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Relentless rains kill 23 in Sindh, Balochistan

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  • Flow of traffic remains suspended on interprovincial highways; power supply and mobile networks cut off 
  • PMD forecasts more heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan over next 48 hours.
  • PM Shehbaz directs NDMA and PDMA to pace up relief operations in affected areas at the earliest.

The incessant torrential rains pounding Sindh with flash flooding in Dera Ghazi Khan, Balochistan’s Lasbela and adjoining areas killed another 23 and left scores of people injured and hundreds displaced on Thursday, while traffic remained suspended across interprovincial highways, The News reported.

The heavy rains in most parts of Sindh, including Thatta, Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Hyderabad paralysed communication systems, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to expedite relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of southern Sindh.

In a provincial breakup of the rising death toll, as many as 14 people died as a result of rain-related accidents in Khairpur and Qambher, six persons including four children died in different parts of DG Khan and three died as a result of flash-flooding in Balochistan’s Lasbela district and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people were left stranded without tents under the open sky by the torrential rains following the large-scale destruction of their mud houses while the incessant heavy rains paralysed Thatta, Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Hyderabad and other.

The constant downpour prevented the respective city administrations to resume their relief and rehabilitation service. Fuel shortages were also reported hampering the drainage of stranded rainwater as many villagers remained marooned in the water and needed rescue. The failure to drain water from the marooned villages has raised the spectre of infections and diseases.

Exceptionally strong flash flooding in Koh-e-Suleman range displaced 0.7 million population of DG Khan, besides killing six people. As many as thousands of families were stranded after 200 small, large villages were badly hit in the rain. The flash flooding also suspended traffic between Dera Ghazi Khan and Quetta, Balochistan and Punjab and also between Peshawar and Karachi on the Indus Highway

The power supply and cell phone networks remain suspended in flood-hit areas. In a related development, heavy rains caused flash flooding in the Lasbela district and adjoining areas. With three more deaths in, the death toll in Balochistan rose to 205, while 81 suffered injuries according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The situation in other districts has not improved yet as Musakhail, Zhob, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Nasirabad and Lasbela were still receiving torrential rains for the past two days.

According to officials, hundreds of mud houses were damaged in Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Musakhail, Kohlu, Dera Bugti and other areas due to incessant rains. A total of 18 bridges and 690 km of roads have been damaged amid the rains. PDMA and rescue authorities are carrying out operations in flood-affected areas. Traffic on Quetta-Karachi National Highway remained suspended even after five days as flood water is still flowing over the highway.

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has forecast more heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan in the next 48 hours with urban flooding and flash flooding across hill torrents in KP, South Punjab and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to carry out relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of southern Sindh.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the monsoon rains, the prime minister directed the NDMA and PDMA to pace up relief operations in the affected areas at the earliest. The PM stressed ensuring the rescue of the people on a priority basis and instructed them to provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to each family.

He emphasised an immediate supply of food and clean water to the victims besides ensuring them facilities of accommodation and medicines. The prime minister also instructed the authorities to be vigilant in the wake of potential flooding besides taking necessary measures.

According to Inter-services Public Relations, the Pakistan Army troops remained busy in relief activities in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Naseerabad and Lasbela. The army medical teams were providing medical care to the affected people.

Meanwhile, the United States announced a $1 million grant in support of Pakistan’s efforts to address floods and other natural disasters that have caused heavy loss of life and property across the country.

In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We stand by Pakistan in hard times and offer our support to flood victims. In addition to $100,000 in immediate relief, the US announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters, and we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis.

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Education

Students from Balochistani start their academic adventure in China.

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China is the destination of ten Gwadar Institute of Technology (GIT) students who are going there for school. They will be pursuing Associate Engineering Diplomas at Hebei Jiaotong Vocational and Technical College after being chosen for the Sino-Pak Dual Diploma Program.

These students had the privilege of seeing the Chinese Consul General in Karachi prior to their departure, where they were greeted with warmth and given support for their future ambitions.

These ten people, who are from Pasni, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Surab, among other places, exemplify the talent and diversity of Balochistan.

The Government of Balochistan and the well-known Chinese corporation Tang are supporting this opportunity, which gives these youngsters a grant to help with their study overseas.

The children would want to express their sincere gratitude to the Pakistan Army and the Government of Balochistan for making this opportunity possible.

They are excited to take advantage of this opportunity to continue their studies and support Balochstan’s growth, especially through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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Latest News

Amid controversy surrounding judges’ letters, PM Sharif will meet with CJP Isa today.

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Today’s key meeting between Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is planned in the midst of ongoing discussions regarding a letter sent by six justices of the Islamabad High Court regarding outside meddling in court cases.

Azam Nazir Tarar, the minister of law, and Mansoor Usman Awan, the attorney general for Pakistan, are expected to accompany Prime Minister Sharif to the CJP meeting.

The meeting follows a full court session that CJP Isa called on Wednesday, with the express purpose of addressing issues brought up in a letter signed by six judges of the Islamabad High Court.

All of the participating judges carefully examined the letter’s contents during the session, analyzing both its constitutional and legal consequences. Discussions about the letter’s publication’s legal and constitutional ramifications were also included in the session.

All of the judges actively participated in the lengthy two hours and twelve minute discussion, offering their thoughts on the subject at hand.

According to sources, the top judge of Pakistan is expected to chair another full court meeting today. It is anticipated that this session would examine the letter’s contents in greater detail, with additional evaluation and discussion among the SC judges.

On Wednesday, the bar associations of the High Courts of Islamabad, Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan urged that the CJP conduct a “transparent inquiry” into the matter and that those responsible for it face legal repercussions.

Its cabinet “strongly condemned the interference of one institution into the matters of another institution,” according to a press release from the IHCBA.

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Business

Changes in the US dollar’s value are directly correlated with variations in gold prices.

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The price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan increased by Rs1500 on Thursday, reaching Rs231,000 per tola. This was another jump in the price of gold in the country.

Dealers reported a comparable surge in the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold, which is currently trading at Rs198,045 after rising by Rs1285. In addition, the cost of ten grams of 22-karat gold increased significantly, trading at Rs 181,541.

These fluctuations are strongly correlated with shifts in the US dollar’s value, demonstrating the tight connection between gold prices and exchange rates. This emphasizes how local gold markets are impacted by variables related to the global economy.

At Rs2,580, the price of 24-karat silver remains steady right now. The price of gold increased significantly on a global scale as well, rising by $14 to $2,214 per ounce.

It’s critical to understand that changes in the worldwide market can have a substantial impact on gold prices in Pakistan throughout the day. The gold rates that are offered are obtained from reliable sources, mostly situated in Karachi and Multan.

It is recommended that individuals seek the advice of nearby gold merchants and jewellers for the most precise and current information regarding gold prices.

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