ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday over 2,800 people had been evacuated to safer places from 18 villages submerged after India unexpectedly released excess water into River Sutlej.
Relations between neighboring Pakistan and India, already hostile, have been further strained over India’s decision this month to revoke the special status of its portion of the Kashmir region that both countries claim. Pakistan reacted with fury, cutting transport and trade links and expelling India’s ambassador in retaliation.
Islamabad says the unexpected release of water into the River Sutlej that flows from India to Pakistan is part of an attempt by New Delhi to flout a longstanding treaty between the countries.
“1220 people were evacuated from three highly affected villages,” the NDMA said in a statement. “From other locations 1613 other were also moved to safer places.”
In a separate statement, NDMA said 81 relief camps had been set up in flood-prone areas and concerned authorities directed to ensure the timely evacuation of people. Necessary precautionary measures were also in place in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Vehari, Pakpatan, Okara and Kasur districts, the statement said.
“Water level in the river Sutlej is increasing while all the other major rivers will remain in low to medium flood level,” the NDMA said.
According to NDMA spokesman Brig. Mukhtar Ahmed, India had released more than 204,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej river without prior warning. Ahmed said the water level in Ganda Singh Wala village, located in Kasur district, was around 19.30 feet, with 60,340 cusecs of water inundating the area on Wednesday.
Official data provided by the NDMA shows 221 people have been killed and 165 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan since July this year as Pakistan continues to deal with flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season which usually runs from July to September.
India and Pakistan have long argued over water resources. A World Bank-mediated arrangement known as the Indus Water Treaty splits the Indus River and its tributaries — which 80 percent of Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture depends on — between the countries.
India, which lies upstream, threatened in February to stop sharing excess water with Pakistan after a suicide bomb attack in Kashmir killed 40 Indian paramilitary police. A Pakistan-based group accepted responsibility for the attack. Islamabad denies state complicity.
Pakistan says 18 villages submerged as India releases water into river Sutlej
Pakistan says 18 villages submerged as India releases water into river Sutlej
- Over 2800 people evacuated to safer locations, says National Disaster Management Authority
- 81 relief camps set up as 204,000 cusecs of water released into Sutlej without warning
At ulema conference, Pakistan PM urges clerics’ help to curb militancy, sectarianism
- Shehbaz Sharif urges religious scholars to play role in promoting unity among all schools of thought
- His appeal comes amid a surge in separatist and extremist violence targeting civilians and soldiers
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the eradication of militancy and sectarianism, saying the country could not progress without promoting unity and cohesion.
His remarks came while addressing religious scholars at the National Ulema Convention in the federal capital, urging them to play a proactive role in promoting brotherhood and harmony among all schools of thought.
The prime minister's plea comes at a time when the country has witnessed a surge in separatist and extremist violence, with militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) carrying out attacks on police and security forces in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan provinces.
"I believe that the most important thing agreed upon in this gathering today should be this that unless we establish an atmosphere of unity and cohesion among the nation in general, this country cannot progress," Sharif said in his address.
"If this country is to progress, the elimination of terrorism is absolutely essential," he added. "To protect this country, the political and military leadership together has worked tirelessly."
He also called for the elimination of sectarianism from the country.
The prime minister lambasted Afghanistan for sending militants to Pakistan who target civilians and security forces, highlighting that Pakistani soldiers were being killed everyday in KP and Balochistan.
The administration in Kabul denies sheltering or facilitating armed factions, describing Pakistan's security challenges as its internal problem.
