Pakistan warns of more showers, landslides after rains kill 31

A boy pushes his cousin on wheelchair through a flooded road caused by heavy monsoon rains, in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 29, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 29 June 2025
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Pakistan warns of more showers, landslides after rains kill 31

  • The downpours, likely to continue till July 5, may disrupt transportation, communication and electricity services
  • Pakistan, home to over 240 million, is currently bracing for an extreme monsoon season that lasts till mid-Sept.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday warned of more showers, flash floods and landslides in the country from June 29 till July 5, following the deaths of more than 30 people rain-related incidents this week.

Downpours are expected to hit Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, Potohar region, Islamabad, and upper and central parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between June 29 to July 3. This may result in urban flooding in low-lying areas of Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the cities of Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Kohat.

In the Potohar region, including Attock, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, there is a high likelihood of urban flooding, especially during the nighttime hours from 9pm to 4am on June 29. Rain emergencies may also occur in the low-elevation areas of Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sargodha.

“These conditions could lead to disruption of transportation in hilly and mountainous regions, landslides, and interruption of communication and electricity services,” the NDMA said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

“NDMA urges all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert, activate contingency plans, and ensure timely dissemination of warnings in local languages.”

The authority cautioned against possible flash flooding in Hazara and Malakand Divisions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lower parts of Jhelum and Poonch valleys in Azad Kashmir, and the Pir Panjal range in northeastern Punjab.

“Low-level flooding is anticipated in River Kabul at Nowshera and its tributaries, along with medium flows in Swat River,” it said.

“Similar low-level flows are expected downstream of Tarbela Dam and in the Chenab River at Khanki and Qadirabad. Additionally, flash floods are likely in tributaries and streams of River Chitral and Hunza.”

The Sindh province in the country’s south is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly affecting Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and Karachi from June 29 till July 5, according to the NDMA.

The risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Karachi division is expected to increase significantly from July 2, particularly in the districts of Hyderabad, Thatta and Badin, where rainwater accumulation may trigger localized flooding and emergency conditions.

“Citizens, especially those in high-risk areas, are advised to stay updated through official adviseries, avoid unnecessary travel near glacial streams, riverbanks, and flooded roads, and keep emergency kits ready,” the authority said.

The Balochistan provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) said thundershowers were expected in several parts of the province over the next 36 hours.

“Landslides/mudflow may also occur in hill torrents due to flash water course,” it said, adding that Lasbela, Wadh, Hub, Awaran, Khuzdar, Surab, Kalat Barkhan and Musakhel districts were likely to be affected.

Isolated falls of rain were also expected in Barkhan, Ziarat, Harnai, Naseerabad, Kacchi, Loralai, Quetta, Mastung, Zhob, Duki, Sohbatpur, Jafarabad, Kohlu, Killa Saifullah, Jhal Magsi, Usta Muhammad, Sherani, Dera Bugti, Panjgur, Gwadar and Kech districts.

Heavy rains have lashed Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces since June 27, raising water levels in rivers to alarming levels and triggering floods in various cities across the South Asian country.

The death toll from drownings in the wake of flash flooding in Pakistan’s northwestern Swat River has climbed to 12, the main rescue service in KP said on Sunday.

Six people have been killed in Punjab, 18 in KP and seven in Sindh over the last two days, the NDMA said on Sunday. Punjab reported the highest number of injuries in the same period, 21, followed by Sindh with 16 and KP with six.

Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is considered one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and faces extreme weather events with increasing frequency.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the NDMA to enhance coordination with provinces and issue timely weather alerts to citizens via cellphone messages.


UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention

Updated 12 December 2025
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UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention

  • Khan’s party alleges government is holding him in solitary confinement, barring prison visits
  • Pakistan’s government rejects allegations former premier is being denied basic rights in prison

GENEVA: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture warned Friday.

Alice Jill Edwards urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of the 73-year-old’s inhumane and undignified detention conditions.

“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said in a statement.

“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said.

“His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”

Khan an all-rounder who captained Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, upended Pakistani politics by becoming the prime minister in 2018.

Edwards said prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law and constitutes a form of psychological torture when it lasts longer than 15 days.

“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.

UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself.

Initially a strong backer of the country’s powerful military leadership, Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, and has since been jailed on a slew of corruption charges that he denies.

He has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall and pursuing his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its allies.

Khan’s supporters say he is being denied prison visits from lawyers and family after a fiery social media post this month accusing army leader Field Marshal Asim Munir of persecuting him.

According to information Edwards has received, visits from Khan’s lawyers and relatives are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, while he is held in a small cell lacking natural light and adequate ventilation.

“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the UN expert said.

“Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”

Edwards has raised Khan’s situation with the Pakistani government.