AsiaNet-Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan is set to experience another wave of intense weather conditions starting the night of April 16th, As per National Weather Forecasting Centre, Islamabad. A strong westerly wave is expected to impact various regions across the country, bringing significant rain, wind, thunderstorms, and even snowfall in higher elevations through next week.

According to National Weather Forecasting Centre – Islamabad, the weather system will first affect western parts of the country and gradually extend to Balochistan on April 17th and to the upper parts by April 18th. Regions including Gwadar, Kech, and Zhob in Balochistan will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from the night of April 16th to the morning of April 19th. The forecast also predicts similar conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where cities like Chitral, Swat, and Peshawar will see rain and snowfall over high mountains starting from the night of April 17th until April 21st.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, the weather will also turn significantly harsh with rain and heavy snowfall expected from April 18th to April 22nd. Punjab and Islamabad are not left out, with rain and thunderstorms predicted to start from April 18th and last until the 21st, potentially including hailstorms in places like Murree and the Galliyat region.

The provinces of Sindh will also experience rain and thunderstorms from the night of April 17th to the morning of April 19th, impacting major cities including Karachi and Hyderabad.

The extensive forecast highlights the ongoing active weather patterns over Pakistan, affecting millions of residents and potentially impacting daily activities and infrastructure due to the severity of the predicted weather conditions.

Jammu, Raman Bhalla, the working president of the Congress party in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, has publicly declared that the people will respond decisively to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the forthcoming parliamentary elections due to unfulfilled promises and general dissatisfaction.

According to Kashmir Media Service, during a public rally at Gho Manhasan in the Marh block of Jammu, Bhalla voiced the frustrations of the local populace. He stated that the residents of occupied Jammu and Kashmir are keen to express their discontent with the BJP and its allies at the ballot box for their failures and unkept commitments.

Bhalla highlighted the critical issues of exploitation of local resources, the need for protection of land and jobs, and the restoration of statehood. He emphasized the importance of local control over resources and employment opportunities, declaring that the external appropriation of these assets by others is intolerable.

He pledged to champion these concerns in parliament and to ensure that the voices of the people of Kashmir are not only heard but also acted upon. Bhalla reiterated the Congress party’s dedication to fostering development and prosperity in the region, contrasting it with what he described as the BJP’s detrimental policies.

Jammu, Indian police have apprehended two individuals, Rahul Dev and Ravinder Kumar, in the Bishnah area of Jammu district in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the arrests were made during a cordon and search operation conducted by Indian forces. During the search, authorities reportedly found one pistol and one live round cartridge in possession of the detained individuals.

The report also noted that in a broader crackdown, Indian troops have arrested several other individuals under various pretexts in multiple districts including Rajouri, Reasi, Baramulla, and Shopian.

Geneva, Marking the one-year anniversary of the armed conflict in Sudan, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a stark warning about the potential for further escalation. He highlighted the increasing violence, the arming of civilians by combatants, and the involvement of additional armed groups which could exacerbate the already dire situation.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk detailed the severe impacts of the conflict on the Sudanese population, including indiscriminate attacks in populated areas, ethnically-motivated violence, and significant instances of conflict-related sexual violence. He also expressed deep concern over the recruitment and use of children by the parties involved in the conflict. With recent reports indicating a looming attack on El-Fasher in North Darfur, Turk emphasized the alarming risk of continued violations and abuses against civilians amid an escalating humanitarian crisis.

The situation is further complicated by political tensions, as evidenced by recent arrest warrants issued against key civilian figures, including former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok. These charges, which carry the potential for the death penalty, appear to lack substantial evidence and risk further destabilizing the country.

Turk advocated for a reduction in the number of armed participants to foster a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He urged the Sudanese authorities to revoke the arrest warrants against Hamdok and other leaders, and to initiate confidence-building measures aimed at achieving a ceasefire. This should be followed by a comprehensive resolution to the conflict and the restoration of a civilian-led government.

The High Commissioner provided a grim overview of the conflict’s toll: thousands of civilians killed or injured, widespread destruction of essential infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over eight million people and left nearly 18 million facing acute food insecurity. He called for all parties to allow humanitarian and human rights workers safe access to affected areas and to take steps to prevent further civilian suffering.

Turk emphasized the importance of civil society’s role in the country’s recovery and urged all parties to cooperate with international efforts, including the UN-appointed human rights experts and fact-finding missions, to ensure accountability and support for human rights initiatives.