Month: August 2026

Hyderabad: The heavens opened in Hyderabad on Sunday morning, deluging most of the main roads and low-lying localities in addition to depriving the city of electric supply.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded 147 millimeter rainfall in 24 hours in Tandojam while the City, Latifabad and Qasimabad talukas received up to 58 mm of rain.

The urban towns of Tandojam were also partially or completely submerged, making movement of vehicles either difficult or impossible.

The Rescue 1122 shared photographs of pulling out vehicles stuck in water.

The railway underpass in Latifabad unit number 7 became immotorable with water level reaching 4 feet to 5 feet high.

Some of the stuck vehicles were pushed out of the water by men and others by tow trucks of the rescue. Even a passenger bus was stuck in the railway underpass near Giddu chowk.

The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) suspended electric supply to most of Hyderabad and by Sunday’s evening 66 feeders of 11 KV out of the total of 166 electric feeders of 11 KV in the district remained shut.

The HESCO’s spokesman Sadiq Kubar informed that the resumption would start once the field teams checked their respective areas for any fallen cables or transmission faults.

Mansehra: An 18-year-old girl went missing after she slipped and fell into a fast-flowing rain-fed stream at Bhutto Banda in Oghi on Saturday, prompting Rescue 1122 to launch an extensive search operation.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the victim, identified as the daughter of Amjad, was swept away by the strong current after losing her footing while near the stream.

Rescue 1122 Oghi teams reached the scene immediately after receiving the emergency call and began a search operation. On the instructions of District Emergency Officer Mansehra Abrar Ali, a specialized water rescue diver team from Rescue 1122 Mansehra was also dispatched to reinforce the operation and speed up the search efforts.

Rescue personnel, water rescue divers and trained volunteers are jointly taking part in the operation, while the girl’s family members remain at the site awaiting updates.

Officials said the search operation was continuing, with rescue teams utilizing all available resources to locate the missing girl.

Mirpur: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the leading party in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, securing eight of the 10 Pakistan-based refugee constituencies declared so far, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won two seats, while results for two constituencies were still awaited.

Polling for eight constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in Pakistan concluded on Sunday. Voting in Muzaffarabad Division was extended by one hour until 6:00 p. m. to facilitate voters, while polling at refugee polling stations across Pakistan ended at 5:00 p. m. , after which vote counting began. Polling in one Muzaffarabad Division constituency was postponed until Aug. 4 after polling staff and election material failed to reach the station on time, according to official sources.

According to the unofficial results received so far, PPP candidates Majid Khan (LA-40 Valley-I) and Asim Ghaffar Lone (LA-41 Valley-II) secured victories. The PML-N’s winning candidates include Syed Shaukat Shah (LA-42 Valley-III), Raja Muhammad Siddique (LA-39 Jammu-VI), Ahmed Raza Qadri (LA-44 Valley-V), Muhammad Yasin Lone (LA-43 Valley-IV), Maryam Javed (LA-37 Jammu-IV), Zeeshan Ali (LA-38 Jammu-V), Ahsan Raza (LA-36 Jammu-III) and Chaudhry Ismail Gujjar (LA-35 Jammu-II).

Although the preliminary results indicate a clear advantage for the PML-N in the refugee constituencies, the Election Commission is yet to issue the official notification of results. Polling remained largely peaceful across the constituencies, while supporters of the successful candidates celebrated after the announcement of initial results. Election authorities said the compilation of final results was still in progress.

Peshawar: In a humanitarian gesture, Pakistani authorities granted special permission for sick Afghan newborn and the child’s parents to enter Pakistan through the Torkham border crossing on Sunday.

According to officials, the family, who traveled from Jalalabad, Afghanistan was allowed to cross the border so the infant could receive urgent medical treatment.

The newborn was immediately shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, where doctors are providing the necessary medical care.

Officials said the decision was made purely on humanitarian grounds to ensure the infant receives timely and effective treatment, with every possible effort being made to save the child’s life.

The move is being regarded as an important example of humanitarian compassion and cross-border medical cooperation during difficult circumstances.

Mirpurkhas: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured one Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly refugee seat each in Mirpurkhas after polling concluded peacefully under tight security, officials said on Sunday.

Kashmiri migrant voters cast their ballots at a combined polling station established at the Government Comprehensive Higher Secondary School under the supervision of District Election Commissioner and Returning Officer Khalid Khan Lund. Police maintained strict security throughout the polling process, ensuring smooth and orderly voting.

In the LA-34 Kashmir Valley constituency, PPP candidate Aamir Abdul Ghaffar registered a decisive victory with 55 votes, defeating PML-N candidate Naeem Khan, who secured three votes. In the LA-40 Jammu constituency, PML-N candidate Nasir Hussain Dar won a closely fought contest with 21 votes against PPP candidate Chaudhry Abdul Qadeer Chauhan’s 19 votes.

A total of 60 votes were cast in LA-34, including 34 by men and 26 by women, while 40 votes were polled in LA-40, comprising 22 male and 18 female voters. Polling ended without any untoward incident. Senior leaders and workers of both the PPP and PML-N, including Sindh Minister for Tourism and Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah and other party representatives, were present at the polling station during the electoral process.

Mirpur (ajk): Member of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJK EC), Syed Nazeer-ul-Hassan Gilani on Sunday visited various polling stations in Constituency LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III to inspect polling arrangements and monitor the electoral process.

Gilani reviewed the polling process, facilities being provided to voters, and security arrangements at different polling stations. He expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of polling and the security measures put in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.

He directed polling staff to ensure that voting is conducted in a transparent, impartial, and well-organized manner so that voters can exercise their democratic right in a free and conducive environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Gilani said that holding free, fair, and transparent elections stands the top priority of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission, adding that all necessary measures have been taken to achieve this objective.

He said polling was continuing peacefully at various stations and that voters were participating enthusiastically in the electoral process. Gilani also appreciated the professional performance of the polling staff and security personnel, expressing satisfaction with the arrangements made for the elections.