News

99.4% children exposed to second hand smoke in Karachi: study

KARACHI: A study by researchers has uncovered a concerning prevalence of second-hand smoking (SHS) exposure among children in Pakistan and Bangladesh, affecting 95 percent of the young population. The study, published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Journal, was conducted by the Aga Khan University's Department of Community Health Sciences and Medicine. The research reveals an exceptionally...

NDMA warns of urban flooding risk in Karachi, Hyderabad

KARACHI: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned authorities concerned of urban flooding in Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad, ahead of expected heavy rains and thunderstorms. In a statement, NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center said that scattered rainfall, windstorms, and thunderstorms were expected across various regions of the Sindh province, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Umerkot,...

Two tourists killed in road accident near Chitral’s Lowari Tunnel

CHITRAL: A tragic car accident resulted in the deaths of at least two tourists and three others sustaining injuries near the Lowari Tunnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident occurred in Ashrit, reportedly due to a damaged road along the 18-kilometer stretch leading to Lowari Tunnel. According to Rescue 1122, the vehicle was en route to Chitral when...

NDMA issues urban flooding alert, warns of flash floods

ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority has issued a forecast of moderate to heavy rainfall across various regions of the country till Tuesday, July 9, and warned or urban flooding and flash floods across various parts of the country. The affected areas include northeastern parts of Punjab, Potohar regions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, southern Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir,...

Two buffaloes electrocuted in Narowal

NAROWAL: Two buffaloes were electrocuted in as many incidents allegedly to faulty electric poles, local media reported. According to media reports, the incidents occurred due to the negligence of the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO). In the Bhaipur suburb of Shakargarh, the buffalo owned by Muhammad Asad was electrocuted when it touched an electric pole. Due to...

Punjab minister stresses solid steps to tackle urban flooding

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq held a meeting to detailed review of the arrangements to tackle the monsoon rains. During the meeting at WASA headquarters, it was decided that monsoon operations would be monitored through Safe City cameras. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood, Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider, WASA Managing Director...

Pakistan to face severe water scarcity and droughts by 2025

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be facing severe water scarcity, potential droughts and desertification by 2025. “There is a severe water crisis emerging in Balochistan and Sindh, while our glaciers are melting rapidly due to global warming,” said Chairperson of the Standing Committees on Climate Change Sherry Rehman. Ms Rehman made the statement inviting the Ministry of Water Resources...