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Arab News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Punjab imposes ban on public gatherings as Pakistan's monsoon toll nears 190
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's largest province Punjab has imposed a ban on public gatherings till August 30 to deter people from bathing in rivers, ponds, canals and other places, an official notification said on Thursday, as relentless monsoon rains battered large swathes of the country to push the death toll close to 190. Pakistan's disaster management authorities has warned of rising water levels and flood alerts, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as intense monsoon activity swept across northeastern and central Pakistan. This prompted emergency declarations, evacuation adviseries and a heightened state of alert across provincial administrations. In Punjab, the country's most populous province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 103 people had died and 393 had been injured in rain-related incidents since the start of the monsoon season in late June. Of these, 63 were killed in the last 24 hours and 290 were injured, while 128 houses were damaged in total, the PDMA said. 'The Punjab Home Secretary has imposed Section 144 across the province in light of monsoon rains, rising water levels, and prevailing weather conditions,' a statement from the Punjab Home Department's director of public relations said. Section 144 empowers authorities to impose a ban on public gatherings of four or more persons for a limited amount of time. The statement said all forms of swimming and boating have been completely banned in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes across the province. The statement added bathing in rainwater collected on streets, roads, open areas or public spaces has also been banned. Most of the casualties in Punjab over the last 24 hours occurred in densely populated districts such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan, largely due to roof collapses in structurally vulnerable homes. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the nationwide death toll stood at 124 on Wednesday. With the latest fatalities in Punjab, it has risen to at least 187. 'Over the next 24 hours, intense rainfall could trigger flash floods in cities and cause surging water levels in streams and rivers,' the NDMA said Thursday. 'Heavy downpours are expected to continue in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the next 24 to 48 hours, raising the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and along Nullah Lai.' 'Residents near the stream are advised to prepare for possible evacuation if warning sirens are sounded and cooperate fully with local authorities,' the statement added. Authorities have urged people to vacate unsafe structures, avoid flood-prone zones and keep children indoors as flash floods, collapsing roofs and overflowing drains pose acute threats to life in several regions. The NDMA said it had instructed local agencies to remain on high alert, ensure the availability of rescue and drainage equipment and coordinate early warning efforts. People were advised to make advance arrangements for food, drinking water and emergency supplies. EMERGENCY IN RAWALPINDI In Rawalpindi, a city of more than 2 million, over 230 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in just 15 hours, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Water levels in the Nullah Lai stream surged to 20 feet at Katarian and 19 feet at Gawalmandi, according to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). A local holiday was declared to minimize public movement in flooded areas. 'Rescue and relief equipment was distributed in advance to district authorities ahead of the monsoon,' the PDMA said. 'In view of the emergency in Rawalpindi, Rescue 1122 currently has 16 OBM [outboard motor] boats, 205 life jackets, 31 ambulances, 19 fire brigades and 4 rescue vehicles on standby.' Evacuation announcements were being made from mosques in high-risk areas. Authorities called on residents living near Nullah Lai to cooperate with relocation efforts if needed. In the federal capital Islamabad, rain continued intermittently for several hours. Sanitation workers were deployed to clear clogged drains, assistant commissioners inspected stormwater infrastructure and traffic police were dispatched to manage congestion on waterlogged roads. FLASH FLOODS IN PUNJAB In other parts of Punjab, including Chakwal, heavy rainfall caused significant disruption. A cloudburst in Chakwal dropped 423 millimeters of rain, flooding low-lying areas and inundating homes, according to local TV channel Geo News. Rescue operations were launched and evacuations were underway. In Jhelum, the Pakistan Army conducted an emergency airlift operation after flash floods stranded 40 people in the Deras of Mouza Dhok Biddar and Nakkan Kalan. Due to heavy rainfall, boat rescues were not possible, and helicopters were used to evacuate all individuals safely. Pakistan contributes less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions but is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Shifting monsoon patterns, accelerated glacial melt and extreme weather events have increased the frequency and severity of climate-linked disasters. In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt launches 'cyber patrolling'
In an effort to counter sectarianism during Muharram, the Punjab Home Department has launched the province's first-ever Cyber Patrolling and Quick Response Cell. The state-of-the-art unit will operate round-the-clock to monitor social media platforms for objectionable and inflammatory content, and to take swift legal action against violators. According to official hand-outs released on June 30, the Punjab Police registered nine cases within the last 24 hours for the online circulation of sectarian and hateful content. Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases - eight for posting on Facebook and two for sharing material via WhatsApp. The arrests were made in Sargodha, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Rajanpur and Layyah. Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, affirmed that the force is actively cracking down on digital incitement of religious hatred. "Anyone using social media to spread sectarianism will face the full force of the law," he warned. The newly formed cyber cell is housed within the Home Department's central control room and operates in collaboration with the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). It monitors online platforms for hate speech, fake news, and provocative content. Reported material is relayed to the Special Branch, which in turn coordinates with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking such content. So far, the unit has flagged 271 social media accounts to the PTA, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals involved in spreading sectarian hate online. The cell is also fully integrated with Punjab's Safe City infrastructure and receives real-time updates from district-level control rooms. A dedicated "Muharram e-Portal" has been established to link all districts with the central unit for streamlined coordination and incident reporting. Live surveillance of major Muharram processions and religious gatherings is also being conducted from the control room. The initiative was reviewed during the 31st meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, held at the Home Department and chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi and senior officials from police, Counter Terrorism Department, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies. Speaking at the meeting, Rafique reaffirmed that ensuring peace during Muharram is the provincial government's top priority. Over 150,000 police personnel have been deployed across Punjab, with support from the Pakistan Army and Rangers. Section 144 will be enforced on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to restrict pillion riding, and a blanket ban has been placed on the public display of weapons. He also confirmed that robust security arrangements have been finalised for the upcoming Urs of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar. The Home Department urged the public to use social media responsibly and warned that those found sharing sectarian or inflammatory content would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Owners warned as hotel registration deadline passes
Hotel and guesthouse owners across Punjab have been issued a final warning to register their businesses as Sunday was the last day for mandatory registration on the 'Hotel Eye' software system. The Punjab Home Department had launched the online portal to register all hotels, guesthouses and residential service providers, setting June 15 as the deadline for compliance. According to a home department spokesman, hotel and guesthouse owners who have not yet registered must immediately complete their registration on the porta. "Action will be taken against hotels and guesthouses that fail to register under the Punjab Information of Temporary Residence Act 2015," the spokesman warned. The initiative extends to accommodations booked through international online booking applications, which must also be registered on the system. "Registration has been made mandatory for bookings made through online booking applications operating worldwide," the spokesman explained. The decision was made to prevent terrorism, crimes and illegal activities, according to the department. "Individuals from abroad and within the country stay in Punjab's hotels and guesthouses," the spokesman noted. Under the new system, data of all individuals staying in hotels and private guesthouses across the province must be entered into the Hotel Eye software. Private guesthouse owners will provide guest information through their login credentials. "Digital verification of domestic and foreign residents will assist in crime elimination," the spokesman added. The department emphasised that the comprehensive registration system is crucial for maintaining security and monitoring temporary residents across Punjab. Hotel and guesthouse owners who have not completed their registration were urged to immediately register to avoid legal action under the provincial law.
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Proscribed outfits barred from hides collection
The Punjab Home Department has imposed a ban on 84 banned outfits from collecting sacrificial animal skins by roaming neighbourhoods across the province including Rawalpindi, using social media, or through their offices and homes. A circular regarding this ban has also been issued. The detailed data and list of all these banned organisations have been shared with the police stations across the Rawalpindi district, Special Branch, Civil Defence, and intelligence agencies. A warning notice has been issued stating that any violation of the ban, including attempts to collect or encourage the collection of skins, will result in cases being registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Section 144 imposed near Punjab airports
Section 144 imposed in Peshawar for one month. PHOTO: EXPRESS In a move to bolster aviation safety and security, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 within a 15-kilometre radius of all airports and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airbases across the province. The restrictions will be in effect from June 5 to June 20. Under the order, a complete ban has been placed on pigeon flying, fireworks, the use of drones or laser lights and the disposal of animal waste within the designated perimeter. The decision has been taken in the interest of protecting human lives and property and to ensure the smooth operation of flight services. The Home Secretary of Punjab issued the restrictions under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, citing that such activities pose serious threats to flight safety and operations. Open disposal of sacrificial remains, in particular, attracts birds, which can pose severe risks to aircraft and passenger safety. The directives apply uniformly across all civil airports and PAF airbases in Punjab. All deputy commissioners have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the ban and to maintain enhanced cleanliness in areas surrounding airports and airbases. A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department emphasised that the move is a preventive measure aimed at mitigating potential hazards during the Eidul Azha period, a time when instances of open waste disposal and celebratory activities traditionally increase.
