National

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    Karachi braces for cloudy, humid weather

    ByJustpaste.in

    Karachi is expected to witness cloudy and humid weather over the next 24 hours, with light drizzle likely in some areas during the morning and evening, according to the latest forecast issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday. The Met Office said daytime temperatures in the port city are expected to remain between 33°C and 35°C, while the minimum temperature recorded early Monday was 28°C. Humidity levels remained high at 78 percent, making weather conditions feel warmer than the actual temperature. Sea breezes continued to blow across the city at a speed of around 15 kilometres per hour, providing some relief from the humid conditions. Weather officials said intermittent drizzle could occur in isolated parts of Karachi, particularly during the early morning and after sunset, although no widespread rainfall is expected. Meanwhile, the PMD has projected that August 2026 is likely to be drier than usual across much of Pakistan, with rainfall expected to remain below the long-term average in most regions. The monthly climate outlook, released on July 31, was prepared using forecasts generated by 10 internationally recognised seasonal climate prediction models, providing a comprehensive assessment of expected weather trends during the month. According to the department, large-scale climate patterns are expected to play a significant role in shaping weather conditions across the country. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a positive phase and is likely to continue through August, while the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) has also shifted into a positive phase. Meteorologists say the combination of these climate systems is expected to suppress rainfall in many parts of Pakistan. As a result, below-average rainfall is forecast for most regions of the country. The greatest rainfall deficits are expected over northeastern and central Punjab, extending into adjoining parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as southeastern Sindh. In contrast, parts of Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to receive rainfall closer to normal levels during the month, making it one of the few regions where precipitation is not forecast to decline significantly. The PMD has also warned that temperatures across Pakistan are likely to remain above seasonal averages throughout August. The most pronounced rise in temperatures is expected over eastern Gilgit-Baltistan, central and northeastern Punjab, adjoining areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northern Balochistan.

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    Mufti Jana Mir killed in targeted blast in Wana

    ByJustpaste.in

    Mufti Jana Mir was killed in a targeted explosion near Rustam Bazaar in Wana, the main town of Lower South Waziristan, on Monday, according to police officials. The blast occurred close to Rustam Bazaar, where unidentified attackers had allegedly planted explosive material on the ground floor of a building. The device exploded as Mufti Jan Mir passed through the area, killing him on the spot. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the attack appeared to be a planned assassination. He confirmed that investigators believe the explosives had been installed in advance to specifically target Mufti Jana Mir. Police and security personnel rushed to the scene immediately after the explosion. The area was cordoned off, while bomb disposal and forensic teams collected evidence from the blast site. Officials said all available evidence has been secured and a detailed investigation is underway to identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities have not yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, and no arrests have been announced. Security has been increased in and around Wana as investigators continue their inquiry. Mufti Jana Mir was widely respected for his efforts to promote peace and social harmony in South Waziristan. He regularly participated in peace initiatives and remained actively involved in campaigns aimed at improving law and order in the region. He was also a regular speaker at the National Peace Jirga, where he called for unity, dialogue and lasting peace. Community members regarded him as an influential religious figure who consistently encouraged peaceful coexistence and opposed violence.

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    PMDC issues advisory for Afghan medical students

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued an advisory for Pakistani students pursuing or planning to pursue medical and dental education in Afghanistan, warning that graduates from Afghan institutions will not be eligible to practise medicine in Pakistan. According to the advisory, medical and dental graduates from Afghanistan will not be able to obtain registration with the PMDC, making them ineligible to work as licensed healthcare professionals in the country. The council stated that medical institutions in Afghanistan are not included in the recognised list of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). As a result, graduates from these institutions will also be barred from appearing in Pakistan’s National Registration Examination (NRE), a mandatory requirement for obtaining a medical licence. PMDC advised Pakistani students to carefully verify whether a foreign medical institution is recognised by the ECFMG before seeking admission. The council stressed that enrolling in an unrecognised institution could prevent graduates from securing professional registration and practising medicine in Pakistan. The advisory aims to help students make informed decisions about pursuing medical education abroad and to avoid academic and professional complications after graduation. PMDC urged aspiring medical students to ensure that any foreign institution they choose meets internationally recognised accreditation standards before finalising their admissions.

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    Monsoon fury raises flood risks across Pakistan, N…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s disaster management authorities have issued a fresh flood alert as intensified monsoon rains continue to push water levels higher in major rivers, raising concerns over flooding in several parts of the country. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said river flows are expected to increase significantly between August 2 and 4, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas and remain alert to changing weather conditions. According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), high flooding has been observed in the Lehri River at Head Gogi, while Nullah Palkhu near Wazirabad is experiencing medium-level flooding. The Indus River is currently witnessing low-level flooding at Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu and Sukkur, while similar conditions have been reported at Head Nari on the Nari River. The NDMA warned that the Chenab River is likely to experience high water flows at Marala, with low to medium flooding anticipated at Khanki and Qadirabad. Water levels are also expected to rise in the Jhelum, Ravi and Kabul rivers and their tributaries as monsoon activity intensifies. Officials cautioned that streams connected to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers could swell to medium or high levels. Meanwhile, water flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers will largely depend on releases from reservoirs across the border. The authority also expressed concern over the possibility of flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. In addition, urban flooding and waterlogging remain a serious threat in several cities, including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and other parts of Sindh due to continued heavy rainfall. The NDMA advised residents to avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, monitor weather updates before travelling, and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. It also encouraged the public to use the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for real-time weather warnings and emergency information. Separately, the Prime Minister’s Emergency Response Committee (ERC) held its 10th consecutive daily review meeting to assess the country’s monsoon situation. The meeting, chaired virtually by Planning Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal, brought together federal ministries, provincial governments, disaster management authorities and senior administrative officials. During the briefing, the NDMA presented the latest updates on weather conditions, casualties, infrastructure damage, rescue operations and rehabilitation efforts. Officials informed the committee that deputy commissioners in all high-risk districts had already been directed to remain fully prepared for any emergency. The committee was told that recent heavy rains had caused flooding in multiple regions, with coordinated rescue and relief operations continuing through federal, provincial and district authorities. Weather experts also forecast more rainfall across northern and central Pakistan in the coming days, while isolated showers are expected in southeastern Sindh. The NDMA highlighted that relief activities are being carried out with the support of both national and international humanitarian organisations. Officials further noted that most monsoon-related fatalities this season resulted from the collapse of unsafe and poorly constructed buildings, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations and greater public awareness. The ERC commended the efforts of government institutions, provincial administrations, district authorities, the armed forces and rescue teams for their ongoing response. It directed all relevant departments to strengthen coordination, maintain maximum preparedness, accelerate relief and rehabilitation work, and take preventive measures to minimise the impact of future weather emergencies.

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    Information Ministry accuses Al Jazeera of biased …

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has accused international broadcaster Al Jazeera of presenting a misleading picture of the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, alleging that its coverage selectively portrayed the electoral process. In an official statement, the ministry said the broadcaster reported from selected polling stations in Muzaffarabad and relied on carefully chosen interviews and timings that did not accurately reflect the overall conduct of the elections. It claimed the reporting created a distorted impression of the voting process and failed to represent the broader electoral environment. The ministry further alleged that such coverage appeared aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections and ignoring what it described as the democratic will expressed by voters across the region. It maintained that the people of AJK had exercised their right to vote despite political tensions. Alongside its criticism of the coverage, the ministry reminded foreign media organisations operating in Pakistan that reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi require prior approval under the country’s External Publicity Guidelines. It urged all foreign correspondents to comply with the regulations governing reporting in other parts of the country. The AJK elections, however, remained under intense scrutiny after allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence emerged during polling. Opposition parties accused authorities of interfering in the electoral process, while the ruling coalition exchanged allegations of rigging and misuse of state resources. Human rights organisations also expressed concern over reports of deaths and injuries linked to election-related unrest. They called for transparent and independent investigations into the incidents and stressed that maintaining public order should not come at the expense of fundamental rights, including peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The elections were held against the backdrop of political unrest that has continued in AJK since last year’s protests over governance reforms and constitutional issues. The controversy surrounding reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly also remained a major political issue during the campaign.

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    PPP to challenge AJK election results over rigging…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced that it will challenge the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections through legal and constitutional forums, alleging widespread rigging, voter manipulation and administrative interference during the electoral process. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, accompanied by senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin, accused the federal government, the AJK Election Commission and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of working together to influence the election outcome. He claimed the electoral process was neither transparent nor impartial and alleged that several complaints submitted by the PPP were ignored by the election authorities. Memon said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had repeatedly called for free, fair and transparent elections in AJK. He said Bilawal had urged all institutions to protect the democratic process and ensure that the interests of the Kashmiri people remained above political considerations. The PPP leader alleged that the AJK Election Commission failed to perform its constitutional responsibilities fairly. He claimed the commission did not take action on complaints submitted by the party during polling and questioned its impartiality throughout the election process. According to Memon, polling staff and election materials reached several polling stations late, affecting the voting process and creating unnecessary confusion among voters. He also questioned the postponement of polling in constituency LA-27, saying the decision was based on weather conditions despite what he described as clear circumstances. He further alleged that violence and intimidation were reported in several constituencies during polling. Referring to the killing of PPP worker Mukhtar Younis in LA-9 Nikyal, Memon claimed the incident reflected the deteriorating security situation on election day. He also alleged that attacks on PPP workers and political leaders were not properly investigated despite complaints to the relevant authorities. Memon accused authorities of failing to take action against those allegedly involved in election-related violence. He also claimed that PPP workers who reached certain polling stations after receiving reports of irregularities came under fire. The senior minister further alleged that ballot papers had reached some candidates before polling day and claimed there were serious violations during the voting process. He also alleged that voter turnout in one constituency exceeded 100 percent and called on the Election Commission to investigate the matter immediately. He said the PPP would continue to pursue all available legal and constitutional options to challenge the election results. The party, he added, would present evidence before the appropriate forums and seek action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticised the conduct of the elections, saying the Election Commission had failed to address complaints raised after the first phase of polling. He maintained that the party reserved the right to demand re-elections in constituencies where it believed the electoral process had been compromised.

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    Security forces intensify K-P anti-terror operatio…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Security forces have stepped up intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign, targeting militant hideouts and disrupting terrorist networks in several areas over the past two months, according to security sources. Officials said one of the major operations was carried out in the Khatti Killi area of North Waziristan, where security forces raided suspected militant hideouts following intelligence reports. During the operation, several terrorists were killed after an exchange of fire, while others sustained injuries and managed to flee. Security sources said troops recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from the militants’ hideouts. The recovered material is expected to assist investigators in tracing the activities and support networks of militant groups operating in the region. According to officials, the operations specifically targeted members of Fitna al-Khawarij, the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Authorities said the campaign was conducted with great care to protect civilians and prevent damage to local communities. Security officials emphasised that the ongoing operations are aimed at eliminating terrorist threats, restoring law and order, and ensuring lasting peace across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They reaffirmed that intelligence-led operations would continue until militant networks are dismantled and terrorism is eradicated. The latest operations are part of the broader Azm-e-Istehkam strategy launched to strengthen counterterrorism efforts nationwide. The campaign focuses on targeted intelligence operations against militant groups while enhancing the security of vulnerable areas. Last week, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said security forces had carried out more than 40,000 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan so far this year, with a significant number conducted in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said nearly 194 intelligence-based operations are being conducted daily across the country. According to the military spokesperson, security forces have eliminated more than 2,000 terrorists during 2026, reflecting the intensified pace of counterterrorism operations.

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    NDMA warns of rising river levels, flood risk

    ByJustpaste.in

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that water levels in several major rivers across Pakistan could rise sharply from August 2 to 4 as monsoon rains intensify, raising the risk of flooding in various parts of the country. The NDMA urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone areas and remain alert to changing weather and road conditions. According to the authority’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the Lehri River at Head Gogi has reached high flood levels, while Nullah Palkhu at Wazirabad is experiencing medium-level flooding. The Indus River continues to face low-level flooding at Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu and Sukkur, while the Nari River is also reporting low-level flooding at Head Nari. The NDMA expects high flows in the Chenab River at Marala, with low to medium flows likely at Khanki and Qadirabad. The Jhelum, Ravi and Kabul rivers, along with their tributaries, may also see rising water levels. The NDMA warned that streams connected to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi could experience medium to high flows. Water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers will also depend on water releases from reservoirs in India. The authority has also highlighted the threat of flash floods in hill torrents across Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. Urban flooding and water accumulation could affect low-lying areas in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and other parts of Sindh. The NDMA advised people not to cross flooded areas on foot or in vehicles and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling. It also asked residents to follow directions from local authorities and stay informed through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application. Meanwhile, the Emergency Response Committee (ERC), formed by the prime minister, held its 10th consecutive daily meeting on Sunday to review the country’s monsoon preparedness and response. The committee directed relevant authorities to maintain maximum preparedness and speed up relief and rehabilitation operations. The meeting also reviewed the forecast of further rainfall in northern and central Pakistan, with isolated showers expected in southeastern Sindh.

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    Nawaz urges unity between government, military

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has urged party leaders to avoid any actions or statements that could create the impression of differences between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. According to sources, Nawaz Sharif told senior party members that Pakistan is currently facing significant economic, political and security challenges, making it essential to maintain national stability and institutional harmony. The development came after senior PML-N leaders reportedly conveyed their reservations to Nawaz Sharif regarding recent remarks made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi about the country’s system. Sources said Nawaz Sharif advised party leaders to exercise restraint and avoid public statements that could fuel unnecessary controversy or create the perception of tensions between key state institutions. He stressed that the country’s national interest requires close coordination and mutual understanding among institutions, particularly at a time when Pakistan is confronting multiple internal and external challenges. According to the sources, Nawaz Sharif emphasised that maintaining harmony between the civilian government and the military leadership is essential for political stability, effective governance and addressing the country’s pressing issues. He urged party leaders to remain focused on national priorities and act responsibly in their public engagements.

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    AJK rejects firing allegations against forces

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has strongly rejected allegations that security forces opened fire on protesters or were responsible for civilian deaths during the recent unrest in Rawalakot, describing the claims as false, unverified and part of an organised disinformation campaign. Responding to a report by the BBC on the recent incidents, the AJK government said armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee opened fire on security personnel in Rawalakot, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several officers. It also alleged that the attackers set multiple vehicles on fire during the violence. According to the government, security forces acted only to maintain law and order and enforce the law, insisting that civilians were not deliberately targeted during the operation. The AJK government cited information from the police spokesperson, who said seven security personnel were killed and 143 others were injured in firing allegedly carried out by armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee. It further claimed that the banned group has a history of violent activities. According to the statement, attacks carried out in 2024 and 2025 resulted in the deaths of four security personnel and left hundreds of others injured. The government also said two individuals arrested on July 28 and 29 were under investigation. It alleged that one of the suspects claimed a reward of Rs10 million had been offered for the killing of each Ranger, raising questions about the possible funding of the group. According to the statement, verified videos show armed individuals linked to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee using modern weapons and firing during the unrest. The AJK government maintained that law enforcement agencies carried out their constitutional responsibilities with restraint and professionalism. It insisted that no action was taken against peaceful civilians and that operations were conducted solely to restore public order. The government also categorically denied allegations of indiscriminate firing, the use of snipers or claims that bodies of victims were withheld from their families. It further alleged that the banned Joint Awami Action Committee had previously been involved in blocking roads, stopping or burning cargo vehicles and disrupting the supply of essential goods. According to the statement, law enforcement agencies made efforts to keep roads open and ensure the uninterrupted movement of essential supplies. The AJK government added that the Joint Awami Action Committee has been declared a banned organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act and said all legal proceedings against the group are being carried out in accordance with the law.