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  • Sialkot receives 512mm rainfall in 48 hours, confirms DC

    Sialkot receives 512mm rainfall in 48 hours, confirms DC

    SIALKOT: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saba Asghar has confirmed that Sialkot received 512 millimetres of rain in the past 48 hours, causing urban flooding and overflow from three major drains in the city, ARY News reported.

    According to DC, “This is the first time Sialkot has experienced flooding of this scale,” adding that boats were used yesterday to rescue people from affected urban areas. She assured that maximum efforts are being made to assist flood-affected residents.

    According to the administration, nine relief camps have been established, although many people are reluctant to leave their homes. “One relief camp received 25 families, but most were later taken away by their relatives,” she noted.

    DC Saba Asghar further stated that water levels in the River Chenab have slightly decreased and the threat is not as severe as before.

    Also Read: Flight operations suspended at Sialkot airport amid flooding

    Earlier, flight operations at Sialkot International Airport had been suspended from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm due to the worsening flood situation, the airport spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.

    A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued to inform airlines and relevant authorities.

    According to the spokesperson, floodwaters from the southern side breached a protective embankment and entered the southern part of the airport premises. However, the runway, terminal building, and parking area remain safe.

    “All equipment at the airport is secure, and all available machinery and staff have been mobilised to manage the situation,” the spokesperson said, adding that efforts are underway to drain the floodwater.

    The news came after the district authorities had declared a public holiday as flooding intensified in Gujrat and Sialkot districts of Punjab.

    Heavy inflows from India into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers have triggered a flood alert across Punjab.

    The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) issued an urgent warning of extraordinary flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, urging immediate evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas.

     

  • Messi leads Miami into Leagues Cup final

    Messi leads Miami into Leagues Cup final

    Lionel Messi scored a brace on his return as he fired Inter Miami in to the Leagues Cup final on Wednesday. (more…)

  • Flight operations suspended at Sialkot airport amid flooding

    Flight operations suspended at Sialkot airport amid flooding

    SIALKOT: Flight operations at Sialkot International Airport have been suspended from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm due to the worsening flood situation, the airport spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.

    A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued to inform airlines and relevant authorities.

    According to the spokesperson, floodwaters from the southern side breached a protective embankment and entered the southern part of the airport premises. However, the runway, terminal building, and parking area remain safe.

    “All equipment at the airport is secure, and all available machinery and staff have been mobilised to manage the situation,” the spokesperson said, adding that efforts are underway to drain the floodwater.

    Also Read: Public holiday announced in flood-hit Gujrat, Sialkot

    Earlier, the district authorities had declared a public holiday as flooding intensified in Gujrat and Sialkot districts of Punjab.

    Heavy inflows from India into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers have triggered a flood alert across Punjab.

    The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) issued an urgent warning of extraordinary flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, urging immediate evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas.

    According to NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider, more than 190,000 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas of Punjab as rising water levels continue to threaten lives and property.

    Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi and Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali visited Head Marala to oversee the situation. Meanwhile, 20 people trapped under Shahbazpur Bridge were successfully rescued, DC Qureshi confirmed.

    Mobile phone service has been disrupted across Gujrat, with internet services also reported to be extremely slow and unavailable in several areas.

    Meanwhile, in view of the potential flood threat following the release of water by India, the Pakistan Army has been called in to assist the civil administration in Punjab, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    As per details, the water level is rising in Pakistan rivers as India opened all gates of the dam on the River Ravi.

    The move has created a flood-like situation in Punjab’s rivers, prompting the provincial government to deploy army units in seven districts.

  • PCB awards domestic contracts to 65 women cricketers

    PCB awards domestic contracts to 65 women cricketers

    LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded domestic contracts to 65 women cricketers for the 2025-2026 season.

    According to the PCB, 20 players have been placed in the Gold category, while 45 players are in the Silver category. The contracts will run from July 2025 to June 2026.

    The list includes six international players and 23 Under-19 emerging players. The selection was carried out by members of the National Women’s Selection Committee, Asad Shafiq and Batool Fatima, based on performance, talent, and potential.

    The PCB also confirmed that more players will have the opportunity to earn contracts through strong performances in domestic tournaments.

    Also Read: PCB announces men’s central contracts; Babar, Rizwan demoted

    Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the new men’s central contracts for the upcoming year, expanding the list from 27 players to 30, while demoting star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

    According to the PCB, players have been placed in Categories B, C, and D based on performance, with 10 players in each group. The board has abolished Category A, which previously included top performers.

    As a result, star batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan have been moved down from Category A to Category B.

    Joining them in Category B are Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.

    Category C features Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, and Noman Ali.

    Category D includes Shan Masood, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Khurram Shehzad, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

    Among the 12 new players awarded central contracts this year are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

    The PCB stated that the restructuring of the central contracts aims to reward consistent performers while creating opportunities for emerging talent.

  • Punjab on high alert as Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej overflow

    Punjab on high alert as Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej overflow

    LAHORE: Pakistan is facing severe flooding as water levels in the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej continue to rise, prompting flood alerts across Punjab, ARY News reported.

    According to the Flood Forecasting Division, the River Ravi at Shahdara, Punjab has reached a dangerous level with a flow of around 145,000 cusecs, while at Jassar it recorded 152,000 cusecs. The Lahore Commissioner said the peak flow has now passed and the water level is expected to recede, adding that the city remains safe and under control.

    In the River Chenab, an extremely high flood has been reported at Khanki and Qadirabad barrages with water flows reaching 859,000 and 996,000 cusecs respectively. At Head Marala, the flow is around 191,000 cusecs. Authorities have warned nearby areas to remain vigilant as the situation remains critical.

    The River Sutlej is also in high flood at multiple points. At Ganda Singh Wala, the inflow is around 261,000 cusecs, while at Head Sulemanki it is 109,000 cusecs. In Chishtian, six protective embankments have broken due to the strong current, flooding more than 300 villages and destroying crops over 7,000 acres.

    Local farmers have built an eight-kilometre-long embankment to protect homes, but officials warn that if it fails, up to 20,000 houses could be at risk.

    In Bahawalnagar, the situation has worsened with over 105 villages affected and around 150,000 people hit by the floods. Nearly 90,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes, while many areas remain cut off. Fast water flow has also damaged temporary bunds, washing away houses and standing crops.

    The district administrations, Rescue 1122 teams and Pakistan Army are working to move people and livestock to safer places. Relief camps have been set up and emergency services are on high alert. Officials confirm that more than 2,500 people and 1,700 animals have been relocated in some areas.

    Authorities fear that the Pakistan floods may continue to worsen in the next 24 hours as water inflows remain high, especially in the Sutlej belt. The government has urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate and follow safety instructions as rescue operations continue.

    Also Read:  PM Shehbaz orders national-level coordination to tackle flood crisis

     

  • Replace your old fans with energy-saving ones through govt programme

    Replace your old fans with energy-saving ones through govt programme

    Islamabad: A nationwide plan has been approved to replace 88 million old and inefficient fans in Pakistan.

    Under the plan, which has been approved by the federal government, old fans will be replaced with modern energy-saving models over the next 10 years, at an estimated cost of more than Rs350 billion.

    The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) has designed the “Fan Replacement Programme,” which covers 50 million fans in rural households and 38 million in urban homes, according to media reports.

    As per the scheme, the Prime Minister’s “Fan Replacement Programme” has been approved, with the Ministry of Finance allocating Rs2 billion as a technical supply grant.

    The initiative is expected to reduce the country’s peak power demand by up to 5,000 megawatts, easing pressure on the national grid, particularly during the summer months.

    Consumers will be able to purchase energy-efficient fans through installment plans, with payments directly added to their electricity bills.

    Financing will be provided by banks at a rate of KIBOR plus 2% for a period of 18 months, while the government has set aside Rs1.5 billion as a risk guarantee.

    The financing model is based on Islamic principles of Musaawamah, and banks will select applicants based on consumers’ timely payment history of electricity bills.

    Read More: PM Shehbaz signs deal for Pakistanis to work in Belarus

    The programme is voluntary, and applications can be submitted via NEECA’s online portal. Fan manufacturing companies will be responsible for installation, safe disposal of old fans, and after-sales service.

    Experts note that Pakistan’s total electricity demand in summer exceeds 17,000 megawatts from cooling appliances such as fans and air conditioners, with fans alone accounting for nearly 12,000 MW.

    The measure is expected to save significant energy and help mitigate the power crisis in the country.

  • Sugar crisis in Pakistan worsens as wholesale markets ‘shut down’

    Sugar crisis in Pakistan worsens as wholesale markets ‘shut down’

    ISLAMABAD: The President of the All-Pakistan Traders Association (APTA), Ajmal Baloch, has strongly criticised what he called the government’s failure to shut down of wholesale market in Pakistan, warning that markets in Islamabad will remain indefinitely closed due to supply shortages and pricing disputes, ARY News.

    Speaking to the media, Ajmal Baloch stated that the logic is not understandable, given that the price is being purchased at high rates and sold at a loss. A pricing model he described as “illogical and unsustainable.”

    Ajmal Baloch asked officials to immediately issue sugar stocks to retail and wholesale markets, warning that if the situation remains the same, traders will be forced to shut down grocery stores and wholesale hubs across the country.

    Earlier this month, Ajmal Baloch exposed that most sugar mills in Central Punjab had run out of their stock, while mills in South Punjab had suspended sugar supply for four consecutive days, causing the sugar crisis in Pakistan. He emphasised that 70 percent of mills in Central Punjab were non-operational due to exhausted reserves.

    Ajmal Baloch also condemned the crackdown of the government on retailers, noting that stores that don’t have sugar are being closed, which he called unfair. “Arresting grocery store owners won’t fix the problem,” he said. “We need to talk to the people involved to solve this issue.”

    Experts say the recent sugar shortage is due to problems like weak rules and the strong influence of sugar mill owners in politics.

    Also, climate issues have caused the expected sugar production to drop from 7 million to 5.8 million metric tons this year.

    Read More: Weekly inflation rises amid surge in sugar, gas prices

    Earlier, Short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), increased by 2.3 per cent year-on-year during the week ending August 21, mainly due to higher prices of sugar and gas, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

    This marks the fifth consecutive weekly rise in SPI-based inflation.

  • 24/7 online certificate verification facility introduced for students

    24/7 online certificate verification facility introduced for students

    ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move to shift manual processes towards digitilisation, the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has rolled out its Customer Care Desk (CCD) Portal, enabling Pakistani students to have online certificate verification within 24 hours.

    The transformative move was inaugurated by Federal Minister for Education, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. He praised the initiative as an innovation to simplify administrative processes and enhance transparency in academic documentation.

    The CCD Portal remains active with 24/7 online support for students across Pakistan and abroad.

    According to IBCC Executive Director Ghulam Ali Mallah, the system not only allows users to have online certificate verification, but they can also track the status of their document verification using a QR code-based tracking feature.

    “The public’s convenience is included in our top priority,” Ghulam Ali Mallah stated, noting that the portal had experienced six months of beta testing before its public release.

    The service is also customised for overseas Pakistani students and parents. Those who send queries via email are guaranteed a response within 24 hours, which is an alternative for those who can’t visit in person.

    Students can avail services such as online certificate verification, lodging complaints, and requesting document-related services.

    All these services are accessible through a single digital platform. The CCD aims to minimise processing delays and foster efficient communication between students and the IBCC.

    Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui applauded the launch, describing it as a “critical advancement in digitising education services,” and emphasised its role in making academic procedures more student-friendly and transparent.

    Read More: National Big Data Portal’ launched in Pakistan

    Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal here inaugurated the ‘National Big Data Portal’, calling it a transformative step in Pakistan’s digital evolution.

    The platform, developed by LUMS and supported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), is designed to centralize and democratize access to public data, making it more usable for researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and citizens. 

  • President Zardari urges support for flood-hit victims

    President Zardari urges support for flood-hit victims

    ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound sorrow over the flood destruction during the intense monsoon weather across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan, ARY News reported.

    President Asif Zardari, in his official statement, extended deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured all affected people that the government is with them during this hard time and will assist them by all means.

    Asif Zardari recognised the severe losses and economic burden due to the flood destruction, including the loss of lives, livestock, and crops. He also expressed deep compassion for farmers whose farming income was devastated and emphasised the need for quick recovery efforts.

    President Asif Zardari lauded the tireless efforts of the armed forces and emergency rescue teams for helping the affected people during these national crises. “In this hour of trial, our forces have set a remarkable example of public service,” he stated.

    Asif Zardari directed the Sindh government to be vigilant and remain ready for the incoming surge in flood and stressed proactive measures to minimise further damage.

    President Asif Zardari compared the way people handled the floods in 2010 and 2022 to show how flexible they were, and he stated that the people of Pakistan can face tough situations with bravery and a strong will.

    Asif Zardari’s words during the tough times have given hope to the affected people, farmers and families that the government is with them during this tough time.

    Read More: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa floods cause huge livestock loss

    Earlier, as a result of flood destruction during the monsoon, the province’s livestock sector not only lost lives, but also faced shocking financial losses.

    According to the KP Livestock Department, the initial estimates of the losses indicate damages exceeding Rs 1.57 billion.

    The department, in its recent report, has mentioned seven flood-affected districts, exposing the death of over 5,000 livestock animals and over 10,000 poultry birds.

  • Toyoake City to implement two-hour smartphone limit for residents

    Toyoake City to implement two-hour smartphone limit for residents

    TOYOAKE: In an innovative move to address rising concerns over extreme screen time, the city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture has introduced a viral draft ordinance endorsing that residents limit their daily smartphone use to two hours outside of work and school commitments.

    Mayor Masafumi Koki publicised the proposal during a plenary session of the city assembly, highlighting that the ordinance is unenforceable and carries no legal or financial penalties. “This is not about enforcement, it’s about encouraging better digital habits,” Mayor Masafumi Koki stated.

    The viral ordinance also includes screen time guidelines according to the users’ age, directing elementary school children to stop device use by 9:00 p.m., and middle school students and older by 10:00 p.m.

    These recommendations are compatible with national sleep health guidelines, and their purpose is to reduce the physical and mental health risks related to lengthy device exposure.

    If the ordinance gets approved, the new rule will start on October 1, 2025, making Toyoake the first city in Japan to suggest limits on screen time for everyone.

    This idea comes after a survey by Japan’s Children and Families Agency in March 2025, which found that young people in Japan use smartphones, tablets, and computers for more than five hours a day on weekdays.

    Some people are debating the proposal online, with some saying that the two-hour limit is not practical. However, Mayor Koki explained that the goal of the rule is to encourage families to talk about screen time and promote responsible use of devices, not to take away personal freedoms.

    Read More: Google Phone revamped with Material 3 Expressive design

    Earlier, Google has silently introduced a visual renovation to its default Phone app for Android devices, introducing the Material 3 Expressive design language.

    The update aims to deliver a cleaner, more modern user interface, and it has started mixed reactions among users, as they were stunned by the sudden change in their dialer layout.