Latest news with #SherryRehman
DW
5 days ago
- Climate
- DW
Pakistan: Flash floods kill 11 amid heavy rain warning – DW – 06/28/2025
Pakistan's meterological department has said there is a risk of severe rainfall and more flash floods up until Tuesday. Flash floods in Pakistan's northwest mountanious province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have killed 11 people, including four children, the country's disaster management officials said. "In the past 24 hours, flash floods and landslides have claimed the lives of 11 people — including four children and three women — while six others have been injured," the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said in a report released late Friday. One person was killed in the Malakand district while the 10 others were killed in the Swat Valley, according to the report. Local media reported that families had been swept away and that the flooding had damaged 56 houses along the Swat river. Pakistan's local daily newspaper reported that rescue operations were underway in several other districts with people trapped in the water. Meanwhile the national meterological department warned of heavy rainfall and a possibility of more flash floods until Tuesday. Pakistan is among the world's more vulnerable countries to the effect of climate change with an increasing frequency of flash floods and other climate-related events impacting its 240 million inhabitants. In May, some 24 people were killed in severe storms in Pakistan. In August 2022, a third of the country was flooded due to unprecedented monsoon rainfall with more than 33 million people affected. Scientists from across the globe have since said that the climate crisis was to blame and that rising global temperatures will only make monsoons more intense in future. Pakistan's former climate change minister Sherry Rehman took to X, saying that the nation continued to "sleepwalk" on climate change and the threat it posed. She pointed to regular alerts issued by the national disaster management agency and said that local authorities had failed to take them seriously. "Not only did the provincial administration fail to understand the magnitude of the crisis, I keep repeating, so did denialist tourists. This is endemic to a system that thinks that climate change can just be put on a back burner, or that crises will not multiply in scale and intensity," she wrote. "These are not "natural disasters" which absolve all actors of responsibility, local, national and global. Super monsoons and flash floods are not the norm. They have been intensifying for decades," she added, urging the country to "wake up" the to the issue. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Recent regional crisis: Senate body praises FO for outstanding performance
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, praised the Foreign Office for its outstanding performance during recent regional crisis, asserting that Pakistan's strong diplomatic narrative has prevailed globally, particularly in wake of Pakistan-India war and attacks on Iran. In a high-level in-camera session held in Parliament House on Friday, Senator Siddiqui stated, 'The Foreign Office has played a brilliant role in representing Pakistan's position in the context of two consecutive wars and presenting a steady narrative to the world.' Senator Siddiqui also acknowledged the contributions of committee members Senator Sherry Rehman and Senator Musadik Malik, who, as part of a parliamentary delegation led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, effectively communicated Pakistan's position to the international community during a critical diplomatic juncture. The committee was given a comprehensive briefing by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and senior Foreign Office officials regarding Pakistan's stance following attacks on Iran. The officials outlined Pakistan's diplomatic efforts and shared insights into future regional dynamics. Addressing questions raised by committee members, Foreign Secretary Baloch emphasised Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, stating, 'All our efforts are focused on establishing lasting peace in the region, for which, Pakistan is playing a very effective role in collaboration with different countries.' Siddiqui further remarked, 'India's isolation at various international forums is a defeat in itself and our narrative is a victory.' He credited Pakistan's principled stance and proactive diplomacy for the shift in global perceptions. The meeting was attended by senators, Sherry Rehman, Anwarul Haq Kakar, Musadik Malik, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, and Zeeshan Khanzada. The Foreign Office was represented by Foreign Secretary Baloch and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sherry describes ICT Child Marriage Bill as ‘moral, social victory'
ISLAMABAD: The recent passage of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 by the Upper House of the Parliament, that seeks to restrain underage marriages in the federal capital, is not 'just a legislative win' but a 'moral and social victory' as well. Senator Sherry Rehman stated this at the 13th meeting of the Parliamentary Forum on Population. 'This bill — which I first introduced in 2018 — is not just a legislative win, it's a moral and social victory,' said Rehman, the Chair of the Forum. Moved by her and passed by the Senate last month, the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 bars the marriages of girls below the age of 18. 'Girls married too young are more likely to drop out of school, suffer domestic violence, and die from early pregnancies,' she said at the Forum's meeting. 'We rank sixth in the world for the highest number of child marriages. This law gives our girls some protection.' 'Pakistan's unchecked population growth is a ticking time bomb that has been consistently placed on the back burner,' according to the senator. Pakistan, being the fifth most populous country in the world, has a population of 241 million, with a fertility rate of 3.6 births per woman — among the highest in South Asia, she said. The growing population crisis, Senator Rehman said, is pressing down on every household and every resource. 'We have more mouths to feed than families can afford. Up to 40 percent of our children under five are stunted. Every 50 minutes, a woman in Pakistan dies during childbirth. These are not abstract numbers — they are daily tragedies unfolding across the country,' she said. Senator Rehman also stressed the need to challenge cultural taboos and normalise discourse on reproductive rights. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Petroleum products: Senate body rejects Rs2.50/litre carbon levy
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue with majority vote rejected the carbon levy of Rs2.5 per litre on petroleum products proposed in the Finance Bill 2025-26, from which the government has projected to generate a revenue of Rs45 billion. Under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme for Resilience and Sustainability Financing (RSF), the government has agreed for the imposition of the carbon levy on petrol, diesel and furnace oil of Rs5 per litre, which will be phased in over two years. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman said that revenue from carbon levy would be increased to Rs90 billion in 2026-27. The levy is a condition of the IMF's RSF programme of $ 1.4 billion. This levy will be imposed on petrol, diesel and furnace oil. Aurangzeb tells Senate body: Govt eyes $2bn loan to boost reserves The parliamentary panel chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, observed that carbon levy could not implemented through finance bill. The committee observed that the way carbon levy is going to be impose was not correct and rather it should come as carbon tax. The committee also underlined that Petroleum Division has proposed Rs2.5 carbon levy without providing sustainable 'Emission Reduction' plan for the environment. Senator Sherry Rehman opposing the levy said that there is difference between the carbon levy and carbon tax. 'There is no place in the world where carbon levy been imposed but carbon tax used to be enforced'. Sherry Rehman said that carbon taxes been enforced over specific industries with an aim. 'You are imposing all types of levies and that also directly over the public users,' she added. 'It requires an act of law and not enforced with the finance bill,' she added. Senator Mohsin Aziz said that the Supreme Court has restrained imposition of carbon levy in Zafar Iqbal Jhagra case. 'It will be contempt of the court if carbon levy is imposed', he added. After debate the carbon levy was rejected by the government with majority vote. The FBR chairman said that tax on hybrid vehicles is not being increased. The committee also raised questions on the proposed amendment in regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act 1997 agreed with IMF. According to the proposed amendment, the Debt Service Surcharge (DSS) is currently set at 10 percent of the NEPRA-determined revenue requirement, adjusted each year at the time of annual rebasing, per current practice. In the event that DSS revenues fall short of the annual payment requirement, the DSS will be increased to make up for the shortfall and calibrated per any anticipated future shortfalls in the succeeding year. To facilitate this, NEPRA has proposed to adopt legislation to remove the 10 percent. Discussing the power sector initiative for payment of circular debt through refinancing, NEPRA officials stated that, as of now, Rs3.23 per unit is being charged to consumers. However, NEPRA proposed removal of 10 percent cap limit, as it would help in obtaining necessary refinancing needed for the payment of power sector's circular debt. However, the committee objected while saying that authorities concerned wanted blanket power to increase DSS, which would result in power tariff increase for consumers. The committee decided to call minister and secretary for power to brief the committee. Chairman committee said that they need a briefing on the circular debt repayment plan. If permission is given, you will increase this rate with proposed blanket power and if there is no need to increase it, then why is permission being sought, he asked. The joint secretary took the stand that this will not happen and consumers will continue to be charged Rs3.23 per unit. Senator Sherry Rehman opposed it and said that this cannot be allowed. The joint secretary said that there is a 10 percent service surcharge limit and IMF has demanded that the limit on debt service surcharge be removed. The government will use the surcharge to pay off a debt of Rs1,275 billion. The surcharge is used to pay interest on the circular debt. Currently, a debt service surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit is being charged from consumers, he added. Senator Shibli Faraz said that if the levy money is being spent on roads, what would happen to combating climate change. The prime minister says that the funds will be spent on the roads of Balochistan. The government should first determine its priorities, he added. The committee took exception to certain clauses of 'Public Finance Management Act' allowing autonomous bodies to retain money and submit surplus profit into Public account. The committee called for rationalisation of these clauses, as it would only result in financial irregularities. The committee was briefed on the exemptions provided to businesses located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and newly-merged districts. It was informed that the exemptions for cinema operators have been limited to 2030, granting five years exemptions from the date of operations. However, the FBR has extended the withholding exemption for businesses existing in erstwhile FATA till 2026. Highlighting the significance of newly introduced 'Digital Presence Proceeds Act', the FBR chairman stated that the tax has been imposed on digital platforms providing services within the country without retaining physical footprint. The FBR chairman said that a sunset clauses for SEZs and STZs are included in the finance bill. He said that IMF was stressing to limit this tax exemptions for SEZs and STZs to 2027, however after hectic efforts the deadline was extended to 2035. The committee recommended the proposal. The committee also gave its nod to the budgetary proposals of tax on pension income exceeding Rs10 million for individuals under the age of 70. The committee recommended a proposal of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) for continuation of 25 percent tax rebate. FAPUASA representatives strongly asserted that this rebate is an essential incentive to retain top academic talent, attract young scholars to the profession, and prevent brain drain from Pakistan's universities. Removing this rebate, they argued, would undermine academic motivation and weaken the research capacity of the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan makes a pitch for regional peace at Brussels
Pakistan's Parliamentary Delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman and Engineer Khurram Dastagir, joined by Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, met Lucie Sestakova (Head of Cabinet) and Asia expert Natividad Lorenzo at the EU Commission (Berlaymont). Photo: APP Pakistan's Parliamentary Delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman and Engineer Khurram Dastagir, joined by Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, met Lucie Sestakova (Head of Cabinet) and Asia expert Natividad Lorenzo at the EU Commission (Berlaymont). During the meeting, the delegation cautioned against serious humanitarian and legal consequences of placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, underscoring the need to uphold treaty obligations and international norms, the Pakistan Embassy in Belgium wrote on its X wall. The delegation reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peace, regional stability and multilateralism amid recent escalatory trends. They also welcomed the European Union development cooperation under the MIP & Global Gateway, reaffirming alignment with shared priorities.
