Senate seeks action to protect Pakistan’s historical archives

Heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc across Sindh, killing at least eight people and injuring another eight as widespread flooding disrupted life in several districts. The provincial government placed all rescue and emergency agencies on high alert and directed authorities to intensify relief efforts in the affected areas. The downpour caused severe urban flooding, inundated roads and residential areas, and damaged public infrastructure. Authorities warned that more rainfall could worsen the situation and urged residents to remain cautious. Hyderabad received an exceptionally high amount of rainfall, with a cumulative 360 millimetres recorded between August 1 and August 2. The continuous rain submerged roads, disrupted traffic and affected routine activities across the city. In Badin district, floodwaters created a major emergency after two breaches developed in the Mirwah Canal on Sunday morning. The breaches, measuring approximately 15 feet and eight feet wide, allowed water to flow into nearby settlements, flooding around 200 houses. Local authorities and rescue teams were deployed to assist affected families and assess the damage. The provincial government also took administrative action during the emergency. The Town Municipal Officer (TMO) of Umerkot was suspended for remaining absent from the district while the crisis unfolded. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed all rescue organizations to remain on high alert and ensure a rapid response to emergencies. He instructed the Local Government Department that no government officer should leave their place of posting without prior permission until the situation improves. The chief minister also directed Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, district administrations, town municipal authorities and other civic agencies to keep the city’s drainage network fully operational. He emphasized that all available machinery and staff should be deployed to ensure the quick removal of rainwater and prevent prolonged flooding. Murad Ali Shah ordered the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Irrigation Department, the Health Department, district administrations and rescue services to stay fully prepared for any further emergencies. He instructed officials to implement all precautionary measures immediately and provide timely assistance to affected residents.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to an Afghan national, who is married to a Pakistani woman, against surety bonds worth Rs20,000 in a case registered under the Foreign Act. During the hearing, the government lawyer informed the court that the accused had been arrested under the Foreign Act. He argued that the man did not possess a marriage certificate proving his marriage to the Pakistani woman at the time of his arrest. The prosecution further stated that the marriage certificate was obtained in 2024, although the accused claimed to have married in 1993. The lawyer also told the court that the man had no documentary evidence of his entry into Pakistan and was not carrying an Afghan passport. Justice Hashim Kakar questioned the prosecution’s arguments, observing that in many rural areas marriages are conducted without immediately registering a formal marriage certificate. The defence counsel told the court that the couple had married in 1993 and only later obtained official documentation. Justice Kakar also noted that two high courts had already directed authorities to issue the man a domicile, adding that the government itself had allowed Afghan nationals to enter Pakistan in the past. He remarked that they had even been provided ration support. The judge further questioned the prosecution, asking what additional proof of marriage was required when the couple had two children together. He also asked how the authorities had concluded that the accused was an Afghan citizen if he allegedly had no identification or official documents. After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court approved the Afghan national’s bail, subject to the submission of surety bonds worth Rs20,000.