KETI BANDAR, Thatta: Fatima Hanif was just a teenager when she and her family sought refuge in Baghan, a town in the southern Pakistani district of Thatta, after a devastating sea storm hit their village, Hasan Utradi, near the Keti Bandar port in 1999. The storm claimed around 400 lives across the coastal belt in Pakistan’s Sindh province, depriving thousands of their homes and valuables.
In June last year, authorities issued an alert regarding Cyclone Biparjoy and Hanif, now in her 40s, rushed to the same town along with her husband and son to seek refuge. However, their village and the coastal belt of Sindh were largely spared this time, thanks to the expanded mangrove forests along the coastline in the southern Sindh province.
“Twenty-five years ago, when these [forests] weren’t here, our houses were flooded,” Hanif said, gesturing to the mangroves lining along her coastal village. “Now that these are here, our houses are saved, and we ourselves remain safe too.”
Hanif’s village lies in the Indus River Delta — a low, flat triangular piece of land where the river splits and spreads out into several branches before entering the Arabian sea. The Indus delta has 17 creeks starting from Qur’angi area in Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi to Sir Creek on the Pakistan-India border to the east.
Spanning over 600,000 hectares, the Indus delta ranked as the sixth largest in the world and was flourishing around a century ago, with 260,000 hectares, or 40 percent of the area, covered in mangroves. But this cover drastically reduced to 80,000 hectares due to the low inflow of fresh water from the Indus River due to the construction of several dams and barrages, according to Riaz Ahmed Wagan, chief conservator of the Sindh Forest Department.
Due to this decline in flow of fresh water, Sindh forest authorities launched an extensive reforestation drive in the 1990s and planted harder, salt-tolerant mangrove species such as Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal. As a result, the Indus delta now boasts the largest arid climate mangrove forests in the world.
“From 260 [thousand hectares], it reduced to 80,000 [hectares] and now from 80,000 [hectares], we have currently made it up to 240,000 [hectares]. So, we are nearly about 33-34 percent of the overall delta,” Wagan told Arab News.
“We hope that at least 500,000 hectares in all can be restored through manmade efforts and we hope that by the year 2030 we will be able to reach that landmark.”
Currently, Sindh Forest Department workers have been planting mangrove propagules in a nursery near Keti Bandar, an ancient town that has been rebuilt several times after being submerged by seawater, according to Muhammad Khan Jamali, the Keti Bandar range forest officer.
“When the off-season [from October till February] arrives, we transport them from here to the plantation areas ahead, where they are planted,” Jamali told Arab News as he monitored the process in the nursery.
Ameer Ahmed leads a team of 150 workers who have been diligently planting 80,000 propagules a day in Dabo Creek, some 20 nautical miles from Keti Bandar.
“We lay down a rope and plant [propagules] at 10-feet intervals,” Ahmed told Arab News, placing a rope for his team to follow. “There are 150 of us and we plant 80,000 plants daily.”
The precise pattern, visible from a drone camera, highlights the effectiveness of this manmade effort to restore mangrove forests after decades of reduced freshwater inflow hindered their natural growth.
“Some have matured, some are still premature, and we are planting new saplings, so they are small,” Jamali said, explaining the difference in size of mangrove patches across the delta.
But the reduction water inflow was not the sole reason behind mangrove deforestation and the cutting of these plants for firewood also affected the forests in the Indus delta.
As vigilant forces ensure that no one cuts the plants, coastal communities have also been involved in efforts to protect the forests.
“Cutting of the mangroves is totally banned and we are actively monitoring through our personnel that no mangrove cutting should be undertaken,” said Captain Nehman, an officer of the Pakistan Navy.
He said the navy had partnered with the forest department and local police to protect the mangroves. “We are also engaging the local community to educate them about the importance of the mangroves because these are acting as the lungs of our ecosystem,” Nehman added.
Hanif, one of the aware citizens, said she doesn’t allow anyone near the mangroves close to her home.
“We don’t even let them touch these. Neither do we cut them ourselves, nor we let others do,” she said. “When a sea storm comes, it’s this very [plant] that saves us.”
In Pakistan’s Sindh, mangrove forests shield vulnerable coastal communities against sea storms, hurricanes
https://arab.news/w9weu
In Pakistan’s Sindh, mangrove forests shield vulnerable coastal communities against sea storms, hurricanes
- Indus River Delta in Pakistan, world’s sixth largest, spans 600,000 hectares and extends from Karachi to Sir Creek near Indian border
- Mangrove forests in delta have seen massive growth in two decades, recovering from severe reduction caused by decreased freshwater inflow
Pakistan boosts intelligence-sharing with Gulf states to curb drug trafficking
- The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council Counter-Narcotics Conference
- Oman has appointed its drug liaison officer in Pakistan, reflecting shared commitment to drug-free Gulf and South Asia
KARACHI: Pakistan and Gulf countries have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking by enhancing intelligence-sharing, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday, with Oman appointing a drug liaison officer in Islamabad.
The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (Pak-GCC) Counter-Narcotics Conference, marking the first-ever formal assembly of anti-narcotics leadership from Pakistan and all six GCC member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait along with special observers from Italy.
For years, drug traffickers have exploited geographical and technological loopholes, using Pakistan as a transit hub and GCC nations as lucrative markets, according to the ANF. Despite ongoing efforts, the scale of smuggling seizures continues to expand, with traffickers now leveraging the dark web, cryptocurrency, and synthetic drug manufacturing to evade law enforcement agencies.
“During the conference, the Director-General of Narcotics of the Sultanate of Oman announced the appointment of drug liaison officer in Pakistan,” the ANF said in a statement.
“Acting on this decision, Mr. Suleiman Al-Hanai has been appointed as Oman’s first Drug Liaison Officer in Pakistan who has assumed his official responsibilities in Islamabad.”
The announcement signals a new phase in relations between the two countries as they align their efforts in the global war on drugs, according to the ANF. The appointment reflects a shared commitment by Pakistan and Oman to safeguard their societies and promote a drug-free environment across the Gulf and South Asian regions.
In recent years, the ANF has successfully intercepted tones of illicit drugs, dismantled trafficking rings through road, border, dry port, airport and sea routes, and strengthened global relationships. With its advanced intelligence capabilities and strategic operations, the ANF has intensified collaboration with GCC security agencies, ensuring that traffickers find no safe passage between these regions.
In June 2024, the ANF also stepped up its international cooperation against drug trafficking through a workshop backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, uniting national, regional and global agencies to strengthen data-sharing and coordination.
Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment
- US President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ‘complete’ ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours
- Analyst says the momentum is likely to continue, with valuations still shy of a long-term mean and due to market-friendly budget
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed a strong recovery amid a reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran, traders and analysts said.
On Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours.
The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 6,079 points, or 5.23 percent, to close at 122,246 points on Tuesday afternoon, compared to the previous day’s close of 116,167 points.
“Stocks closed near all-time high after Iran, Israel agreed to a ceasefire receding fears of escalation in the Middle East tensions,” Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation told Arab News.
“Upbeat economic data on cement sales for Jul-May’25, bull run in global equities and receding fears over high inflation, impact on exports for supply disruptions over Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in the record bullish close.”
Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the momentum to reduction in international oil prices along with settling regional tensions.
In volatile trading on Tuesday, crude futures slumped more than five percent after Trump’s declaration of the Iran-Israel ceasefire.
“With valuations still shy of a long-term mean and Pakistan having recently unveiled a market-friendly budget, bullish momentum is expected to continue,” Jafri added.
On Monday, Pakistan’s stocks and currency markets had tumbled as investors reacted to the US foray into the Israel-Iran conflict a day earlier.
Monday’s 3.2 percent fall to 116,167 points was the worst since May 8, when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day during the India-Pakistan military standoff.
Pakistan reaches out to key allies amid ‘serious escalation’ in Middle East tensions
- PM meets envoys of China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Iran-Israel conflict risks wider regional war
- Iran fired missiles at US base in Qatar on Monday, triggering fears of escalation despite ceasefire call
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met with the ambassadors of Pakistan’s key allies China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Islamabad, as the foreign office expressed concern over a “serious escalation” in Middle East tensions.
Sharif’s meetings with the envoys took place a day after Iran launched missiles against a US air base in Qatar on Monday, causing no casualties, in retaliation for the US dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iranian underground nuclear facilities over the weekend. Hours later, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement of an Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement, suggesting he may have bombed Tehran’s rulers back to the negotiating table.
Tensions have remained high since June 13, when Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities and targeted senior military leadership. Iran has since retaliated with repeated missile strikes against Israel, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and prompting international calls for restraint.
“Pakistan expresses its deep concern and alarm at the serious escalation in the security situation in the region as a result of attacks against USA’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement on Tuesday, urging all sides to exercise restraint and respect fundamental principles of international law.
On Monday morning, Sharif held separate meetings with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Qatari envoy Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater.
“Pakistan will continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy” the PM said on his X account.
Sharif also met Qatari envoy Al-Khater to express solidarity with the Gulf country following Iran’s attack on the air base.
In the afternoon, the premier met China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, who, according to a statement from Sharif’s office, “lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the UN Security Council, for a peaceful settlement of the [Middle East] crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.”
China has sought to expand its diplomatic footprint in the Middle East in recent years and notably brokered the Saudi Arabia–Iran rapprochement in 2023, which boosted its credibility as a regional peacemaker. It has also offered to help mediate the current crisis, though it plays a more behind-the-scenes role compared to the US or regional states like Qatar or Oman.
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes against Iran and repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region.
Islamabad has also offered diplomatic support to Tehran at international forums and defended Iran’s right to respond to Israeli and US aggression under the UN Charter, carefully balancing this stance with its close security cooperation and economic partnership with the United States, a major backer of Israel.
The US and Israel say their goal is to cripple Tehran’s nuclear program.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation during ongoing visit of Shoura Council
- Both sides agree to promote parliamentary exchanges and share legislative experience
- Parliamentary exchanges are seen as vital to deepen political and legislative partnerships
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday formally welcomed a high-level delegation of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council as the two countries seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation.
The visit is one among many recent efforts to strengthen political, defense and economic links between the longtime allies, who already share robust trade and security partnerships and close cultural ties. Saudi Arabia hosts over two million Pakistani expatriates and has long been a key source of financial support for Islamabad, including during recent economic crises and through workers’ remittances.
“During the National Assembly Budget Session 2025, Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, along with Members of the National Assembly, extended a warm welcome to the high-level parliamentary delegation of the Pak-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council present in the Speaker’s Gallery,” the National Assembly said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
The Saudi delegation, led by Major General (Retd.) Dr. Abdulrahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee, includes Dr. Iman bint Abdulaziz Al-Jabreen and Engineer Salem bin Ali Al-Shahrani, both members of the Shoura Council.
The delegation held separate meetings with Speaker Sadiq and other Pakistani parliamentarians earlier, during which both sides agreed to promote parliamentary exchanges and share legislative experience.
“The Pak-Saudi Friendship Group established in the National Assembly is playing an important role in promoting harmony between the parliaments of the two countries,” Speaker Sadiq said in an earlier statement.
“Exchanges of parliamentary delegations will give the parliamentarians of both countries an opportunity to benefit from each other’s experiences.”
Dr. Al-Harbi said Saudi Arabia attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to working together for peace and development in the region.
Frequent visits by parliamentary delegations complement high-level diplomatic and ministerial interactions between the two nations and are seen as a way to pave the ground for greater people-to-people contacts and new Saudi investments in Pakistan’s energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.
The visit also comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen partnerships with Gulf countries to stabilize its struggling economy.
Pakistan national carrier resumes flight operations to Gulf countries amid Iran-Israel ceasefire
- PIA suspended flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE on Monday night after Iran attacked US air base in Doha
- Iran’s missile attack was in response to American strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend
KARACHI: Pakistan’s national carrier announced on Tuesday it has resumed its flight operations for Gulf countries, which it had suspended following Iran’s missile attack on a United States (US) air base in Qatar a day earlier, as a fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv takes hold.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended its flights to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday night after Iran confirmed it had attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base.
PIA said it had limited its flight operations as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing situation in the Gulf region, where tensions have been high since June 13 after Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership, triggering a military conflict between both sides.
“PIA Flight Operations for Gulf/KSA have resumed,” a PIA spokesperson said in a statement.
Sharing details of the flights, the spokesperson said PIA’s PK-245 flight departed from Islamabad for Dammam at 12:30 p.m. after a delay of 15 hours while the airline’s PK-743 Karachi to Madinah flight, which was diverted due to the closure of the airspace on Monday, departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of 14.5 hours.
The spokesperson shared that PK-713 flight from Lahore to Madinah also departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of seven hours while PK-209 Sialkot to Sharjah flight departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of 15 hours.
“In addition, flight PK-221 from Multan to Dubai, flight PK-251 from Sialkot to Doha, flight PK-761 from Karachi to Jeddah, and flight PK-261 from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi also departed at 1:30 pm,” the spokesperson said.
Due to the delayed departure of these flights, those returning home will also be delayed, he clarified.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers, however, the decision to restrict operations last night was taken in accordance with air safety principles,” the spokesperson said.
Iran’s response came a day after the US launched a surprise attack Sunday morning on three of Iran’s nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s missile attack as a “weak response,” calling for peace in the Middle East. Hours later on Tuesday, the US president announced both Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.
The military conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13 when the former attacked the latter’s nuclear facilities, alleging Tehran is close to building an atomic weapon. Iran has dismissed Israel’s allegations and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
