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Saturday, 23 August, 2025 | 28 Safar, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 46 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PM SHEHBAZ VOWS TO SPARE NO EFFORT UNTIL RELIEF, REHAB WORK COMPLETED IN FLOOD-HIT AREAS
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CHAIRING CABINET MEETING, PM LAUDS EFFORTS OF ARMED FORCES IN RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS
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SAYS OVER 700 PEOPLE, INCLUDING OVER 400 IN KP, LOST THEIR LIVES IN FLASH FLOODS
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FEDERAL CABINET APPROVES DISSOLUTION OF UTILITY STORES CORPORATION
UK pledges £1.3m relief to aid Pakistan’s flood-hit communities ISLAMABAD
staff report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed concerns over illegal constructions in rivers and deforestation in Galiyat and hinted at convening a meeting soon to sort out the issues. Chairing federal cabinet meeting here, the Prime Minister warned there is no room for man-made disasters. PM Shehbaz vowed to spare no effort until relief and rehabilitation work is completed in the flood-affected areas, adding the federal government has extended full cooperation to the provincial governments to deal with the situation arising out of floods. He appreciated the efforts of armed forces in rescue and relief operations. Pakistan Army reached the distant and difficult areas to rescue the people by using helicopters, said the PM, adding, “It is our collective responsibility, and together we will move forward.”
Shehbaz Sharif noted that over 700 people, including over 400 in KhyberPakhtunkhwa lost their lives in the recent rains and flash floods. He highlighted that the responsibility of climate change ministry has increased to deal with the issue of climate change. He added that other relevant departments would also have to play their part in it. Alluding to the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister to Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said China is Pakistan’s all weather friend and a strategic partner. He said the relationship between the two countries is getting stronger with each passing day. He said China has always extended support to Pakistan. He mentioned that he would be visiting China to hold bilateral meetings in addition to attending the SCO meeting. Federal Cabinet approves dissolution of USC The cabinet was told that operations of Utility Stores across the country were officially terminated as of July 31.
President Zardari constitutes 11th National Finance Commission to announce new NFC award ISLAMABAD
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday constituted the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) to announce a new award for the sharing of federal divisible resources between the Centre and the provinces. According to a notification from the Finance Division, the president constituted the commission with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb as the chairman and the four provincial finance ministers as its members. The commission also includes former bureaucrat Nasir Mahmood Khosa as a member representing the Punjab government, economist and researcher Asad Sayeed as a member representing the Sindh government, former bureaucrat Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan as a member representing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Farmanullah as a member representing the Balochistan government. The commission will make recommendations to the president on the distribution between the federation and the provinces of the ““net proceeds of the taxes mentioned in clause (3) of Article 160 of the Constitution”, it read. The taxes are taxes on income, including corporation tax, but not including taxes on income consisting of remuneration paid out of the Federal Consolidated Fund; taxes on the sales and purchases of goods imported, exported, produced, manufactured or consumed; export duties on cotton, and such other export duties as may be specified by the president; duties of excise as may be specified by the president and other taxes as may be specified by the president. The body will also recommend the president regarding the grants-in-aid by the federal government to the provincial governments and the exercise, by the federal government and the provincial governments, of the borrowing powers conferred by the Constitution.
The United Kingdom has announced £1.33 million in humanitarian aid to help Pakistan cope with the destruction caused by this year’s monsoon season. The assistance, unveiled on Friday, will reach more than 223,000 people in seven flood-affected districts of Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to officials, the package covers immediate relief and recovery measures. It includes dry food distributions, search and rescue deployments, mobile medical camps, repairs to drinking water systems, rehabilitation of irrigation channels, and support for agriculture and livelihoods in devastated areas. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said the UK is working closely
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that the rights of employees be fully protected throughout the dissolution process. He stressed that the procedure must be carried out transparently in strict compliance with all legal and regulatory frameworks concerning employee welfare. Besides, the cabinet granted in-principle approval to amend the Special Economic Zones Act of 2012 to foster industrial development and encourage the establishment of new industries. The proposed amendments aim to create a more business and investor-friendly environment within these zones, accelerat-
with Pakistan’s authorities to ensure communities get swift relief. “Through UK-funded programmes, vital assistance is reaching communities affected by flooding and landslides. The UK remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s disaster response and resilience,” she said. The UK government confirmed that 2,400 local volunteers have already been trained in search and rescue operations across vulnerable districts. Twenty-five of them from Charsadda are assisting Rescue 1122 in Buner, helping trace missing people and evacuate families trapped under rubble. In districts where health infrastructure has collapsed, mobile medical camps are being deployed to keep basic healthcare accessible. Displaced families are receiving temporary shelters, non-food items, food supplies and dignity kits for women.
ing industrial growth. Prime Minister Sharif reiterated that a conducive environment for businesses and investors is essential for national industrial progress. He affirmed that the country’s economy is stable and on a path of sustained growth, and that industrial expansion will lead to increased exports and job creation. On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the cabinet also reviewed proposals concerning the stabilisation of urea fertilizer prices.
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Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to further deepening ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ ISLAMABAD
staff report
Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, on Friday, said Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” through enhanced bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation. Addressing the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Chinese Foreign Minister and Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, Wang Yi, visited Islamabad on August 21, 2025, on the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, to co-chair the 6th Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. “Both sides comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including CPEC Phase-II, trade and economic ties, multilateral cooperation, peopleto-people exchanges, and important regional and global issues,” Ambassador Khan said. He added that the two ministers agreed to maintain close coordination and communication at bilateral and multilateral forums. During his visit, Foreign Min-
ister Wang Yi also called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. In his meeting with the President, Asif Ali Zardari expressed gratitude for China’s “consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development,” and appreciated Beijing’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he added. He also highlighted the strategic significance of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. During the Chinese Foreign Minister’s interaction with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both lead-
ers reaffirmed mutual support on core national interests. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to expand cooperation with China in trade, ICT, agriculture, industrialization, mines and minerals, and other sectors under CPEC Phase-II, he added. Ambassador Khan added that during the Chinese Foreign Minister’s meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, discussions focused on regional security, counterterrorism, and defense cooperation. Both sides underscored their resolve to strengthen coordination at regional and international platforms. The FO spokesperson said the visit was part of regular high-level exchanges aimed at consolidating the Pakistan–China partnership.
Hundreds rescued following glacial burst in Gilgit Baltistan’s Ghizer GILGIT
staff report
At least 200 people were rescued after a glacier burst in Gilgit-Baltistan blocked the Ghizer River, threatening the downstream areas, Rescue 1122 said on Friday. A glacial burst, or glacial lake outburst flood (Glof), refers to an outburst of water from a glacial lake which could lead to severe flooding downstream, effectively blocking or overwhelming rivers in its path. Pakistan is home to over 13,032 glaciers, the largest reservoir of glaciers outside of the polar regions. However, experts have warned that about 10,000 glaciers in Chitral and GB have been reported to be receding due to climate change–induced temperature rise. A statement from Rescue 1122 said, “200 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas and have been shifted to Ghizer’s Yangal and Samal areas.” “Several people have been traumatised after [their] houses were destroyed. Medical assistance is being provided to the affected people,” it added. In another statement issued earlier today, Rescue 1122 said, “A terrible incident of glacier outburst has taken place at Tildas and Rawshan villages in Gupis valley late at night, causing widespread destruction in the downstream.” “The Ghizer River has been completely blocked for several hours, which has increased the risks for downstream areas with a possibility of high-level flooding in the river,” it added. The statement said that the rescue personnel had been kept on alert on the orders of the Rescue 1122 director general and the Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Engineer Tahir Shah. Rescue 1122 also urged people living near the river to take timely precautionary measures and move to safe places. GB Secretary Fida Hussain said that no casualties were reported and all the affected people were safe. “The flood swept away everything in the downstream areas in Talidas and Rawshan villages,” he said, adding that 40 people, who were stranded, had been rescued. He added that local volunteers were the first to rescue people from the floodwaters, after which Pakistan Army helicopters joined the operation. “The high temperature caused a burst of the lake, and ultimately high flooding occurred in the Sado nullah on Wednesday night. “Some shepherds informed the local community about the flood. People in dangerous areas were immediately shifted to other areas,” he said. According to the locals, 80 per cent of the village has been washed away. A local named Abdul Wahid said, “Some shepherds, who were living near the glacier, had informed people living in the downstream areas through mobile communication about the flood and urged them to evacuate.” The local administration said that the Ghizer River, after remaining blocked for eight hours, started spilling over the flood debris. GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said that a rescue operation was initiated to evacuate the stranded people in the areas. He said, “The flow of the Ghizer River has remained blocked for many hours, but it poses a threat to low-lying areas if it bursts.” Ghulam Muhammad, GB Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, said, “The flood, which occurred due to the bursting of the lake, completely destroyed 70 houses, while the river water is standing due to the flood debris, but the level is rising.” He said that if the flow of the river water is not restored, hundreds of large houses will be submerged in the water. “The process of flooding in the drain due to the bursting of the lake has been ongoing since 10pm.” Muhammad further said that the river spread three to four kilometres in length due to the standing water. “Some people are still trapped, for whom an army helicopter has been sent to rescue them. Hopefully, the trapped people will also be rescued,” he added. GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan issued orders to the GB home secretary and GB Disaster Management Authority director general to immediately rescue the people trapped in the flood.
Chinese FM Wang Yi, Field Marshal Munir discuss regional security, counter-terrorism RAWALPINDI
staff report
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad on Friday morning, with regional security and counterterrorism on the agenda, according to a statement released by the military’s media wing. FM Wang Yi is in Islamabad on an official visit to attend the sixth Pakistan-Chin Strategic Dialogue on Thursday. The dialogue concluded with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and FM Wang Yi laying the foundation on issues like China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 and reaffirming commitment to strong bilateral ties. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement on COAS Munir’s meeting with the Chinese FM. “Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance coordination at regional and international forums,” the ISPR statement said. The two sides engaged in dialogue focused on regional security, counter-terrorism and matters of mutual interest. The meeting ended with Wang Yi reiterating China’s “steadfast support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and development”.
COAS Munir and FM Wang Yi reiterated their commitment to establish “a shared commitment to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region”. Last month, COAS Munir visited Beijing, where the Chinese leadership commended Pakistan Army’s role in ensuring peace in the region. They declared the Pakistan Army a “cornerstone of resilience” and a vital contributor to stability in the region. During his visit, the Chinese FM also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. “I reiterated Pakistna’s firm resolve to further strengthen our AllWeather Strategic Cooperative
Partnership and underlined the central role of CPEC in driving our
socio-economic progress and enhancing regional connectivity,”
wrote PM Shehbaz on X (formerly Twitter) after their meeting.