TRIPLE-RIVER FLOODING BATTERS PUNJAB
g CHENAB WAVE MOVES TOWARD JHANG, CHINIOT TO TRIMMU HEADWORKS WHILE RAVI SWELLS AT BALLOKI
g SUTLEJ CROSSES 350,000 CUSECS AT GANDA SINGH WALA, PUTTING KA SUR AT RISK
iran extends
suppor t to pakistan amid
SINDH ON ALERT FOR MA JOR FLOOD WAVE MAKE NEW DISCOVERIES
C limate Minister blames ‘elite c ulture’ for aggravating flood devastation
Pakistan finalises tex tiles and industrial polic y for nex t five years
ADB approves $3m flood relief for Pakistan as President Kanda visits Islamabad
Talks with PM Shehbaz focus on disaster response, private sec tor growth, and long-term projec ts including Reko Diq mining
In LESCO’s jurisdiction which includes Lahore Kasur and Okara 46 feeders were affected Restoration has begun and authorities expect all feeders to be fully operational by September 1 Meanwhile the PESCO region covering Swat Buner Shangla Swabi and D I Khan suffered damage to 12 grids and 91 feeders Out of these, 79 feeders are now fully restored and 12 partially restored The FESCO network which includes Chiniot Jhang Sargodha Mianwali and parts of D I Khan reported damage to 15
grids and 43 feeders, all of which have been temporarily restored In MEPCO areas, encompassing Multan and surrounding districts, 11 grids and 63 feeders were impacted Officials said restoration will start immediately once water levels recede Finally, in the TESCO region of North Waziristan, two feeders were affected but have already been temporarily restored The Power Division emphasized that all-out efforts are being made to ensure complete restoration across the country at the earliest possible time
China eyes 1,000-acre maritime hub at Por t Qasim to revive Pakistan’s shipbuilding
184 000 cusecs at Shahdara with further surges expected at Sidhnai The NDMA cautioned that potentially affected areas included Lahore city, Raiwind, Kasur, Pattoki, Okara, Renala Khurd, Depalpur, Gogera, Tandlianwala, Kamalia, Pir Mahal, Adda Hakim and Sidhnai It projected flows of 125 000 to 150 000 cusecs at Sidhnai between September 2 and 3 warning of a severe flood situation Separately the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala surged above 350,000 cusecs, triggering an emergency alert in Kasur and adjoining districts Officials warned that further heavy rains and possible water releases from India could worsen the crisis RAVI THREATENS LAHORE AND CENTRAL PUNJAB
The Ravi River, swollen by heavy rains and Indian releases, recorded 164,000 cusecs at Balloki Headworks and 184,000 cusecs at Shahdara sparking concern for Lahore and surrounding districts
The NDMA warned that potentially affected areas include Lahore city Raiwind Kasur Pattoki Okara Renala Khurd Depalpur, Gogera, Tandlianwala, Kamalia, Pir Mahal, Adda Hakim and Sidhnai Flows between 125,000 and 150,000 cusecs are expected at Sidhnai between Sept 2–3, which could trigger a severe flood situation Sutlej breaches record flows Separately the Sutlej surged beyond 350 000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala prompting emergency alerts in Kasur and adjoining districts Authorities warned that more releases from India and continuing monsoon spells could further worsen the situation The ninth spell of monsoon rains has already begun in Punjab raising the likelihood of fresh urban flooding All deputy commissioners and line departments have been directed to remain in the field, Relief Commissioner Javed said, adding that tent villages have been established in inundated areas to provide food medical care and shelter The devastation has left tens of thousands homeless Families in Kasur Jhang and Chiniot recounted scenes of panic as floodwaters rushed into their homes
overnight “We barely managed to save our children; everything else is gone said Nazia Nasir a resident of Jhang as she took shelter in a relief tent In some areas, residents accused officials of delayed evacuation “The water came so fast we had no warning Now our crops, cattle and homes are under water ” said Nasima Bibi
04
COMMENT
Planning for US tariffs
THE USA s placing of a tariff of 19 percent on Pakistani goods was bound to hit hard, for Pakistan, whi;e running an overall balance of trade deficit has a trade surplus with the USA
Though this trade surplus is more varied than is sometimes thought, it consists mostly of textile exports
This was perhaps inevitable, considering that the textile sector is an export staple in an economy running a chronic trade deficit However because the textile industry has such importance over such a long time it has come to claim a special position This has allowed the accusation of rent-seeking behaviour to be made, especially of the export sector That rent-seeking behaviour translates into seeking to obtain advantages from the government to make profits rather than focusing on the market they wish to explore Other sectors,like rice, salt, surgical goods, and sports goods also export
The problem before Pakistani manufacturers is quite specific It is not that they will be priced out of the market anytime soon US manufacturers even if they take advantage of the new tariffs, will take time to be up and running Meanwhile, Pakistan has found its competitors in the US textile market at the receiving end of even higher tariffs which has created the opportunity of substituting for these competitors Since the real growth sector is in what is called fast fashion, which consists of apparel meant only to be worn on a few occasions before being discarded, the real challenge is market penetration The measures that have been proposed by the Commerce Ministry after consulting stakeholders relate to existing complaints and would merely make life easier for the manufacturers rather than help them with their main issue It is almost as if they are being left to get on with the business as best they can except that they are to be coddled not because they are to help exports as because they help the exporters
In a way, the demands being made are ones which should have been implemented already There is no word but sad for the demand that held-up refunds should be paid That should be done by any honest state, and for all manufacturers, not kept as some sort of special prize for export high-performers Instead of the tired measures that have been proposed, the government should work out how it can actually help exports rather than just get out of the way
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The story of Pakistan’s digital future will not be written by one actor alone. Journalists, influencers, policymakers, and citizens all hold a pen The choice is clear, to create a culture of freedom and innovation or fall back into suppression and conformity If both government and people rise to the challenge, then beyond the broadcast will become not just a phrase but Pakistan’s most powerful story of empowerment in the 21st century
Experience ignored
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
dr MuhaMMad rizwan Bhatti
HThe issue in Pakistan is complex with particular difficulties stemming from the social economic and geopolitical environment of the nation The theme of world day trafficking in persons (TiP) 2025, Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation," emphasizes that stopping this serious injustice necessitates destroying intricate criminal networks safeguarding victims and calling for international cooperation Pakistan which is located at the intersection of important migration routes is a country that sees a variety of trafficking activities, such as forced prostitution, child trafficking and bonded labour To comprehend human trafficking clarity on a few fundamental ideas is necessary Human trafficking is the illegal recruitment or transfer of individuals usually for work or sexual exploitation, by deceit, coercion, or force The quantitative and qualitative information gathered on human trafficking cases is referred to as Trafficking in Persons (TiP) data This information is essential for adjust-
ing interventions and assessing their effectiveness A serious kind of human trafficking that is common in South Asia is bonded labour, which binds individuals to forced labour in exchange for oppressive terms to repay debts Lastly, the legal, medical, psychological and social services required to assist victims in their recovery and reintegration into society are included in survivor protection and rehabilitation
The Pakistani government has made significant progress in combating human trafficking by implementing data-based tools and policy reforms after realizing these difficulties These initiatives are in line with global frameworks and demonstrate a growing recognition that stopping human trafficking necessitates multifaceted approaches that incorporate partnership, prosecution, prevention and protection in an effort to enhance legislation against human trafficking and migrant smuggling the Parliament of Pakistan has passed the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2025 the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Emigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 Furthermore, The United nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UnODC) created the international Classification of Trafficking in Persons (iC-TiP) framework which is one of the most critical worldwide developments Countries may now discuss trafficking trends and occurrences in a common language thanks to this historic initiative, which offers a standardized framework for gathering and evaluating data connected to human trafficking A pragmatic strategy based on four essential pillars including prevention protec-
l a w e n f o r c e m e n t i n s t i t u t i o n s a t t h e s a m e t i m e g u a r a n t e e s t h o s e n a s t y h u m
tion prosecution and partnership buttress the battle against human trafficking By addressing underlying issues including poverty prevention seeks to empower and raise awareness in order to lessen the estimated 50 million victims worldwide The focus of protection is on identifying and helping victims; even if more than 75 000 victims were identified in 2022 rehabilitation depends on improved strategies including survivor-centric support Traffickers are held accountable through prosecution, although worldwide conviction rates are remarkably low (about 5,000 per year, a 38 percent decrease since 2015) calling for more robust legal frameworks and international collaboration Additionally the equally glaring fact is that as many as 800 000 people are leaving Pakistan annually according to the report of thr 4th Migration Trends Analysis Report for Pakistan published in the 1st Quarter of 2024
The analysis of the latest surveys of UnODC iLO iOM and walk free are massively eye opening Further delving deep it reveals that UnODC reports a 25 percent increase in trafficking victims in 2022 in comparison to pre-pandemic 2019, depicting children and forced labour cases are surging at an alarming rate Further, vulnerable groups including women and girls remained the multitude of victims particularly in sexual exploitation and forced labour The international Labour Organization (iLO) international Organization of Migration (iOM) and Walk Free estimate around 50 million people reside in the grips of modern slavery across the globe including 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriages Pakistan has made some progress despite obstacles like poverty, illiteracy, social shame and institutional lethargy By international norms officials have integrated aspects of victim support and contemporary policing The creation of national action plans that prioritize the identification, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors is one example of this The destruction of trafficking syndicates through improved investigative methods and judicial reforms is another goal of these initiatives
President Asif Ali Zardari also emphasized the need for international and collective cooperation at recent international gatherings To combat human trafficking he advocated for increased cross-border cooperation, legal changes and public awareness initiatives His remarks underscored that Pakistan's ap-
proach, while still a work in progress, demonstrates a commitment to tackling the issue holistically Pakistan s endeavours on the global scene are a part of a larger patchwork of regional and international projects that have yielded encouraging outcomes Through more vigorous trafficking prosecutions, more financing for victim services and the establishment of inter-ministerial groups tasked with coordinating nations like Bulgaria and Poland have institutionalized antitrafficking efforts These nations have constructed shelters, set up victim counseling facilities, raised the number of convictions and given survivors restitution awards This is setting benchmarks that Pakistan and other nations can emulate Such reforms highlight the benefits of an integrated approach combining legal rigour victim support and interagency cooperation notwithstanding, the incumbent DG Raja Riffat Mukhtar has significantly enhanced the FiA’s endeavours against human trafficking Recent reports reflect multiple coordinated crackdowns leading to the arrest of dozens of individuals involved in trafficking, visa fraud and illegal currency exchange networks Reports from July 2025, for example, describe the capture of 10 individuals, including "most-wanted human smugglers " and the seizure of large amounts of illegal money These unsparing steps along with increased internal responsibility within the FiA itself demonstrate a strong commitment to destroying these illegal businesses and safeguarding those who are most in need Trafficking necessitates laws that prioritize protection and prevention while penalizing offenders Raising awareness is essential for changing attitudes and lowering demand for exploitative services both in vulnerable populations and among the general public Adopting victim-centred law enforcement strategies that protect the rights and dignity of survivors is equally essential When combined with specific national objectives Pakistan s continuous adoption of international standards such as iC-TiP enhances accountability and resource allocation, guaranteeing data-driven and actionable initiatives Additionally, human trafficking is a pervasive issue that intersects with organized crime syndicates gender inequality migration and poverty Conditions of vulnerability when people are exposed to lies or compulsion due to economic desperation are ideal for exploitation Traffickers posing as employment facilitators may prey on migrant workers traveling overseas or relocating within the nation Due in part to persisting cultural and social biases that restrict their access to social protections and economic
opportunities, women and girls are disproportionately victims of sexual exploitation it is crucial to address these underlying factors in addition to providing urgent law enforcement and survivor support
Given that traffickers act internationally and take advantage of weaknesses in legal systems and enforcement, international collaboration is essential it is strategically necessary for Pakistan to cooperate with its neighbours including Afghanistan iran and india Coordinated survivor care programmes can reduce the impunity of trafficking networks, synchronize legal measures, intelligence sharing, and joint investigations The foundation for long-lasting, transnational responses is laid by the pledges made by the international community which are backed by institutions such as the international Labour Organization UnODC and numerous civil society organizations The overarching message is that fighting human trafficking is a complex issue that calls for consistent
India vs US: Who stands to lose most in the trade dispute?
the fact that despite some indian workers being forced to leave the US as part of Trump s immigration crackdown prominent indian-US tech leaders had
WHEn indian Prime Minister narendra Modi made a state visit to the US in June 2023, the pomp and pageantry reflected how keen the US side was to promote the countries' strong ties
"i've long believed that the relationship between the United States and india will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century, said then-President Joe Biden when welcoming Modi When Modi returned to the White House earlier this year to meet the newly elected Donald Trump there was less pageantry but still considerable warmth and much talk of deal-making Six months later the situation has changed dramatically As of August 27 most indian goods going into the US market now face a 50% tariff, one of the highest rates in the world
Tensions escalated swiftly after the US and india failed to strike an agreement during trade talks in the wake of Trump s major announcement of tariffs against trading partners in April Matters got even worse when
Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on india over its purchases of Russian oil
The deterioration in relations with one of the US' key strategic partners in the indoPacific region has alarmed those in Washington who see the relationship with india as vital for regional stability and security Meanwhile in india there is grave concern over what the tariffs will mean for the country s fast-growing economy WHY HAVE THINGS GOTTEN THIS BAD?
Rick Rossow, who holds the Chair on india and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and international Studies (CSiS) in Washington told DW he believes Trump was right to call out india s protectionism but says the tools and rhetoric being used to deal with the issues are "harsh" and increasingly causing political damage to Modi While many have interpreted the breakdown in negotiations as resulting from india s refusal to stop buying Russian oil Sushant Singh lecturer of South Asian studies at Yale University, believes it is connected to the india-Pakistan conflict which took place in May this year and Trump's role in ceasefire negotiations "it (the ceasefire) is something which Trump claims came be-
cause of him and his officials whereas Modi domestically wants to project that it came because he pummelled Pakistan, and Pakistan came on its knees, begging and asking for a ceasefire," he told DW "i think that is something where Modi can t afford to concede to Trump because his domestic political argument would completely be negated HOW IS INDIA AFFECTED?
india s economy is now under pressure from the tariffs The US is its biggest trade partner, with india exporting around $87 billion (€74 5 billion) worth of goods to the US in 2024 The Global Trade Research initiative a new Delhi-based think-tank predicts that number will fall by more than 40% in 2026 dropping to around $50 billion india s main exports to the US include sectors such as textiles and jewellery and gemstones The Global Trade Research initiative thinks some of those sectors could see a massive collapse in export volumes over the next 12 months potentially putting hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk
But Rossow noted that as the tariffs targeted goods and manufacturing remained a relatively small share of india's economy, at around 14%, the impact on the "real economy will be limited " However he also pointed out that Modi
had been prioritizing
cess to the largest export market may stifle this part of the economy at a critical juncture," he said IS THERE A DOWNSIDE FOR THE US?
The US exported around $42 billion worth of goods to india in 2024 less than half the amount going in the other direction "if you look at the balance sheet, the losses are mainly india's," said Singh "Under Trump, the US is clearly approaching China, india and the indo-Pacific differently So india has no leverage " Rossow said that while india would clearly suffer more than the US economically, the US would also pay a price, notably in the form of a big expected drop in indian students coming to US universities Gary Hufbauer, an international trade expert with the Peterson institute for international Economics said one economic factor to consider is that previous US plans to move some manufacturing away from China to india are now threatened "For a while it looked like india would be the alternative manufacturing site for a lot of stuff made in China " he told DW "But that looks unlikely now Singh pointed to
China, India strengthening interac tion a rational choice in a multipolar world
This month, the two sides reached 10 points of consensus on the boundar y question, and the foreign ministers' meeting achieved 10 outcomes, maintaining communication through diplomatic and militar y channels and avoiding unnecessar y friction
both sides have consumed considerable resources in managing border tensions increasingly both countries recognize that allocating limited resources to economic development and more pressing strategic priorities - rather than endless border disputes - is the more rational choice This month, the two sides reached 10 points of consensus on the boundary question and the foreign ministers' meeting achieved 10 outcomes maintaining communication through diplomatic and military channels and avoiding unnecessary friction Particularly, in the context of sluggish global economic recovery, both countries need a stable surrounding environment to promote domestic reforms and economic growth in 2024 bilateral trade reached $138 478 billion up 1 7 percent year-on-year Bilateral decisions to resume direct flights streamline visa procedures resume border trade, and other measures indicate that economic and trade cooperation is about to enter the normal trajectory The warming of China-india relations is also closely related to profound changes in
the global geopolitical landscape Since the beginning of 2025, international turbulence has intensified: the protracted stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, mounting crises in the Middle East and major shifts in US domestic politics and foreign policy have all had far-reaching impacts on the global order US foreign policy has shifted from supporting allies" to "transactional diplomacy," and in some cases even adopted a posture of extracting benefits at the expense of allies and partners which has directly worsened USindia relations in his independence Day address the indian prime minister said that Modi will stand like a wall against any policy that threatens their interests india will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our farmers " According to indian officials, india is also advancing a trade diversification strategy with at least 40 countries This strategic autonomy resonates with the independent foreign policy advocated by China and together they constitute the endogenous driving force for the improvement of relations between the two countries Western media are keen to hype the warming up of China-india relations and
simplistically attribute it to US tariffs on india, speculating about a so-called "anti-US alliance " Such narratives seriously misread the independence of foreign policies of both China and india A Cnn commentary pointed out part of the truth: india s recalibration of ties with China is a textbook application of its policy of strategic autonomy, which prioritizes national interests over rigid bloc allegiance " What makes some American media outlets uneasy about the prospect of the dragon and the elephant dancing together is essentially a residue of Cold War mentality When Washington criticizes india for buying Russian oil, the implication is that it wants india to "pick a side" - the same logic behind drawing india into Quad, the so-called quadrilateral partnership among the US Japan Australia and india The goal is nothing more than to turn india into a pawn in Washington s so-called indo-Pacific Strategy to contain China Facts have shown that such small political cliques do not align with new Delhi's pursuit of full strategic autonomy in the current era of frequent global challenges closer China-india ties are not only a rational choice but also a shared responsibility Looking back at history india was among the
Xi stresses persistent effor ts to improve Par t y conduc t
Iran envoy
expelled from Australia rejec ts arson attack claims as ‘ lies ’
Bangladesh detains group including ex-minister for alleged plot against govt
g PUNJAB CM BRIEFED 66 VILLAGES FULLY SUBMERGED, 120 PARTIALLY HIT IN SOHDRA WITH 61,000 PEOPLE SHIFTED FROM WORST-HIT ZONES
g 25,000 LIVESTOCK RESCUED, 10,000 FLOOD VICTIMS IN RELIEF SHELTERS WHILE 6,860 STRANDED RESCUED IN SIALKOT, 20,000 MOVED TO SAFETY
g OVER 300 VILLAGES AFFECTED; 38 RELIEF CAMPS, 18 FOOD CAMPS SET UP
Magsi lauds engineers ’ role in Pakistan’s development at PEC Awards Ceremony
s
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi on Friday asserted that no nation can achieve true progress without the vision and innovation of its engineers as he conferred the PEC Engineers Excellence Awards 2023 in Islamabad The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has conferred the prestigious awards, honoring 30 eminent engineers across eight categories for their remarkable contributions to Pakistan’s progress and development
The ceremony was attended by foreign delegates, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, government officials, senior engineers, and prominent figures from diverse walks of life
Addressing the ceremony Khalid Hussain Magsi lauded PEC s initiative and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for taking this laudable initiative of organizing the PEC Engineers’ Excellence Awards 2023
Magsi lauds engineers role in Pakistan s development at PEC Awards Ceremony
This prestigious recognition of the exemplary achievements of our eminent engineers, serving in diverse fields stands as a tribute to their invaluable contributions to the progress and prosperity of our nation he said These awards are not only a symbol of personal accomplishment but also a national celebration of dedication ingenuity and profes-
sional excellence that our engineers consistently demonstrate he stated PEC under its dynamic leadership is setting an inspiring benchmark for the younger generation to follow, he said
The minister highlighted PEC’s role in national development digital transformation and youth engagement He praised initiatives such as the Smart PEC Drive, special programs for Balochistan, PEC desks in higher education institutions, the Graduate Engineers Training Program (GET) the introduction of Generative AI courses and the Young Engineers National Forum
He further appreciated PEC s achievements on the global front, including securing a six-year extension of Pakistan’s membership under the Washington Accord and signing a Mutual Recognition Agreement with China
Speaking at the ceremony Chairman PEC Engr Waseem Nazir congratulated the awardees and underscored PEC’s pivotal role in advancing engineering education, practice and global recognition
He remarked “It is indeed a matter of immense pride and pleasure to be among this esteemed gathering of professionals who have significantly contributed to the progress of our beloved country Today’s ceremony is a tribute to their dedication innovation and enduring commitment to national service
He said that PEC continues to serve as a Think Tank to the Federal Government, providing technical input for national policies, while also modernizing the profession through initiatives such as the Smart PEC Digital Drive Graduate Engineers Training Program AIbased learning Pathway-to-Practice desks, and reforms in education and industry
He emphasized PEC’s growing international stature as a mentor to emerging engineering councils globally and reaffirmed PEC s commitment to youth empowerment, sustainability, and professional excellence
The ceremony concluded with the conferment of awards on the eminent engineers
EU NUCLEAR RESEARCH DELEGATION REVIEWS
PAKISTAN’S ADVANCEMENTS IN SCIENCE, TECH: FO
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Ahigh-level delegation from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) visited Pakistan from August 24 to 28 to evaluate the country s progress as an Associate Member Pakistan s Foreign Office said on Friday
According to the FO statement, the five-member expert team from CERN held meetings with Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman and visited several premier science and technology institutions across the country These included the National Centre for Physics (NCP), Heavy Mechanical Complex-3 (HMC-3), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) and the National Institute for Laser and Optronics (NILOP), among other advanced facilities
During the visit, both sides discussed Pakistan’s research contributions to CERN projects developments in particle physics nuclear research and advanced technologies as well as the training of scientists and engineers in cutting-edge scientific fields The CERN delegation also explored potential areas for further
Sindh prepares for ‘super flood’ threat as rivers swell
M o n i to r i n
p o r t Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro on Friday warned that the province is preparing for the possibility of a super flood as water levels rise in major rivers posing a serious threat to vulnerable districts Speaking on Geo Pakistan, Shoro said the current surge in the Chenab River was unprecedented in over a decade “Such a flood-like situation in Chenab has occurred after 10 to 12 years ” he said noting that 1 1 million cusecs of water were heading towards Trimmu Barrage He added that provincial authorities were monitoring flows in the Chenab Ravi and Sutlej rivers We are tracking the river flow carefully and preparing for all scenarios, he said, stressing that breaching embankments was not under consideration “We do not consider breaching as a viable option ” Shoro said provincial ministers had been assigned to monitor embankments while commissioners and deputy commissioners had identified locations for relief camps If the embankments fail, water will enter populated areas, he warned The minister also pointed to ageing infrastructure, particularly Sukkur Barrage, where replacement of gates is ongoing “We are replacing the gates at Sukkur Barrage and more will be replaced next year he said Meanwhile the Sindh Agriculture Department cancelled all staff leave and established a rain emergency cell at the Director General s office in Hyderabad Directors and deputy directors have been appointed as focal persons in 30 districts, including Karachi Larkana Sukkur Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the overall situation remained under control as the Sindh government and city administration implemented precautionary measures All government machinery is active and alert Ministers and members of the assembly have been assigned duties across Sindh,” he told reporters Wahab said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had cleared drainage chokepoints ahead of expected downpours He added that traffic police and wardens would remain deployed to assist residents If it rains please don t panic he urged warning that mass rush on roads could hinder rescue efforts
collaboration, including joint research programs, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange initiatives CERN founded in Geneva by European member states on the principle of Science for Peace is the world s leading particle physics and nuclear research laboratory It currently comprises 25
member states and nine associate members including Pakistan and has been at the forefront of global scientific discovery for decades Pakistan became an Associate Member of CERN on July 31, 2015, and since then has been actively participating in international projects particularly in detector development high-energy physics experiments and computational research The PAEC serves as the lead agency coordinating the PAK-CERN collaboration, ensuring Pakistan s contributions are aligned with global scientific standards “Through its Associate Membership, Pakistan has gained significant benefits advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge fostering technological development and training a new generation of scientists and engineers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement concluded The visit highlights Pakistan’s growing role in the global scientific community and underscores its commitment to innovation research excellence and international collaboration in science and technology
Residents of affected housing society demand proper house-value compensation
dents remain wary and demand an independent oversight to ensure compensation aligns with full house values not cursory or symbolic payments
relief efforts and around-the-clock assistance
Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Syed Musa Raza, confirmed that floodwaters from River Ravi had indeed entered parts of Park View Society but a substantial embankment built by the developer had helped safeguard one block, preventing the destruction from being even more widespread He also noted that evacuation efforts were successful and that no residents were stranded
Despite these assurances resi-
Planning and development experts emphasize that both the developer and regulatory authorities bear responsibility for the crisis Park View City developed by Vision Group had long faced official declarations deeming it illegal both by the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and successive judicial rulings
One resident, whose home lies in a now-submerged tail-end block, expressed the collective anxiety succinctly: We need assurance not just promises
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Friday held a follow-up meeting with US Chargé d Affaires Natalie Baker, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in multiple sectors Radio Pakistan reported Discussions focused on Pakistan–US relations mutual security concerns and matters related
to Pakistanis wanted in the United States The two sides agreed to enhance collaboration in border security, counter-narcotics, coast guard operations and forensic sciences with a view to building stronger institutional linkages Radio Pakistan said Chargé d Affaires Baker expressed condolences over
Pakistan is
Pakistan s diplomatic reset which he described as “one of the most active phases in the country’s recent diplomatic history ” Addressing a media briefing at the Foreign Office Dar presented details of his highstakes visits policy discussions and multilateral engagements during July and August, stressing that Pakistan’s foreign policy vision is anchored in regional peace, global connectivity trade revival and principled international advocacy He highlighted Pakistan s July presidency of the UN Security Council where the country chaired multiple sessions, including one on Palestine A unanimous resolution calling for peaceful conflict resolution was adopted under Pakistan’s leadership a diplomatic milestone ” he said In Washington on July 28 Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for what he termed a frank and constructive exchange on bilateral, regional, and global issues He also addressed think tanks such as the Atlantic
Council clarifying that his remarks on judicial independence had been misinterpreted The judiciary operates independently in Pakistan Twisting English remarks for political mileage is unfortunate ” he noted Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine citing his participation in the France-Saudi co-hosted international conference and the OIC Emergency Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jeddah on August 25 At the OIC, Pakistan categorically rejected the so-called ‘Greater Israel’ plan, terming it “illegitimate and unacceptable ” He also disclosed Pakistan s quiet diplomatic efforts during the Iran-Israel conflict noting that sincere engagement led to Iran publicly acknowledging Pakistan as a true friend The Iranian parliamentarians chanted ‘Shukriya Pakistan’ in their parliament that speaks volumes ” he added On his August 20 trilateral visit to Kabul with Chinese and Afghan foreign ministers Dar described the talks as productive and strategic, covering refugees, border security, trade, and infrastructure The three sides agreed on the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway, while China agreed in principle to extend CPEC into Afghanistan In Bangladesh (August 23–24) Dar engaged in what he called a rare full-spectrum diplomatic outreach meeting leadership from