Citywide drain cleaning drive launched ahead of monsoon

Mayor Murtaza Wahab has said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has decided to launch a comprehensive cleaning and desilting campaign of major stormwater drains across the metropolis in view of the upcoming monsoon season, in order to ensure smooth flow of rainwater and reduce the risk of urban flooding. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by the mayor, which reviewed ongoing development projects and the overall performance of municipal services. The meeting held detailed discussions on monsoon preparedness, urban infrastructure, and measures to improve the city's drainage system. During the briefing, KMC Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jafar informed the meeting that tenders for the cleaning and desilting of major drains have already been issued, while bids will be opened on Monday. He added that work on the campaign will begin immediately after the procurement process is completed, ensuring that all major drains are cleared before the onset of monsoon rains. He further stated that KMC has allocated Rs6 billion for the citywide drain cleaning and desilting operation, terming it a reflection of the civic body's commitment to safeguarding citizens and infrastructure during the rainy season. Mayor Wahab directed that third-party consultants be engaged to ensure transparent monitoring, quality assurance, and timely completion of the cleaning work. He stressed the need for strict supervision throughout the process to ensure effective use of public funds and adherence to high standards. KMC Financial Advisor Gulzar Abro presented district-wise details of the allocated funds. According to the plan, Rs680 million have been allocated for District Central, Rs700 million each for District West and Keamari, Rs560 million for District South-I, Rs650 million for South-II after bifurcation of the district, Rs730 million for District East, Rs700 million for District Korangi, and Rs580 million for District Malir. In addition, Rs740 million and Rs630 million have been allocated for various critical citywide drainage points requiring special attention.

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Shehbaz calls for safe, resilient food system

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called upon the federal and provincial governments, farmers, universities, research institutions and every citizen to play their part in building a safe, resilient, and nutritious food system. In a message on World Food Safety Day observed on June 7, he said, "Pakistan joins the international community in reaffirming its commitment to the shared and meaningful goal of ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and wholesome food." "Every individual should play a vital role in safeguarding food safety," he added.

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PTI and TTAP slam AJK govt's ban on JAAC, call for dialogue

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Aaeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Saturday criticised the decision to declare the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation, urging authorities to resolve political disputes through dialogue and constitutional means rather than coercive measures. The statements came a day after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government declared JAAC a proscribed organisation, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state. In a statement issued by PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on his X account, PTI expressed concern over the AJK government's decision and over the violence reported in Rawalakot, in which, it said, one person had been killed and several others injured. “Political, social and constitutional grievances must be addressed through democratic engagement, meaningful dialogue and constitutional means — not through bans, coercion or the use of force,” the party said. Press Release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expresses its profound concern and disappointment over the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government’s sudden decision to declare the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organization, as well as the tragic… — Sheikh Waqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) June 6, 2026 Questioning the government's decision, PTI said authorities had engaged with the committee for months before declaring it a proscribed organisation. “If JAAC was truly a terrorist organisation, why did the government spend months negotiating with it, signing agreements with it, implementing its demands, holding meetings with its leadership and treating it as a legitimate stakeholder until yesterday?” the statement asked. Read: AJK govt bans Joint Awami Action Committee as tensions rise ahead of June 9 protest call The party said the strike call had been issued after what it described as a violation of an agreement between the government and the committee. It also said the JAAC comprised people from various political parties and civil society groups and had emerged in response to what it called poor governance. Drawing parallels with its own experience, PTI said the decision reflected a broader pattern of suppressing political dissent. “This is the same failed model that has been used against PTI. Suppress peaceful protest, block roads, suspend communication, intimidate citizens and then call every democratic demand a threat to the state,” it said. The party maintained that disputes relating to refugee seats, electoral representation and the powers of the legislative assembly should be addressed through “open debate, judicial review and political engagement” rather than by declaring citizens' platforms terrorist organisations. PTI also warned that unrest in AJK could have wider implications for Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue. “Any internal unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir must be handled with extreme care, because India is always looking for opportunities to distort facts, spread propaganda and weaken Pakistan's moral and diplomatic position on Kashmir,” the statement said. Calling for a review of the decision, PTI demanded that the government restore communication services, protect peaceful assembly, avoid collective punishment and initiate dialogue with all stakeholders. “History proves that the use of force has never produced lasting political solutions,” the party said, adding that political problems required political solutions. TTAP condemns ban Separately, TTAP, an alliance of opposition parties, condemned the decision to designate the JAAC a terrorist organisation and ban its activities. In a statement, the alliance said associating a public and political rights movement with terrorism was contrary to facts and democratic principles. “Associating a public, political and constitutional rights-struggling organisation with terrorism is not only contrary to facts but also an assault on fundamental democratic principles, civil liberties and the right to vote,” it said. تحریک تحفظ آئین پاکستان جموں و کشمیر جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کو دہشت گرد تنظیم قرار دے کر اس پر پابندی عائد کرنے کے اقدام کی شدید ترین الفاظ میں مذمت کرتی ہے۔ ایک عوامی، سیاسی اور آئینی حقوق کے لیے جدوجہد کرنے والی تنظیم کو دہشت گردی سے جوڑنا نہ صرف حقائق کے منافی بلکہ بنیادی… — Hussain Ahmad yousafzai (@YousafzaiHusain) June 6, 2026 The alliance accused the AJK government and federal authorities of relying on force and coercive measures rather than political engagement. “Instead of listening to dissenting voices and seeking political solutions to political issues, the government of Azad Kashmir and the federal authorities are resorting to the path of force, bans and state coercion,” the statement said. It argued that labelling public demands as terrorism amounted to an admission of political failure and would deepen the divide between the state and the people. Also Read: 72 held in AJK crackdown as govt defends JAAC ban The alliance demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision, lifting of the ban on the committee and the initiation of “broad, meaningful and result-oriented negotiations” involving political parties, civil society, traders, lawyers and other stakeholders in AJK. “The solution to problems lies not in bans, legal cases and the use of force, but in dialogue, public participation and democratic processes,” it said. The alliance further warned that criminalising political dissent and branding public movements as terrorism was neither in the interest of democracy nor beneficial for national unity and Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue. Meanwhile, former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed described the move as a “wrong decision at the wrong time” in a post on X, saying it repeated past mistakes in dealing with dissent and questioned the use of anti-terror laws against political opponents. Wrong decision at wrong time, repeating past mistakes of mishandling dissent: at a time when India is totally on the run in the region, isolated diplomatically because of their failed & flawed policies on Pakistan & Indian Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan’s Officialdom creates new… pic.twitter.com/dAlItc9GUl — Mushahid Hussain Sayed (@Mushahid) June 6, 2026 Former senator Afrasiab Khattak called the ban “a gross violation of all the fundamental rights in the Constitution”. Banning the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a non-violent voice of the people, under anti-terrorist act is a gross violation of all the fundamental rights in the Constitution. “Conquering” Kashmir by force instead of winning hearts & minds will have dangerous consequences. — Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) June 6, 2026 In a post on X, he said: “Banning the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a non-violent voice of the people, under the anti-terrorist act is a gross violation of all the fundamental rights in the Constitution.” The leader of the Haqooq-i-Khalq Party, Ammar Ali Jan, also criticised the decision, arguing that repression during elections would increase resentment and instability. After blatant pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan where PTI was not allowed to campaign, the state has banned Awami Action Committee in Kashmir. Repression during elections will only fuel resentment & create further instability. Reverse this suicidal policy before its too late. — Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) June 6, 2026

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Govt slashes petrol price by Rs4 per litre

The government on Friday once again reduced the price of petrol, cutting it by Rs4 per litre while leaving the rate of high-speed diesel unchanged for the next fortnight. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy's Petroleum Division, the price of motor spirit (petrol) has been reduced by Rs4 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel has been retained at Rs380.78 per litre. Following the reduction, petrol will now be available at Rs377.78 per litre. Read: Govt slashes petrol, HSD by Rs22 in 'Eid gift' for people This marks the fourth consecutive reduction in fuel prices in as many weeks. Last week, the government reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs22 per litre, describing the move as an “Eid gift” for the public. The latest reductions come months after a sharp surge in petroleum prices triggered by regional tensions. The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February, after which Tehran retaliated with strikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and pushing up international oil prices. As global oil prices surged, the government raised domestic fuel prices by more than 50pc. Petroleum product rates were increased twice during the first week of March, with the government stating that the hikes exceeded the increase in international market prices. The sharpest increase, however, was witnessed in April. In April, the government raised the petrol price by Rs137 per litre, taking it to a record Rs458.4 per litre. Days later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced an Rs80 per litre reduction in the petroleum levy on petrol, bringing its price down to Rs378 per litre. Last month, the government again increased the prices of both petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs26.77 per litre despite no corresponding increase in international rates, after imposing an additional levy of nearly Rs27 per litre on fuel. A week later, petroleum product prices were increased once again, pushing rates close to Rs400 per litre. Subsequently, the Petroleum Division issued another notification earlier this month, raising prices by nearly Rs15 per litre. Since then, however, the government has reduced petrol prices in successive revisions, saying the cuts were aimed at providing relief to the public and easing their financial burden.

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4.9 magnitude quake rattles Punjab, no damage reported

Strong earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore and several districts of Punjab on Friday after a 4.9 magnitude quake struck the region. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 4.9 on the Richter scale with its epicentre located in India, 37 kilometres from Kyelang. The tremors were felt in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and several other cities across Punjab, triggering concern as residents rushed out of homes and gathered in open areas. A spokesperson for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said no loss of life or property was reported in Punjab, adding that tremors were felt in Lahore and other districts. The spokesperson added that the epicentre was located in the Kashmir region, while the depth of the quake was recorded at 18 kilometres. Reports from across the border said strong tremors were also felt in India’s Chandigarh, Indian-occupied Kashmir, and several other cities in the region. Tremors were reported in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Noida, Ludhiana, Poonch, Srinagar, Udhampur and Dehradun, among other areas. Residents of high-rise buildings in Chandigarh’s sectors and adjoining areas of Mohali reported shaking lasting several seconds, with light fixtures swaying and household items rattling. People reportedly rushed out of buildings in panic. No casualties or structural damage were reported from Chandigarh, Mohali or Panchkula, while emergency services were placed on alert and authorities kept a close watch on the situation.

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Two sons of tribal elder gunned down in K-P's South Wazirsitan

Two sons of a well-known tribal elder were killed, and a passerby was injured when unidentified armed men opened fire on a motorcycle in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Lower South Waziristan on Friday. The deceased were identified as Naveed Wazir and Moinuddin Wazir, sons of Malik Jamil Wazir. According to police, the brothers were on their way from their home to the market when they were ambushed by the attackers, who fired indiscriminately before fleeing the scene. Wana Deputy Superintendent of Police Asghar Ali Shah confirmed that both victims died on the spot. The injured passerby, along with the bodies, was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana for treatment. Read: Constable killed by gunmen near his home in Lakki Marwat A case was registered at the City Police Station Wana and an investigation was launched. Police initiated a search operation to apprehend the attackers. Police sources noted that Malik and his family had been the targets of multiple attacks in the past. On September 9 last year, a remote-controlled bomb explosion near Kari Kot Bazaar killed one of his sons and injured Malik along with three others. Local tribal elders and community leaders strongly condemned the incident and urged the government and security forces to take immediate and effective measures to curb the rising wave of violence in the region and restore lasting peace. The region has witnessed a surge in targeted killings, bomb blasts, kidnappings for ransom, and attacks on security forces over the past 18 months, raising serious concerns among residents.

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Urbanisation driving rising temperatures'

Rapid urbanisation, shrinking green spaces and expanding concrete infrastructure have increased temperatures in Lahore over the past 25 years, according to an analysis by WWF-Pakistan based on satellite data, raising concerns about public health, energy demand and climate resilience. The study, which examined nighttime land surface temperature data from a NASA satellite between 2001 and 2025, found that built-up areas in the city have warmed considerably faster than vegetated zones. According to the findings, vegetated areas, including parks, agricultural land and green corridors, recorded a temperature increase of 2.16 degrees Celsius over the study period. In contrast, non-vegetated and built-up areas experienced a rise of 3.07 degrees, nearly 42 per cent faster than green spaces during the period. The report noted that the temperature gap between green and built-up surfaces widened from 0.25°C in 2001 to 1.16°C last year, highlighting the growing impact of the urban heat island effect across the city. The WWF-Pakistan said the phenomenon is particularly evident at night, when concrete and asphalt surfaces continue releasing heat accumulated during the day, preventing temperatures from dropping and reducing relief for residents. The analysis identified May as Lahore's most hazardous month due to extreme pre-monsoon heat. In the city's most urbanised areas, temperatures have been increasing by approximately 0.2°C annually during May, amounting to nearly 5°C of additional nighttime heat over 25 years. The study revealed that Lahore's climate has undergone a marked shift since the early 2000s. While summer temperatures previously peaked around 42–43°C, recent years have seen more frequent and intense heatwaves. The warming trend accelerated from an average increase of about 0.2°C per year during the first 15 years of the study period to nearly 0.3°C annually over the last decade. The urban heat island effect has also intensified, with densely built-up parts of Lahore now recording temperatures eight to 10 degrees Celsius higher than surrounding rural areas during summer afternoons. June has emerged as a particularly critical month. According to the report, maximum temperatures that generally ranged between 44°C and 45°C in the early 2000s have consistently exceeded 48°C in recent years. The city recorded an unprecedented temperature of 50.1°C in June 2022. Nighttime temperatures have also risen sharply, with minimum temperatures increasing from 28–29°C to 34–35°C over the period. The number of days each June with temperatures reaching or exceeding 45°C has climbed from three to four annually in the early 2000s to more than 12 in recent years. The report warned that prolonged periods of extreme heat, combined with warmer nights, pose serious health risks, particularly for outdoor workers, elderly people, children and low-income households without access to cooling systems. It added that rising temperatures are increasing electricity demand for cooling, placing additional pressure on power infrastructure while contributing to heat generation in urban areas. The WWF-Pakistan stressed that urban greening measures, including tree plantation, green roofs, public parks, roadside vegetation and the protection of peri-urban agricultural land, remain among the most cost-effective climate adaptation strategies available.

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