Profit MORE RAINS ON THE CARDS AS MONSOON DEATH TOLL REACHES 657 In partnership with
Tuesday, 19 August, 2025 | 24 Safar, 1447
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PM PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT FOR KP FLOOD VICTIMS, ANNOUNCES CABINET’S ONE-MONTH SALARY
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 42 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
NDMA WARNS OF TWO MORE MONSOON SPELLS, CLOUDBURST POSES RISK TO GB, AJK
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ARMY ENGINEERS, RELIEF TRUCKS DISPATCHED TO BUNER AND OTHER AFFECTED AREAS
Scores swept away as cloudburst, landslides devastate Swabi SWABI
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ISLAMABAD
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HE National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Monday against more rains and cloudburst incidents in northern parts of Pakistan as death toll during the current monsoon season reached 657 while 929 injured in various incidents across country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged the federal government’s complete support for flood-hit communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announcing the donation of one month’s salary from the federal cabinet to aid relief efforts. Chairing a meeting to review ongoing relief efforts by federal government in flood affected areas of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister directed the federal institutions to intensify efforts to assist rain and flood-affected people in various districts of KP. “In this hour of calamity, there is no federal or provincial government; we must ensure the assistance and rehabilitation of affected people,” the prime minister said adding, “Helping our distressed Pakistani brothers and sisters is our national responsibility”. He said this was not a time for politics but for service and healing the wounds of the people. The prime minister stressed that the federal government will also provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and affected individuals under the Prime Minister’s relief package.
A powerful cloudburst followed by landslides struck Swabi district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, causing widespread destruction. Homes were swept away and many residents displaced, according to local officials. Deputy Commissioner of Swabi, Nasrullah Khan, reported that the cloudburst occurred in Dalori Bala after heavy overnight rains, flooding at least 12 houses. “The village consists of 40 to 50 houses, and about 15 to 20 houses have been affected. There are rumors of 10 to 15 fatalities, but no confirmed informa-
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan will oversee relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas while the relevant federal ministers will personally monitor the restoration of electricity, water, roads, and other facilities in affected areas, the prime minister added. Furthermore, he also instructed all relevant federal ministers to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan in person. The prime
171 CHILDREN, 94 WOMEN, AND 392 MEN DIED DUE TO HEAVY RAINS ACROSS COUNTRY
Kp govt allocates Rs800m relief for flood victims, Rs500m earmarked for worst-hit Buner
tion has been received as of yet,” Khan told reporters. Rescue teams struggled to reach the affected areas due to impassable roads, with efforts mainly conducted on foot. “We have rescued people trapped in their homes using boats and ladders,” Khan added. Authorities had already been on high alert due to heavy rainfall in the region, and floodwaters began to recede as rescue efforts ramped up. Swabi has called in additional rescue teams from Haripur and Mardan, as local resources were stretched thin by ongoing operations in neighboring Buner. The Pakistan Army has also been deployed to assist in the recovery. minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to differentiate between provincial or national highways; and opening routes for relief must be the top priority. He also ordered Ministry of Communications, NHA, and FWO to ensure repair of highways and bridges in affected areas. Minister for Communications should personally oversee rehabilitation operations. According to the preliminary es-
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ISLAMABAD
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In a concerted effort to respond to the ongoing crisis caused by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial government has released a total of Rs800 million in relief funds for the affected districts. In addition, an extra Rs500 million has been specifically earmarked for Buner, the district which has borne the brunt of the floods, with the highest number of casualties. The floods, which began in late June, have led to the deaths of
timates, damages to public and private property exceeded around Rs 126 million. NDMA presented a report on the provision of rations, tents, medicines, medical teams, and other essentials, with the prime minister directing an increase in the quantity of relief items. The meeting was informed that the monsoon season will continue until the second week of September, with six major spells already passed and two
at least 657 people across Pakistan, with KP recording more than 300 fatalities. The heavy rainfall and flash floods, compounded by landslides and infrastructure collapse, have resulted in a largescale humanitarian crisis. Thousands have lost their homes, and several critical services have been disrupted, further escalating the situation. The worst-hit region in KP remains Buner, with 217 deaths and 120 injuries reported as of Monday. Buner alone accounts for more than two-thirds of the province’s death toll.
more expected, with effects lasting until the last week of September. As per official statistics released on Monday, since June 26, at least 657 people have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan – 171 children, 94 women, and 392 men. The highest number of casualties has been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where 390 people have died so far, with hundreds injured or missing.
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‘no need’: FM dar rules out possibility of 27th amendment LONDON
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independence day terrorism plot foiled in Balochistan: CM Bugti ISLAMABAD
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Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed on Monday that security agencies had successfully thwarted a planned suicide attack on Independence Day, with a suspected bomber arrested in connection with the plot. Bugti disclosed that the would-be attacker was allegedly facilitated by a lecturer at Balochistan University, marking a significant operation against terrorism in the region. During a press conference in Quetta, Bugti revealed that the arrested individual, a highly educated government employee with a PhD, had been part of the “sophisticated” tier of the Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade, a militant group known for targeting Pakistani security forces. The suspect reportedly provided shelter to the suicide bomber, helped him with transportation, and organized weapons for the attack. Bugti stated that this was the first time security agencies had captured a high-ranking member of the Majeed Brigade’s network, which has been increasingly involved in terrorist activities. The CM denounced the argument that Baloch insurgency was driven by deprivation, pointing to the suspect’s well-off background. “The accused individual’s family includes government employees, and he himself was a highly educated individual, benefitting from a scholarship,” Bugti said. This statement directly contradicted the notion that socio-economic deprivation fueled militancy in the region. Bugti also took aim at the recent multi-party conference (MPC) held in Islamabad, which had tried to portray the Baloch insurgency in a different
light. “The narrative presented by the MPC, which differentiated between terrorism in Balochistan and KP, is an attempt to justify these violent acts,” he stated. The chief minister underscored that the terrorism in Balochistan was not a result of economic hardship but the work of external forces and terrorist organizations like the BLA, which operate with foreign support. Highlighting the efforts of the Provincial Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Bugti disclosed that, during the arrest operation, local residents attempted to resist the authorities. He condemned these actions, asserting that any individuals harboring militants would face legal consequences. “We will take action against everyone involved in supporting terrorists, regardless of their affiliations,” Bugti declared. The CM further emphasized that, in collaboration with law enforcement, the provincial government had been investigating a large number of individuals, including government employees, to prevent further threats. Bugti noted that this investigation was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the intelligence network and improve counterterrorism measures. In his final remarks, Bugti stressed the importance of a unified approach in tackling terrorism, urging political parties to set aside differences and work together for national security. He called for full recognition of the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces in the fight against militancy. “This is a fight we will continue through both legal means and direct action,” Bugti affirmed, reinforcing the government’s determination to protect Balochistan and Pakistan from terrorism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said that the country was “running well” and experiencing stability and economic improvement, adding that there was no need for a 27th Constitutional Amendment. Even though the 26th Amendment remains mired in controversy, the power corridors in Islamabad had been abuzz with talk of a possible 27th Constitutional Amendment, which, according to insiders, would further ‘fine-tune’ the structure and the functioning of the superior judiciary. Speaking to reporters in London during a visit to the United Kingdom, the deputy PM said: “We are still digesting the 26th Constitutional Amendment, so there is no need for a 27th right now. The country is running well. There is stability and economic improvement. “We are putting our full attention towards GDP growth and development. Under [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, all efforts are being made.” Dar added that under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017, Pakistan was “the 24th-biggest economy” and added that the government was working to bring the economy back to that point. “We are headed that way very quickly, and we are getting ready to become part of the G20,” Dar said. In June, amid speculation in
legal circles about the government planning to bring in the 27th Amendment, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association had endorsed a possible amendment while calling for broad-based judicial reforms, including the nationwide rotation of judges. Sources had said certain contentious matters, such as a separate constitutional court, left unresolved in the 26th Amendment, would be taken up in the new amendment. Though speculations had been rife since then, there had been no official word regarding the 27th Amendment. Separately, FM Dar had “productive meetings” with British lawmakers of Pakistani origin, according to a statement from the
Foreign Office (FO). The deputy PM arrived in the UK on Saturday ahead of diplomatic engagements with British and Commonwealth leadership from August 17-19. The FO said earlier this week that he would meet British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pakistan Hamish Falconer. In today’s statement, the FO said that Dar met with British members of parliament (MP) Mohammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Imran Hussain, Ayoub Khan and Adnan Hussain. “The deputy prime minister/foreign minister underscored the deep historical and cultural bonds between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, which are
further strengthened by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in the UK,” the statement read. During the meetings, Dar highlighted the diaspora’s pivotal role as a bridge between Islamabad and London, fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchanges and robust people-topeople connections, the FO added. Dar “emphasised Pakistan’s strong commitment to enhancing bilateral parliamentary exchanges with the United Kingdom”, the statement read. “He noted that such engagements facilitate the sharing of democratic experiences, international best practices and core democratic values, which are vital for the growth and stability of democratic institutions in both countries.” The FO said that the deputy PM appreciated the efforts of the MPs to bring greater attention to the issue of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and commended them for raising awareness on the situation in the UK. The FO said FM Dar also met UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in a “productive” meeting. “During the meeting, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across political, economic, climate and people-topeople domains,” the FO stated.
US keeps close watch on Pakistan-India situation after ceasefire brokered by Trump ISLAMABAD
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that the United States is carefully monitoring the situation between Pakistan and India, even after the recent ceasefire agreement following the deadly conflict between the two countries. During an interview on Sunday, Rubio explained how delicate ceasefire agreements can be, pointing out that sustaining peace in conflict zones is often difficult. He remarked, “Every single day we keep an eye on what’s happening between Pakistan and India, as well as other areas like Cambodia and Thailand. Ceasefires can collapse very quickly, especially after a prolonged war like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.” While the US continues to push for a cease-
fire in Ukraine, Rubio stressed that lasting peace is only possible through a negotiated settlement, not through temporary pauses in fighting. Earlier this year, tensions between Pakistan and India nearly escalated into a full-blown war. On May 7, Indian forces carried out airstrikes on Pakistani territory, a move con-
demned by Islamabad. In retaliation, Pakistan launched a military operation targeting multiple Indian military sites, downing six fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroying dozens of drones. The 87-hour conflict ended after the US intervened to broker a ceasefire, with President Donald Trump announcing the truce on social media and crediting US diplomacy for averting further escalation. While India sought to downplay Washington’s role, Pakistan publicly acknowledged Trump’s efforts and even recommended him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In the aftermath, security sources revealed that India launched a covert operation known as “Operation Mahadev,” aimed at staging fake encounters to frame detained Pakistanis as militants and suppress the Kashmiri independence movement.