
Watch: Panic on board as Pakistani plane aborts landing amid violent sandstorm
Footage of the incident that went viral on social media show passengers screaming in panic. Recalling the moment, a passenger said, "The landing seemed routine at first. But as soon as the wheels touched the ground, a powerful sandstorm engulfed the plane. Within seconds, we were airborne again. The next 10 to 12 minutes were some of the scariest of my life. The plane was being thrown around violently, visibility was zero, and it felt like we were caught in a cyclone," Gulf News reported.
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According to Pakistani media reports, the aircraft was nearing the runway when it was hit by sudden crosswinds and reduced visibility. Air traffic control promptly directed the pilot to abort the landing, after which the pilot safely regained control and redirected the flight back to Karachi.
Severe weather conditions across Lahore and Islamabad on Saturday led to major flight disruptions. In Lahore, at least 22 flights were delayed, diverted, or forced to return, while Islamabad airport faced similar chaos due to heavy rain and hailstorms, resulting in multiple cancellations and delays.

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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Mountaineers set off on foot to retrieve body of Chinese climber who died on K2
Peshawar, Aug 14 (AP) A team of mountaineers set off on foot Thursday to recover the body of a Chinese climber from the world's second-highest peak after bad weather grounded helicopter flights, a Pakistani official said. Guan Jing was struck by falling rocks on Tuesday while descending K2, a day after reaching its summit with a group in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. She died on the mountain, known for its treacherous slopes, frequent rockfalls, and extreme weather conditions, according to Faizullah Faraq, a local government spokesperson. He said her body lies between 100 and 150 metres above the advanced base camp at about 5,400 metres and has not yet been retrieved. K2 rises 8,611 metres above sea level and is widely regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb, with a far higher fatality rate than Mount Everest. 'The weather is currently not suitable for a helicopter flight, which is why the body has not yet been brought down" from the mountain, he said. Faraq said Jing was part of an expedition organised by a Nepali company. He said a Nepali Sherpa, Jangbu, was sent on Wednesday to recover her body but was injured on the way and stranded. The Nepali was later rescued by helicopter and transferred to Skardu Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Deadly incidents are common on K2, where steep gradients, thin air and sudden storms can turn even routine descents into life-threatening ordeals. The latest death comes two weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist, Laura Dahlmeier, died while attempting another peak in the region. Efforts to retrieve her body were abandoned when Dahlmeier's family informed authorities that she had stated that no one should risk their life to recover her body if she dies in any accident. (AP) SCY SCY (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Oman now offers flexible foreign resident cards: All you need to know
Oman has reportedly begun offering flexible foreign resident cards with validity options of one, two or three years. For foreigners in the country, the residence card serves as the main proof of legal identity after obtaining a residence visa. The validity of personal identity cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years As of June 2025, Oman has about 1.8 million foreign residents. Reuters/File Photo Oman has reportedly started offering flexible foreign resident cards that can be valid for one, two or three years. The validity of Omani ID cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years. This gives foreign residents more options when applying for residency permits, allowing them to choose a duration that works best for them. Citizens, meanwhile, will benefit from ID cards that last longer. ALSO READ | How end of 'Dropbox' visa renewals in US from September 2 will impact Indians STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what exactly are these flexible foreign resident cards, and who will they help? Let's take a look: Oman launches flexible foreign resident cards: What we know The Royal Oman Police has announced new options for the validity and cost of expatriate residence cards and Omani personal identity cards, aiming to make renewals simpler. According to a report by Gulf News, under the decision issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Ali Shraiqi, foreign residents can now pick residence cards that last for one, two or three years. The fee changes according to the length chosen, from 5 to 15 riyals. If a card is lost or damaged, a replacement will cost 20 riyals. Oman has also increased the validity of its personal identity cards for citizens to 10 years, in line with the national passport. The fee for issuing, renewing or replacing these cards stays at 10 riyals. The validity of Omani ID cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years. AFP/File Photo According to Gulf News, the ROP said, 'These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs.' All holders of residence and ID cards must make sure their documents are renewed within 30 days after expiry to follow the rules. As of June 2025, Oman has about 1.8 million foreign residents. Around 1.4 million are employed in the private sector, 349,000 work as domestic staff, 41,000 hold government jobs and 6,800 are in the family sector. ALSO READ | Rs 13-lakh bond to enter US? How Trump's new visa rule could affect tourists STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What this means for foreign residents For foreigners living in Oman, the residence card is the main proof of legal identity after receiving a residence visa. It carries key personal, visa and biometric information, and is needed for daily tasks such as renting a home, setting up utilities, opening a bank account or registering a mobile phone. With the new tiered system, those choosing longer validity periods will make fewer trips to ROP offices, spend less time in queues and plan their expenses more easily. For foreigners living in Oman, the residence card is the main proof of legal identity after receiving a residence visa. AFP/File Photo Short-term workers can now match their card validity to their job contracts, avoiding the need for early renewals before leaving the country, Nairametrics reported. Who will benefit? The revised rules are set to help Oman's large expatriate population by making residency procedures simpler and cutting down on paperwork. With fewer administrative hurdles, the country is likely to be more appealing to skilled professionals, investors and companies.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
On Sutlej, dramatic rescue to pull back boat drifting towards Pakistan
Bathinda: A dramatic rescue played out in the rain-swollen Sutlej on Monday when a boat carrying over three dozen residents of a village in Punjab's Ferozepur was nearly swept into Pakistan by fast currents. The villagers in the boat could not hold on to the rope that would have kept them on course and inside Indian territory, and began panicking. Some men on the riverbank realised what was happening and paddled out to them in a desperate dash to pull them back. After a nail-biting chase, they managed to rope the runaway boat and fought their way back to shore, paddling against the current. The Sutlej zigzags in the area into Pakistan and back into India along this part of the border. Hundreds of villagers go to their fields across the Sutlej to tend to crops, mainly vegetables and green fodder, on Zero Line. The usual mode of travel is a flat-bottomed boat, locally called 'bedi'. When the water level is low, the sailing is smooth. But during monsoon, when the Sutlej swells and surges, it's a heart-thumping ride as the boat is harder to control. On Monday, over three dozen residents of Gajniwala village were returning home when the current started pulling their 'bedi' towards Pakistan. "The gushing water was too powerful and the boat carrier lost the rope," said Gajniwala resident Karmjit Singh. Another villager, Chamkaur, said they felt powerless before the strength of the current. Seeing that the boat was drifting away from the bank, some youths jumped into a small boat and rowed towards it. Over the distance, they could see where the river enters Pakistani territory and zigzags back into Indian territory as the Sutlej creek. A couple of them grabbed the rope, jumped into the water, and swam towards the 'bedi'. They handed the rope to the boatman just in time for the boat to be pulled back into Indian territory and then on to shore. Ferozepur deputy commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said that as soon as she learnt about the incident late on Monday, she directed the SDM to reach Gajniwala and urged BSF officers to look into the incident. The SDM has been directed to sensitise people not to exceed the permissible limit of 20 people per 'bedi', as the boats were recently repaired. People have been asked to return immediately if the river's flow is stronger. The BSF DIG has been requested to deploy some officials to monitor communication from one end of the riverbank to the other. It was a close call. On June 17, 2019, a boat carrying farmers capsized in the Sutlej near Ferozepur's Gatti Rahimke village, close to the India-Pakistan border. Three people died. MSID:: 123256400 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.