ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday warned of flooding in the Punjab and Balochistan provinces, informing that 320 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the monsoon in July, while anticipating more rain in the next 24 hours.
Monsoon rains are crucial for Pakistan’s agrarian economy, providing essential water for crops and replenishing water reservoirs. However, the country has been experiencing increasingly erratic weather patterns, including heatwaves, droughts and flooding, which are widely attributed to climate change.
The unprecedented rains during the 2022 monsoon season were a stark reminder of these changes, resulting in nearly 1,700 deaths and causing estimated losses of over $35 billion.
The NDMA anticipated more rains, gusty winds and thundershowers in most parts the country on Wednesday.
“Scattered thunderstorm rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy falls is expected over the upper catchments of all major rivers along with Islamabad & Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, DG [Dera Ghazi] Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, DI [Dera Ismail] Khan, Zhob, Loralai, Sibbi, Mirpur Khas, Larkana, Sukkur, Nasirabad and Kalat divisions,” the NDMA said in its situation report.
FLOODS
Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Irfan Ali Kathia said local administrations were put on alert and asked to take citizens living near the areas that could be affected by floods to safe places in advance.
“In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of rain in most of the districts of Punjab, and due to the rains in the upper areas, there is a fear of increasing the flow of water in the rivers,” the PDMA statement said.
“There is a risk of low-level floods in the Indus River, while there is a risk of flooding in the rivers adjacent to the River Chenab and Ravi,” it added.
Meanwhile, Younus Mengal, head of the PDMA Balochistan’s control room in Quetta, said flash floods had been reported from various districts, including Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Qila Saifullah, Kach, Kalat and Khuzdar.
Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also warned of heavy downpours, windstorms and lightning, saying they could affect daily routines and lead to the collapse of weak structures, including rooftops, walls, electric poles, billboards and solar panels.
The provincial administration also informed that due to heavy rains and landslides, the Thal to Kumrat road in Upper Dir had been closed to all types of traffic at various locations.
The monsoon currents are still penetrating Pakistan as the regional meteorological center in Karachi said during the day, saying they were entering eastern parts of the Sindh province.
“As a result, thunderstorms with moderate to isolated heavy rainfall are likely in the districts of Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Badin, Thatta, Jamshoro, Dadu, Matiari, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Khairpur,” the center said in a statement.
Pakistan’s disaster body warns of more rain, flooding as monsoon death toll hits 320
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Pakistan’s disaster body warns of more rain, flooding as monsoon death toll hits 320
- Authorities in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province warn of flooding in Ravi, Chenab and Indus rivers
- An official in Balochistan also reports flash floods in districts like Chaman, Qila Saifullah, Kach and Kalat
Pakistan ruling coalition set to pass constitutional amendments to consolidate power in judicial appointments
- Constitutional amendment package will set tenure of Supreme Court Chief Justice to three years, change process of CJ’s appointment
- Opposition PTI party has called judicial reforms package an ‘attack’ on judiciary, threatened nationwide protests if amendments passed
ISLAMABAD: Both the upper and lower houses of parliament are scheduled to convene today, unusual for a Sunday, as the government plans to table a history-making ‘constitutional amendment package’ that will increase the retirement age of superior judges by three years and change the process by which the Supreme Court chief justice is appointed.
The package of reforms, widely believed to include as many as 22 amendments to the constitution, has raised widespread concerns among opposition parties and independent experts who say the moves are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes. The reforms also include changes to Article 63-A of the Constitution, which relates to the disqualification of legislators who cross party lines in voting for a constitutional amendment.
Ahead of the parliamentary session, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party, told reporters the government had the 224 votes, two-thirds majority, needed to pass the amendment. He also refuted reports that the amendment was being introduced to grant an extension to Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, widely believed to be aligned with the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and in opposition to its chief rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former PM Imran Khan, who has threatened nationwide protests against the reforms.
“It’s not going to be a person-specific or individual-specific legislation,” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar told reporters on Sunday. “Whatever is going to happen will be in the greater good of the people. It would be to benefit the people, the nation.”
PM Sharif’s office quoted him as saying at a dinner for legislators on Saturday night that the legislation would be passed “in the national and public’s interest” and to “ensure the sanctity of parliament.”
AMENDMENTS
The coalition government is proposing that the retirement age of superior judges be increased by three years. Currently, Article 179 of the Constitution envisages that a judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office until he attains the age of retirement of 65 years, whereas Article 195 of the Constitution says that a judge of a high court shall hold office until he attains the age of 62 years. The current CJ retires on Oct. 25.
The government is also mulling revising the seniority principle in the appointment of the top judge, the coalition government’s spokesperson on legal affairs Aqeel Malik told media this week.
At present, according to Article 175A of the Constitution, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as the chief justice on the basis of the principle of seniority, but there are widespread reports that the constitutional amendment envisions the top judge chosen from a panel of five senior-most judges by a judicial commission and a parliamentary committee together.
The reform package also includes a proposal to allow the transfers of judges from one high court to another.
“If passed, the reforms could mark a seismic shift in the country’s judiciary, shaking up long-established procedures and leaving a lasting impact on how the judicial and executive branches interact,” Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper said in a news analysis.
In an interaction with reporters, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said the constitutional package was an “attack” on the judiciary and its freedom.
“We believe the government is adopting an unconstitutional process,” he said. “Primarily, every aspect of the state needs to be independent, especially the judiciary, it cannot be compromised, … If there is any attempt to do this to the judiciary, we will strongly condemn it.”
RESERVED SEATS
The amendments have been proposed after a string of Supreme Court judgments that have ostensibly challenged Sharif’s coalition government, mostly notably a July 12 verdict by a 13-member bench of the Supreme Court that declared the PTI eligible for reserved parliamentary seats.
The verdict dealt a major blow to Sharif’s weak ruling coalition, which may lose its two-thirds majority in Pakistan’s parliament if the verdict is implemented. Sharif’s PML-N party has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the verdict.
PTI candidates contested the Feb. 8 general elections as independents after the party was barred from polls on the technical grounds that it did not hold genuine intra-party polls, which is a legal requirement.
Subsequently, the PTI-backed candidates won the most seats in the election, but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled independents were ineligible for their share of 70 reserved seats — 60 for women, 10 for non-Muslims. The reserved seats were then distributed among other parties, mostly those in the ruling coalition, a decision Khan allies contested in the court.
Reserved parliamentary seats for women and minorities are allocated in Pakistan in proportion to the number of seats a political party wins in general elections. This completes the National Assembly’s total 336 seats.
A simple majority in Pakistan’s parliament is 169 seats.
Pakistan government says recently proposed judicial legislation to be in ‘greater good’ of people
- The government plans to bring constitutional amendments in parliament to increase retirement age of apex court judges
- Ex-PM Khan’s PTI opposition party has criticized the move and alleges it is designed to favor the country’s top judge
ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said on Monday a proposed judicial legislation to reportedly extend retirement age of top court judges among other things would be in “greater good” of the masses, with the opposition criticizing the intended constitutional amendment.
The coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is planning to get a constitutional amendment passed from parliament to allegedly give an extended term to the country’s top judge. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament, which are currently in session.
Pakistan’s main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has criticized the move and alleges that it is designed to favor the country’s top judge. Former PM Imran Khan, the PTI founder, this week warned of countrywide protests if the amendment was approved.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the presentation of the amendment before the cabinet, Tarar said judicial reforms were essential to provide speedy justice to the masses and any legislation would be made in collective interest of the nation.
“We are positive about the number game,” he said. “It’s not going to be a person-specific or individual-specific legislation. Whatever is going to happen will be in greater good of the people. It would be to benefit the people, the nation.”
Tarar said it took the courts decades to resolve the cases and measures needed to be taken to ensure speedy justice. Many times, the cause list is not issued, notices are not issued and orders are issued, there should be a balanced system,” he said.
On Saturday, PM Sharif said parliament was the “supreme institution” through which important matters should be resolved.
“To ensure the sanctity of the parliament is maintained, it is necessary that legislation in the national and public’s interest takes place,” Sharif’s office quoted him as saying at a dinner for legislators on Saturday night.
Sharif’s weak coalition government is trying to muster support of enough lawmakers for a two-thirds majority to get the constitutional amendment passed, fearing it can lose a portion of its existing number of seats after an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court on reserved parliamentary seats for women and minorities.
In a verdict on July 12, a 13-member bench of the court declared the PTI eligible for the reserved seats after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) forced the party’s candidates to contest the Feb. 8 polls as independents.
The ECP took the decision after the PTI lost its election symbol in the wake of a prolonged legal battle for not holding proper intra-party polls. Subsequently, the election body refused the reserved seats to the PTI on technical grounds, saying they were only meant for political parties instead of independent candidates.
The Supreme Court overturned the ECP decision, saying it had misconstrued an earlier verdict related to the election symbol by depriving the PTI of the reserved seats. Instead of giving the seats to the party, however, the election body filed a petition, seeking guidance on the matter and questioning the validity of the party’s organizational structure under the circumstances.
In a short order on Saturday, the apex court censured the election regulatory authority for its “dilatory tactics” to avoid the implementation of the judgment.
As per the official tally, the ruling coalition is short of at least 13 lawmakers in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate to gain the required two-thirds majority.
Pakistan’s Multan to host first T20 international series featuring South Africa women
- The three matches provide an opportunity for both sides to gear up for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in UAE
- South Africa, who were runners-up in the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, are touring Pakistan for the second time in as many years
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women under the leadership of Fatima Sana are set to take on Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa in the three-match T20 series commencing at the Multan Cricket Stadium from Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday, adding that this would be the first T20 international series in the city.
The second and third T20Is will be played at the same venue on 18 and 20 September, respectively. The first and second matches will start at 7pm Pakistan time, while the third will begin at 10am.
This will mark the first time that the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium will host a T20 and a women’s international series. Previously, the stadium has hosted 11 ODIs and six Test matches.
“The three matches provide an opportunity for both sides to gear up for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in the UAE,” the PCB said in a statement.
South Africa, who were runners-up in the last edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa, are touring Pakistan for the second time in as many years.
“The players have been working hard in training, and the series against South Africa is a great opportunity for us to prepare ourselves well before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled next month. South Africa are a strong side and playing against them will help us assess our game under pressure situations,” Sana said ahead of the T20I series.
“We are excited to play at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium, especially as the stadium is hosting its first-ever international women’s T20I series. The support from the fans in Pakistan is always incredible and with free entry to the stadium, it is a great opportunity for people to come and cheer for both sides.”
During their last visit, South Africa played a white-ball series, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs (part of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25). Pakistan whitewashed South Africa in the three-match T20I series held in Karachi on September 1-4.
To encourage fans to come to the ground, entrance to the stadium will be free, according to the PCB. The spectators will be required to bring their original identity cards to get inside the stadium.
After the series, South Africa will depart for the UAE on September 21, while Pakistan will leave on September 23. Pakistan are in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa are grouped with Bangladesh, England, Scotland and the West Indies.
Following warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh on September 28 and 30 respectively, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on October 3 in Sharjah, followed by matches against India on October 6 in Dubai, Australia on October 11 in Dubai and New Zealand on October 14 in Dubai.
18-member Pakistan squad for series:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani
Saudi Arabia, other friendly states to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in five years — minister
- The development comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment to drive economic growth, development
- In recent months, Pakistan has reached investment deals mainly with Gulf states in maritime, energy and other sectors
ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have pledged to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in the next five years, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, amid a push for foreign investment in the South Asian country.
The development comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment to drive economic growth in Pakistan that has been engulfed in an economic crisis due to decades of financial mismanagement.
In recent months, the South Asian country has reached multiple investment deals with a number of countries, mainly the Gulf states, in infrastructure, energy, maritime, ports and other sectors.
Iqbal said his government was making efforts to bring socio-economic reforms to put the country on the path of fast-track economic development, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Saudi Arabia has announced to invest five billion dollars, while the UAE and Kuwait will each invest ten billion dollars and Azerbaijan will invest two billion dollars,” he was quoted as saying.
China has also shown willingness for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative through which it has pledged over $60 billion in investment projects in Pakistan, according to Iqbal.
Beijing has given assurances for the establishment of five new corridors, including that of growth, livelihood, innovation, green economy and open regional inclusive development.
Since avoiding a default last year, Pakistan has been making attempts to boost investment and trade to revive its fragile economy, and reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July for a new $7 billion loan.
The IMF executive board is due to meet on September 25 to discuss the bailout, with Pakistani officials saying that all matters with the lender have been “settled amicably.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this week that friendly countries had played a major role in helping meet requirements placed before Islamabad by the IMF, which included arranging additional external financing and debt rollovers.
Islamabad has for years relied on China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for assistance to meet such external financing requirements.
Pakistan urges world powers to intervene to end Israel’s war on Gaza
- PM Shehbaz Sharif laments Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza that have killed over 41,000 since last year
- Condemns Israeli military for killing UN aid workers in Gaza, ignoring UN Security Council resolutions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week held Israel responsible for killing thousands of Palestinians since last year, calling on world powers to intervene and end the Jewish state’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel launched a war on Gaza on Oct. 7 after Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israeli military campaign has since demolished swathes of the besieged enclave, killed more than 41,00 people, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million people multiple times, and given rise to deadly hunger and disease in the area.
With thousands of civilians killed in Gaza, questions have been raised at the UN Security Council’s ineffectiveness in brokering a ceasefire. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week described the Security Council as an “outdated,” “unfair” and “ineffective system,” saying its failure to end Israel’s war on Gaza has damaged the credibility of the organization.
“We have been condemning Israel’s aggression and barbarity and will condemn it today as well,” Sharif said on Thursday while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet.
“But the matter has now reached a point beyond condemnations. The international conscience must awaken and fulfill its obligations [to end Israel’s war],” he added.
He criticized Israel for killing UN aid workers in Palestine and also violating resolutions passed by the Security Council on Gaza.
“UN staff members responsible for arranging polio [vaccinations] and food were killed there,” Sharif lamented. “If these incidents had taken place in any other country, it would have caused a storm.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other multilateral platforms. The South Asian country has also dispatched several aid consignments for the Palestinians.
