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Over 200 rescued in Shakargarh after excessive water from India floods River Ravi

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  • India’s release triggered increase in River Ravi’s water levels.
  • Border village of Shakargarh’s Jalala suffers crop damage.
  • India releases at least 185,000 cusecs of water in River Ravi.

A collaborative rescue operation kick-started on Monday by the Punjab Rangers and Rescue 1122 teams in the province’s Tehsil Shakargarh after India released excessive water a day earlier, causing flash floods near the bordering village.

Through the rescue operation, the teams managed to save at least 223 residents of the area — mostly women and children — stranded in the midst of rising water levels in the River Ravi. 

They were later brought to safer locations as Punjab Rangers’ rescue team stayed in the border area to deal with the situation unfolding.

The border village of Jalala in Shakargarh has also suffered crop damage as a result of the floodwaters originating from India. The crops cultivated by local paddy farmers were submerged while they themselves remained trapped.

Pakistan’s eastern neighbour released at least 185,000 cusecs of water in River Ravi on Sunday. 

Resultantly, excessive water from India reached Kartarpur Jassar through Naina Kot and is expected to reach Lahore via Shahdara in the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, there is flooding in River Ravi, Nullah Baeen and other tributaries.

The administration, as per officials, is on alert in the districts adjacent to River Ravi and Chenab, while relief camps have been set up in various districts in view of the floods.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), there is moderate flooding in Chenab at Marala as well as Shakargarh and Nullah Baeen, low-level flood in Khanki and Kadirabad in Chenab, while the flow of water in other rivers, including Ravi is normal.

The flow of water in all rivers, barrages, dams and canals is being continuously monitored. The control room, meanwhile, is monitoring the entire situation in Punjab.

Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said there is no flood in the province. India, he added, had released the same amount of water in Ravi last year, which was 31,000 cusecs when it reached Lahore.

Speaking about the arrangements regarding flooding in Dera Ghazi Khan, the chief minister said the preparations are complete. However, he added, settlements should not have been built inside the river emphasising that people settled on government lands will definitely be removed.

NDMA asks authorities to remain alert

The National Disaster Management Authority has also issued an update on the present status of floods stating that as per the latest flow data from Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) and Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) Akhnoor is experiencing high flows.

However, Marala will experience rising of flows in next 12 hours which will climb from medium to high flows level, it added.

According to NDMA, Marala’s maximum level capacity is 1,100,000 cusecs, while its current level is medium at 170,000 cusecs. The water is expected to rise by 250,000 cusecs.

The NDMA has advised that low-lying areas already identified be warned for developing situation in case of need.

“Water regulation contingency for managing high flows be executed immediately to regulate water through link canals,” the authority added.

As per the NDMA, monitoring of developing situation and updates is being shared with local communities and relevant authorities at all levels.

“Line departments, Rescue 1122 and armed forces be placed on standby for responding immediately to any untoward situation,” the advisory mentioned.

PM Shehbaz directs speedy rescue efforts

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also praised the rangers and Rescue 1122 personnel for their efforts towards timely evacuation and assistance of affectees in Shakargarh.

“The lives of dozens of people, including women and children, were saved by the timely assistance of the rangers and rescuers,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement issued by the PM Office.

He added that the entire nation, including himself, pays tribute to the “dutiful sons of Pakistan”.

The premier has directed rescue organisations to make foolproof arrangements to deal with the possible flood situation in Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej.

He has also directed raising awareness among people in the potentially affected areas, while iterating on preparations for their timely and safe evacuation.

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Combating Terrorism: Twelve Terrorists Destroyed in Separate Operations by Security Forces

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Eleven terrorists and Kharijis were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Miran Shah District and North Waziristan. One of the victims was Sana Alias Baru, a high-value target.

In the vicinity of Miran Shah in North Waziristan, security forces successfully fought the Khwarij, leading to the death of eight and injury of six.

The general region of Balgatar, Kech District, Balochistan was earlier the scene of an Intelligence-Based Operation that resulted in the deaths of four terrorists, one of them was a high-value target.

Authorities in Kech District were actively seeking Baru, who had a pivotal role in recruiting members of the so-called Majeed Brigade, particularly suicide bombers.

Among the terrorists’ possessions were weapons and ammo.

In order to eradicate any lingering terrorists in the vicinity, a sanitation operation is currently under progress.

With unwavering resolve, the Pakistani security forces will eradicate the terrorist threat from the nation.

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Constitutional Bench Gets to Work: Petitions Dismissed, Fines Slapped on Frivolous Petitioners

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As of today, pending matters are being heard by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, which was established under the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.

On its first day of operation, the six-judge Constitutional Bench presided over by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan dismissed several frivolous petitions, including one challenging legislation enacted by the PDM government, and fined the petitioner twenty thousand rupees for bringing the case.

Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan make up the Constitutional Bench, along with Justice Amin.

The bench rejected the appeal challenging the decision of the Supreme Court to appoint Qazi Faez Isa, a former chief justice of Pakistan, to the position of chief justice of the Balochistan high court.

In addition to upholding the Registrar Office’s objections, the Constitutional Bench rejected a petition asking for a change to the general election date on 8 February.

It has become an infructuous affair, the bench said, regarding the review of the Supreme Court’s decision on the review of judgment and order.

Justice Amin Uddin told the Attorney General that the Supreme Court has acknowledged parliament’s involvement in legislation in response to his claim that the verdict has commented on parliament’s position as legislative.

The bench found the petitioner’s claims to be baseless and fined them 20,000 rupees, dismissing their request to outlaw marriages between government employees and foreign nationals.

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Ahsan says all available resources should be used to eradicate smog at the air pollution meeting.

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According to Ahsan Iqbal, the country’s minister of planning and development, a non-traditional approach is required to address the pollution problem, and every available resource would be used to eradicate this grave issue.

Children are disproportionately affected by pollution, the Planning Minister stated during a special meeting on smog and air pollution in Islamabad.

He claimed that cooperation between the federal government and the provinces is urgently needed to address the various problems that climate change has caused in Pakistan.

Smog is interfering with everyday activities, the Minister added, and it has grown to be a serious threat to our future.

Burning crop residue is the cause of smog, he claimed.

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