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.


Pakistan finmin meets venture capital firm Gobi as $50 million tech fund proposed

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Pakistan finmin meets venture capital firm Gobi as $50 million tech fund proposed

  • Techxila Fund II aims to empower Pakistani startups in fintech, e-commerce, logistics, supply chain sectors
  • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirms commitment to strengthen venture capital landscape 

KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met a delegation of the global venture capital firm Gobi Partners on Thursday during which it proposed a $50 million tech fund to empower Pakistani startups, the Finance Division said. 

Gobi Partners is a prominent Malaysia-based venture capital firm. Founded in 2002, the firm says it has more than $1.6 billion in assets under management and invested in over 400 companies across 16 locations in Asia. 

Aurangzeb held a meeting with a high-level Gobi Partners delegation, which included its Chairman Thomas Tsao, Managing Partner Naiel Ikram and Investment Associate Abraiz Abdullah at the Finance Division. 

The delegation briefed the finance minister on Gobi’s regional footprint and its investments in Pakistan through the Techxila Fund I, which was launched in 2020 and has supported startups across fintech, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure, the Finance Division said. 

“Gobi Partners also shared a plan regarding Techxila Fund II, with a proposed target size of USD 50 million, aimed at investing in high-potential sectors including fintech, logistics, health technology, and software services,” the Finance Division said. 

“The firm expressed its intention to anchor the fund with its own capital and mobilize participation from domestic and international institutional investors.”

The Techxila Fund II aims to empower startups in Pakistan as well, focusing on fintech, e-commerce, logistics and supply chain and health tech, according to an earlier statement from Gobi Partners. 

Aurangzeb underscored the Pakistani government’s commitment to strengthening its venture capital and innovation landscape, saying it is a part of its broader strategy to promote private sector-led growth, deepen financial markets and support technology-driven economic diversification. 

The delegation highlighted the importance of further strengthening the enabling framework for venture capital in Pakistan, the Finance Division said.

“In this regard, they suggested encouraging greater participation by domestic financial institutions in venture capital and private equity, as well as considering tax pass-through status for venture capital and private equity fund investments to facilitate local investor participation,” it added. 

The meeting takes place amid Pakistan’s aggressive attempts to increase foreign investment in recent years. The South Asian country has aimed to consolidate recent economic gains such as lower inflation and higher foreign exchange as it targets sustainable economic growth.