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MONSOON FURY RAGES ON AS NDMA DECLARES KP, GB & AJK VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIDE, FLOODING Tuesday, 20 August, 2024 I | 14 Safar, 1446
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RAINS, FLOODS CLAIM 18 LIVES IN BALOCHISTAN g MULTIPLE LANDSLIDES IN GHIZER DAMAGE AND CAUSED WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO DOZENS OF HOMES, BLOCK KARAKORUM INFRASTRUCTURE AND CROPS: PDMA HIGHWAY AT THREE LOCATIONS
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 51 I 40 Pages I Islamabad Edition
SINDH CM DIRECTS PLUGGING BREACH IN DADU CANAL BESIDES STRICT VIGILANCE ON CANAL EMBANKMENTS AND DYKES ISLAMABAD/QUETTA STAFF REPORT
HE National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) on Monday anticipated landslide and flash flooding risk in parts of the Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) amid active glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). Heavy rainfall has been anticipated by the NEOC in GB and AJK from August 19 to 24 whereas river discharge was expected to increase due to rise in temperature, increased snow melt and heavy rains, a news release said. As per the NEOC’s predictions, heavy rainfall in Chitral, Dir, Charbagh, Malakand, Hazara, Mirpur, Mansehra, and Abbottabad Districts of Khyber Pakhunkhwa while Gilgit, Diamir, Nagar and Hunza districts of Gilgit Baltistan. Rains may trigger localized landslides at Karakuram Highway along Hunza, and at risk areas of Nagar, Gilgit, Diamir, Lower and Upper Kohistan. The NDMA urges all relevant authorities and the public to take necessary
precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides. NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments and mobilize resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situation. Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during forecast season. The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities. NDMA advises the public to stay informed and download ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app for timely alerts and closely monitor
Mpox update: Another suspected case reported at PIMS
ISLAMABAD: Another suspected monkeypox (mpox) case was reported at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, the hospital officials confirmed on Monday. The 47-year-old patient, a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), had recently returned from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dr Nasim Akhtar, the hospital’s focal person, stated that the man exhibited symptoms consistent with mpox and has been admitted to a specially designated ward for further observation and treatment. This new suspected case follows the previous confirmation of three mpox infections in Pakistan, with another suspected case still awaiting confirmation. Last week’s mpox case not a new variant Meanwhile, the health officials on Monday confirmed that the mpox case announced last week in Pakistan was not the new strain spreading through Africa. The 34-year-old man who had recently returned from a Gulf country was diagnosed as having been infected by mpox virus on Friday. “However, it was not the new strain and the virus has been classified as Clade 2b,” the health ministry said in a statement on Monday. STAFF REPORT
SC suspends orders on audio leak, bars IHC from proceedings further
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday suspended the Islamabad High Court’s orders in the audio leaks and barred the High Court from further proceedings in the matter. The ruling came during the hearing of an appeal filed by the federal government against the IHC's decision in the Bushra Bibi and Najam-ul-Saqib audio leak case. A twomember bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Aminuddin and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the federal government’s petition regarding the audio leaks. The court barred the High Court from further proceedings in the matter and suspended the order against surveillance in the country. The bench remarked that the order to stop surveillance was only effective for one hearing. Justice Aminuddin, during the hearing, remarked, “It is possible that the people involved in the audio recordings themselves leaked them. Has this aspect been considered? Every mobile phone nowadays has a recording system.” During the hearing, the Supreme Court stated that the Islamabad High Court cannot proceed with the audio leaks case. STAFF REPORT
weather reports. Torrential rains claim 18 lives in Balochistan As torrential rains caused havoc across the country, at least 18 people lost their lives in Balochistan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Monday. The provincial authority reported that the rains, which started since July 1, have caused widespread damage to infrastructure and crops. As many as 2919 houses have been
damaged, with 124 completely destroyed and 293 partially damaged. In addition to the loss of life and property, the rains have also caused significant damage to crops, with 97 acres of crops and 31 kilometers of roads affected. The PDMA report also stated that six bridges have been partially damaged, while 120 animals have died due to the heavy rains. Yesterday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning of heavy and intense rainfall across the country in the next 24 to 48 hours, raising concerns about potential urban flooding in major cities. The NDMA 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.
PM orders 50pc public sector cargo shift to Gwadar Port ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday explicitly instructed the authorities concerned to bring 50 percent of all public sector cargo inland via sea through Gwadar port. Shehbaz issued these directives while chairing a review meeting on Chinese investment in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the Chinese experts’ delegation visit to Pakistan from July 30 to August 6, 2024. The forum was told that the Chinese delegation met with representatives from various ministries, who offered suggestions to enhance cooperation in their respective fields. The visit resulted in significant progress in cooperation and investment across trade, energy, agriculture, information technology, communication, and infrastructure. The forum was informed that
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the Chinese delegation engaged with top leaders of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry during their visit. It was briefed that Chinese experts would be enlisted for technology transfer, removing nontrade barriers, and boosting the country’s exports. The meeting was informed that sectoral roadshows would be organized in various Chinese cities to boost exports of Pakistani products. Additionally, Chinese experts will be engaged for technology transfer, upgrading electric vehicles, electro-medical devices, and other sectors. The meeting was told that a Chinese auto spare parts company has recently advanced significantly in establishing its plant in Pakistan. Efforts are underway to facilitate land leasing for special economic zones. Additionally, Pakistani students and researchers will receive agricultural training in China, with 572 applications already received.
The prime minister instructed that students from all provinces should have equal opportunities to participate in this training. The prime minister directed the creation of a committee, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, to oversee the transparent selection of Pakistani students and researchers for agricultural training in China. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Investment and Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Industry and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and relevant senior government officials attended.
ter Salman Safdar, the counsel for Imran Khan, highlighted that the case originally included eight accused, of which six were currently at large. “A total of 35 witnesses have testified so far, with the crossexamination of the final witness in progress,” Barrister Safdar informed the court. He elaborated on the accusations against his client, stating that Khan was alleged to have facilitated a £190 million transaction during his tenure as prime minister. “The funds in question, according to NAB, were intended for a bank but were instead deposited into the Supreme Court’s account,” Safdar pointed out. Ad-
dressing claims about Al-Qadir University, Barrister Safdar asserted that the institution, established under the Al-Qadir Trust, was fully operational and not a ‘ghost project’ as alleged by the government. Justice Hassan queried whether the trust responsible for the university’s establishment was officially registered. Barrister Safdar confirmed the registration and assured the court that additional documents would be provided at the next hearing. The court cautioned Barrister Safdar against any attempts to delay the proceedings, warning that the stay order on the trial court’s judgment could be revoked if such tactics persisted.
IHC halts verdict in £190m case against Imran, wife ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday prevented the trial court from delivering its final verdict in the £190 million corruption reference against former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. A two-judge IHC bench, comprising Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar, heard Khan’s petition requesting the submission of records from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) board’s previous decision to close the case. During the proceedings, Barris-
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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Pakistan’s IT exports surge by 34% YoY in July 2024 amid growing global engagement g
BOOST IN CLIENT BASE, REGULATORY RELAXATIONS, AND CURRENCY STABILITY DRIVE IT EXPORT GROWTH; MONTHLY DECLINE OF 4% RECORDED PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s IT sector continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, with the country recording IT exports of US$286 million in July 2024. This figure marks a significant 34% year-on-year (YoY) increase, although it reflects a 4% month-on-month (MoM) decline. The July exports also surpassed the 12-month average of US$269 million, highlighting the sector’s upward trajectory. As per Topline Pakistan Research, the substantial YoY growth in IT exports can be attributed to several key factors. Pakistani IT companies have expanded their global client base, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This expansion is coupled with a favorable regulatory environment, including the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to raise the permissible retention limit in Exporters’ Specialized Foreign Currency Accounts from 35% to 50%. Additionally, the relative stability of the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) has encouraged IT exporters to repatriate a larger portion of their earnings back to Pakistan. The sector’s global engagement is evident in the participation of leading Pakistani IT companies in prestigious events such as London Tech Week 2024 and Collision Canada 2024. These appearances were supported by the IT representative bodies and the Government of Pakistan, further strengthening the country’s presence on the international stage.
PTI founder seeks Oxford chancellorship amid incarceration
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has applied for the prestigious position of chancellor at the University of Oxford, as confirmed by the PTI party. Marking one year in prison on charges ranging from corruption to inciting violence—which he claims are politically motivated to impede his political career— Imran Khan directed his intentions through his London-based spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. Bukhari informed AFP that Khan’s application is now under scrutiny. Describing the role as largely ceremonial but highly prestigious, Bukhari highlighted Khan’s prominence as an Oxford alumnus, suggesting his election as chancellor would be a significant achievement. The chancellorship became vacant following Conservative peer Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, stepping down earlier this year. The University of Oxford has stated that the list of candidates for the 10-year term will be announced in October, with elections scheduled for the end of that month. Imran Khan, an Oxford graduate of 1975, studied philosophy, politics, and economics. Known for his charismatic and controversial presence during his cricket career and later political tenure, he has been a polarizing figure in both British and Pakistani media. During his time as prime minister, he faced criticism from women’s rights groups and was ousted in 2022 via a no-confidence vote. His subsequent political actions included vociferous critiques of the military and mobilization of massive public support.
Pakistan’s crude oil, gas production decline significantly over past decade g
OIL OUTPUT FALLS BY 25%, GAS PRODUCTION DROPS BY 22% AMID HISTORIC LOW DEMAND FOR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s oil and gas production has experienced notable declines over the past decade, according to the latest data from the Pakistan Petroleum Information Service (PPIS). Crude oil production has decreased by 25%, falling from 94,500 barrels per day in 2015 to 70,500 barrels per day in 2024. This decline reflects a broader trend of reduced output in the country’s energy sector. Gas production has also seen a substantial decrease, dropping by 900 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) from 4,016 MMCFD in 2015 to 3,116 MMCFD in 2024. This reduction represents an annual decline of 4.4%.
Despite this, oil production has seen a slight annual increase of 1.5% in the 2024 fiscal year, reaching 70,536 barrels per day. The decrease in production comes amid a historic plunge in demand for petroleum products, which fell to an 18-year low of 15.3 million tonnes in the fiscal year 202324. The decline in demand is attributed to several factors, including the full passthrough of increased global energy prices to local consumers and a Rs1 trillion collection in petroleum development levy (PDL) from oil sales. The PDL, set at Rs60 per litre on petrol and diesel, has significantly contributed to the reduction in consumption. The decline in demand has been further exacerbated by the overall economic slow-
down, sluggish industrial output, high inflation, and elevated interest rates, which have deterred both industrial and commercial consumers. Additionally, households have cut back on commuting, further driving down consumption. However, there was a notable rebound in demand in the last month of FY24, reaching a 19-month high of 1.45 million tonnes. This surge was driven by a reduction in energy prices and increased use of furnace oilrun power plants to meet the high electricity demand during a particularly hot summer. As Pakistan navigates these challenges, the energy sector faces continued pressure to balance production levels with fluctuating demand and economic conditions.