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Pakistan PM forms high-level committee to tackle potential monsoon emergencies 

Commuters wade through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province on July 27, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 02 July 2024
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Pakistan PM forms high-level committee to tackle potential monsoon emergencies 

  • Pakistan’s disaster management agency says country will receive heavy rains in first two weeks of July
  • PM Sharif stresses providing timely information on monsoon to people living in risk-prone areas 
Updated 02 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a high-level committee on Tuesday to handle potential emergencies during the upcoming monsoon season in Pakistan, state media reported, as the South Asian country braces for heavy downpours this month. 

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) last week warned the country is expected to receive heavy monsoon rains in July, particularly in Sindh and Punjab provinces, which it said could face an “emergency” situation. 

Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects in the world. Unusually heavy rains in June 2022 triggered flash floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting losses of around $30 billion, and affecting at least 30 million people. 

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday formed a high-level committee to handle potential emergencies during the upcoming monsoon season,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 

The prime minister was chairing a review meeting to address the monsoon forecast and its potential emergencies, APP said, adding that it was attended by federal ministers, all chief executives of Pakistan’s four provinces, and Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik. 
Sharif emphasized integrating advanced monsoon information into national broadcasts, stressing the importance of regular dissemination of weather updates to farmers and people living in areas vulnerable to floods.
He emphasized that farmers and residents living near rivers and canals should be updated daily through the media and other information sources.
“He instructed all relevant institutions to remain on high alert during the monsoon and directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to support all provincial governments and related agencies,” APP stated. 
The NDMA briefed the prime minister that all four provinces are expected to receive heavy rains in the first and second weeks of July. 
“The forum was informed that this year’s monsoon rains in Pakistan will move from the southeast to the north,” APP said. “Rainfall is expected in the Potohar region and the eastern part of Punjab during the first week of July.”
Heavy rains in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Faisalabad, with scattered rainfall anticipated in Bahawalpur, Multan, Sahiwal, and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions are expected in the second week of July, the NDMA said. 
It said that a flood-like situation is expected in Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers during the first two weeks of August. The NDMA said it had finalized preparations for relocation and emergency response in the areas surrounding these rivers.
“In Sindh, Karachi, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur, and Hyderabad are expected to experience heavy rains in the second and fourth weeks of July,” APP said. “Additionally, monsoon showers are forecasted for Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, and Umarkot in the third week of August.”
The NDMA said heavy rains are expected in Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province during July. Monsoon rains in the province are expected to persist until the third week of August.
Meanwhile, heavy rains have been forecast in Balochistan’s border areas located alongside Sindh’s coastal belt during the second and fourth weeks of July, and first two weeks of August. 
“Additionally, significant rainfall is expected in Lasbela, Armada, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Sibi, and Zhob in the third week of August,” the state media reported. 
The NDMA said “adequate stocks” of boats, tents, drainage pumps, medicines, and other essential items were available for people in areas prone to rain-related disasters, adding that preparations for the monsoon started in January with emergency response exercises ongoing since March.
Sharif was told that rescue agencies, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), Pakistan Army troops and the NDMA remain on high alert in risk-prone areas. NDMA said it has launched a mobile phone application for monsoon alerts, weather conditions, and advance information.
“It was explained that a National Monsoon Contingency Plan has been drafted and distributed to relevant institutions and provincial governments to manage any monsoon-related emergency situations,” APP said. 

Topics: monsoon emergencies pakistan monsoon

Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment

Updated 21 sec ago
AFP
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Pakistan blocks 210,000 SIM cards to encourage tax payment

  • Only 2.5 million people out of over 240 million people filed income tax returns two years ago in 2022
  • Pakistan is struggling to increase revenue base but is hampered by largely undocumented economy
Updated 21 sec ago
AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan’s tax authority said Thursday it has blocked 210,000 SIM cards of users who have not filed tax returns in a bid to widen the revenue bracket.

Only 5.2 million people of the more than 240 million population filed income tax returns in 2022.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) passed the edict in April and has since sent orders to the telecommunications authority to block the connections of 210,000 SIM cards, with 62,000 of them later restored, according to the board’s data.

“We have unblocked the SIMs of those who have paid their taxes,” FBR public relations official Bakhtiar Muhammad said.

“Nobody voluntarily comes up and pays taxes. We have to make ways for the people to pay their taxes.”

Pakistan has more than 192 million cellphone subscribers and four telecommunications service providers, according to the telecommunication authority.

Pakistanis must register a SIM card with their national identity number, which is often used for multiple connections.

“Access to telecom services is a basic human right and essential for many other fundamental services, including access to information, education, and emergency services,” an official at one of the four telecommunications companies told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

“We are in dialogue with the authorities, convincing them to use technology to help increase tax collection, as abrupt measures could disrupt the provision of these critical services.”

A man walks out of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) office in Islamabad on July 4, 2024. (AFP)

The South Asian country is struggling to increase its pitifully low revenue base but is hampered by a largely undocumented economy.

The government has been pushing for more loans from the International Monetary Fund to help balance its books but the lender wants Islamabad to do more to mobilize its own resources.

“This is an absurd move. Not everyone who has SIMs earns enough to fall under the tax-paying category,” Fareiha Aziz, a digital rights activist, told AFP.

“People’s livelihoods are tied to their phones, this is an overreach.”

The four telecommunications companies warned in a letter to the ministry of information technology in June that the new tax measures against non-tax filing cellphone users were “impractical” and “non workable” and would scare away foreign investment.

Tauseef Gilani, a 66-year-old businessman in Islamabad, said the novel move was going too far.

“Whatever income I earn, it’s my responsibility to contribute back to society,” Gilani said.

“However, blocking SIMs is unjust — it infringes upon freedom of expression and violates rights.”

Topics: Pakistan SIM cards FBR non-filers

Pakistan’s disaster management authority forecasts ‘significant’ rainfall, flash floods across country till July 9

Updated 04 July 2024
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Pakistan’s disaster management authority forecasts ‘significant’ rainfall, flash floods across country till July 9

  • Heavy rains may cause flash floods across northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, warns disaster management authority 
  • Advises authorities and masses to take necessary precautions to mitigate potential impacts of floods and landslides across Pakistan 
Updated 04 July 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday forecast “significant rainfall” in many regions of the country till July 9, warning the downpours could cause flash floods. 

Last week, the NDMA warned of heavy rains in Pakistan’s Sindh and Punjab provinces, saying they could face an “emergency” situation. Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects in the world. Unusually heavy rains in June 2022 triggered flash floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting losses of around $30 billion, and affecting at least 30 million people.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a high-level committee to tackle any potential emergencies brought about by the monsoon floods. 

“NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) anticipated significant rainfall across various regions of Pakistan until 9th July, 2024,” the disaster management authority said. It added that the heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding and rapid rises in water levels in nullahs and trigger flash floods across northern Punjab (Sialkot), KP and Azad Kashmir. 

“Additionally, this precipitation is expected to result in high discharge levels within the eastern rivers,” the NDMA said. “Sutlej River is expected to experience a low flood stage with approximately 50,000 cusecs of water while Kabul River is predicted to reach a medium flood level with approximately 95,000 cusecs.”

The NDMA said extreme rainfall may also trigger additional releases from Indian reservoirs such as Salal, Bhakra, and Pong Dam, which could directly impact the Chenab and Sutlej rivers in Pakistan.

The NEOC predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in GB until July 8, 2024, warning it could trigger flash floods in local nullahs putting areas such as Chigar and Khaplu. 

“Slightly heavy rainfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, KPK, northern parts of Balochistan, and AJK until July 8, 2024,” the NDMA said. “The persistent heavy to moderate rains may cause localized landslides at Karakoram Highway along Hunza and some of the areas of District Nagar, Gilgit, Diamir, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, and Abbottabad, potentially disrupting traffic flows and cutting off far-flung areas from main roads.”

The disaster management authority warned authorities and masses to take all necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the floods and landslides. It said emergency response teams had been alerted and resources are being mobilized to ensure a “swift response” to any arising situations. 

“Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during the forecasted period,” the NDMA said. 

Topics: Pakistan NDMA rain

Pakistan’s power division promises minimal impact as new electricity tariffs take effect from July

Updated 04 July 2024
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Pakistan’s power division promises minimal impact as new electricity tariffs take effect from July

  • The decision comes against the backdrop of government’s efforts to secure a staff-level agreement with the IMF
  • The government says it will not burden the industrial sector to promote production, strengthen national economy
Updated 04 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to implement new electricity rates from July, announced the power division on Thursday, adding the new tariffs would not have a huge impact on the monthly bills currently paid by consumers.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of the government’s efforts to secure a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout facility of more than $6 billion.

Some local media outlets reported the new rates reflected a per-unit increase of up to Rs5.72.

The Pakistani people have already been complaining of the high cost of living, especially since the announcement of the federal budget last month, which has fixed an ambitious tax collection target of nearly $47 billion.

“New electricity rates will be implemented from July 2024,” the power division said in a statement. “The new electricity tariff will have a slight impact on most people’s monthly bills.”

“To minimize the increase in electricity bills, the government will provide a subsidy of Rs440 billion,” it added. “For 16.8 million or 58 percent poor household consumers, the increase will be less than two percent.”

The statement said for the relatively wealthier 42 percent consumers, the average increase will be nine percent.

The power division said the electricity rates were expected to decrease as the economy improved.

“By January 2025, electricity rates for all consumers are expected to be on average 3 percent lower compared to June 2024,” it maintained.

The statement said the burden on the industrial sector had been reduced by Rs150 billion to promote production and strengthen the country’s economy.

“The notification of electricity prices will be issued after NEPRA’s [National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s] hearing,” it added.

Topics: Electricity prices Pakistan Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan to host SCO members, including India, at October conference in Islamabad

Updated 04 July 2024
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Pakistan to host SCO members, including India, at October conference in Islamabad

  • Pakistan currently holds the rotating chairmanship of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Heads of Government
  • The foreign office spokesperson says Pakistan hopes all members of the regional grouping will be able to attend the conference
Updated 04 July 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Heads of Government meeting in October this year and invite all members, including India, to attend the gathering in person in Islamabad, the foreign office spokesperson said on Thursday.
Founded by China and Russia in 2001, the SCO is a prominent Eurasian entity focused on political, economic, international security and defense matters.
It is the world’s largest regional organization by geographic coverage and population, encompassing about 80 percent of Eurasia and 40 percent of the world population.
Pakistan became an SCO member in June 2017, after holding observer status from 2005 to 2017.
“The year 2024 is an important milestone for Pakistan-SCO relations, as Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, which is the second highest decision-making forum of the SCO,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the foreign office spokesperson, informed during her weekly media briefing.
“In that capacity, Pakistan will host the SCO Heads of Government meeting in October this year,” she added.
Baloch said the October conference would be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of high-level official talks among SCO member states, focusing on financial, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
She added the conference would be held as per the SCO procedures and in-person attendance of heads of government.
“So, in our capacity as the chair, we will be extending invitations to all heads of government of SCO member states,” she added.
Baloch hoped all members of the regional grouping would be represented at the conference, which is expected to focus on trade, investment and economic connectivity.
Pakistan’s nuclear-armed neighbor, India, is also part of the SCO. The two countries have a history of strained relations and have fought several wars and border skirmishes since their independence in 1947.
India boycotted the summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2016, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad.

Topics: SCO Summit

Pakistani forces kill militant commander behind deadly Gilgit-Baltistan bus attack — official

Updated 04 July 2024
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Pakistani forces kill militant commander behind deadly Gilgit-Baltistan bus attack — official

  • Commander Shah Faisal masterminded the bus attack on Karakoram Highway that claimed the lives of nine passengers
  • Gilgit-Baltistan spokesperson says two security forces officials got minor injuries during the intelligence-based operation
Updated 04 July 2024
Nisar Ali

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistani security forces have killed a militant commander involved in an attack on a passenger bus in northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) last December, confirmed a senior government functionary in the region, who said the action was part of an intelligence-based operation.
Nine people lost their lives, while 21 others were injured when militants used firearms to target a bus on the Karakoram Highway that connects Pakistani cities with its border with China.
The bus was carrying passengers from Gilgit to Rawalpindi. The attack occurred in the Hudur area of Chilas district, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a truck, which caught fire immediately.
The GB official informed the operation took place in Darel Valley of Diamer district, a place where extremist violence has been reported in the past, with some incidents claimed by the banned armed network Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
In 2018, militants torched 13 girls’ schools in the area, while six years before that, unidentified gunmen killed nine passengers and torched six buses in the region.
“The operation is still continuing against the culprits involved in the Hudur incident,” Faizullah Faraq, the official spokesperson for the GB administration, told Arab News on the phone. “The mastermind of the incident, Commander Shah Faisal, has been killed by the security forces today.”
He said the operation was planned after three facilitators of the militants targeting the bus were arrested and interrogated.
“They pointed out the culprits involved in the attack and said Commander Shah Faisal was the mastermind,” he continued. “So, the operation was launched today to arrest the culprits. However, they resisted and started firing at the security forces.”
Faraq said it was during the exchange of fire that the militant leader was killed.
“Cross-firing is continuing in the region,” he added. “The security forces have not suffered any loss of life. However, two army personnel got minor injuries, but their condition is stable.”
The military’s media wing, ISPR, has yet to issue a statement about the development.

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