ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is witnessing rising water levels in rivers due to monsoon rains, according to an official statement on Wednesday, with the country’s most populous Punjab province expected to experience additional rainfall in the next 24 hours.
The monsoon season is crucial for the region, providing essential water for agriculture, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
However, unprecedented cloudbursts driven by climate change have increasingly turned this vital weather pattern into a threat, as seen in the devastating 2022 floods that caused an estimated $35 billion in losses and claimed over 1,700 lives.
“There is a likelihood of monsoon rains in most districts of Punjab in the next 24 hours,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab said in a statement. “Due to monsoon rains, the water levels in rivers, dams, and streams are rising.”
The statement informed the Indus River was experiencing a low-level flood situation at the Tarbela and Kalabagh points, adding a medium to high-level flood situation may develop in the Jhelum River at Mangla from August 1 to 4.
It said the monsoon rain spell was expected to continue until August 4 and may also cause flooding in the Chenab River at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad.
“Arrangements are complete in vulnerable districts in anticipation of potential flood threats,” PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia was quoted as saying in the statement. “Citizens are advised to take precautions during the rainy season and follow government instructions.”
Kathia said the provincial administration and all relevant departments were on alert to deal with the situation.
Pakistan braces for rising river levels as authorities predict more monsoon rains
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Pakistan braces for rising river levels as authorities predict more monsoon rains
- Water levels are expected to rise in Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, with current rain spell to continue until August 4
- Authorities advise citizens to take precautionary measures during the rainy season, follow government instructions
Party of ex-PM Imran Khan holds Islamabad rally for his release
- Khan, who has been in jail since August last year, was convicted in four cases, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts
- Authorities say several cops injured in clashes with Khan supporters, PTI says law enforcers using “brutal violence” against peaceful rally-goers
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party on Sunday held a large public rally in Islamabad and called for his release from prison within two weeks, as authorities said “several” policemen were injured after Khan supporters pelted them with stones.
Khan, who has been in jail since August last year, faces a slew of charges and was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. Khan remains in jail, however, on new charges brought by Pakistan’s national accountability watchdog regarding the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was prime minister from 2018 till 2022.
The rally by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) comes after it was postponed twice before. The gathering was previously planned for July and then August but was called off both times after permission was revoked over what officials described as security threats and concerns about unrest.
“If Imran Khan is not released within two weeks, then we ourselves will have him released,” close Khan ally, Ali Amin Gandapur, chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told a charged crowd in Islamabad’s Sangjani area. “Are you ready to get your [right]? I will lead you. Do not fall back.”
Gandapur announced the party would hold its next rally in Pakistan’s political heart of Lahore, saying authorities would “forget about Bangladesh,” referring to recent protests in the South Asian nation that saw autocrat Sheikh Hasina ousted from power after 15 years.
This was the first rally held by the PTI since the Feb. 8 national elections and was met by authorities in Islamabad blocking dozens of main roads and key intersections to “ensure public safety” during the gathering.
Khan supporters and the police clashed at at least one location in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where police and the interior ministry said several cops were injured after they were pelted with stones “without provocation” by Khan supporters. Khan’s party in turn alleged law enforcers were “shelling and attacking attendees for no reason.”
The PTI says the main aim of the rally was to mobilize supporters for the release of Khan who has waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against Pakistan’s powerful military and blamed the then army leadership of orchestrating his ouster in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022. The army says it does not interfere in political affairs.
Khan also faces the prospect of a military trial for treason and attempting to incite a mutiny in the army following the recent unprecedented arrest of former Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed.
Khan’s key ally Gandapur told participants of the Islamabad rally that nobody would be able to hold a military trial of the jailed premier, distancing his party from Gen Hameed who is accused of violating the Pakistan Army Act.
“Fix your institution, fix your generals, fix yourself,” Gandapur said, in a direct reference to the army.
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the PTI had failed to gather a large number of people and was sharing “fake” visuals to demonstrate its strength among the public.
“The millions of people who had to come out [for the PTI rally] in the form of an ocean are not to be seen. Yes, a rally was held as per usual like other rallies, as should happen, it’s a democratic right, and should be held in the time allotted by district administration,” he told the media in a video statement.
“But I fail to understand that to hide the failure of their rally they are tweeting [fake] visuals. Footage from other countries are being run.”
Independent analysts said the PTI had managed to put on a decent show.
“Strong turnout for PTI rally despite the state’s tactics to limit numbers through roadblocks and containers, and despite the risk of violent crackdowns and arrests,” tweeted Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute Director at the Wilson Center in Washington.
“Its size and popularity ensure its mobilization capabilities remain intact despite relentless attempts to curb it.”
The PTI says it has faced a months-long crackdown since protesters linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after Khan’s brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
The party says it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the Feb. 9 general election, a vote marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that it was rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments.
The PTI says it won the most seats but its mandate was “stolen” by PM Sharif’s coalition government which formed the government with the backing of the all-powerful military. Both deny the claim.
Authorities declare northwestern Pakistani province mpox-free after all patients recover
- Health officials had confirmed four cases of the viral infection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last month, all of whom had travel history
- All of the infected individuals were screened at the Peshawar airport and test results of the last patient came negative on Sunday
PESHAWAR: Health authorities on Sunday declared Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province mpox-free, saying all four patients infected with the virus had recovered from it.
Health officials had confirmed four cases of the viral infection last month, all of whom had a travel history, according to Atta Ullah Khan, a spokesperson of the provincial health department.
All of the infected individuals were screened at the Peshawar airport. Three of them were shifted to the isolation ward of Police Services Hospital in Peshawar, while one was quarantined at his home in the Mardan district.
“PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests of the patients were sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad and the results of all the individuals came negative,” Khan told Arab News, adding the result of the PCR test of the last patient quarantined at his Mardan home came negative on Sunday.
“Currently, there are no active mpox cases in the province.”
Patients who contract mpox get flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Mpox is usually mild but can kill, and children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from the infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries around the world to take precautionary measures after declaring the disease a public health emergency on August 14, as a new offshoot of the virus first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo began spreading to other neighboring states.
Khan said provincial health authorities had managed to limit the spread of mpox in a short period of time.
“But screening at entry points, including Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar and the Torkham border crossing, still continues,” he added.
PTI Rally: Islamabad police say ‘several’ cops injured in stone pelting by party supporters
- Islamabad police, interior ministry say demonstrators linked to Khan’s party pelted stones at police officers
- PTI says law enforcers using “brutal violence” and “shelling and attacking attendees for no reason whatsoever”
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police and the federal ministry of interior said on Sunday evening “several” policemen had been injured as participants of a rally led by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan pelted stones at officers “without provocation,” while the party alleged law enforcers were “shelling and attacking attendees for no reason.”
The Islamabad district administration had told rally-goers to disperse “immediately” or face “legal action” after the time allowed for the rally expired at 7pm. Soon after, local media widely showed footage of clashes between protesters and police, while Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leaders appealed to demonstrators to remain peaceful amid what they said was shelling by police.
“SSP Safe City and several policemen injured in stone pelting,” Islamabad Police said on X. “The protesters continue to throw stones at the police.”
The interior ministry sought a situation report from IG Police Islamabad and ordered “best treatment facilities” for the injured officers.
Local media widely reported soon after that the situation was under control at the rally venue, where the event continued despite the expiry of the deadline.
The PTI, on the other hand, alleged “brutal acts of violence against families and those attending the peaceful political event of the PTI in Islamabad.”
“Police have started shelling and attacking attendees for no reason whatsoever, cowardly and disgraceful by any standards,” PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari said on X.
Pakistan’s capital was tense throughout the day on Sunday, with heavy police deployment and many roads and “sensitive” areas of the city and entry and exit points sealed off with shipping containers ahead of the planned PTI to press for Khan’s release, who has been in jail for 13 months.
The district administration had allowed the PTI to hold the public gathering in the Sangjani locality on the outskirts of Islamabad between 4-7pm. The rally was previously planned for July and then August but was postponed both times after permission was revoked over what officials described as security threats and concerns about unrest.
At around 6pm on Sunday, the Islamabad administration said it had informed the rally’s organizers that the time limit for the gathering was approaching its end.
Because of the roadblocks, thousands of PTI supporters and leaders traveling to Islamabad complained they had been unable to reach on time.
“The developing situation at the site of Jalsa has given rise to a serious law and order situation,” the Islamabad district magistrate said in a notification to PTI Islamabad President Amir Masood Mughal.
“I hereby direct you and the management/administration of Jalsa at Sangjani, Islamabad to disperse immediately. The District Administration and ICT Police, Islamabad are hereby directed to proceed and take strict action against the violators and members of unlawful assembly in accordance with law.”
Tanzeela Jahan Khan, a PTI supporter who had arrived in Islamabad with a caravan from Gujranwala city on Sunday afternoon, said more people were trying to make their way to the capital but were facing difficulty due to read closures.
“More of our people are coming, they are on their way, all roads are blocked,” she told Arab News at the venue of the rally.
“They do not have any way to come, they are stuck for the last 4 hours. All roads are blocked.”
“RELEASE OF KHAN”
The main aim of the rally — the PTI’s first within Islamabad’s jurisdiction since the Feb. 8 general elections — is to mobilize supporters for the release of Khan, who has been in jail since August last year. He was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. Khan remains in jail, however, on new charges brought by the national accountability watchdog regarding the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was prime minister from 2018-22.
“The basic purpose of this rally is to secure the release of Imran Khan from jail, restore the rule of law and initiate a genuine democratic process in this country,” PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen told Arab News on Sunday morning.
“Islamabad’s district administration has closed all entry and exit routes to the federal capital to prevent our supporters from reaching the venue,” Shaheen said, adding that despite the hurdles, hundreds of PTI caravans were en route to the designated venue for the rally from across Pakistan.
All metro bus services were suspended for Sunday, while the Islamabad Expressway was closed at Khanna Bridge on both sides to Lehtrar Road, and only one lane was open at the key Faizabad Interchange. The Bharakahu entry and exits were closed at Satra Meel point, while GT Road was closed for traffic on both sides at Sangjani. Rawat T Cross was also closed, according to Islamabad traffic police.
Only Margalla Road could be used to access the Red Zone, which houses sensitive government and diplomatic buildings, while Srinagar Highway was open for traffic on both sides and could be used to reach the Islamabad airport and the Rawalpindi railway station as well as the M1 and M2 motorways.
The Islamabad police said the district administration had designated routes for the rally and prohibited travel to the venue through any other routes.
“Strict legal action will be taken over violation of the designated routes and the violators will be arrested immediately,” they said on X.
A police spokesman said on Sunday morning authorities had recovered a “suspicious bag” from near the rally venue in Sangjani containing hand grenades, detonators, electric wires and other explosive material. A bomb disposal squad had “neutralized” the materials and an investigation was underway.
“Further search operations are being conducted in view of the threat of terrorism at the gathering,” the police spokesman said. “Checking has been increased at the entrances and exits of the city. Citizens are requested to cooperate with the police during checking.”
To bolster security, a heavy contingent of law-enforcement personnel, including police, Rangers, and other paramilitary forces, were stationed at the rally venue and across the capital.
“They [PTI] are holding a rally for what, Imran Khan’s release?” ruling party minister Azma Bukhari told reporters in Lahore. “Have you ever seen them talk about the problems of the common person?”
She added that the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had “no objections” to PTI holding the rally.
“We are not afraid of political rallies,” Bukhari said. “We are only concerned about their actions and background. They have been planted to create chaos in Pakistan … We will not allow them to create instability. No mischief, chaos or disorder will be permitted.”
“GRAND POWER SHOW”
Videos shared by the PTI on social media showed party caravans moving toward the federal capital while some supporters also posted images of cargo containers that had been used to seal off the city.
The rally is being held days after a bill was passed by both houses of parliament to “regulate” public rallies in Islamabad, empowering the district magistrate to ban such gatherings if required.
But the PTI said it would hold a “grand power show” despite the hurdles.
“This jalsa [public gathering] marks the beginning of our wider and coordinated campaign against this incompetent government,” PTI’s Shaheen said in the morning.
“Our workers have begun reaching the venue, and we will hold the rally no matter what,” he added, warning authorities to avoid disrupting the “peaceful” gathering, which he described as the party’s democratic and constitutional right.
The PTI says it has faced a months-long crackdown since protesters linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after Khan’s brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
The party says it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the Feb. 9 general election, a vote marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that it was rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments.
The PTI says it won the most seats but its mandate was “stolen” by PM Sharif’s coalition government which formed the government with the backing of the all-powerful military. Both deny the claim.
PM congratulates Pakistanis on 50 years of resolution on finality of Prophethood
- Finality of Prophethood is a sensitive topic in Muslim-majority Pakistan
- The country often witnesses huge demonstrations in favor of the belief
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistani nation on 50th anniversary of the passage of a historic parliamentary resolution that affirmed the finality of Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
Pakistan’s parliament passed the unanimous resolution on September 7, 1974 in a bid to safeguard the belief.
In a statement, PM Sharif praised the parliamentarians and religious scholars who had contributed toward the adoption of the resolution, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The prime minister underscored that finality of prophethood is a core principle of Islam and is also very important to every Muslim,” the report read.
He lauded the Pakistan parliament for playing a “crucial role” by adopting the resolution.
Finality of Prophethood is a sensitive topic in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where those who do not believe in it are considered heretics by many.
The South Asian country often witnesses huge demonstrations in favor of the belief.
Pakistan PM launches week-long anti-polio drive in 115 districts amid virus outbreak
- Polio has been eliminated in developed nations but persists in parts of India, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Pakistan has reported 12 polio cases from Balochistan, three from Sindh and one each from Punjab and Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday launched a week-long anti-polio vaccination campaign in 115 districts across Pakistan, Sharif’s office said, amid an outbreak of the virus in the South Asian country.
Pakistan has reported 17 cases of polio virus so far this year, with the last one reported in Islamabad this week, according to the national polio program. It was the first human case reported in Islamabad in 16 years.
In view of the “intense outbreak,” authorities decided to launch a nationwide inoculation campaign, aiming to vaccinate 30 million children under the age of five against the debilitating disease.
Under the campaign, which will formally begin on Monday and continue till Sept. 15, around 286,000 anti-polio vaccinators will go door-to-door to administer the vaccine.
“Parents are requested to have children under five years of age administered polio vaccine drops to protect them from a lifelong disability,” Sharif said at the campaign launch in Islamabad.
He expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s partners and international organizations for cooperating with his government in efforts to eliminate the virus.
“I am hopeful that the federal government will succeed in the complete elimination of polio from the country in collaboration with provincial governments and its partners,” Sharif said.
Pakistan earlier this year reported 12 polio cases from Balochistan, three from Sindh and one from Punjab.
Polio has been eliminated in developed nations but persists in parts of India, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and has recently been reported in Gaza.
Many Pakistanis, particularly those residing in the conservative tribal areas, consider polio vaccination a Western campaign aimed at sterilizing the country’s population. In 2012, the local Taliban had ordered a ban on immunization against polio in some tribal districts.
Nearly a dozen policemen have been killed this year while on security duty during vaccination campaigns, which are frequently targeted by militants.
