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More rains, urban flooding next week as deadly monsoons kill 549 in Pakistan

Pakistan army soldiers evacuate villagers from flooded area, in Rajanpur, a district in the central Pakistan, on August 2, 2022. (AP)
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Updated 25 September 2022
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More rains, urban flooding next week as deadly monsoons kill 549 in Pakistan

  • Pakistan received 133 percent more rainfall this monsoon season than 30-year average
  • Balochistan province is the worst hit by rain and floods, with around 164 dead
Updated 25 September 2022
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department said on Friday Pakistan would be hit with more rains next week which could trigger flash flooding in several regions, including the financial hub of Karachi, as the death toll from rains and floods across the country reached 549 since mid-June.




People wade across a flooded street after heavy monsoon rainfall in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 25, 2022. (AFP/File)

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan, the country received 133 percent more rainfall this monsoon season than the 30-year average.

“Met Office informed that monsoon currents are continuously penetrating in the country likely to become stronger from 10th August (Wednesday),” the Met Department said in a statement on Friday.

“Heavy Rains may generate urban flooding in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala on 08th and from 10th to 12th August,” the statement said. "Flash flooding is expected in local Nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, Sialkot, Narowal, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Kashmir on 08th and from 10th to 12th August."

The statement said heavy eains could generate urban flooding in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas between August 11-13. Rainfall can also trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer and Skardu during the forecast period, the notice said.

“Travelers and tourists are advised to remain more cautious during the forecast period,” it added.




Rescue workers help villagers evacuate from floods after heavy rains in Lasbella, a district in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, on July 26, 2022. (AP/File)

On Monday, a Pakistani military helicopter carrying a top general and five others crashed on a mountain during a flood relief operation and all on board were killed. The helicopter was helping with flood relief work in Balochistan province, which has been worst hit by rains and flooding, with 164 dead.

“133 percent more rainfall across the country than the 30-year average record,” NDMA said on Twitter on Friday, reporting 305 percent more rains in Balochistan, 218 percent in Sindh, 101 percent in Punjab, 26 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 68 percent in Gilgit-Baltistan and 9 percent in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

It said 11 more people had died in floods and rains in Pakistan in the last 24 hours.

“The total number of deaths due to floods/rains across the country is 549 while the number of injured is 628,” NDMA said. “46,219 houses were damaged due to floods and rains.”

Heavy rains have lashed the country since June, leaving large swathes of Pakistan inundated with water and thousands of people homeless.

In 2010, the worst floods in memory affected 20 million people in Pakistan, with damage to infrastructure running into billions of dollars and huge swathes of crops destroyed as one fifth of the country was inundated.

Topics: Monsoon rain 2022 Pakistan Floods 2022

Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 

Updated 5 sec ago
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Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 

  • Van attacked while heading to industrial area where five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors
  • Insurgents have recently targeted Chinese working on projects relating to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Updated 5 sec ago
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: Five Japanese workers narrowly escaped on Friday after a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near the van carrying them to their workplace, police said.
The Hiace van was on its way to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, according to local police chief Arshad Awan.
Police escorting the vehicle returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack, he added. Three bystanders were wounded. 
“All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe,” Awan told media. 
Television footage on local news channels widely showed a damaged van, as police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. Awan said the three passersby who were wounded in the attack were in stable condition at a hospital.
Police were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer. He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident, according to a statement posted on X.
“Timely action by the police saved us from any major loss of life,” he said. “We will not rest until terrorism has been completely eradicated. We will thwart every nefarious act of disturbing the law and order situation.”
Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh, of which Karachi is the provincial capital, directed the inspector general to submit a report after investigating the attack, including details on who the attackers were, where they came from, any information on their facilitators and details of explosives used in the blast.
He directed that immediate arrangements be made for the security of all foreigners in the province. 
“Anti-national elements want to disrupt law and order, which will not be allowed at any cost,” the CM said, praising what he called timely action of the police in thwarting the attack.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on a small separatist group or the Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces.
In recent weeks, insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working in Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
In March, five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
However, Japanese working in Pakistan have not been the target of any such attacks.
With inputs from AP

Topics: Karachi blast Suicide Attack

Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief

Updated 12 min 18 sec ago
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Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief

  • Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan earlier this week to finalize defense-related bilateral projects
  • Saudi official participates in the Fifth Meeting of Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration
Updated 12 min 18 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Bin Abdullah Bin Turki Al-Otaibi called on Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir on Friday and discussed defense collaboration projects, the Pakistani military said on Friday. 
Al-Otaibi arrived in Pakistan earlier this week to finalize defense-related bilateral projects, according to the Pakistani defense ministry. His visit follows on the heels of a two-day visit to Islamabad by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and pushing forward previously agreed investment deals. Pakistan has said it pitched investment projects worth$30 billion to Riyadh during Prince Faisal’s visit.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration including defense production and military training were discussed,” the Pakistan army statement said. 
“COAS affirmed Pakistan Army’s continuing support toward capacity building of Royal Saudi Land Forces.
“Both sides reiterated their resolve to solidify the efforts in defense collaboration with focused approach to target specific capabilities in land, air and sea domains. In this context, concrete proposals were deliberated by the forum to meet tangible objectives within specific timelines.”

In this handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Service Public Relations on April 19, 2024, Saudi Assistant Defense Minister Talal Bin Abdullah Bin Turki Al-Otaibi attends Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration meeting, co-chaired by Chief of General Staff Pakistan Army, during his visit to the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

Al-Otaibi also participated in the Fifth Meeting of Pakistan-KSA Defense Collaboration at the Pakistan army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. 
The forum discussed challenges to global and regional security and noted that rapid advancements in modern technologies “necessitated defense industrial cooperation in critical capabilities between the two brotherly countries.”
“The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan Army’s achievements and sacrifices in war against terrorism and Army’s valuable contributions toward regional peace and stability,” the army’s statement said. 
Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive support, arms, and training to the Saudi armed forces. 
Since the 1970s, Pakistani soldiers have been stationed in Saudi Arabia to protect the Kingdom and Pakistan has also been providing training to Saudi soldiers and pilots. The two nations also regularly carry out multidimensional joint ventures and defense exercises.

Topics: Pakistan Army ISPR Pakistan Saudi Ties

Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan

Updated 30 min 56 sec ago
AP
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Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan

  • Van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors
  • Insurgents have also targeted Chinese working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Updated 30 min 56 sec ago
AP

KARACHI: A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying Japanese autoworkers, who narrowly escaped the attack Friday that wounded three bystanders in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, police said.
The van had been heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, local police chief Arshad Awan said. He said police escorting the Japanese returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack.
“All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe,” he said.
Images on local news channels showed a damaged van, as police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. Awan said the three passersby who were wounded in the attack were in stable condition at a hospital.
Police were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer. He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.
No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on a small separatist group or Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent years. Insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.
In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
However, Japanese working in Pakistan have not been target of any such attacks.
Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and the capital of southern Sindh province.

Topics: Suicide Attack Karachi

Pakistan police kill bomber, militant to thwart attack on Japanese nationals

Updated 19 April 2024
Reuters
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Pakistan police kill bomber, militant to thwart attack on Japanese nationals

  • Japanese survivors moved to a safe place in police custody, police says
  • No immediate claim of responsibility for the attack from any militant group
Updated 19 April 2024
Reuters

KARACHI: Police in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi shot down a suicide bomber and a militant on Friday as they attacked a vehicle carrying five Japanese nationals, all of whom survived, a police spokesperson said.
Islamist militants seeking to overthrow the government and set up their own strict brand of Islamic rule have launched some of Pakistan’s bloodiest attacks over the last few years, sometimes targeting foreigners, such as Chinese.
The Japanese survivors have been moved to a safe place in police custody, the police spokesperson, Abrar Hussain Baloch, said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack from any militant group.

Topics: Karachi Suicide Attack

Pakistan seeks to engage with Global Gateway Strategy through European Investment Bank

Updated 19 April 2024
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Pakistan seeks to engage with Global Gateway Strategy through European Investment Bank

  • EU to invest in infrastructure projects worldwide under Global Gateway Initiative 
  • Over the period 2021–2027, the European Union seeks to invest €300 billion
Updated 19 April 2024
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Ambassador of the European Union, Riina Kionka, and sought the EU’s support to help Pakistan carry out important reforms in various sectors and engage with the Global Gateway Strategy through the European Investment Bank.
The EU is Pakistan’s second most important trading partner, accounting for over 14 percent of Pakistan’s total trade and absorbing 28 percent of Pakistan’s total exports. Pakistani exports to the EU are dominated by textiles and clothing.
“The Prime Minister appreciated the continuous support of the European Union to Pakistan regarding the GSP Plus scheme,” a statement from the PM’s office said about his meeting with Kionka. 
“The Prime Minister said that the European Union can play an important role in providing consultation and expertise for important reforms in various sectors in Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s GSP+ status is a special trade arrangement offered by the EU to developing economies in return for their commitment to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, environmental protection and governance. 
The current GSP framework came to an end in December 2023 but Members of EU Parliament (MEPs) voted in October to extend the current rules on the scheme for another four years for developing countries, including Pakistan.
During his meeting Kionka, Sharif expressed satisfaction over existing institutional mechanisms “meeting regularly to exchange views on further strengthening cooperation” and indicated Pakistan’s interest in engaging constructively with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy through the European Investment Bank.
The Global Gateway Initiative is a worldwide strategy by the European Union to invest in infrastructure projects worldwide. The project was initiated by the EU Commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen. Over the period 2021–2027, the EU will invest €300 billion.
The EU Ambassador briefed the PM on various cooperation initiatives, including an ongoing dialogue on migration and mobility issues between the two sides, as well as facilitating European businesses operating in Pakistan. Progress on the resumption of flights from Pakistan to EU countries was also discussed.

Topics: Pakistan EU Ties

Latest updates

Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing in Karachi 
Saudi deputy defense minister discusses security cooperation proposals with Pakistan army chief
Five Japanese workers narrowly escape suicide bombing that targeted their vehicle in Pakistan
Pakistan police kill bomber, militant to thwart attack on Japanese nationals
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