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Pakistan looks ‘like a sea’ after floods, PM Shehbaz says, as 18 more die

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2 years ago

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  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits flood-hit areas in Sindh.
  • You won’t believe scale of destruction there, PM tells journalists.
  • 33 million of a population of 220 million have been affected so far.

SEHWAN: Parts of Pakistan seemed “like a sea”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday, after visiting some of the flood-hit areas that cover as much as a third of the South Asian nation, where 18 more deaths took the toll from days of rain to 1,343.

As many as 33 million of a population of 220 million have been affected in a disaster blamed on climate change that has left hundreds of thousands homeless and caused losses of at least $10 billion, officials estimate.

“You wouldn’t believe the scale of destruction there,” PM Shehbaz told media after a visit to the southern province of Sindh. “It is water everywhere as far as you could see. It is just like a sea.”

The government, which has boosted cash handouts for flood victims to 70 billion Pakistani rupees ($313.90 million), will buy 200,000 tents to house displaced families, he added.

Receding waters threaten a new challenge in the form of water-borne infectious diseases, PM Shehbaz said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses journalists in Sindh after visiting flood-hit areas, on September 7, 2022. — Reuters
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses journalists in Sindh after visiting flood-hit areas, on September 7, 2022. — Reuters

“We will need trillions of rupees to cope with this calamity.”

The United Nations has called for $160 million in aid to help the flood victims.

Many of those affected are from Sindh, where Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake is dangerously close to bursting its banks, even after having been breached in an operation that displaced 100,000 people.

National disaster officials said eight children were among the dead in the last 24 hours. The floods were brought by record monsoon rains and glacier melt in Pakistan’s northern mountains.

With more rain expected in the coming month, the situation could worsen further, a top official of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned.

Already, the World Health Organization has said more than 6.4 million people need humanitarian support in the flooded areas.

Residents use boats as they travel amid flood water, following rains and floods during the monsoon season in Bajara village, at the banks of Manchar lake, in Sehwan, Pakistan September 6, 2022. — Reuters
Residents use boats as they travel amid flood water, following rains and floods during the monsoon season in Bajara village, at the banks of Manchar lake, in Sehwan, Pakistan September 6, 2022. — Reuters

The raging waters have swept away 1.6 million houses, 5,735 km (3,564 miles) of transport links, 750,000 head of livestock, and swamped more than 2 million acres (809,370 hectares) of farmland.

Pakistan has received nearly 190% more rain than the 30-year average in July and August, totalling 391 mm (15.4 inches), with Sindh getting 466% more rain than the average.

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The Senate will meet tomorrow at 4:30 PM, while the NA will meet today at 5:00 PM.

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19 hours ago

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The National Assembly will convene today at 5:00 PM at Parliament House in Islamabad.

The Senate session is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 PM at Parliament House in Islamabad.

Both houses will discuss national and international issues in addition to legislative business.

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Government Hajj Scheme: Today is the last day to submit an application for the Hajj.

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19 hours ago

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The government’s hajj program is ending today, and applications are being accepted nationwide by approved banks.

So far, more than 72,000 applications have been received, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Candidates can join their family members’ hajj groups, and Pakistanis living abroad can sponsor their loved ones to perform the Hajj.

The first payment for applications is two hundred thousand rupees, and the second installment, which is four hundred thousand rupees, can be submitted within ten days following the balloting.

Until February 10th of the following year, the remaining sum must be turned in.

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VPN use is neither illegal nor un-Islamic, according to the head of the Council of Islamic Ideology.

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2 days ago

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Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the CII, discussed his views on social issues, legal reforms, and VPN implementation.

According to Raghib Naeem, using a virtual private network (VPN) causes blasphemy, religious defamation, or the spread of disturbance, which makes it unlawful and un-Islamic.

He claimed that within certain bounds, Article 19 guarantees social peace, religious tolerance, and national integrity.

A query on the seminary registration issue was answered by the CII chairman, who stated that if there is proof of money laundering through madrassas, the management of those institutions will face legal action.

Additionally, he stated that it is unethical and illegal to exchange human baby milk.

Continue reading: Another declaration on VPN use from the Council of Islamic Ideology

In addition to suggesting legislation capping dowries at one tola (11.66 grams) of gold, Dr. Raghib Naeemi suggested moving the authorization for a second marriage from the wife to the Union Council.

Prior to this, the Council of Islamic Ideology stressed the significance of encouraging responsible digital citizenship and utilizing technology in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Though their use should be constructive and appropriate, VPNs are not intrinsically illegal, according to the Council of Islamic Ideology.

“Thoughts and ideas can be expressed effectively on social media for admirable ends. The statement said, “Muslims must adhere to Islamic teachings, utilizing social media to spread Islamic knowledge, education, and training.”

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