National News

Pakistan Oil Sales August 2025 Jump 7% YoY
Economy, Finance, Market, Markets, National News

Pakistan Oil Sales August 2025 Jump 7%

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KARACHI: According to figures provided by Topline Securities, Pakistan’s total oil sales increased to 1.3 million tonnes in August, representing a 7 percent year-over-year (YoY) gain and a 6 percent increase over July.During the first two months of FY26 (July-August), cumulative oil sales amounted to 2.523 million tonnes, representing a 5 percent YoY increase.In August, sales of gasoline (motor spirit) totaled 675,000 tons, representing an 8% year-over-year increase and a 10% month-over-month (MoM) rise. Sales of gasoline increased by 6% from 1.216 million tons during the same period last year to 1.288 million tons during July and August. Analysts ascribed the rise to rising demand from the passenger car and two- and three-wheeler industries. Sales of high-speed diesel (HSD) also increased by double digits, going up 2.6 percent from 509,000 tonnes in July and 14 percent year-over-year in August to 522,000 tonnes from 456,000 tonnes.  Diesel sales in July and August totaled 1.031 million tonnes, a 12 percent increase over the 921,000 tonnes sold during the same time in 2024.  Furnace oil (FO) consumption, on the other hand, kept falling sharply.  From 65,000 tonnes in August 2024 to barely 19,000 tonnes in August, sales fell 71 percent year over year.  The amount of FO consumed in July was 15,000 tons.  FO sales fell 76 percent to 34,000 tonnes during the July–August period compared to 142,000 tonnes during the same period last year. Sales of furnace oil have dropped precipitously, indicating a continued trend away from FO-based power generation as cleaner and more affordable fuels become increasingly popular.

Heavy Rains in Islamabad PMD Issues Flood Alert for Nullah Lai
Disaster, National News, Pakistan, Safety

Heavy Rains Lash Islamabad, PMD Issues Flood Alert for Nullah Lai

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Heavy Rains Lash Islamabad, PMD Issues Flood Alert for Nullah Lai Islamabad was lashed by heavy rains on Monday, bringing relief from the scorching heat but also triggering concerns of urban flooding in several parts of the capital. The downpour, which began early in the morning, led to water accumulation on major roads, traffic disruptions, and severe inconvenience for commuters. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a flood alert for Nullah Lai, a seasonal stream that passes through the heart of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, warning residents of the adjoining areas to stay vigilant. According to PMD officials, the water levels in the nullah could rise rapidly if rainfall continues in the twin cities and surrounding catchment areas. City authorities, including the district administration and Rescue 1122 teams, have been put on high alert to deal with any possible emergency. Machinery has been deployed at vulnerable points, while municipal staff have been directed to ensure that drainage systems remain functional to minimize waterlogging. Local residents living along Nullah Lai have been urged to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary movement near flood-prone areas. Authorities also advised citizens to stay indoors during heavy showers, avoid driving through inundated roads, and follow updates shared by the PMD and disaster management agencies. Heavy monsoon rains are expected to continue in different parts of the country over the next 24 hours, with the PMD cautioning that the risk of flash floods and landslides remains high in northern regions as well.

Afghanistan earthquake,
Disaster, World

Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquakes over the past decade

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Major Earthquakes (2015–2025) Date Magnitude Location / Region Approx. Deaths Details October 26, 2015 7.5 Hindu Kush region (northeastern Afghanistan) ~117 in Afghanistan; ~272 total including Pakistan/India Al JazeeraAnadolu Ajansı One of Afghanistan’s strongest quakes in recent records. Anadolu AjansıWorlddata.info January 17, 2022 5.3 Qadis district, Badghis (western Afghanistan) ~26–30 Al JazeeraWikipedia Shallow quake; hundreds of homes destroyed, including damage to UNESCO’s Minaret of Jam. Wikipedia June 22, 2022 6.1–6.2 Eastern provinces: Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar ~1,036 in Afghanistan; also many injured Al JazeeraWikipedia Shallow, violent quake. Homes collapsed; widespread devastation. Wikipedia September 5, 2022 5.1 Kunar (near Jalalabad) ~18 deaths, ~42 injured Al JazeeraWikipedia Moderate damage in Kunar and neighboring areas. Wikipedia March 21, 2023 6.5 Badakhshan (northeast) ~21 in Afghanistan and Pakistan Al JazeeraWikipedia Intermediate depth; also affected neighboring Pakistan. Wikipedia October 2023 6.3 Herat province (western Afghanistan) ~1,480 to ~2,445 deaths Al JazeeraWikipediaBritish Red CrossAP News Series of quakes on Oct 7, 11, and 15. Massive destruction and casualties, up to ~9,420 injured. WikipediaBritish Red CrossAP News August 31, 2025 6.0 Eastern provinces: Kunar, Nangarhar, near Jalalabad 600–812+ deaths, 2,500–2,800+ injured Al JazeeraFinancial TimesThe Washington Post Quake struck at midnight. Landslides hampered rescue; entire villages destroyed; dire humanitarian crisis. Financial TimesThe Washington PostReuters Summary Strongest quake: October 2015 (M 7.5). Deadliest single-event: October 2023 (Herat quakes), with casualties ranging between roughly 1,480 and 2,445. Eastern region vulnerability: Repeated powerful quakes in Kunar, Nangarhar, and nearby areas—most recently in mid-2025—highlight persistent seismic risk. Shallow quakes: Events like those in June 2022 and January 2022 caused significant damage due to shallow depth and poor building resilience.

Viral Flood Reporter Pakistani
Disaster, Features, Viral, Women Empowerment

That viral flood reporter is employed by Bhai Bhai Channel rather than the BBC.

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In Pakistan, there is never a dull day. For example, a flood reporter who went viral for yelling on a boat was later revealed by the internet to be someone else entirely. Meet Mehrunnisa, the reporter who, while delivering her “live coverage” of the floods in Punjab from a tilting boat, had everyone holding their breath (and giggling a little). With the gravity of a real correspondent, she opened, “As you can see, the water pressure is rising,” but then broke character to squeal in terror: “Bohat dar lagrahi, kabhi ye iss side pe hoti kabhi us, balance nae hora humse (we are so scared, the boat is shifting to one side then to another, we can’t balance).” She concluded by making the utterly famous request, “Bas ap hamare liye dua karein guys (please just pray for us guys).” The internet became enamored at once. Numerous users exclaimed, “She’s adorable.” “Cutie, be careful,” one exclaimed. “Balance nahin ho raha hum se — she’s talking about life in Pakistan, not just the floods,” someone else said, adding a philosophical touch. However, when others started to see her mic branding, the lovefest took a different turn. Was this the newest celebrity reporter on BBC Urdu? Not exactly. It turned out that the “BBC” microphone she was carrying belonged to a different, similarly named channel called “BBC Urdu News Punjab TV,” rather than the British Broadcasting Corporation. We briefly believed that this might simply be an instance of a renegade intern. Quickly clearing the air, BBC Urdu said, “Nope, no connection, no affiliation, nada.” In a statement, the broadcaster cautioned viewers to avoid imposters and reminded everyone that if anything isn’t visible on their verified channels, it’s not them. Please refrain from cosplaying as us; I’m being courteous but stern.Their announcement, which was first in Urdu, stated, “We have discovered that a digital media company named BBC Urdu News Punjab TV is functioning in Pakistan under the BBC’s name.” “This organization has not been given permission to use the BBC’s name in this way, and the BBC has no affiliation with it or its reporters. Before putting their trust in any content produced under the BBC’s name, we ask viewers to confirm that it is present on the BBC’s official platforms.Mehrunnisa, however, had no intention of giving up. She boldly responded to the accusations in another widely shared video: “They say we copied BBC.” However, our BBC stands for Bhai Bhai Channel, while theirs is for British Broadcasting Corporation. Naturally, she gave it in the same adorable voice that made her famous. Users praised her confidence this time. We all wish we had that same level of confidence. Some also went over Momin Saqib’s famous remarks again.Apart from branding rip-offs, Mehrunnisa’s unwavering dedication to her position is undeniable. Accounts claiming to have put Mehrunnisa’s videos online “at the owner of ‘BBC Urdu News Punjab TV”s request” have disseminated them. Her boat-side coverage has already solidified its place in Pakistan’s Internet hall of fame, regardless of whether the “Bhai Bhai Channel” ever makes a comeback (as of right now, we are unable to locate their official accounts).

Disaster

Lahore, August 30, 2025, 12:15 AM PKT – NHA Chairman Orders Accelerated Flood-Damaged Road Repairs

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NHA flood road repairs National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shehryar Sultan ordered accelerated repairs of flood-damaged roads on August 29, 2025, following inspections of affected areas in Punjab, including Eastern Bypass Lahore Ravi Bridge and Chand Bridge Jhang. The directive aims to restore connectivity by mid-September. Sultan told NEN, “We’re mobilizing all resources for swift restoration.” Over 150 kilometers of highways, including sections of N-5, require urgent rehabilitation due to recent floods, with 200 engineers deployed . Coordination with PDMA has cleared 15 critical blockages since August 27. The NHA allocated Rs. 800 million for repairs, with machinery on high alert in Multan and Sialkot. Local communities praised the efforts but urged permanent flood defenses. “Connectivity is vital for recovery,” said a resident. Stay updated at nenagency.

Disaster, National News

Lahore, August 29, 2025, 02:46 AM PKT – Punjab Expands Flood Rescue Operations, 60,000 Evacuated

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Punjab’s Emergency Services Department (Rescue 1122) evacuated over 60,000 people by August 28, 2025, as flood rescue operations expanded across 15 districts, following the rescue of 51,129 reported earlier. The effort, intensified due to persistent monsoon rains, deployed 800 boats in affected areas. Secretary ESD Dr. Rizwan Naseer told NEN, “Our teams are working tirelessly to save lives.” Operations in Kasur, Sialkot, and Multan have shifted 8,000 families to 120 relief camps, with 45 boats added in Bahawalnagar. Army units assisted in clearing 30 blocked roads. The PDMA issued alerts for rising Sutlej and Chenab levels, urging residents to relocate. Crop damage assessments are underway, with Rs. 300 million allocated for immediate relief. “We’re ensuring no one is left behind,” said a PDMA official. Stay updated at nenagency.

Disaster, Domestic

Sargodha Flood Relief Intensifies as Chenab Flood Wave Peaks

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Sargodha, August 28, 2025, 11:13 AM PKT – Sargodha Flood Relief Intensifies as Chenab Flood Wave Peaks The district administration in Sargodha intensified relief operations on August 28, 2025, as a 1 million cusec flood wave in the River Chenab passed through Kot Momin, following a peak flow of 1,017,000 cusecs recorded at Qadirabad. Over 3,500 residents and 2,000 livestock have been evacuated to safer areas. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Wasim told NEN, “We’re ensuring no loss of life with comprehensive relief measures.” Relief camps are providing food and medical aid, with the Pakistan Army assisting in 12 flood-affected villages near Kot Momin . Water levels are expected to recede by August 30, but vigilance remains high. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported medium flood levels at Marala and Khanki, urging residents to follow alerts. Local farmers expressed concerns over crop losses, with a damage assessment planned for September. “We’re committed to recovery,” said DPO Sohaib Ashraf. Stay updated at nenagency.

Disaster, National News

NDMA Reports Progress in Sutlej Flood Relief, Plans Crop Damage Audit

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Sutlej flood relief Islamabad, August 27, 2025, 01:02 AM PKT – NDMA Reports Progress in Sutlej Flood Relief, Plans Crop Damage Audit The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported significant progress in relief efforts for over 190,000 evacuees from flood-hit Sutlej areas, with 67 relief camps operational in Punjab as of August 26, 2025. The update follows large-scale evacuations prompted by heavy rainfall and India’s water releases from the Bhakra Dam. NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider told NEN, “Our focus is on sustaining relief and assessing damages. ” Camps in Bahawalnagar, Kasur, and Okara provide food, medical aid, and shelter, with 38 medical and 46 veterinary camps treating over 2,600 people and 17,000 livestock. The NDMA plans a crop damage audit by September 5, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Punjab until August 31, raising concerns for areas like Vehari and Pakpattan, where 75 villages are inundated . The NDMA urged residents to use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app for updates. “We’re committed to recovery,” said Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed. Stay updated at nenagency.

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