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PM SHEHBAZ VISITS KP’S FLOOD-RAVAGED AREAS AS RESCUE OPERATION COMPLETED IN DALORI Thursday, 21 August, 2025 | 26 Safar, 1447
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PRIME MINISTER ASSURES FLOOD-AFFECTED PEOPLE OF GOVT AND ARMY’S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EXTENDING MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO THEM ‘IN THIS CRITICAL HOUR’
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SPEAKS OF ILLEGAL ENCROACHMENTS, TIMBER MAFIA, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY IN REGION’S WATERWAYS, WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO LOSSES
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 44 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
APPRECIATES TIRELESS DEDICATION OF ARMED FORCES AND CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, ASSURING THEM OF ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE FIELD MARSHAL MUNIR LAUDS SELFLESS COMMITMENT OF TROOPS ASSISTING VICTIMS OF FLOODS AND TORRENTIAL RAINS
Imran Khan nominates Achakzai, Swati as NA and Senate opposition leaders respectively ISLAMABAD
staff report
Karachi reels under heavy rains as death toll rises to 16 KARACHI
staff report
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ISLAMABAD/BUNER/GADOON staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the cloudburst- and flood-ravaged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s districts of Swat, Buner and Shangla as rescue operation was completed in Gadoon’s Dalori with 14 more bodies recovered from debris. Record rains and cloudburst in KP, started on August 15, have wreaked havoc on different parts of the province, prompting the provincial government to declare an emergency as torrential rains
ravaged homes, displaced families, and left a trail of destruction across Buner, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and parts of Gadoon Amazai. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by federal ministers and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited the floodaffected districts of Swat, Buner, and Shangla,” according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Earlier in the day, fourteen more bodies were recovered from underneath the debris in Dalori, a cloudburst-hit in Swabi district’s mountainous Gadoon region, bringing the number of bodies recovered
PTI blasts Sindh govt for turning port city into a city of wreckage, ruin ISLAMABAD
staff report
At least 16 people, including several children, have lost their lives in rain-related incidents over the last two days as Karachi was battered by back-to-back torrential downpours, intensifying the miseries of the people and prompting emergency. On Wednesday evening alone, four more people — including three children — drowned in floodwaters. Rescue teams said two unidentified children drowned in the Lyari River in Liaquatabad and near Al-Asif Square in Sohrab Goth. Another boy died after falling into a rain-filled ditch near the Northern Bypass. In a separate incident, police recovered the body of an unidentified elderly man who drowned during the rains. Tragedy struck earlier when two brothers, aged 12 and 21, were electro-
in the region to 37, according to the PDMA and rescue officials. According to the latest data from the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority, 385 people have died in rain-re-
cuted by a live underground wire in Shah Faisal Colony. Tuesday’s rains had severely strained Karachi’s fragile infrastructure, causing stormwater drains and sewers to burst, and also disrupted industrial operations across the economic hub. Several areas experienced extended power and internet services outages which continued late into Wednesday, disrupting everyday life and adding to citizens’ misery.
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lated incidents since August 15, with Buner reporting the highest toll at 228. Another 182 people are injured, including 145 men, 27 women and 10 children.
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Top apex court judges say judicial process ‘undermined’ in 26th Amendment controversy ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed deep anguish over the devastating situation in Karachi, once known as the City of Lights and the financial backbone of Pakistan, now reduced to a pound city due to decades of systematic neglect. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, slammed the Sindh government for its apathy, mismanagement, and years of neglect that have turned Karachi—Pakistan’s vital port city—into a city of wreckage and ruin. He said that even moderate rainfall was enough to submerge vast parts of the metropolis, claiming dozens of lives and paralyzing essential infrastructure, exposing the government’s complete failure to serve its people. Waqas stated that this catastrophe was not a result of nature alone but a direct outcome of criminal mismanagement, decades of corruption, and utter apathy by the ruling elite that has held Sindh hostage for over 30 years. He further stated that the rains have merely exposed what the people of Karachi have endured for years—an absolute absence of a drainage system, waste management, mass transit infrastructure, and any form of accountability, adding that vehicles were seen floating through streets, homes were inundated, people electrocuted by exposed wires, and families left stranded without electricity, food, or communication—while the Sindh government remained completely absent and indifferent. PTI CIS said that the imposed Sindh government, along with the unmandated MQM, has done absolutely nothing to address Karachi’s pressing needs. He noted that billions in development funds have disappeared without a trace, while the ground reality remains unchanged—broken roads, clogged drainage systems, and garbage piling up on every street corner.
Supreme Court Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar have written a letter to ‘expose’ another deepening rift within Pakistan’s apex court over Chief Justice Yahya Afridi’s failure to implement what the two judges argue was a legally binding decision by a Supreme Court Committee to hear challenges to the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment before a Full Court. The letter, which has surfaced amid a brewing controversy, reveals a clash over judicial independence, transparency, and the handling of one of Pakistan’s most politically charged constitutional issues: the 26th Amendment, which alters judicial authority and tenure, and has been a lightning rod for debate, with opposition parties and legal experts questioning its impact on the judiciary’s autonomy. The letter states that on October 31, 2024, Justices Shah and Akhtar, members of the Supreme Court Committee formed under the Practice and Procedure Act, 2023, had pushed for a Full Court hearing to address petitions challenging the amendment’s validity. They argued that only a collective adjudication by all judges could restore public faith in the institution, which was seen at the time to have been bat-
tered by political pressures. However, CJP Afridi, citing informal, private consultations with other judges, insisted that the cases should be assigned to a Constitutional Bench — a body created under the very amendment that was under scrutiny. In a dramatic turn, the two justices said they had convened a formal Practice and Procedures Committee meeting the same day, deciding by majority to schedule the petitions for November 4, 2024, before a Full Court. The decision was never complied with by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, even after a subsequent letter was issued to them. The CJP, who skipped the meeting, later issued notes justifying his refusal to comply. The two
notes from the CJP, recently uploaded to the Supreme Court’s website, suggest that he had declined to implement the committee’s decision because such a move could have dampened the “much-needed spirit of collegiality” among the judges and “further expose the court to public scrutiny”. However, Justices Shah and Akhtar complain that these notes were never shared with the members of the Committee, but presented at a Judicial Commission meeting – a move that the justices believe was legally inappropriate. The Registrar’s failure to act on the Committee’s directive further escalated tensions, leaving the petitions unresolved nearly ten months later.
Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has nominated Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the post of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said on Wednesday. “Azam Khan Swati has been nominated as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate,” Raja stated, adding that the PTI founder has also sought five names to decide on a nominee for the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly. The announcement comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan earlier this month disqualified PTI’s Omar Ayub Khan as the NA opposition leader and Shibli Faraz from the same role in the Senate, along with other opposition MNAs and MPAs, following their convictions in May 9 cases. Both PTI opposition leaders were formally removed from their posts on August 8. Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Raja said that Imran nominated Achakzai, who currently leads the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), to take Ayub’s place. “The PTI founder has entrusted the matter of byelections [to seats vacated after recent convictions of lawmakers in May 9 cases] to the party’s political committee,” he said. “A political committee meeting will be held later today, where a decision will be made in this regard.” ‘We need to fight this war’ In a separate address in Lahore, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja highlighted that the people need to come together and stand up against oppression, adding that they need to fight for their rights as enshrined in the Constitution. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what party you belong to; if you have empathy, we are all together,” he said. “For the permanence of humanity and dignity, we need to fight this war.” The PTI general secretary highlighted that anyone can be detained for any reason, warning that nobody has freedom. “There is only one law in this country, its name is fear,” he emphasized. “We will take your struggle to every stage we can,” Raja said, indirectly addressing party supporters. “We are all part of one big struggle for human rights. What does the supremacy of law and the Constitution mean? It means having the right to stand up and protest, as in Article 17. Article 15 allows free movement. Article 19 says we can raise and spread our voice together. “We have to fight for the farmers and the downtrodden,” he added. “I listened to people in Sindh, it brought tears to my eyes, but this is not only in Sindh, it is commonplace.” Raja emphasised that “we all have rights and we are all human”, adding that the people need to stand up for a common agenda. “We can see in these floods, they are not purely natural disasters: there is a human hand and greed involved,” Raja declared. “We need to eradicate this greed in the same way as our forests are being cut down. If we do not stand up, we will not be able to raise our voices again.” Last week, the Peshawar High Court had issued a stay order for the appointments of new opposition leaders in the NA and the Senate. The bench also issued notices to the ECP, seeking its response to two separate petitions filed by Ayub and Faraz. The petitions challenged their disqualification and denotification as MNA and Senator, respectively. The PTI is a part of a coalition of six opposition parties, working under the banner of TTAP, which was formed last year. Earlier this month, the opposition alliance had organised a multi-party conference, following which it had appealed for a new social contract to restore the Constitution and democracy. The TTAP formalised its organizational structure in July, declaring blanket support for all anti-government protests. During a press conference, Raja had announced Achakzai’s appointment as TTAP chairman, with PTI’s Asad Qaiser as the Secretary General.
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow stronger joint counterterrorism, agree on expanding CPEC to Kabul KABUL/ISLAMABAD saleem jadoon
Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to intensify joint action against terrorism and deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional stability, as senior diplomats of the three countries met for the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended the high-level talks, focused on building trust in political ties, accelerating economic linkages, and addressing persistent security threats. In a statement issued after the meeting, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) said, “The three sides committed to strengthening joint efforts against terrorism. They also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture, and
combating drug trafficking, as well as the extension of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) to Afghanistan.” Dar Presses Kabul on Counter-Terrorism On the sidelines of the trilateral dialogue, FM Dar held a separate meeting with Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi. While acknowledging “encouraging progress” in political and commercial ties, Dar underlined Pakistan’s concern over a recent resurgence of terrorist attacks within its territory, which Islamabad claims are being carried out by militants operating from Afghan soil. According to the FO, Dar urged Kabul to take “concrete and verifiable measures” against banned outfits, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)/Majeed Brigade, groups that Pakistan accuses of orchestrating deadly cross-border attacks. “Progress in the security domain, especially in counter-terrorism, continues to lag behind,” Dar said, stressing that regional peace could not be achieved without decisive
action against militants. Muttaqi, in turn, reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment that its soil would not be used against Pakistan or any other country. China’s Strategic Interests under BRI China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized Beijing’s commitment to advancing regional integration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He welcomed the consensus on extending CPEC—a multi-billion-dollar project considered the flagship of the BRI—into Afghanistan, calling it a step toward long-term stability and shared prosperity in South Asia. China has sought to position itself as a neutral mediator between Islamabad and Kabul, both of whom share tense ties over security issues. Analysts say Beijing’s mediation is driven by its dual interest in regional stability—to protect its own investments in Pakistan and to limit the spread of militancy into its sensitive western region of Xinjiang. Upgraded Diplomatic Ties Another significant outcome highlighted
Chinese FM Wang Yi arrives on three-day visit ISLAMABAD
staff report
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in the federal capital on Wednesday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office. Dar received Yi at Nur Khan Airbase, where senior officials from the foreign ministry and the Chinese Embassy were also present. A group of children in tradi-
during the trilateral talks was the upgrading of diplomatic representation between Pakistan and Afghanistan from chargés d’affaires to ambassadors. The FO noted that both sides had “implemented or were in the process of implementing most decisions” taken in recent
tional attire welcomed the guest of honour with flowers. During the visit, the Sixth Pakistan– China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue will be held in Islamabad. The talks will be co-chaired by Yi and Dar and are expected to focus on political, economic and security cooperation. Yi’s arrival comes ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s planned trip to Beijing later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
engagements, particularly in trade and transit, which had already boosted bilateral exchanges. The two foreign ministers welcomed this breakthrough as a key step in normalizing relations after years of mistrust between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul.