Latest news with #Khosa
CNN
15-04-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels
For hundreds of millions of people living in India and Pakistan the early arrival of summer heatwaves has become a terrifying reality that's testing survivability limits and putting enormous strain on energy supplies, vital crops and livelihoods. Both countries experience heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but this year's heatwave season has arrived sooner than usual and is predicted to last longer too. Temperatures are expected to climb to dangerous levels in both countries this week. Parts of Pakistan are likely to experience heat up to 8 degrees Celsius above normal between April 14-18, according to the country's meteorological department. Maximum temperatures in Balochistan, in country's southwest, could reach up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). That's like living in Death Valley – the hottest and driest place in North America – where summer daytime temperatures often climb to similar levels. Ayoub Khosa, who lives in Balochistan's Dera Murad Jamali city, said the heatwave had arrived with an 'intensity that caught many off guard,' creating severe challenges for its residents. 'One of the major issues is the persistent power outages,' said Khosa, who told CNN they could last for up to 16 hours a day. 'This has intensified the impact of the heat, making it harder for people to cope,' he said. Neighboring India has also been experiencing extreme heat that arrived earlier than usual and its metrological department warned people in parts of the country to brace for an 'above-normal number of heatwave days' in April. Maximum temperatures in capital Delhi, a city of more than 16 million, have already crossed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) at least three times this month – up to 5 degrees above the seasonal average – the meteorological department said. The searing heat is being faced in several neighboring states too, including Rajasthan in the northwest, where laborers and farmers are struggling to cope and reports of illness are beginning to emerge. Maximum recorded temperatures in parts of Rajasthan reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) on Monday, according to the meteorological department. Anita Soni, from the women's group Thar Mahila Sansthan, said the heat is much worse than other years and she is worried about how it will impact children and women in the state. When the laborers or farmers head out, there is an instant lack of drinking water, people often feel like vomiting, they fall sick, or they feel dizzy, she said. Farmer Balu Lal said people are already falling sick due to working in it. 'We cannot even stand to work in it,' he said. 'When I am out, I feel that people would burn due to the heat outside.' Lal said he worries about his work and how he will earn money for his family. 'We have nowhere else to go,' he said. Experts say the rising temperatures are testing human limits. Extreme heat has killed tens of thousands of people in India and Pakistan in recent decades and climate experts have warned that by 2050 India will be among the first places where temperatures will cross survivability limits. Under heatwave conditions, pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly at risk. 'There is unexplained pregnancy loss and early babies,' said Neha Mankani, an advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives in Karachi. 'In the summers, 80% of babies are born preterm with respiratory issues because of the weather. We also see an increase in pregnancy induced hypertension, (which could) lead to preeclampsia – the leading cause of maternal mortality.' India and Pakistan, both countries with glaring disparities in development, are expected to be among the nations worst affected by the climate crisis – with more than 1 billion people predicted to be impacted on the subcontinent. The cascading effects will be devastating. Likely consequences range from a lack of food and drought to flash floods from melting ice caps, according to Mehrunissa Malik, a climate change and sustainability expert from Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Communities without access to cooling measures, adequate housing and those who rely on the elements for their livelihoods will feel the effects much more acutely, said Malik. 'For farmers, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict,' she said. 'The main challenge is the fact that temperatures (are) rising at a time when crops aren't at the stage to be harvested. They start getting ready earlier, yields get lower, and in this dry heat they need more water… If your plants are still young, severe heat causes little chance of them making it.' Tofiq Pasha, a farmer and environmental activist from Karachi, said summers begin much earlier now. His home province, Sindh, which, along with Balochistan, has recorded some of the hottest global temperatures in recent years, suffered a major drought during the winter months and the little rainfall has led to water shortages, he said. 'This is going to be a major livelihood issue among farmers,' Pasha said, explaining how temperatures also affect the arrival of pests. 'Flowers don't set, they fall, fruits don't set, they fall, you have pest attacks, they decimate the crop, sometimes it gets too hot… the cycles are messed. Food production is extremely affected.' Heatwaves have in the past have increased demand for electricity, leading to coal shortages while leaving millions without power. Trains have been cancelled to conserve energy, and schools have been forced shut, impacting learning. Mujeeb Achakzai contributed reporting from Balochistan.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels
For hundreds of millions of people living in India and Pakistan the early arrival of summer heatwaves has become a terrifying reality that's testing survivability limits and putting enormous strain on energy supplies, vital crops and livelihoods. Both countries experience heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but this year's heatwave season has arrived sooner than usual and is predicted to last longer too. Temperatures are expected to climb to dangerous levels in both countries this week. Parts of Pakistan are likely to experience heat up to 8 degrees Celsius above normal between April 14-18, according to the country's meteorological department. Maximum temperatures in Balochistan, in country's southwest, could reach up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). That's like living in Death Valley – the hottest and driest place in North America – where summer daytime temperatures often climb to similar levels. Ayoub Khosa, who lives in Balochistan's Dera Murad Jamali city, said the heatwave had arrived with an 'intensity that caught many off guard,' creating severe challenges for its residents. 'One of the major issues is the persistent power outages,' said Khosa, who told CNN they could last for up to 16 hours a day. 'This has intensified the impact of the heat, making it harder for people to cope,' he said. Neighboring India has also been experiencing extreme heat that arrived earlier than usual and its metrological department warned people in parts of the country to brace for an 'above-normal number of heatwave days' in April. Maximum temperatures in capital Delhi, a city of more than 16 million, have already crossed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) at least three times this month – up to 5 degrees above the seasonal average – the meteorological department said. The searing heat is being faced in several neighboring states too, including Rajasthan in the northwest, where laborers and farmers are struggling to cope and reports of illness are beginning to emerge. Maximum recorded temperatures in parts of Rajasthan reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) on Monday, according to the meteorological department. Anita Soni, from the women's group Thar Mahila Sansthan, said the heat is much worse than other years and she is worried about how it will impact children and women in the state. When the laborers or farmers head out, there is an instant lack of drinking water, people often feel like vomiting, they fall sick, or they feel dizzy, she said. Farmer Balu Lal said people are already falling sick due to working in it. 'We cannot even stand to work in it,' he said. 'When I am out, I feel that people would burn due to the heat outside.' Lal said he worries about his work and how he will earn money for his family. 'We have nowhere else to go,' he said. Experts say the rising temperatures are testing human limits. Extreme heat has killed tens of thousands of people in India and Pakistan in recent decades and climate experts have warned that by 2050 India will be among the first places where temperatures will cross survivability limits. Under heatwave conditions, pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly at risk. 'There is unexplained pregnancy loss and early babies,' said Neha Mankani, an advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives in Karachi. 'In the summers, 80% of babies are born preterm with respiratory issues because of the weather. We also see an increase in pregnancy induced hypertension, (which could) lead to preeclampsia – the leading cause of maternal mortality.' India and Pakistan, both countries with glaring disparities in development, are expected to be among the nations worst affected by the climate crisis – with more than 1 billion people predicted to be impacted on the subcontinent. The cascading effects will be devastating. Likely consequences range from a lack of food and drought to flash floods from melting ice caps, according to Mehrunissa Malik, a climate change and sustainability expert from Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Communities without access to cooling measures, adequate housing and those who rely on the elements for their livelihoods will feel the effects much more acutely, said Malik. 'For farmers, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict,' she said. 'The main challenge is the fact that temperatures (are) rising at a time when crops aren't at the stage to be harvested. They start getting ready earlier, yields get lower, and in this dry heat they need more water… If your plants are still young, severe heat causes little chance of them making it.' Tofiq Pasha, a farmer and environmental activist from Karachi, said summers begin much earlier now. His home province, Sindh, which, along with Balochistan, has recorded some of the hottest global temperatures in recent years, suffered a major drought during the winter months and the little rainfall has led to water shortages, he said. 'This is going to be a major livelihood issue among farmers,' Pasha said, explaining how temperatures also affect the arrival of pests. 'Flowers don't set, they fall, fruits don't set, they fall, you have pest attacks, they decimate the crop, sometimes it gets too hot… the cycles are messed. Food production is extremely affected.' Heatwaves have in the past have increased demand for electricity, leading to coal shortages while leaving millions without power. Trains have been cancelled to conserve energy, and schools have been forced shut, impacting learning.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels
For hundreds of millions of people living in India and Pakistan the early arrival of summer heatwaves has become a terrifying reality that's testing survivability limits and putting enormous strain on energy supplies, vital crops and livelihoods. Both countries experience heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but this year's heatwave season has arrived sooner than usual and is predicted to last longer too. Temperatures are expected to climb to dangerous levels in both countries this week. Parts of Pakistan are likely to experience heat up to 8 degrees Celsius above normal between April 14-18, according to the country's meteorological department. Maximum temperatures in Balochistan, in country's southwest, could reach up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). That's like living in Death Valley – the hottest and driest place in North America – where summer daytime temperatures often climb to similar levels. Ayoub Khosa, who lives in Balochistan's Dera Murad Jamali city, said the heatwave had arrived with an 'intensity that caught many off guard,' creating severe challenges for its residents. 'One of the major issues is the persistent power outages,' said Khosa, who told CNN they could last for up to 16 hours a day. 'This has intensified the impact of the heat, making it harder for people to cope,' he said. Neighboring India has also been experiencing extreme heat that arrived earlier than usual and its metrological department warned people in parts of the country to brace for an 'above-normal number of heatwave days' in April. Maximum temperatures in capital Delhi, a city of more than 16 million, have already crossed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) at least three times this month – up to 5 degrees above the seasonal average – the meteorological department said. The searing heat is being faced in several neighboring states too, including Rajasthan in the northwest, where laborers and farmers are struggling to cope and reports of illness are beginning to emerge. Maximum recorded temperatures in parts of Rajasthan reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) on Monday, according to the meteorological department. Anita Soni, from the women's group Thar Mahila Sansthan, said the heat is much worse than other years and she is worried about how it will impact children and women in the state. When the laborers or farmers head out, there is an instant lack of drinking water, people often feel like vomiting, they fall sick, or they feel dizzy, she said. Farmer Balu Lal said people are already falling sick due to working in it. 'We cannot even stand to work in it,' he said. 'When I am out, I feel that people would burn due to the heat outside.' Lal said he worries about his work and how he will earn money for his family. 'We have nowhere else to go,' he said. Experts say the rising temperatures are testing human limits. Extreme heat has killed tens of thousands of people in India and Pakistan in recent decades and climate experts have warned that by 2050 India will be among the first places where temperatures will cross survivability limits. Under heatwave conditions, pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly at risk. 'There is unexplained pregnancy loss and early babies,' said Neha Mankani, an advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives in Karachi. 'In the summers, 80% of babies are born preterm with respiratory issues because of the weather. We also see an increase in pregnancy induced hypertension, (which could) lead to preeclampsia – the leading cause of maternal mortality.' India and Pakistan, both countries with glaring disparities in development, are expected to be among the nations worst affected by the climate crisis – with more than 1 billion people predicted to be impacted on the subcontinent. The cascading effects will be devastating. Likely consequences range from a lack of food and drought to flash floods from melting ice caps, according to Mehrunissa Malik, a climate change and sustainability expert from Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Communities without access to cooling measures, adequate housing and those who rely on the elements for their livelihoods will feel the effects much more acutely, said Malik. 'For farmers, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict,' she said. 'The main challenge is the fact that temperatures (are) rising at a time when crops aren't at the stage to be harvested. They start getting ready earlier, yields get lower, and in this dry heat they need more water… If your plants are still young, severe heat causes little chance of them making it.' Tofiq Pasha, a farmer and environmental activist from Karachi, said summers begin much earlier now. His home province, Sindh, which, along with Balochistan, has recorded some of the hottest global temperatures in recent years, suffered a major drought during the winter months and the little rainfall has led to water shortages, he said. 'This is going to be a major livelihood issue among farmers,' Pasha said, explaining how temperatures also affect the arrival of pests. 'Flowers don't set, they fall, fruits don't set, they fall, you have pest attacks, they decimate the crop, sometimes it gets too hot… the cycles are messed. Food production is extremely affected.' Heatwaves have in the past have increased demand for electricity, leading to coal shortages while leaving millions without power. Trains have been cancelled to conserve energy, and schools have been forced shut, impacting learning.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI urges CJ to desist from 'court packing'
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders met with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Friday to convey that the party did not recognise the 26th Constitutional Amendmentthe very amendment that paved the way for the his appointmentand urged him to refrain from "court packing". Additionally, the seven-member PTI delegation urged the chief justice to "put your house in order" and ensure the rule of law and the Constitution in the country, asserting that the justice system had been reduced to an "instrument of crime" under his watch and it was his responsibility to fix it. The PTI delegation, comprising National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, PTI Chairman Barrister Goahr, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Senator Ali Zafar, MNA Sardar Latif Khosa and renowned lawyer Dr Babar Awan, poured their hearts out before the chief justice on the "overall deteriorating situation" of the rule of law and Constitution in the country. "Put your house in order," Khosa asked the chief justice, while speaking at a press conference after the meeting. "Five judges of the Supreme Court have repeatedly written that the 26th Amendment should be decided first and until then, there should be no court packing." Khosa said that "we used the word court packing," adding court packingthe practice of increasing the number of seats on a court in order to admit judges likely to further one's own ends or make decisions in one's favouris happening and the next generations will suffer the consequences of it. Khosa said that PTI lawmakers told the chief justice that he needed to put his house in order, adding what a common man could expect from judiciary where judges of a high court were running from pillar to post seeking justice. He urged the chief justice to refrain from court packing without first deciding the petitions related to 26th Constitutional Amendment. During the press conference, Omar Ayub revealed that the chief justice had sent PTI founder Imran Khan's letter on May 9 and November 26 to the constitutional bench, saying "we said we don't recognize 26th Constitutional Amendment". He said commissions should look into the incidents in line with Khan's letters. Without specifying much, Ayub specifically mentioned that he took permission from Khan thrice in the presence of other party leaders for holding a meeting with the chief justice. He added that Khan had instructed the party leaders to raise the issue of military courts trying civilians with the chief justice, which the party did. "The rule of law is not only crucial but linked with political and economic progress," Ayub told the chief justice, adding that the party leaders and workers had continuously been booked in dozens of cases and continuously been harassed. "Protecting judiciary is your responsibility and, being the chief justice, you should leave a legacy of taking steps for the rule of law and the Constitution," Ayub said. He said a dossier had already been provided to the chief justice regarding the overall deteriorating situation of rule of law, role of agencies, justice system, among other things, adding that details and proposals regarding reforms in district and higher judiciary would soon be submitted to the chief justice. Ayub said the issues of Imran and his spouse Bushra Bibi's court dates, lack of access of PTI leaders, lawyers and relatives to the couple and the treatment being meted out to the former prime minister in prison were raised. He mentioned that the status of other incarcerated PTI leaders and workers, missing persons and abducted party supporters were also discussed with Chief Justice Afridi. Barrister Gohar said that the delegation apprised him that the PTI had been facing "fascism for the past couple of years". He said that the chief justice had shared agenda of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) meeting and sought PTI's suggestions on it, adding that the PTI would soon submit its suggestions. The PTI chairman said that the chief justice was briefed in detail about how Khan and his wife were being treated unfairly as their cases were not being fixed for hearing on time, Khan was sometimes kept in isolation, the authorities deprived him of books and exercise machine, he was not allowed to talk to his children and meet his wife. "This all is for us and most of it is being done in Punjab," Gohar said. "No one takes your [CJ] court order seriously," Gohar told the chief justice, adding that the orders pertaining to notification of PTI's MNAs or Senate elections, among others, were not being implemented. He said "enforced disappearance" of the PTI MNAs and how their families were being treated were also brought into the chief justice's notice. Gohar also said that the chief justice assured the PTI that he would take steps to find out solutions for the issues raised by the delegation. Salman Akram Raja said that the PTI delegation told the chief justice that, practically, no constitution or law exists in the country. The PTI secretary general, while referring to routine notifications of deputy commissioners imposing Section 144, said that all the constitutional rights of the people were suspended with such notifications. "If judiciary keeps allowing it then it becomes an accomplice in all of it," Raja said, adding that it was judiciary's responsibility to issue such directions that ensured rule of law and the Constitution in the country. "It shouldn't be happening that a man is booked in 100 cases across the country if he talks about something," he said, adding that a man shouldn't be forced to run from one court to another, seeking bail and still got arrested because he was booked in four other cases in the meanwhile. "At this point, the entire justice system has been turned into an instrument of crime," Raja told the chief justice, saying it was judiciary's responsibility not only to stop it but hold the persons concerned accountable for booking a man in 100 cases, and provide protection to the citizen concerned. "Right now," he said, "the justice system is openly being used as an instrument and if the judiciary doesn't intervene, the people of Pakistan will be forced to take the matters in their hands." Raja said that the PTI didn't get the kind of relief that it should have gotten from the courts. He told the media persons that the PTI had clearly told the chief justice that "it was incumbent upon him to practically implement the rule of law and the Constitution in the country". Raja reiterated that the PTI had objection to the contents, as well as the way the 26th Amendment was passed. He said it was evident before all how parliamentarians were "abducted" to pass the amendment. "The whole situation is not hidden from anyone; it's not hidden from the chief justice as well," Raja said, adding that the whole situation was elaborated in detail before the chief justice and the PTI would now see how he took action in the coming days. SC's statement Meanwhile, soon after the PTI leaders' press conference, the Supreme Court issued a press release regarding the chief justice's meeting with the PTI delegation. "As part of his endeavours to take wider stakeholders consultation on the reform agenda," the SC statement said, the CJP invited the opposition leadership in the parliament and met the PTI leadership at his residence. The handout said that the chief justice welcomed the PTI delegation and apprised them of the planned meeting of the NJPMC. It added that the chief justice informed that he met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and requested him to provide the government's input on the reforms agenda. He said that the prime minister was very positive and assured full support to the policy formulation and implementation process. Chief Justice Afridi said that the Law and Justice Commission had received inputs from different bars of the country, feedback of the citizens as well as the district judiciary, adding that inputs of the registrars of the high courts and provincial judicial academies was expected soon. He said the prime minister was concerned about the tax cases, pending at various judicial forums, before adding that he assured the prime minister that quick disposal of tax cases, as well as reduction of overall pendency in the Supreme Court was his high priority. "The judicial reform should become a Minimum Common National Agenda and the same should have a bipartisan support," the chief justice suggested to the PTI delegation. The note said that Ayub highlighted various issues faced by the incarcerated PTI founder, other leaders and workers of the party and complained that cases of the opposition leadership were fixed at different locations at the same time deliberately, so that appearance before courts become impossible, lawyers defending cases of the party leadership and the workers were being harassed, jail authorities were not complying with the orders of the courts, terrorism cases were registered against the PTI lawyers and their right to assembly and expression was being suppressed. Ayub further said that economic stability of the country hinged upon the rule of law and economic recovery was only possible if the judiciary asserted itself and the executive was made accountable, it said, adding that other participants also expressed similar views and voiced their concerns over the deteriorating condition of law and order. The statement said that they, however, recognised the fact that the judiciary needed reformation and relief to the people was possible if the district judiciary proactively dealt with its pendency. It maintained that PTI leader Ali Zafar requested that they needed time to respond to the policy proposals shared by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. The chief justice noted that they had provided valuable suggestions for improving the criminal justice system and civil dispensation. Additionally, the note said, they indicated that further recommendations would be shared in due course. In addition to Ayub, it said, Shibli Faraz, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Barrister Ali Zafar, Barrister Salman Akram Raja, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa, Dr Babar Awan also attended the meeting. Supreme Court Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan and Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Secretary Tanzeela Sabahat assisted the chief justice. The meeting lasted for two hours.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SC not on trial in military courts case
The Supreme Court's seven-member constitutional bench has rejected the notion that the apex court itself was on trial, asserting that all matters would be assessed strictly through the lens of law and the Constitution. The bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, resumed hearings on the military courts case on Wednesday. Justice Aminuddin reaffirmed that the court was not under scrutiny in this case and would render its decision solely based on constitutional and legal principles. During the proceedings on intra-court appeals against the trial of civilians under the Army Act, Advocate Aziz Bhandari, counsel for PTI founder, was scheduled to present arguments. However, Advocate Latif Khosa, representing Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, took the podium and sought the court's permission to continue his arguments instead. Justice Aminuddin Khan allowed him to proceed, stating that if the lawyers had reached a mutual understanding, the court had no objections. The courtroom witnessed interactive exchanges between judges and counsels. Justice Jamal Mandokhail asked Khosa to begin with the legality of Section 2-D. Khosa pointed out that the entire nation was closely watching the case, arguing that Section 2(D) was one of the reasons behind Pakistan's breakup in 1971. "The Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report clearly states that this law fuelled institutional hatred," he asserted. As Khosa delved into judicial independence and legislative history, Justice Mandokhail interjected, questioning what steps Khosa had taken to repeal Section 2-D during his tenure, adding that Parliament was free to remove it even today. "If you believe this law is flawed, Parliament is free to repeal it today," remarked Justice Mandokhail. When Justice Mandokhail asked whether he had opposed the amendment at the time, Khosa responded that PTI had abstained from voting. "Your job was to oppose it. You should have played your role," retorted Justice Mandokhail before dismissing the matter as "too political". Justice Musarrat Hilali observed the apparent contradiction in politicians' statements inside Parliament and in court. "You say one thing in Parliament and another here. Military courts were established much later; the reasons behind the fall of Dhaka were entirely different," she added. She questioned Khosa on whether lawmakers had been coerced into supporting the 26th Amendment, asking how many resigned in protest. She further remarked that the arguments being made in court should instead be raised in Parliament. "You approve an amendment in Parliament and then ask the Supreme Court to undo it," she said. Justice Aminuddin Khan also noted that negative propaganda against the country often stems from misleading reports, citing the Mukhtaran Mai case as an example. During the proceedings, a sharp disagreement also emerged between senior lawyers Aitzaz Ahsan and Salman Akram Raja. Ahsan objected to Raja's differing stance on a part of Justice Muneeb Akhtar's ruling, asserting that he had given no such directive to his co-counsel. Raja, however, stood by his argument, clarifying that his remarks had been made by another counsel, Arzam Junaid, the previous day. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan cautioned against the influence of social media narratives, stating, "We don't let social media affect our rulings, and neither should you".
