Worldrelationz, Islamabad (2025)

26/08/2025

150,000 relocated to safety amid Sutlej River floods,

ISLAMABAD: Nearly 150,000 people have been relocated to safer areas in Punjab’s flood-prone districts after early warnings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) about rising water levels in the Sutlej River, officials said on Tuesday

Acting on the NDMA’s advance alerts, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) launched large-scale evacuation operations, deploying emergency response teams and placing all relevant departments on high alert to protect lives and property.

According to NDMA data, evacuations include 89,868 people from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari. The authority added that around 40,000 residents had already moved to safer locations soon after initial warnings.

Read More: India releases more water into Sutlej River, flood alert issued

The NDMA has directed institutions and emergency services to remain on high alert and urged citizens to stay away from rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow safety guidelines disseminated via TV, radio, mobile alerts, and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app.

26/08/2025

Utility Stores: ECC to ‘okay’ package for employees today – Pakistan,

ISLAMABAD: A special financial package for employees of the Utility Stores Corporation is expected to be approved today (Tuesday) by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), ARY News reported, citing sources.

As per details, the Ministry of Industries is prepared to present the proposal to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in today’s meeting for approval.

Sources indicate that the ministry has requested a Rs27 billion package for Utility Stores employees. The summary will likely be tabled during today’s ECC meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The ECC is set to deliberate on a four-point agenda during the meeting. Key items include:

1. Approval of a Rs11 billion technical supplementary grant for the state-run television broadcaster.

2. Review of the summary for refinery upgrades under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023.

Read more: Utility stores shut down across Pakistan

3. Discussion on tariff-related matters concerning the White Pipeline project from Thallian to Taru Jabba.

4. Consideration of a proposal to provide relief in the Captive Transition Levy for electricity consumers.

In July, the federal government formally shut down all utility stores across the country following the approval from Prime Minister (PM) Shhebaz Sharif and Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Industries and Production, all sorts of sales and purchase have been closed on utility stores.

The federal government had set 31st July, 2025 as the official deadline to close down the stores. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting held on 28th June on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

26/08/2025

406 people die, 245 injured in KP rainfall and flash floods: PDMA,

PESHAWAR: PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday said that 406 people have died and 245 injured in rainfall and flash floods in the province.

“The death toll included 167 women and 108 children,” Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP has stated in its update on losses.

PDMA in a factsheet has said that 245 people have injured in various incidents in the province including 121 men, 92 women and 32 children.

According to the PDMA, the death toll of flooding in district Buner has soared to 237, the highest death toll in the affected areas. Moreover, 128 people injured in the disaster-hit district.

Flooding claimed 42 lives in Swabi district, 36 lives in Shangla and 25 in Mansehra, PDMA said.

PDMA stated that in rain-related incidents in Bajaur 22 people died, while 20 died in flooding in Swat.

The rainfall and flash floods damaged overall 2810 properties in which 2136 houses partially damaged, while 674 structures were thoroughly destroyed in the natural calamity, PDMA said.

According to PDMA report, maximum 1469 houses damaged by flooding in Buner district.

According to the PDMA, 324 educational institutions were affected in recent rainfall, including 18 schools completely destroyed and 306 others partially damaged.

Moreover, 5916 livestock also perished in rainfall and flash floods.

26/08/2025

Pakistan Railways to launch new Rawalpindi-Islamabad train service,

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has decided to introduce a new train service between Islamabad and Rawalpindi to facilitate daily commuters.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting at Railways Headquarters in Lahore, chaired by Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and attended by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi.

The meeting reviewed the overall security situation of Pakistan Railways, with a particular focus on safeguarding railway lines and operations in Balochistan. Officials briefed the ministers on measures being implemented to strengthen security across the network.

A joint crackdown against encroachments on railway land was also approved. It was decided that the National Constabulary, in coordination with Railways Police, will actively participate in anti-encroachment operations. The Interior Minister assured full cooperation of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) in these efforts.

Speaking at the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said all necessary measures would be taken to ensure foolproof security of railway tracks and trains, stressing that passenger safety remains the government’s top priority. He also commended recent initiatives to improve Pakistan Railways’ performance.

Read More: Pakistan Railways announces bullet train between Karachi and Lahore

Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi thanked the Interior Minister for his continued support, particularly in facilitating the anti-encroachment campaign.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Railways CEO Amir Ali Baloch, IG Railways Police Rai Tahir, and other senior officials.

26/08/2025

100 more electric buses dispatched to Pakistan from China,

LAHORE: A fresh fleet of 100 modern electric buses has been dispatched from China to Pakistan, ARY News reported.

As per details, the fresh fleet is on its way to Pakistan from Shanghai Sea Port and is expected to arrive in Punjab within the next few weeks.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that by December, modern electric buses will be operating in every district of Punjab.

Highlighting the affordability of the initiative, she stated that the fare for these state-of-the-art electric buses will be just Rs. 20.

Maryam Nawaz added that the public will soon have access to a comfortable and modern transportation system, marking a major step toward eco-friendly urban mobility across the province.

Read more: Lahore gets 11 electric buses from China

Earlier this year in February, Lahore received 11 electric buses from China.

In the first phase, a total of 27 buses were introduced as part of a pilot project.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the electric bus service on February 19.

The charging station for the new buses is located in Lahore’s Green Town area. Each bus has a seating capacity of 60 passengers, providing a modern and environmentally friendly commuting option for the city.

The transport company responsible for the project handed over all buses to the Punjab Transport Department for operations.

Additionally, tenders were issued for bus services in Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, indicating further expansion of the eco-friendly initiative across Punjab.

26/08/2025

IMF suggests insurance cover for losses in natural calamities,

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the government to boost insurance coverage to reduce losses in natural calamities, finance ministry sources here said.

Pakistan is most vulnerable to natural disasters and suffers billions of rupees losses each year due to calamitous flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The country’s insurance industry has been much behind to the international standards, despite a robust banking sector, which restricts it to cover disaster losses, sources said.

“Even the development projects of the government remain uninsured for losses caused by natural disasters,” sources said.

The IMF has demanded mandatory insurance cover for all new development projects, sources said.

Billions of resources are lost annually to natural calamities, without the insurance cover.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which oversees insurance regulation, facing capacity constraints. The SECP’s insurance division needs direly needs technical experts, sources said.

Finance ministry sources said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also urged for expanding insurance cover for natural calamities and working over a comprehensive plan.

26/08/2025

Free laptop scheme distribution schedule announced,

LAHORE: The Punjab government is set to launch the second phase of its free laptop distribution scheme for students, aiming to expand access to digital learning tools across the province.

According to the Higher Education Department, the merit-based distribution will begin next month, with a formal schedule already finalized.

Punjab Chief Minister is expected to officially inaugurate the initiative during a ceremony in the first or second week of September.

In the first phase of the program, 14,000 laptops were distributed among students in Lahore.

Read more: PM Laptop Loan Scheme 2025: Registration, eligibility and much more

The upcoming phase will extend the program’s reach to benefit a larger number of deserving students across Punjab, reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting higher education and digital inclusion.

Benefits for students:

Encourages digital literacy and e-learning among students.

Provides access to modern educational tools for research and assignments.

Reduces the digital divide, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds

Supports merit-based academic achievement.

26/08/2025

FBISE to announce HSSC results today,

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) will announce the results of the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Part I and II first annual examinations 2025 today (Tuesday) at 11:30 a.m.

According to an announcement on its official X account on Monday, the result declaration ceremony will be streamed live on the board’s digital platforms.

Students can check their results by visiting the official website of the federal board at www.fbise.edu.pk

After opening the homepage, they need to click on the “Results” tab, select their examination (HSSC Part I or II), enter their roll number and click “Submit.” Mark sheets will also be available for download.

Results via SMS

FBISE has also introduced an SMS service for result checking. To use the service:

Open the SMS application on your phone

Type: FB [Your Roll Number]

Send the message to 5050

The result will be received via SMS

pic.twitter.com/CvmeZWf1Mg

— FBISE (Official) () August 25, 2025

26/08/2025

India releases more water into Sutlej River, flood alert issued,

India has released additional water into the Sutlej River, causing a flood alert in Punjab due to the rise of water, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

According to details, India issued a warning last night regarding the release of water from the Madhopur Dam and released additional water into the River Sutlej.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan stated it is closely monitoring the situation.

A spokesperson reported that heavy rainfall is expected in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the floodwaters released by India into the River Ravi have entered Pakistani territory, leading to a sudden rise in water levels at the Jassar point.

In Narowal, 56 people working in fields near the Ravi River were successfully rescued.

A moderate-level flood is currently passing through Jassar, and the floodwaters are expected to reach Shahdara today.

Furthermore, India has released more water into the Sutlej River. A high-level flood has already been reported at the Ganda Singh Wala point. In areas such as Uch Sharif, Arifwala, and Pakpattan, residential homes and hundreds of acres of farmland are now submerged.

Read more: India releases excess water without following Indus Water Treaty protocols

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to ensure the timely evacuation of affected populations.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, water levels in both the Ravi and Sutlej rivers are continuously rising in Lahore. At Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej has reached an extremely high flood level with a flow of 195,000 cusecs. The Ravi River at Jassar is witnessing a medium-level flood with a flow of 88,000 cusecs.

In addition, an alert has been issued following reports that India may also release water into the Chenab River.

In Phalia, Rescue 1122 teams are prepared to carry out relief operations in potentially affected villages. According to PDMA, 22 villages in Tehsil Phalia are at risk, and residents have been advised to relocate to safer areas.

26/08/2025

Two killed for Rs30: Murders over petty disputes reflect rising frustration in society,

LAHORE: The increasing number of daily reports involving killings over minor disputes reflects a growing sense of frustration and intolerance in Pakistani society.

In a heart-wrenching incident in Raiwind area of Lahore, two brothers were beaten to death by fruit vendors following a dispute over the price of bananas. According to police reports, Wajid and Rashid had purchased a dozen bananas for Rs130 but only had a Rs100 note and a Rs5000 note. A heated argument ensued over the remaining Rs30.

The altercation escalated when the fruit vendor called over his associates, who were playing nearby. The group brutally attacked the two brothers, resulting in their deaths. Disturbingly, several bystanders witnessed the assault but chose not to intervene—instead, many were seen recording the tragic incident on their mobile phones. Eyewitnesses reported that the altercation continued for hours, but police failed to arrive to control the situation.

In another shocking incident in Gujrat, a disagreement during a cricket match led to the deaths of two individuals, including the team captain. The dispute reportedly began when one player was denied the opportunity to bowl an over. The accused responded by opening fire on team captain Fakhar Iqbal and his brother, killing both and injuring their uncle. Police have arrested the suspect, and a case has been registered.

These incidents highlight the alarming rise of aggression and intolerance in society.

Experts emphasize the crucial role of parents and teachers in shaping the behavior of the younger generation. It is essential to educate children about emotional control, patience, and respectful conflict resolution.

“Most importantly, Islam, our religion, teaches us the value of patience and peace”, experts said. “Parents must ensure that they are not instilling excessive aggression in their children—so much so that, as adults, they are willing to take a life over something as trivial as Rs30”.

26/08/2025

Khawaja Asif claims pressure from ex-COAS Bajwa’s father-in-law to condemn Nawaz Sharif’s speech,

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed he was imprisoned for six months during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf govt tenure for refusing to condemn Nawaz Sharif’s Gujranwala.

Speaking about previously undisclosed political pressure, Khawaja Asif shared that during the tenure of the PTI founder, the father-in-law of ex-COAS General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa summoned him to his home.

“I was taken to the basement and told that Nawaz Sharif had mentioned both General Bajwa and General Faiz in his Gujranwala address and was asked to publicly condemn the speech and distance himself from it.”

The defense minister added that Qamar Javed Bajwa’s father-in-law had said that he would not comply with his demands, to which he was warned that if he didn’t cooperate, NAB cases would be initiated against him.

Khwaja Asif stated that Rana Tanveer was a witness to the incident.

Moving further, Khawaja Asif said after few days of denial to the Qamar Javed Bajwa’s father-in-law, he was suddenly arrested and remained in jail for six months.

Read more: PTI founder was ready to give lifetime extension to Gen. Bajwa: Asif

Despite their efforts, the government couldn’t establish a NAB case against me, and the court eventually ordered my release, he added.

Earlier, Khawaja Asif questioned the rationale behind the decision of then prime minister Imran Khan, army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Faiz Hameed during the PTI tenure to settle the Taliban elements in Pakistan.

Talking to the media persons at the Parliament House, the defence minister said that terrorism was a global issue that must be tackled collectively, and stressed that Pakistan was the front line state in the war against terrorism.

26/08/2025

Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza arrested in Jhelum,

Jhelum police have arrested renowned religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza under 3MPO, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

According to details, City Police Station officials arrested Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza and subsequently moved him to jail.

Police stated that the arrest was carried out under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO), on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner of Jhelum.

In addition, local authorities have sealed Engineer Mirza’s academy.

The arrest follows formal complaints filed by various religious groups. Delegations of clerics met with district officials earlier today, demanding action against Mirza.

Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza is known for delivering online lectures on a wide range of social and religious topics. His popularity largely stems from his candid discussions on sensitive issues.

Read more: PTA requests YouTube to review blocking of Dr Israr Ahmed’s channel

With 3.1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, this is not the first time Mirza has been arrested.

In May 2020, Jhelum police detained him under Section 153-A after an old controversial lecture went viral online. The section applies to individuals accused of hate speech or incitement. He was later released on court orders two days after his arrest.

Mirza also survived an attack in March 2021, when an unknown assailant attempted to stab him at his academy. The attacker was later arrested, while Mirza sustained minor injuries.

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