ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in the eastern Punjab province issued flood warnings for different parts of the province on Thursday, with the death toll from nearly six weeks of monsoon rains and floods across Pakistan rising to 154, officials said.
Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. Last month, a United Nations official warned 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.
Many of the 154 deaths this monsoon season have occurred in Punjab and the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the disaster agency and provincial authorities.
“Due to the rains, the water levels in rivers, dams and streams are rising,” the PDMA said in its latest statement, predicting that the current monsoon spell would last until Aug. 14. “There is a risk that the lower to medium flood situation in the Indus River will persist for the next few days.”
“An alert has been issued regarding the flood situation in the Indus River,” it added. “There is also a risk of flooding in the streams connected to the Chenab and Ravi Rivers.”
The PDMA said there was significant flooding in Nala Aik in Sialkot, calling on the local administration of the area to remain alert.
“Preparations are complete in view of the possible flood risk,” Irfan Ali Kathia, the PDMA chief, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Citizens are advised to take precautionary measures during the rainy season.”
The PDMA said that the new spell of monsoon rains in Punjab will begin from Aug. 9 till Aug. 12.
“During August 10 and 11, most of the districts of South Punjab are likely to experience wind and thundershowers,” the authority said.
It said during this time, monsoon rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Gujarat divisions.
“In view of the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, the concerned departments should be alert,” the PDMA said.
BALOCHISTAN
The top PDMA official in the southwestern Balochistan province said his team was closely monitoring the rain situation and conducting assessment of crop damage to compensate affected farmers.
“The PDMA is identifying and establishing safe places to accommodate people affected by the heavy downpour,” Naveed Ahmad Sheikh was quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency.
“In light of the hazardous weather conditions, the PDMA has notified Section 144 to restrict tourist activities, prioritizing the safety of visitors,” he added.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is often invoked to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area to maintain public order and prevent emergencies.
Balochistan suffered disproportionately during the 2002 floods in Pakistan and was hit particularly hard by heavy rains, which led to severe flooding across many districts.
The floods caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, homes and agricultural lands, displacing thousands of people and resulting in significant loss of life.
More flood warnings in Pakistan as 154 killed in six weeks of monsoon rains
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More flood warnings in Pakistan as 154 killed in six weeks of monsoon rains
- Many of 154 deaths occurred in eastern Punjab, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, disaster authorities say
- Section 144 banning public gatherings imposed in Balochistan to restrict tourist activities, prioritize safety of visitors
Pakistani university, COMSTECH join hands to boost science cooperation among OIC states
- COMSTECH, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences agree to enhance joint research, capacity building and knowledge exchange via agreement
- Agreement launches Jabir Bin Hayyan Scholarship Program enabling students from OIC countries to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD studies at PIEAS
ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and a leading Pakistani engineering institute on Sunday signed an agreement to boost cooperation in science, technology and innovation among OIC states, state-run media reported.
Established by the OIC in 1981 and headquartered in Islamabad, COMSTECH continues to serve as a cornerstone of the OIC’s mission to promote scientific excellence and technological innovation, focusing on sustainable development, poverty reduction, and improvement in quality of life across member states.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said the agreement between COMSTECH and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) seeks to enhance joint research, capacity building and knowledge exchange.
“Under the partnership, COMSTECH and PIEAS will jointly launch educational and scientific programs, organize international conferences, workshops, and training sessions and facilitate faculty and student exchange programs,” Radio Pakistan said.
The MoU was signed by Professor Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, COMSTECH’s coordinator general and Dr. Naseem Irfan, PIEAS rector, during a ceremony on Sunday attended by senior officials and representatives from both institutions.
Another feature of the agreement is the launch of the Jabir Bin Hayyan Scholarship Program, which will enable students from OIC countries to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and post-doctoral studies at PIEAS.
The scholarship covers the disciplines of computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, medical physics, nuclear medicine and other cutting-edge fields.
“The MoU also includes provisions for short-term fellowships, facilitating international academic exchanges and sabbaticals, with accommodation provided by PIEAS,” the state media said.
The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world, after the United Nations. It consists of 57 Muslim member states spread across four continents and is considered a collective voice of Muslim countries around the world.
8 killed, 12 injured in road accident in Pakistan’s Faisalabad district
- Accident occurred when bus collided with rickshaw in Lundianwala’s Lahore Road on Sunday, says state media
- Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed, roads are in poor condition
ISLAMABAD: Eight people were killed and 12 others injured in a road accident when a bus collided with a rickshaw in Pakistan’s eastern Faisalabad district on Sunday, state-run media reported.
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition.
The accident occurred in Lundianwala’s Lahore Road area in Faisalabad district, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, adding that the injured were shifted to Jaranwala hospital.
“Eight people were killed and twelve others injured in a road accident near Lundianwala when a bus collided with rickshaw on Lahore road on Sunday,” Radio Pakistan said.
According to a report in the Express Tribune, all the victims belonged to the same family. The accident took place when they were returning home after spending Eid holidays when the Lahore-bound bus struck the three-wheeled Qingqi rickshaw in which they were traveling due to the driver’s negligence.
The report said that as per eyewitnesses, the accident took place after the driver of the speeding bus attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided head-on with the rickshaw carrying the family, crushing it completely.
Pakistan reports several accidents each year during the Eid holidays when people travel from all parts of the country to their hometowns to visit relatives.
On World Health Day, Pakistan says has ‘long way to go’ in maternal, child care
- Pakistan has a maternal mortality ratio of 154.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to Healthy Newborn Network
- Premier calls for strengthening health systems to address medical and “broader social factors” impacting mother, child care
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed the importance of making progress in maternal and child health, acknowledging that Pakistan still has a “long way to go” in the field as the international community marks World Health Day today.
Pakistan faces significant challenges in maternal and newborn health due to resource constraints and cultural barriers. The country has a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of approximately 154.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, and a neonatal mortality rate of approximately 38.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the global online platform Healthy Newborn Network (HNN).
The international community marks World Health Day every year on Apr. 7. This year’s theme has been chosen as “healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” to stress the importance of maternal and child health care. As per the UN, this year’s campaign will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being.
“Pakistan has made remarkable progress in the field of maternal and child health, but we still have a long way to go,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “We must strengthen our health systems in a way that they can effectively address not only medical but also the broader social factors that impact maternal and newborn health.”
The Pakistani premier said his government is committed to harnessing cutting-edge technology in the health sector and building strong partnerships to further improve public health services.
He said that through the use of digital health tools, data-driven policymaking and effective community engagement, Pakistan aims to bridge the gaps that hinder health service delivery, especially in underserved and remote areas.
“As we celebrate World Health Day 2025, let us reaffirm the need for an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to health,” Sharif said. “This should include integrated and practical actions in health care, education, nutrition, environment, and governance.”
The premier said his government must prioritize preventive health care, universal health coverage, improving mental health and eliminating health inequalities.
“Our goal should be to ensure that everyone has access to quality health facilities, trained health workers, safe treatments, and essential medicines in a timely and affordable manner — whenever and wherever they are needed,” he added.
Apart from maternal and child health, Pakistan also faces significant health challenges in various fields. According to the World Bank, Over 40 percent of Pakistan’s under-five children are stunted, as compared to the South Asian average of 31 percent.
Polio is another challenge that Pakistan is grappling with, making the country one of only two where the disease is endemic. After reporting an alarming 74 cases in 2024, the country has so far reported six cases of the disease.
Pakistani nationalist party calls balochistan strike as government warns of arrests
- The BNP-M announced a march toward Balochistan provincial capital of Quetta to demand release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other rights activists
- Pakistan’s government and army have variously referred to Baloch and her rights group as ‘terrorist proxies’ allied with militant separatist groups
QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has called for a shutter-down strike and road blockades across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province today, Monday, over a police crackdown on its supporters, who attempted to march toward the provincial capital of Quetta a day ago to demand the release of Baloch rights activists arrested last month.
The BNP-M, led by lawmaker Sardar Akhtar Mengal, on Friday announced its supporters would march from Lak Pass in the Mastung district toward Quetta after their talks with provincial government officials for the release of detained rights activists failed to yield any results.
The BNP-M is demanding the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and several of her colleagues who were arrested on Mar. 22 after staging a sit-in outside the University of Balochistan. Pakistani authorities charged them with “terrorism,” sedition and murder following a protest in which three demonstrators were killed, according to police documents.
The Baloch nationalist party said police used tear gas to keep the protesters from marching toward the provincial capital, where authorities have imposed a ban on public gatherings.
“Our today’s morning plan was to go towards Quetta, but all the roads were closed with huge deployment of security forces,” BNP chief Mengal told Arab News on Sunday.
“We have decided to continue our sit-in in Mastung and we have called a province-wide shut down and road blockades tomorrow [Monday] morning.”
Asked about his negotiations with the government, Mengal called the provincial cabinet members “powerless.”
“I think the government negotiation’s committee didn’t have the authority to fulfill our demands,” he told Arab News. “This protest will continue until Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other detained members of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) are not released,” Mengal told Arab News.
The BNP-M supporters blocked several highways leading to Quetta on Sunday as police fired tear-gas to disperse them.
Muhammad Baloch, a senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Quetta, said they had arrested 50 protesters.
“Police have booked the protesters who pelted stones on police personnel and citizens and blocked several roads in Quetta,” he said.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has been the site of an insurgency for the last two decades. The separatists accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper. Successive Pakistani governments have denied the allegations.
The Pakistan army and the government have in the past variously referred to Baloch and her BYC as “terrorist proxies” who they say are allied with militant separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Baloch and her group deny the charge and say they lead peaceful protests for the rights of the ethnic Baloch people.
Police actions against Baloch rights activists have intensified after Baloch separatist militants last month staged a dramatic train siege that officials said ended in around 60 deaths, half of whom were separatists behind the assault.
Shahid Rind, a spokesperson of the Balochistan provincial government, said Mengal had been informed that he would be detained under the Maintenance of Public Order law if he moved to Quetta.
“The administration and police clearly told him that if he moves toward Quetta, he will be arrested and that’s why the law enforcement agencies are there,” Rind said.
The BNP-M sit-in at Lak Pass has resulted in the closure of the key Quetta-Karachi highway by authorities for the last nine days, disconnecting Quetta from Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi and the Taftan border with Iran.
“We arrived here on the 28th of March and parked our vehicles near Lak Pass due to road blockades and have been sitting here for the last 10 days because the authorities have blocked Quetta-Karachi highway,” Muhammad Hashim, a driver who was going to Quetta from Karachi, told Arab News.
“This situation is not benefiting anyone whether the protesters, government or ordinary citizens. The government should resolve this issue immediately and open the road.”
Pakistan hands over 35 tons of humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Myanmar
- The 7.7-magnitude quake hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw
- It has worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis triggered by the country’s civil war that internally displaced more than 3 million people
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has handed over 35 tons of emergency relief aid to Myanmar for its earthquake-affected people, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, as death toll from last week’s massive earthquake in Myanmar neared to 3,500.
The 7.7-magnitude quake hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw. The earthquake left many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaged roads and bridges, making the full extent of the devastation hard to assess.
It also worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis triggered by the country’s civil war that has internally displaced more than 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need, according to the United Nations.
Pakistan had dispatched the second consignment of humanitarian aid through an air cargo flight from Islamabad to Yangon, Myanmar, according to Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID).
“Pakistan’s Ambassador to Myanmar Imran Haider officially gave the consignment to Chief Minister of Yangon Region at Yangon International Airport,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“This shipment, comprising 35 tons of goods, brings the total relief assistance dispatched to Myanmar after the recent earthquake to 70 tons.”
The development came as rain compounded misery and presented new hurdles for relief efforts in Myanmar on Sunday. With people either having lost their homes entirely or reluctant to spend time in cracked and unstable structures, many residents have been sleeping outside in tents.
United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said in a video filmed in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, that food, water, and power repairs were needed urgently.
Many people in the area are still without shelter, he said, describing the scale of damage in the city as “epic.”
“We need to get tents and hope to survivors as they rebuild their shattered lives,” Fletcher wrote on X.
