Government runs awareness campaign as Pakistan in grips of ‘severe’ heat wave

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Updated 24 May 2024
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Government runs awareness campaign as Pakistan in grips of ‘severe’ heat wave

Government runs awareness campaign as Pakistan in grips of ‘severe’ heat wave
  • First wave to last till May 30, second to begin from June 7-8 followed by third one in last week of June 
  • Heat wave to persist in Sindh province until June 3, to break in Punjab after June 4, Met office says

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is running an awareness campaign in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) amid an ongoing heat wave this month, state-run media reported as the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted day-time temperatures to “remain above normal” in June also. 
Pakistan has been experiencing severe climatic changes due to global warming in recent years which has led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains and droughts.
On May 21, authorities had urged people to stay indoors ahead of a heat wave which is expected to last until the end of the month. An estimated 18 million students are also unable to attend classes because Pakistan’s most populous province Punjab ordered shutting down schools this month due to rising temperatures.
Chief Meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz has also warned that the heat wave would “intensify” from May 23 onwards.
“Ministry of Climate Change and the NDMA are spreading mass awareness for the public through adopting preventive measures and to reduce its impacts through issuing adviseries, public service messages, ring back tone and awareness campaigns through television, radio and social media platforms,” Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing a press conference, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said 26 districts of the country were in the grips of a heat wave since May 21. 
Alam said the first wave would last till May 30, the second would begin from June 7-8 and the third one in the last week of June. 
May and June were recorded as the “hottest and driest” with higher monthly average temperatures, she added, appealing to the masses, especially children and elderly, to adopt preventive measures.
She noted that the severity of heat waves had increased rapidly during the past few months with 13 districts of Sindh, nine of Punjab and four districts of Balochistan experiencing “severe heat.”
“Global warming is impacting the entire world, and we are seeing its effects in the form of these frequent and intense heat waves,” the official said, blaming deforestation and unsustainable environmental practices for the harsh weather conditions. 
“Public awareness campaigns through various media outlets are ongoing to educate people on the health risks and preventive measures.”
Alam said heat waves were accelerating the process of glacier melting and the risk of forest fires, advising the public to remain cautious in national parks, avoid discarding cigarette butts, leave vehicle windows slightly open, and ensure access to drinking water.
“NO RESPITE”
The NDMA is also urging people to stay hydrated and wear light-colored clothing to minimize the effects of heat and farmers to carry out agricultural activities keeping in mind the prevalent weather conditions. 
Met Department data showed Jacobabad, Dadu and Mohenjo Daro as the hottest places across the country, with temperature in these cities surging from 49°C on Wednesday to 50°C on Thursday. 
“The cities of Jacobabad, Dadu and Mohenjo Daro are known to have 50°C in May. Jacobabad had 52°C in April in 2022,” the chief meteorologist said.
“Harsh weather is likely to persist at least till June 3. There is no possibility for respite, at least for Sindh. The heat spell may break in parts of Punjab but that, too, after June 4.”
Climate change-induced extreme heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia. It can make certain chronic conditions worse, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular disease and diabetes-related conditions, and can also result in acute incidents, such as hospitalizations due to strokes or renal disease.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, nearly 10,000 Pakistanis have died while the country has suffered economic losses worth $3.8 billion due to climate change impacts between 1999 and 2018. A deadly heat wave that hit Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi, the capital of Sindh, claimed 120 lives in 2015.
In 2022, torrential monsoon rains triggered the most devastating floods in Pakistan’s history, killing around 1,700 people and affecting over 33 million, a staggering number close to the population of Canada. Millions of homes, tens of thousands of schools and thousands of kilometers of roads and railways are yet to be rebuilt.


Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers
Updated 10 sec ago
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Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers
  • Pakistan last year cracked down on VPN use to allegedly deter militants, others from spreading illegal content online
  • Pakistan’s telecom authority grants licenses to two VPN companies, says move will ensure data security and privacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecommunication authority this week announced it has started granting licenses to virtual private network (VPN) service providers, saying the move would enable businesses to utilize their services for “lawful purposes” and ensure data security. 

Pakistan’s government last year cracked down on the use of VPNs, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asking businesses, freelancers and information technology (IT) companies to register their VPNs to ensure compliance with government regulations. It had warned that unregistered VPNs would be blocked. 

The government says its measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online. Digital rights activists, however, say the government’s move against VPNs is an attempt to block vital tools that allow users to bypass restrictions in its bid to stifle criticism online. 

“The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has initiated the licensing of Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the Class License for the provision of data services in Pakistan,” the PTA said in a statement on Monday. 

The authority said it has approved the applications of two companies and granted them licenses to provide VPN services in the country. 

“This initiative enables businesses to utilize VPNs for lawful purposes, ensuring data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance while promoting transparency,” the PTA said. 

It encouraged VPN service providers to apply online for the Class License on the authority’s official website. 

Pakistan saw a sharp rise in the use of VPNs last year when the government banned social media platform X after allegations of rigging in general elections surfaced in February 2024. Pakistan’s election commission and the caretaker government that organized the polls reject the allegations. 

Rights activists say the government’s measures to regulate the use of VPNs are part of a wave of digital crackdowns, including its move to implement a nationwide firewall last year. 

The government said the firewall intended to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow it to identify IP addresses associated with what the government described as “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s top representative body for the IT sector, warned in November 2024 that Internet slowdowns and the restriction of VPN services could lead to financial losses and closures, and increase operational costs for the industry by up to $150 million annually.


Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2
Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2
  • In Pakistan, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting moon for new Islamic months
  • Pakistan’s space agency says moon likely to be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency has forecast that the Ramadan moon will be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28, state-run media reported, meaning that the South Asian country will mark the beginning of the holy Islamic month from Mar. 2. 
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country. 
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast that due to its low altitude and distance, the crescent will be difficult to sight on Feb. 28. According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), SUPARCO said the angular distance between the sun and the moon will be 7 degrees on Feb. 28, making the crescent “invisible to the naked eye” that day.
“Based on these observations, the holy month of Ramadan in Pakistan is expected to begin on March 2, 2025,” APP reported on Monday. The report also said that as per SUPARCO’s forecast, the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Mar. 30 in Pakistan, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to be on Mar. 31.
However, the Pakistani space agency said the crescent may be visible in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 28, making Ramadan likely to start there on Mar. 1, 2025. 
“The final decision on moon sighting rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” APP quoted SUPARCO as saying. 
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activities from sunrise to sunset. This is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration that is observed by Muslims across the world.


‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
Updated 25 February 2025
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‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
  • Pakistan was plagued with injuries to destructive openers Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub 
  • Cricket analysts say Pakistan played cautious and outdated cricket in tournament 

KARACHI: Title-holders and hosts Pakistan crashed out in the group phase of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
They still have a match to play, against Bangladesh on Thursday, but their tournament is over — a disappointing end to their first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.
AFP Sport looks at where it all went wrong for Mohammad Rizwan’s men in the 50-over tournament:

- Uncertain build-up -
Rizwan was appointed white-ball skipper in October last year and led Pakistan to an impressive 2-1 ODI win over world champions Australia — their first series victory in 22 years in the country.
They also won in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first home whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
But fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle during a subsequent Test in South Africa.
Pakistan delayed the announcement of their Champions Trophy squad until the deadline to wait on Ayub’s fitness but the left-hander failed to recover.
To add to the home team’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after the first match — a 60-run defeat to New Zealand — with a muscle injury.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — rested from the Test series to keep them fresh — looked rusty and failed to control the death overs.

- Poor squad selection -
Pakistan selectors resisted calls from former players and pundits to include a second spinner in the 15-man squad and instead chose only one in Abrar Ahmed.
They relied on part-time spinners Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah, who have managed just one wicket between them in two matches.
Pakistan also erred by not selecting a regular opener and took the risky step of promoting out-of-form Babar Azam to partner Zaman.
When Zaman was ruled out they brought in Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. He made just 10 as Pakistan were crushed by title favorites India by six wickets.
In a surprise move they included in the squad all-rounders Khushdil and Faheem Ashraf on the basis of their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league.
Ashraf had not played an ODI for two years and Khushdil for three.
Former Pakistan captain and television pundit Rashid Latif called it a “political selection,” blaming outside influence

- Old-style cricket -
Former Pakistan captain and popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of playing outdated cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he told AFP.
“The ailment of playing too many dot balls also hurt our game.”
Pakistan played 152 dot balls against India in scoring 241 in 49.4 overs, including a record 28 balls with no scores in the first six overs.
Their total of 260 in 47.2 overs in the defeat to New Zealand had 162 dot balls.
“The mindset of Pakistan players does not match with modern-day cricket,” said Afridi.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”


Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy
Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy
  • UN Security Council holds key session on three-year anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • Pakistan abstains from voting on two competing UNGA resolutions on conflict’s third anniversary

ISLAMABAD: On the three-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict this week, Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations urged international powers to resolve the crisis through constructive and “inclusive” diplomacy, pointing out the dangers of further military escalation for the region. 

Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago on Feb. 24, 2022, amid protests from Western governments and peace activists worldwide. Thousands have been killed on both sides since the conflict began and rages on, with Washington and other powers calling for an end to the fighting that has dealt setbacks to the global economy and developing countries. 

The UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on the third anniversary of the conflict on Monday, with Pakistan abstaining from voting on both of them. One of the resolutions, backed by the European Union and Ukraine, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and called for a quick end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war. 

“We believe that the conflict in Ukraine could have been averted through dialogue and diplomacy,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s alternate permanent representative to the UN, said at a meeting of the Security Council on Monday. “It must be brought to an end now through constructive and inclusive diplomacy.”

He pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine has caused immense loss of life, widespread devastation and human suffering, adding that its consequences transcend borders and impact the region and beyond.

Ahmad said it was unfortunate how the pursuit of peace remains “largely absent and elusive” in this day and age. 

“That is despite the fact that the vast majority of the member states including the developing world have constantly desired and advocated for a peaceful settlement of this conflict thought dialogue and diplomacy,” Ahmad said. 

The ambassador called on international powers to “redouble” their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in accordance with the principles of the UN charter. 

“The pursuit of peace is a collective responsibility that must transcend geopolitical divide,” Ahmad said. “We hope that Council will shoulder its responsibility and unite behind this objective.”

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the balance of power at the United Nations has been clear: the General Assembly, representing all members, has clearly and overwhelmingly supported Ukrainian sovereignty, while the 15-member Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.

Pakistan has moved closer to Russia in recent months, signing trade and investment agreements with Moscow as it seeks to escape a prolonged economic crisis. Islamabad has not criticized Moscow for invading the eastern European country and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. 


Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO
Updated 25 February 2025
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Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO
  • Pakistan suffered total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, global web monitor says
  • Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim urges government to address issue, citing role of IT-enabled infrastructure in propelling businesses in Pakistan

KARACHI: The blockade of social media platforms and intermittent Internet shutdowns in Pakistan were causing losses running into “hundreds of millions of dollars” to the telecommunications sector and others that relied on online connectivity to run businesses, the CEO of Pakistan’s largest telecom company said this month. 

Pakistan suffered a total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by global Internet monitor Top10VPN.com, surpassing losses in war-torn countries like Sudan and Myanmar. The report, released on Jan. 2, said Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions that affected 82.9 million users last year, with elections and protests cited as the primary causes.

In an interview with Arab News, Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital service provider with around 71 million subscribers, said telecommunications had developed into a cross-sector enabler, so when Internet services were interrupted, it was not telcos alone that lost revenue.

“About 70% of the revenue that we generate comes from Internet or data services, so, there is a consequential revenue impact for us as telcos [telecommunication companies] but the real damage actually comes in terms of customer convenience,” Ibrahim told Arab News when asked about the effect of Internet closures.

“So it’s not just that the telcos lose revenue, it’s every other business that relies on the Internet, whether it’s freelancers, whether it is Careem or cab-hailing [services], or whether it is somebody like FoodPanda, or mobile banking, all of them rely on the Internet to be able to offer services to their customers.

“That is the real cost to the economy and that runs in hundreds of millions of dollars with all these Internet shutdowns.”

Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s largest telecom company, speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi on February 14, 2025. (AN photo)

Pakistan, a country of over 240 million, has witnessed up to 40% drop in Internet speeds in the last few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP). The speed drop comes amid what activities and opposition parties widely describe as a state-led digital crackdown that has included a ban on X, the imposition of a national firewall and attempts to restrict VPN use. 

The government denies any of the moves are aimed at censorship but rather at protecting national interests and going after terrorists and others who spread misinformation or incite violence online. 

Ibrahim acknowledged that the government had to maintain “a hard balancing act.”

“We have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a lot of fake information, a lot of fake news, things that can be detrimental to the interests of the country and even consumers and citizens and for that, you need a policy framework,” the Jazz CEO said. 

He urged the government to come up with a “mechanism” to tackle “deliberate vilification or other institution-damaging narratives” spread online. 

“So from a digital operator company perspective, we certainly advocate unrestricted Internet but the government has to actually balance it with the security concerns and concerns where information can become detrimental to national causes.”