PUNJAB ON HIGH ALERT AS INDIA OPENS SALAL DAM; SINDH BRACES FOR ‘SUPER FLOOD’ In partnership with
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Monday, 1 September, 2025 | 7 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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PUNJAB BRACES FOR HIGH FLOOD IN CHENAB WITHIN 24–36 HOURS AFTER INDIA DISCHARGES MORE WATER FROM SALAL DAM
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RESERVOIRS NEAR CAPACITY: TARBELA 100%, MANGLA 80%, INDIAN DAMS 84–94%, ADDING PRESSURE DOWNSTREAM
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LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI
FRESH HEAVY RAINS FORECAST FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY MAY WORSEN FLOODING IN OVER 2,300 INUNDATED VILLAGES
Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin are among the districts at risk of flooding, while conditions may deteriorate in Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Layyah, Bhakkar and Mianwali. Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan are also on alert. Authorities warned that heavy rainfall upstream could trigger flood surges at Marala Headworks, threatening inundation in surrounding areas. Resi-
dents in low-lying zones have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from floodprone regions. So far, over 2,300 villages have been submerged, destroying crops on millions of acres and displacing more than 1.5 million people. The devastation stretches from Sialkot to Lahore, Kasur to Bahawalnagar, and Gujrat to Jhang. At least 33 lives have been lost, while more than 600,000 people have been evacuated. Thousands of cattle
pM Shehbaz aligns pakistan’s vision with president Xi, lauds China’s progress ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that all the endeavors and initiatives of the incumbent government were closely aligned with President Xi Jinping’s vision and philosophy, which were anchored in the progress and prosperity of the Chinese nation. Addressing students and faculty members of Tianjin University, the prime minister urged Pakistani students to acquire the latest knowledge and technology with
commitment and hard work, and later utilize their expertise in Pakistan for the welfare and prosperity of their people. Expressing satisfaction that over 200 Pakistani students were pursuing education at Tianjin University, Premier Shehbaz termed it a great opportunity for them to be part of a prestigious institution regarded as a “cradle of great learning.” Calling them “ambassadors of Pakistan,” he voiced optimism that their dedication would make them architects of the country’s future as well as torchbearers of Pakistan-China friendship.
Pakistan, Armenia establish diplomatic ties after decades of estrangement
ISLAMABAD/TIANJIN: Pakistan and Armenia on Sunday formally established diplomatic relations, the Foreign Office (FO) announced, marking a historic shift after decades of estrangement. Until now, Islamabad and Yerevan had no formal diplomatic ties, largely due to Pakistan’s longstanding support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the breakthrough came after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan earlier this week, following the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. According to the FO statement, the two countries established relations by exchanging a joint communique in Tianjin, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. staff report
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The prime minister said the time-tested Pak-China friendship, built by elder generations with honesty, commitment and sincerity, had withstood challenges of history and was rooted in mutual trust. “It will last forever, no matter what challenges come our way,” he stressed, recalling historical milestones such as Pakistan being the first Muslim country to recognize the People’s Republic of China, the first PIA direct flight from Karachi to Beijing, and the building of the Karakoram Highway.
Govt retires record Rs2.6trn domestic debt in a year
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ISLAMABAD: In a landmark step for fiscal discipline, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has retired more than Rs1,600 billion of debt owed to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) within just 59 days, taking total early repayments across domestic liabilities to over Rs2,600 billion—an unprecedented achievement in Pakistan’s financial history. According to Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad, the ministry retired Rs500 billion on June 30, 2025, followed by another Rs1,133 billion on August 29, bringing the total early retirement of SBP debt to Rs1,633 billion. He announced the development through his official X handle. Earlier, during the first half of FY25, the government had already retired Rs1,000 billion of commercial market debt — the first such advance repayment operation ever carried out in the country. Combining both central bank and commercial liabilities, the cumulative early debt retirement in less than a year has now surpassed Rs2,600 billion. staff report
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president Zardari signs anti-terrorism (amend) Bill 2025 into Law ISLAMABAD
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday gave his assent to the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s counterterrorism framework while ensuring legal oversight and safeguards. The amendments, made to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, were passed earlier this month by
both the National Assembly and Senate, despite opposition protests. The bill reinstates powers for law enforcement authorities (LEAs) and armed forces to detain individuals for up to three months under preventive detention provisions. A statement from the President’s House said, “President Asif Ali Zardari has given assent to the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This law strengthens the ability of security agencies to prevent
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ARMY, RESCUE-1122, AND PUNJAB POLICE LEAD LARGEST RESCUE MISSION; 90,700 PEOPLE AND 82,200 LIVESTOCK SAVED
saleem jadoon
UNJAB has been placed on high alert after India opened all spillways of the swollen Salal Dam, raising fears of a high flood in River Chenab within the next 24 to 36 hours. The threat is compounded by a fresh spell of heavy rainfall forecast from Monday to Wednesday, while Sindh has been warned to prepare for a possible “super flood,” prompting mass evacuations. Floodwaters from the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are expected to flow into Sindh in the coming days, with officials warning that levels at Guddu and Sukkur barrages could surge up to 900,000 cusecs. A “super flood” — a rare and destructive event — could devastate vast areas if flows intensify. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has cautioned that fresh downpours from Monday to Wednesday may worsen the already critical flood situation across northeastern, central and southern Punjab. According to the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Jhelum, Attock, Gujrat, Gujranwala,
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terrorism and protect national security. It includes judicial oversight and safeguards to provide recourse against misuse and abuse of power, unlike past arbitrary practices.” The statement added, “The amendment aims to improve counterterrorism efforts while ensuring legal oversight and safeguards. This is an important step in addressing Pakistan’s ongoing security challenges.”
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OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED, 33 KILLED, 600,000 EVACUATED; CROPS AND LIVESTOCK DESTROYED ON MASSIVE SCALE
have perished, road and internet links have collapsed, and floodwaters continue to expand. In Jhang, 180 villages were inundated as the Chenab burst its banks, forcing rescues by boat. At Head Trimmu, the Chenab’s flow has risen to 260,000 cusecs, while Khanki and Qadirabad remain in high flood. The Ravi has submerged 140 villages in Shujaabad, Multan, while extreme flood levels persist at Head Balloki and Chichawatni. At Jassar, water levels are again rising, while the Sutlej is in extreme flood at Ganda Singh Wala. In Lahore, 10,000 residents of Theme Park Housing Society remain stranded after the Ravi inundated homes and markets. Floodwaters initially rose to 20 feet before receding to 12 feet. The PDMA reported the Ravi’s flow had dropped to 80,220 cusecs at Jassar, 77,430 at Siphon, and 76,700 at Shahdara, down from a peak of 220,000 cusecs. Meanwhile, the Sutlej has burst its banks in Bahawalpur, flooding villages and forcing families to flee without official help. Farmers have urged the government to waive agricultural loans under Kissan Cards and Tractor schemes.
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CM Maryam visits Kasur flood relief camps, comforts affected families LAHORE
staff report
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the newly-established flood relief camp at Talwar Post in the border area of Sheikhupura and Kasur, during heavy rains to meet affected families brought by boat from the flood-hit village of Gatti Kalingar. The Chief Minister per-
sonally welcomed the families, picked up an innocent child and handed him over to his mother, and inquired about the well-being of all women rescued by boat, consoling them individually. Two rafts carrying cattle and a farmer’s family arrived in her presence. The rafts successfully rescued 55 cattle, along with the farmer’s family, a tractor, a motorcycle rickshaw, and other equipment.
Sindh CM reviews Guddu Barrage, says province preparing for ‘super flood’ SUKKUR/KARACHI staff report
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday visited Guddu Barrage along with senior provincial ministers and security officials to review the Indus flood situation, warning that the province was preparing for the possibility of a
“super flood” of up to 900,000 cusecs. Accompanied by Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Commander Coast Rear Admiral Faisal, the CM arrived by helicopter, conducted an aerial survey, and monitored river flows and vulnerable points using detailed maps.