Pakistan

Relentless rains kill 23 in Sindh, Balochistan

Published

7 months ago

Farwa

Flow of traffic remains suspended on interprovincial highways; power supply and mobile networks cut off
PMD forecasts more heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan over next 48 hours.
PM Shehbaz directs NDMA and PDMA to pace up relief operations in affected areas at the earliest.

The incessant torrential rains pounding Sindh with flash flooding in Dera Ghazi Khan, Balochistan’s Lasbela and adjoining areas killed another 23 and left scores of people injured and hundreds displaced on Thursday, while traffic remained suspended across interprovincial highways, The News reported.

The heavy rains in most parts of Sindh, including Thatta, Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Hyderabad paralysed communication systems, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to expedite relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of southern Sindh.

In a provincial breakup of the rising death toll, as many as 14 people died as a result of rain-related accidents in Khairpur and Qambher, six persons including four children died in different parts of DG Khan and three died as a result of flash-flooding in Balochistan’s Lasbela district and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people were left stranded without tents under the open sky by the torrential rains following the large-scale destruction of their mud houses while the incessant heavy rains paralysed Thatta, Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Hyderabad and other.

The constant downpour prevented the respective city administrations to resume their relief and rehabilitation service. Fuel shortages were also reported hampering the drainage of stranded rainwater as many villagers remained marooned in the water and needed rescue. The failure to drain water from the marooned villages has raised the spectre of infections and diseases.

Exceptionally strong flash flooding in Koh-e-Suleman range displaced 0.7 million population of DG Khan, besides killing six people. As many as thousands of families were stranded after 200 small, large villages were badly hit in the rain. The flash flooding also suspended traffic between Dera Ghazi Khan and Quetta, Balochistan and Punjab and also between Peshawar and Karachi on the Indus Highway

The power supply and cell phone networks remain suspended in flood-hit areas. In a related development, heavy rains caused flash flooding in the Lasbela district and adjoining areas. With three more deaths in, the death toll in Balochistan rose to 205, while 81 suffered injuries according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The situation in other districts has not improved yet as Musakhail, Zhob, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Nasirabad and Lasbela were still receiving torrential rains for the past two days.

According to officials, hundreds of mud houses were damaged in Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Musakhail, Kohlu, Dera Bugti and other areas due to incessant rains. A total of 18 bridges and 690 km of roads have been damaged amid the rains. PDMA and rescue authorities are carrying out operations in flood-affected areas. Traffic on Quetta-Karachi National Highway remained suspended even after five days as flood water is still flowing over the highway.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has forecast more heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan in the next 48 hours with urban flooding and flash flooding across hill torrents in KP, South Punjab and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to carry out relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of southern Sindh.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the monsoon rains, the prime minister directed the NDMA and PDMA to pace up relief operations in the affected areas at the earliest. The PM stressed ensuring the rescue of the people on a priority basis and instructed them to provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to each family.

He emphasised an immediate supply of food and clean water to the victims besides ensuring them facilities of accommodation and medicines. The prime minister also instructed the authorities to be vigilant in the wake of potential flooding besides taking necessary measures.

According to Inter-services Public Relations, the Pakistan Army troops remained busy in relief activities in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Naseerabad and Lasbela. The army medical teams were providing medical care to the affected people.

Meanwhile, the United States announced a $1 million grant in support of Pakistan’s efforts to address floods and other natural disasters that have caused heavy loss of life and property across the country.

In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We stand by Pakistan in hard times and offer our support to flood victims. In addition to $100,000 in immediate relief, the US announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters, and we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis.

Pakistan

PM directs authorities to ensure smooth gas supply during Ramadan

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to guarantee an unbroken supply of gas to citizens during the sacred month of Ramadan, particularly during the times of Iftar and Sehri.

The prime minister’s directives come as the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Thursday announced its decision to suspend supplies to captive power plants and industries, citing the widening gap between gas supply and demand.

PM Shehbaz chaired a meeting on Thursday where he was given a detailed briefing regarding the issue of low pressure, interruption, and load shedding of gas in Karachi. The issue of gas load shedding in Karachi was resolved at the Prime Minister’s behest as the meeting addressed Karachi’s citizens’ complaints.

PM Shehbaz took strict notice of the gas load shedding issue raised in Parliament a couple of days ago. Speaking at Parliament, PM Shehbaz assured the National Assembly members that his government would address the issue of gas load-shedding, especially during sehr and iftar, as inflation-weary people have been registering complaints.

He called for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy for smooth gas supply to citizens during Ramadan.

Authorities took emergency measures to end gas load shedding. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a supervised process of gas supply with zero tolerance for negligence.

Owing to the widening gap between gas supply and demand, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Thursday announced its decision to suspend supplies to captive power plants and industries.

The gas utility said that the decision has been taken considering the low supply of gas. It stated that due to a reduction in supply, the volume of gas in pipelines has decreased.

SSGC suspends gas supply

Despite protests by Karachiites, the SSGC suspended the gas supply to captive power plants and industries yesterday and said it would restore the supply from 8am today.

Since last week, scores of residents have protested against the suspension of the gas supply.

The suspension of gas supply has made life difficult for people across the country, who find it difficult to cook, especially during sehr and iftar.

The gas utility said that the decision had been taken considering the low gas supply. It stated that due to a reduction in supply, gas volume in pipelines has decreased.

Pakistan

Hajj 2023: Last date for application submission extended

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday announced an extension on the last date for Hajj applications till April 7, 2023.

According to a recent notification issued by the ministry, the aspirant pilgrims can now submit the Hajj applications under the sponsorship scheme till April 7 (Friday).

“Now the intending pilgrims may submit their applications by 7th April 2023. It is requested that an extension of the last date for submission of applications under the sponsorship scheme may be communicated to all the missions for publicising the same to overseas Pakistanis,” the statement read.

Earlier, the ministry had ruled out the possibility of an extension of the last date which was March 31 (today) and urged the aspirant pilgrims to submit their Hajj applications and dues in the given time period.

Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also issued a list of banks where Hajj applicants can submit their applications and dues.

S.No	Name of the bank
1	Habib Bank Limited
2	United Bank Limited
3	National Bank of Pakistan
4	MCB Bank Limited
5	Allied Bank Limited
6	Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
7	Bank of Punjab
8	Meezan Bank
9	Bank Al-Falah
10	Habib Metropolitan Bank
11	Soneri Bank Limited
12	Faysal Bank Limited
13	Askari Bank Limited
14	Bank Al Habib Limited

“Hajj applications along with Hajj dues are being deposited by the intending pilgrims in the above-designated banks from 16-03-2023 to 02-04-2023,” the statement said.

It said that the ministry requires that all designated banks may collect applications and dues from the pilgrims on closed holidays ie Saturday and Sunday (April 1 and 2).

The central bank requested the above-mentioned banks to open all the branches on the said dates to facilitate the pilgrims.

Pakistan

124-A: Lahore High Court strikes down sedition law

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday annulled Section 124-A, of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), dealing with sedition.

The order of the court came on a set of petitions filed by citizens challenging the sedition law on grounds that the government used it against its rivals.

Justice Karim pronounced the judgment today which was reserved on the petitions of Selman Abuzar Niazi and others.

The petitions had challenged the registration of cases under sedition provisions against those who spoke against the government.

It was argued in the petition that the sedition act was enacted in 1860 which is a sign of British colonial rule.

It added that this law was used for slaves under which a case can be registered on anyone’s request.

It was stated in the petition that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression but still, Section 124-A is imposed for making speeches against the rulers.

According to the petitioners, Section 124-A of sedition is being used for political purposes and should be struck down.

What is Section 124-A of PPC?

Sedition: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Federal or Provincial Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

Explanation 1: The expression disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.

Explanation 2: Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.

Explanation 3: Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.