Meteorological Department Issues Storm Alert For Multiple Regions

Heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc across Sindh, killing at least eight people and injuring another eight as widespread flooding disrupted life in several districts. The provincial government placed all rescue and emergency agencies on high alert and directed authorities to intensify relief efforts in the affected areas. The downpour caused severe urban flooding, inundated roads and residential areas, and damaged public infrastructure. Authorities warned that more rainfall could worsen the situation and urged residents to remain cautious. Hyderabad received an exceptionally high amount of rainfall, with a cumulative 360 millimetres recorded between August 1 and August 2. The continuous rain submerged roads, disrupted traffic and affected routine activities across the city. In Badin district, floodwaters created a major emergency after two breaches developed in the Mirwah Canal on Sunday morning. The breaches, measuring approximately 15 feet and eight feet wide, allowed water to flow into nearby settlements, flooding around 200 houses. Local authorities and rescue teams were deployed to assist affected families and assess the damage. The provincial government also took administrative action during the emergency. The Town Municipal Officer (TMO) of Umerkot was suspended for remaining absent from the district while the crisis unfolded. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed all rescue organizations to remain on high alert and ensure a rapid response to emergencies. He instructed the Local Government Department that no government officer should leave their place of posting without prior permission until the situation improves. The chief minister also directed Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, district administrations, town municipal authorities and other civic agencies to keep the city’s drainage network fully operational. He emphasized that all available machinery and staff should be deployed to ensure the quick removal of rainwater and prevent prolonged flooding. Murad Ali Shah ordered the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Irrigation Department, the Health Department, district administrations and rescue services to stay fully prepared for any further emergencies. He instructed officials to implement all precautionary measures immediately and provide timely assistance to affected residents.

The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the disqualification of Pakistan Peoples Party leader and National Assembly member Shazia Marri over an alleged fake degree. The court announced its decision after the case remained pending for around 13 years. The petition was declared not maintainable and subsequently rejected. The court said the High Court does not have constitutional authority to disqualify a member of Parliament. According to the court, such matters must be dealt with through the relevant constitutional and electoral forums. The court also noted that a similar objection had previously been raised during the 2018 general elections. The matter was taken before an election tribunal at that time. The Election Commission later rejected the objection concerning Marri’s degree in 2022. An appeal against the tribunal’s decision was subsequently filed before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in 2023 after it was withdrawn. During the latest proceedings, Marri’s lawyer argued that the degree issue had already been examined by the Election Commission. He told the court that evidence relating to the qualification had been presented before the commission. The lawyer maintained that the Election Commission had already rejected the petition concerning Marri’s degree. The court also discussed the constitutional requirements for disqualification. It observed that a person cannot be disqualified simply through a constitutional petition. The court said the authority to determine whether a person meets the required constitutional standards rests with the appropriate judicial and electoral forums. It further stated that the courts cannot declare an individual truthful and trustworthy outside the constitutional procedure provided for such matters. The judges also referred to previous orders of the Supreme Court while determining the maintainability of the petition. Based on these considerations, the court concluded that the petition could not be entertained. The decision brings an end to a legal challenge that had remained pending for more than a decade. The case had focused on allegations concerning Marri’s educational qualification. However, the Election Commission had already rejected the related objection. The latest ruling also reinforces the distinction between the powers of the High Court and those of election tribunals and other constitutional forums in matters involving parliamentary eligibility. The court’s decision means that the petition seeking Marri’s disqualification has been dismissed without granting the requested relief.