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Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
With militaries upgraded, risks multiply in any potential India-Pakistan conflict
A Pakistan Ranger stands guard before the start of a parade at the Pakistan-India joint check post at Wagah border, near Lahore, Pakistan, May 4, 2025. The parade was held against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, following a deadly attack on tourists in south Kashmir. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza FILE PHOTO: People take photos as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets perform to commemorate Pakistan Air Force's 'Operation Swift Retort', following the shot down of Indian military aircrafts on February 27, 2019 in Kashmir, during an air show in Karachi, Pakistan February 27, 2020. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI - India and Pakistan have significantly upgraded their military capabilities since the nuclear-armed neighbours clashed in 2019, posing increased risks of escalation even in a limited conflict, former military officers and experts say. Pakistan says India plans a military incursion after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack on domestic tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to punish the backers of the attack "beyond their imagination". Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack but has warned it will hit back if it is targeted. In 2019, India carried out air strikes inside Pakistan after the bombing of an Indian military convoy in Kashmir and said it destroyed "terrorist camps". Pakistani jets conducted a retaliatory air strike and shot down an Indian aircraft during actions spread over two days. The neighbours have fought three wars - in 1948, 1965 and 1971 - and clashed countless times since gaining independence, mostly over the Kashmir region which both claim. Both acquired nuclear weapons in the 1990s and Kashmir is considered one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. Military experts say neither side will consider nuclear weapons unless pushed to the wall, but even a limited conflict would carry high risks of escalation. They say such a conflict is likely to involve aircraft, missiles or drones, where India and Pakistan are considered closely matched, although India's far greater resources would come into play over a longer period. "Decision makers in both states now have a higher risk appetite for conflict initiation and escalation than prior to 2019," said Frank O'Donnell, a non-resident fellow at the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center, a think-tank in Washington, as they had managed then to clash without nuclear weapons being used. "But without a clear mutual sense of the precise actions, that could trigger inadvertent escalation," he added. Both sides have acquired new military hardware since 2019, opening up new conventional strike options. "Each side will think they are in a better position than last time," said Muhammad Faisal, a South Asia security researcher based at the University of Technology, Sydney. "It is only when we see actual combat that we will find out." In particular, India believes that it was at a disadvantage in 2019 because it had to rely mainly on ageing Russian jets. It has since inducted 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets, a top Western aircraft, with more on order for its navy. To counter, Pakistan got one of China's most advanced war planes, the J-10, a rough equivalent of the Rafale, in batches since 2022. It has at least 20 of the aircraft, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. The planes carry advanced capabilities, with the Rafale armed with Meteor air-to-air missiles that operate beyond visual range. The J-10 is armed with the comparable PL-15 missile, according to a Pakistani security official who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to brief the media. To plug the gaps in air defences exposed on both sides in the 2019 conflict, India secured Russia's battle-tested S-400, a mobile anti-aircraft missile system. Pakistan obtained the HQ-9 from China, which is based on Russia's S-300, one notch down. 'CLAMOUR FOR ACTION' "Most certainly in some respects we are better off (than 2019)," said Anil Golani, a former air vice marshal in the Indian Air Force, and the director general of the Delhi-based Centre for Air Power Studies think tank. "There's a lot of clamour for action in the country but, in my personal assessment, both India and Pakistan are not looking for an all-out conflict," he added. Hanging over any conflict is China, India's rival and Pakistan's close ally and biggest supplier of military equipment. Although the U.S. has urged India and Pakistan to ease tensions, it will closely watch any conflict for insights on Beijing's aerial strength. The Chinese plane and its PL-15 missile have not previously been tested in combat. "It could be a contest between Western and Chinese technology," said Faisal, adding "for India, there is the dilemma of how many air squadrons to commit to the Pakistan front, as it must also guard against China." China and India fought a brief border war in 1962 and the two armies have clashed, most recently in 2022, along their tense Himalayan frontier. Pakistan has a fleet of F-16s, the U.S. aircraft acquired decades back when ties with Washington were stronger. These F-16s were deployed in the 2019 tussle, leading India to lodge protests with the U.S., although New Delhi now enjoys far closer ties with Washington. This time, to avoid the political fallout with the F-16 and to take advantage of having a more advanced aircraft, Pakistan will likely spearhead with the Chinese J-10, experts said. But a drone or ground-launched missile strike is considered more likely since neither would risk a pilot being shot down. India has turned to Israel for combat-capable drones, getting the Heron Mark 2, and it has U.S. Predator drones on order. Pakistan has acquired Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 - used by Ukraine in its war with Russia - and the Akinci, also from Turkey, according to the Pakistani security official. Amid the standoff, Pakistan tested a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 450 km (280 miles) on Saturday, to show that the armed forces were ready to "safeguard national security against any aggression," according to a statement from the country's military. Pakistan also has a range of short-range and medium-range missiles, capable of being fired from ground, sea and air. There was no immediate comment from India on the test. India's capabilities include the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile of about 300 km range as well the Agni series of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 2019 skirmish almost spiralled out of control, with multiple missile strikes threatened before U.S. intervention calmed the situation down. Kaiser Tufail, a former fighter pilot in the Pakistani air force, said that India did not manage to establish deterrence in 2019, so it would aim for a more incisive strike this time, bringing more risks in its wake. Modi said following the 2019 skirmishes that the country had felt the lack of Rafale fighters at the time, which were on order, and suggested that the results of the clash could have been different if it had the French fighter. "If you go beyond what we saw in 2019, it is very risky," said Tufail. "Nuclear-armed countries slugging it out is extremely dangerous." 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Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Water tankers culprits in road accidents
Karachi's artificial water crisis has been the talk of the town since years. With an expanding urban population and a limited availability of water, more and more citizens are forced to buy their rightful share of water from tankers. However, what came as a solution to the water crisis has become a crisis of its own, as speeding water tankers continue to claim lives. One such tragic incident was the Malir Halt accident, where a water tanker driver lost control of the vehicle which drifted onto the opposite road, hitting a motorcycle, The accident claimed the lives of a man and his pregnant wife. The baby, who was born later, could not survive either. Apart from this family, another motorcyclist was also injured in the accident. According to sources of The Express Tribune, during the past four months, 24 people have lost their lives in road accidents involving a water tanker. Mohsin Raza, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), made serious allegations against the top officials of the KWSC for instigating an artificial water crisis in the city. "Due to the high demand for water, a water tanker driver works for about 24 hours a day, for a commission of Rs400 to Rs500 per trip, which lures the driver to try to take more trips. A driver makes 5 to 7 trips daily. All these issues are a clear violation of labour laws and are the main reason why drivers lose concentration and accidents occur. If the Water Corporation mends its ways, improves valve operation and the system of the drains, the artificial water crisis in the city will end, tanker trips will be reduced and traffic accidents will also be controlled," claimed Raza. Regional Planner Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Hadi opined that if good governance was established in the city, then the water crisis could be resolved. "The Sindh government should take strict action against corrupt officials in the Water Corporation. Nowhere in the world and even in Pakistan, would you find water tankers operating under a regular industrial system. Therefore, tankers should be immediately eliminated from Karachi and citizens should be given water through the lines," said Dr Al-Huda. Syed Sardar Shah, in-charge of the Hydrants Cell of the Water Corporation, affirmed that they were taking vigorous steps to further improve the water supply and drainage system across the city. "Legal action is being taken by the police against the driver involved in the Malir Halt accident, while the tanker owners have also paid diyat (compensation money) to the affected family after the accident. We do not expect any driver to drive tankers for 24 hours. The driver involved in the Malir Halt accident was a private driver," said Shah. National Trade Union Federation General Secretary Nasir Mansoor claimed that under labour laws, no worker can be compelled to work more than 8 hours. "Two hours of overtime is acceptable with the permission of the employees, but it will have to be paid in full," said Mansoor.
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City in grip of water crisis for 17 years
The metropolitan city has been facing the worst water crisis for 17 years during which the PPP's government in Sindh has not added a single drop of water to Karachi from the Indus River. Crisis becomes serious when main pipelines burst, and millions of gallons of water go waste. On the other hand, the tanker mafia takes benefit of the criminal negligence of corrupt officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). They fleece Karachiites and illegally earn billions of rupees. As per a survey, conducted by The Express Tribune, seven major incidents of malfunctioning of KWSC installations have taken place in the four months since December 2024, resulting in the loss of huge quantity of water. Besides this, there are countless minor incidents of water line leaks. In a recent incident that took place on April 29 when major pipeline of 84-inch diameter burst inside the University of Karachi. Millions of gallons of water were wasted in this incident, most of the university area became a lake, several faculties were submerged and valuables, including equipment, were damaged. Classes were not held on Wednesday due to flooding of most roads and faculties. A KWSC spokesperson said that the repair work of the burst line has started on Tuesday and it will take at least three days to complete. KWSC Peoples Labour Union General Secretary Mohsin Raza stated that the incompetence of KWSC officials leads to frequent bulk line bursts, particularly during religious and national festivals, depriving most of the city of piped water and forcing citizens to purchase expensive tanker water. He highlighted the lack of inquiry into these recurring bursts and the transparency of related expenses. Raza pointed out that old bulk lines from major pumping stations have not been replaced despite a significant $1.6 billion restructuring fund. He urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to investigate these irregularities, suspecting a conspiracy to benefit the tanker mafia and defame the PPP. He cited several recent incidents: an 84-inch line disruption in December due to Red Line BRT work, causing a 17-day water supply halt and reportedly billions in profits for tanker operators; a 72-inch pipeline burst in January due to an electrical breakdown at Dhabeji, affecting supply for two days; a four-day cutoff in February for repairs on three bulk lines; a shutdown of all pumps on March 10 due to a power breakdown at Hub Pumping Station, impacting 70 million gallons to specific districts; a one-day cutoff on April 4 due to a power breakdown at Pipri Pumping Station; and an 84-inch line burst on April 9, taking three days to repair. Raza further noted that 40,000 to 50,000 daily tanker trips from seven KWSC-supervised hydrants sell 30 to 40 million gallons of water daily, a number that significantly increases with malfunctions in major KWSC installations. Karachi University Teachers Society Secretary Dr Maroof Bin Rauf made an appeal to the chief minister to take strict notice of the criminal negligence of KWSC in view of the KU flood.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Neglect plagues city's water filtration plants
Six out of nine water filtration plants are in disrepair in Karachi city, where only 150 cylinders of chlorine are available each month. PHOTO: PIXABAY Where the supply of water remains an incessant woe, plaguing the peace of locals in Karachi, it appears that even the measly quantity of water supplied to the residents is not fit for consumption. Most of the water filtration plants of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) have been in disrepair in the city for many years. As a result, due to an inadequate amount of chlorine mixed in the water, many diseases, especially the deadly Naegleria, risk spreading among the local population. Talking to The Express Tribune, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union Mohsin Raza disclosed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) has nine filter plants, out of which only three are in working condition while the remaining six have been in disrepair for many years. 'As a result, forty percent less chlorine is being added to the water supply in Karachi. Hence, the water reaching all districts across the city is not disinfected and is causing various types of diseases among the citizens. Due to the negligence of the top officials of the Water Corporation, the required amount of chlorine cylinders has not been available for a long time. At some places, the staff adds the right amount of chlorine during the day but at night, chlorine is mixed in less quantity. Approximately, 645 million gallons of water is being supplied daily to the city. For this amount of water, 240 cylinders of chlorine should be available per month; however, only 150 cylinders are being supplied,' revealed Raza. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the KW&SC while talking to The Express Tribune claimed that all nine filter plants with 32 chlorinators located across six different locations were functional. 'Chlorine tablets are being added to all water tankers going from the government hydrants of the Water Corporation. Apart from this, water samples are being analyzed on a regular basis in various laboratories of the Water Corporation,' claimed the spokesperson. The on-ground reality, however, proves otherwise. Last year, the Health Department of Sindh obtained more than 50 water samples from different districts of the city before testing them at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB's) laboratory. The results confirmed the presence of several contaminants including pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and total coliforms, all of which culminated into a diarrhoea outbreak, which affected at least 20,000 children between April to September last year. Similarly, Naegleria fowleri, which grows in contaminated water and is activated at 35 degrees Celsius, claimed four lives last year in Karachi. Just recently, a woman died of Naegleria in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of District East. Hence, it is expected that the amoeba will cause several casualties during the upcoming harsh summer months. Cardiologist and health expert Dr Muhammad Akram Sultan revealed that if there is excess chlorine in water and it is used continuously, it will cause eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, coughing, vomiting, itching and stomach pain. "Water that has a high chlorine content and is used for a long time can also cause bladder and anal cancer," informed Dr Sultan. While commenting on the precautionary measures needed to control the spread of Naegleria, the KW&SC spokesperson advised citizens to clean the overhead and underground tanks storing water on a monthly basis and avoid bathing in swimming pools, ponds and reservoirs with unchlorinated water. 'Apart from this, citizens should use one chlorine tablet in a 1,000-gallon water tank, which is enough for 15 days. People should use boiled or chlorinated water while performing ablution and bathing or for cleaning the nose in general,' emphasized the official.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bulk line faults perpetuate water crisis
With the arrival of 2025, the deplorable state of Karachi's water supply system has come to the fore as three consecutive incidents of damage to the bulk water lines have perpetuated a shortage of water across most areas of the city. Mohsin Raza, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), leveled serious allegations against the KWSC. "This issue has been ongoing for several years, but KWSC has not replaced the old pipelines. Despite the World Bank providing a loan of 1.6 billion US dollars for the restructuring of KWSC, the old pipelines have not been replaced. The relief of the public should have been a priority," said Raza. In December last year, an 84-inch water pipeline was damaged due to development work on the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit System on University Road. However, KWSC shut down the water supply from Dhabeji Pumping Station for 17 days for the repair of the pipeline. Later, in January this year, a 72-inch pipeline burst due to an electricity breakdown at Dhabeji Pumping Station, affecting the city's water supply for two days. In the next month, the water supply to most areas of the city was shut down for another four days due to repair work on three bulk lines near Purani Sabzi Mandi. Similarly, on March 10, all pumps at the Hub Pumping Station were shut down due to an electricity breakdown, affecting the water supply in District West and District Kemari for almost a day. "The Chief Minister should investigate why so many faults are occurring in the bulk water system. Under the supervision of KWSC, hydrants are making 40,000 to 50,000 trips daily, supplying 30 to 40 million gallons of water. In this scenario, dozens of illegal hydrants are operating in the city, stealing water from the Water Corporation's lines and selling it. Both the legal and illegal hydrants are looting citizens through the tanker mafia," claimed Raza. A KWSC officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that bulk water lines burst at various times throughout the year since some of them were 60 to 70 years old and had become extremely corroded. "Electricity breakdowns and water backpressure cause the old lines to burst. These lines should have been replaced years ago. The 72-inch bulk water line from Dhabeji is also corroded and often bursts. Other bulk water lines have exceeded their lifespan however, residential houses and illegal structures have been built on top of them. Before replacing these lines, KWSC will need to remove these encroachments," noted the official. Riaz Azhar, Chairman of the Hassan Square Union Council in Gulshan Town called out KWSC for not replacing the old lines. "Every year, bulk water lines burst, and KWSC fails to replace them. This raises questions about the corporation's intentions. Last year, during the water crisis in December, the tanker mafia made billions of rupees. This year, three similar incidents have occurred, perpetuating water shortages and strengthening the tanker mafia," implored Azhar. Regional Planner Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Huda criticized the KWSC's higher officials for not rectifying the bulk water supply system. "An inquiry should be carried out on the performance of these officials. Every month, some pipe bursts causing water shortages in most areas of the city and forcing citizens to buy expensive tankers. The bulk water supply system should be strengthened to prevent such incidents," he emphasized. Commenting on the matter, a KWSC spokesperson stated that Karachi received 650 million gallons of water daily from the Indus River and Hub Dam, but the city's demand was 1,200 million gallons, resulting in a daily shortfall of 550 million gallons. "The World Bank and the Sindh government are jointly replacing the 72-inch line at the Dhabeji Pumping Station. This is expected to be completed within the next four months," said the official.
