Latest News
7.8 magnitude quake hits southern Philippines\
A significant 7.8-magnitude quake occurred off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, prompting officials to issue tsunami warnings, with no deaths or severe damage reported initially.
Tsunami warnings were issued in the Philippines and adjacent Indonesia and by the US Tsunami Warning System, with inhabitants in coastal areas told to move to higher ground.
DZBB radio, which is broadcasting from the Philippine city of General Santos around 15 km (9.3 miles) from the epicentre, reported falling furniture, damage to televisions and other equipment as the area experienced aftershocks and many evacuated their homes to seek safety.
The General Santos disaster agency said aftershocks were continuing and authorities were evaluating reports of damage and some casualties.
Local disaster chief Rene Punzalan said power and telecommunications were out and school lessons were cancelled in the Philippines’ Sarangani province near the epicentre. A damage assessment was ongoing, with no reports yet of any collapsed buildings, he said.
PHILIPPINES: DISASTER RESPONSE IN PROGRESS
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stated authorities were fast-tracking coordination of the catastrophe response.“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos stated in a statement.
The Philippines and Indonesia are struck by hundreds of quakes annually and reside on tectonically complicated areas of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a seismically active belt reaching from South America to the Russian Far East.
Philippine agency Phivolcs warned of damage and tsunami waves above one metre (yard) which could persist for several hours. So far, the geophysics agency BKMG of Indonesia stated waves of 0.19 m (8 inches) had been measured.
The police building suffered some cracks following the quake, which happened during their flag-raising ceremony, several individuals fainted’, said Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel town in Sarangani.This is the most powerful earthquake we’ve had,” Ancheta told Reuters via phone.
COASTAL AREAS EVACUATED CONTINUE TO BE EVACUATED
The 7.8 magnitude quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the German Research Centre for Geosciences stated. It had given a magnitude of 8.2.
Indonesia’s geophysics agency measured the quake at magnitude 7.7, while the Philippines’ put it at 7.0.
Witnesses in the Indonesian city of Manado in the north and residents and officials in the southern Philippines claimed they felt the tremor powerfully.
A representative for Indonesia disaster mitigation agency said so far there were no reports of damage.
Arlene Hollero, disaster chief of Maasim town in the Sarangani province of the Philippines, said their evacuation was under process in coastal villages and there were no recorded injuries so far.
Water drained soon after the quake, but the seas were typical so far, she said. A bridge had minor cracks and a shrine with a giant cross toppled, she added.“It’s a disaster,” Hollero told Reuters via phone.
Latest News
IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.
The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.
The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.
During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.
Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.
The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.
After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.
Latest News
PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.
The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.
During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.
In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.
Business
Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade
A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.
The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.
Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.
The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.
“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.
The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.
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