Profit PUNJAB REELS AS WORST FLOODS IN YEARS SUBMERGE 1,600 VILLAGES, DISPLACE 1.1M In partnership with
Friday, 29 August, 2025 | 4 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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AUTHORITIES EVACUATE AROUND 1,009,000 PEOPLE FROM FLOOD-PRONE DISTRICTS NEAR CHENAB RIVER ALONE
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WARNS SINDH OF LOOMING FLOODS FROM UPSTREAM, SWOLLEN RIVERS IN PUNJAB
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LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/PESHAWAR
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 52 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
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IN TOTAL, 147,500 ANIMALS EVACUATED TO SAFER LOCATIONS, 255 RELIEF CAMPS SET UP IN AFFECTED DISTRICTS
SINDH CM SAYS GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTED HEADWORKS, STRENGTHENED EMBANKMENTS AFTER DEADLY 2022 FLOODS
Saleem jadoon
UNJAB government, backed by Pakistan Army, the disaster management authorities and modern satellite monitoring, scaled up massive rescue and relief efforts as “unprecedented flash flood” continue to devastate vast swathes of the province, submerging 1,652 villages and forcing evacuation of more than 1.1 million people with Sindh bracing for “exceptionally high flows” moving into the Indus River with forecasting for a new rain spell. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) described the floods, triggered by relentless rains and excessive floodwater released by India, as unprecedented, warning of more flow in rivers, especially downstream into the Indus River. The Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that 1,652 villages near the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers have been submerged. The Chenab remains the worst-hit, forcing the evacuation of over one million people. So
Staff RepoRt
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday accused India of “weaponizing water,” alleging that New Delhi had deliberately released torrents from its dams, causing severe flooding in Pakistan’s Punjab province. “India has started using water as a weapon and has caused wide-scale flooding in Punjab,” Iqbal told a TV channel, citing the abrupt release of water into the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. The floods have already claimed at least seven lives in Gujranwala Division, while thousands of acres
NDMA CONFIRMS 820 DEATHS NATIONWIDE, CALLS FLOODS ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ WHILE KP REPORTS 406 DEATHS
NDMA, ARMY AND PROVINCIAL GOVT LEADING LARGE-SCALE RELIEF OPERATIONS AS SUPARCO SATELLITES TRACK FLOODWATERS; EMBANKMENTS REINFORCED
PM calls for urgent water storage projects, collective efforts to curb flood devastation NAROWAL
Staff RepoRt
far, 1,147,000 residents have been rescued, including 1,009,000 from the Chenab, 127,000 from the Sutlej, and 11,000 from the Ravi. Authorities have also shifted more than 147,000 livestock to safer areas, while 265 medical camps, 255 relief camps, and 214 veterinary camps are operational. According to the fresh data released by the NDMA, the monsoon death toll now has
Ahsan Iqbal slams India for ‘weaponising water’ as Punjab floods worsen ISLAMABAD
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of land remain submerged. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to begin evacuating vulnerable communities along the katcha (riverine) areas and low-lying belts of the Indus River and its tributaries. In response, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed provincial and district administrations to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts, ensure the on-ground presence of commissioners and deputy commissioners, document damage to homes and crops, and bar people from entering flood zones.
Afghanistan summons Pakistani envoy over alleged cross-border strikes in Nangarhar ISLAMABAD newS deSk
Afghanistan on Thursday summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to lodge a formal protest over what it claimed were Pakistani military strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces, reigniting tensions between the two neighbours. According to Afghan officials, the reported strikes killed three civilians and injured seven others. Kabul’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attacks as a “blatant breach of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and a provocative act,” warning that “such irresponsible actions will inevitably lead to consequences.” Afghan authorities alleged that two drone strikes hit a residence in Nangarhar’s Shinwar district overnight. Nangarhar Deputy Governor Maulvi Azizullah Mustafa said Afghanistan sought peace and good relations with its neighbours, but cautioned that such incidents undermined regional stability. There was no immediate response from Pakistan regarding either the reported strikes or the summoning of its envoy. The development comes amid worsening friction over cross-border militancy. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the banned Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified attacks inside Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power. Pakistan has at times conducted crossborder operations, insisting they target militant sanctuaries, but Kabul has consistently protested, terming them violations of sovereignty. Earlier this year, tensions escalated after Pakistan closed key border crossings in response to rising militant violence, prompting Afghanistan to impose restrictions on trade and movement. Despite several rounds of talks and high-level visits — including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent trip to Kabul for a trilateral with China and Afghanistan — progress on the security front has remained limited. The latest episode further clouds prospects for Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s planned visit to Islamabad, which had already been delayed over UN travel exemption issues.
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rose to nearly 820 with over 1,100 injuries nationwide since the start of the monsoon season on June 26. Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik described the flooding as “unprecedented,” noting the rare convergence of three weather systems — from the Bay of Bengal, the West, and the Arabian Sea — that struck the country simultaneously. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who visited Narowal on Wednesday, warned that the situation may intensify as floodwaters surge towards Sindh, urging authorities to remain on maximum alert. Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO has stepped in to provide technical support, supplying satellite images of submerged villages, washed-out roads, and stranded populations. These real-time maps are helping disaster managers prioritize evacuations, track crop and infrastructure losses, and plan supply routes for aid distribution. At least 15 people have died in Punjab’s latest flood spell, while the Pakistan Army continues to aid evacuations in Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, Okara, Hafizabad, and Sargodha. The provincial government is on its toes due to the catastrophic flood as the three trans-border rivers have swollen to exceptionally high levels due to a combination of heavy rains and the excess water India is re-
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stressed the urgent need to build additional water storage infrastructure to reduce the devastation caused by flash floods and safeguard lives and livelihoods. Chairing a high-level meeting in Narowal to review the flood situation, the prime minister said enhancing storage capacity was critical and must begin without delay. “Storage capacity is the need of the hour, and without wasting any more time, we should start work in this regard,” he emphasized. Highlighting the importance of mobilizing resources for new dams and reservoirs, he said Pakistan must rely on its own means. He also called for the speedy completion of ongoing projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, to shield the country from future disasters. The prime minister noted that while
leasing from dams, which then flows across the border into Pakistan. The flooding has forced the government to rush in the Army for assistance in eight districts: Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Lahore, Kasur, Okara and Faisalabad. The worst flood has so far submerged Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Jhang, Chiniot, Sambrial, Daska, Phalia and Kasur. The next cities in line of the flood were Sheikhupura, Shahdara, Hafizabad, Okara and Sahiwal. The scenes were of utter chaos as villages after village is surrounded by the floodwater with nearly a million people forced out of their homes, rice, cotton and other crops on thousands of acres of land
UK, Pakistan vow deeper cooperation in security, economy and humanitarian fields ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at the Ministry of Interior, where both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen Pakistan–UK relations in key areas of mutual interest. The discussions focused on cooperation in counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, border security, and curbing human trafficking, with both officials agreeing to scale up joint efforts in these priority sectors. High Commissioner Marriott congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on being awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, commending his leadership and extending best wishes for his future endeavors. She also expressed condolences and solidarity with the people of Pakistan over the loss of lives in recent floods and heavy rains, conveying deep sympathy for the bereaved families. Minister Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm stance on global peace and security, saying, “Pakistan has always been an advocate of peace and strongly con-
demns terrorism in all its forms.” He further underlined the UK’s significance as a trusted partner: “Britain remains an important partner in Pakistan’s journey of progress. We wish to expand bilateral cooperation with the United Kingdom in all areas of mutual interest.” The meeting concluded with both sides highlighting their shared commitment to broadening collaboration beyond security and law enforcement towards stronger political, economic, and humanitarian engagement.
the floods first hit northern areas, they were now wreaking havoc in Punjab’s plains. Offering prayers for those who lost their lives, he praised the coordinated rescue and relief efforts of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the NDMA, Pakistan Army, and civil departments. “This spirit of cooperation has helped minimize losses,” he remarked. Recalling the 2022 floods that devastated Sindh and Balochistan, Shehbaz Sharif warned that Pakistan remains among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries, making preparedness vital. He urged all departments to adopt short-, medium-, and long-term strategies through robust decision-making. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, crops, and infrastructure but stressed that no deaths occurred due to negligence or mismanagement.
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were washed away along with thousands of cattleheads. The rising water in Ravi River has broken a 38-year-old record, threatening Shahdara city near Lahore. Floodwater from Ravi River has entered localities in Sarai Mughal, surrounding the population, destroying agriculture land, prompting the authorities to set up six flood relief camps along the riverbank. The raging Ravi also wreaked havoc in Manga Mandi, Nasla Basantar, Jester and Narowal and is threatening Head Balloki. A big flood wave of nearly 100,000 cusecs in Ravi passed through Renala Khurd with damage yet to be ascertained.
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KP CM vows full rehab, expresses solidarity with Punjab flood victims PESHAWAR
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said Thursday that recent cloudbursts and heavy rains since August 15 have devastated several districts, claiming 406 lives, injuring 245, destroying 664 houses and partially damaging 2,431, besides affecting 511 roads, 77 bridges, and 2,123 shops. He said swift mobilisation of rescue teams saved 5,500 people, with 2,061 personnel and 176 vehicles and boats deployed. So far, 136 roads and 65 bridges have been restored, 119,000 people provided cooked food, 125 trucks of relief goods dispatched, and 70 medical camps established. The CM announced an enhanced compensation package: Rs2 million for families of the deceased, Rs500,000 for the injured, Rs1m for destroyed houses, Rs300,000 for partially damaged homes, and for the first time, Rs500,000 for destroyed shops and Rs100,000 for cleanup. Farmers and livestock owners are also covered. He said Rs654m has already been paid to families of 350 deceased persons, while further disbursements worth billions are being prepared through a digital system to ensure transparency.
Barrister Gohar quits four NA committees on Imran’s direction g
18 PTI MNAS RESIGN FROM STANDING COMMITTEES SO FAR, RESIGNATIONS SUBMITTED TO NA SPEAKER ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday stepped down from four standing committees of the National Assembly on the directions of party founder Imran Khan, as the party pressed ahead with its political strategy. So far, 18 PTI lawmakers — including Barrister Gohar — have resigned from different NA committees, while the party has also announced a boycott of the upcoming by-elections. Barrister Gohar quit four important parliamentary bodies: the
committees on Law and Justice, Human Rights, Information Technology, and the House Business Advisory. The resignations came after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified several PTI leaders in July and August over their alleged role in the May 9, 2023, riots. Among those who have already resigned are Faisal Amin Gandapur — brother of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur — Shaharyar Afridi, Junaid Akbar Khan, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Amir Dogar. Others include Ali Asghar, Sajid Khan, Shahid Khattak, Faisal, and Asif Khan. Ali Asghar gave up his seats on the Cabinet, Privatisation, and Plan-
ning committees, while Sajid Khan resigned from the Overseas Pakistanis, National Heritage, and Kashmir-related committees, even declaring he was ready to vacate his assembly seat if instructed by Khan. Faisal quit the Economic Affairs, Food Security, and Parliamentary Task Force committees. Shahid Khattak announced he was withdrawing from all NA standing committees, while Asif Khan resigned from the Education, National Heritage, Culture, and Information and Broadcasting committees. Separately, Junaid Akbar relinquished his position as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, submit-
ting his resignation to PTI chief whip Amir Dogar in compliance with the party’s political committee directive. Sources confirmed that NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has formally received the resignations of Faisal and Ali. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas also sent his resignation from all NA committees to the Speaker a day earlier.