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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Indian rescuers scour debris after 60 killed in flood
SRINAGAR: Indian rescue teams on Friday dug through mud searching for victims, a day after the latest deadly flood to crash through a Himalayan village killed at least 60 people. Dozens more are missing, including Hindu pilgrims who were visiting a shrine, after torrents of water and mud driven by intense rain tore through the village in Kishtwar district in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). It is the second major deadly flooding disaster in India this month. Officials said a large makeshift kitchen in Chisoti village, where more than 100 pilgrims were completely washed away by what Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reported was a sudden 'cloudburst' rain storm. Heavy earthmovers were brought to the disaster area overnight to dig through deep mud, huge boulders and rubble that the flood brought down the mountainside. The army's White Knight Corps said its troops, 'braving the harsh weather and rugged terrain, are engaged in evacuation of injured'. Emergency kit including ropes and digging tools were being brought to the disaster site, with the army supporting other rescue teams. One survivor told the Press Trust of India news agency that he had heard a 'big blast' when the wall of water hit the settlement. 'We thought it was an earthquake', the shocked eyewitness said, who did not give his name. Mohammad Irshad, a top disaster management official, told AFP on Friday that '60 people are recorded dead', with 80 people unaccounted for. At least 23 killed as torrential rains wreak havoc in AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, KP 'The search for the missing has intensified', Irshad told AFP. Around 50 severely injured people have been taken to hospitals. Floods and landslides are common during the June-September monsoon season, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency, severity and impact. Floods on August 5 overwhelmed the Himalayan town of Dharali in India's Uttarakhand state and buried it in mud. The likely death toll from that disaster is more than 70 but has yet to be confirmed. The UN's World Meteorological Organization said last year that increasingly intense floods and droughts are a 'distress signal' of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable. Roads had already been damaged by days of heavy storms. The area lies more than 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the region's main city Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the spate of disasters in his Independence Day speech in New Delhi on Friday. 'In the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities', Modi said in his public address. 'Our sympathies are with the affected people. State governments and the central government are working together with full strength.'
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan rejects Indian minister's remarks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically rejected the irresponsible remarks made by the external affairs minister (EAM) of India during different media engagements in Brussels. The discourse of top diplomats should aim to promote peace and harmony, rather than producing bellicose punch lines, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement on Wednesday. 'The tone and tenor of a foreign minister should be commensurate with his dignified status,' he added. For last several years, the spokesperson remarked 'India has been engaged in a malicious campaign to mislead the international community through a fictitious narrative of victim hood.' Pakistan rejects Modi's misleading remarks However, Ambassador Khan pointed out 'India's continued anti-Pakistan diatribe cannot hide its sponsorship of terrorism beyond its borders, nor can it cover up the state-sanctioned oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Instead of pointing fingers at others, India should introspect on its own involvement in terrorism, subversion and targeted assassinations. 'India must also desist from concocting misleading narratives to justify its recent aggressive actions. Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy. However, it stands resolute in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any aggression, as exemplified by its robust response to India's reckless strikes, last month.' The spokesperson elaborated narrative emerging from India betrays sheer frustration, following an unsuccessful military adventure against Pakistan. 'The Indian leaders would be well-advised to improve the standard of their discourse and discard their obsession with Pakistan,' he said, adding the history will judge not by who shouted the loudest — but by who acted the wisest. It is worth mentioning that during his recent visit to Brussels, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar issued a strong warning to Pakistan, stating India's preparedness to conduct strikes within Pakistani territory in response to terrorist provocations. 'We will go deep into Pakistan, India won't hold back now,' Jaishankar said this during his several meetings with EU leaders. He has also accused Pakistan of training 'thousands' of terrorists to deploy them across the border. The EAM's remarks came weeks after Pakistan's befitting response to India's naked aggression on May 7 and 10 respectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM calls for expedited work on Diamer Bhasha dam
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a high-level meeting on water resources and the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Islamabad on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. — Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underscored the importance of affordable electricity and agricultural growth for the country's self-reliance, directing the authorities concerned to expedite work on the Diamer Bhasha Dam by removing all bottlenecks. Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources and the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, the prime minister said the development of large-scale water infrastructure was essential to enhance storage capacity, ensure irrigation supply, and mitigate the impact of floods. He emphasised that national self-sufficiency was closely tied to an effective system of water management and energy production, which required timely completion of projects like the Diamer Bhasha Dam. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Engineer Amir Muqam, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Moeen Wattoo; Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah; Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan; and other senior officials. Also Read: 'Modi is licking his wounds,' says PM Shehbaz Earlier, while addressing a peace jirga in Peshawar, the pime minister reiterated Pakistan's right to every drop of water in line with the Indus Water Treaty, and announced plans to store water in key projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams. He said a decision on the water issue would be made by inviting all four provinces for discussions on how to increase water reserves so that India's malicious designs are buried. Tensions between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty escalated following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which India blamed on Pakistan without presenting evidence — a claim Islamabad categorically rejected, calling instead for an independent investigation. India, however, opted to heighten tensions by unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing. In response, Pakistan hinted at suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Won't accept India's hegemony: COAS
Listen to article Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony in the South Asian region, said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir while reiterating his country's stance on sovereignty amid an uneasy ceasefire between the two hostile neighbours following a recent military confrontation that threatened to spiral into a wider conflict. According to the military's media wing, the field marshal's remarks came during a wide-ranging interaction called 'Hilal Talks' held with vice chancellors, academics, and senior faculty members, where he spoke about the crucial role of educators in shaping the country's future generations. However, his address centered on Pakistan's unwavering stance on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and growing concerns over India's regional policies. "Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony," Field Marshal Munir was quoted as saying by the ISPR as he underscored Islamabad's resolve on key disputes, including Kashmir and transboundary water sharing. He listed water security as a national priority. "Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis," he added. The statement should be seen in the backdrop of India's recent decision to "hold in abeyance" the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 1960 World Bank-mediated agreement governing the distribution of the Indus river system's resources. Under the treaty, Pakistan holds rights to the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while India controls the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. Islamabad has warned that any attempt by India to divert or obstruct Pakistan's share of water would be treated as "an act of war," with a commitment to employ all elements of national power in response. The army chief's remarks came days after a military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, triggered by "reckless and provocative missile strikes" by Indian warplanes on civilian infrastructure inside Pakistani territory. However, India was embarrassed in the escalation as six of its fighter jets, including three multibillion-dollar Rafales, were downed by Pakistan Air Force. In retaliation for the Indian aggression, Pakistan's military launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos (The Formidable Wall), targeting India's air bases, air fields, ammunition depots, and missile stockpiles in areas along the entire Pakistan border. Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was part of Marka-e-Haq (The Battle for Truth), the official name given to the broader conflict with India from April 22 to May 10. "In Marka-e-Haq, Allah Almighty helped Pakistan at every level. "Marka-e-Haq is clear evidence that when a nation unites and stands like an iron wall, no power in the world can bring it down," Field Marshal Munir said in Thursday's interaction with the academia. "Divine help is granted to those nations that stand firmly for the truth and struggle collectively for their cause," he added. The Pakistan-India military confrontation was triggered by a deadly rampage by gunmen on the meadows of Pahalgam, in the IIOJK, in which 26 tourists were killed. Delhi blamed the incident on Pakistan without a shred of evidence and without investigation and launched the reckless military misadventure disregarding Pakistan's offer for help in impartial probe and global calls for resolving the matter diplomatically. India's gambit backfired as it brought the global spotlight back on Kashmir, the disputed Himalayan region which India stripped off its autonomous status in August 2019 through a constitutional amendment. "It is no longer possible to ignore or silence Kashmir on the global stage," Field Marshal Munir said, reiterating that Kashmir remains a core national issue that cannot be sidelined. "India must understand that Pakistan will never abandon Kashmir. There can be no compromise on this," he said, adding that India's long-standing efforts to suppress the Kashmir issue have failed. India – which accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorism – is seeking to externalise its internal problem. "Terrorism is India's internal problem, stemming from rising oppression and prejudice against minorities, especially Muslims, while Kashmir is an international issue that cannot be equated with internal matters," the army chief said. Gen Munir also spoke about the situation in Balochistan where Baloch groups, officially dubbed Fitna al Hindustan, have unleashed a wave of terror. The terrorist elements active in Balochistan are proxies acting on behalf of foreign interests, particularly India, he said. "These terrorists are not Baloch. They are agents of disruption sponsored by India." The field marshal also called for reinforcing national unity, stressing the importance of institutional integrity and constitutional governance. "We must build a strong Pakistan where all institutions function according to law, without political pressure, and for the welfare of the people," he said and urged rejection of any narrative aimed at weakening the state. Praising the role of educators, he said, "Teachers are the greatest asset of Pakistan. The responsibility of character building of future generations rests with you." He credited his own success to his parents and teachers, saying, "Whatever I am today is because of them." Participants in the session expressed their support for the armed forces, with one saying during the Q&A session: "This safe homeland exists because of the sacrifices of our armed forces." The session ended on a note of unity and resolve, with attendees pledging to stand by Pakistan's armed forces in defending the nation's sovereignty and ideals. Spanning interactive sessions and group discussions on a range of international, regional and national issues, Hilal Talks are intended to act as a forum for perspective sharing among members of Pakistan's academic community, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. During the Q&A session, participants expressed their sentiments, saying: "This safe homeland is secured by the uniform." They added: "We are proud of Pakistan and our armed forces, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them." The forum concluded with a shared commitment to work together towards a more secure and prosperous Pakistan.
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India's water threat is misplaced; Kashmiris will pay the price
The local political leadership of Indian-held Kashmir is not convinced by the argument that the Narendra Modi-led government can stop the flow of rivers entering Azad Jammu and Kashmir from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They argue that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be violated. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India announced its intention to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Background The Indus Waters Treaty was a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan arranged and negotiated by the World Bank, to use the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries. It was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Pakistani President Field Marshal Ayub Khan. It divides the six rivers of the Indus basin between the two countries – allocating the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India. India starts work on hydro projects after suspending treaty with Pakistan, sources say Despite multiple wars and ongoing hostilities, the treaty has endured as a rare symbol of bilateral cooperation. Any attempt to unilaterally suspend or violate it raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns. Mehraj Malik, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Indian held Jammu and Kashmir elected on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, argues that India lacks the mechanism to divert the waters of the Chenab River. As a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, I am deeply familiar with the rivers, streams, and rivulets that traverse this land. He said that as a resident of IIOJK , he was deeply familiar with the rivers, streams, and rivulets that traversed the land. According to Malik, any attempt by India to stop the river's flow by constructing dams or similar structures would primarily harm the people of Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir. He warns that the region itself could be submerged long before such measures cause any trouble for Pakistan. But first, one must ask: how exactly do they plan to stop this water? Before making bold claims about halting river flows, one must first understand the geography and reality on the ground. The idea that India can unilaterally stop or divert the waters of rivers like the Chenab is not only technically flawed – it is dangerously self-defeating. Even if such water were stopped for a month, the immediate and most severe impact would fall on the local population of Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir, not on Pakistan. Those advocating for water manipulation seem disconnected from practical realities. Where exactly will this water go? What is the alternative route? The Chenab ultimately flows into the Arabian Sea – do they believe it will simply evaporate or disappear along the way? To divert this water into Indian Punjab or elsewhere, a complex infrastructure would be required, likely taking decades to construct. And if the plan is to store the water and release it in bulk as a form of pressure on Pakistan, then it must be asked: who will suffer first from the resulting floods or shortages? The answer is simple – the people of Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir, will bear the brunt. Any such move would cause irreparable harm to our people of Indian Kashmir, the agriculture, and way of life, long before it affects Pakistan. Such rhetoric may serve political optics, but the consequences would be far more real – and far more devastating – on other side of the Line of Control (LoC). For Pakistan, the Indus Waters Treaty is not just a diplomatic agreement – it is a foundation of national water security. With nearly 80% of its agriculture and livelihoods dependent on these rivers, any disruption would have catastrophic consequences for food production, public health, and economic stability. India's threat to suspend the treaty sets a dangerous precedent, one that undermines regional peace and weaponizes a shared natural resource. At a time when climate change is already straining water availability, politicizing river flows could push the region into deeper conflict. For the sake of regional stability and the welfare of millions, the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty must be preserved at all costs. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners
