Photo : Dawn
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Dawn
In Focus
Flash flood and rain kills six people across KP and Punjab
On 6 July, six more people lost their lives due to flash floods and intense rain in Punjab and KP. As per Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA), 22 people so far have lost their lives in KP due to floods, rains and landslides witnessed since 25 July. Also, 11 people were injured due to the weather calamities in the province. On 4 June, PDMA cautioned regarding the rapid surge of water in glacial regions because of high temperatures that has further aggravated concerns regarding more floods. Further, the disaster management authority has cautioned regarding intense “rain, wind and thundershowers” which the regions across the country are likely to witness from 6 July to 8 July. As per the authorities, areas in KP, Punjab, northeast and southern Balochistan, southeast Sindh, “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” and Islamabad are likely to be impacted due to rain and thunderstorms.
On 6 July, an editorial in Dawn, titled “No preparedness,” discussed how Pakistan is at the risk of witnessing “another flood disaster.” The editorial mentions how Pakistan falls in the list of those countries which are most susceptible to climate calamities. The editorial points out the steps taken in other countries to combat climate calamities. The editorial highlights how other countries were able to decrease casualties through “early forecast and timely messaging.” Further, constructing buildings which can withstand floods could result in decreasing financial losses. The editorial criticizes the government for not investing substantially in “flood-warning systems and disaster readiness.” The editorial demands the government should invest more in infrastructure which can withstand floods, and enhance the “disaster preparedness” so that innocent people do not lose their lives during climate calamities. Also, this would help in bringing down the financial losses incurred due to climate calamities. (Umar Bacha, Zahid Imdad & Imran Gabol, “6 die in flash floods, rains in KP and Punjab,” Dawn, 6 July 2025; “No preparedness,” Dawn, 6 July 2025)
BNP-M announces country-wide demonstrations against “enforced disappearances” and government policies on 10 July
On 6 July, Dawn reported on the announcement made by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) regarding country-wide demonstrations. The demonstrations would be carried out on 10 July to raise concerns against “enforced disappearances, border closures,” and some policy measures of the government. On 5 July, a meeting presided by BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal took decisions regarding the protest. The attendees of the meeting examined the situation in Balochostan and conveyed their distress regarding worsening “law and order.” BNP-M would also organize a “seminar” on 15 July in Quetta which would be attended by “political parties, student organizations, human rights groups, bar councils and people from civil society.” The attendees also condemned the cases and legal notices against the BNP-M President and his family members calling it “bogus.” Further, as per the party, false cases and killing the leaders of the party would not slow down BNP-M’s “political and national movement.”(Saleem Shahid, “BNP-M plans province-wide protests after Ashura,” Dawn, 6 July 2025)
Government sees a decrease of PKR 110 million in electricity bill tax collections
On 6 July, The News International reported that the federal government accumulated PKR 490 billion via “electricity bills” in the financial year 2024-25. In the financial year 2023-24, this number stood at PKR 600 billion. The decrease of PKR 110 billion could be attributed to people moving towards using of solar panels. Also, in the financial year 2024-25, industry sector witnessed a slowdown which has resulted in less consumption of electricity. As per the Economic Survey 2024-25, the usage of electricity in the period from July 2024 to March 2025, went down to 80, 111 GWh. Thus number stood at 83,109 GWh in the period from July 2023 to March 2024. In the period from July 2024 to March 2025, household sector used 39,728 GWh of electricity. This number during July 2023 to March 2024 stood at 39,286. The increase in consumption could be attributed to increase in “residential demand” because of surge in population. Also, as per the data from Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), the “salaried class” contributed PKR 552 billion in the financial year 2024-25. This number stood at PKR 367 billion in the financial year 2023-24. (Mehtab Haider, “Cash-strapped govt collects Rs490bn through taxes in electricity bills in FY25,” The News International, 6 July 2025)
In Brief
POLITICS
PTI calls out the Punjab government for increasing salaries of ministers and speaker
On 4 July, PTI Punjab’s media head Shayan Bashir called out the provincial government for increasing the salaries of provincial ministers and speaker of Punjab assembly. Criticizing the Punjab government, he said “ the indifferent elite continue to enjoy the luxuries of illegitimate power.” He pointed out how the hospitals in Punjab did not have enough medicines fell short of providing “basic facilities.” According to him, many patients received treatment on “single bed.” He asserted that PTI would denounce all the bills which are approved to facilitate the “luxuries” of the government members. (“PTI slams hike in perks of Punjab Assembly speaker, ministers,” Dawn, 6 July 2025)
PML-N to continue alliance with PPP, despite gaining simple majority in the National Assembly, says Deputy PM Dar
On 4 July, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to journalists in Lahore. He asserted that PPP would continue to be a “key ally” of PML-N. This statement came after SC’s verdict on reserved seats, which resulted in PML-N gaining “simple majority” in the National Assembly. He pointed out how PPP supported the government in touch times and that PML-N will not severe ties with the PPP during “times of stability.” He also dismissed speculations regarding PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif wishing to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. On this he said “these are all speculations, it must be someone’s wish list , as we don’t need to meet anyone.” Nevertheless, he expressed PML-N’s readiness to engage with all the political parties irrespective of the fact whether it is in government or in opposition. Separately, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif stated that the “cooperation” between PPP and PML-N has resulted in enhancing Pakistan’s “national agenda.”
SOCIETY
27 people declared dead in Lyari building collapse in Karachi
On 6 July, rescue operations in Lyari, Karachi building collapse incident came to an end. On 4 July, a five-floored “residential building” “collapsed.” The collapse resulted in killing of 27 people and wounded another 10. As per Dawn, a number of people who lost their lives in the building collapse were from Hindu community. On 5 July, a seven floored building in Agra Taj colony in Lyari was vacated. The residential building was found to be “dangerous” after the authorities discovered “signs of structural leaning.” The intense rain had also resulted in the formation of a number of cracks in the building. The Sindh Building Control Authority announced that the residential building was “uninhabitable” which resulted into immediate vacating of the building. The building had 57 people living in 12 flats. (“Karachi’s Lyari building collapse claims 27 lives as rescue operation concludes,” The Express Tribune, 6 July 2025)
SECURITY
PM Sharif appreciates Chief Ministers for ensuring full-proof security measures during Youm-e-Ashur
On 6 July, The Express Tribune reported that PM Sharif has expressed his content over observing no disturbances during Youm-e-Ashur demonstrations. He appreciated the efforts put in by all the chief ministers along with the security forces who made sure there were no lapses in “security arrangements,” On the same day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met PM Sharif in Lahore to inform him about the “security arrangements” made for Ashura. PM Sharif appreciated the interior minister for supervising the security arrangements and termed his efforts as “commendable,”
(“PM lauds provinces, security forces for effective security measures on Youm-e-Ashur,” The Express Tribune, 6 July 2025)
Counter-Terrorism Department neutralize six militants in two separate operations in Punjab
On 5 July, the counter-terrorism department managed to neutralize six alleged militants in two separate operations carried out in Punjab. In Dera Ghazi Khan, CTD received intelligence regarding militants hiding in the region. CTD launched operation to detain the militants. However, the militants fired at the CTD. CTD opened fire back at the militants which resulted in killing of five Tehreek-i-Taliban militants. Five more militants were wounded; however, they were able to evade arrests. The second operation was carried out in Bahawalpur where CTD along with the police managed to neutralize one alleged terrorist who belonged to the TTP. They were also able to retrieve huge quantities of “ammunition, hand grenades and sensitive material.” (Imran Gabol & Tariq Birmani, “Six ‘terrorists’ killed in two Punjab operations,” Dawn, 6 July 2025)
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