Pakistan

‘Second life’: Helicopters rescue the stranded from Pakistan valleys

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Up to 200,000 people are stranded in remote Pakistan valleys.
Army and govt helicopter missions have rescued hundreds of panicked tourists and locals.
Deputy commissioner for Swat says stricken tourists have made up majority of evacuations.

SAIDU SHARIF: Up to 200,000 people are stranded in remote Pakistan valleys after the unrelenting floods of the past week — with helicopters the only way of reaching them.

Unprecedented rain in the Swat Valley turned rivers into raging torrents that washed away roads and bridges, cutting off tourists and residents from nearby towns, even as the water receded.

Army and government helicopter missions have rescued hundreds of panicked tourists and locals — some urgently needing medical help.

“It feels like I have got a second life,” said tourist Yasmin Akram, a diabetic who was airlifted to Saidu Sharif’s airfield from the Kalam valley with her 12-year-old daughter and husband.

The traffic police officer watched in despair as the hotel they fled in the middle of the night was swallowed by the Swat river, taking with it a young boy.

“I witnessed this all with my own eyes,” she said. “Since then I haven’t slept.”

Her husband, dazed from exhaustion, said he ran out of medication for his kidney condition after Kalam was cut off.

“When I arrived here it was like being given a new life,” said Muhammad Akram, an official with the Punjab government.

Their two adult sons were left behind, with priority given to the sick, women and children.

The stunning Swat Valley, known locally as the “Pakistani Switzerland”, is a popular tourist spot because of its majestic mountains, lakes and rivers.

‘Challenges are immense’

Junaid Khan, the deputy commissioner for Swat, told AFP that stricken tourists have made up the majority of evacuations.

Government officials and doctors have been airlifted into the valleys to identify those most in need of rescue.

Locals are willing to stay behind if food and medical supplies are guaranteed, said Khan.

Thousands of food aid packages have already been delivered — some dropped from the back of a helicopter when crowds of people reaching for the aircraft made it impossible to land.

“We’ve reached areas that no other organisations and aid groups have been able to,” Khan said at Saidu Sharif’s airfield, where some of the rescue missions are being coordinated.

Locals are hurrying to create makeshift landing pads for the helicopters — with the first established on grounds surrounding a mosque in Mankyel.

It could be days before roads leading to the mountains and valleys are repaired.

“The challenges are immense but the hope is very high in this region which has seen the worst of earthquakes and floods,” said Khan.

So far 21 deaths have been reported in the area’s valleys — mostly as a result of collapsed houses — but a handful of people were washed away by floods.

A helicopter supplied by the provincial government’s chief minister — not built for rescue missions — has helped to pull more than 350 people from villages, carrying up to double the recommended number of passengers.

Army helicopters have collected hundreds more.

Latest News

Due to security concerns, Karachi highways were closed before the visit of the Iranian president.

Published

1 min ago

Farwa

According to the information provided, containers have been positioned on the roadways stretching from Shahrah-e-Quaideen in Khudadad Colony to Numaish Road.

The authorities have blocked MA Jinnah Road in both directions, using containers. The road leading to Saddar from the People’s Secretariat has also been cordoned off with containers.

As per the traffic plan published by the Karachi police, Club Road from PIDC to Metropole will be fully inaccessible to vehicles.

According to the plan, Doctor Ziauddin Road from Signal Chowk to PIDC would be fully closed. Doctor Ziauddin Road will be closed from Khajoor Chowk to PIDC. Traffic from Sultanabad will be redirected from Doctor Ziauddin Road Khajoor Chowk to Aiwan-e-Sadar Road.

Travelers heading from Shara-e-Faisal to Sultanabad should make a left turn at Club Chowk. Citizens can proceed from Club Chowk to Clifton Bridge on the left side. Meanwhile, those traveling from Khalique-uz-Zaman Road and Gizri should continue straight at Ziauddin Signal.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Ahmed Nawaz, has declared the temporary closure of both lanes of Shara-e-Faisal from 3 pm to 5 pm as a precautionary measure for security reasons.

Latest News

Arriving in Lahore is Iranian President Raisi.

Published

7 mins ago

Farwa

At the airport, Raisi and his delegation were met by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

As Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is visiting the city, Punjab has also declared today as a public holiday in Lahore to prevent traffic problems for the general people.

After the elections on February 8, a new administration was sworn in, and this is the first foreign head of state to visit.

A day earlier, the foreign office announced that Iranian President Raisi had arrived in Islamabad for a three-day formal visit.

At his arrival in Islamabad, President Raisi received a hearty welcome. He met with Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the first day of his tour. Also paying the visiting president a visit were the speaker of the National Assembly and the chairman of the Senate.

In an additional move to strengthen cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, science and technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial concerns, Pakistan and Iran signed eight accords on Monday.

Amidst the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s formal three-day visit to Pakistan, the two nations signed these documents.

Officials from both sides signed the paperwork in front of President Raisi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Establishing the Rimdan-Gabd Joint Free/Special Zone is the subject of an agreement between the two nations. Iranian advisor to the president and secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade, Industry, and Special Economic Zones, Hojjatollah Abdolmaleki, signed the pact with Secretary Board of Investment Ambreen Iftikhar.

Latest News

A deal to increase investment is signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

Published

13 mins ago

Farwa

The signing of a historic partnership agreement by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan with the goal of fostering commerce and investment amongst the three nations is a noteworthy achievement.

It is anticipated that the agreement will strengthen regional economic cooperation and open up new markets for investors and companies.

As per the agreement, a strategic collaboration would be established by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, K-Trade Securities, and Ansher Capital to facilitate cross-border investment.

The biggest investment bank in Uzbekistan, Ansher Capital, will collaborate closely with KASB Securities Limited (KASB), a top stock and commodity brokerage company in Pakistan, to offer investors corporate financing and financial advising services.

It is anticipated that the alliance will broaden the market and draw in foreign capital, especially in vital industries like agriculture, infrastructure, and energy.

Both companies will be actively involved in offering traders and investors in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan professional advice and assistance as they navigate the markets.

Along with fostering economic integration and raising trade volumes, the pact is anticipated to improve trade relations amongst the three nations.

Businesses will be able to access new markets and investment opportunities thanks to the collaboration, which will boost the economy and create jobs.

The collaboration deal is the most recent in a line of steps meant to encourage investment and economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.

The three nations have been collaborating closely to advance investment and trade, and it is anticipated that this pact will deepen their economic bonds even more.