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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.

  Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan has completed 79 years of independence and that the country will celebrate the centenary of its independence 21 years from now, in 2047. In a video message issued on the occasion of Independence Day, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reflected on the meaning of Pakistan’s independence and emphasized that freedom was not simply about acquiring a separate territory. According to him, the creation of Pakistan represented a broader promise of rights and dignity for its people. Bilawal said that independence should be understood as more than the establishment of a geographical homeland. He described it as a commitment made to the people of Pakistan and to the regions and states that chose to become part of the country at the time of its creation. He said that this commitment was subsequently incorporated into Pakistan’s Constitution and has continued to be reaffirmed over the years. According to Bilawal, the constitutional promise represents an important responsibility for successive generations and should not remain limited to political speeches or written documents. The PPP chairman stressed that the younger generation has an important role to play in fulfilling this promise. He said it is the responsibility of the present generation to ensure that the constitutional guarantees and principles associated with Pakistan’s founding vision reach every household by 2047, when the country will mark 100 years of independence. Bilawal’s remarks came as Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day with nationwide ceremonies, flag-hoisting events and public celebrations. The day is observed every year on August 14 to commemorate Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947. In his message, Bilawal focused on the relationship between independence, constitutional rights and the responsibilities of citizens. He suggested that the true meaning of freedom lies not only in national sovereignty but also in ensuring that citizens are able to enjoy their fundamental rights. He further emphasized the importance of remembering the commitments associated with the creation of Pakistan while looking toward the country’s future. As Pakistan approaches its centenary in 2047, he called for collective efforts to translate constitutional principles into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. According to Bilawal, fulfilling the promise of Pakistan is a responsibility shared by every generation. He said the country’s future depends on ensuring that the principles of rights and justice are reflected in the everyday lives of people across the country. The PPP chairman also extended his greetings to the nation on Independence Day and expressed his hopes for Pakistan’s continued progress and prosperity. Concluding his message, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed his commitment to Pakistan and expressed the slogan “Pakistan Khappay, Pakistan Paindabad,” conveying a message of support for the country’s unity, stability and lasting prosperity. His Independence Day message centered on the idea that Pakistan’s journey should be viewed not only through the achievement of independence but also through the fulfillment of the rights and aspirations that accompanied the country’s creation. With 2047 approaching as the centenary year of Pakistan’s independence, Bilawal called on the current generation to work toward realizing the constitutional promise for every citizen and household. His message highlighted the importance of connecting the ideals associated with independence to the everyday realities of the Pakistani people.