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  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed all federal and provincial authorities to remain on maximum alert and maintain full preparedness to tackle any emergency resulting from the ongoing monsoon rains and the flood situation affecting different parts of the country. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday to assess the impact of the current monsoon spell and evaluate the government’s response to flooding and related emergencies. During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close coordination with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and provincial governments. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that weather forecasts and monsoon-related alerts are shared promptly with all relevant federal and provincial institutions to support timely decision-making and emergency response. Shehbaz Sharif also tasked Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal with chairing daily meetings of the Flood Committee to closely monitor the evolving situation, review developments, and recommend appropriate measures to minimize the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding. Highlighting the risks in Pakistan’s mountainous regions, the Prime Minister stressed that the early warning system for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods must remain fully operational. He underscored the need for constant vigilance in vulnerable northern areas where melting glaciers continue to pose a serious threat. The Prime Minister noted that although Pakistan contributes only a small fraction to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains one of the countries most severely affected by climate change. He said the government is actively implementing short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies aimed at reducing the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters and strengthening resilience against extreme weather events. Shehbaz Sharif instructed the NDMA, in collaboration with all relevant departments, to take every possible measure to protect lives, safeguard property, and strengthen disaster response efforts throughout the ongoing monsoon season. The meeting was attended by NDMA officials and chief secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Participants received detailed briefings on recent rainfall, the extent of damages, and the progress of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations. Officials informed the meeting that the NDMA is providing full logistical support and resources to provincial governments to manage flood-related emergencies in northern regions, while also assisting authorities in responding to the ongoing heatwave affecting Sindh and Balochistan. The participants were also briefed that another heavy spell of monsoon rainfall is expected over the next two days in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and southern Sindh. A further nationwide spell of significant rainfall is forecast for the second week of September. The meeting was informed that the Flood Committee established on the Prime Minister’s instructions continues to hold regular meetings to monitor the situation and ensure the effective implementation of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures across the country. According to the latest figures presented during the briefing, the current monsoon season has claimed 110 lives, injured 360 people, damaged 796 houses, and caused the death of 376 livestock. Officials also highlighted that the ongoing El Niño phenomenon has accelerated glacier melting in Pakistan’s northern regions, increasing the likelihood of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and flash floods over the coming month. Authorities have already identified high-risk areas and are taking preventive measures to reduce potential damage. The meeting was further informed that immediate action has helped bring urban flooding under control in central Punjab, including Lahore, while drainage operations continue in agricultural areas affected by floodwaters. Authorities also confirmed that the flood situation in Dera Ghazi Khan and nearby districts remains under control. Officials reported that timely operations have led to the reopening of roads at 106 locations, restoring connectivity in affected areas. The meeting was also told that the National Emergency and Telecommunication Centre, established by the Ministry of Information Technology, is fully operational, enabling Rescue 1122 teams to respond quickly to emergency calls from any mobile phone across the country. In addition, authorities have identified 700 locations nationwide for rainwater storage during the monsoon season. The initiative aims to conserve water for agricultural use during dry periods while improving long-term water management and climate resilience.

Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has clarified that the recent statement made by Noreen Niazi regarding the “Battle of Truth” (Maarka-e-Haq) does not reflect the official policy of the party. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized that the remarks were Noreen Niazi’s personal views and should not be interpreted as PTI’s official position. During the media interaction, Barrister Gohar said that every Pakistani takes pride in the country’s success in what he described as the Maarka-e-Haq. He stressed that Pakistan’s defense is strong and capable of protecting the country from any external threat. According to him, the nation remains united when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty, and no enemy has the ability to defeat Pakistan. Addressing questions about Noreen Niazi’s comments, Barrister Gohar explained that, according to the information available to him, the interview in question had actually been recorded around three months ago. He stated that the remarks expressed during that interview represented Noreen Niazi’s personal opinion and not the official stance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He reiterated that the party’s policies are determined through its official leadership and decision-making process, not through individual statements. The PTI chairman further said that the party has consistently been trying to improve the overall political atmosphere in the country. He noted that political leaders should avoid reopening old controversies and instead focus on reducing tensions. According to Barrister Gohar, this is a time for restraint and reconciliation rather than confrontation. He remarked that everyone should avoid revisiting past disputes if the goal is to create a more stable political environment. Speaking about the current political climate, Barrister Gohar also referred to comments made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He pointed out that the senior politician had already clarified his earlier remarks. Barrister Gohar observed that, during emotional speeches, public figures may sometimes say things that they later need to explain. However, he added that if a statement is incorrect, it should be acknowledged as such regardless of who made it. He further emphasized that certain sensitive matters should not be discussed publicly if doing so could worsen the political situation. According to him, some issues are better left untouched in order to help the country move toward greater political stability and national harmony. He urged political leaders and stakeholders to exercise caution in their public statements and avoid comments that could increase tensions. Barrister Gohar also spoke about PTI’s position regarding the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He stated that, at present, the party’s official decision is to boycott the elections. However, he indicated that the decision is not necessarily final and could be reviewed if political conditions improve in the future. He revealed that there had been internal discussions within the party about reconsidering the boycott. According to Barrister Gohar, some members believed that PTI should revisit its decision and participate in the elections. Nevertheless, he explained that the party leadership could not reach a consensus on changing the existing policy. As a result, the decision to boycott the AJK elections remains in place for now. The PTI chairman concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to promoting political stability and constructive dialogue. He stressed that while differences of opinion are a normal part of politics, all political actors should prioritize national unity and work toward creating an environment that supports peace, democratic processes, and institutional stability.