Blue whale found dead in Gwatar Bay
A local fisherman, Ahmad Baloch, who was fishing in the area, reported the incident of a dead whale floating near Kuntani, Balochistan.
It is likely that the whale may have died a few days back in the open seawaters between Pakistan and Iran, and it drifted towards the Gwatar Bay under the influence of a rough sea and strong currents, a news release said.
Although the cause of the death is not ascertained so far, it seems the animal might have gotten entangled in gillnets that are used for catching fish in the coastal and offshore waters in the area.
Blue whale, scientifically called Balaenoptera musculus, is one of three baleen whales reported from Pakistani waters.
The other two whales are the Bryde's whale and the Arabian humpback whale.
There are four subspecies of blue whales, of which two include the pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) and the Indian Ocean blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) found in the Northern Indian Ocean. Considering its small size, this dead blue whale sighted at Kuntani may be a pygmy blue whale.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor, WWF-Pakistan, expressed concerns over the mortality of the blue whale and termed it sad news for the conservation community around the world.
He shared that the blue whale is known to be distributed in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean.
Khan emphasized that although this whale is categorized as an endangered species, urgent steps are required for its conservation. Now all cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, are protected under the wildlife and fisheries legislations of Sindh and Balochistan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Govt to give away 4,500 scholarships to students from Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Government of Pakistan has decided to award 4,500 scholarships to students from Afghanistan under mega initiative of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced the decision on Friday. As many as 350 Afghan students have reached Pakistan initially to pursue studies in top-tier Pakistani universities across diverse disciplines under the HEC Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships to Afghan Students (Prime Minister's Directives). The HEC held a reception to welcome the students at the HEC Regional Centre, Peshawar. In addition, 50 PhDs and 100 Master's students will also join in September 2025 to pursue their education in Pakistan. The development marks a significant milestone in academic cooperation and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The students will undergo a specially-designed preparatory course before their admission in the fall semester. On their arrival, the students were received by In-charge HEC Regional Centre Peshawar Nasir Shah and Project Director Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme Jehanzeb Khan. Representatives of National University of Technology (NUTECH) Islamabad and National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES-FAST) Faisalabad were also present on the occasion. The Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Afghanistan to deepening educational collaboration with a spirit of Islamic brotherhood and neighbourhood. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistani startup fits prosthetic limb for Gazan survivor
Pakistani health tech startup Bioniks announced it successfully fit a prosthetic limb for Sidra, a young girl who lost her arm, making her the first recipient under Bioniks' humanitarian programme launched specifically for Gaza. The fitting was made possible through a collaboration with MaFaZ, Bioniks' partner in Jordan. 'This marks the beginning of Bioniks' mission to support amputees in Gaza,' the company said in a statement, adding: 'Bioniks believes that no one should be left behind when it comes to mobility and dignity.' 'Our goal is to reach more children and adults affected by war with customized prosthetic limbs and long term care. In a place where conflict has taken so much, Bioniks is working to give something back; mobility, confidence, hope, dignity, and independence.' Bioniks and MaFaZ have partnered up to provide prosthetics to amputees in Gaza. Bionik creates lightweight and brain-controlled prosthetics for upper limbs as well as surgical planning tools. According to their website, the company's journey began in prosthetics began In 2016 when the parents of a 5-year-old who was born with a congenital limb difference, reached out to Bioniks to create a prosthetic arm for their son. Bioniks is a Pakistani health-tech startup known for creating advanced prosthetic limbs using 3D printing and robotic technology. Founded by engineers from Karachi, Bioniks aims to revolutionize the prosthetics industry by making affordable, highly functional bionic limbs accessible to people with disabilities—especially those in underserved or conflict-affected regions. The comapny was founded by Usman Iqbal and Awais Shakir, graduates from NED University of Engineering & Technology in Karachi.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's engineers get recognition in China under landmark pact
ISLAMABAD: Engineers are widely regarded as the backbone of any nation's development by designing the infrastructure, technology, and systems that power modern life. Yet in developing countries like Pakistan, despite their qualifications, skills and tireless contributions, engineers have long struggled to attain the recognition, status, and opportunities they deserve both at home and abroad. In this context, the landmark Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) signed between the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE-CAST) is nothing short of a breath of fresh air and for many in Pakistan's engineering community, a long-awaited breakthrough. The agreement formally grants PEC-registered engineers the right to work in China without undergoing additional assessments or licensing exams, offering not just jobs but validation, dignity, and a gateway to global practice. It's a game-changer—one that lifts the weight of years of structural limitations and unlocks doors to some of the world's most advanced and demanding engineering sectors. With just a PEC registration in hand, Pakistani engineers can now contribute to mega-projects across energy, smart infrastructure, ICT, and research in China, and by extension, across many Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) member countries-without navigating complex administrative processes or licensing obstacles. The agreement, signed recently in Chengdu, is not just a bilateral formality-it is a powerful endorsement of the technical caliber of Pakistan's engineering community. It places Pakistani engineers on equal footing with their Chinese counterparts and sends a strong message of trust, mutual respect, and professional parity. This breakthrough is largely attributed to the proactive vision and diplomatic engagement of the PEC Governing Body (2024–2027), which has made global recognition a cornerstone of its reform agenda. The leadership's strategic foresight has translated into a rare moment of international validation for Pakistan's engineering standards. 'This agreement is a clear vote of confidence in Pakistan's engineers,' said Engr. Waseem Nazir, Chairman of PEC. 'It reinforces our mission to raise the standing of Pakistan's engineering profession on the global stage. It will not only help our youth access better opportunities abroad but will also promote Pakistan as a hub of reliable technical expertise.' Beyond symbolic recognition, the agreement has practical and far-reaching implications. Degrees from PEC and CEEAA-accredited institutions will now be accepted in both countries without revalidation. The scope of practice is wide-allowing licensed engineers to participate in a range of infrastructure and innovation sectors, provided they comply with local regulations and codes of ethics. A joint PEC–CSE working group will handle professional oversight, continuous professional development (CPD) programs, and credential verification. This is a historic opening for Pakistani engineers among many of whom have the talent and ambition but lacked the international channels to fully utilize their skills. As engineers cross into Chinese markets, their presence will not only boost Pakistan's service exports and remittance inflows but also elevate the country's image as a source of world-class human capital. The timing of this breakthrough is deeply aligned with the broader institutional reforms PEC has been pursuing under Engr. Waseem Nazir's leadership.
