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Severe heatwave likely to grip Karachi, other parts of country until May 5: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a comprehensive weather alert warning of an intense heatwave across multiple regions, including Karachi, till May 5.

The NDMA, through its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), on Thursday urged authorities to activate emergency plans and citizens to adopt precautionary measures to mitigate health and environmental risks.

The Met Office also forecast rain with windstorms and thunderstorms in parts of the country between April 24 and 29.

According to the NDMA, the prevailing weather pattern aligns with its seasonal outlook issued three to four months earlier, indicating a period of climatic extremes.

The authority has also released a detailed assessment of expected weather conditions from April to June.

The alert highlights that Sindh, southern Punjab and parts of Balochistan are likely to experience severe heatwave conditions, with major urban centres including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Turbat expected to remain in the grip of extreme temperatures.

Central Punjab and certain parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also likely to witness a significant rise in temperature.

Meanwhile, a separate weather system is expected to bring dust storms, gusty winds and rain to upper and central districts on April 24, 25 and 29.

Areas including Murree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan may receive rainfall during this period.

In Balochistan, northern districts such as Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat and Khuzdar are forecast to experience rain accompanied by strong winds between April 24–25 and April 27–29. Coastal regions, including Gwadar, are expected to remain hot and dry with a gradual increase in temperatures.

Sindh is likely to continue experiencing hot and dry conditions, with a steady rise in temperatures across the province.

However, Hyderabad, Badin and Mithi may receive light rain and strong winds on April 24.

KP is also expected to see intermittent rainfall and gusty winds in districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat and Kurram during April 24–25 and April 27–29.

Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are likely to experience intermittent rain with thunderstorms from April 24 to 29.

The NDMA warned that the ongoing heatwave could lead to an increased risk of heatstroke, dehydration and other health complications.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight, increase water intake and take preventive precautions.

The Authority has directed all relevant institutions to activate heatwave response plans, establish cooling centres and ensure hospitals remain on high alert.

Provincial and district administrations have also been instructed to stay vigilant and prepared to respond to any emergency arising from the evolving weather situation.

PM orders inquiry into inactive EWS in GB

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level inquiry into the non-functional early warning system installed in Gilgit-Baltistan for protection against glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and directed all relevant institutions to accelerate coordinated preparations ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.

Chairing a review meeting on pre-monsoon preparedness and climate-related risks, the prime minister expressed strong displeasure over the continued inactivity of the early warning system despite clear directives issued last year.

He warned that negligence and weak institutional performance would not be tolerated and emphasized that safeguarding citizens from environmental hazards remains a core responsibility of all departments.

The premier instructed federal ministries and provincial governments to remove bottlenecks hindering policy implementation and ensure full operationalisation of digital monitoring infrastructure for early warning systems.

He stressed that Pakistan ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts and called for emergency-level efforts to mitigate associated risks.

The PM also highlighted lessons from last year’s monsoon season, and noted that illegal encroachments along river routes and flood channels had contributed significantly to damages.

He directed authorities to adopt an effective preventive strategy this year to address the issue before the onset of heavy rains.

He further instructed all institutions to enhance operational capacity and mobilize resources beyond routine limits to protect lives and property during potential flooding.

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Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

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Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

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PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.