Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Pakistan forms cabinet committee on climate change as over 600 killed in monsoon rains this year


Pakistan forms cabinet committee on climate change as over 600 killed in monsoon rains this year

People wade across a flooded street after heavy monsoon rainfall in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 25, 2022. (AFP)
Short Url

https://arab.news/g34cw

Updated 16 August 2022
Follow

Pakistan forms cabinet committee on climate change as over 600 killed in monsoon rains this year

  • Committee to give recommendations on short, medium, and long term projects to prevent effects of climate change
  • According to NDMA, 635 people killed across Pakistan in torrential rains, floods since June 14 this year 
Updated 16 August 2022
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the formation of a cabinet committee chaired by the minister for climate change to give recommendations on short, medium, and long term projects to mitigate the growing effects of climate change.

Pakistan is among the top eight countries most affected by climate change while it’s share in global warming gas emissions is only 1 percent of the world. 

The country has faced unprecedented monsoon downpours this year, with 635 killed in rains and floods since June 14, according to the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) latest figures. The dead include 136 women and 233 children. More than 196 deaths were reported from the impoverished southwest province of Balochistan, 141 from Punjab, 137 from Sindh, and 122 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a latest alert by the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, India released 1,71,797 Cusecs from Ujh Barrage on August 15, with likely water flow increases in River Ravi at Jassar ranging between 70,000 Cusecs to 1,00,000 Cusecs, which could result in medium to high flood levels.

“The cabinet unanimously approved the formation of a cabinet committee under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, which will also include ministers from the relevant ministries,” a statement issued by the prime minister’s office said after a meeting of the cabinet.

The committee will give recommendations on short, medium, and long term projects to prevent the effects of climate change, the statement added.

“We are glad that the prime minister has announced the formation of an inter-ministerial committee on climate adaptation with the participation of agriculture, food security, water, and others to sit together and devise an action plan for adaptation for all these sectors,” climate change minister Sherry Rehman said during the briefing to cabinet.

The minister said Pakistan would be water scarce by 2025 and the country has faced 152 extreme events in the last two decades with constant shifts in rainfall patterns, intensity, and frequency. 

“We are also home to the hottest cities in the world for three years straight with temperatures rising up to 53.7C, which is an unlivable situation,” Rehman told the cabinet, adding that due to its impact on food security Pakistan had an up to 40 percent food insecure population. 

“We have lost 1.8 million acres of fertile land to sea intrusion due to rising sea levels and lose 27,000 acres of forest annually,” she added.

Speaking in the cabinet, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said climate change, water security, and food security were three interrelated challenges and needed urgent measures to combat them and protect future generations. 

“The government is well aware of the expected problems arising from climate change,” the PM said, “and solving this problem is among the top priorities of the government.”

Topics: Pakistan Cabinet climate change monsoon rains

Pakistan’s retailers, struggling against foreign sellers, welcome new e-commerce taxes

Updated 13 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan’s retailers, struggling against foreign sellers, welcome new e-commerce taxes

  • Foreign platforms shipping up to 30,000 parcels daily now face 18% sales tax under new budget
  • Courier firms tasked with tax collection, but enforcement remains a key concern for stakeholders
Updated 13 sec ago
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s imposition of new taxes on international e-commerce giants such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress is drawing relief from local retailers, who say the foreign firms have been operating in the country without paying taxes, thus undercutting domestic businesses.

The new measures, introduced through the federal budget passed on June 26, include an 18% sales tax on goods delivered by courier companies on behalf of foreign platforms, a 5 percent fixed income tax on digital retailers, and a reduction in the duty-free threshold for imported parcels from Rs5,000 to Rs500 ($18 to $1.80).

The tax regime took effect on July 1.

“This is a very welcome move by the government to have brought the international platforms into the tax net,” Malik Asim Dogar, secretary-general of the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP), told Arab News.

The policy, he said, would ease the burden on domestic retailers, prevent inflows of “inexpensive but substandard” goods, and help Pakistan’s cash-strapped government raise tax revenue.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration has pledged to collect over Rs14 trillion ($49.3 billion) in taxes this fiscal year, partly to meet targets under a $7 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund.

Until now, foreign e-commerce platforms had been selling directly to Pakistani consumers, often via social media, without being subject to local tax laws. Formal retail chains in Karachi such as Imtiaz, Chase Up, and Naheed — already paying up to 25% in taxes — said they had struggled to compete with tax-exempt imports offering cheaper prices.

A Temu representative did not respond to questions, while Shein and AliExpress could not be reached. Pakistani courier giant TCS also did not reply to questions about delivery volumes from foreign e-commerce sellers.

CAP estimates Pakistan’s retail sector includes about 5 million shops, generating Rs20 trillion ($70.5 billion) annually, of which only 10% comes from the tax-compliant formal sector.

Daily parcel volumes from foreign platforms have surged from around 1,000 per day in 2023 to between 20,000 and 30,000 this year — a rise of nearly 2,900%, according to internal figures from local courier companies shared by CAP.

“What we have seen is that on a daily basis, tens of thousands of shipments are coming into the country,” CAP chairman Asfandyar Farrukh said. “People order online on these platforms through social media or other websites. All these products are coming into Pakistan.”

Farrukh said the most affected segments include domestic sellers of crockery, home goods, small electronics, and casual clothing, who had reported sales declines of up to 10% in the past six months.

CAP’s Dogar said the lack of regulation previously created an “unfair playing field” for local retailers.

But Shankar Talreja, head of research at brokerage firm Topline Securities, said the new taxes would address a long-standing complaint of local retailers.

“This was an unfair advantage to the importers,” Talreja told Arab News. “Now that a certain percentage of tax is applied to the products sold by foreign vendors, the domestic sellers will get some level-playing field.”

Talreja noted Pakistan’s growing Internet penetration — with over 80% teledensity — was already fueling e-commerce, even if it still accounts for less than 1% of the overall retail market.

Retailers themselves are shifting to digital platforms, albeit reluctantly.

“Nowadays, we are seeing that most of the footfall on digital platforms and online shopping is of those who are young in age and more savvy digitally,” said Salman Bashir, CEO of Chase Up, one of Pakistan’s largest retail chains.

“We as well as the whole retail sector will have to bring this change into their companies.”

However, Bashir expressed skepticism about whether the new tax measures would be properly enforced.

“These [taxes] haven’t been implemented even if they stand passed,” he said, speaking two days after the budget became law on July 2.

Dogar and Talreja echoed his concerns, pointing to implementation hurdles in assigning tax collection duties to banks and courier companies.

Under the new rules, financial institutions are required to withhold a portion of remittances made to foreign sellers. Courier firms are also expected to collect sales tax at the point of delivery — a move some say is burdensome and unrealistic.

“The responsibility to collect these taxes has been put on courier companies, which would very much affect their business operations,” Dogar said.

Talreja warned that enforcement could falter without better coordination.

“The courier companies often do not have visibility into whether the seller is registered as a local or foreign. Couriers are logistics firms, not tax collection agents by design,” he said.

“This will increase their administrative work, hence the motivation to work in this aspect would be lower.”

Topics: Pakistan tax Temu Ali Express

Pakistan announce T20I squad for Bangladesh series

Updated 42 min 31 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan announce T20I squad for Bangladesh series

  • Three-match series to be played in Dhaka from July 20 to 24
  • Series follows Pakistan’s 3–0 home sweep over Bangladesh in May
Updated 42 min 31 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, with middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha retained as captain.

The series will be played from July 20 to 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and comes just two months after Bangladesh toured Pakistan in May where they were whitewashed 3–0.

The PCB said the squad for the white-ball series against the West Indies “will be announced in due course.”

“The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side in the T20Is,” the PCB said in a statement.

The squad sees continuity in leadership under Salman Ali Agha, who was first handed the T20I captaincy earlier this year. The upcoming Dhaka series offers an opportunity for newer players like Hassan Nawaz and spinner Sufyan Moqim to gain international experience, while selectors continue testing bench strength ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

The Sher-e-Bangla stadium is known for its spin-friendly conditions, which could suit bowlers like Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz.

Pakistan last toured Bangladesh in November 2021 when they also won a T20I series 3–0.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.

Team Management:

Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor), and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).

Topics: Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20 series Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Saim Ayub Mohammad Haris

Pakistan expresses solidarity as 12 Turkish soldiers die in Iraq cave gas incident

Updated 51 min 15 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan expresses solidarity as 12 Turkish soldiers die in Iraq cave gas incident

  • Incident occurred during a mission to locate the remains of a soldier killed earlier in operations against PKK group 
  • In past years, Turkish forces have reported discovering elaborate tunnel networks used by PKK fighters in northern Iraq
Updated 51 min 15 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was saddened over the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers who were killed after being exposed to methane gas during a military search operation in northern Iraq, offering condolences and reaffirming solidarity with Turkiye.

According to the Turkish defense ministry, the incident occurred on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a soldier killed earlier in operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union.

The soldiers were operating in the Claw-Lock Operation zone, part of a broader Turkish cross-border military campaign launched in April 2022 to root out PKK fighters from northern Iraq’s mountainous terrain. The ministry said several other soldiers exposed to methane gas in the same cave were hospitalized for treatment.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that 12 Turkish soldiers were martyred, after being exposed to methane gas during a search mission in the Claw-Lock Operation zone,” the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“We wish Allah’s mercy upon the martyrs and express deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with brotherly Turkiye in this moment of grief.”

While fatal gas exposure incidents in combat zones are relatively rare, the risk of methane buildup in enclosed or underground spaces such as caves or tunnels is well documented in both military and mining contexts. Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that can displace oxygen, leading to suffocation in confined environments.

In past years, Turkish forces have reported discovering elaborate tunnel networks used by PKK fighters in northern Iraq, often rigged with explosives or hazardous substances. In 2021, three Turkish soldiers were killed in a suspected chemical exposure during clashes in a cave complex in the same region, though Turkish authorities did not publicly confirm the substance involved.

The latest incident underscores the continuing dangers faced by Turkish troops deployed in high-risk terrain as part of ongoing security operations. Turkiye has maintained a network of military bases in Iraq’s Kurdistan region for years, a policy that has drawn criticism from Baghdad but is defended by Ankara as necessary for national defense.

Pakistan and Turkiye share close defense and diplomatic ties, with regular high-level exchanges and joint military cooperation. Islamabad has consistently voiced support for Ankara’s security concerns, including its fight against the PKK.

Topics: Turkish soldiers Iraq Pakistan Iraq cave gas incident

Police probe ‘serious’ sexual assault on teen wife in Karachi, husband in custody

Updated 08 July 2025
Follow

Police probe ‘serious’ sexual assault on teen wife in Karachi, husband in custody

  • 19-year-old woman in coma after alleged assault days after marriage, attempted murder, rape filed against spouse
  • Over 32,000 gender-based violence cases reported in Pakistan in 2024 with conviction rates below 1 percent
Updated 08 July 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A 19-year-old woman from the southern Pakistani city of Karachi is in a coma after allegedly being subjected to sexual violence by her husband, police and medical officials confirmed on Tuesday, in a case that has renewed focus on the country’s ongoing crisis of gender-based violence.

Police arrested the suspect, identified only as Ashok, after the victim’s family lodged a complaint under Sections 324 and 376B of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with attempted murder and rape. The assault allegedly took place just days after the couple were married on June 15.

“The victim, a 19-year-old from Lyari [neighborhood], is now in a coma. Her physical examination findings are consistent with sexual violence,” Dr. Summaiya Syed, Police Surgeon Karachi, told Arab News, adding that such incidents were “tragically frequent.”

“Circumstances vary and names change, but violence remains,” she said.

According to the police complaint, the woman’s condition deteriorated following a series of violent assaults by her husband. She was first taken to a local hospital by her in-laws and later shifted to Karachi’s Civil Hospital, where she remains in intensive care.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Arif Aziz said the suspect was arrested promptly after the incident was reported.

“This brutal sexual assault is a grave and serious offense, and the police are treating it with utmost urgency and priority to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable,” he said.

“We are committed to preventing such incidents in the future through firm and effective action.”

The case has drawn renewed attention to widespread violence against women in Pakistan, where incidents of domestic abuse, rape, and honor-based crimes remain pervasive.

According to a March report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), over 32,617 gender-based violence cases were recorded nationwide in the first part of 2024 alone, including 5,339 cases of rape.

Despite the scale of the crisis, conviction rates remain dismally low. Prosecutions for rape and so-called “honor killings” result in a conviction in just 0.5 percent of cases, according to SSDO.

Activists cite underreporting, entrenched stigma, patriarchal attitudes and weak enforcement mechanisms as key reasons for the lack of justice.

“This case is horrifying, but sadly not isolated,” said Mehnaz Rehman, former Resident Director of the Aurat Foundation and a long-time women’s rights activist.

“Without accountability, these crimes will continue.”

Over the years, several high-profile rape and assault cases have sparked public outrage in Pakistan, including the 2020 gang rape of a woman on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in front of her children, and the 2018 rape and murder of six-year-old Zainab Ansari in Kasur.

While both cases led to convictions, activists say such outcomes remain rare and systemic reform is still lacking.

Qurat Mirza, a founding member of Aurat March, said that victims of sexual assault or rape are often subjected to shame and social stigma, which discourages them from reporting such cases.

“Had this girl not fallen into a coma, this incident may never have come to light either,” she said, adding that while laws exist in Sindh province, the corresponding rules of business have yet to be formulated.

Urging the government to demonstrate political will by implementing existing laws and pursuing judicial reforms, Mirza said women would continue to speak out.

“Resilience and resistance are our only solutions,” she said. “We will continue to condemn injustice, raise our voices in protest, and create awareness until women are truly protected.”

The Karachi case remains under investigation.
 

Topics: Sexual Assualt Karachi Police marital rape

Pakistan plans to slash container dwell time at ports by 70% to boost trade efficiency

Updated 08 July 2025
Follow

Pakistan plans to slash container dwell time at ports by 70% to boost trade efficiency

  • Government forms committee to identify bottlenecks, recommend faster cargo clearance measures
  • It aims to deploy drones, AI to ensure real-time monitoring of vessel docking and container movement
Updated 08 July 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan plans to cut container dwell time at its seaports by up to 70% to improve trade competitiveness and ease congestion, according to an official statement by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs on Tuesday, which also announced the formation of a committee to present recommendations within ten days.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize its port infrastructure and position Pakistan as a regional trade and transit hub.

Islamabad is working to increase the efficiency of its ports in Karachi and Gwadar as it seeks to expand connectivity with global markets, including plans to launch a ferry service to Gulf countries and encourage landlocked Central Asian states to use Pakistani ports for access to international sea lanes.

The announcement to reduce the dwell time followed a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry at the Federal Board of Revenue headquarters with senior officials from Pakistan Customs, Karachi Port Trust and other relevant bodies.

“Minister Junaid Chaudhry emphasized that reducing dwell time is not merely an administrative change, but a strategic move to enhance port efficiency, lower logistics costs and strengthen Pakistan’s standing in the regional trade and logistics landscape,” the statement said.

He also announced the formation of the committee and tasked its members with identifying procedural bottlenecks and proposing measures to expedite cargo clearance.

Currently, container dwell time at Pakistani ports averages around a week. The government’s target is to reduce this to just two days, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

To support implementation, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs will establish a dedicated monitoring room to oversee real-time container movements. 

“Drones and AI technology will also be deployed to monitor vessel docking operations through to the container’s exit from the terminal,” the minister said during the meeting.

He noted that persistent delays in container release impose additional costs on importers and exporters, diminishing Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.

Topics: Karachi port Maritime Affairs Minister

Latest updates

Cambodian garment workers fret Trump’s new tariff threat
Pakistan’s retailers, struggling against foreign sellers, welcome new e-commerce taxes
UN says ‘deeply troubled’ by Kenya protest killings
Acropolis shuts, outdoor work halted as heatwave scorches Greece
Thousands told to stay home as Spain forest fire rages on

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.