‘I’ll lead from the front’: Sohail Afridi vo…

Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash several parts of Punjab during the past 24 hours, causing urban flooding, traffic disruptions, power outages and loss of life. Authorities remained on high alert as widespread rainfall affected both central and northern districts, prompting emergency response teams to intensify drainage operations across the province. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Gujranwala recorded the highest rainfall with 245 millimetres, making it one of the hardest-hit cities. Lahore received 123 millimetres of rain, while Sialkot recorded 139 millimetres, Mandi Bahauddin 138 millimetres, Narowal 117 millimetres and Gujrat 95 millimetres. Other districts also experienced significant rainfall, including Hafizabad with 85 millimetres, Chakwal 70 millimetres, Okara 64 millimetres, Jhang 35 millimetres, Layyah 33 millimetres and Jhelum 32 millimetres. The PDMA said at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents since the start of the monsoon season. Twelve of the fatalities occurred after houses and other structures collapsed during heavy rainfall. Two people lost their lives after being struck by lightning, while three others died from electrocution caused by rain-related electrical hazards. The continuous downpour led to waterlogging in many urban areas, disrupting normal life and slowing traffic on major roads. Several low-lying neighborhoods remained inundated for hours, creating difficulties for commuters and residents. In Gujranwala, the Shamsi Underpass was completely submerged, forcing motorists to use alternative routes as traffic through the area became impossible. Lahore also witnessed widespread water accumulation on roads in several localities, including Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Model Town, Lakshmi Chowk and surrounding areas. Motorists struggled to navigate flooded streets, while residents in various neighborhoods reported prolonged electricity outages following the heavy rain. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said emergency teams remained active throughout the province to clear drains and remove standing water. Officials said drainage operations were continuing in 41 districts, while monitoring of rivers, dams and barrages had been intensified due to the ongoing monsoon spell. In Gujrat, WASA deployed 20 emergency teams across three operational zones to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater. Officials said major roads remained open and traffic continued to move despite the heavy rainfall. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions and warned people not to enter canals, rivers or rainwater drains, saying such areas become extremely dangerous during the monsoon season.

Police personnel in Bannu staged a protest on Tuesday against the transfer of seven Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police officials to other districts, with the dispute disrupting policing and traffic management in parts of the district. The protest was organised after the Police Peace Committee called on affected personnel to gather at the police lines and suspend their duties. Similar calls were reportedly made by peace committees in Lakki Marwat and Tank. The protesters are demanding that the transfer orders be reviewed or withdrawn. They have warned that the protest could be expanded if their demands are not addressed. Head of the Bannu Peace Committee Hazratullah said the boycott would continue until the transfer orders were cancelled. He said members of the peace committees had worked alongside police to maintain security and restore peace in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank. The boycott reportedly affected security arrangements at several important government and sensitive locations. The absence of traffic personnel also caused congestion at various points in Bannu and Lakki Marwat, leaving commuters facing delays. The transfer orders were issued by the Peshawar Central Police Office on the directions of the Additional Inspector General. Seven personnel were moved to different districts and units. Under the orders, Head Constable Nisar Ali was transferred from Police Lines Lower Dir to PTS Swat. Constable Ghulam Abbas Khan was moved from Elite Force Peshawar to Haripur, while Constable Muhammad Arif was transferred from Elite Force Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan. Constable Shafiullah was transferred from Investigation Bannu to Swat. Constable Muhammad Atif Khan was moved from Elite Force Bannu to Upper Chitral. Meanwhile, Constable Samiullah was transferred from Lakki Marwat to the Counter Terrorism Department in Peshawar, while Constable Khalid Rahman was moved from District Traffic Mobile Lakki Marwat to Shangla. Police personnel have argued that sudden transfers to distant districts could create difficulties for the affected officials and their families. They have called for the orders to be reconsidered. Authorities have so far not issued a detailed official response to the reported boycott or confirmed whether disciplinary action will be taken against personnel who stopped performing their duties. IGP transfer also under review The protest comes amid uncertainty over the appointment of a new K-P inspector general of police. The proposed transfer of IGP Zulfikar Hameed was put on hold a day earlier as the federal government sought further consultations over the candidates proposed for the post. Provincial government sources said the list of three senior police officers submitted for consideration could be revised. One name may be removed, while another officer could potentially be added before the appointment process resumes. A senior police official said the transfer of the current IGP was not being actively pursued for the moment because of the worsening security situation in the southern districts. The official said the provincial police chief was therefore likely to remain in his position temporarily while consultations between the federal and provincial governments continued.

Security sources said that armed members of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) abducted a courier company’s mini-truck along with two people from the Khad Koocha area on July 24. According to the sources, the kidnappers demanded Rs25 million in ransom from the courier company on July 26 and threatened to kill the hostages if the money was not paid. Security sources said the proscribed BLA is involved not only in terrorism but also in criminal activities, including bank robberies, vehicle theft, extortion and kidnapping for ransom. They said such incidents indicate the involvement of criminal networks in activities that can also serve as a source of financing for terrorism. The sources said ordinary Baloch citizens, local traders and peace in Balochistan suffer the most from such activities. They added that such actions are also aimed at creating fear and insecurity among residents and disrupting the peaceful environment in the region.