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NDMA WARN OF HEAVY RAINFALL, FLOODING AS MONSOON WREAKS HAVOC ON COUNTRY Monday, 19 August, 2024 I | 13 Safar, 1446
11 PEOPLE KILLED, DOZENS INJURED IN VARIOUS ROOF COLLAPSE AND ELECTROCUTION INCIDENTS IN PAST 24 HOURS
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STAFF REPORT
HE National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday issued warning of heavy and intense rainfall in the next 24 to 48 hours, raising concerns about potential urban flooding in major cities. The alert comes as torrential rain spell of the monsoon season has wreak havoc in various parts across the Sindh Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, claiming 11 lives in various incidents of roof collapse and electrocution in the past 24 hours. In its alert on Sunday, the NDMA directed all relevant departments to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. According to the advisory, there is a significant risk of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Sialkot. Additionally, low-lying areas in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar are also at risk of flooding. The NDMA has cautioned that urban flooding could damage infrastructure and disrupt daily life. Communities living near drainage channels are particularly vulnerable to flash floods and may experience severe impacts. In light of these urban flooding threats, the NDMA has launched the “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” application, now available on both Google Play Store and iOS App Store. The public is urged to stay informed about weather updates and alerts through this app to ensure their safety. PDMA ISSUES FLASH FLOOD ALERT FOR SOUTHERN PUNJAB The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a warning of potential flash flooding in southern Punjab, expected over the next 24 hours. Cit-
izens have been advised to exercise extreme caution and take necessary precautions. A PDMA spokesperson confirmed that the authority is closely monitoring the situation. He assured that emergency response teams are on standby, and relief supplies are being pre-positioned in areas most at risk. The PDMA is actively disseminating critical information through multiple channels to keep the public informed. NO WATER RELEASE FROM INDIA AS WATER LEVEL REMAIN STABLE The PDMA clarified that river water levels remained stable, and India has released no excessive water. In the next 24 hours, much of Punjab is expected to experience further rainfall, heightening concerns over potential flooding. The PDMA spokesperson cautioned that Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur divisions are particularly at risk of flash floods, with local commissioners already on high alert. Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of
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PDMA ALERTS DEPARTMENTS TO POTENTIAL FLOODING IN SOUTHERN PUNJAB, CLARIFYING INDIA HAS RELEASED NO EXCESSIVE WATER
LAKKI MARWAT
PDMA, highlighted the current flood situation in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, which is exacerbated by rainfall in the Sulaiman Mountain range. Medium floodwaters are currently surging through the Rajanpurkaha, Chachar, Patok, and Zangi Road hills, while a high-level flood wave is passing through
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
At least 195 people have been killed and 362 were injured in separate rain-related incidents caused by torrential rains of the current monsoon season in different parts of the country from July 1 to August 17, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in its report released on Sunday. The disaster management authority elaborated on the devastation caused by continued wet spells, which resulted in a great loss of lives, properties, crops and live-
stock since the beginning of the monsoon season. According to the report, seven deaths were reported within the 24 hours till Saturday, August 17, 2024, including six deaths in Punjab and one in Balochistan. The total number of deaths has soared to 195 with today’s casualty figures. Subsequently, at least 30 persons sustained injuries in the same period, with the highest number of casualties reported in Punjab, up to 29. The total number of injuries caused by the devastating rains was recorded at 362. The NDMA further stated that the recently released death toll was recon-
Assures she remains in close contact with IT authorities to address ongoing internet issues State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja firmly denied any governmental involvement in the recent internet slowdown across the country during a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday. Instead, she attributed the issue to the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) by users, which she claimed led to the slowdown of “their phones.” It is important to mention here that most government officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif down to CM Punjab Mariam Nawaz and other senior and junior ministers use a VPN for X (twitter), which by the government’s own admission has been banned in Pakistan “I swear the government of Pakistan did not block or slow down the internet,” Khawaja asserted, addressing the growing public frustration over the intermittent internet issues that have plagued the nation. Khawaja explained that the government has been in constant consultation with experts, working tirelessly to understand and resolve the situation. She noted that users resorted to using VPNs when certain applications failed to download, adding that “turning VPN on slows down the phone.” This statement comes amidst widespread disruptions to internet
services, with millions of users struggling to maintain connectivity, particularly with mobile data in certain regions. The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) and other experts have suggested that these issues may be linked to increased security and surveillance measures, including the installation of a firewall designed to control the dissemination of unwanted content. Earlier in the week, Khawaja defended the government’s decision to implement this internet firewall, describing it as a necessary cybersecurity measure. “Every country in the world takes such steps,” she stated on Thursday, emphasizing the need for enhanced capabilities to combat evolving cybersecurity threats. “Look at the cybersecurity attacks being carried out on the country and globally. States must respond adequately to these threats,” she added. Khawaja assured that she remains in close contact with IT authorities to address ongoing internet issues, announcing that a meeting on the matter is scheduled for next week. In response to the current connectivity challenges, she revealed that the government is actively working on increasing internet capacity by laying four additional internet cables across Pakistan. During the press conference, Khawaja also shared significant de-
velopments in the IT sector, including the government’s plan to introduce the 5G spectrum in 2025, which she promised would deliver the fastest internet speeds. Furthermore, she highlighted the foundation stones laid for IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi, initiatives expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and millions of dollars in revenue. These IT Parks are being developed in collaboration with South Korea. The minister also disclosed plans to establish at least 250 e-employment centers nationwide in partnership with provincial governments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she mentioned, has allocated more than Rs60 billion for the IT sector in the budget despite the challenging economic conditions. Khawaja praised the sector’s exports, which have reached Rs3 billion, and noted that the IT sector is among the top priorities of the Prime Minister and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Additionally, she announced the creation of a digitisation commission, to be led by the Prime Minister himself. IT experts contest minster’s claim on VPNs use Meanwhile, the Information Technology (IT) experts ridiculed State Minister for IT Shaza Fatima’s claim that the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) caused internet disruption in the country.
Govt proposes fuel price adjustment mechanism for gas bills, mirroring electricity charges
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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY GAS RATE ADJUSTMENTS AMID CONCERNS OVER ENERGY SECTOR STABILITY ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A government committee focused on addressing challenges in the petroleum sector has recommended the introduction of a fuel price adjustment mechanism in gas bills, similar to the existing system in electricity bills. The proposal emerged during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, where key issues affecting exploration and production (E&P) companies were discussed. The meeting brought together ministers of petro-
the Sakhi Sarwar River in Dera Ghazi Khan. In response to these threats, the PDMA, along with local administrations, is fully mobilized, ensuring that citizens living in the path of potential floods have been relocated to safer areas.
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Torrential rains claim 195 lives Pakistan since July 1: NDMA
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leum, finance, and energy, as well as representatives from both the public and private sectors. Ishaq Dar underscored the critical role of the energy sector in driving economic growth and stressed the need to support both local and international companies to attract further investment. Heads of E&P companies raised concerns about the sector’s stability, particularly in light of the growing circular debt. Private sector representatives also emphasized the importance of opening the downstream gas sector to private companies to enhance its stability. In response, the forum in-
Two cop martyred, three injured in two KP terror attacks STAFF REPORT
Govt has nothing to do with ongoing internet disruption, IT minister claims STAFF REPORT
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structed the Petroleum Division to draft amendments to the OGRA Ordinance, paving the way for a mechanism that would allow for monthly or quarterly adjustments to gas rates. On the issue of security, the committee directed the Interior Division to collaborate closely with E&P companies and other stakeholders to ensure secure operations, especially in high-risk areas. Additionally, the Interior Division was tasked with establishing a onewindow facility at both federal and provincial levels to streamline security measures for the sector.
ciled with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan which experienced disastrous outcomes of heavy rainfalls this season. Flash floods after heavy rains in low-lying areas caused damage to a total of 22 houses across the country in a day, taking the cumulative damages to infrastructure and private properties 2,293, including 1,559 partially and 734 fully damaged from July 1 to August 18. The wet spells have also affected over 44km of roads and 30 bridges in the same period.
Two policemen were martyred and three others, including an SHO sustained injuries in two separate attacks by militants in Bajaur and Lakki Marwat areas on Sunday, the police confirmed. In the first attack, a police mobile van of Bragai police station came under attack by militants during a routine patrol in the Lakki Marwat district, according to district police spokesman Shahid Marwat. “Armed terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on the police mobile van near Sayed Azam Petrol Pump, leaving constable Nisar Ahmad dead,” Marwat told the media. “Three policemen, including Station House Officer (SHO) Shakir Khan, were wounded who were in stable condition at a district’s medical facility.” In another attack in Bajaur district, a traffic police officer was critically injured when unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on him, police said. “The traffic police officer succumbed to his wounds on way to hospital,” a police officer in Bajaur. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, while the police authorities have launched investigation. Interior Minister condemns attack on Police Meanwhile, Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on a police party in the jurisdiction of Bargi Police Station in Lakki Marwat. He paid rich tribute to Constable Nisar Khan, who embraced martyrdom in the attack. The interior minister extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured police personnel. “We salute the sacrifice of Constable Nisar Khan”, he said, adding that the officers and personnel of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have rendered invaluable sacrifices in the fight against terrorists of Fitna Al Khawarij.