pakistan

Biparjoy sets alarm bells ringing for mobile phone services

Published

11 months ago

June 14, 2023

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Biparjoy sets alarm bells ringing for mobile phone services

Amid cyclone Biparjoy inching towards Pakistan’s coastal areas, authorities said on Wednesday that heaving rains could disrupt mobile phone services.

The warned came as the cyclone, named Biparjoy, is expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135km (78-84 miles) per hour, gusting to 150 km per hour.

Sindh health department said there was a risk of mobile network shutting down during the rains. Authorities have evacuated thousands of people from vulnerable areas.

The health department has alerted all medical facilities and doctors, directing people to stay indoors, as heavy to very heavy rains (60mm-100mm) could hit the province.

The department further said that traffic jams might occur on main roads due to poor drainage conditions. There were also fears that the roads might be blocked due to rainwater, the department added.

The people were also advised to avoid going near poles and electricity wires. It said in emergency situations people could call 1092. Similarly, fishermen in the costal belt of the southern areas had been advised against going to sea, and those at sea had been called back.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), cyclones hit Pakistan in Balochistan in May 1901, Karachi in May 1902, June 1906, and June 1907. Meanwhile, the September 1926 storm had moved from Indian Gujarat into Pakistan.

There was a cyclone in June and July 1936, while in July 1944, some 10,000 people were left homeless in Karachi. One cyclone in June 1948 impacted the region. In June 1964, Tharparkar and Hyderabad were affected by a hurricane that killed 450 people and left some 400,000 people homeless.

During a cyclone in Karachi on 15 December 1965, the damage was estimated at $4.1 million and claimed about 10,000 lives. The 1970 East-Pakistan cyclone left half a million inhabitants dead. The May 1985 cyclonic storm was moving towards Karachi but had weakened over the sea while still a few 100 kilometers away from Pakistan’s port city.

The November 1993 hurricane had dissipated near the Sindh-Gujarat border. However, it caused massive rainfall and flooding in Karachi. Archives reveal Karachi, Thatta, Keti Bandar, and Badin districts were the worst affected as the cyclone had killed 609 people and displaced some 200,000 humans.

The June 1998 hurricane struck Gujarat in India, while the cyclone electrocuted 12 people in Pakistan. In May 1999, a storm struck Keti Bandar shores, killing 6,200 people. In May 2001, more than 100,000 people were evacuated from southeastern Pakistan due to the threat of a powerful typhoon in the Arabian Sea.

In June 2007, cyclone Gonu brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the city of Gwadar. Cyclone Yemyin killed 200 people in Karachi alone on June 24, 2007. In November 2009, cyclone Phyan caused gusty winds along the shores of Karachi. In June 2010, Cyclone Phet led to 370mm rain in Gwadar alone and damaged 10,000 houses.

In May 2021, a typhoon had killed four people in Karachi, while the September 2021 cyclone named Shaheen had produced gusty winds and rainfall in Karachi

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pakistan

Pakistan mourns President Raisi’s death; PM, president express sorrow

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2024

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Pakistan mourns President Raisi's death; PM, president express sorrow

Pakistan is observing a day of mourning today to express solidarity with the people of Iran following the shocking news of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest.

“Pakistan will observe a day of mourning, and the flag will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a post on social media platform X, expressing shock over the demise.

“Had been anxiously following developments regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi’s helicopter. Was hoping for good news. Alas, this was not to be,” PM Shehbaz remarked as he extended deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.

Shehbaz prayed that may Allah grant the martyrs a high place in Jannat al-Firdous and give patience to their families and the Iranian nation for this tragedy.

“Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan,” the premier added in his post.

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pakistan

Turkish FM meets COAS Munir, lauds army’s role for regional peace, stability

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2024

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Turkish FM meets COAS Munir, lauds army's role for regional peace, stability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir here on Monday.

According to the military’s media wing, the army chief and the Turkish minister discussed matters of mutual interest during the meeting.

The Turkish minister appreciated the role of the Pakistan Army in maintaining peace and stability in the region, the ISPR said in a statement.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the deep bilateral relations based on historical, cultural and religious ties between the two countries.

Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit on Sunday.

According to the Foreign Office, Additional Foreign Secretary Ahmed Naseem Warraich received the foreign dignitary at the airport.

The Turkish minister will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said.

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pakistan

LHC gives Punjab government ultimatum for judges’ appointment

Published

3 hours ago

May 20, 2024

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LHC gives Punjab government ultimatum for judges' appointment

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government regarding the appointment of judges.

Chief Justice Shehzad Ahmed Khan presided over a hearing on the Punjab government’s petition to transfer cases from LHC’s anti-terrorism court 1 Rawalpindi to another court.

During the proceedings, the advocate general Punjab informed the court that a government committee had consulted with Punjab Chief Minister on the matter of judges’ appointment, assuring that it had been prioritized for the upcoming cabinet session.

However, Chief Justice Khan inquired about the timeline for the next cabinet session, expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of immediate action.

The Chief Justice ruled that either a special cabinet meeting should have been called or the government committee should have appeared before the court after completing its task.

In response, the advocate general assured that the matter would be resolved in the cabinet session scheduled for Friday.

Expressing dismay over the absence of the government committee in court, Chief Justice Khan deemed it disrespectful.

The advocate general promptly promised the committee’s presence within half an hour upon receiving the court’s call order.

Consequently, the court directed the Punjab CM and the cabinet to issue a notification regarding judges’ appointment before the next hearing.

The court also warned that if the notification was not issued by then, the Punjab Chief Minister would be required to appear in the next hearing.

Addressing any potential concerns, the advocate general clarified that the government had no objections to the names recommended by the court for judges’ appointment.

Consequently, the case hearing has been adjourned until May 24.

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