasthan desert. 

According to the forecast, some thunderstorm and rain is expected in Pakistan Tharparkar and Umerkot districts during the next 12 hours but the country’s coastal areas are largely considered to not be under threat. 

“Hot and dry weather will continue today in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benzirabad, Badin and Mirpurkhas districts,” the meteorological department said in its report. 

“Today will be another hot and dry day [for Karachi],” Chief Meteorological Officer told Arab News. “However, temperature will go down after sea breeze returns to the city by tomorrow afternoon.” 

Sarfraz added that Karachi’s temperature was expected to go up to 42°C by 5 o’ clock in the evening.He said the city’s temperature was 33°C last night. 

Previously, the residents of Karachi have experienced 34°C at nighttime in 2015. 

The provincial administration of Sindh eased COVID-19 restrictions on Monday and allowed public transport on roads, though traffic remained thin across the city due to the warm weather. 

Karachi’s residents also complained of power outages in social media posts. 
“One of the hottest days of the year @KElectricPk has not been able to provide electricity for the past 12 hours in DHA Phase 6, wonder what will happen once the monsoon season starts,” one resident, Syed Sarfraz Ahmed, said on Twitter. 
Another social media user took to the microblogging website to request authorities to end load-shedding for a few days. 

“It’s a humble request to the decision-making authorities at KE. Please stop load-shedding in Karachi for a couple of days due to the massive hot weather change,” said Fawad Khan. 
According to a K-Electric spokesperson who did not wish to be named, the utility company had received “technical complaints from some parts of DHA and Clifton” and was working to restore power supply in those areas. 

In other neighborhoods, the source added, there were faults due to illegal connections. 

“We are providing more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity to Karachi through our 1,900 feeders,” he told Arab News. “However, faults are reported in some areas of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, FB Area, Shah Faisal and North Karachi due to illegal connections.”
 


Pakistanis welcome ceasefire with India but caution against trusting New Delhi

Updated 9 sec ago
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Pakistanis welcome ceasefire with India but caution against trusting New Delhi

  • A trader in Karachi says no one wins in war, warning that conflicts only bring human suffering
  • A veterinarian in Islamabad warns India can behave unpredictably even within treaty frameworks

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: People in Pakistan on Saturday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire with India after heavy cross-border missile and drone exchange between the two countries, though some expressed skepticism about New Delhi’s willingness to uphold the truce.
The ceasefire brought an end to one of the most serious military standoffs between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades, triggered by a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26 tourists.
India blamed Pakistan for the incident and launched missile strikes on what it called “terrorist camps” in five Pakistani cities. Islamabad denied involvement and retaliated by targeting Indian military sites.
The hostilities escalated until Washington brokered a truce, announced Saturday by US President Donald Trump.
“Look, the ceasefire announcement has been beneficial for both countries,” said Abbas Raza, a trader in Karachi, while speaking to Arab News. “Who wins when there’s loss? No one wins in loss. People only suffer.”
Muhammad Shehbaz, a local businessman in the city, said Pakistan had exercised restraint for days despite repeated “Indian provocations.”
“India was pushing, trying to provoke Pakistan into escalating the conflict,” he said. “They kept at it, but Pakistan showed restraint again and again.”
“Then yesterday, when Pakistan carried out a retaliatory strike, they were shaken within three hours,” he continued. “They were brought to their knees. And today, they called in Trump and agreed to a ceasefire.”
Zubia Mehfooz, a woman visiting Karachi, said she had been unable to return to the United States, where her family lives, due to the airspace shutdown caused by the conflict.
“I was here for some work and got stuck,” she said. “I have a flight Monday morning. There’s never an issue from our [Pakistani] side. You know where the issue comes from. If the ceasefire holds, it’s a very good thing.”
But in Islamabad, some urged caution, citing past episodes.
“We don’t fully trust India’s statements,” said Muhammad Farhan Hameed, a veterinarian. “Past experiences have shown this. Many treaties have been signed before, but sometimes they behave unpredictably and break from what was agreed.”


US mission in Islamabad eases staff movement curbs after India-Pakistan ceasefire

Updated 10 May 2025
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US mission in Islamabad eases staff movement curbs after India-Pakistan ceasefire

  • The embassy upholds ‘Do Not Travel’ statue for areas near the eastern border
  • It also maintains a ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory in the country more broadly

ISLAMABAD: The United States eased movement restrictions on its diplomatic personnel in Pakistan on Saturday, following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan that brought a pause to days of cross-border military exchanges.
The conflict was sparked by a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26 tourists, with New Delhi blaming Pakistan for the incident despite Islamabad’s denial of the allegation.
India launched missile strikes on what it said were “terrorist camps,” prompting Pakistan to respond with attacks on Indian military targets.
A ceasefire brokered by Washington was announced Saturday afternoon by President Donald Trump, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying both sides had agreed to hold talks at a neutral venue.
“Movement restrictions on US government personnel in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore have been adjusted to allow travel within city limits,” the US mission said in a security alert.
However, it reiterated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control, citing “terrorism” and the risk of “armed conflict.”
It also maintained a “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Pakistan more broadly, reflecting long-standing US concerns about militant violence and limited consular access in parts of the country.
Earlier this year, the US State Department had cited Pakistan’s deteriorating security conditions, especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
In its recent alert, the US embassy advised citizens in Pakistan to review their security plans and stay alert.
It noted that flight availability remained fluid in Pakistan, urging travelers to confirm schedules with their airlines.
 


Pakistan reopens airspace, resumes Hajj flights after India ceasefire

Updated 10 May 2025
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Pakistan reopens airspace, resumes Hajj flights after India ceasefire

  • Country shut down its airspace following strikes on three of its air bases by Indian forces
  • Ten Hajj flights were canceled due to closure of flight operations since Wednesday this week

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reopened its airspace to all domestic and international flights on Saturday and resumed Hajj operations after a ceasefire agreement with India put pause to cross-border missile and drone attacks that disrupted regional travel and raised fears of a wider conflict this week. 

The reopening was announced after the two nations agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire deal that came less than 24 hours after Pakistan said India had struck three of its air bases, which led Islamabad to hit multiple bases in India in response, including a missile storage site in India’s north.

“Pakistan’s airspace has been completely restored for all types of flights,” the Pakistan Airports Authority said in a statement. 

“All airports in the country are available for normal flight operations,” it added, asking passengers to contact their airlines for updated schedules.

The religious affairs ministry separately said Hajj flights would now resume as per schedule. 

“A total of 10 Hajj flights were canceled due to the closure of flight operations from time to time,” a spokesman for the ministry said. “Flights cancelation affected the schedule of 2,290 pilgrims.”

So far, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in early June, the spokesman added. 

Flights were grounded, rerouted or delayed across South Asia this past week as tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors escalated.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended operations after halting ground services, while several foreign airlines — including Korean Air, EVA Air, and China Airlines — opted to avoid Pakistani airspace, citing security concerns.

The standoff between the two South Asian nuclear states was sparked by a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though officials in Islamabad repeatedly denied any involvement and called for a neutral and impartial probe.

However, New Delhi launched missile strikes on what it called “militant training camps” in at least five Pakistani cities on Wednesday and the two nations have since variously exchanged drone and missile attacks as well as seen increased gunfights on their de facto border at disputed Kashmir. 


Pakistan and India agree to ceasefire 

Updated 10 May 2025
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Pakistan and India agree to ceasefire 

  • US secretary of state says two countries had agreed to talks on “broad set of issues at a neutral site”
  • Announcement comes after Pakistan and India launched attacks on each other early morning Saturday 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India both confirmed on Saturday they had agreed to a ceasefire after President Donald Trump said the US had mediated late night talks between the nuclear-armed South Asian nations on the brink of an all-out war.

The announcement came after the Pakistan military said early on Saturday India had attacked three bases in Pakistan with missiles, after which it had targeted multiple bases in India in response, including a missile storage site in India’s north. India said there was limited damage to equipment and personnel at air force stations in the Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj areas. The military said there were several high-speed missile attacks on several air bases in Indian Punjab, and that India had responded to the attacks.

Five civilians were killed in attacks in the Jammu region of Indian-administered Kashmir, regional police said.

“Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X.

The Indian ministry of external affairs also confirmed the ceasefire deal in a briefing. 

Separately, Trump said:

“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two countries had also agreed to talks on a “broad set of issues at a neutral site.”

Earlier on Saturday, Pakistani and Indian officials had both separately said they would consider de-escalation if the other nation reciprocated. 

Through this week, allies and friends like Saudi Arabia, China, Iran and Qatar have offered mediation and urged restraint. The Group of Seven (G7) major countries called on India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue while the US government said it had offered assistance in starting “constructive talks.”

Saturday’s military confrontation, the worst fighting between the longstanding enemies in decades, followed days of daily clashing since Wednesday through drones and missiles and gunfighting on the Line of control, the de facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir region between them. At least 50 have been killed on both sides.

The latest tensions were triggered by a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people on April 22. New Delhi said Islamabad was involved, which denied the allegation and repeatedly said it was willing to participate in a transparent and credible inquiry.

Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations, having fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, a region split between them, since gaining independence from the former British colonial rule in 1947.

Both nations acquired nuclear weapons in 1998.

– Inputs from Reuters


In separate attacks, gunmen kill two, set police vehicle ablaze in southwest Pakistan

Updated 10 May 2025
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In separate attacks, gunmen kill two, set police vehicle ablaze in southwest Pakistan

  • Balochistan has been the site of a decades-old insurgency where separatist militants often target security forces, foreigners and ethnic Punjabi workers
  • The latest attack comes at a time when Pakistan is fighting another insurgency in its northwest and is engaged with arch-foe India at the eastern border

QUETTA: Gunmen killed three people, including two barbers from the eastern Punjab province, and set a police vehicle ablaze in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province in the southwest, police and paramilitary Levies officials said on Saturday.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s most impoverished province, has been the site of a decades-old insurgency, where separatist militants often target security forces, police, foreigners and ethnic Punjabi commuters and workers, who they see as “outsiders,” by wresting control of highways and remote towns.

In this first attack, gunmen shot dead three people and injured another one inside a barber shop in Lasbela, a district adjacent to Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Atif Amir.

“Two of the deceased hailed from Bahawalpur (Punjab) and one from Quetta,” the official told Arab News. “Hunt for the attackers is underway.”

In another incident, dozens of armed men entered the Panjgur district late on Friday night and attempted to seize control of the Panjgur city and nearby areas.

“The armed men set a police vehicle and record of the Panjgur police station on fire,” Abdullah Baloch, an official at the Panjgur Levies control room, told Arab News.

“No casualty was reported despite an exchange of fire between security forces and armed men in Panjgur city and Goran, another area located 15 kilometers from Panjgur.”

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Baloch separatists have carried out similar assaults on law enforcers and ethnic Punjabis in the past.

The separatists accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, and accuse foreigners and people from other province of backing the Pakistani state. Successive Pakistani governments have denied the allegations and said they only worked for the uplift of the region and its people.

The latest attacks come at a time, when Pakistan is fighting another insurgency by religiously motivated militant groups in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, while the country’s eastern border with India has also flared up in recent weeks over an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists last month.

Islamabad has variously accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatist groups, an allegation denied by Kabul and New Delhi.

In March, the Baloch Liberation Army separatist group hijacked a train with hundreds of passengers aboard near Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, which resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers. At least 33 insurgents were also killed, according to officials.

Late last month, police killed nine suspected militants in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Pishin district.