ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday urged relevant state institutions to take necessary precautions ahead of a fresh spell of torrential rains from Aug. 14-18, warning it may trigger urban flooding in various parts of the country and increase water flow in rivers and streams.
According to the data gathered by provincial disaster management authorities in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, monsoon rains have killed at least 172 people since the beginning of the season last month.
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change effects. A United Nations official warned in July that about 200,000 people could be affected by the ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan.
In 2022, torrential rains and floods killed over 1,700 people and caused estimated losses of over $30 billion to the Pakistani economy.
“The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the NDMA has anticipated further rains in various parts of the country from August 14 to 18, 2024,” the NDMA’s statement said. “Moderate to heavy rains are expected in catchment areas of Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, as well as in parts of southern Balochistan, and central and southern Sindh.”
The statement said areas that could be affected adversely due to torrential rains include Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It also said that streams and rivers in northeastern Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, and the hilly streams and torrents of Azad Kashmir could also be affected by floods.
The statement urged the authorities and general public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides.
“NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments to alert Emergency Response Teams and mobilized resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situations,” it continued. “Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during the forecasted period.”
Pakistan forecasts torrential rains, potential flooding this week as 172 killed since July
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Pakistan forecasts torrential rains, potential flooding this week as 172 killed since July
- Monsoon rains have killed at least 172 people since the beginning of the season last month
- NDMA asks the general public to take necessary precautions as the rainy season continues
US envoy vows to strengthen climate partnership with Pakistan, launches water initiative
- Ambassador Blome says Recharge Pakistan will benefit more than seven million people in three Pakistani provinces
- He says it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, replenish water supply by creating 127 groundwater storage basins
ISLAMABAD: The American envoy to Pakistan, Ambassador Donald Blome, highlighted his country’s interest in strengthening partnership with Pakistan to help climate-vulnerable communities on Tuesday, as he addressed a ceremony to launch a major water management initiative called Recharge Pakistan.
The project aims to build climate resilience by utilizing nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands, floodplains and improving groundwater recharge, especially in the Indus Basin region. Its core objectives include reducing the impacts of floods and droughts and increasing water security in the country.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change is involved in its implementation, with the help of international partners like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
“I am delighted to be here as we join our partners in launching Recharge Pakistan – an ambitious climate initiative that will strengthen flood resilience and improve water security in some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities,” Ambassador Blome said while addressing at the project’s launch event in Islamabad.
“Recharge Pakistan’s network of green infrastructure projects will rehabilitate floodwater channels, rerouting excess water away from where people live and work,” he continued. “It will reforest and restore wetlands to prevent dangerous runoff. It will revitalize the soil’s ability to absorb excess water and store it underground.”
The US ambassador said the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and replenish the water supply by creating 127 new groundwater storage basins.
He noted that Pakistan was the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, saying it was experiencing the effects of the climate crisis every day.
“Rising temperatures have taken a toll on Pakistan’s majestic glaciers,” he said. “And Pakistani farmers have seen crops wither under droughts.”
“But by coming together, we can help communities adapt, mitigate, and even reverse some of the worst impacts of climate change,” he added. “And we can do it in a way that lifts up local communities.”
Blome pointed out that his country’s partnership with Pakistan on water management dated back to the 1960s.
He informed that the US had provided $5 billion to the Green Climate Fund and was bringing in new investments in renewable energy to help Pakistan achieve its ambitious goal of reaching 60 percent renewable energy by 2030.
He said Recharge Pakistan will reduce flooding hazards for more than 50,000 hectares, provide Pakistani families, businesses and farms access to clean, fresh water and improve the livelihoods of 687,000 people while indirectly benefiting more than seven million people in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
“The United States will continue to broaden and deepen our partnership with Pakistan to protect climate-vulnerable communities, and build a greener, more prosperous and climate resilient future,” he added.
Pakistan’s finance minister highlights power sector reforms, pledges support for K-Electric
- Muhammad Aurangzeb says government wants participation of private firms in the power sector
- He promises to support K-Electric's plan to transition to renewables for more affordable energy
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of Pakistan’s power sector during a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of K-Electric, Mark Skelton.
Pakistan’s power sector faces chronic issues, including inefficiencies, high losses and financial instability. The sector is largely composed of power generation companies (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos), both of which have struggled with outdated infrastructure, circular debt and poor management.
The government has initiated several reforms aimed at addressing these challenges, particularly focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring more reliable power delivery across the country.
“The Minister recounted the structural reforms being undertaken in the power sector, including the reconstitution of Boards of Directors of Discos by bringing in professionals from the private sector and reducing the number of government nominees to bring in more efficiency in the boards and improve overall service delivery,” said a statement released by the finance division after the meeting.
“He reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure private sector participation in all government-owned Discos and Gencos and mentioned the start of the process of privatizing three Discos in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to enable and facilitate the private sector to lead the economy,” it added.
K-Electric, Pakistan’s largest private utility company, is responsible for generating, transmitting and distributing electricity to Karachi and its surrounding areas.
Its top official briefed the minister about the utility company’s plans to cater to the growing energy demands of Karachi, adding that it wanted to transition to renewables to ensure affordable and sustainable energy for the residents of the port city.
The minister lauded the initiatives taken by K-Electric for further investment and expansion of its power generation and distribution operations, promising full support to make the transition to cheaper electricity possible.
Pakistani fugitive arrested with Saudi assistance, extradited after years on the run
- Ghulam Abbas was wanted by Punjab Police in connection with the kidnapping of a woman in Gujranwala
- Pakistani authorities coordinated with Saudi law enforcement agencies after obtaining Interpol red warrants
KARACHI: Close coordination between Saudi and Pakistani law enforcement agencies led to the arrest and extradition of a wanted Pakistani criminal who had been on the run for over five years, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.
Ghulam Abbas was wanted in connection with a 2019 case involving the kidnapping of a woman in the Pakistani city of Gujranwala. He was also accused of attempted murder.
“The criminal was arrested in close coordination with the Saudi police. The Saudi team deported him to Pakistan,” a statement issued by the Punjab police said, adding their special operations cell had obtained red warrants for Abbas from Interpol.
Earlier, the city police chief of Gujranwala wrote a letter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday, saying the “fugitive criminal” was scheduled to be extradited from Saudi Arabia and would arrive at Islamabad airport on Tuesday morning.
Interpol had already informed the Pakistani authorities that three Saudi officials would accompany Abbas during the extradition process.
“A team from the special operations cell took the wanted criminal into their custody at the airport,” the police statement said.
It added that Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr. Usman Anwar had directed that Abbas be brought to justice through a swift legal process. He also noted that other “dangerous criminals” would be brought back to Pakistan with the assistance of Interpol and the FIA.
“Crackdown for the arrest of wanted criminals involved in heinous crimes must be accelerated,” the statement added, citing the IG Punjab.
Pakistani technology experts attend Global AI Summit in Saudi Arabia
- The summit has been organized to explore advancements in artificial intelligence
- Pakistani minister plans to take the information technology exports to $25 billion
ISLAMABAD: A group of Pakistani information technology professionals are participating in an international conference focusing on cutting-edge advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), said Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in the kingdom on Tuesday, where they will exchange ideas with other experts.
The Global AI Summit, which is taking place in Riyadh from September 10 to 12, comes at a time when Pakistan is making efforts to boost its exports, particularly in the field of IT, and attract foreign investment to cut its reliance on foreign debt to support its $350 billion fragile economy.
Last month, Pakistan held its own IT and telecom festival featuring over 750 local and global companies as well as foreign delegates from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and 15 other countries.
This is the third edition of the Global AI Summit, which will cover key topics in the field of AI, including innovation and industry trends to shape a brighter future and cultivate an enabling environment for technology experts.
“Excited for @globalaisummit in Riyadh #GAIN 2024, shaping the future of AI with top [global] experts,” the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia said on X. “Proud to see [Pakistani] IT pros like Mr. Yasar Ayaz and Mr. Shoaib Ur Rehman sharing insights on “Inclusive Tech Solutions: Bridging Gaps and Empowering Diverse Communities” today.”
Ayaz and Rehman are recognized for their expertise in the fields of information technology and cyber security. They have both made significant contributions to Pakistan’s IT sector and have been involved in initiatives to promote IT education, awareness and digital innovation.
A day earlier, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the United States-based DS Technology Services and Zeki Expert Solutions from Islamabad at the Pakistan embassy.
Last May, Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima told a tech event the government had set a target of $25 billion for IT exports. Pakistan has also established four new special technology zones that can house up to 50,000 professionals, with an annual export potential of $350 million.
Ex-PM Khan’s party announces nationwide protest on Friday after lawmakers’ arrest from parliament
- PTI secretary general calls it the duty of Pakistani citizens to come out into the streets and raise their voices
- The party says it will launch its political struggle on the streets, apart from fighting the legal battles in courts
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a nationwide protest on Friday, as its top leaders addressed a news conference in Peshawar on Tuesday following the arrest of its lawmakers in the federal capital a day earlier.
The development came after the PTI held a rally on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, demanding the release of the ex-premier who has been in prison for over a year on multiple charges, which he says were concocted to keep him out of the political arena. Clashes occurred between PTI supporters and police, as the rally continued beyond the 7 PM deadline set by the district administration, which deemed it a violation of the party’s agreement with them.
PTI’s detractors also objected to the slogans and some of the speeches, particularly one delivered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who warned the government to release Khan within two weeks or his party would free him from the jail on its own.
Subsequently, a group of prominent PTI lawmakers were arrested from the Parliament House, prompting Khan’s party to say it was against the sanctity of the supreme national institution.
“There will be a nationwide protest on Friday, which we will carry out in an organized, disciplined and peaceful manner,” PTI’s new secretary general Salman Akram Raja said during the media talk. “However, it will be a strong protest. Let no one have any doubt about that.”
Raja said his party was fighting for democracy and would take everyone along, describing it as the duty of all Pakistani citizens to come out into the streets and raise their voices.
He maintained that an effort was made to undermine the country’s judiciary before the parliament’s sanctity was violated. He asked rhetorically, if such national institutions were undermined, what options would remain for the people.
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, who was also present at the news conference, noted that PTI’s struggle would continue within the legal and constitutional framework. However, he said its supporters would also come out into the streets, apart from fighting the legal battles in courts and the national parliament.
The incumbent National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has already taken notice of the PTI arrests and opened an investigation to determine whether they were taken into custody from inside the parliament building.
Under Pakistani law, the concerned judge or magistrate needs to inform the speaker of the reasons for the arrest of an National Assembly member, and lawmakers cannot be arrested within the precincts of parliament without the speaker’s permission.
