Pakistan U19 Women’s Tournament set to begin in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for another spell of flood-related risks as heavy monsoon rains, rising river levels and high water storage at major dams put several parts of the country on alert. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergencies Operation Centre, has warned of possible low to moderate flooding in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the latest assessment, the Indus River has already reached low flood levels at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu. While the Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Kabul and Sutlej are currently within normal ranges, officials expect water flows in several major rivers to increase on August 8 and 9. The NDMA has identified Sukkur on the Indus, Marala on the Chenab and Balloki on the Ravi as areas where low-level flooding could occur. The Jhelum downstream of Mangla Dam and the Kabul River near Adezai are also being closely monitored. Several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Shangla, Khyber, Orakzai, Kohat, Tank and North and South Waziristan, face the possibility of low to moderate flooding. In AJK, Bagh and Kotli are also considered vulnerable, while Zhob, Musakhel, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti in Balochistan remain under watch. Punjab is facing risks from hill torrents, particularly in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. The NDMA has also warned of possible urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Okara and Lahore. Water storage at the country’s major reservoirs remains high. Tarbela Dam’s water level has reached 1,548 feet, with storage at 97.94 per cent, compared with 95.98 per cent during the same period last year. Mangla Dam is at 1,205.2 feet, with storage recorded at 62.99 per cent, slightly above last year’s 62.80 per cent. Authorities have urged residents, tourists and travellers in mountainous and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, as intense monsoon rainfall can trigger flash floods, landslides and debris flows with little warning. People have been advised to avoid riverbanks, streams and other vulnerable locations and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling as the monsoon system continues to affect the country.

  British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad to discuss matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining high-level and continuous engagement between the two countries. Both sides discussed the positive developments taking place in Pakistan-UK relations and emphasized the need to continue diplomatic contacts to deepen cooperation in areas of shared interest. During the meeting, Jane Marriott conveyed her greetings and extended congratulations to Pakistan on the occasion of its Independence Day. She also discussed issues relating to the ongoing relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement between Islamabad and London. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar appreciated the positive progress in Pakistan-UK relations and described the developments as encouraging. According to an official statement, Dar also referred to his recent meeting with the British Foreign Secretary in Manila, highlighting the importance of high-level contacts between the two countries in strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation. The discussion also covered regional and international developments, according to the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides exchanged views on the evolving regional situation as well as broader global issues of mutual concern. Ishaq Dar stressed that Pakistan and the United Kingdom should continue working together through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He emphasized the importance of implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in accordance with both its spirit and its agreed text. Dar also maintained that negotiations and diplomacy remain the most effective and appropriate way to address outstanding issues. He said that unresolved matters should be dealt with through constructive dialogue rather than confrontation, underlining Pakistan’s preference for diplomatic solutions to complex regional and international challenges. The meeting comes as Pakistan and the United Kingdom continue efforts to strengthen their longstanding bilateral relationship. The two countries maintain cooperation across several areas, including trade, investment, education, security, development and people-to-people relations. Regular high-level meetings between officials from both sides are considered important for maintaining momentum in bilateral ties. The discussions between Dar and Marriott also reflected the broader importance of sustained diplomatic communication at a time when regional and global developments continue to influence international relations. Both Pakistan and the UK have an interest in maintaining regular consultations on issues that affect regional stability, economic cooperation and international peace. The Pakistani foreign ministry said that continued engagement and dialogue would remain important for addressing matters of mutual interest and promoting closer cooperation between Islamabad and London. The meeting concluded with an emphasis on maintaining regular high-level contacts and advancing bilateral cooperation. Both sides expressed support for continued diplomatic engagement and efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan-UK relations. The interaction between Ishaq Dar and Jane Marriott demonstrates the continued focus of both countries on maintaining constructive diplomatic ties. With discussions covering bilateral relations, implementation of existing understandings, regional developments and international affairs, the meeting provided an opportunity for Pakistan and the UK to reaffirm their commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the plan to transfer the party’s founder, Imran Khan, to a hospital was changed at the last moment, claiming that significant progress had already been made towards arranging the transfer. Speaking to the media at Dahagal Naka on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, Gohar said the party’s efforts had been disrupted at the final stage. He expressed regret that Imran Khan could not receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital, saying it would have been a positive development if the former prime minister had been treated there. However, Gohar said he was not disappointed and would make another attempt to ensure that the party founder received appropriate medical treatment. He stressed that political dialogue and communication should not be abandoned, saying that efforts to maintain contact must continue. The PTI chairman clarified that all discussions held so far had focused solely on Imran Khan’s health. He also rejected a video circulating on social media that purportedly showed a meeting between him and Imran Khan, describing the footage as fake. Gohar urged political leaders and other stakeholders not to politicise Imran Khan’s health or turn the issue into a matter of political rhetoric. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the PTI founder’s treatment should have been implemented. According to Gohar, Imran Khan’s medical treatment was a straightforward matter and there was no justification for preventing his transfer. He said whoever stopped the transfer or changed the plan at the last moment had made the wrong decision. He acknowledged that the PTI also had concerns about Imran Khan’s security but said the government had never informed the party that security concerns were preventing his transfer to Shifa International Hospital. Gohar further said the party’s core and political committees had already made their position clear through official statements, asking supporters and party workers not to go to Shifa Hospital. Instead, Imran Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). However, Gohar claimed that the required treatment was not provided there either. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s directions could still be implemented if the relevant authorities were willing to act on them. The PTI chairman also revealed that the party’s petition had been assigned a case number in the Supreme Court and that a request had been submitted for an early hearing. He said the united opposition would now adopt a joint strategy in both the National Assembly and the Senate. Addressing allegations that the PTI had violated court orders, Gohar rejected the claim, saying the party had not disobeyed any Supreme Court directive. He clarified that Imran Khan’s sister had spoken publicly and confirmed that he had been taken to PIMS. Gohar said the PTI’s contempt petition was intended to seek implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders. He described it as a civil contempt matter rather than an attempt to challenge the court. He also mentioned that Noorain Niazi had been pleased after meeting Imran Khan the previous Tuesday. Gohar concluded by saying that Imran Khan’s health and security remained the party’s primary concerns. He also stressed the importance of opposition parties remaining united, arguing that reforms were urgently needed in the judiciary, Election Commission and provincial affairs.