Pakistan braces for rising river levels as authorities predict more monsoon rains

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Updated 31 July 2024
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Pakistan braces for rising river levels as authorities predict more monsoon rains

Pakistan braces for rising river levels as authorities predict more monsoon rains
  • Water levels are expected to rise in Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, with current rain spell to continue until August 4
  • Authorities advise citizens to take precautionary measures during the rainy season, follow government instructions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is witnessing rising water levels in rivers due to monsoon rains, according to an official statement on Wednesday, with the country’s most populous Punjab province expected to experience additional rainfall in the next 24 hours.
The monsoon season is crucial for the region, providing essential water for agriculture, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
However, unprecedented cloudbursts driven by climate change have increasingly turned this vital weather pattern into a threat, as seen in the devastating 2022 floods that caused an estimated $35 billion in losses and claimed over 1,700 lives.
“There is a likelihood of monsoon rains in most districts of Punjab in the next 24 hours,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab said in a statement. “Due to monsoon rains, the water levels in rivers, dams, and streams are rising.”
The statement informed the Indus River was experiencing a low-level flood situation at the Tarbela and Kalabagh points, adding a medium to high-level flood situation may develop in the Jhelum River at Mangla from August 1 to 4.
It said the monsoon rain spell was expected to continue until August 4 and may also cause flooding in the Chenab River at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad.
“Arrangements are complete in vulnerable districts in anticipation of potential flood threats,” PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia was quoted as saying in the statement. “Citizens are advised to take precautions during the rainy season and follow government instructions.”
Kathia said the provincial administration and all relevant departments were on alert to deal with the situation.


New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi

New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi
Updated 8 sec ago
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New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi

New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi
  • A win for New Zealand would send them into the semifinals and also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase
  • New Zealand elected to field first in their second match and their bowlers dominated despite a battling 77 by Bangladesh skipper

RAWALPINDI: New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell returned career-best ODI figures of 4-26 to help restrict Bangladesh to 236-9 in a key Group A Champions Trophy clash in Rawalpindi on Monday.
A win for New Zealand would send them into the semifinals and also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase of the 50-over tournament. India would go through with the Black Caps.
New Zealand won the opening match of the competition against Pakistan, who then lost to India on Sunday.
New Zealand elected to field first in their second match and their bowlers dominated despite a battling 77 by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali’s 45.
Bangladesh started well with a brisk opening stand of 45 between Tanzid Hasan and Shanto.
Tanzid took on the pace bowlers as he hit fast bowler Kyle Jamieson for a four and six but his run-a-ball 24 was cut short by Bracewell.
The 34-year-old off-spinner struck with his second delivery to get the left-handed Tanzid caught by Kane Williamson at midwicket.
Rookie pace bowler Will O’Rourke sent back Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 13 and the middle-order suddenly surrendered to Bracewell’s off-spin.
Bracewell tied down the batsmen with his disciplined bowling and despite Shanto’s efforts to chip in with a few boundaries the runs dried up.
The patience paid off and Bracewell got his second wicket in his seventh over when Williamson took his second catch, a stunning effort as he turned from extra cover to catch the ball over his shoulder to dimiss the dangerous Towhid Hridoy for seven.
Bracewell completed his full quota in the 27th over and got two more wickets, removing veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (2) and Mahmudullah Riyad (4) as Bangladesh slipped to 118-5.
Shanto reached his fifty and attempted to rebuild with Jaker adding 45 for the sixth wicket before O’Rourke dismissed the captain with a short ball.
Jaker stood firm with the lower-order including a cameo by number eight Rishad Hossain, who hit a rapid 26, but the total looks below par on a pitch that usually favors batsmen.


Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets

Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets
Updated 10 min 53 sec ago
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Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets

Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets
  • Initiative aimed at promoting public participation in eliminating illegal practices, competition commission says
  • Scheme will encourage members of public to be part of protecting economy, economic rights, watchdog says 

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), a government agency for the enforcement of economic competition laws, said on Monday it would pay cash rewards to people who exposed cartels involved in the manipulation of various markets.

The development comes ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, during which various elements hoard essential items and artificially increase prices at local levels to make unjust profits.

The artificial increase in prices of goods and services in Pakistan, and a lack of quality goods is largely the result of business cartelization in the markets, according to the CCP.

Cartels are formed when suppliers in a market coordinate or enter into agreements to fix prices for goods and services and control the supply which is an illegal practice.

“If any individual is aware that a business association or product suppliers have colluded to fix prices or control supply, he is urged to immediately report such information to the CCP,” the watchdog said.

“Those who provide information and evidence regarding such illegal cartels will be rewarded with amounts ranging from Rs200,000 ($714) to Rs2,000,000 ($7,146). It is important to note that the identity of the informant will remain confidential.”

People can reach the CCP through WhatsApp number 0304-0875255 or its website www.cc.gov.pk to report any cartelization in the country.

“If your information is verified, you will not only receive a reward but also be recognized as a national hero,” it said.

The CCP said the initiative is aimed at promoting public participation in eliminating illegal business practices and the scheme would not only provide a legal avenue but also encourage the public to be part of protecting the country’s economy and their economic rights.

To ensure the provision of better-quality goods and services at fair prices to consumers, it is essential that all suppliers in the market compete with each other by offering better services and products at better prices, rather than colluding to fix prices, according the watchdog.

Engaging in agreements or understandings to control prices or supply of goods and services for unjustifiable profits is a serious crime under the Competition Act 2010.

“The Competition Commission of Pakistan has called for cooperation from the public in general and the concerned stakeholders in particular to take strict action against such illegal business nexus and cartels and to report any such act,” it said.


Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives

Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives
Updated 18 min 9 sec ago
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Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives

Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives
  • Exercise, the second in Sea Guard series, will run from Feb. 24-28 
  • Exercise seeks to enhance coordination among national stakeholders

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy on Monday launched the Sea Guard-25 exercise in the southern port city of Karachi to bring diverse sectors and agencies together on one platform to “collectively address multifaceted challenges in the maritime domain.”

The exercise, the second in its series, will run from Feb. 24-28 and bring together representatives from fisheries, law enforcement agencies, private entities, and non-profits.

“In addition to prominent figures from the private sector and fishing community, representatives from various organizations, including the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Coast Guards, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, Karachi Port Trust, and Port Qasim Authority, attended the session,” the navy said in a statement. 

“The exercise seeks to enhance coordination among national stakeholders while operating within their respective legal frameworks, using JMICC as a common platform to strengthen security of Pakistan’s maritime zones,” the navy statement added, referring to the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center. 

“It includes a series of practical scenario-based exercises at sea, along with table-top discussions, to refine and improve existing security mechanisms.”

Pakistan frequently conducts drills in Karachi, home to key naval bases and whose strategic position along the Arabian Sea is vital for safeguarding the South Asian nation’s territorial waters.

Earlier this month, Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise, with 60 nations participating. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also concluded their annual Affaa Al Sahil naval exercise in Karachi in February.


Pakistan seeks assistance from commercial banks to sell loss-making enterprises

Pakistan seeks assistance from commercial banks to sell loss-making enterprises
Updated 38 min 16 sec ago
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Pakistan seeks assistance from commercial banks to sell loss-making enterprises

Pakistan seeks assistance from commercial banks to sell loss-making enterprises
  • The comments by the finance minister come ahead of a visit of an IMF team to Islamabad to review Pakistan’s progress on a $7 billion bailout
  • The government seeks to sell its stake in state-owned companies as it aims to revive the $350 billion South Asian economy under the IMF program

KARACHI: Pakistan’s finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday urged commercial banks to help the government with its plans to privatize loss-making, state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

The minister’s comments came ahead of the visit of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team to Islamabad to review Pakistan’s progress on a $7 billion bailout it secured in September last year. A successful review will see the Washington-based lender release around $1 billion tranche to cash-strapped Pakistan.

Under the program, Pakistan has undertaken several reforms in taxation, energy and others sectors as well as with regard to better management and privatization of loss-making SOEs. Pakistani provincial governments have also recently enacted laws to tax farm incomes in line with the lender’s requirements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government seeks to sell its stake in state-owned companies, including the debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as it aims to revive the $350 billion South Asian economy.

“You can be on the sell side, you can be on the buy side in conjunction with the foreign partners, but we’re very serious and we will pay you,” Finance Minister Aurangzeb said at a summit of commercial bankers in Karachi.

IMF bailouts are critical for Pakistan which narrowly avoided a sovereign default in June 2023 by clinching a last-gasp, $3 billion IMF loan and is currently navigating a tricky path to economic recovery.

The government’s first attempt to privatize the national airline failed in October when the single bidder, a real estate developer, offered a rate much lower than what was anticipated by authorities.

Aurangzeb said they had had “a bit of a hiccup,” but PIA was being relaunched.

“I talked about privatization. I would encourage all the banks to actually come in and help us,” he said.

Pakistan is also working on the outsourcing of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports as well as privatization of power generation and distribution companies.

The South Asian country targets the single B credit rating this year to tap the Euro, US and Chinese bond markets, according to the finance minister. Islamabad plans to issue Chinese Panda bonds this year.

Aurangzeb said his team would engage with the credit rating agency Fitch during the forthcoming spring meetings in Washington.

“There’s a good opportunity that we get back into that so that we can access Euro, US dollar market,” he said.

But, Aurangzeb said, Pakistan would need to make its growth sustainable by increasing exports and productivity to break the recuring boom-and-bust cycle.

“It’s very easy, really easy to get into that trap again and say let’s go for it and that’s where we get into trouble, the imports go haywire, we run out of dollars, we get into a balance of payment problem and we go running back to the lender of the last resort [the IMF],” he said, stressing the need to fundamentally change the “DNA of Pakistan’s debt-ridden fragile economy.”


India’s inevitable win over Pakistan reveals a rivalry running on empty

India’s inevitable win over Pakistan reveals a rivalry running on empty
Updated 24 February 2025
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India’s inevitable win over Pakistan reveals a rivalry running on empty

India’s inevitable win over Pakistan reveals a rivalry running on empty
  • Champions Trophy clash in Dubai showed two teams moving in opposite directions
  • It was not until the 42nd over that a Pakistani batter hit a six, through Khushdil Shah

DUBAI: Living within a stone’s throw of the Dubai International Stadium, I was able to watch and experience how the atmosphere started to build before this eagerly awaited clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions trophy.

More than three hours before the first ball was bowled, the horns started their familiar chorus. The rituals remained unchanged — the early pilgrimage to the stadium, the face paint, the flags. Despite this, something fundamental has changed in cricket’s most politicized rivalry. The match laid this truth bare.

What we witnessed was not a contest between two equals. Although this is still the message pumped out by the marketing machine and broadcasters continue to sell India against Pakistan as the game’s ultimate clash, the reality on the field tells a different story. In 36 C heat, we watched a stark display of two teams moving in opposing directions.

The demographic in the stands told its own story — a drowning sea of blue with mere patches of green. A visual metaphor for the competitive imbalance that has come to define these encounters. Even Pakistan’s supporters, who are usually defiant and vocal in even the toughest of times, sensed the inevitability of what was coming.

The match felt like a formality from the start. Pakistan’s approach was puzzling at best and self-destructive at worst. After losing Babar Azam early on, followed by Imam-ul-Haq, who ran himself out on his return to the team, the innings descended into an exercise of damage limitation. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan needed to rebuild yet still try to be positive. It seemed they had a different plan altogether. Their lack of intent was so profound as to be puzzling. If they were trying to provide a basis for a late assault, then what should not happen is for them both to be dismissed in quick succession. This is exactly what happened.

Any hope of a challenging total vanished and Pakistan lost six wickets for 82 in less than 15 overs, setting India a modest total of 242 to chase.

India’s approach was the opposite of Pakistan’s. This brought the crowd alive and, for the first time, it felt that there were people in the stadium.

It was not until the 42nd over that a Pakistani batter hit a six, through Khushdil Shah. Rohit Sharma took only six balls to launch Naseem Shah for six. This was not just a shot, it was a pathological hammer blow, a statement that India no longer regards Pakistan as an equal but just another team to be dispatched.

Shubman Gill, the ICC’s new No. 1 ranked batter, had the crowd in awe of his classical shots, mixed with aggression. Even the Pakistani contingent clapped his majestic cover drives. Then came a vintage Virat Kohli performance. He played simple cricket against the spinners and attacked the seamers, saying afterwards: “I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs.”

India never left second gear because they never needed to and therein lies the problem. Rivalries require uncertainty. Both teams need to believe that they can win and, more importantly, they need both sets of fans to believe in the possibility of a victory. The Ashes have endured because, even when one team is stronger, the other always has the potential to retaliate. India against Australia captivates because both teams possess the ability to dominate.

India against Pakistan seems to have lost its edge on the field. The political tensions add edge to these encounters, but they can no longer mask the cricketing chasm that has opened up between the teams. We seem to be left with a rivalry running on nostalgia, fueled by memories of Miandad’s last-ball six in 1986 and Tendulkar’s uppercut off Shoaib Aktar’s bowling in 2003. Now, the contests are failing to create new moments worthy of that history.

The empty seats at the start of play would be unthinkable a decade ago for an India-Pakistan match. The crowd never reached its traditional fever pitch for such a match as it has become too one sided and predictable. “Men against boys,” was the sentiment being bandied about in the stands. It is hard to argue with that assessment. India’s victory felt inevitable from the moment Shakeel was caught in the deep. This is not the stuff of which great rivalries are made. They should make your heart race. They should keep you on the edge of your seat. They should make you believe in miracles.

There were no miracles, no edge-of-seat moments, no heart-racing finishes. Just the methodical dismantling of one team by another, executed with clinical efficiency that speaks of a rivalry in name only.

Perhaps it is time to be honest about what India versus Pakistan has become — a historical rivalry whose greatness now resides more in the past than the present. While the political undertones ensure these matches will always carry extra significance, the on-field contest has lost its competitive soul. For this rivalry to reclaim its place at cricket’s summit, Pakistan needs to rediscover its swagger, its intent and, most importantly, its belief. Until then, we are left with echoes of what once was, memories being played out to an increasingly indifferent audience.

The result has put India on the brink of a semi-final and Pakistan on the brink of elimination. Mathematically, there is a chance but, if New Zealand beat Bangladesh, it would mean that Pakistan becomes the first team to be ousted from the tournament, after only two matches. This will be a bitter blow. Pakistan’s return to hosting an ICC tournament will end in deep disappointment, after the high hopes which had built up.

Cricket in Pakistan has been badly buffeted from all angles in recent years. This latest defeat by India will serve only to make life in the eye of the storm even more uncomfortable.