ISLAMABAD: Torrential monsoon rains have killed 215 people in Pakistan and injured 405 since July 1, the country’s top disaster management authority said this week, as the South Asian nation braces for more downpours.
Heavy monsoon rains since July have triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of the country, especially its most populous Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces, which have reported the highest number of casualties.
According to a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report released on Monday, Punjab has reported 86 deaths and 224 injuries from rain-related incidents since July 1. KP has reported 65 deaths and 112 injuries while Sindh has reported 37 deaths and 42 injuries in the same time period. Balochistan has reported 18 deaths and 10 injuries, Gilgit-Baltistan four deaths and one injury while Azad Kashmir has reported five deaths and 15 injuries since July 1.
“Scattered thunderstorm rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy falls is expected over upper catchments of rivers Kabul, Jhelum and Indus along with Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Gujranwala,” the NDMA said in its situation report.
It also predicted rainfall for Lahore, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Zhob Sibbi, Nasirabad, Loralai, Kalat and Makran divisions on Tuesday.
The NDMA has directed authorities to alert emergency response teams and mobilize resources to ensure a “swift response” to any arising situations. It has also advised tourists to avoid traveling to northern areas susceptible to floods and landslides during the ongoing monsoon season.
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects. This year, the South Asian country recorded its “wettest April since 1961,” with 59.3 millimeters of rainfall while some areas of the country faced a severe heat wave in May and June.
In 2022, unusually heavy rains triggered flash floods in many parts of Pakistan, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting losses of around $30 billion, and affecting at least 30 million people. Scientists have attributed Pakistan’s erratic weather patterns to climate change effects and called on countries around the world to take urgent steps to tackle the crisis.
Pakistan monsoon rains kill 215 since July — disaster authority
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Pakistan monsoon rains kill 215 since July — disaster authority
- Pakistan’s Punjab reports highest number of casualties, 86, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 65 deaths
- Country’s disaster management body warns tourists against unnecessary traveling during ongoing monsoon season
CM of Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan says will hold direct talks with Kabul on militancy
- Islamabad says it has consistently taken up the issue of cross-border attacks with Kabul
- Over 75 policemen have been killed in ambushes, target killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, said this week he would hold direct talks with Kabul to take action against Afghanistan-based militant groups that Islamabad says launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent weeks, with many of them taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where groups like the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have stepped up attacks, daily targeting security forces convoys and check posts, and carrying out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials.
Over 75 policemen have been killed in ambushes and target killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024, according to police data. In the latest killing, unidentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a policeman in Domail, a town on the outskirts of Bannu district. Police, joined by representatives of civil society and political parties as well as tribal elders and members of the public, are currently holding protests in a number of districts of the province against the spike in militancy and attacks on officers.
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the TTP frequently launch attacks from hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces. Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
“My [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] police has lost trust, my people have lost trust, where are you [federal government, army] taking my youth, my people?” Gandapur said as he addressed a ceremony on Wednesday evening.
“I am saying let me send a representative to Afghanistan to talk to them. Afghanistan is our neighbor, we speak the same language, we have a longer than 1,200 km border. Let me talk to them that what is happening in Afghanistan.
“I announce here … I will talk to Afghanistan myself, I will talk to them as a province. I am telling you as the representative of this province, I will send an emissary and arrange a meeting, I will sit with them and talk and Inshallah I will solve this issue through talks.”
Islamabad says it has consistently taken up the issue of cross-border attacks with the Taliban administration, which denies allowing Afghan soil to be used for attacks.
The matter has led to clashes between the border forces of the two countries on multiple occasions in recent months, including on Sunday when security forces in Pakistan killed eight Afghan Taliban fighters in a border clash following what Islamabad described as “unprovoked firing” on Pakistani checkpoints.
Pakistan register 2-1 win against Japan in Hockey Asian Champions Trophy match
- Tournament started on Sunday with six continental heavyweights going head-to-head in China
- Six nations participating are India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Pakistan and hosts China
ISLAMABAD: Unbeaten Pakistan bagged their first victory in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy by beating Japan 2-1 here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulun Buir, China, on Wednesday, the International Hockey Federation (IHF) said.
From the Pakistan side, Ahmad Nadeem and Sufyan Khan netted one goal each while Japan’s Raiki Fujishima scored one goal. Pakistan will now lock horns with host China tomorrow, Friday.
“We are happy to walk away with the winning points,” Khan was quoted as saying in an IHF statement.
“Our Coach’s instructions was to not make errors, in the first two matches we got too many cards that cost us dearly. We wanted to play a disciplined match today and we defended with all our heart. I am also happy to score for my team when we needed it the most.”
With this win, Pakistan is placed second in the pool standings with five points behind India on the top. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match of the tournament will be played on September 14.
The championship started on Sunday with six continental heavyweights going head-to-head at the Moqi Training Base.
The six nations participating in the Asian Champion Trophy 2024 are India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Japan Pakistan and hosts China.
India are the most successful side in the Asian Champions Trophy, having won it four times. They enter the 2024 edition as the defending champions, having beaten Malaysia 4-3 in the final in Chennai last year.
Pakistani finance minister discusses joint ventures, business collaborations with Saudi envoy
- Last month, Pakistan said it had secured commitments from China, Saudi Arabia and UAE to roll over debt for a year
- Debt rollovers will be a boost for Islamabad as it awaits final approval of a $7 billion IMF loan program signed in July
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb met Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki on Wednesday and discussed joint ventures and business collaborations as well as steps Islamabad is taking as it navigates a tough reforms agenda mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian nation.
In February 2019, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked investment deals totaling $21 billion during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Islamabad. The agreements included about $10 billion for an Aramco oil refinery and $1 billion for a petrochemical complex at the strategic Gwadar Port in Balochistan.
Both countries have been working in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment, and the Kingdom in April this year reaffirmed its commitment to expedite an investment package worth $5 billion for Pakistan.
“Aurangzeb expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s consistent economic support to Pakistan, while highlighting the renewed interest shown by Saudi investors in pursuing joint ventures and business collaborations with Pakistan’s private sector,” Radio Pakistan said on Thursday.
“Aurangzeb noted the significant outcomes of the high-level business delegation’s visit from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan in May, aimed at exploring investment opportunities, expanding bilateral cooperation, and scaling up partnerships across diverse sectors.”
The minister also outlined Pakistan’s “positive” economic trajectory, citing key indicators such as currency stabilization, reduced inflation, a surge in remittances, prudent management of the current account deficit and foreign exchange reserves sufficient to cover two months of imports.
“The Minister emphasized that structural reforms are pivotal for ensuring sustainable economic growth and stability, forming a cornerstone of the government’s policy agenda,” Radio Pakistan said.
The report said Al-Malki “commended” the government of Pakistan’s efforts in implementing structural and institutional reforms and reiterated the Kingdom’s “unwavering commitment to contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth.”
“The Ambassador also acknowledged the immense potential for investment and business opportunities between the two countries,” Radio Pakistan said. “He indicated that a Saudi business delegation is expected to visit Pakistan in the coming months to further explore areas for joint ventures and collaborative investments.”
Aurangzeb has said in recent weeks Pakistan will focus on meeting its external financing needs by speaking with foreign governments and lenders to draw foreign investment as well as seeking loan rollovers. The government is also seeking to focus on more sustainable forms of external financing such as direct investment and climate financing.
Pakistan and the IMF reached an agreement for a new 37-month $7 billion loan program in July. The IMF has said the program is subject to approval from its executive board and obtaining “timely confirmation of necessary financing assurances from Pakistan’s development and bilateral partners.”
Last month, Bloomberg reported Pakistan had secured commitments from China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to roll over debt for a year, a boost for Islamabad as it awaits final approval of the IMF loan program.
Rollovers or disbursements on loans from Pakistan’s long-time allies, in addition to financing from the IMF, have helped Pakistan meet its external financing needs in the past.
Tough conditionalities placed by the IMF, such as raising tax on agricultural incomes and lifting electricity prices, have unleashed street protests and prompted concerns about poor and middle class Pakistanis grappling with rising inflation and the prospect of higher taxes.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization commerce ministers conference kicks off in Islamabad today
- Event is being attended by ministers of SCO countries dealing with external trade and commerce
- Pakistan is hosting meetings in capacity as incumbent chair of SCO Council of Heads of Government
ISLAMABAD: The 23rd meeting of ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for foreign economic and trade activities will kick off today, Thursday, in Islamabad, the foreign office said.
The event will be attended by ministers of SCO countries dealing with external trade and commerce and be chaired by Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
“In their deliberations, the SCO Ministers will focus on ways to bolster regional cooperation for enhancing trade, advancing sustainable development and promoting connectivity among SCO countries for enhancing economic prosperity in the region,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“Deliberations and outcome of this Ministerial meeting will be discussed and approved during the upcoming meeting of Council of Heads of Government scheduled to take place on 15-16 October 2024 in Islamabad.”
Pakistan is hosting the meetings in its capacity as the incumbent chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, the second highest SCO forum that deals with all economic, trade, social, cultural and humanitarian issues as well as the personnel and budgetary matters of the organization.
The SCO represents a major cross-regional bloc, accounting for nearly half of the world’s population and a substantial portion of global GDP.
“Strengthening trade and economic ties within this framework is crucial for addressing shared challenges and tapping into the vast economic opportunities the region offers,” the foreign office added. “As the host and Chair of SCO-CHG, Pakistan is dedicated to using this platform to promote enhanced economic cooperation within the region.
“With its strategic geographical location and growing trade potential, Pakistan seeks to play a facilitating role in shaping the future of regional commerce and trade partnerships for the mutual benefit of the people of SCO countries.”
Pakistan says China wants to build special economic zone in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Mountainous territory is the gateway of the $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor infrastructure plan
- CPEC project had aimed to bring development to the region but proposed projects have not taken off so far
ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation of Chinese companies visiting Islamabad this week has shown “keen interest” in building a special economic zone (SEZ) in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.
GB is administered by Pakistan as an administrative territory and consists of the northern portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. The impoverished, remote and rugged mountainous territory borders Afghanistan and China and is the gateway of the $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure plan. But the region has so far reaped few rewards.
“Pak-China border region has significant economic and cultural importance, with trade and cultural exchanges between the two regions dating back centuries,” Pakistani Minister for Kashmir and GB Affairs, Amir Muqam, was quoted by Radio Pakistan as saying after he hosted the Chinese delegation led by renowned economist Yuan Jianmin Senior in Islamabad.
Muqam said investing in Gilgit Baltistan could benefit both China and Pakistan and foster economic growth, regional connectivity and a stronger partnership.
“The delegation showed keen interest in construction of a Special Economic Zone in Gilgit Baltistan,” Radio Pakistan added.
GB locals fought pro-India forces and opted to join Pakistan in 1948. But since then Gilgit-Baltistan has not been granted full inclusion by the Pakistani constitution over fears doing so would jeopardize Islamabad’s international stance that all of Kashmir is disputed territory.
The local assembly has few powers. Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate have no representation from Gilgit-Baltistan, and the region receives only a fraction of the national budget.
The CPEC project had aimed to bring development to the region but that has not happened, a consequence, many residents believe, of the lack of local representation at national levels.
New roads, two hydroelectric power plants, a fiber-optic Internet line, and a special economic zone to boost industrial activities have all been proposed as part of the CPEC project since 2013, but none have been materialized so far.
The only substantial project from the China-Pakistan partnership has been the construction of the Karakoram Highway, completed decades ago.
