ISLAMABAD, AUG 1: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review the loss of life and property caused by the recent monsoon in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to details surfaced on Friday, the prime minister expressed deep regret over the casualties and damages resulting from the current monsoon season, particularly in the northern regions, and confirmed that the federal government stood in full solidarity with the affected administrations and citizens.

During the meeting, the prime minister directed immediate relief operations in the impacted areas and announced an upcoming visit to Gilgit-Baltistan to express support for the local population. He confirmed that a financial relief package would be provided by the federal government to address the losses.

The prime minister instructed all relevant federal agencies to work jointly with the administrations of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to assess the extent of the damage. He also issued a directive to strengthen the Meteorological Department’s early warning system on an emergency basis and prioritise road restoration efforts.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed the meeting, reporting that the ongoing monsoon season had claimed 295 lives across the country and left over 700 individuals injured. More than 1,600 homes had been completely destroyed and 376 livestock lost.

According to the briefing, the recent rainfall had caused severe flooding in rivers and streams. Low-level flooding was expected at Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa and Kalabagh, while medium-level flooding was likely at Head Marala and Guddu on the River Chenab.

The NDMA warned that the monsoon could intensify by the end of August and confirmed that precautionary arrangements were under way.

Meanwhile, the prime minister directed that rescue operations in affected areas must prioritise the prevention of further loss of life and property. He stressed the importance of repairing communication routes and restoring infrastructure in coordination with local and federal authorities.

Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the NDMA, delivered the detailed briefing. The meeting was attended by Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister Dr Musadik Malik; Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and senior officials.

India failed to achieve strategic aims in May attacks, says spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan

Saifullah Ansar

ISLAMABAD, AUG 1 /DNA/ – Pakistan on Friday dismissed India’s claims regarding “Operation Mahadev” as meaningless, asserting that the narrative holds no importance in Islamabad’s view.

During the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement was based on “lies and fictional storytelling”.

He stressed that Pakistan categorically rejects India’s nuclear blackmailing rhetoric and the strategic relevance attached to the so-called Operation Mahadev.

Indian Home Minister Shah, earlier this week, claimed before the parliament that Indian security forces recovered Pakistani voter identity cards and locally made chocolates from three men killed in a gun battle in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who, according to him, were involved in the Pahalgam attack.

The spokesperson described Indian political leaders’ remarks in the Lok Sabha concerning Operation Sindoor as baseless and provocative, saying that New Delhi is distorting facts and attempting to justify unprovoked aggression.

He also condemned the Indian attack carried out on the night of May 6 and 7 without any investigation into the Pahalgam incident.

He said the attack resulted in the martyrdom of innocent civilians, and India completely failed to achieve its strategic objectives. “Pakistan responded decisively by targeting Indian aircraft and assets,” he noted.

He added that Pakistan had proposed a transparent and independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which India rejected. “Instead of cooperating, India chose the path of aggression, unilaterally becoming judge, jury and executioner,” he said.

Khan urged Indian leaders to admit their losses and recognise the need for third-party involvement in such matters. “In May 2025, Pakistan gave a robust and successful military response to Indian aggression,” he reiterated.

Rejecting India’s narrative of a “new normal”, Khan said Pakistan sees mutual respect for sovereignty and the UN Charter as the only foundation for bilateral relations.

He also criticised Indian leaders’ statements about the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them unfounded and in violation of international obligations. “India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty is an affront to global agreements,” he said, adding that India’s pride in unlawful actions is regrettable.

Khan slammed India for spreading disinformation, inciting war hysteria, and destabilising the region through inflammatory rhetoric. In contrast, Pakistan, he emphasised, seeks regional peace, stability, and meaningful dialogue.

On the Pahalgam incident, he pointed out that the suspects had been eliminated even before India’s parliamentary debate began, exposing the hollowness of the Indian narrative.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 1 /DNA/ – Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), as the operator of the TAY Exploration License with a 95% working interest, along with its joint venture partner, Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), which holds a 5% carried interest, has announced an oil discovery at the Chakar-1 exploratory well located in the Tando Allah Yar district of Sindh.

The Chakar-1 well was spudded on June 2, 2025, as an exploratory well under the Tando Allah Yar Exploration License and drilled to a total depth of 1,926 meters into the Upper Shale of the Lower Goru Formation. Based on the interpretation of wireline logs and Reservoir Evaluation Services (RES) log, a Drill Stem Test (DST) was conducted in the B-Sand, followed by testing with an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP).

The well produced 275 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) through a 32/64″ choke at a wellhead flowing pressure (WHFP) of 400 psi. Furthermore, during formation testing using RES, the Lower Ranikot formation also showed the presence of oil. A second DST/ESP is currently underway to further evaluate its hydrocarbon potential.

This marks the 13th discovery in the TAY Exploration License and underscores the joint venture’s continued efforts to assess and unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the block and developing the country’s energy resources. The positive results to date strengthen confidence in the geological prospectivity of the area and support ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts in the block to further delineate its resource base. OGDCL is committed to contributing to Pakistan’s energy security through sustained exploration and development efforts.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has slashed petrol price by Rs7.54 for the next fortnight, effective August 1, the Finance Division said on Thursday.

In a notification, the Finance Division said that after the decrease, the petrol price has been lowered to Rs264.61 per litre.

Meanwhile, the rate of diesel was increased by Rs1.48 per litre, pushing the price of the petroleum product to Rs285.83 per litre, the notification added.

The decision was taken following a review of prevailing international market trends and upon the recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and relevant ministries, a statement from the division said.

In the previous fortnight, the price of petrol increased by Rs5.36 per litre, while the price of diesel rose by Rs11.37 per litre.

Petrol powers small vehicles, rickshaws, and bikes, making price hikes especially hard on middle- and lower-income households who depend on it for daily commuting.

In contrast, a substantial portion of the transport sector depends on high-speed diesel. Its price is considered inflationary due to its widespread use in trucks, buses, trains, and farm machinery, such as tractors and tube wells.

The increased cost of high-speed diesel directly contributes to the rising prices of vegetables and other essential food items.

GWADAR, AUG 1 /DNA/ – New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is set to restore two commercial flights on August 4.

Currently, NGIA has been operating only one Karachi–Gwadar flight per week over the past few months.

Previously, two Karachi–Gwadar flights had been suspended. With their reactivation, three flights will now operate on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The restoration plan was initiated after Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Noor ul Haq and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Javed Anwar Ch pleaded the case during a meeting held in Islamabad on July 30, Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

Recently, the government earmarked Rs. 4 billion for NGIA under the PSDP 2025–26. The total cost of the project stands at Rs. 54.98 billion, with Rs. 42.71 billion already spent.

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official described this as a significant stage of growth for NGIA, noting that the restoration of flight operations will boost passenger traffic.

Additional commercial flights are also expected, as multiple private airlines, including Fly Jinnah, Air Sial, Airblue, and Serene Air, have submitted applications to launch services at NGIA, he added.

An Air Sial representative highlighted the various benefits of NGIA, such as exemptions from landing, parking, and housing charges, making it an attractive destination for airlines seeking profitable opportunities.