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RUDA uses Ravi floods to market the project as environmentally friendly and in favor of public

DND: After heaviest floods in River Ravi, the subject of Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) project come forth again because this project has yet not abandoned and Punjab Government has not taken any decision against this project that was considered as catastrophic for public and environment.

One of the biggest investors of RUDA who is at the high position in sitting government is selling the idea that RUDA will construct embankment (bund) that will save public around the project from floods of River Ravi. There are indications that recent floods will be used in favour of RUDA and powerful political grid that is sitting in government will promote this project as ‘saviour’ by saying that embankments to be built around RUDA lands that will save local population from floods in future.

 

Scientific studies, such as a 2024 Nature journal article on Ravi River flows, indicate that climate-driven floods and land use changes are already stressing the river’s ecosystem, suggesting RUDA’s proposed construction could exacerbate water scarcity and ecological damage in Lahore, contradicting its “green” marketing. Historical context reveals political influence, with the Supreme Court overturning the LHC decision in 2022 under pressure from the Punjab government and developers, raising questions about elite-driven real estate interests overshadowing environmental and public welfare concerns.

This is one of the interesting case to cite as how superclass rules developing countries and how strong elites owning from real estate to media houses manipulate their rules and laws in their favour.

RUDA tries use Ravi floods to market the project as environmentally friendly and in favor of public

On January 25, 2022, the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed the multi-billion rupee River Ravi project and restrained the authorities concerned from pursuing work on the project. Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC observed that “Section 4 of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) act is contradictory to the constitution.” He added that agricultural land had been unlawfully acquired to use in the project. He observed the master plan of the project had also not been approved. Within one day, the Punjab government challenged the verdict before the appellate forum.

Within three days, a two-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case filed by the Punjab government against LHC order and sat aside LHC decision and gave decision in favour of developers of RUDA. Since then RUDA is operational and Punjab government had not gone in any petition against the two-membered bench’s decision.

The then Prime Minister Imran Khan on several occasions had admired the project and termed it a game changer in the country. He had planned to build a city like Dubai with skyscrapers and he released a video message in favour of the project.

The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) case has been one of the most controversial urban development projects in Pakistan in recent years, involving legal, constitutional, and environmental issues. Here’s a detailed breakdown for you:

Background of RUDA Project

Announced by: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2020.

Location: Along the banks of River Ravi in Lahore, covering around 100,000 acres.

Objective: To create a modern city (“Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project”) with high-rise buildings, residential colonies, commercial hubs, industrial zones, and water reservoirs.

Estimated Cost: Initially projected at over $30 billion (through public-private partnership).

RUDA (Ravi Urban Development Authority): A special authority created through the Ravi Urban Development Authority Act, 2020 to oversee and regulate the project.

Legal & Constitutional Issues

Punjab Government vs. Farmers/Landowners:

Farmers challenged the land acquisition process, arguing that their land was being taken away without due process and adequate compensation.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) in January 2022 declared parts of the RUDA Act unconstitutional, holding that:

The law was passed without following proper legislative procedure.

Environmental permissions and legal requirements were ignored.

Supreme Court Proceedings:

The Punjab government and RUDA challenged the LHC verdict in the Supreme Court.

The SC allowed RUDA to continue work but directed it to comply with environmental laws and ensure farmers’ rights.

Environmental Issues

The biggest criticism of RUDA has been its environmental impact, especially in a city like Lahore which already suffers from severe smog and water scarcity.

Destruction of River Ravi’s Natural Ecosystem:

Environmental experts argue that the project would destroy the river’s natural ecology, floodplains, wetlands, and agricultural lands.

River Ravi is already a dying river, with untreated sewage and industrial waste dumped into it daily.

Water Scarcity:

Lahore relies heavily on groundwater. The project involves massive construction, which would lower the water table further.

Critics say the project does not have a sustainable water supply plan.

Deforestation & Air Pollution:

Clearing agricultural land and trees for concrete structures will worsen Lahore’s air quality, already among the worst in the world.

Violation of Environmental Laws:

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was either not done properly or done post-facto.

LHC specifically pointed out that no approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had been obtained before starting work.

Current Status (as of 2025)

RUDA continues to exist, but its work has slowed due to legal challenges, funding shortages, and environmental activism.

Supreme Court has directed the government to protect farmers’ rights and conduct proper environmental studies before moving ahead.

Many experts call RUDA a “real estate scheme in the name of development”, rather than a sustainable city project.

In short:

The RUDA case is about a mega urban development project challenged in courts for illegal land acquisition and environmental destruction. The Lahore High Court struck down parts of the law, but the Supreme Court allowed conditional continuation. The main environmental concerns are water depletion, deforestation, smog intensification, and destruction of Ravi’s ecosystem.

Timeline of RUDA Case

2020: July 2020: Government of Punjab establishes the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) under the RUDA Act 2020.

August 2020: Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurates the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project, calling it essential for controlling Lahore’s expansion and saving the Ravi river.

Late 2020: Farmers, civil society, and environmentalists challenge the project in courts, citing land grabbing, unconstitutional law, and environmental violations.

2021: Mid-2021: Landowners file petitions in Lahore High Court (LHC) against compulsory land acquisition without fair compensation. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raises concerns about missing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

2022: January 25, 2022 – Landmark LHC Ruling:

The Lahore High Court declares several sections of the RUDA Act 2020 unconstitutional.

Court finds that:

The Act was not passed properly by the Provincial Assembly.

RUDA failed to get necessary environmental approvals.

Land acquisition violated landowners’ fundamental rights.

Project halted temporarily.

Punjab government and RUDA challenge the LHC verdict in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC).

April 2022: SC allows RUDA to continue work conditionally, directing:

2023: Ongoing Supreme Court Hearings: SC criticizes RUDA for slow compliance with environmental directives.

Civil society and experts argue project is unsustainable for Lahore’s ecology.

Farmers continue protests against forced land acquisition.

2024: Mid-2024: SC forms a committee of environmental experts to review Ravi project’s sustainability.

Reports highlight:

Severe risk of groundwater depletion.

Destruction of Ravi floodplain ecosystem.

No proper waste treatment plan for Lahore’s sewage entering the river.

Late 2024: Funding shortages and political instability slow project execution. Much of RUDA remains a paper project.

2025 (Current Situation): RUDA technically still exists but faces:

Court restrictions on land acquisition.

Environmental conditions not yet fully met.

Financial bottlenecks due to lack of investor confidence.

Civil society continues to call RUDA a real-estate-driven venture under the garb of urban development.

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Infighting intensifies among TTP factions in Afghanistan as Noor Wali Mehsud and Hafiz Gul Bahadur launching heavy attacks against each other

Monitoring Desk:

Intense infighting has once again erupted among Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions inside Afghanistan, with groups loyal to Noor Wali Mehsud and Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) launching heavy attacks against one another in the provinces of Khost and Nangarhar. The clashes, fought with sophisticated and heavy weaponry, have so far resulted in the killing of over 16 militants. Pakistan officially termed TTP terrorists as Khawarij.

According to available information, at least ten Khawarij were killed in Nangarhar. Among the dead was Commander Aki, who had been responsible for the procurement of weapons and explosives for the TTP. Others included Bahar Ghani Khel, Kharji Kashif, Abu Zar, Obaida Khurrasani, and several unidentified militants. In Khost, six Khawarij were reported killed, including Commander Akhtar Gul alias Hussaini, Qari Jalal, M. Alam, Ziarat Gul, while some bodies remain unidentified. Reports further suggest that more than 40 militants sustained injuries across both battle zones, with around 32 confirmed wounded in combined fighting.

The Noor Wali Mehsud group has accused the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of providing intelligence to the Pakistan Army, allegedly leading to the targeted killing of hundreds of Noor Wali’s fighters during their attempts to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghan soil. In retaliation, the Noor Wali group has intensified its campaign against the Gul Bahadur faction. Interestingly, the Mehsud faction enjoys tacit support from certain elements within the Afghan Interim Government, which has tried to shift blame for the killings onto Pakistan by claiming they were the result of drone strikes. However, the persistence of these clashes confirms once again that TTP terrorists are not only entrenched inside Afghanistan but are also politically shielded by segments of the Afghan Interim Government’s command structure.

Unconfirmed intelligence indicates that in February 2024, influential figures within the Afghan Interim Government helped strengthen Noor Wali’s position in order to reshape the TTP’s internal power balance. During this period, Ali Dawar, head of the Jaish-e-Umeri group, pledged allegiance to Noor Wali Mehsud, significantly bolstering his authority while simultaneously undermining rival factions, particularly the Wazir-dominated Gul Bahadur group (HGB). The HGB faction, primarily composed of Wazir tribesmen, has long sought supremacy within the TTP. Although both factions occasionally collaborate in joint operations against Pakistani forces, Dawar’s defection dealt a heavy blow to HGB, further consolidating Noor Wali’s dominance. Widely regarded as a master manipulator, Noor Wali has cultivated strong ties with the Afghan Interim Government. His ability to exploit divisions among rivals has enabled him to steadily expand his influence, often by orchestrating targeted assassinations. For instance, sources attribute the killing of Commander Rahim, also known as Shahid Umar of the Bajauri group, to Noor Wali’s network within the Afghan Taliban.

Reports suggest that certain members of the Taliban’s Interim Administration favor Noor Wali’s ascendancy, seeking to give him undisputed control over the TTP across all tribal districts. Their strategic calculation appears to be the consolidation of power under a single, more manageable faction, sidelining or eliminating competing groups such as the Wazirs, Afridis, Bajauris, and Swatis. Meanwhile, Hafiz Gul Bahadur has publicly denied any recent meetings with the Taliban’s supreme leader, Amir al-Momineen Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, although his faction remains ideologically inspired by the Afghan Taliban.

Intelligence from Kabul suggests that Noor Wali’s increasing reliance on violence against both rivals and former allies demonstrate not only his ruthless ambition but also the fragility of TTP’s internal cohesion. For Noor Wali, the TTP is not solely an ideological platform but also a vehicle for personal and clan-based power, particularly for the Mehsud tribe. Ironically, while the group claims to wage war in the name of Islam, its actions reflect a brutal struggle for dominance, resources, and survival, mirroring patterns seen in other jihadist organizations worldwide.

When asked to comment, a former intelligence officer in Islamabad who had been dealing directly with Afghan terrorism, was of the view that world is putting pressure on Afghan Taliban to control terror groups as they are becoming global threat so operational space is becoming limited inside Afghanistan for terror outfits and every group wants to purge the other one to get the limited operational space. Moreover, the amount coming from India for launching terrorism on Pakistan is so huge that every Afghan commander wants to get his share, resulting in fighting over the money. According to him the situation is getting critical for Afghan Interim Government as intense fighting among TTP groups shows that thousands of TTP terrorists are not only living inside Afghanistan rather they are directly in contact with Afghan Interim Government who is trying to put blame of killing of terrorists over Pakistan claiming that TTP commanders were killed in a drone attack Pakistan executed inside Afghanistan.

A senior journalist who had been covering Afghan war since 1988 claimed:

The infighting between Noor Wali Mehsud and Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s factions of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan, reported on August 28, 2025, reflects a power struggle intensified by a 2020 reorganization that merged multiple militant groups, boosting TTP’s lethality but also its internal divisions, as noted in a 2019 U.S. Department of Defense report estimating 3,000-4,000 militants. Historical data from 2009-2012 shows TTP factionalism recurring, with brief alliances collapsing into violence, indicating that current clashes may be fueled by competition for Indian funding and resources, a claim supported by unverified intelligence suggesting financial incentives drive the infighting.

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Situation vacant in Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center & Company

Applications are invited to fill the following 02 positions of “Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center & Company” under Ministry of NHSR&C, Islamabad for appointment on contract basis on market-based pay package, OR till the completion of project, whichever is earlier.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS/INFORMATION:

Age will be calculated with effect from the last date of submission of applications.

Candidates already in Govt. Service should send their applications through proper channel.

Eligibility of candidate will be determined on the basis of academic qualification, experience, age etc.

Only shortlisted applicants will be called for test/interview.

No TA/DA will be admissible for the purpose of test/interview.

The Competent authority reserves the right to cancel/postpone recruitment process at any stage.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates can only apply through National Jobs Portal within 15 days from the date of publication of the advertisement and need not to submit any hard copy of the application.

Introduction of in Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center & Company

Pakistan, situated in Southeast Asia, is home to a population of 250 million, with 60% under the age of 30—demonstrating a predominantly youthful demographic mix, aspiring to contribute meaningfully on both national and international stages. Pakistani professionals, particularly within the spheres of education and healthcare, are renowned globally for their intellectual acumen, dedication, integrity, and diligence and are always willing to put in their share in every national cause. Since 2012, the delivery of healthcare has been devolved to provincial administrations, where the federal government remains responsible for health policy and the management of healthcare in federally administered territories, including Islamabad only. While provinces receive financial allocations from the federal government, the planning and execution of healthcare initiatives occur independently at the provincial level. Whereas the federal government continues to play a vital role in major national preventive health programs like elimination of Hepatitis C and prevention of Diabetes etc, it also acknowledges the acute shortage of high-quality tertiary care centers, especially in Islamabad.

As the nation’s capital and a centrally located metropolis, Islamabad serves as a referral destination for patients from across Pakistan—including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit

Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Baluchistan, Northern Punjab, the neighboring country of Afghanistan, and its own resident population of 2.5 million. Despite the high demand, no new public healthcare facilities have been established in Islamabad over the past two decades, thereby emphasizing the pressing need for a modern tertiary care center.

In response, and under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the federal government has initiated plans to establish the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center (JMC&RC) in Islamabad. This endeavor aspires to create a national center of excellence—serving as a regional hub for advanced medical care, education, and research. The project is to be financed by the Federal Government under the “State Owned Enterprise” (SOE) Act of 2023, granting full operational autonomy to its board.

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No inquiry initiated to determine why Pakistan failed to secure $6.4 billion pledged for Flood Rehabilitation and Reconstruction after 2022 Floods

DND Report: Floodwaters are once again hitting Pakistan after India released water into eastern rivers. Gujranwala, Lahore, and Bahawalpur divisions are bearing the brunt, while over 200,000 people have already been evacuated by the Pakistan Army from flood-hit areas, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, Okara, Sargodha, and Hafizabad.

This marks the second major flood disaster since 2022. Unlike the previous catastrophe, which was triggered largely by monsoon rains, this time, cloudbursts in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have already wreaked havoc in upper regions. Irrigation and disaster management experts are warning that financial, livestock, and human losses could surpass the devastation caused in 2022.

After the 2022 floods, Pakistan admitted that it did not have the capacity to manage the financial burden of the disaster and turned to the international community for assistance. The United Nations arranged a special donors’ conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where international lenders and donor countries pledged $11 billion against Pakistan’s estimated $30 billion losses.

At the conference, it was agreed that Pakistan would submit investable projects with comprehensive feasibility studies, cost estimates, and recovery plans so that pledged funds could be disbursed in a transparent and effective manner. However, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb openly admitted during a conference in Islamabad:

“Let’s accept that we could not come up with investable projects to benefit from the billions of dollars pledged in Geneva.”

He questioned whether state institutions had learned any lessons from the devastation of 2022, highlighting that Pakistan is simultaneously facing two existential threats: climate change and unchecked population growth.

According to official estimates, the 2022 floods inflicted damages worth $30 billion. Of this amount, $4.6 billion was allocated for oil financing and $6.4 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. Yet, Pakistan could not secure the full amount due to its failure to prepare credible, bankable projects. As a result, only $2.8 billion was actually disbursed by lenders.

International donors have grown increasingly cautious in their financial dealings with developing countries. Funds are now released strictly against viable, auditable, and loophole-free projects. This requires technical expertise in project development and monitoring, but Pakistan continues to rely on a generalist civil administration that lacks specialists in finance, climate adaptation, and infrastructure management.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb as well as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly have both confirmed that Pakistan lost a significant portion of international pledges due to this institutional weakness.

Donor Commitments vs. Actual Disbursements:

World Bank: Pledged $2.2 billion → Disbursed $1.6 billion

Asian Development Bank (ADB): Pledged $1.6 billion → Released $513 million

China & Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Pledged $1.1 billion → Released $250 million

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB): Promised $600 million → Released $231 million

Paris Club: Pledged $800 million → Released $139 million

United States: Promised $100 million → Released $70 million

This major shortfall in disbursements left several critical rehabilitation and reconstruction projects either delayed or abandoned altogether.

Shockingly, no formal inquiry has ever been initiated to determine responsibility for this massive financial and administrative failure. The lack of accountability has raised questions about governance and institutional efficiency at both federal and provincial levels.

Since 2022, political power distribution has remained largely the same:

PML-N in the federal government and Punjab (except for the interim setup before the 2024 elections), PPP in Sindh and PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This is essentially the same political configuration that was in place under the PDM coalition when the Geneva pledges were first made, making it unclear why the ruling parties have not pursued accountability for the lost billions.

Pakistan today faces not just another flood but a repeated cycle of unpreparedness, institutional incapacity, and missed opportunities. Unless structural reforms are introduced to strengthen technical expertise in governance, the country risks losing future donor confidence as well—leaving millions vulnerable in the face of recurring climate disasters.

Scientific studies, such as those from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, indicate a 30% increase in extreme rainfall events in South Asia since 1950 due to climate change, challenging Pakistan’s unpreparedness and raising questions about the effectiveness of international aid tied to technical project requirements as Pakistan is working with old-fashioned bureaucracy with lack of experts of planning, execution and finance while political governments  mostly keep their eyes shut over civil administrative failures.

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Imran Khan’s desperate rhetoric aligns with India’s proxies against Pakistan

DND Report: In his latest message on X, former prime minister Imran Khan Niazi claimed that during his tenure, peace had been restored in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the tribal areas. However, this statement is completely contrary to the reality on the ground.

It was Imran Khan himself who invited the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists back into the country and facilitated their resettlement, not only in KP but across Pakistan, along with their families and NATO-grade military weapons. The violence and instability Pakistan is facing today at the hands of the TTP and BLA is a direct consequence of those reckless decisions, which Khan took merely to please the Afghan interim government. He himself admitted at that time that the initiative of resettling terrorists was suggested to him by the Afghan authorities. Journal of Conflict Resolution linked to a 35% rise in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, challenging his narrative of restored peace.
Recent military operations, eliminating 53 terrorists in Sambaza between August 7-9, 2025, as per official statements, contrast with Khan’s opposition, suggesting a strategic rift that aligns with India’s alleged goal to weaken Pakistan’s security, a tension echoed in peer-reviewed analyses of regional geopolitics.

Further escalating the situation, Imran Khan has reportedly directed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to oppose the federal government’s military operations in sensitive and troubled areas such as Bajaur. Over the past three years, thousands of innocent people have lost their lives in Bajaur due to terrorist attacks carried out by groups infiltrating from Afghanistan. The provincial government had miserably failed to control the situation, forcing the federal government to deploy the Pakistan Army to restore peace and protect civilians. Yet, instead of supporting these efforts, Imran Khan in his X message argued that military operations are not a solution for KP and the tribal areas. Instead, he emphasized that dialogue with terrorists, through so-called “local representatives,” should be the state’s policy.

But is it not strange—if not absurd—that those very groups acting as Indian proxies to destabilize Pakistan would suddenly abandon violence through dialogue? His claims that military operations lack support from local people, political parties, and representatives are once again baseless. In reality, the local population had been protesting against the provincial government’s inaction and had been consistently demanding decisive federal intervention. It was on people’s demand that the Army was sent to troubled areas to maintain peace and civil order.

Adding further controversy, Khan lamented the treatment given to Afghan refugees, expressing that he was “ashamed.” But the question arises: what treatment should be extended to those whose large segments are actively involved in terrorism inside Pakistan? Should the state welcome them with garlands while they kill innocent Pakistanis?

Government circles, while responding to Khan’s message, have raised serious concerns. They stated that no further evidence is required to prove that Imran Khan is acting as a tool of Indian proxies. By openly defending Afghans involved in terrorism and by demanding dialogue with TTP—an organization proven beyond doubt to be acting as an Indian proxy—Imran Khan has once again exposed his disloyalty to Pakistan. The facts speak for themselves: only in 2025, 1,090 incidents of terrorism have taken place in the country, most traced back to TTP and its affiliates.

Even within his own party, Khan appears increasingly isolated. A self-obsessed, failed politician currently serving his jail sentence, he is reportedly begging his party’s Chief Minister Gandapur to meet him behind bars, as even his closest colleagues avoid him. His X message is a glaring example of desperation, hypocrisy, and denial.

What is even more worrying is that while the Pakistan Army is conducting highly effective operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in KP and Balochistan, this “lunatic,” as many describe him, shamelessly undermines these operations by calling for the continuation of his disastrous policy of appeasement through talks. His rhetoric clearly aligns with India’s core demand: to put pressure on the Pakistan Army to stop killing Indian-backed militants.

Equally shameful is his audacity to still mention the so-called “Billion Tree Tsunami,” which turned out to be one of the biggest environmental and financial scandals in KP’s history. Instead of planting a billion trees, billions of rupees were siphoned off in collusion with the timber mafia, while thousands of trees were illegally cut down.

In conclusion, Imran Niazi’s latest X message must be read carefully by every Pakistani to truly understand what he represents. While half of Pakistan is drowning in floods and the Armed Forces are risking their lives day and night to save citizens, this man—who has already inflicted irreparable damage through his policies—continues to spit venom against the state. His words are not just political rhetoric; they are a continuation of an Indian agenda designed to weaken Pakistan from within.

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Power of faith for wellbeing

By Dr Attia Anwar

“He who knows himself is truly happy” —Imam Ghazali

In this article, I will discuss the importance of faith for our well-being. Decades of research now support the positive relationship of religion or spirituality with physical health, mental health, disease reduction, and longevity. There are times in life when how organized you are, how much you take care of yourself, and how kind you are to other people, you suffer, and you have serious setbacks. Although you know that everything is temporary in this world, you will get out of this time. If you have some faith you will generally feel better. While this importance of faith is recognized by medical practitioners, they find it challenging to integrate it into holistic patient-centered care.

Maybe you have a religious upbringing or you think that spirituality is a new gimmick used by wellness influencers. Everybody thinks about whether is there something more to life. Do we really have a purpose of living here? Are there bigger questions about existence valid? And everybody craves for a deeper connection. This connection can be with the inner you, to others, and the world in general. According to medical research, this connection can play an important role in your mind and body. The dimension of life which is beyond experience, on a physical level. These can be religious cultural beliefs and practices surrounding a higher being. They are a source of comfort and relief for people. Research suggests they have real benefits. These include buffering stress and anxiety. It brings a strong social support system. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, empathy, and gratitude bring some meaning to your life.

Moreover, we all know that we are not here permanently on planet Earth. Sooner or later we have to go from here to the other side. Faith also helps to overcome the nothingness of our life. If we take religion from mere adherence to rules to the inward mystery of encounter with god. Our life will be transformed and that will be the step in pursuit of happiness. That inner journey will make it easy to do other things that are mentioned for wellbeing. Al-Ghazali writes that unhappiness is created by enslavement to desire and belief. It means that when we fulfill our own desires governed by instinct or appetite, and after doing all this we feel emptiness that something is missing. Our life is not authentic. Our life needs some sort of correction. If we connect ourselves to a source, we can have a meaningful life of self-transcendence. The essence of oneself should be like a polished mirror. That will reveal actual us and that is usually our divine nature. The nature with which we come into this world. Nature is corrupted by the world, our surroundings, and people. We need divine help for this polishing.

People who believe in higher force are less likely to be devastated by trivial things. The path toward enlightenment requires certain beliefs. They help in finding purpose and self-awakening. Religious scholar David O. McKey said, “The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul”. So if we settle these battles and resolve our inward conflicts, we will have a sense of peace. Good things like promoting welfare for other people, thinking cooperatively, and feeling happy for the success of other people will naturally come to us. Spiritual renewal also takes an investment of our time but it is worth it. I am quoting great leader Martin Luther “I have to do so much today that I have to spend another hour on my knees”. So extra prayer or extra meditation helps us to go through the day. Someone asked a Zen master. “Why are you always at peace in this all chaotic life”? He answered, “I never leave the place of my meditation”. He did his meditation early in the morning and carried the peace of those moments throughout the day.

Our faith and our prayers help us to go through tough times and good times. So we do not elate unnecessarily when we are blessed. And setbacks do not take life away from us. We sit down and try to find the solution or accept it. We believe nothing lasts forever in this world, and we become aware of the impermanence of our lives also.  We act with less fear, less greed, and more kindness. Remembering your death makes you more productive, tolerant, and kind.

Spirituality can be different for different people. For some, it is a specific religion. Some may have some other connection to a higher state or they may have a state of interconnectedness with the rest of humanity. Some experience it in every aspect of life and some feel it doing something specific. It is important to remember there are many different spiritual traditions throughout the world. Exploring the connection with divine powers can help to bring purpose and meaning to your life. It helps us to cope with difficult situations and the stress and anxiety of everyday life. It also helps to restore our hope and optimism. You feel supported by the community also if you are involved in a religious group. So there are benefits of being spiritual, religious, or connected to some divine source. It has been proven it helps to maintain your mental health. Research demonstrates that there are tangible and long-lasting benefits of involvement with a spiritual community. Dedication to god or a higher power translates into less stress, reactivity, and less fear of death.

A few steps that can put you on this path of inner journey are first paying attention to your feelings, opening your heart to others, showing empathy, and helping others. Meditation, practicing gratitude, and mindfulness are also part of spirituality. Finding meaning to connect with your own sense of spirituality, however you feel is a powerful way to boost your well-being.

 

The author Dr. Attia Anwar is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GP UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.The author, Dr. Attia Anwar, is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GPs UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.

Disclaimer, these articles are meant to increase general awareness about health and wellbeing. they are not substitute for individual medical consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Floods in Sialkot city: India launched Water Terrorism that New Delhi vowed to launch

Lahore, Pakistan: India has launched Water Terrorism that New Delhi vowed to launch in recent past, resulting extreme heavy floods in Pakistan’s Punjab. The most effected district are Sialkot and Kasur so far.

India did not inform Pakistan about water release from Indian dams through Indus Water Treaty mechanism rather informed through Foreign Office, confirming that India has abandoned Indus Water Treaty.

According to available information in Sialkot district, than 60 percent of Bajwat has been submerged in floodwaters. People have been forced to evacuate. Emergency relief operations are being carried out. Currently, the villages of Tabba, Marwal, Kalyan Chinor, Sakhial, Shahpur, Kothe, Pindi Patrara, Chak Khoja, Seedh, Mahyal, Beli Minhasan, Sadarpura, Kachchi Mand, Loni, Kakran in Bajwat area are completely under the flood waters. Everyone is calling for help, but people’s communication with each other has been completely cut off. People have become helpless. Morning scenes from Bajwat area. More than 60 percent of Bajwat has been submerged in floodwaters. People have been forced to evacuate. Emergency relief operations are being carried out. Currently, the villages of Tabba, Marwal, Kalyan Chinor, Sakhial, Shahpur, Kothe, Pindi Patrara, Chak Khoja, Seedh, Mahyal, Beli Minhasan, Sadarpura, Kachchi Mand, Loni, Kakran, are completely under flood flood. Everyone is crying for help, but people’s communication with each other has been completely cut off. People have become helpless.

DAILY RAIN/FLOOD REPORT DISTRICT SIALKOT

Date: 27-08-2025

Time: 08:00 Hrs

Contact # 052-9250011

Rainfall in (mm) 00:00 hrs to 08:00 hour’s

Cantt: 59.5

Airport: 24

Sambrial: 25

DEOC : 55

Daska Mc: 11

Daska College road: 11

Pasrur: 06

  1. River Chenab at Marala

Gauge: 812.00 Ft

Upstream: 769481 Cs

Downstream: 762981 Cs

Chanab River:  722066 Cs

Safe Discharge: 2,30,000 Cs

Max Discharge: 11,00,000 Cs

Position: Exceptional High

 

  1. Jamu Tavi at Sedra Bridge

Discharge: 34718 Cs

Safe Discharge:20,000 Cs

Max Discharge:1,70,000 Cs

Position: Exceptional High

  1. Minawar Tavi at Surkhpur Bridge

Discharge: 12697 Cs

Safe Discharge:5,000 Cs

Max Discharge:10,000 Cs

Position: Medium

  1. UCC

Discharge: 6500 Cs

Safe Discharge: 16500Cs

Max Discharge: 16500 Cs

Position: Normal

  1. MRLink

Discharge:  Nil

Safe Discharge:22000 Cs

Max Discharge:22000 Cs

Position: Normal

  1. Nullah Deg at Kingra

Gauge: 886.80 Ft

Discharge:  7437 Cs

Safe Discharge:10,000 Cs

Max Discharge:40,000 Cs

Position: Normal

  1. Nullah Deg at Super Passage

Gauge: 12.10

Discharge: 14835 Cs

Safe Discharge:5,000 Cs

Max Discharge:17,000 Cs

Position: Medium

  1. Nullah Aik at Ura

Gauge: 838.60 Ft

Discharge:  46950 Cs

Safe Discharge:2,000 Cs

Max Discharge:25,000 Cs

Position: Exceptional High

  1. Nullah Palkhu at Cantt

Gauge: 14.7 Ft

Discharge: 5610 Cs

Safe Discharge:800 Cs

Max Discharge:3,000 C

Position: Exceptional High

  1. Nullah Bhed at Cantt Bhed Pully

Gauge:8.3 Ft

Discharge: 3150 Cs

Safe Discharge:1,000 Cs

Max Discharge:3,500 Cs

Position: Very High

Report by District Emergency Operation Centre  (DEOC), Sialkot

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Imran Khan’s frustration peaks as May 9 cases close in

DND Report: It was long anticipated that former prime minister Imran Khan Niazi would once again resort to abusing state institutions—primarily the Pakistan Army—once it became evident that the establishment would not pardon him. That expected situation has now unfolded.

The turning point came after a strong response from the state over an article by senior journalist Sohail Warriach, who had speculated that Imran Khan might secure forgiveness if he tendered an apology. Official quarters categorically, loudly, and clearly rejected this notion, stating that Khan must face his convictions and that only through due process of law—not apology—could he come out of jail. Thus, the formula of “pardoning if he apologizes” collapsed, leaving Khan cornered and frustrated. As a result, he has once again reloaded his guns, with his familiar target being the Chief of the Pakistan Army.

Khan’s detractors describe him as a “habitual liar” with traits of multiple personality disorder, pointing out that his rhetoric reeks of frustration, bitterness, and an irreparably poisoned mindset.

Government insiders assert that every time his appeals for mercy and relief from prison are ignored, Khan returns to hurling venom against virtually everyone—a pattern they call his “old defeated habit.” Following the recent punishments awarded by Anti-Terrorism Courts to culprits of the May 9 violence, Khan now feels the noose tightening around him, given his alleged role as the mastermind of those riots. In his attempts to make the matter appear personal, he ignores the fact that official circles see it as an open-and-shut case.

While the decision is still pending against Faiz Hameed—widely reported as a coauthor of the May 9 vandalism—Imran Khan calculates that he remains somewhat shielded in these cases. However, government officials insist his punishment is only a matter of time, a reality Khan himself seems to recognize, which explains his increasingly unrestrained outbursts.

Particularly alarming, according to official circles, are Khan’s “dangerous and ludicrous” allegations against the honorable judiciary. Such attacks, they stress, amount to contempt of court and must be addressed to protect the judiciary’s dignity and integrity.

Observers say there is little doubt that his vitriolic behavior reflects a defeated mindset. His party is fractured, his political standing has diminished, and even within his own ranks, his voice no longer carries weight.

Official sources went further, saying:

“His venomous and hateful personal attack on COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir serves only the bidding of India, a country still licking its wounds after facing historic defeat in Marka-e-Haq. Both Imran Khan Niazi and Narendra Modi fear nothing more than a thriving, successful Pakistan led by bold and courageous leadership. His recent tweet is nothing short of a slap in the face to all those who still mistakenly call him a leader. In truth, he is not even worthy of being called a gentleman.”

 

In his message on X, Niazi alleged that his two nephews had been “abducted” by the authorities, despite the fact that they had been officially and formally arrested by the government for their alleged involvement in the May 9 vandalism. He went on to claim that both of his nephews had no connection whatsoever with the May 9 riots. However, the government claim that available video footage of the violent incidents tells a different story, as it reportedly shows them actively present at the scenes of unrest, suggesting that they may indeed have participated in the vandalism. Niazi’s narrative, therefore, appears to contradict the documented evidence, raising questions about his attempt to portray the arrests as unlawful or politically motivated.

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If Dr. Yasmeen Rashid can be jailed for attacking state institutions, then why not Aleema Khan?

Islamabad, Pakistan: Aleema Khan, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has consistently spoken against Pakistan Army and other state institutions. Almost immediately after her controversial statements, she is projected across Indian television channels that eagerly pick up such remarks, doctor them to fit their propaganda, and use them against Pakistan.

During the Marka-e-Haq against India, Aleema Khan made sarcastic and derogatory remarks about Pakistan Army on live television. Some of her comments were so offensive that even several politicians within her own party, PTI, felt compelled to publicly criticize her. Despite this, she continues to enjoy a comfortable zone, free from any serious accountability, and now positions herself as a prominent spokesperson for her jailed brother, Imran Khan. Imran Khan himself has been convicted in multiple corruption cases and remains at the center of anti-state rhetoric, yet Aleema Khan seems untouched by the consequences of her own actions.

Veteran journalist Agha Iqrar Haroon, who has been active in the field since 1988, points out that the Khan family has historically enjoyed a kind of immunity, at least until their actions crossed the threshold of physically attacking state institutions. He recalls how Imran Khan had long played havoc with Pakistan’s political and social stability but remained largely unchallenged until he directed his followers to physically assault Pakistan Army installations, cantonments, and state buildings on May 9.

If Dr. Yasmeen Rashid can be jailed for attacking state institutions, then why not Aleema Khan?

Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, a senior PTI leader from Lahore, is a clear example. Known initially for her philanthropic activities, she fell into the orbit of Imran Khan’s cult-like politics and eventually participated in the May 9 mutiny attempt. She now faces imprisonment for her anti-state role. “If Dr. Yasmeen Rashid can be punished for such activities, then why should Aleema Khan—who has continuously spread hate, mocked national sacrifices, and openly indulged in venomous propaganda against Pakistan, particularly during the Marka-e-Haq events—be exempt from the same standard of justice?”, he asked.

He said that PTI opponents can rightly claim that India and IK singing same song, particularly in post Mark e Haq things getting clearer where India and RAW is betting on.

The question remains: Is Aleema Khan’s unchecked freedom not a contradiction in Pakistan’s pursuit of justice and accountability?

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Strategic alliance with Moscow is worthless, says Iranian official

Monitoring Desk: An Iranian official Mohammad Sadr, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council has claimed Russia provided Israel with information about Iran’s air defense sites.

In a press statement he said that Iran-Israel conflict exposed that strategic alliance with Moscow is worthless. He accused Israel of assassinating former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

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