ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday warned of heavy showers and flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces over the next two days, urging the masses to exercise caution during this period.
Heavy monsoon rains since July have triggered floods and landslides in many parts of the country, notably Pakistan’s eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces, which have reported the highest number of casualties.
Since July 1, Punjab has reported 92 deaths from rain-related incidents, while KP has reported 74 deaths, according to the NDMA. The Sindh and Balochistan provinces have reported 48 and 21 deaths, respectively.
On Monday, the NDMA said it anticipated more monsoon showers and thunderstorm in most parts of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces from August 26 to August 28.
“Heavy downpour may cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan districts of Punjab and increase in flows are expected in major nullah/streams of the Swat, Dir, Mardan, Kohistan, Buner, Galliyat, Peshawar, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Mansehra, Batagram, Kohat, Orakzai, Khyber, D.I. Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said in a statement.
“Heavy downpour/windstorm and lightning may affect daily routines, weak structures like roof/wall collapse of Kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels etc during the period.”
The NDMA urged local administrations and public to take necessary precautions to mitigate potential impact of flash and urban flooding. It asked relevant departments to alert emergency response teams and mobilize resources to ensure a swift response to any emergency situation.
“Tourists and travelers are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during forecast period,” the NDMA said. “The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.”
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects in the world. 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 heat wave in May and June.
In 2022, unusually heavy rains triggered flash floods in many parts of the country, 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.
Authorities warn of heavy rains, flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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Authorities warn of heavy rains, flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- People have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel over the next few days
- Torrential rains in Pakistan have killed 243 people and injured 447 since July 1, official data shows
Pakistan PM takes notice of passenger offloading issue, forms committee to streamline immigration
- Several passengers complained last month of being offloaded at airports despite having genuine travel documents
- Committee comprising IT minister to be led by minister for overseas Pakistanis, submit report to PM within three weeks
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of reports of arbitrary offloading of Pakistani passengers at various airports and has constituted a 14-member committee to streamline immigration procedures, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis said this week.
The development took place after several passengers last month complained they were being offloaded at various Pakistani airports despite carrying valid travel documents, drawing public ire on social media platforms.
These reports coincided with Islamabad’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which gained significant attention in Pakistan after the arrest of several Pakistani and foreign nationals at airports with forged documents in recent years.
As per a notification by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis seen by Arab News dated Dec. 15, Sharif has formed a 14-member committee comprising the federal IT minister, state minister for overseas Pakistanis, and secretaries of both ministries. The committee will be led by the federal minister for overseas Pakistanis.
“A committee comprising the following members has been constituted to deliberate upon and implement measures for eliminating and minimizing human discretionary elements in the issuance and renewal of the Protectorate of Emigrants (POE) stamp for bona fide emigrants proceeding abroad,” the notification reads.
A POE stamp is a mandatory government endorsement on a Pakistani passport that is required by a citizen traveling abroad for employment.
The committee’s terms of reference (ToRs) include suggesting a “workable and end-to-end digitized process” for online issuance of POE stamps. It has also been tasked to undertake measures to develop a system to facilitate the online renewal of POE stamps.
The committee will suggest a mechanism to monitor workers’ satisfaction with the issuance, renewal of POE stamps and related immigration clearance arrangements.
“[Provide] recommendations for any other related measures which can improve the existing POE arrangements and bring them in line with international best practices,” it added.
The notification said the committee will finalize its findings within three weeks and submit a report to the prime minister.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi last month urged authorities not to offload passengers with valid travel documents.
Pakistan has also intensified its crackdown against individuals accused of exploiting visas to solicit money in Saudi Arabia.
Officials have warned the practice is damaging the country’s image and could affect genuine visa seekers, including religious pilgrims.
