In the latest, Russian Strikes on Ukraine's residential complex led to at&nbsp;least three deaths and more than 20 people being wounded when a Russian rocket struck a residential building in the center of Kramatorsk, located in Ukraine's eastern industrial region of Donetsk. In the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the police have arrested a government school teacher-turned-terrorist and recovered a perfume bottle bomb from him.&nbsp; In other news, ed-tech firm BYJU'S conducted another round of layoffs, slashing almost 900 jobs.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines for more.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-on-ukrainian-residential-building-kill-three-kyiv-calls-for-more-sanctions-on-moscow-558309">Russian strikes on Ukrainian residential building kill three; Kyiv calls for more sanctions on Moscow</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4b45d650-1b7f-427e-acfa-b744bf1729fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/AOT3WOSVFNKD3IRIPLD5VJCX7A.jpg" />

Ukraine claimed on Thursday (February 2) that an overnight Russian missile strikes destroyed an apartment building and damaged nine others. The Ukrainian authorities said that at least people were killed and around 20 people were wounded.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-jk-police-recover-perfume-bomb-for-the-first-time-lashker-terrorist-arrested-558202">India: J&amp;K police recover ‘perfume bomb’ for the first time, from arrested Lashkar terrorist</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="493192a2-013d-482a-bafe-615c8e7d1f80" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/narwal-blast-pti-sixteen_nine.jpg" />

n India, the Jammu and Kashmir police has for the first time recovered a 'perfume IED' in the Union Territory. While investigating the January 21 IED blast at Narwal in Jammu, the police achieved a breakthrough and arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist who is alleged to be involved in the twin blasts and recovered a 'Perfume IED' from him.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/adani-group-crisis-live-updates-market-losses-cross-usd-100-billion-mark-558222">Adani Group crisis LIVE updates: Brother of UK ex-PM resigns as director of Adani-linked firm</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4fff5ffa-3872-44ed-966b-b8261e7f9625" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1674817095_05T8nh_Adani.jpeg" />

Hindenburg Research, the financial research firm with an explosive name and a track record of sending the stock prices of its targets tumbling, is taking on one of the world's richest men.

Hindenburg is back in the headlines after last week accusing Indian conglomerate Adani Group of "a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme."&nbsp;It cited two years of research, including talks with former Adani senior executives and reviews of thousands of documents.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/byjus-cuts-more-than-900-jobs-across-teams-senior-management-executives-asked-to-step-down-too-558238">BYJU'S cuts more than 900 jobs across teams, senior executives asked to step down too</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c0b27778-06d7-477e-a390-85a34f64278a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/29874c1e12c407eaebb59a96383906441670406649345586_original.jpg" />

Edtech unicorn BYJU'S&nbsp;has begun a fresh round of layoffs, putting almost 900&nbsp;plus employees from various teams and functions in jeopardy, as reported by YourStory. Under the condition of anonymity, three people from the organisation said that the layoffs have mostly affected the marketing, design, logistics, and technology departments in India as well as the product teams in the international business.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/peshawar-mosque-bomber-was-in-police-uniform-khyber-pashtunkhwa-police-chief-says-558135">Peshawar mosque bomber was in police uniform, Khyber Pashtunkhwa police chief says</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ee039a9-c23e-42fe-a4b1-6033ea5007ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/peshawar-mosque-blast-in-pakistan-97442891_1.jpg" />

The suicide bomber who attacked a mosque in Peshawar this week has been identified, the provincial police chief said on Thursday. He said that the attacker was wearing a police uniform and this is what helped him breach the security.&nbsp;The police chief also confirmed that a&nbsp;severed head that the police found at the blast site was of the attacker.

More than 100 people died in the suicide bomb attack which took place on Monday in a heavily fortified area called Police Lines. All but three of the deceased were policemen.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uk-bank-of-england-hikes-interest-rates-for-tenth-consecutive-time-amid-recession-558265">UK: Bank of England hikes interest rates for 10th consecutive time amid recession</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2aed3ee4-c6af-4c27-91b7-1a4aa94ee178" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IRYXWCJ5CNJPJBCEMVX65TB274_0.jpg" />

The Bank of England increased interest rates on Thursday (Feb 2), in the midst of a recession, for the tenth&nbsp;time in a row, to the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with a warning that more hikes may be necessary to combat inflation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/shell-makes-record-40-billion-profit-in-2022-faces-criticism-558293">Shell makes record $40 billion profit in 2022, faces criticism</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46599f1d-5313-4d94-a929-e5e8f5c11ae4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/retail-station-canopy-with-shell-logo.jpeg" />

British multinational oil and gas company Shell made a record $40 billion profit last year, as Russia's offensive in Ukraine sent oil and gas prices soaring. According to an earnings statement on Thursday (February 2), the post-tax figure was more than double the amount achieved in 2021. A report by the news agency Reuters said the annual profit was $39.9 billion, far exceeding the previous record of $31 billion in 2008. The gains were driven by higher oil and gas prices, robust refining margins and a strong performance from the company's trading business.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-attends-tyre-nicholss-funeral-558213">US Vice President Kamala Harris attends Tyre Nichols's funeral</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="763f5e35-fcc3-4e1b-b5b1-1cd343aaa6e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/63daccad2400005c003a9198.jpeg" />

US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the funeral for Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, offering comfort to the family of the 29-year-old motorist who died three days after he was beaten by officers last month.

At the funeral, civil rights leaders and family members called for an end to recurring police violence against Black Americans. Talking about Tyre, his family members said that he was a young man who loved photography and skateboarding.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-directly-involved-in-nord-stream-blasts-claims-lavrov-558263">US directly involved in Nord Stream blasts, claims Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="485ac199-37fa-4352-bb2b-a3f21798c9e0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2020_12%24largeimg_889609459.jpeg" />

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (February 2) accused the United States of having been directly involved in Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions. He was speaking in an interview on state TV and he offered no evidence to substantiate his claims. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had accused Britain of blowing up the pipelines. The accusation was denied promptly by the UK then.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-united-player-mason-greenwood-has-rape-assault-charges-dropped-against-him-558311">Manchester United player Mason Greenwood has rape, assault charges dropped against him</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="029ee4de-686a-4a8b-a07d-b0c0e1366b40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/TELEMMGLPICT000204301698_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqLiZnSJs8x6dOfuqFtiWqEdp_NH0a8qJwr2wHs4Tsf0o.jpeg" />

Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has had&nbsp;all charges of&nbsp;attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped, a little more than a year after his arrest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Greater Manchester Police said all the judicial proceedings against the 21-year-old had been discontinued.&nbsp;

"Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man, who had been arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, no longer faces criminal proceedings in relation to this," said&nbsp;Michaela Kerr, GMP's head of Public Protection.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-expert-reveals-why-some-people-suffer-from-distorted-vision-while-driving-558283">Expert reveals why some people suffer from distorted vision while driving</a>

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d49eedd-a8cc-49b2-b242-bd91d9325a9a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/b4670467-4e2a-45cf-9697-fc160537ca7b.jpg" />

A lot of people face issues with distorted vision during and after driving vehicles. The issues related to eyes and vision are quite common and often get neglected. The constant negligence will have consequences from serious problems with vision and subsequently road accidents.&nbsp;

A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year in June, stated that approximately 1.3 million people die every year as a result of a road traffic crash and millions suffer non-fatal critical injuries.&nbsp;

In the latest, Russian Strikes on Ukraine's residential complex led to at least three deaths and more than 20 people being wounded when a Russian rocket struck a residential building in the center of Kramatorsk, located in Ukraine's eastern industrial region of Donetsk.

In the latest, Russian Strikes on Ukraine's residential complex led to at least three deaths and more than 20 people being wounded when a Russian rocket struck a residential building in the center of Kramatorsk, located in Ukraine's eastern industrial region of Donetsk. In the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the police have arrested a government school teacher-turned-terrorist and recovered a perfume bottle bomb from him. In other news, ed-tech firm BYJU'S conducted another round of layoffs, slashing almost 900 jobs. Click on the headlines for more. Russian strikes on Ukrainian residential building kill three; Kyiv calls for more sanctions on Moscow Ukraine claimed on Thursday (February 2) that an overnight Russian missile strikes destroyed an apartment building and damaged nine others. The Ukrainian authorities said that at least people were killed and around 20 people were wounded. India: J&K police recover ‘perfume bomb’ for the first time, from arrested Lashkar terrorist n India, the Jammu and Kashmir police has for the first time recovered a 'perfume IED' in the Union Territory. While investigating the January 21 IED blast at Narwal in Jammu, the police achieved a breakthrough and arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist who is alleged to be involved in the twin blasts and recovered a 'Perfume IED' from him. Adani Group crisis LIVE updates: Brother of UK ex-PM resigns as director of Adani-linked firm Hindenburg Research, the financial research firm with an explosive name and a track record of sending the stock prices of its targets tumbling, is taking on one of the world's richest men. Hindenburg is back in the headlines after last week accusing Indian conglomerate Adani Group of "a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme." It cited two years of research, including talks with former Adani senior executives and reviews of thousands of documents. BYJU'S cuts more than 900 jobs across teams, senior executives asked to step down too Edtech unicorn BYJU'S has begun a fresh round of layoffs, putting almost 900 plus employees from various teams and functions in jeopardy, as reported by YourStory. Under the condition of anonymity, three people from the organisation said that the layoffs have mostly affected the marketing, design, logistics, and technology departments in India as well as the product teams in the international business. Peshawar mosque bomber was in police uniform, Khyber Pashtunkhwa police chief says The suicide bomber who attacked a mosque in Peshawar this week has been identified, the provincial police chief said on Thursday. He said that the attacker was wearing a police uniform and this is what helped him breach the security. The police chief also confirmed that a severed head that the police found at the blast site was of the attacker. More than 100 people died in the suicide bomb attack which took place on Monday in a heavily fortified area called Police Lines. All but three of the deceased were policemen. UK: Bank of England hikes interest rates for 10th consecutive time amid recession The Bank of England increased interest rates on Thursday (Feb 2), in the midst of a recession, for the tenth time in a row, to the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with a warning that more hikes may be necessary to combat inflation. Shell makes record $40 billion profit in 2022, faces criticism British multinational oil and gas company Shell made a record $40 billion profit last year, as Russia's offensive in Ukraine sent oil and gas prices soaring. According to an earnings statement on Thursday (February 2), the post-tax figure was more than double the amount achieved in 2021. A report by the news agency Reuters said the annual profit was $39.9 billion, far exceeding the previous record of $31 billion in 2008. The gains were driven by higher oil and gas prices, robust refining margins and a strong performance from the company's trading business. US Vice President Kamala Harris attends Tyre Nichols's funeral US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the funeral for Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, offering comfort to the family of the 29-year-old motorist who died three days after he was beaten by officers last month. At the funeral, civil rights leaders and family members called for an end to recurring police violence against Black Americans. Talking about Tyre, his family members said that he was a young man who loved photography and skateboarding. US directly involved in Nord Stream blasts, claims Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (February 2) accused the United States of having been directly involved in Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions. He was speaking in an interview on state TV and he offered no evidence to substantiate his claims. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had accused Britain of blowing up the pipelines. The accusation was denied promptly by the UK then. Manchester United player Mason Greenwood has rape, assault charges dropped against him Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped, a little more than a year after his arrest. Greater Manchester Police said all the judicial proceedings against the 21-year-old had been discontinued. "Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man, who had been arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, no longer faces criminal proceedings in relation to this," said Michaela Kerr, GMP's head of Public Protection. Expert reveals why some people suffer from distorted vision while driving A lot of people face issues with distorted vision during and after driving vehicles. The issues related to eyes and vision are quite common and often get neglected. The constant negligence will have consequences from serious problems with vision and subsequently road accidents. A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year in June, stated that approximately 1.3 million people die every year as a result of a road traffic crash and millions suffer non-fatal critical injuries.

Top 10 world news: Russia strikes Ukrainian residential complex killing at least three, & more

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received a special message from Russian President Vladimir Putin after he reportedly said that Moscow sees Islamabad as a key partner in South Asia and the Islamic world.

Vladimir Putin calls Pakistan 'a key partner' after latter decides to buy oil, gas from Moscow

A World Bank report says Pakistan's economy is the weakest in South Asia. The country's forex reserves are shrinking, the rupee is at an all-time low. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas | World Bank: Pak's economy is weakest in South Asia

In a bitterly cold bedroom at the start of winter in Kabul, 22-year Maryam sat with her baby son bundled up in a red jumper as he coughed days after being discharged for the third time from a hospital ward for suspected pneumonia.&nbsp;Every time 10 months old Rahmat's parents bring him home from the crowded, but the warmer hospital, they say he gets sick again. The parents say they spend whatever they can from their shrinking income for heating the room as the temperature&nbsp;drops below freezing at night.

"I am scared, it is only the beginning of winter, what is going to happen," asked Maryam, saying the family could only buy coal in small quantities and had to cut back on food to afford even that after her husband lost his construction job.

The family is among many in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;unable to afford adequate heating, often having to choose between food and fuel as an economic crisis grips the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/multiple-blasts-rock-afghanistans-kabul-city-fatalities-feared-report-549496">Also read |&nbsp;Multiple blasts rock Afghanistan’s Kabul city, fatalities feared: Report</a>

Doctors and aid workers say thousands of children are being admitted to hospital with pneumonia and other respiratory diseases caused by the cold and malnutrition.

The crisis, aid agencies say, is likely to get worse. A ban on female NGO workers has led to over 180 international organisations suspending operations in the crucial winter months, saying they are unable to operate in the conservative country without female staff to reach out to women and children.

Even before that, more than half the population was reliant on humanitarian aid after the economic shock precipitated by the 2021 Taliban takeover caused&nbsp;Afghanistan's GDP to shrink by 20 per cent&nbsp;last year.

Afghanistan&nbsp;has been hit by a cut in development spending by foreign governments, an enforcement of Western sanctions and the freezing of the country's central bank assets that has severely hampered the banking system.

"Our patients have increased compared to the past, the main reason is the economy," said Mohammad Arif Hassanzai, head of internal medicine at Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Kabul.

Hospital figures showed more than 6,700 children were admitted in November for pneumonia, cough, asthma and other respiratory conditions, compared to around 3,700 the same month the previous year.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which supports several hospitals in&nbsp;Afghanistan, said even before the winter months, it had seen a 50 per cent&nbsp;increase of children under five admitted for pneumonia in 2022 compared to the previous year.

"People have been dying of pneumonia this year, including children," said Lucien Christen, ICRC's spokesperson in Kabul, adding that malnutrition was contributing to children's weakened immune systems.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan denies conducting airstrikes on TTP bases in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-denies-conducting-airstrikes-on-ttp-bases-in-afghanistan-549846/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Aid workers said pollution also worsened this year as more people burned garbage and plastic for heat.

In a ward dedicated to pneumonia patients at the hospital, two or three babies lay on a bed, with worried parents and a handful of stretched medical staff overseeing them. Some mothers held tiny oxygen masks to infants' faces, while fathers crammed the corridors outside.

Suddenly a clamour broke out. A one-month-old baby, Mohammad, stopped breathing and his lips were turning blue. His panic-stricken uncle, holding the child in a green blanket, was directed to a specialised emergency unit two floors below. He dashed downstairs, as the baby's mother ran behind in tears.

In the high-dependency unit, Mohammad was put on oxygen support. The doctor said he was in critical condition and would take five days to stabilise.

His mother remained at the baby's bedside. Her husband had lost his job and they could not afford heating, she said. Watching her son stop breathing, she said, "It felt like my own heart had stopped."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

In a bitterly cold bedroom at the start of winter in Kabul, 22-year Maryam sat with her baby son bundled up in a red jumper as he coughed days after being discharged for the third time from a hospital ward for suspected pneumonia.

In a bitterly cold bedroom at the start of winter in Kabul, 22-year Maryam sat with her baby son bundled up in a red jumper as he coughed days after being discharged for the third time from a hospital ward for suspected pneumonia. Every time 10 months old Rahmat's parents bring him home from the crowded, but the warmer hospital, they say he gets sick again. The parents say they spend whatever they can from their shrinking income for heating the room as the temperature drops below freezing at night. "I am scared, it is only the beginning of winter, what is going to happen," asked Maryam, saying the family could only buy coal in small quantities and had to cut back on food to afford even that after her husband lost his construction job. The family is among many in Afghanistan unable to afford adequate heating, often having to choose between food and fuel as an economic crisis grips the country. Also read | Multiple blasts rock Afghanistan’s Kabul city, fatalities feared: Report Doctors and aid workers say thousands of children are being admitted to hospital with pneumonia and other respiratory diseases caused by the cold and malnutrition. The crisis, aid agencies say, is likely to get worse. A ban on female NGO workers has led to over 180 international organisations suspending operations in the crucial winter months, saying they are unable to operate in the conservative country without female staff to reach out to women and children. Even before that, more than half the population was reliant on humanitarian aid after the economic shock precipitated by the 2021 Taliban takeover caused Afghanistan's GDP to shrink by 20 per cent last year. Afghanistan has been hit by a cut in development spending by foreign governments, an enforcement of Western sanctions and the freezing of the country's central bank assets that has severely hampered the banking system. "Our patients have increased compared to the past, the main reason is the economy," said Mohammad Arif Hassanzai, head of internal medicine at Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Kabul. Hospital figures showed more than 6,700 children were admitted in November for pneumonia, cough, asthma and other respiratory conditions, compared to around 3,700 the same month the previous year. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which supports several hospitals in Afghanistan, said even before the winter months, it had seen a 50 per cent increase of children under five admitted for pneumonia in 2022 compared to the previous year. "People have been dying of pneumonia this year, including children," said Lucien Christen, ICRC's spokesperson in Kabul, adding that malnutrition was contributing to children's weakened immune systems. Watch | Pakistan denies conducting airstrikes on TTP bases in Afghanistan Aid workers said pollution also worsened this year as more people burned garbage and plastic for heat. In a ward dedicated to pneumonia patients at the hospital, two or three babies lay on a bed, with worried parents and a handful of stretched medical staff overseeing them. Some mothers held tiny oxygen masks to infants' faces, while fathers crammed the corridors outside. Suddenly a clamour broke out. A one-month-old baby, Mohammad, stopped breathing and his lips were turning blue. His panic-stricken uncle, holding the child in a green blanket, was directed to a specialised emergency unit two floors below. He dashed downstairs, as the baby's mother ran behind in tears. In the high-dependency unit, Mohammad was put on oxygen support. The doctor said he was in critical condition and would take five days to stabilise. His mother remained at the baby's bedside. Her husband had lost his job and they could not afford heating, she said. Watching her son stop breathing, she said, "It felt like my own heart had stopped." WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Afghan hospital wards full with children suffering from pneumonia

Amid growing tensions between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States has, in a rare move, backed Islamabad, remarking that the nation has the right to "defend" itself from terrorists.&nbsp;Speaking to the press on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said:&nbsp;"We're aware of the recent statement by the Pakistani National Security Committee. The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism."

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism, says U.S.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-has-a-right-to-defend-itself-from-terrorism-says-us-549238/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Recent days have witnessed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The already-strained relationship was exacerbated when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah&nbsp;proclaimed that Pakistan may target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts on Afghanistan soil.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-says-will-target-ttp-on-afghan-soil-taliban-says-things-can-be-resolved-by-dialogue-548657">Pakistan says will target TTP on Afghan soil, Taliban say would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate</a>

Predictably, the Taliban&nbsp;rule in Afghanistan did not take the remark lightly, and warned Pakistan that its officials should "use caution" while speaking.

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the group would not allow anyone to attack the Islamic Emirate, adding that the nation wants good relations with Pakistan and that such "baseless talks and provocative ideas" are not in the interest of any side.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-issue-stark-warning-as-ttp-forms-new-cabinet-to-challenge-pakistan-govt-548567">Taliban issue stark warning as TTP forms 'new cabinet' to challenge Pakistan govt</a>

However, Washington as per reports, supports what was said by Pakistani top officials.

White House spokesperson Ned Price remarked that the Taliban has been "unable or unwilling" to fulfil its commitment and called on the group to "uphold the very commitment they have made to see to it that Afghan soil is never again used as a launchpad for international terrorist attacks".

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Amid growing tensions between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States has, in a rare move, backed Islamabad, remarking that the nation has the right to "defend" itself from terrorists.

Amid growing tensions between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States has, in a rare move, backed Islamabad, remarking that the nation has the right to "defend" itself from terrorists. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said: "We're aware of the recent statement by the Pakistani National Security Committee. The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism." Watch | Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism, says U.S. Recent days have witnessed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The already-strained relationship was exacerbated when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah proclaimed that Pakistan may target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts on Afghanistan soil. Also read | Pakistan says will target TTP on Afghan soil, Taliban say would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate Predictably, the Taliban rule in Afghanistan did not take the remark lightly, and warned Pakistan that its officials should "use caution" while speaking. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the group would not allow anyone to attack the Islamic Emirate, adding that the nation wants good relations with Pakistan and that such "baseless talks and provocative ideas" are not in the interest of any side. Also read | Taliban issue stark warning as TTP forms 'new cabinet' to challenge Pakistan govt However, Washington as per reports, supports what was said by Pakistani top officials. White House spokesperson Ned Price remarked that the Taliban has been "unable or unwilling" to fulfil its commitment and called on the group to "uphold the very commitment they have made to see to it that Afghan soil is never again used as a launchpad for international terrorist attacks". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban 'unable or unwilling’ to fulfil commitments, Pakistan has the right to defend itself: US

China is keenly looking at increasing its stakes in South Asia and now Nepal is on its radar. Sources say a high-level Chinese delegation will be visiting Kathmandu next week, and the focus of their visit will be the belt and road initiative.

WION Dispatch | Sources: China-Nepal to meet on belt and road initiative

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a recent interview with a Pakistani news channel said that Islamabad may target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts on Afghanistani soil. Reacting to the statement the Taliban government on Sunday said it would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate.

Talking to a news channel Rana said "When these problems arise, we first ask Afghanistan, our Islamic brother nation, to eliminate these hideouts and hand over these individuals to us, but if that doesn't happen, what you mentioned is possible.”

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan Army Chief calls for national consensus; Forex reserves of Pakistan at 8-year low

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-calls-for-national-consensus-forex-reserves-of-pakistan-at-8-year-low-548459/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan and especially in the past couple of months, Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism incidents mostly in the Khyber Pkahtwnka and Balochistan.

According to the statistics by an Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), compared to November in December 2022 the number of militant attacks increased by 44 per cent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-army-chief-urges-national-consensus-to-fight-terrorism-challenges-and-economy-crisis-548503">Pakistan army chief urges ‘national consensus’ to fight terrorism challenges, economy crisis</a>

Responding to Rana, as per Geo TV, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that they would not allow anyone to attack Afghanistan, adding that the nation wants good relations with Pakistan and Islamabad's officials should use caution while speaking.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-issue-stark-warning-as-ttp-forms-new-cabinet-to-challenge-pakistan-govt-548567">Taliban issue stark warning as TTP forms 'new cabinet' to challenge Pakistan govt</a>

"No country has the right to attack another nation's territory. There is no legislation in the world that permits such a transgression. If anyone has any worries, they should share them with the Islamic Emirate since it has sufficient forces and can take action," he said.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense too said that Pakistan's remarks are baseless and provocative and that any dispute should be resolved by dialogue.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a recent interview with a Pakistani news channel said that Islamabad may target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts on Afghanistani soil.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a recent interview with a Pakistani news channel said that Islamabad may target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts on Afghanistani soil. Reacting to the statement the Taliban government on Sunday said it would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate. Talking to a news channel Rana said "When these problems arise, we first ask Afghanistan, our Islamic brother nation, to eliminate these hideouts and hand over these individuals to us, but if that doesn't happen, what you mentioned is possible.” Watch | Pakistan Army Chief calls for national consensus; Forex reserves of Pakistan at 8-year low Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan and especially in the past couple of months, Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism incidents mostly in the Khyber Pkahtwnka and Balochistan. According to the statistics by an Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), compared to November in December 2022 the number of militant attacks increased by 44 per cent. Also read | Pakistan army chief urges ‘national consensus’ to fight terrorism challenges, economy crisis Responding to Rana, as per Geo TV, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that they would not allow anyone to attack Afghanistan, adding that the nation wants good relations with Pakistan and Islamabad's officials should use caution while speaking. Also read | Taliban issue stark warning as TTP forms 'new cabinet' to challenge Pakistan govt "No country has the right to attack another nation's territory. There is no legislation in the world that permits such a transgression. If anyone has any worries, they should share them with the Islamic Emirate since it has sufficient forces and can take action," he said. The Afghan Ministry of Defense too said that Pakistan's remarks are baseless and provocative and that any dispute should be resolved by dialogue. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan says will target TTP on Afghan soil, Taliban say would not let anyone attack Islamic Emirate

Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability.&nbsp;The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Sharif government's focus&nbsp;on growth for the fiscal year 2023 might result in a fall in growth overall as it failed to bring price stability with financial stability, it said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-punjab-governor-denotifies-cm-with-immediate-effect-545813">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan: Punjab governor denotifies CM Elahi with 'immediate effect', Lahore HC reinstates him</a>

In its report, 'State of the Economy of the fiscal year FY22',&nbsp;the State Bank of Pakistan anticipated that the economic growth for FY23 will be lower than what was expected. It added that the growth rate will remain less than three or four per cent.

The fall in growth has resulted in mass layoffs of hundreds of people from the trade and industrial sectors. In these sectors, it is hard to survive under the focus set by the government.&nbsp;

The inflation in the South Asian country has been nearly 25 per cent in the last five months, worsening aspects of growth and stability.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-bilawal-bhutto-claims-made-to-work-like-donkey-on-foreign-trips-546112">Also read |&nbsp;WATCH| Bilawal Bhutto claims ‘made to work like donkey’ on foreign trips</a>

The SBP added that economies that prioritise 'price stability' tend to have lower inflation as well as less volatility&nbsp;in both inflation and growth.&nbsp;

However, the report further stated that estimating the growth of side supplies like the price of energy and food is hard to predict as they can be driven by both national and international developments.&nbsp;

The document said, "In Pakistan, the coverage and timeliness of information need improvement and there are often large revisions to 'annual' GDP growth estimates relative to provisional estimates. These, together with scarce availability of high-frequency real sector data, complicate forecasting and real-time decision making."

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability. The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn.

Pakistan's central bank criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government for prioritising growth at the cost of price and financial stability. The State Bank of Pakistan in its annual report said that such economies are not able to sustain growth and face financial crisis, reported the Dawn. The Sharif government's focus on growth for the fiscal year 2023 might result in a fall in growth overall as it failed to bring price stability with financial stability, it said. Also read | Pakistan: Punjab governor denotifies CM Elahi with 'immediate effect', Lahore HC reinstates him In its report, 'State of the Economy of the fiscal year FY22', the State Bank of Pakistan anticipated that the economic growth for FY23 will be lower than what was expected. It added that the growth rate will remain less than three or four per cent. The fall in growth has resulted in mass layoffs of hundreds of people from the trade and industrial sectors. In these sectors, it is hard to survive under the focus set by the government. The inflation in the South Asian country has been nearly 25 per cent in the last five months, worsening aspects of growth and stability. Also read | WATCH| Bilawal Bhutto claims ‘made to work like donkey’ on foreign trips The SBP added that economies that prioritise 'price stability' tend to have lower inflation as well as less volatility in both inflation and growth. However, the report further stated that estimating the growth of side supplies like the price of energy and food is hard to predict as they can be driven by both national and international developments. The document said, "In Pakistan, the coverage and timeliness of information need improvement and there are often large revisions to 'annual' GDP growth estimates relative to provisional estimates. These, together with scarce availability of high-frequency real sector data, complicate forecasting and real-time decision making." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak central bank slams Shehbaz govt’s focus on growth over financial stability, warns of economic crisis ahead

Reham&nbsp;Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied&nbsp;knot with&nbsp;Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/LqB0jMZDZe">pic.twitter.com/LqB0jMZDZe</a>
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1/status/1606155475149811712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We Hope from <a href="https://twitter.com/MirzaBilal__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirzaBilal__</a> to keep our sister very very Happy and Congratulations to Both for new Life and again Congratulations to Both Families <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RehamKhan1</a> 
💫💫💫 <a href="https://t.co/lfzAEpoCvC">pic.twitter.com/lfzAEpoCvC</a>
— SabirWazir🏴🏳 (@S_Wazir1) <a href="https://twitter.com/S_Wazir1/status/1606221176866344960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Expressing her happiness, the 49-year-old British-Pakistani journalist&nbsp;tweeted pics with the caption reading, "We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of @MirzaBilal_ parents &amp; my son as my Vakeel."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MirzaBilal__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirzaBilal__</a>⁩ parents &amp; my son as my Vakeel. <a href="https://t.co/960WQjgNqU">pic.twitter.com/960WQjgNqU</a>
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RehamKhan1/status/1606184712460206081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

PK online portal reported that Bilal,36,&nbsp; is a corporate professional, former model and satirist&nbsp;who has also been part of 'The 4 Men Show' and 'National Alien Broadcast.'

As per reports, this is the third marriage for both Reham&nbsp;and Mirza.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-lands-in-hot-soup-once-again-leaked-audio-of-a-vulgar-call-invites-hate-pti-claims-its-fake-545335">Also read |&nbsp;Imran Khan lands in hot soup once again, leaked audio of a vulgar call invites hate; PTI claims it's fake</a>

Reham&nbsp;and Imran Khan were married in 2014-2015. This was the second marriage of Reham&nbsp;that lasted for nearly 10 months. They got divorced in 2015.&nbsp;

After her divorce, she released her autobiography in 2018 titled "Rehman Khan" which talked about her married life with the PTI chief Imran Khan, drugs and the abuse she faced.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Reham Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied knot with Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported.

Reham Khan, ex-wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, tied knot with Mirza Bilal, a US-based Pakistani actor, on December 23. The couple got married in a simple and private ceremony in Seattle, US, PTI reported. pic.twitter.com/LqB0jMZDZe — Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) December 23, 2022 × We Hope from @MirzaBilal__ to keep our sister very very Happy and Congratulations to Both for new Life and again Congratulations to Both Families @RehamKhan1 💫💫💫 pic.twitter.com/lfzAEpoCvC — SabirWazir🏴🏳 (@S_Wazir1) December 23, 2022 × Expressing her happiness, the 49-year-old British-Pakistani journalist tweeted pics with the caption reading, "We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of @MirzaBilal_ parents & my son as my Vakeel." We had a lovely Nikkah ceremony performed in Seattle with the blessings of ⁦@MirzaBilal__⁩ parents & my son as my Vakeel. pic.twitter.com/960WQjgNqU — Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) December 23, 2022 × PK online portal reported that Bilal,36, is a corporate professional, former model and satirist who has also been part of 'The 4 Men Show' and 'National Alien Broadcast.' As per reports, this is the third marriage for both Reham and Mirza. Also read | Imran Khan lands in hot soup once again, leaked audio of a vulgar call invites hate; PTI claims it's fake Reham and Imran Khan were married in 2014-2015. This was the second marriage of Reham that lasted for nearly 10 months. They got divorced in 2015. After her divorce, she released her autobiography in 2018 titled "Rehman Khan" which talked about her married life with the PTI chief Imran Khan, drugs and the abuse she faced. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan ties knot with US-based Pak actor Mirza Bilal

In a major escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Sunday, rocket fire from the Afghanistan Taliban forces at a border crossing with Pakistan led to the death of six civilians while another two dozen were reportedly injured.

The firing near the town of Chaman in Balochistan province, as per the Pakistani military resulted in the death of six civilians. Additionally, more than a dozen were wounded by the &nbsp;"unprovoked and indiscriminate fire" said the statement.

Watch |&nbsp;6 Pak civilians, 1 Taliban soldier killed at Spin Boldak in fresh series of mortar attack

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/6-pak-civilians-1-taliban-soldier-killed-at-spin-boldak-in-fresh-series-of-mortar-attack-542131/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement on Twitter demanded that "the Afghan Interim government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated."

Confirming the incident, the Pakistani military reported that they have taken a "befitting albeit measured response against the uncalled for aggression" adding that they have avoided "targeting innocent civilians in the area."&nbsp;

"Pakistan has also approached Afghan authorities at Kabul to highlight (the) severity of the situation and demanded strict action to obviate any such recurrence of the incident in future."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uncalled-for-aggression-six-pakistanis-one-afghan-soldier-die-in-cross-border-clash-542118">'Uncalled for aggression': Six Pakistanis, one Afghan soldier die in cross-border clash</a>

Reportedly the clash happened after Afghan Taliban forces tried to cut a part of the border fence said a senior provincial official while speaking with AFP.

Afghani security sources said that the clash started after Pakistan forces demanded that Afghan forces stop building a check post on their side of the border.

However, an Afghan official Noor Ahmad as per Reuters claimed that the incident was accidental and the situation is normal following talks between the two sides.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border Chaman as per an IANS report has been closed following the incident. In November it was closed for eight days and was only opened on November 21.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/suleman-shahbaz-pakistan-pms-son-returns-home-from-london-to-face-graft-charges-542077">Pakistan PM's son Suleman Shahbaz returns home from London to face graft charges</a>

Since the Taliban took over the nation in August 2021, border tensions between Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan have risen.&nbsp;

Islamabad alleges that the Taliban is harbouring members of the Pakistani militant group &nbsp;Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) &nbsp;who are planning an attack from the Afghan side. However, the Taliban has denied these claims.

Reportedly there has been a 51 per cent increase in attacks on Pakistan, and on November 28, the group ended a ceasefire with Pakistan and resumed attacks on the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In a major escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Sunday, rocket fire from the Afghanistan Taliban forces at a border crossing with Pakistan led to the death of six civilians while another two dozen were reportedly injured.

In a major escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Sunday, rocket fire from the Afghanistan Taliban forces at a border crossing with Pakistan led to the death of six civilians while another two dozen were reportedly injured. The firing near the town of Chaman in Balochistan province, as per the Pakistani military resulted in the death of six civilians. Additionally, more than a dozen were wounded by the "unprovoked and indiscriminate fire" said the statement. Watch | 6 Pak civilians, 1 Taliban soldier killed at Spin Boldak in fresh series of mortar attack Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement on Twitter demanded that "the Afghan Interim government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated." Confirming the incident, the Pakistani military reported that they have taken a "befitting albeit measured response against the uncalled for aggression" adding that they have avoided "targeting innocent civilians in the area." "Pakistan has also approached Afghan authorities at Kabul to highlight (the) severity of the situation and demanded strict action to obviate any such recurrence of the incident in future." Also read | 'Uncalled for aggression': Six Pakistanis, one Afghan soldier die in cross-border clash Reportedly the clash happened after Afghan Taliban forces tried to cut a part of the border fence said a senior provincial official while speaking with AFP. Afghani security sources said that the clash started after Pakistan forces demanded that Afghan forces stop building a check post on their side of the border. However, an Afghan official Noor Ahmad as per Reuters claimed that the incident was accidental and the situation is normal following talks between the two sides. The Pakistan-Afghanistan border Chaman as per an IANS report has been closed following the incident. In November it was closed for eight days and was only opened on November 21. Also read | Pakistan PM's son Suleman Shahbaz returns home from London to face graft charges Since the Taliban took over the nation in August 2021, border tensions between Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan have risen. Islamabad alleges that the Taliban is harbouring members of the Pakistani militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who are planning an attack from the Afghan side. However, the Taliban has denied these claims. Reportedly there has been a 51 per cent increase in attacks on Pakistan, and on November 28, the group ended a ceasefire with Pakistan and resumed attacks on the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pak PM warns Taliban 'ensure such incidents aren’t repeated', after firing along Afghan border kills six

&nbsp;A court in Pakistan on Tuesday extended the remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Senator Azam Khan Swati till December 3 for his controversial tweets against senior army officials, The News International reported.

The court`s ruling comes after Azam Khan Swati was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing on Sunday from his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad. Later, he was presented in court which ordered to keep him in physical remand for two days, as per The News International report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/policeman-3-civilians-killed-in-suicide-attack-in-pakistan-538940">Also read |&nbsp;Policeman, 3 civilians killed in suicide attack in Pakistan</a>

During the hearing on Tuesday, Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Shabbir Bhatti ruled that Swati will be handed over to the FIA till December 3. The court also agreed to his lawyer Babar Awan's petition not to present Swati in court citing security concerns, as per the news report.

The court also approved his counsel Babar Awan's petition not to present Swati in court citing security concerns. The FIA had called for six-day physical remand of the senator for further probe into his Twitter account and mobile phone.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the deputy attorney general to call for orders from the home secretary on the cases against the PTI leader. On Monday, Azam Khan Swati filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court and his lawyer Babar Awan appeared in the court. The lawyer in the court requested the judge that his client should not be kept in custody until all the cases against him are not received.

"Azam Swati is currently in physical remand, while 50 cases have been registered against him across the country," The International News quoted Babar Awan said.

"Until all details regarding the cases against my client are not received, he shouldn't be given into anyone's custody," Awan added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/three-dead-23-injured-in-a-suicide-bombing-in-pakistan-after-ttp-ends-ceasefire-538726">Also read |&nbsp;Three dead, 23 injured in a suicide bombing in Pakistan after TTP ends ceasefire</a>

According to Awan, majority of the cases against Azam Khan Swati have been registered in Sindh and Balochistan. The court asked as to how the home secretary had authority over the provincial inspector generals of police (IGP), as per The News International report.

Awan told the court that the home secretary had control over the provincial IGPs. The court ordered to check if the home secretary has the authority as being said in the court and share details regarding the matter.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A court in Pakistan on Tuesday extended the remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Senator Azam Khan Swati till December 3 for his controversial tweets against senior army officials, The News International reported.

A court in Pakistan on Tuesday extended the remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Senator Azam Khan Swati till December 3 for his controversial tweets against senior army officials, The News International reported. The court`s ruling comes after Azam Khan Swati was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing on Sunday from his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad. Later, he was presented in court which ordered to keep him in physical remand for two days, as per The News International report. Also read | Policeman, 3 civilians killed in suicide attack in Pakistan During the hearing on Tuesday, Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Shabbir Bhatti ruled that Swati will be handed over to the FIA till December 3. The court also agreed to his lawyer Babar Awan's petition not to present Swati in court citing security concerns, as per the news report. The court also approved his counsel Babar Awan's petition not to present Swati in court citing security concerns. The FIA had called for six-day physical remand of the senator for further probe into his Twitter account and mobile phone. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the deputy attorney general to call for orders from the home secretary on the cases against the PTI leader. On Monday, Azam Khan Swati filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court and his lawyer Babar Awan appeared in the court. The lawyer in the court requested the judge that his client should not be kept in custody until all the cases against him are not received. "Azam Swati is currently in physical remand, while 50 cases have been registered against him across the country," The International News quoted Babar Awan said. "Until all details regarding the cases against my client are not received, he shouldn't be given into anyone's custody," Awan added. Also read | Three dead, 23 injured in a suicide bombing in Pakistan after TTP ends ceasefire According to Awan, majority of the cases against Azam Khan Swati have been registered in Sindh and Balochistan. The court asked as to how the home secretary had authority over the provincial inspector generals of police (IGP), as per The News International report. Awan told the court that the home secretary had control over the provincial IGPs. The court ordered to check if the home secretary has the authority as being said in the court and share details regarding the matter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak court extends remand of PTI leader Azam Khan Swati over tweets against senior army officials

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has come out in defence of the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The agency said that the allegations surrounding the army chief and his family members making the rounds on social media were "misleading".

A recent report by Pakistani investigative news website FactFocus claimed that Gen Bajwa and his family amassed assets worth 5.66 billion US dollars (12.7 billion Pakistani rupees) over the past six years of his term. This includes assets and businesses&nbsp;both within and outside Pakistan.

Watch | Pakistan: Lt Gen Asim Munir appointed as new Army Chief, will succeed Gen Bajwa

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-lt-gen-asim-munir-appointed-as-new-army-chief-will-succeed-gen-bajwa-537050/embed" width="560"></iframe>

The claims in the report were based on tax records and wealth statements of the Bajwa family.

Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, initiated an investigation shortly after the news was released and stated that the leak&nbsp;violated "the complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/social-media-anger-illicit-family-wealth-outgoing-pak-army-chief-bajwa-faces-pushback-online-537363">Outgoing Pak army chief Bajwa faces online anger over ‘lies’, huge rise in family wealth during term</a>

However, the military's media wing ISPR&nbsp;said in its statement that the data presented in the report was exaggerated and based on assumptions, reported Dawn.&nbsp;

Calling the allegations "blatant lies and malice" the agency said that the report is totally untrue and that Gen Bajwa and his family regularly file their tax returns.&nbsp;"Like every citizen, the army chief and his family are answerable to the tax authorities for their assets."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lt-gen-asim-munir-named-pakistans-new-army-chief-536997">Lt Gen Asim Munir, due to retire on Nov 27, named Pakistan’s new army chief&nbsp;</a>

The agency said that the report gives a "false impression" that these assets were acquired by the outgoing army chief's 'samdhi' (his children's in-laws) during his six-year tenure.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has come out in defence of the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The agency said that the allegations surrounding the army chief and his family members making the rounds on social media were "misleading".

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has come out in defence of the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The agency said that the allegations surrounding the army chief and his family members making the rounds on social media were "misleading". A recent report by Pakistani investigative news website FactFocus claimed that Gen Bajwa and his family amassed assets worth 5.66 billion US dollars (12.7 billion Pakistani rupees) over the past six years of his term. This includes assets and businesses both within and outside Pakistan. Watch | Pakistan: Lt Gen Asim Munir appointed as new Army Chief, will succeed Gen Bajwa The claims in the report were based on tax records and wealth statements of the Bajwa family. Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, initiated an investigation shortly after the news was released and stated that the leak violated "the complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides." Also read | Outgoing Pak army chief Bajwa faces online anger over ‘lies’, huge rise in family wealth during term However, the military's media wing ISPR said in its statement that the data presented in the report was exaggerated and based on assumptions, reported Dawn. Calling the allegations "blatant lies and malice" the agency said that the report is totally untrue and that Gen Bajwa and his family regularly file their tax returns. "Like every citizen, the army chief and his family are answerable to the tax authorities for their assets." Also read | Lt Gen Asim Munir, due to retire on Nov 27, named Pakistan’s new army chief The agency said that the report gives a "false impression" that these assets were acquired by the outgoing army chief's 'samdhi' (his children's in-laws) during his six-year tenure. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan military's media wing calls reports of General Bajwa's wealth 'blatant lies and malice'

After being invited to negotiations by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's minority Tamil parties held an internal meeting and decided to present a three-point plan, including their drive for federalism, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). Before Wickremesinghe's proposed all-party meeting next month to address the long-standing demand for political autonomy for the country's minority community, all Tamil political parties with bases in the East and North of the island nation met on Friday at the home of 89-year-old TNA leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan to advance federalism.

The formula adopted at the intra-party conference on Friday calls for the holding of the postponed provincial council elections, devolution of power to Tamil areas in the creation of a new Constitution, and an end to what they describe as the State's appropriation of Tamil lands.

In a statement to Parliament, Wickremesinghe indicated his willingness to postpone the meeting until after 11th December.

WATCH | Sri Lanka asks ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate match-fixing allegations

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-asks-icc-anti-corruption-unit-to-investigate-match-fixing-allegations-537431/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

To end the long-running tussle, he said it was critical to foster trust between the Tamil minority and the majority Sinhalese.

The TNA, a coalition of parties that stands up for Tamils in the north and east, answered Wickremesinghe's appeal.

However, the suggestion was rejected by at least one conservative politician from the Sinhala majority.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-china-ties-many-stumbles-no-meets-537197">&nbsp;India-China ties: Many stumbles, no meets</a>

As prime minister in 2015, Wickremesinghe began a process of rapprochement with Sampanthan, a seasoned TNA leader.

Since the 1950s, several attempts to address the Tamil desire for autonomy have been thwarted by the hardline Sinhala majority, giving rise to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/had-no-role-in-assassination-of-indias-ex-pm-rajiv-gandhi-says-nalini-sriharan-one-of-released-convicts-533951">Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's</a> (LTTE) brutal military struggle for secession on behalf of the Tamils.

Due to complaints from the minority population that it fell short of complete autonomy, an Indian initiative to establish a combined province council system for the Tamil-dominated North and East in 1987 failed.

Before its dissolution in 2009 with the death of its top commander Velupillai Prabhakaran by the Sri Lankan Army, the LTTE waged a violent struggle for a separate Tamil state in the island nation's northern and eastern districts for over 30 years.

The three-decade horrific war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east, which killed at least 100,000, is one of the combats that left over 20,000 people missing, according to Sri Lankan official statistics.

The Sri Lankan government disputes the claims made by international rights organisations that at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians died in the war's last stages.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

After being invited to negotiations by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's minority Tamil parties held an internal meeting and decided to present a three-point plan, including their drive for federalism, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

After being invited to negotiations by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's minority Tamil parties held an internal meeting and decided to present a three-point plan, including their drive for federalism, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). Before Wickremesinghe's proposed all-party meeting next month to address the long-standing demand for political autonomy for the country's minority community, all Tamil political parties with bases in the East and North of the island nation met on Friday at the home of 89-year-old TNA leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan to advance federalism. The formula adopted at the intra-party conference on Friday calls for the holding of the postponed provincial council elections, devolution of power to Tamil areas in the creation of a new Constitution, and an end to what they describe as the State's appropriation of Tamil lands. In a statement to Parliament, Wickremesinghe indicated his willingness to postpone the meeting until after 11th December. WATCH | Sri Lanka asks ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate match-fixing allegations To end the long-running tussle, he said it was critical to foster trust between the Tamil minority and the majority Sinhalese. The TNA, a coalition of parties that stands up for Tamils in the north and east, answered Wickremesinghe's appeal. However, the suggestion was rejected by at least one conservative politician from the Sinhala majority. Also read | India-China ties: Many stumbles, no meets As prime minister in 2015, Wickremesinghe began a process of rapprochement with Sampanthan, a seasoned TNA leader. Since the 1950s, several attempts to address the Tamil desire for autonomy have been thwarted by the hardline Sinhala majority, giving rise to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) brutal military struggle for secession on behalf of the Tamils. Due to complaints from the minority population that it fell short of complete autonomy, an Indian initiative to establish a combined province council system for the Tamil-dominated North and East in 1987 failed. Before its dissolution in 2009 with the death of its top commander Velupillai Prabhakaran by the Sri Lankan Army, the LTTE waged a violent struggle for a separate Tamil state in the island nation's northern and eastern districts for over 30 years. The three-decade horrific war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east, which killed at least 100,000, is one of the combats that left over 20,000 people missing, according to Sri Lankan official statistics. The Sri Lankan government disputes the claims made by international rights organisations that at least 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians died in the war's last stages. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Sri Lankan Tamil parties to push for autonomy in a new Constitution

On Sunday, Nepali citizens went to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the election being heavily influenced by popular discontent with the country's ageing political class and concern about its fragile economy. There is a sense that the government is out of touch with Nepal's urgent concerns because of the prime ministers' frequent changes, the majority of whom have been in office for less than a year. With established parties whose leaders have walked the halls of power for decades, some younger candidates are making their maiden appearances in this year's race.

However, many voters have lost trust in the existing quo, and a thirst for change is palpable.&nbsp;Analysts predict that Nepal's firmly established political veterans will once again control the next parliament.

The second round of elections since the terrible Maoist insurgency in Nepal came to an end in 2015, when a new constitution was adopted, will take place on Sunday.

The country's monarchy was abolished in 2006 after the civil war, which had cost more than 17,000 lives and brought the erstwhile rebels into the government, came to an end.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-to-sell-five-chinese-airplanes-after-grounding-them-two-years-ago-535725">Nepal Airlines to sell five Chinese airplanes grounded for two years due to tech, mechanical faults</a>

Since that time, different alliances between the former guerrillas and the established Congress and another communist party have seen them take turns ruling.

However, Nepal's parliament has frequently been marked by political unrest, and no prime minister has ever held office for the whole duration of a war.

Also WATCH |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: Nepal: Voters express displeasure over leaders, voting system

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-nepal-voters-express-displeasure-over-leaders-voting-system-535667/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The longstanding rivalry between Nepal's two neighbours, China and India, has been difficult for administrations of all sorts to manage at a time when Western anxiety over Chinese-funded mega-projects in the nation is growing.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

On Sunday, Nepali citizens went to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the election being heavily influenced by popular discontent with the country's ageing political class and concern about its fragile economy.

On Sunday, Nepali citizens went to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the election being heavily influenced by popular discontent with the country's ageing political class and concern about its fragile economy. There is a sense that the government is out of touch with Nepal's urgent concerns because of the prime ministers' frequent changes, the majority of whom have been in office for less than a year. With established parties whose leaders have walked the halls of power for decades, some younger candidates are making their maiden appearances in this year's race. However, many voters have lost trust in the existing quo, and a thirst for change is palpable. Analysts predict that Nepal's firmly established political veterans will once again control the next parliament. The second round of elections since the terrible Maoist insurgency in Nepal came to an end in 2015, when a new constitution was adopted, will take place on Sunday. The country's monarchy was abolished in 2006 after the civil war, which had cost more than 17,000 lives and brought the erstwhile rebels into the government, came to an end. Also read | Nepal Airlines to sell five Chinese airplanes grounded for two years due to tech, mechanical faults Since that time, different alliances between the former guerrillas and the established Congress and another communist party have seen them take turns ruling. However, Nepal's parliament has frequently been marked by political unrest, and no prime minister has ever held office for the whole duration of a war. Also WATCH | WION Fineprint: Nepal: Voters express displeasure over leaders, voting system The longstanding rivalry between Nepal's two neighbours, China and India, has been difficult for administrations of all sorts to manage at a time when Western anxiety over Chinese-funded mega-projects in the nation is growing. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nepal votes in twin elections amid economic and political instability; counting to start tonight

Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in his virtual addresshas urged his followers and the wider population to join him in Rawalpindi, where he plans to end the "Haqeeqi Azadi Long March."

The situation in the South Asian nation is critical as the populace has been urged to travel to Rawalpindi, the base of the potent Pakistani military.

The PTI's lengthy march will end in the twin cities when the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government is expected to choose the next Army chief.

Imran Khan reiterated in his speech that Pakistan as a country can&nbsp;be kept united only by a political party and not the military. He also praised India's foreign policy, saying that India stands firmly against US restrictions on buying oil from Russia stating it is their decision for the welfare of their people, while Pakistan's current government is dependent on the US and cannot make its own decisions. With regards to the&nbsp;Toshakhana case, Khan showed his intent to file a case either in the US or in Dubai as he was unsure of getting justice in a Pakistani court.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
چیئرمین پاکستان تحریک انصاف <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> نے 26 نومبر کو عوام کو راولپنڈی پہنچنے کی کال دے دی۔ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%84%D9%88_%D8%AD%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%82%DB%8C_%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C_%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A6%DB%92?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#نکلو_حقیقی_آزادی_کیلئے</a> <a href="https://t.co/i4jWQLi3YS">pic.twitter.com/i4jWQLi3YS</a>
— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1593953736904187907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Imran Khan requested that all to participate&nbsp;in the long march at Rawalpindi on November 26. As convoys headed by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and General Secretary,&nbsp;Asad Umar draw close to the twin cities, the erstwhile ruling party has also contacted the capital government to seek permission for holding demonstration in the federal capital.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/11-kids-among-20-killed-in-minibus-crash-in-monsoon-hit-pakistan-region-535357">11 kids among 20 killed as minibus falls into 25-foot deep ditch in Sindh, Pakistan</a>

The second stage of the PTI's long march&nbsp;started on Saturday from Rawat to Rawalpindi, according to former information minister and senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. The final stage has arrived, he said, urging activists to be ready for the anti-government march.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in his virtual addresshas urged his followers and the wider population to join him in Rawalpindi, where he plans to end the "Haqeeqi Azadi Long March.

Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in his virtual addresshas urged his followers and the wider population to join him in Rawalpindi, where he plans to end the "Haqeeqi Azadi Long March." The situation in the South Asian nation is critical as the populace has been urged to travel to Rawalpindi, the base of the potent Pakistani military. The PTI's lengthy march will end in the twin cities when the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government is expected to choose the next Army chief. Imran Khan reiterated in his speech that Pakistan as a country can be kept united only by a political party and not the military. He also praised India's foreign policy, saying that India stands firmly against US restrictions on buying oil from Russia stating it is their decision for the welfare of their people, while Pakistan's current government is dependent on the US and cannot make its own decisions. With regards to the Toshakhana case, Khan showed his intent to file a case either in the US or in Dubai as he was unsure of getting justice in a Pakistani court. چیئرمین پاکستان تحریک انصاف @ImranKhanPTI نے 26 نومبر کو عوام کو راولپنڈی پہنچنے کی کال دے دی۔ #نکلو_حقیقی_آزادی_کیلئے pic.twitter.com/i4jWQLi3YS — PTI (@PTIofficial) November 19, 2022 × Imran Khan requested that all to participate in the long march at Rawalpindi on November 26. As convoys headed by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and General Secretary, Asad Umar draw close to the twin cities, the erstwhile ruling party has also contacted the capital government to seek permission for holding demonstration in the federal capital. Also read | 11 kids among 20 killed as minibus falls into 25-foot deep ditch in Sindh, Pakistan The second stage of the PTI's long march started on Saturday from Rawat to Rawalpindi, according to former information minister and senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. The final stage has arrived, he said, urging activists to be ready for the anti-government march. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Imran Khan virtually addresses followers; urges them to reach Rawalpindi on Nov 26 to end long march

Climate change is a pressing concern for the health of the planet. However, people&nbsp;worldwide appear to have become less concerned about its effect.

Globally, the number of people thinking climate change posed a “very serious threat" to their country stood at 48.7 per cent in 2021 which was a fall of 1.5 percentage points, compared to a similar survey conducted by Gallup World Risk Poll in 2019.

People in China&nbsp;who think on the same lines have&nbsp;come down to 20 per cent, a full three percentage points down from the previous findings. Incidentally, China is the world's biggest polluter.&nbsp;

As for the US, the second biggest polluter globally, climate change awareness rose slightly amongst the masses to 51.5 per cent.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-climate-change-creates-new-crisis-for-bangladesh-526551">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Climate change creates new crisis for Bangladesh</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-climate-change-creates-new-crisis-for-bangladesh-526551/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Ironically, regions such as West Asia (27.4 per cent), North Africa (27.4 per cent) and South Asia (39.1 per cent), which are facing the highest ecological threats have the people that are the least concerned about climate change.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netherlands-to-quit-multi-nation-fossil-deal-over-climate-change-concerns-526758">Read more:&nbsp;Netherlands to quit multi nation fossil deal over climate change concerns</a>

The findings come a month before the next global meeting on climate change,&nbsp;COP27 takes place in Egypt.&nbsp;

“Negotiators at COP27 need to consider the ways in which climate change is exacerbating the impacts of ecological threats...and how the international community can mitigate them,” said&nbsp;Steve Killelea, founder&nbsp;Gallup World Risk Poll.&nbsp;

While people become less perturbed about the perils of climate change, the situation remains dire as ever. 1.4 billion people across 83 countries have extreme difficulty gaining access to clean water. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of the population in the above bracket do not have access to clean drinking water.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to studies, the affluent countries of Europe such as Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Portugal will face critical clean water shortage by 2040.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Climate change is a pressing concern for the health of the planet. However, people worldwide appear to have become less concerned about its effect. Globally, the number of people thinking climate change posed a “very serious threat" to their country stood at 48.

Climate change is a pressing concern for the health of the planet. However, people worldwide appear to have become less concerned about its effect. Globally, the number of people thinking climate change posed a “very serious threat" to their country stood at 48.7 per cent in 2021 which was a fall of 1.5 percentage points, compared to a similar survey conducted by Gallup World Risk Poll in 2019. People in China who think on the same lines have come down to 20 per cent, a full three percentage points down from the previous findings. Incidentally, China is the world's biggest polluter. As for the US, the second biggest polluter globally, climate change awareness rose slightly amongst the masses to 51.5 per cent. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Climate change creates new crisis for Bangladesh × Ironically, regions such as West Asia (27.4 per cent), North Africa (27.4 per cent) and South Asia (39.1 per cent), which are facing the highest ecological threats have the people that are the least concerned about climate change. Read more: Netherlands to quit multi nation fossil deal over climate change concerns The findings come a month before the next global meeting on climate change, COP27 takes place in Egypt. “Negotiators at COP27 need to consider the ways in which climate change is exacerbating the impacts of ecological threats...and how the international community can mitigate them,” said Steve Killelea, founder Gallup World Risk Poll. While people become less perturbed about the perils of climate change, the situation remains dire as ever. 1.4 billion people across 83 countries have extreme difficulty gaining access to clean water. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of the population in the above bracket do not have access to clean drinking water. According to studies, the affluent countries of Europe such as Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Portugal will face critical clean water shortage by 2040. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

People less concerned about climate change than before, shows survey

The emergency ward at the main government hospital in Sehwan, a small town in southern&nbsp;Pakistan, is overwhelmed.

On a recent visit, Reuters witnessed hundreds of people crammed into rooms and corridors, desperately seeking treatment for malaria and other illnesses that are spreading fast after the country's worst floods in decades.

Amid the crush, Naveed Ahmed, a young doctor in the emergency response department of the Abdullah Shah Institute of Health Sciences, is surrounded by five or six people trying to get his attention.

The 30-year-old keeps his cool as stretched emergency services struggle to cope with thousands of patients arriving from miles around after their homes were submerged under water when heavy rains fell in August and September.'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-international-airlines-regrets-asking-cabin-crew-to-wear-undergarments-issues-clarification-521366">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan International Airlines 'regrets' asking cabin crew to 'wear undergarments', issues clarification</a>

"We become so overworked at times that I feel like collapsing and going on an intravenous drip," a smiling Ahmed told Reuters as he sipped a cup of tea in the hospital's canteen during a short break.

"But it's because of the prayers of these patients that we keep going."

Ahmed is on the frontline of the battle to limit sickness and death across southern&nbsp;Pakistan, where hundreds of towns and villages were cut off by rising waters. The deluge has affected around 33 million people in a country of 220 million.

Most of the estimated 300-400 patients arriving at his clinic each morning, many of them children, are suffering from malaria and diarrhoea, although with winter approaching, Ahmed fears other illnesses will become more common.

"I hope people displaced by the floods can get back to their homes before winter; (if not) they will be exposed to respiratory illnesses and pneumonia living in tents," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of&nbsp;Pakistanis who fled their homes are living in government camps set up to accommodate them, or simply out in the open.

Stagnant floodwaters, spread over hundreds of square kilometres (miles), may take two to six months to recede in some places, and have already led to widespread cases of skin and eye infections, diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid and dengue fever.

The crisis hits&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;at a particularly bad time. With its economy in crisis, propped up by loans from the International Monetary Fund, it does not have the resources to cope with the longer term effects of the flooding.

Nearly 1,700 people have been killed in the floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers.&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;estimates the cost of the damage at $30 billion, and the government and United Nations have blamed the catastrophe on climate change.

Over 340 people have died of diseases caused by the floods, authorities have said.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: 25,000 farmers stage protest in Islamabad, ask for fertilisers subsidies

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-25000-farmers-stage-protest-in-islamabad-ask-for-fertilisers-subsidies-521712/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Second disaster&nbsp;

According to the health department of Sindh province, the worst-affected region, 17,285 cases of malaria have been confirmed since July 1.

Anticipating the risk of disease outbreaks after the rescue and relief phase of the floods, the Sindh government is trying to hire more than 5,000 health professionals on a temporary basis in districts most at risk.

"We are short of human resources considering the magnitude of the burden of disease following the unprecedented rains and floods," Qasim Soomro, provincial lawmaker and parliamentary health secretary of the Sindh government, told Reuters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern about an impending "second disaster" of water-borne diseases spreading across the country, particularly in Sindh.

In the hospital ward in Sehwan, a young man with a high fever was having fits on a bed outside the main emergency room. His mother ran to Ahmed, who attended the patient and asked a male nurse to place cold pads on his forehead.

The air was heavy with humidity, and there were not enough air conditioners to cool temperatures in overcrowded corridors lined with beds. The wards were filled to capacity and a handful of beds had more than one patient on them.

Ahmed, a graduate of a university in China, described the pressure he and other medics were under.

"With such influx, we ... cannot wait for test results for each patient to start the treatment," he said, adding he begins administering medicine for malaria as soon as he sees some symptoms.

The institute in Sehwan serves people from neighbouring towns and districts, including those living in camps while the waters recede and rebuilding can begin.

Jagan Shahani's daughter fell unconscious after getting a fever around a week ago. He used a boat to get out of his flooded village of Bhajara and flagged down a car on the nearby road that took them to Sehwan.

"Doctors said she had malaria," he said late last week. "This is our fourth night here. There is nothing here to eat but Allah has been very kind to provide everything," added Shahani, whose 15-year-old daughter Hameeda is now recovering.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-ex-pm-imran-khan-granted-pre-arrest-bail-in-contempt-case-521746">Also read |&nbsp;Pak ex-PM Imran Khan granted pre-arrest bail in female judge threat case</a>

On the outskirts of town, hundreds of displaced people queued up for rations being distributed at Lal Bagah, a tent settlement where displaced families prepared tea and breakfast on open fires.

The Indus Highway that runs past Sehwan is dotted with tent camps for displaced people.

Some are beginning to return home where waters have retreated far enough, but not all are so lucky.

"There is no one here to help me but Allah. I pray to Allah that the waters recede in my village and I can return to my home," said Madad Ali Bozdar.

Bozdar, 52, is from Bubak, a town located on the north-eastern bank of Manchar Lake. Speaking on Friday, he said his village was still under 10 to 12 feet (3-4 metres) of water. He expected to be able to go back in around two months' time.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The emergency ward at the main government hospital in Sehwan, a small town in southern Pakistan, is overwhelmed. On a recent visit, Reuters witnessed hundreds of people crammed into rooms and corridors, desperately seeking treatment for malaria and other illnesses that are spreading fast after the country's worst floods in decades.

The emergency ward at the main government hospital in Sehwan, a small town in southern Pakistan, is overwhelmed. On a recent visit, Reuters witnessed hundreds of people crammed into rooms and corridors, desperately seeking treatment for malaria and other illnesses that are spreading fast after the country's worst floods in decades. Amid the crush, Naveed Ahmed, a young doctor in the emergency response department of the Abdullah Shah Institute of Health Sciences, is surrounded by five or six people trying to get his attention. The 30-year-old keeps his cool as stretched emergency services struggle to cope with thousands of patients arriving from miles around after their homes were submerged under water when heavy rains fell in August and September.' Also read | Pakistan International Airlines 'regrets' asking cabin crew to 'wear undergarments', issues clarification "We become so overworked at times that I feel like collapsing and going on an intravenous drip," a smiling Ahmed told Reuters as he sipped a cup of tea in the hospital's canteen during a short break. "But it's because of the prayers of these patients that we keep going." Ahmed is on the frontline of the battle to limit sickness and death across southern Pakistan, where hundreds of towns and villages were cut off by rising waters. The deluge has affected around 33 million people in a country of 220 million. Most of the estimated 300-400 patients arriving at his clinic each morning, many of them children, are suffering from malaria and diarrhoea, although with winter approaching, Ahmed fears other illnesses will become more common. "I hope people displaced by the floods can get back to their homes before winter; (if not) they will be exposed to respiratory illnesses and pneumonia living in tents," he said. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis who fled their homes are living in government camps set up to accommodate them, or simply out in the open. Stagnant floodwaters, spread over hundreds of square kilometres (miles), may take two to six months to recede in some places, and have already led to widespread cases of skin and eye infections, diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid and dengue fever. The crisis hits Pakistan at a particularly bad time. With its economy in crisis, propped up by loans from the International Monetary Fund, it does not have the resources to cope with the longer term effects of the flooding. Nearly 1,700 people have been killed in the floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers. Pakistan estimates the cost of the damage at $30 billion, and the government and United Nations have blamed the catastrophe on climate change. Over 340 people have died of diseases caused by the floods, authorities have said. Watch | Pakistan: 25,000 farmers stage protest in Islamabad, ask for fertilisers subsidies Second disaster According to the health department of Sindh province, the worst-affected region, 17,285 cases of malaria have been confirmed since July 1. Anticipating the risk of disease outbreaks after the rescue and relief phase of the floods, the Sindh government is trying to hire more than 5,000 health professionals on a temporary basis in districts most at risk. "We are short of human resources considering the magnitude of the burden of disease following the unprecedented rains and floods," Qasim Soomro, provincial lawmaker and parliamentary health secretary of the Sindh government, told Reuters. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern about an impending "second disaster" of water-borne diseases spreading across the country, particularly in Sindh. In the hospital ward in Sehwan, a young man with a high fever was having fits on a bed outside the main emergency room. His mother ran to Ahmed, who attended the patient and asked a male nurse to place cold pads on his forehead. The air was heavy with humidity, and there were not enough air conditioners to cool temperatures in overcrowded corridors lined with beds. The wards were filled to capacity and a handful of beds had more than one patient on them. Ahmed, a graduate of a university in China, described the pressure he and other medics were under. "With such influx, we ... cannot wait for test results for each patient to start the treatment," he said, adding he begins administering medicine for malaria as soon as he sees some symptoms. The institute in Sehwan serves people from neighbouring towns and districts, including those living in camps while the waters recede and rebuilding can begin. Jagan Shahani's daughter fell unconscious after getting a fever around a week ago. He used a boat to get out of his flooded village of Bhajara and flagged down a car on the nearby road that took them to Sehwan. "Doctors said she had malaria," he said late last week. "This is our fourth night here. There is nothing here to eat but Allah has been very kind to provide everything," added Shahani, whose 15-year-old daughter Hameeda is now recovering. Also read | Pak ex-PM Imran Khan granted pre-arrest bail in female judge threat case On the outskirts of town, hundreds of displaced people queued up for rations being distributed at Lal Bagah, a tent settlement where displaced families prepared tea and breakfast on open fires. The Indus Highway that runs past Sehwan is dotted with tent camps for displaced people. Some are beginning to return home where waters have retreated far enough, but not all are so lucky. "There is no one here to help me but Allah. I pray to Allah that the waters recede in my village and I can return to my home," said Madad Ali Bozdar. Bozdar, 52, is from Bubak, a town located on the north-eastern bank of Manchar Lake. Speaking on Friday, he said his village was still under 10 to 12 feet (3-4 metres) of water. He expected to be able to go back in around two months' time. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: Hospitals overwhelmed as water-borne illnesses spread

Indian conglomerate Tata group could be the first Indian company that could be manufacturing the iPhones now. Reports say that the software manufacturing major is presently in talks with Wistron to establish an electronics manufacturing joint venture in India seeking to assemble iPhones in South Asia.

Tata's discussions with Wistron at initial stages, Indian conglomerate looks at making iPhones

On September 3, Bangladesh was the target of at least two mortar bombs fired by Myanmar that were against international law. Five days prior, Bangladeshi officials summoned Myanmar's envoy to Dhaka and voiced their displeasure over Myanmar's August 28 firing of two lethal rounds at the same spot.

According to the police investigation centre at Ghumdum, at least two fighter jets crossed the Bangladesh border, firing nearly eight shots, while two military helicopters fired more than 30 rounds.&nbsp;

Reiterating its deep concern, Bangladesh has expressed alarm over Myanmar's breach of an air border accord. The Arakan Army is poised to suppress rebels, but the Myanmar army's presence on the borders is also rekindling concerns about Rohingya infiltration in Bangladesh, the Bangkok Post reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-sentenced-to-three-years-in-prison-for-electoral-fraud-512272">Also read |&nbsp;Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud</a>

Rakhine State, a region of Myanmar that borders with Bangladesh and India, has been experiencing continuous unrest for the past few days.&nbsp;

While fighting the Arakan Army in Rakhine, the Myanmar army has launched a major military operation against rebel groups in Kyah, Kain, and China states.

For the past years, the Tambru border line in Naikshatchari has been home to over 4,000 Rohingyas, where the violence is taking place.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/people-in-myanmar-forced-to-rely-on-charity-due-to-rising-costs-and-scarcity-508747">Also read |&nbsp;People in Myanmar forced to rely on charity due to rising costs and scarcity</a>

The Myanmar Army has been operating warplanes and helicopters along the Bangladesh border since August 2017. Bullets and mortar rounds have been fired into Bangladesh.

In contrast to the two shells fired on September 3 at Tambru, which burst nearly 120 metres within Bangladeshi territory, the two shells fired here landed half a kilometre inside the border but did not do any damage.

The military-run country, Myanmar, has been targeting Bangladesh, which has a roughly 165 million population.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

On September 3, Bangladesh was the target of at least two mortar bombs fired by Myanmar that were against international law. Five days prior, Bangladeshi officials summoned Myanmar's envoy to Dhaka and voiced their displeasure over Myanmar's August 28 firing of two lethal rounds at the same spot.

On September 3, Bangladesh was the target of at least two mortar bombs fired by Myanmar that were against international law. Five days prior, Bangladeshi officials summoned Myanmar's envoy to Dhaka and voiced their displeasure over Myanmar's August 28 firing of two lethal rounds at the same spot. According to the police investigation centre at Ghumdum, at least two fighter jets crossed the Bangladesh border, firing nearly eight shots, while two military helicopters fired more than 30 rounds. Reiterating its deep concern, Bangladesh has expressed alarm over Myanmar's breach of an air border accord. The Arakan Army is poised to suppress rebels, but the Myanmar army's presence on the borders is also rekindling concerns about Rohingya infiltration in Bangladesh, the Bangkok Post reported. Also read | Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud Rakhine State, a region of Myanmar that borders with Bangladesh and India, has been experiencing continuous unrest for the past few days. While fighting the Arakan Army in Rakhine, the Myanmar army has launched a major military operation against rebel groups in Kyah, Kain, and China states. For the past years, the Tambru border line in Naikshatchari has been home to over 4,000 Rohingyas, where the violence is taking place. Also read | People in Myanmar forced to rely on charity due to rising costs and scarcity The Myanmar Army has been operating warplanes and helicopters along the Bangladesh border since August 2017. Bullets and mortar rounds have been fired into Bangladesh. In contrast to the two shells fired on September 3 at Tambru, which burst nearly 120 metres within Bangladeshi territory, the two shells fired here landed half a kilometre inside the border but did not do any damage. The military-run country, Myanmar, has been targeting Bangladesh, which has a roughly 165 million population. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Bangladesh accuses Myanmar of air incursions, breaking international laws

Pakistan's supercharged monsoons have flooded almost one-third of the country. Nearly 33 million people have been affected, with more than 1,200 dead. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Pakistan's monsoon fury

A research mission in the Maldives is diving 1,000 metres to probe the links between surface water and deep water. Can this underwater mission uncover deep sea mysteries? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: Maldivian mission to probe deep sea mysteries

Tiktokers have been banned from sacred sites in Nepal after being accused of disturbing worshippers. The social media application has been described as a 'public nuisance' by many. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Tiktokers banned from Nepal's sacred sites

Bhutan is all set to deploy it's first-ever UN peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic. Bhutan's king described it as another milestone in the country's development journey. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Bhutan's first UN peacekeeping mission

The Bagram airbase was once a symbol of US military power in Afghanistan. But one year after America's chaotic withdrawal, the town of Bagram lies deserted. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Bagram economy withers after US pullout

This week on South Asia Diary with Mariam Wardak: + Pakistan's monsoon fury + Maldivian mission probes deep sea mysteries + TikTokers banned from Nepalese holy sites + US pullout leaves Bagram reeling

South Asia Diary: Pakistan's monsoon fury | TikTokers banned from Nepalese holy sites

At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws.

Haider said that the Hanafi law serves as the framework for resolving all problems. "The holy Quran, the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH), and the jurisprudence of every Islamic country are the basis and the text of the constitution in general and in detail," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.

However, he said that they are ready to prepare the constitution in accordance with laws once they get directions.&nbsp;

Haider stated, "We are awaiting Amirul Muminin's direction (for creation of law). The Hanafi law system, the Quran, and the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH) are its sources. Thus we are confident that a comprehensive law will be established quickly to address everyone's concerns."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-rocks-mosque-in-herat-casualties-feared-512327">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Top pro-Taliban cleric among 18 killed; several wounded in blast at Herat mosque</a>

Regarding the activities of political parties, Haider said that under the given circumstances, there is no need for parties to be active.

In contrast to this statement, a professor in conversation with TOLO News said," A constitution for any government in the modern era is a crucial and a basic requirement." The lecturer further added&nbsp;that if Islamic laws are used to solve problems, then women should have access to their rights in reference to the work being done by women and should grant them favourable conditions to work.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-woman-divorced-by-taliban-official-due-to-her-declining-faith-but-she-alleges-domestic-abuse-511853">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Woman divorced by Taliban official due to her declining faith but she alleges domestic abuse</a>

It has been more than a year since the Taliban seized power in the South Asian country and implemented significant legal changes.

This includes violations of human rights, especially for women. As per a report released by UNAMA, since the group takeover, women’s rights in the country have deteriorated.

Prior to the takeover, women, and girls enjoyed the freedom to engage in all elements of public and daily life, including schooling and other activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws.

At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws. Haider said that the Hanafi law serves as the framework for resolving all problems. "The holy Quran, the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH), and the jurisprudence of every Islamic country are the basis and the text of the constitution in general and in detail," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. However, he said that they are ready to prepare the constitution in accordance with laws once they get directions. Haider stated, "We are awaiting Amirul Muminin's direction (for creation of law). The Hanafi law system, the Quran, and the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH) are its sources. Thus we are confident that a comprehensive law will be established quickly to address everyone's concerns." Also read | Afghanistan: Top pro-Taliban cleric among 18 killed; several wounded in blast at Herat mosque Regarding the activities of political parties, Haider said that under the given circumstances, there is no need for parties to be active. In contrast to this statement, a professor in conversation with TOLO News said," A constitution for any government in the modern era is a crucial and a basic requirement." The lecturer further added that if Islamic laws are used to solve problems, then women should have access to their rights in reference to the work being done by women and should grant them favourable conditions to work. Also read | Afghanistan: Woman divorced by Taliban official due to her declining faith but she alleges domestic abuse It has been more than a year since the Taliban seized power in the South Asian country and implemented significant legal changes. This includes violations of human rights, especially for women. As per a report released by UNAMA, since the group takeover, women’s rights in the country have deteriorated. Prior to the takeover, women, and girls enjoyed the freedom to engage in all elements of public and daily life, including schooling and other activities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Afghanistan doesn’t need a constitution, can address problems by applying Islamic Laws, says official

Climate change can be a boon and a bane at the same time, the induced changes have altered monsoons to an extent that the vast life giving phenomena has turned destructive now.

WION Climate Tracker: Unexpected monsoon hits South Asia

Early estimates place the cost of Pakistan's recent devastating floods at more than $10 billion, the country's planning minister said on Monday, adding that the international community has a duty to assist Pakistan in coping with the consequences of human-caused climate change.

At least 1,000 people have died in recent weeks as a result of unprecedented flash floods brought on by historic monsoon rains that destroyed roads, crops, infrastructure, and bridges. This represents more than 33 million people, or over 15% of the 220 million inhabitants in the country.

The climate change minister has called the situation a "climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions."

"I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion," Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters in an interview.

"So far we have lost 1,000 human lives. There is damage to almost nearly one million houses," Iqbal said at his office.

"People have actually lost their complete livelihood."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
📝🇵🇰Pakistan army conducts rescue operation from floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Pak army helicopter conducts a rescue operation to evacuate flood victims in the lower Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as the death toll from this year's monsoon has topped 1,000. <a href="https://t.co/LpfC5fraTb">pic.twitter.com/LpfC5fraTb</a>
— worldnews24u (@worldnews24u) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldnews24u/status/1564239574401941504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Iqbal deemed the recent floods to be worse than the floods that struck Pakistan in 2010, for which the UN had made its largest-ever disaster appeal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-pakistans-fatal-flooding-has-hallmarks-of-global-warming-511322">Explained: Pakistan's fatal flooding has hallmarks of global warming</a>

In the near future, the country would face severe food shortages, according to the minister, who predicted that it may take five years to reconstruct and restore the country.

Miftah Ismail, the finance minister, suggested that India be used as a source for vegetables to help the nation's food shortages.

Long periods of no trade have existed between the two neighbouring nations.

"We can consider importing vegetables from India," Ismail told local Geo News TV, adding other possible sources of food imports included Turkey and Iran.

Due to flooded fields and inaccessible highways, food prices have already skyrocketed.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-pm-modi-expresses-grief-at-pakistan-flood-situation-reports-suggest-country-might-extend-assistance-511336">India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the devastation caused by the floods</a>.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan to get $1.17 billion immediate aid from IMF amid crumbling economy, catastrophic floods

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-get-117-billion-immediate-aid-from-imf-amid-crumbling-economy-devastation-by-floods-511328/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Early estimates place the cost of Pakistan's recent devastating floods at more than $10 billion, the country's planning minister said on Monday, adding that the international community has a duty to assist Pakistan in coping with the consequences of human-caused climate change.

Early estimates place the cost of Pakistan's recent devastating floods at more than $10 billion, the country's planning minister said on Monday, adding that the international community has a duty to assist Pakistan in coping with the consequences of human-caused climate change. At least 1,000 people have died in recent weeks as a result of unprecedented flash floods brought on by historic monsoon rains that destroyed roads, crops, infrastructure, and bridges. This represents more than 33 million people, or over 15% of the 220 million inhabitants in the country. The climate change minister has called the situation a "climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions." "I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion," Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters in an interview. "So far we have lost 1,000 human lives. There is damage to almost nearly one million houses," Iqbal said at his office. "People have actually lost their complete livelihood." 📝🇵🇰Pakistan army conducts rescue operation from floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Pak army helicopter conducts a rescue operation to evacuate flood victims in the lower Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as the death toll from this year's monsoon has topped 1,000. pic.twitter.com/LpfC5fraTb — worldnews24u (@worldnews24u) August 29, 2022 × Iqbal deemed the recent floods to be worse than the floods that struck Pakistan in 2010, for which the UN had made its largest-ever disaster appeal. Also read | Explained: Pakistan's fatal flooding has hallmarks of global warming In the near future, the country would face severe food shortages, according to the minister, who predicted that it may take five years to reconstruct and restore the country. Miftah Ismail, the finance minister, suggested that India be used as a source for vegetables to help the nation's food shortages. Long periods of no trade have existed between the two neighbouring nations. "We can consider importing vegetables from India," Ismail told local Geo News TV, adding other possible sources of food imports included Turkey and Iran. Due to flooded fields and inaccessible highways, food prices have already skyrocketed. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the devastation caused by the floods. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | Pakistan to get $1.17 billion immediate aid from IMF amid crumbling economy, catastrophic floods

Pakistan floods cost at least $10 billion: Planning minister

30 August, 2022&nbsp;will mark the presentation of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's first budget as head of his crisis-ridden nation. He will cut defence and other spending in an effort to secure help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The staff-level agreement on extending crucial IMF assistance for Sri Lanka to address its greatest economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 is expected to follow the interim budget for the remainder of the year, according to officials.

The island's tourism-based economy suffered from COVID-19, which also reduced remittances sent home by foreign workers. Rising oil costs, populist tax cuts, and a seven-month import restriction on chemical fertilisers last year, which ruined agriculture, all contributed to the damage.

As a result, there are ongoing shortages of essential goods, exorbitant prices, and widespread protests. As a result, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to leave the country, leaving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/calling-for-reforms-unga-president-abdulla-shahid-says-un-should-reflect-geopolitical-realities-511288">Wickremesinghe</a> in charge of restructuring the nation's massive debt to China and other nations while requesting an IMF bailout.

The finance ministry is held by six-time Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, who told Reuters this month that the budget he will deliver to parliament will cut spending by "a few hundred billion" rupees, including on defence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/spotlight-china-india-slug-it-out-in-colombo-511295">Spotlight | China &amp; India slug it out in Colombo</a>

In its most recent budget, which was unveiled in November, Sri Lanka sought to spend 3.9 trillion rupees ($11 billion).

In addition, Wickremesinghe is anticipated to lay out plans to aid low-income areas that have been hardest hit by the crisis and propose new taxes to reduce the country's budget deficit.

The interim budget is expected to lower the deficit objective from roughly 12% of GDP to 9.9%, but analysts caution that this is an ambitious goal because the economy is expected to fall by nearly 8% this year.

"A long-standing problem is budgets don’t meet revenue and deficit targets so this budget will have to really focus on proper revenue-based fiscal consolidation," said Shehan Cooray, head of research at Acuity Stockbrokers.

"The key things will be the budget deficit and primary deficit targets, which will be in line with an IMF plan."

According to rating agency S&amp;P Global, the country skipped 22 million interest payments due on June 3, June 28, and July 18, as well as a principle payment due on July 25.

Wednesday marks the end of a visit by an IMF team that came last week, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lanka-seized-94-fishing-boats-10-fishermen-ensure-their-release-tn-govt-to-eam-510099">Sri Lankan</a> officials are hoping to push discussions for an emergency loan of approximately $3 billion by then.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;South Asia Diary | Is Gotabaya Rajapaksa returning to Sri Lanka?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-asia-diary-is-gotabaya-rajapaksa-returning-to-sri-lanka-511298/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

30 August, 2022 will mark the presentation of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's first budget as head of his crisis-ridden nation. He will cut defence and other spending in an effort to secure help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

30 August, 2022 will mark the presentation of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's first budget as head of his crisis-ridden nation. He will cut defence and other spending in an effort to secure help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The staff-level agreement on extending crucial IMF assistance for Sri Lanka to address its greatest economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 is expected to follow the interim budget for the remainder of the year, according to officials. The island's tourism-based economy suffered from COVID-19, which also reduced remittances sent home by foreign workers. Rising oil costs, populist tax cuts, and a seven-month import restriction on chemical fertilisers last year, which ruined agriculture, all contributed to the damage. As a result, there are ongoing shortages of essential goods, exorbitant prices, and widespread protests. As a result, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to leave the country, leaving Wickremesinghe in charge of restructuring the nation's massive debt to China and other nations while requesting an IMF bailout. The finance ministry is held by six-time Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, who told Reuters this month that the budget he will deliver to parliament will cut spending by "a few hundred billion" rupees, including on defence. Also read | Spotlight | China & India slug it out in Colombo In its most recent budget, which was unveiled in November, Sri Lanka sought to spend 3.9 trillion rupees ($11 billion). In addition, Wickremesinghe is anticipated to lay out plans to aid low-income areas that have been hardest hit by the crisis and propose new taxes to reduce the country's budget deficit. The interim budget is expected to lower the deficit objective from roughly 12% of GDP to 9.9%, but analysts caution that this is an ambitious goal because the economy is expected to fall by nearly 8% this year. "A long-standing problem is budgets don’t meet revenue and deficit targets so this budget will have to really focus on proper revenue-based fiscal consolidation," said Shehan Cooray, head of research at Acuity Stockbrokers. "The key things will be the budget deficit and primary deficit targets, which will be in line with an IMF plan." According to rating agency S&P Global, the country skipped 22 million interest payments due on June 3, June 28, and July 18, as well as a principle payment due on July 25. Wednesday marks the end of a visit by an IMF team that came last week, and Sri Lankan officials are hoping to push discussions for an emergency loan of approximately $3 billion by then. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | South Asia Diary | Is Gotabaya Rajapaksa returning to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka: President Ranil Wickremesinghe to present maiden budget in hopes of IMF loan

The well-known components of a warming world were visible: sweltering heat, hotter air holding more moisture, wilder extreme weather, melting glaciers, vulnerable populations, and poverty. In Pakistan, a fragile country, they combined to produce relentless rain and fatal flooding.

Though the flooding has all the signs of a disaster fueled by climate change, it is too soon to formally blame it on it, as per AP reports. It happened in a nation that contributed little to global warming but continues to be struck, much like the constant rain.

“This year Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades. So far this year the rain is running at more than 780% above average levels,” said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan’s Climate Change Council. “Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region and Pakistan is not a exception.

Climate Minister Sherry Rehman said “it’s been a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/international-aid-reaches-flood-stricken-pakistan-511096">Pakistan</a> “is considered the eighth most vulnerable country to climate change,” said Moshin Hafeez, a Lahore-based climate scientist at the International Water Management Institute. Its rain, heat and melting glaciers are all climate change factors scientists&nbsp;warned repeatedly&nbsp;about.

<img alt="Floods in Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abb9d8d8-84e9-48f1-8b11-7f1319c407f7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1000%20%287%29.jpeg" />

Army troops distribute food and other stuff to displaced people in a flood-hit area in in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Photo credits: AP

While pointing out these well-known signs of climate change, scientists have not yet completed the complex calculations comparing what occurred in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-serena-williams-starts-farewell-campaign-with-win-over-danka-kovinic-511313">Pakistan</a> to what would occur in a world without warming. The results of that study, which are anticipated in a few weeks, will formally establish how much, if any, climate change is a factor.

The “recent flood in Pakistan is actually an outcome of the climate catastrophe ... that was looming very large,” said Anjal Prakash, a research director at India’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy. “The kind of incessant rainfall that has happened ... has been unprecedented.”

As the country's climate minister Rehman noted, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-journalist-booked-for-misquoting-imran-khan-over-blasphemous-remarks-511047">Pakistan</a> is accustomed to monsoons and heavy rains, but "we do expect them spread out, usually across three months or two months."

She claimed that there are typically breaks and less rain; nonetheless, 37.5 centimetres (14.8 inches) of rain fell in one day, about three times the national average for the previous 30 years. "It's also not that long. ... After eight weeks, we may get another rain in September.

“Clearly, it’s being juiced by climate change,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/8500-cyclists-take-over-german-motorway-in-protest-against-poor-public-transport-511111">Climate</a> Research Center in Massachusetts.

According to Hafeez, the unprecedented floods was brought on by a 400% increase in the average rainfall in places like Baluchistan and Sindh. Dam breaches number at least 20.

<img alt="Floods in Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce7f1c0d-55ce-46a7-84b7-2460d6065544" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1000%20%288%29.jpeg" />

People jostle to get drinking water from a municipality water truck on a flooded road, in Sohbatpur, a district of Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. Photo credits: AP

Just like the rain, the heat has been nonstop. Pakistan experienced temperatures that were consistently above 45 °C in May. (113 Fahrenheit). In locations like Jacobabad and Dadu, scorching temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) have been recorded.

Warmer air retains more moisture—roughly 7% more per degree Celsius (4% per degree Fahrenheit)—and this moisture finally falls, in this case in torrents.

Globally, "strong rain storms are getting more powerful," according to climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University. And he added that once the clouds pass, mountains, like those in Pakistan, aid in removing additional rainfall.

The severe heat in Pakistan speeds up long-term glacier melting, which causes water to rush from the Himalayas to Pakistan in hazardous phenomenon known as glacial lake outburst floods. This causes flash flooding in Pakistan in addition to the usual flooding caused by overflowing rivers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khans-pakistan-tehreek-i-insaf-in-trouble-following-more-audio-leaks-511118">Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in trouble following more audio leaks</a>

“We have the largest number of glaciers outside the polar region, and this affects us,” climate minister Rehman said. “Instead of keeping their majesty and preserving them for posterity and nature. We are seeing them melt.”

In 2010, comparable flooding and devastation occurred in Pakistan, killing close to 2,000 people. However, according to Suleri of the nation's Climate Change Council, the government didn't carry out plans to stop development and habitation in flood-prone areas and river bottoms in order to stop future flooding.

According to experts and government officials, the tragedy is occurring in a developing nation that has made just a little contribution to the global climate crisis. Since 1959, Pakistan has produced only 0.4% of the heat-trapping carbon dioxide that the United States and China have produced (21.5% and 16.4%, respectively).

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz accused of 'ridiculing judiciary'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-maryam-nawaz-accused-of-ridiculing-judiciary-510998/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The well-known components of a warming world were visible: sweltering heat, hotter air holding more moisture, wilder extreme weather, melting glaciers, vulnerable populations, and poverty.

The well-known components of a warming world were visible: sweltering heat, hotter air holding more moisture, wilder extreme weather, melting glaciers, vulnerable populations, and poverty. In Pakistan, a fragile country, they combined to produce relentless rain and fatal flooding. Though the flooding has all the signs of a disaster fueled by climate change, it is too soon to formally blame it on it, as per AP reports. It happened in a nation that contributed little to global warming but continues to be struck, much like the constant rain. “This year Pakistan has received the highest rainfall in at least three decades. So far this year the rain is running at more than 780% above average levels,” said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and a member of Pakistan’s Climate Change Council. “Extreme weather patterns are turning more frequent in the region and Pakistan is not a exception. Climate Minister Sherry Rehman said “it’s been a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.” Pakistan “is considered the eighth most vulnerable country to climate change,” said Moshin Hafeez, a Lahore-based climate scientist at the International Water Management Institute. Its rain, heat and melting glaciers are all climate change factors scientists warned repeatedly about. Army troops distribute food and other stuff to displaced people in a flood-hit area in in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Photo credits: AP While pointing out these well-known signs of climate change, scientists have not yet completed the complex calculations comparing what occurred in Pakistan to what would occur in a world without warming. The results of that study, which are anticipated in a few weeks, will formally establish how much, if any, climate change is a factor. The “recent flood in Pakistan is actually an outcome of the climate catastrophe ... that was looming very large,” said Anjal Prakash, a research director at India’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy. “The kind of incessant rainfall that has happened ... has been unprecedented.” As the country's climate minister Rehman noted, Pakistan is accustomed to monsoons and heavy rains, but "we do expect them spread out, usually across three months or two months." She claimed that there are typically breaks and less rain; nonetheless, 37.5 centimetres (14.8 inches) of rain fell in one day, about three times the national average for the previous 30 years. "It's also not that long. ... After eight weeks, we may get another rain in September. “Clearly, it’s being juiced by climate change,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts. According to Hafeez, the unprecedented floods was brought on by a 400% increase in the average rainfall in places like Baluchistan and Sindh. Dam breaches number at least 20. People jostle to get drinking water from a municipality water truck on a flooded road, in Sohbatpur, a district of Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. Photo credits: AP Just like the rain, the heat has been nonstop. Pakistan experienced temperatures that were consistently above 45 °C in May. (113 Fahrenheit). In locations like Jacobabad and Dadu, scorching temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) have been recorded. Warmer air retains more moisture—roughly 7% more per degree Celsius (4% per degree Fahrenheit)—and this moisture finally falls, in this case in torrents. Globally, "strong rain storms are getting more powerful," according to climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University. And he added that once the clouds pass, mountains, like those in Pakistan, aid in removing additional rainfall. The severe heat in Pakistan speeds up long-term glacier melting, which causes water to rush from the Himalayas to Pakistan in hazardous phenomenon known as glacial lake outburst floods. This causes flash flooding in Pakistan in addition to the usual flooding caused by overflowing rivers. Also read | Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in trouble following more audio leaks “We have the largest number of glaciers outside the polar region, and this affects us,” climate minister Rehman said. “Instead of keeping their majesty and preserving them for posterity and nature. We are seeing them melt.” In 2010, comparable flooding and devastation occurred in Pakistan, killing close to 2,000 people. However, according to Suleri of the nation's Climate Change Council, the government didn't carry out plans to stop development and habitation in flood-prone areas and river bottoms in order to stop future flooding. According to experts and government officials, the tragedy is occurring in a developing nation that has made just a little contribution to the global climate crisis. Since 1959, Pakistan has produced only 0.4% of the heat-trapping carbon dioxide that the United States and China have produced (21.5% and 16.4%, respectively). (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz accused of 'ridiculing judiciary'

Explained: Pakistan's fatal flooding has hallmarks of global warming

Thousands of people were stranded in Pakistan on Monday as a result of widespread flooding brought on by the "monster monsoons" that have killed more than 1,000 people this summer. The military and volunteers are frantically attempting to evacuate them, and international aid has finally started pouring in.&nbsp;With the arrival of cargo planes bearing tents, food, and other everyday necessities&nbsp;from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates into Islamabad, the international rush to help the impoverished country is underway. The National Disaster Management Authority has been sending trucks to various regions of the nation with tents, food, and water to areas severely hit by the floods.

After officials requested assistance from other countries, they were one of the countries that promised to assist Pakistan in resolving the problem.

So far, 33 million Pakistanis have been impacted, nearly 1 million homes have been damaged, and at least 1,061 people have been killed as a result of the unusually severe monsoon rains that caused flash floods throughout the nation.

The destruction this year, according to Pakistani authorities, is worse than that of 2010, when floods claimed 1,700 lives. The country's military head, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, stated on Sunday that the recovery process could take years.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-journalist-booked-for-misquoting-imran-khan-over-blasphemous-remarks-511047">&nbsp;Pak journalist booked for misquoting Imran Khan over 'blasphemous' remarks</a>

In a statement last week, the United Nations announced that it had set aside $3 million for U.N. relief organizations and their partners in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/afridi-claims-no-one-in-team-india-likes-gautam-gambhir-twitterati-unimpressed-with-harbhajans-reaction-511075">Pakistan</a> to respond to the floods. This money will be used for services in flood-affected areas related to health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation, with a focus on the most vulnerable.

Scientists and Senator Sherry Rehman of Pakistan, who also serves as that nation's climate minister, claim that this year's heavy rains in Pakistan were mostly brought on by climate change, which also resulted in forest fires.

However, some claim that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/conjectural-allegations-pakistan-denies-claims-that-us-used-its-airspace-to-kill-al-qaeda-leader-511072">Pakistan's government</a> has no desire to construct new dams and water reservoirs.

All four of the nation's provinces have been impacted by the exceptional monsoon season. Rescue efforts are challenging since more than 150 bridges have been devastated by floods, and many highways have been washed away.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;Floods and incessant rainfall wreak havoc in Pakistan; over 1000 dead, 50 million displaced

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/floods-and-incessant-rainfall-wreak-havoc-in-pakistan-over-1000-dead-50-million-displaced-511003/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Thousands of people were stranded in Pakistan on Monday as a result of widespread flooding brought on by the "monster monsoons" that have killed more than 1,000 people this summer.

Thousands of people were stranded in Pakistan on Monday as a result of widespread flooding brought on by the "monster monsoons" that have killed more than 1,000 people this summer. The military and volunteers are frantically attempting to evacuate them, and international aid has finally started pouring in. With the arrival of cargo planes bearing tents, food, and other everyday necessities from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates into Islamabad, the international rush to help the impoverished country is underway. The National Disaster Management Authority has been sending trucks to various regions of the nation with tents, food, and water to areas severely hit by the floods. After officials requested assistance from other countries, they were one of the countries that promised to assist Pakistan in resolving the problem. So far, 33 million Pakistanis have been impacted, nearly 1 million homes have been damaged, and at least 1,061 people have been killed as a result of the unusually severe monsoon rains that caused flash floods throughout the nation. The destruction this year, according to Pakistani authorities, is worse than that of 2010, when floods claimed 1,700 lives. The country's military head, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, stated on Sunday that the recovery process could take years. Also read | Pak journalist booked for misquoting Imran Khan over 'blasphemous' remarks In a statement last week, the United Nations announced that it had set aside $3 million for U.N. relief organizations and their partners in Pakistan to respond to the floods. This money will be used for services in flood-affected areas related to health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation, with a focus on the most vulnerable. Scientists and Senator Sherry Rehman of Pakistan, who also serves as that nation's climate minister, claim that this year's heavy rains in Pakistan were mostly brought on by climate change, which also resulted in forest fires. However, some claim that Pakistan's government has no desire to construct new dams and water reservoirs. All four of the nation's provinces have been impacted by the exceptional monsoon season. Rescue efforts are challenging since more than 150 bridges have been devastated by floods, and many highways have been washed away. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | Floods and incessant rainfall wreak havoc in Pakistan; over 1000 dead, 50 million displaced

International aid reaches flood-stricken Pakistan; death toll crosses 1000-mark

south-asia-0

South Asia, News on South Asia, stories on South Asia, articles on South Asia, South Asia stories at Wion, South Asia news, South Asia latest news

south asia-0