Worldrelationz (2025)

18/08/2025

Various parts of Karachi receive light drizzle,

KARACHI: Several parts of the city experienced light drizzle, bringing brief relief from the prevailing humid weather, ARY News reported on Monday.

According to reports, areas including Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Clifton, Malir, Airport, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Scheme 33, Safoora Goth and Gulshan-e-Iqbal witnessed light rain.

Drizzle was also reported in Mehmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, Defence, and Saddar.

The light showers turned the weather pleasant in some areas, while traffic flow continued without major disruption.

On Sunday, the relative humidity recorded was 82 per cent in the morning and 57pc in the evening.

The metropolis is likely to see mostly cloudy weather from Tuesday (tomorrow) with chances of thunderstorms/rains with a few moderate to isolated heavy falls.

Read more: Pakistan monsoon rains claim 657 lives, injure 929: NDMA

The advisory warns of flooding and water logging in low-lying areas.

The department’s data showed that most parts of the province experienced sizzling weather conditions with temperature soaring to 42.5°C in Jacobabad and Dadu followed by Khairpur (42°C), Larkana 41.5°C, Mohenjo Daro and Rohri 41°C , Sukkur 40.5°C, Shaheed Benazirabad 40.4°C, Paddidan and Sakrand 39.5°C, Chhor 39°C, Tandojam and Hyderabad 38.5°C and Mirpurkhas and Mithi 38°C.

According to the Met Office, strong monsoon currents are penetrating into most parts of the province.

17/08/2025

President Zardari urges collective action on climate change through Green Pakistan Programme,

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the importance of a united response from the public to climate change by promoting the ‘Green Pakistan Programme’, as unpredictable weather patterns were causing disasters across the country, most recently in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where cloudburst-triggered flash floods led to significant damage.

“At this critical time, when climate change has already brought destruction to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country through floods and cloudbursts, we must act decisively to plant more and more trees,” the president emphasised in his message on the occasion of the Monsoon tree plantation campaign.

The president stated that their united effort should focus on promoting the Green Pakistan Programme, a national plan to increase forest cover, restore damaged lands, rebalance nature, and support nature-based approaches.

“This is not simply about planting trees; it is about creating healthier communities, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring a climate-resilient future for generations to come,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

In this plantation campaign, the president urged all citizens to take part in this noble cause and plant saplings to build a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous Pakistan for generations to come.

President Zardari said the 18th of August marked the launch of a nationwide tree plantation drive at a time when Pakistan faced the harsh realities of climate change.

This year, he said, between August and October, over 41 million saplings would be planted across Pakistan.

From cities to villages, and schools to government institutions, this campaign would reshape their landscapes, strengthen resilience against climate disasters, and kindle hope for a greener tomorrow, he added.

“Its success depends on collective responsibility. Youth must lead as ambassadors of change, the media should inspire households, and farmers can protect both crops and the environment through tree plantation. Civil society, community leaders, and religious scholars must also motivate and encourage the people to plant trees as a national duty,” the president further underlined.

Read More: KP floods death toll rises to 323, 156 injured

The well-being and progress of any nation were grounded in the preservation of its forests and natural environment, he said, adding deforestation, rising temperatures, and frequent floods were challenges affecting millions of lives.

“With insufficient forest cover leaving our land vulnerable to disasters that endanger our economy, agriculture, and well-being, this campaign is not symbolic—it is an important step to safeguard Pakistan’s future,” the president added.

He further observed that trees were the lifeline of the environment and one of the strongest defenses against climate change, adding they cleaned the air they breathed, enriched the soil that fed them, regulated their climate, conserved their precious water resources, and provided shelter to countless species of life.

“Trees lower extreme temperatures, absorb rainwater, and reduce floods and landslides. Every tree planted is a shield against disaster and a source of life for generations,” he added.

17/08/2025

Pakistan monsoon rains claim 657 lives, injure 929: NDMA,

ISLAMABAD: At least 657 people, including 392 men, have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26, while 929 others have been injured, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Of the nationwide death toll, 171 were children and 94 women. Among the injured, 437 were men, 256 children, and 236 women.

The NDMA said the casualties were caused by torrential monsoon rains, flash floods, and related hazards, adding that it was coordinating with provincial authorities to intensify relief and rescue operations in the worst-hit areas.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): The province has suffered the heaviest losses, with 390 deaths — including 288 men, 59 children, and 43 women. KP also reported 245 injured (161 men, 45 children, and 39 women).

Punjab: Punjab has recorded 164 deaths since June 26, with children forming the largest share of victims. The fatalities include 70 children, 63 men, and 31 women. The province also reported 582 injured (225 men, 182 women, and 175 children).

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB): At least 32 people have died, including 18 men, 6 women, and 8 children, while 31 others were injured (27 men, 3 children, and 1 woman).

Sindh reported 28 deaths, including 14 children, 10 men, and 4 women. Forty people were injured, among them 27 children, 7 men, and 6 women.

Read More: PM’s Coordinator fears 1,000 deaths in KP floods

Balochistan: The province has confirmed 20 fatalities — 11 children, 5 men, and 4 women — and 4 injuries (2 men, 1 woman, and 1 child).

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK): The region reported 15 deaths, evenly split between 5 men, 5 women, and 5 children. AJK also recorded 24 injuries (15 men, 6 women, and 3 children).

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT): The federal capital reported 8 deaths — 4 children, 3 men, and 1 woman — along with 3 injuries (2 children and 1 woman).

17/08/2025

PM’s coordinator fears 1,000 deaths in KP floods,

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, on Sunday, expressed grave concern that as many as 1,000 people may have died in the recent flash floods in KP.

Speaking on ARY News program Aiteraz Hai, Ikhtiar Wali said he had personally visited the flood-hit areas and witnessed large-scale devastation.

“Entire villages have been wiped out. In Buner’s Chagharzi area, massive destruction has taken place, while the village of Bashoni has completely disappeared from the map,” he said.

“Some of the rocks carried by the floodwaters were bigger than trucks. Houses along the riverbanks have vanished without a trace, and whole families have been swept away with no one to even report them.”

He revealed that official figures only reflect the bodies brought to hospitals—around 300 so far—but many more casualties remain unreported.

Describing the situation as a human tragedy, he warned that in Dir alone, deaths could exceed 1,000, while over a thousand people are still missing.

“Mass burials are taking place”, he said. “I have returned from Buner with a heavy heart after witnessing this disaster with my own eyes.”

Read More: KP floods death toll rises to 323, 156 injured

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 323 people lost their lives and 156 were injured in various incidents. Among the deceased are 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children, while the injured include 123 men, 23 women, and 10 children.

According to the report 336 houses were damaged, including 320 partially damaged and 160 completely destroyed.

17/08/2025

Fact-finding committee formed to investigate Khawar Hussain’s death,

SANGHAR: A fact-finding committee has been formed by the Sindh Police to investigate the death of journalist Khawar Hussain, who was found dead in his car in Sanghar on Saturday, ARY News reported.

According to a notification issued here, the committee will be headed by Additional IGP CTD Azad Khan and comprises DIG West Irfan Baloch and SSP Sanghar Abid Baloch.

The committee has been tasked to complete its report within two days and submit it to the IGP Sindh.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government has also decided to form a medical board to examine the body of Khawar Hussain. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said that the board, comprising senior doctors and forensic experts, will conduct a medical examination.

A CCTV footage recorded shortly before Khawar Hussain’s death has also been surfaced, showing the journalist parking his vehicle outside a private restaurant where his bullet-riddled body was recovered from.

Read More: Journalist Khawar Hussain found dead in Sanghar

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shaheed Benazirabad, Faisal Bashir Memon, confirmed that the CCTV footage of the incident is being reviewed. He added that no eyewitness reported hearing gunshots.

He stated that the car windows were closed, and there was no evidence of anyone else nearby. Call data records (CDR) will be retrieved within 24 hours, he added.

Th DIG added that the decision to form the medical board was made on the request of the victim’s family and journalist community.

DIG Memon revealed that the pistol recovered from the car belonged to Khawar Hussain himself, which he reportedly kept for safety. Footage showed that before his death, Hussain parked his car, went twice to ask about the washroom—from the hotel manager and later from a guard—and then returned each time to sit in his car.

17/08/2025

Railways minister issues stern warning to officers after Awam Express incident,

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Sunday issued a stern warning to officers, declaring that incompetence and negligence would not be tolerated following the derailment of Awam Express near Lodhran.

Four bogies of the Karachi-bound train derailed after its brakes failed near Lodhran Railway Station, leaving one passenger dead and 32 others injured, according to rescue officials.

In response to the incident, Abbasi convened an emergency meeting at Railways Headquarters in Lahore, where he received a detailed briefing on train operation safety measures. The minister cancelled his scheduled visit to Karachi and announced he would personally visit the accident site in Lodhran on Monday.

“We cannot allow anyone, under any circumstances, to play with human lives,” Abbasi said in a statement, vowing strict accountability. He warned that those found responsible would face not only transfers or disciplinary action but the “strictest possible measures.”

Expressing strong displeasure over recurring derailments, the minister remarked, “Incompetent officers confined to air-conditioned rooms have no right to remain in Railways. Either improve safety matters or opt for retirement.”

Abbasi directed officials to immediately remove dummy coaches from the system, even if it required suspension of services, and ordered continuous trolley inspections of tracks to ensure safe operations. He also instructed that the vigilance department be fully equipped with necessary facilities.

Highlighting the responsibility of locomotive staff, he stressed that train drivers, who carry the lives of over a thousand passengers in each journey, must undergo refresher training courses.

The minister further ordered that contracts for luggage and brake vans should no longer be extended through internal decisions but awarded via transparent open auctions.

Abbasi concluded by reaffirming that reforms in Pakistan Railways were already underway and their positive results would soon be visible to the public.

17/08/2025

KP CM announces relocation of flood-affected communities,

SWAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday announced that the provincial government will rebuild houses for flood-affected families and relocate communities residing in waterways to newly developed settlements at safer locations.

Speaking to the media after visiting flood-hit areas of Swat, the chief minister said the government would fully compensate citizens for their losses. “The damage caused by the floods will be met with a hundred percent response from the government,” he asserted.

Gandapur noted that the Pakistan Army was actively assisting in rescue and relief operations and had provided two additional helicopters to accelerate the efforts. He emphasised that priority would be given to compensating citizens for their financial losses before addressing damage to government infrastructure.

“We will rebuild destroyed houses and shift populations living in water channels to safer areas where new settlements will be developed,” he said.

Highlighting long-standing issues, he criticized the construction of houses and shops on natural waterways and the lack of proper cleaning of streams and drains, which he said worsened flood damage. Referring to encroachments, he cited a market in Buner where a court had stayed removal orders. “If that market had been cleared in time, the scale of losses could have been much less,” he remarked.

Gandapur urged citizens to avoid illegal occupation, warning that strict action would be taken against encroachments, though he admitted it was not a permanent solution.

Later, chairing a high-level meeting at the Commissioner Malakand Division’s office, the CM reviewed the flood situation. Officials briefed him on the extent of damages, ongoing rescue and relief operations, and infrastructure rehabilitation. Mingora city was reported to be the hardest hit. Relief efforts are underway with active participation from government departments and the district administration.

Read More: KP floods death toll rises to 323, 156 injured

The chief minister directed authorities to deploy additional machinery from other districts to expedite debris removal in Swat. He also ordered early completion of damage assessments and immediate disbursement of compensation to affected families.

“The provincial government has already released Rs3 billion to the Communication and Works Department as well as the Relief and Rehabilitation Department,” Gandapur said, stressing that food, medicines, and other essential supplies must remain available to victims.

To prevent future disasters, the CM announced the formation of a committee under the deputy commissioner to demarcate the riverbeds of the Swat River in consultation with elected representatives and based on revenue records. He said the measure aimed to minimize human and financial losses from future floods.

17/08/2025

Punjab CM orders reduction in transport fares after diesel price cut,

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to immediately reduce transport fares in line with the recent reduction in diesel prices, calling it the fundamental right of the people.

The federal government on Friday slashed the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs12.84 per litre, bringing it down to Rs272.99. Since most of the transport sector relies on HSD — widely used in heavy vehicles, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube-wells, and threshers — the reduction is expected to ease inflationary pressure.

“The reduction in transport fares is the right of citizens, and their exploitation will not be tolerated,” the chief minister said while issuing directives. She further instructed that revised fare lists be prominently displayed at transport terminals for public awareness.

Maryam Nawaz also ordered district administrations and the provincial transport department to ensure strict compliance with the notified fares, warning that action would be taken against transporters who fail to implement the reductions.

Read More: Govt announces petroleum prices for next fortnight

In addition to diesel, the federal government also reduced the price of kerosene oil by Rs7.19 per litre to Rs178.27 and light diesel oil by Rs8.20 per litre to Rs162.37. However, the price of petrol remains unchanged at Rs264.61 per litre.

17/08/2025

Registrations open for free solar panels in Sindh,

In an attempt to alleviate the burden of skyrocketing power bills and promote environmentally friendly energy consumption among low-income families, the Sindh government had announced a proposal to give out free solar panels to homes using up to 100 units of electricity each month.

Applications from qualified customers are still being accepted by the Sindh Energy Department. Applications for this program can be submitted by those who meet the requirements based on their electricity usage.

The distribution of solar panels to 200,000 families was announced by the Sindh government. 77,000 houses have already received solar panels, and 123,000 more will receive panels in the upcoming phase, according to data from the provincial assembly.

If more than 123,000 applications are received, the winners will be chosen through a lottery mechanism.

Earlier, Sindh Minister for Energy Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the provincial government is taking steps to provide low-cost and environmentally friendly energy to the people.

Read More: Chinese company to construct 425MW wind solar plants in Sindh

He expressed these views during a ceremony organized by a private company at the Energy Department office on Monday, where solar home systems, solar inverters with lithium batteries, and solar panels were showcased.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh government established the province’s first power plant under a Public-Private Partnership, and the electricity produced by the plant remains cheaper.

“This electricity is being delivered to relevant entities through the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC),” the minister added.

17/08/2025

Pakistan has videos of all six downed Indian jets: Mohsin Naqvi,

LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that Pakistan has video evidence confirming the downing of all six Indian fighter jets by the Pakistan Air Force during the recent Marka-e-Haq.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Global Impacts of Pakistan’s Military and Diplomatic Victories over India”, organised by the Waris Mir Foundation at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Naqvi praised the role of Pakistan’s armed forces, intelligence agencies, and national leadership in the country’s victory during the May 2025 war.

Naqvi said that every move and decision of the enemy was intercepted in advance during the conflict. He revealed that after the Indian jets were downed, Pakistan decided not to announce the achievement until concrete evidence was secured.

“The videos of all six destroyed Indian aircraft were obtained within minutes, and I am disclosing this today,” he stated. He explained that although Pakistan had radar data immediately, the leadership chose to wait until field evidence was collected.

The minister stressed the critical role of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, saying they obtained advance information about Indian decisions, flight operations, and planning during the war. “Our intelligence agencies were working silently but decisively behind the scenes, and they deserve full recognition,” he added.

Paying tribute to what he called the “hidden soldiers” of intelligence, Naqvi said the nation also witnessed divine support during the war. He pointed out that India fired seven missiles at a Pakistani military base, but none struck the intended target.

“Faith, belief, and determination are weapons that invite the help of Allah,” he remarked, adding that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Asim Munir had responded to Indian aggression with courage and conviction. He said Pakistan’s forces struck multiple strategic targets inside India and achieved all objectives set by the leadership.

Recalling a meeting with a Saudi delegation during the conflict, Naqvi said Field Marshal Munir had compared India to a “shining car” and Pakistan to a “loaded dumper,” implying the outcome of their collision was inevitable.

The minister highlighted the unity displayed by Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, contrasting it with India’s internal divisions, where the army and air chiefs reportedly held separate meetings with Prime Minister Modi. He accused Indian leaders Ajit Doval and Amit Shah of orchestrating the Pulwama “false-flag drama” that triggered the conflict, warning that their policies would ultimately harm India itself.

Naqvi praised the political consensus in Pakistan during the war, noting that all major parties stood united. He also said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s diplomatic voice carried weight abroad, while the Indian delegation faced challenges in lobbying.

He said India was openly sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that Pakistan had concrete evidence of New Delhi’s involvement. He vowed that Pakistan would continue to pursue the Kashmir cause until Kashmiris were granted their UN-mandated right to self-determination.

Read More: India’s defence attache blames political leadership for fighter jet losses to Pakistan

Naqvi concluded by commending Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for standing firm despite international pressure after the downing of Indian jets. He stressed that the current political and administrative setup in Pakistan should continue to ensure the country’s stability and progress.

17/08/2025

Govt focused on digitising Pakistan’s economy: PM Shehbaz,

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is prioritising efforts to digitise the economy and shift financial transactions to a cashless, digital framework.

Presiding over a review meeting on the cashless economy in Islamabad on Sunday, he instructed all provincial chief secretaries to fully support the federal government in extending the Raast digital payment system to the district level.

PM Shehbaz expressed contentment with the advancements achieved in transitioning to a cashless economy and digital financial systems.

The meeting was briefed that Pakistan will develop digital public infrastructure to create digital IDs for every citizen, integrating national Identity Cards, biometrics, and mobile numbers.

These digital IDs will enable secure and efficient payments. It was further said that the provincial governments have shown significant progress in linking government-to-public and public-to-government payments with the Raast system.

The meeting was informed that the federal development agencies have granted Right of Way for fiber connectivity, while discussions are ongoing with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority to expand digital infrastructure.

PM Shehbaz had earlier established a high-level committee to promote cashless economy and speed up the digitisation.

The committee, chaired by the prime minister himself, will review the progress and initiatives related to the promotion of digitization and cashless economy on a weekly basis.

Chairing a meeting in this regard, the prime minister had emphasized that digitization of the economy was among the government’s top reform priorities.

He directed to encourage the digital money transfers and digital payments through policy initiatives. He pointed out that in the federal budget 2025-26, the government had proposed a number of initiatives for the promotion of cashless economy.

He told that the government was also taking steps to discourage the informal economy and to promote digital transactions for shopping and money transfers.

17/08/2025

Black Box of KP govt’s MI-17 helicopter recovered,

PESHAWAR: Investigators on Sunday recovered the black box — the cockpit voice recorder — of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s MI-17 helicopter from the crash site in Mohmand, ARY News reported.

The MI-17 helicopter had crashed on August 15, 2025, while transporting relief supplies to flood-affected residents in the Salarzai area of Bajaur, resulting in the martyrdom of all five crew members.

Investigation teams that arrived from Karachi retrieved the black box with the help of local police, which was found about 100 meters from the crash site, according to officials. The police later handed it over to the relevant authorities for further examination.

Read More: KP govt’s helicopter crashes during rescue operation; 5 embrace martyrdom

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) released latest report on the loss of lives and property caused by recent heavy rains and flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported.

According to the PDMA, 313 people lost their lives and 156 were injured in various incidents. Among the deceased are 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children, while the injured include 123 men, 23 women, and 10 children.

The report highlights that 159 houses were damaged, including 97 partially damaged and 62 completely destroyed.

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