KARACHI: Approximately ten climbers—including well-known Nepali mountaineer Nims Dai and Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi from Hunza—have been reported missing after an avalanche hit their expedition on Broad Peak (8,047 meters) in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range on Thursday.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) first learned that the avalanche struck the group at noon, after which communication with all expedition members was lost.

The team consists of five Nepali climbers, including Nims Dai, alongside Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Omani mountaineer Nadhira, American climber Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Mr. Wang, and one additional international climber.

The ACP reported receiving extremely disturbing accounts of the incident and confirmed that contact with all team members appears to have been lost following the avalanche.

According to the club, its president, Major General Irfan Arshad, and senior leadership are in continuous communication with government authorities and relevant agencies to facilitate a prompt search and rescue operation.

“Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilized at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions,” the ACP statement read.

After communication with the climbers remained cut off for several hours, sources at the Broad Peak base camp also called for an immediate helicopter rescue operation.

Situated in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan, Broad Peak—the 12th-highest mountain in the world at 8,047 meters—is considered one of the country’s most challenging peaks for high-altitude adventures.

The ACP stated that it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with all relevant parties and that further updates will be released as information becomes available.

JHELUM – Residents of several villages have urged the Punjab government to take immediate measures to rectify faulty drainage arrangements along the Lillah-Jhelum Dual Carriageway and address connectivity problems caused by the Jalalpur Irrigation Project (JIP) canal.

Residents of Dilawar village said their houses were flooded with mud and rainwater flowing down the surrounding hills during recent rains. They expressed fears that another spell of heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods entering their homes.

Local resident Malik Sajjad said villagers had repeatedly warned the authorities about the potential threat before the monsoon, but their concerns were allegedly ignored. He said engineers later inspected a culvert along the road, where inadequate space for the passage of floodwater had resulted in inundation of nearby houses.

He said the road and culvert required structural modifications to ensure the smooth discharge of rain and floodwater and prevent a recurrence of the problem.

An official associated with the project said a detailed report had been submitted to senior officials of the Punjab Highways Department, seeking corrective measures.

Meanwhile, residents of Kullewal, Ara Buland and adjoining areas complained that the Jalalpur-Khushab Canal had disrupted their access to agricultural fields, graveyards and grazing grounds. They said the absence of mini-bridges had created serious difficulties for local people, particularly farmers.

Jalalpur Irrigation Project Director Waheed Ashraf said he had recently visited the affected locations along with a team of the Asian Development Bank. He said several possible solutions were currently being examined in consultation with the ADB.

RAWALPINDI – Over 1,000 applications have been received from livestock farmers across Rawalpindi district as registration continues for the third phase of the CM Livestock Card Programme.

On Wednesday, Focal Person Livestock Rawalpindi Dr. Mad-e-ha Tariq said that the registration for 3rd phase is being conducted on a “first-come, first-served” basis, with approximately 15 to 20 days remaining for farmers to submit applications, though an extension may be considered if needed to accommodate maximum beneficiaries.

Dr. Mad-e-ha Tariq elaborated that following the close of registration, a comprehensive scrutiny and verification process lasting about one month will commence before issuing cards and disbursing funds directly into approved accounts.

Under the initiative managed by the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab, eligible livestock owners possessing between 5 and 20 male calves (bulls/ heifers) can access interest-free loans of up to Rs 540,000.0. The funds allow farmers to purchase high-quality feed (wanda), silage and mineral mixtures from registered tehsil vendors, along with a special facility to withdraw up to 25 percent of the loan in cash to meet operational expenses, vaccination costs, and care needs.

The focal person said that applicants must be residents of Punjab holding a valid original CNIC, possess a mobile SIM registered in their own name, and verify ownership of at least five male calves.

Dr. Mad-e-ha highlighted that veterinary officers and assistants were assisting farmers through field-level facilitation desks, along with online application portals at plc.punjab.gov.pk (accessible directly or via QR code) and a 24/7 helpline (08000-9211) for guidance and grievance redressal. 

She urged all eligible livestock owners to complete their registration promptly to benefit from the provincial government’s farmer-friendly initiative.