National

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed all federal, provincial, and local authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness and speed up rescue and relief operations as heavy monsoon rains continue to affect several parts of Pakistan. The president issued the instructions as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season. Weather experts have warned that continued rainfall could increase the risk of flash floods, river flooding, urban flooding, landslides, cloudbursts, and glacial lake outburst floods in vulnerable regions. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction caused by recent rains, President Zardari extended his condolences to the affected families. He also expressed concern over the damage to homes, roads, public infrastructure, agricultural land, and other property caused by the ongoing severe weather. The president instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), district administrations, and other relevant agencies to maintain close coordination throughout the emergency. He said all institutions should work together to ensure a timely and effective response to any weather-related incident. He directed authorities to issue early weather warnings without delay and ensure that information reaches people living in high-risk areas. He stressed that advance warnings can help communities take precautionary measures and reduce the loss of lives and property. President Zardari also ordered continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows, reservoirs, and water levels, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where heavy rains have increased the possibility of flash floods and landslides. He instructed authorities in downstream districts to complete all necessary preparations for possible flooding. The president further directed emergency agencies to deploy rescue teams, heavy machinery, medical staff, and relief supplies in vulnerable areas before conditions worsen. He also called for special measures to protect tourists, travellers, and local residents in mountainous regions where landslides, flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods pose serious risks. He emphasised that all government departments must remain on high alert and respond immediately wherever human lives, homes, or critical infrastructure are threatened. He said protecting citizens should remain the highest priority during the ongoing monsoon season. President Zardari also appealed to the public to follow official weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing heavy rainfall or flood warnings. He urged citizens to cooperate with rescue teams and local authorities during emergency operations. The president appreciated the efforts of rescue workers, emergency personnel, volunteers, and officials who continue to assist affected communities despite difficult weather conditions. He also prayed for the safety of people across the country. The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread destruction in several provinces. At least 37 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, while many others have been injured. Heavy rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging houses, roads, bridges, crops, livestock, and public infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that he will begin teaching students in government schools in Lahore from the first week of September as part of an initiative aimed at improving the quality of education in the province. The minister said he has decided to personally enter classrooms and teach students instead of only monitoring the education system from administrative offices. He said the experience would help him better understand the challenges faced by teachers and students while also providing an opportunity to evaluate classroom teaching firsthand. Rana Sikandar Hayat said English and Chemistry are his favourite subjects, and he will start by teaching these courses. He said he plans to teach English in primary schools and Chemistry in high schools before expanding his teaching to other subjects in the future. He added that he will visit a different government school every week without giving prior notice. According to the minister, these surprise visits will allow him to observe the actual learning environment, interact directly with students, and assess the effectiveness of teaching methods being used in classrooms. The education minister said the initiative is not symbolic but a practical effort to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the public education system. He believes that personally teaching students will provide valuable insight into issues affecting classroom learning and help identify areas that require immediate improvement. Rana Sikandar Hayat said he has immense respect for the teaching profession and considers it an honour to serve as a teacher. He added that educators play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation and deserve recognition for their contribution to society. He expressed hope that the initiative would encourage greater accountability within the education system and inspire teachers and school administrators to continue improving academic standards. He also said direct interaction with students would help the education department design better policies based on practical classroom experience rather than relying solely on reports. The minister said the feedback gathered during his teaching visits would be used to identify shortcomings in teaching methods, curriculum delivery, and classroom management. He added that the information would help the government introduce reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes and raising educational standards in government schools across Punjab.

The D-8 Health Summit 2026 begins today at the Karachi Expo Centre, bringing together representatives from the eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) to strengthen cooperation in the health sector. The three-day summit will continue until July 25. The international event is being organised jointly by the Ibn Sina Institute, the World Aging Council, and the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference. This year’s theme is “Healthy and Age-Friendly D-8 Countries.” The summit will focus on a wide range of healthcare issues, including health diplomacy, the challenges of an ageing population, preventive healthcare, healthy longevity, medical tourism, digital health, the impact of climate change on public health, and sustainable healthcare policies. A key highlight of the summit will be a keynote address by renowned gerontologist Dr Kamal Aydin. He will speak on “Global Health and Aging Diplomacy: A Future Vision for D-8 Countries,” presenting recommendations to promote international cooperation for developing healthy and age-friendly cities, particularly in the context of COP31. Dr Aydin, who completed his education at the University of the Punjab in 1996, has maintained close academic and professional links with Pakistan throughout his career. He is attending this year’s summit as President of the D-8 Health Summit 2026 and the honorary chief guest of the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference. In his message, Dr Aydin said it was a great honour to return to Pakistan, a country he considers his second home. He said it was gratifying to see the vision behind the Ibn Sina Institute and the World Aging Council, established nearly three decades ago, evolve into an international platform promoting global cooperation in health and ageing. He also thanked the organisers of the Karachi Healthcare Expo and Conference, including Tanveer Abbas, Dr Abid Abbas Sheikh, and their team, for their efforts in arranging the event. Alongside the summit, Karachi D-8 Healthcare Week 2026 is being held from July 20 to 27. The programme includes conferences, academic sessions, business-to-business meetings, investment discussions, innovation forums, and corporate social responsibility activities focused on healthcare and ageing. During the event, organisers will also launch an international signature campaign supporting the establishment of a United Nations World Assembly on Ageing. In addition, the Global Health and Aging Ambassadors Programme will be officially introduced.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and strongly condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, reaffirming Pakistan’s full support for the Kingdom. During the conversation, the prime minister described the attacks as unacceptable and said they violated international law while posing a serious threat to freedom of navigation and regional stability. Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan stands firmly with Saudi Arabia during the current security situation. He conveyed the country’s complete solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people, stressing that Pakistan remains committed to supporting the Kingdom in safeguarding regional peace and security. The prime minister also said he conveyed the support of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the entire Pakistani nation, expressing unity with Saudi Arabia at what he described as a critical time. According to the prime minister, both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on issues affecting regional peace and maritime security. They emphasised the importance of ensuring the safe and uninterrupted movement of commercial shipping through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, two of the world’s most important international trade routes. The two sides also agreed to continue working together to promote stability across the wider Middle East and support efforts aimed at protecting lawful maritime commerce from security threats. The conversation comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The waterway remains a vital route for global energy supplies and international trade, making its security a key concern for countries in the region and the wider international community.