At medical camps, a flood of disease after rains deluge in southern Pakistan 

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Updated 01 October 2022
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At medical camps, a flood of disease after rains deluge in southern Pakistan 

  • Nearly 350 people have died in Sindh province since July 1 of diseases that have spread in the aftermath of floods. 
  • Doctors have treated 3.38 million patients with diarrhea, skin and respiratory infections, malaria, dengue at 21,955 medical camps 

DADU, Sindh: Inside a small tent on a major highway in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, Shabiraan Ameer held up her arms and moved her face to a side to bare her neck, both covered in rashes and stained with blood from constant scratching. 

Ameer’s family is only one among nearly 15 million people affected by recent floods in Sindh and living in tent-cities and makeshift shelters on roadsides or staying back in flooded villages, surrounded from all sides with water. 

As waters from the floods recede, which officials say may take up to six months, swaths of Pakistan, particularly the Balochistan and Sindh provinces, have become infested with diseases including malaria, dengue fever, diarrhea and skin infections. 

According to a Sindh health department report, nearly 350 people have died since July 1 of diseases that have spread in the aftermath of floods. Doctors have treated 3.38 million patients with diarrhea and skin diseases, acute respiratory infection (ARI), and suspected and confirmed cases of malaria, dengue and other conditions at 21,955 medical camps in Sindh. 

“It [skin] bleeds when I rub it,” Ameer, a young mother of two, told Arab News. “I clean the wound with a cloth, then I sit and cry.” 

In Dadu district where Ameer is from, Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake of Manchar burst its banks, submerging hundreds of villages and displacing nearly 0.8 million people. 

As the water level rose three weeks ago, Ameer and her entire family were forced to tread to safety through toxic waters. 

“We don’t have a home and if we had money, we would have treated this,” Ameer said of her infection. “My entire body is taken over by disease.” 

Pointing to her children, she added: “My small children shout and cry in pain. Their bodies also bleed, they weep.” 

Many patients interviewed by Arab News at government medical camps for flood survivors in Dadu said they were not attended by doctors or given proper medication. 

“I got my check-up, but fever doesn’t go away,” Ibrahim, a child whose mouth had rashes due to high-fever, told Arab News. 

Rukhsana, who only gave her first name, said her three-year-old son had been ill for over a month: 

“I got him treated at a government hospital, we have given him a lot of medicines but his fever doesn’t go away.” 

Doctors and organizers at the tent city admitted they did not have adequate resources to deal with the scale of the problem, especially when there was one doctor available per 500 patients. 

Flight Lt. (R) Musarrat Shah, a social activist who is running a tent-city in Kakkar, said women and children were particularly vulnerable. 

“We are unable to provide good treatment and good medicines to this large scale of people,” she said. “A single doctor for 500 … is not enough when people are facing so many diseases, so many problems.” 

Dr. Muhammad Ali Chandio, a government doctor in Dadu’s main city camp, said fever and skin disease were rampant at the facility and malaria was suspected in a growing number of people. 

“The water available here is not clean, which is causing abdominal diseases in people, there are cases of diarrhea, cholera,” the doctor said. “If the environment is not good, then it’s obvious that diseases will spread.” 

At the IDP camp in Dadu city, Dr. Saima Parveen, the doctor in charge, said medicines needed proper storage and an enabling environment to work. 

“Fever will subside if you give syrup, paracetamol to kids with high fever but this environment, and this weather, the hot weather, will not let the fever go away,” she said. 

“They [doctors] gave anti-malarial to children but due to the atmosphere here, the dirty water standing here, the mosquitoes will come, mosquitoes bite them and they get malaria again.” 

Chandio added: “A temperature of 25 Celsius is required to keep medicines but here it is very hot and the medicines get spoiled and they are no longer effective.” 


International rights bodies write joint letter to Pakistani PM calling for releases of Baloch activists

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International rights bodies write joint letter to Pakistani PM calling for releases of Baloch activists

  • Dr. Mahrang Baloch, one of the leading campaigners for Baloch minority, was arrested in March on charges of terrorism, sedition
  • In Balochistan, impoverished province that borders Afghanistan and Iran, security forces are battling a growing separatist insurgency

ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International along with four other human rights organizations on Wednesday wrote to the Pakistani prime minister, calling for an end to the “harassment and arbitrary detention” of Baloch human rights defenders (HRDs) exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, particularly in Balochistan province. 

The letter comes in the wake of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, one of the leading campaigners for the Baloch minority and the leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), and a number of other activists, being arrested in March on charges of terrorism, sedition and murder.

Security forces are battling a growing insurgency in Balochistan, an impoverished province that borders Afghanistan and Iran. Rights groups say the violence has been countered with a severe crackdown that has swept up innocent people. Authorities deny heavy handedness.

“All five organizations — Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Front Line Defenders, International Federation for Human Rights, World Organization Against Torture — appeal to Pakistan’s Prime Minister to release Baloch human rights defenders and end the crackdown on dissent in line with Pakistan’s international human rights obligations,” Amnesty Internation said on X, sharing a copy of the joint letter.

The joint letter called on the government to take the following steps:

Immediately and unconditionally release all Baloch HRDs and their family members “arbitrarily detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights in line with the right to liberty and safety”; drop all charges against them; pending their release, ensure the safety of HRDs and family members, including by sharing accurate information about their whereabouts, providing effective access to family members, legal counsel and medical treatment; conduct a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into the allegations of torture and mistreatment by Pakistani authorities of Baloch HRDs under detention; end the crackdown against HRDs, journalists, protesters and dissidents by ensuring their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully protected; cease all forms of reprisals against family members of HRDs; and conduct an “effective, prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the unlawful use of force” against protesters including Dr. Baloch on March 21 in Quetta and bring those suspected of responsibility to justice through fair trials.

Activists say in the crackdown against militancy in Balochistan, authorities have harassed and even carried out extrajudicial killings of Baloch civilians. Pakistani authorities reject the “baseless allegations.”

A dozen UN experts called on Pakistan in March to immediately release Baloch rights defenders, including Dr. Baloch, and to end the repression of their peaceful protests. UN special rapporteur for human rights defenders Mary Lawlor said she was “disturbed by reports of further mistreatment in prison.”

Balochistan is the site of a long-running separatist movement, with insurgent groups accusing the state of unfairly exploiting Balochistan’s rich gas and mineral resources. The federal and provincial governments deny this, saying they are spending billions of rupees on the uplift of the province’s people. 


Violent Pakistan storms trigger floods, landslides killing 10

Updated 30 min 8 sec ago
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Violent Pakistan storms trigger floods, landslides killing 10

  • Strong winds, thunderstorms trigger flash floods, destroy homes in central and northern parts of Pakistan
  • Storms on Saturday killed at least 14 people and injured more than 100 more across the country

Muzaffarabad, Pakistan: At least 10 people were killed and 43 injured as strong winds and thunderstorms triggered flash floods and destroyed homes in central and northern parts of Pakistan, officials said Wednesday.

Four women and a man died in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and three in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the State Disaster Management Authority said, while other officials said two died in Punjab.

“One person is still missing,” Haroon Rasheed, a senior government official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, told AFP, adding that 12 houses and a mosque were destroyed in one village.

Women walk past a damaged mosque, a day after flash floods in Balgran village near Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 28, 2025. (AFP)

Storms on Saturday killed at least 14 people and injured over 100 more across the country, which is grappling with increasingly frequent extreme weather events blamed on climate change.

Stormy weather is expected to continue in northern and central parts of the country until Saturday, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Soaring temperatures in April and May are becoming more common in Pakistan, which usually sees summer begin in early June.

Temperatures reached near-record levels in April — as high as 46.5 Celsius (116 Fahrenheit) in parts of Punjab.

Schools in Punjab and southwestern Balochistan provinces have closed early for summer vacations because of the heat.


Pakistan, Iran agree to increase number of flights for pilgrims

Updated 23 min 18 sec ago
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Pakistan, Iran agree to increase number of flights for pilgrims

  • Pakistan-Iran border to remain open 24 hours during Muharram and Arbaeen to facilitate pilgrims
  • Iranian government will provide accommodation and meals for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and keep their shared border open round the clock during Muharram and Arbaeen, state news agency APP reported on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran on Wednesday, where both countries made several important decisions to facilitate pilgrims and improve border cooperation.

While there is no precise official count, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims visit Iran annually for religious purposes, particularly for Arbaeen, a significant religious observance in Shia Islam, marking the 40th day after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), at the Battle of Karbala. Arbaeen is also the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain.

“The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Iran border will remain open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Arbaeen to facilitate religious pilgrims,” APP reported. 

“Both sides also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and discussed sending pilgrims by sea.”

The Iranian government will also provide accommodation and meals for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad, the city most famous and revered for housing the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the Imam Reza shrine and pay their tributes.

“To solve issues quickly, a hotline will be set up between the two countries. A special three-nation meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq will be held in Mashhad before Arbaeen to plan better arrangements for pilgrims,” APP added. 

Significant pilgrimages occur in Iran, especially at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, and the Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz. 

These shrines are dedicated to revered figures in Shia Islam and are major pilgrimage destinations for Shia Muslims, including from Pakistan. 


Agha and Hasan star in Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh in first T20

Updated 57 min 13 sec ago
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Agha and Hasan star in Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh in first T20

  • Agha struck a career-best 56 to guide Pakistan to 201-7
  • Hasan took 5-30 to dismiss tourists for 164 in 19.2 overs

LAHORE: Skipper Salman Agha hit a career best knock and pacer Hasan Ali grabbed his first five wicket haul as Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 37 runs in the first T20 international in Lahore on Wednesday.

Agha struck a career-best 56 to guide Pakistan to 201-7 before Hasan took 5-30 to dismiss the tourists for 164 in 19.2 overs at Qaddafi Stadium.

The win gives the home team a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Allrounder Shadab Khan, who also struck a quick 48, then dismissed rival skipper Litton Das for a 30-ball 48 to break a fighting 63-run stand for the third wicket that lifted Bangladesh from 37-2.

Litton hit three sixes and a boundary and had steadied the innings with Towhid Hridoy who scored 17, but the later batters could not capitalize on the platform.

Pacer Hasan ended Jaker Ali’s knock of 36 (21 balls with three sixes and a boundary), Tanzim Hasan for one and Shoriful Islam for five to cap a succesful return to international cricket after a year-long injury lay-off.

Hasan said he was happy and satisfied.

“The last eight months were very tough because it was a career-threatening injury, so I am happy to have contributed to the team’s win,” said Hasan, who underwent elbow surgery last year.

“I did hard work during the rehab and it’s a reward for that hard work,” said Hasan.

Bangladesh skipper Litton was unhappy.

“All over the game, we didn’t bowl well, bat well and field well,” said Litton. “We have to come back strongly with two games still to play.”

Earlier, Agha struck a 34-ball 56, with eight fours and a six, while Hasan Nawaz’s 22-ball 44 with four sixes helped Pakistan pass 200 after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat.

The captain, whose previous T20 best of 51 not out came against New Zealand in March, added 48 for the third wicket with Mohammad Haris and 65 for the fourth with Nawaz.

Pakistan were struggling at 5-2 after the loss of openers Saim Ayub, for a duck, and Fakhar Zaman in the first two overs.

Shadab scored a 25-ball 48 to help Pakistan add 58 in the last five overs.

All six Bangladesh bowlers were among the wickets, with left-arm seamer Islam taking 2-32 in three overs.

The remaining two matches are on Friday and Sunday, also in Lahore.


Gaza in the spotlight during Pakistani PM’s regional diplomacy tour 

Updated 14 min 50 sec ago
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Gaza in the spotlight during Pakistani PM’s regional diplomacy tour 

  • Sharif is on regional diplomacy tour of Iran, Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan 
  • Sharif has consistently spoken up for people of Gaza while visiting each country 

ISLAMABAD: The leaders of Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan met on Wednesday in Lachin and called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying Israel’s war on the besieged enclave was the clearest example of the “crisis of legitimacy” of the international system.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev addressed a trilateral summit in Lachin and also attended a ceremony to mark Azerbaijan’s Independence Day.

“The martyrdom of innocent Palestinians must stop immediately and they must be given the right to self-determination as per the two-state solution,” Sharif said while addressing the Independence Day event.

“Freedom is a basic right and a just cause to support,” the PM said, reiterating his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Addressing the trilateral summit earlier in the day, Erdogan said the world was witnessing the international system gradually drifting into a “crisis of legitimacy.”

“The clearest example of the crisis of the international system is Israel’s relentless cruelty and expansionist policies in Palestine,” the Turkish leader said, adding that countries like Turkiye and Pakistan would continue defending the rights of the people of Gaza.

“We call on the entire world from here [trilateral summit] to increase pressure on the Israeli administration for establishing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for taking uninterrupted emergency humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Erdogan said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right), Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev (center), and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a picture at the Independence Day of Azerbaijan in Lachin on May 28, 2025. (Government of Pakistan)

Israel launched its latest air and ground war in Gaza after a cross-border attack by the Hamas group on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people by Israeli tallies, with 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. The war has killed more than 53,900 Palestinians since, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip. 

The entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death, according to the World Health Organization. 

Food security groups say more than 93% of children in Gaza, about 930,000, are at risk of famine. Using satellite data, the United Nations estimated in February that 69% of the structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.