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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for another spell of flood-related risks as heavy monsoon rains, rising river levels and high water storage at major dams put several parts of the country on alert. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergencies Operation Centre, has warned of possible low to moderate flooding in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the latest assessment, the Indus River has already reached low flood levels at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu. While the Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Kabul and Sutlej are currently within normal ranges, officials expect water flows in several major rivers to increase on August 8 and 9. The NDMA has identified Sukkur on the Indus, Marala on the Chenab and Balloki on the Ravi as areas where low-level flooding could occur. The Jhelum downstream of Mangla Dam and the Kabul River near Adezai are also being closely monitored. Several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Shangla, Khyber, Orakzai, Kohat, Tank and North and South Waziristan, face the possibility of low to moderate flooding. In AJK, Bagh and Kotli are also considered vulnerable, while Zhob, Musakhel, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti in Balochistan remain under watch. Punjab is facing risks from hill torrents, particularly in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. The NDMA has also warned of possible urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Okara and Lahore. Water storage at the country’s major reservoirs remains high. Tarbela Dam’s water level has reached 1,548 feet, with storage at 97.94 per cent, compared with 95.98 per cent during the same period last year. Mangla Dam is at 1,205.2 feet, with storage recorded at 62.99 per cent, slightly above last year’s 62.80 per cent. Authorities have urged residents, tourists and travellers in mountainous and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, as intense monsoon rainfall can trigger flash floods, landslides and debris flows with little warning. People have been advised to avoid riverbanks, streams and other vulnerable locations and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling as the monsoon system continues to affect the country.

ISLAMABAD: A unusual development emerged during the hearing of cases related to a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad after police presented a man who has no arms in court on allegations of throwing stones and wielding sticks during the demonstration. The case relates to a protest held on August 5 in connection with supporters expressing solidarity with PTI founder Imran Khan. Several people arrested in connection with the protest were produced before the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad. Among those presented was Altaf Ullah, who had been arrested by police and booked at Koral Police Station. Authorities accused him of involvement in acts including stone-pelting during the protest. However, the case took an unusual turn when the accused’s lawyer, Sardar Masroor, challenged the allegations before Duty Magistrate Rizwan-ud-Din. The lawyer argued that his client could not have carried out the alleged acts because he has no arms. He asked the court to consider the physical condition of the accused before proceeding with the case. The court examined the accused in the courtroom and confirmed that both of his arms were absent. Following the observation, the court discharged Altaf Ullah from the case. He was therefore released from the proceedings related to the allegations brought against him. The incident has drawn attention because of the apparent contradiction between the allegations in the police case and the physical condition of the accused. The case highlights the importance of verifying allegations and considering available evidence during legal proceedings. While police had accused the man of involvement in stone-pelting and wielding sticks, the court’s examination of his physical condition led to his discharge. The development came during hearings involving people arrested over the August 5 PTI-related protest in Islamabad. Authorities had registered cases against individuals accused of various activities during the demonstration. The court’s decision in Altaf Ullah’s case means that he has been discharged from the particular case presented before the magistrate. The PTI protest man without both arms arrested case has since attracted attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest and subsequent court proceedings. Further proceedings in other cases related to the protest are expected to continue separately.