#Sherry Rehman

[rapeculturerealities]

The activists confronting period taboos in Pakistan | Women | Al Jazeera

The monsoon season last year, from June to September, saw record-breaking rainfall. August saw three times as much rainfall as the 30-year national average. Sindh and Balochistan provinces were the worst hit. Sindh, home to 50 million people, received eight times its average rainfall. More than 33 million people were affected by torrential rains and flash floods – that’s one in seven Pakistanis. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described it as a “monsoon on steroids”. “One-third of Pakistan is under water,” said the federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman at the time.

Pakistan needed help on an unprecedented level. The United Nations called for $816m in relief by October. In November, when I visited villages in Sindh and Balochistan, families were still crowded by the side of some main roads under worn tents bearing the names of aid organisations. As large local and international organisations, usually helmed by local male coordinators on the ground, assessed the needs of millions, others wondered about women like Razia. In September, an estimated 73,000 women were expected to give birth. They required birth attendants, newborn care and support, but many women were not allowed to leave their homes and were dependent on husbands or fathers to provide access to healthcare, or to travel with them to medical camps. And then there was the question of more basic needs: How were the 8.2 million women of reproductive age living in the flood-affected areas managing their menstrual needs? Who was considering this?

[lahore-division-updates]

With compliments from, The Directorate General Public Relations,

Government of the Punjab, Lahore Ph. 99201390.

No.1103

HANDOUT (A)

CM MARYAM NAWAZ SHARIF CONGRATULATES PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF & ALL STAKEHOLDERS ON PASSAGE OF 26TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Lahore, 21 October 2024:

“This is not an amendment, but a protective wall so that no 'damn fool' can arbitrarily violate dignity of the Constitution, Parliament, elected governments and institutions,” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while congratulating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all leaders, democratic forces, coalition parties and people on the approval of the 26th constitutional amendment. She added,”President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, including all leaders, gave priority to the interests of the state and the people instead of politics, and gave parliament its due right to supremacy and sovereignty.”

Madam Chief Minister said,”The 26th amendment is a historic symbol of the unity of the friends of democracy and the constitution.” She added,”The parties who created the constitution of 1973 have once again played a historic role of making it more effective, better and stronger.” She highlighted,”The amendment with the opposition also includes public opinion, which will improve the dignity, reputation and character of the democracy.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”In the light of the Charter of Democracy, People-Specific Amendment was made, relief will be given to Pakistan and its people.” She added,”As a result of the constitutional amendment, only those judges will come who will uphold constitution and the rights of the people.” She underscored,”Getting rid of a handful of mischievous characters is the life of the nation.”

Madam Chief Minister said,”The Judiciary will be free from the characters who kill mandate and position of the elected Prime Ministers with the sword of the theory of convenience and the theory of necessity.” She added,”For the first time, the judiciary itself will be strengthened as an institution against those who kill democracy and elected governments in the darkness of night, which will improve the reputation of the judiciary and will wash away stains in our history.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”The transparent appointment of competent judges on merit will guarantee independence of judiciary and protection of the Constitution.” She added,”The welfare of the people, the real objectives of delivering justice without delay will be achieved.” She flagged,”Salute to the political vision of martyr Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.” She underscored,”The efforts of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Syed Khurshid Shah, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Kamran Murtaza and all members of the constitutional amendment team are commendable.”

*****

[piyasahaberleri]

(Soldan sağa) Senatörler Ishaq Dar, Mushtaq Ahmed ve Sherry Rehman, 19 Şubat 2024'teki Senato oturumunda konuşurken, bu kare bir videodan alınmıştır. — YouTube/@SenateofPakistanOfficialSenato, Pazartesi günü tecavüzden yargı giymiş kişilerin kamuya açık olarak infaz edilmesi yönündeki öneriye karşı oy kullandı; parlamenterlerin çoğunluğu bu tür bir uygulamanın cinsel suçları önlemede etkisiz bulunduğunu belirterek buna kuvvetli bir halde karşı çıktı.Parlamentonun üst meclisi, 1860 tarihindeki Pakistan Ceza Kanunu ve 1898 tarihindeki Ceza Muhakemeleri Kanunu'nun 2023 tarihindeki Ceza Kanunları (Değişim) Tasarısı vesilesiyle değiştirilmesi yönündeki hamleyi 24:14 oyla reddetti. Cemaat-i İslami'nin (JI) Senatörü Mushtaq Ahmed tarafınca sunulan tasarı, Senatörler Mehr Taj Roghani, Kamran Murtaza, Mevlana Faiz Muhammed, Hafız Abdül Kareem, Kamal Ali Ağa, Abdülkadir ve ötekiler tarafınca desteklendi.Tasarıya karşı oy kullanan senatörler, gelecekte bu tür iğrenç suçların önlenmesini sağlamak için kovuşturmaların iyileştirilmesi, cinsel suçlarla mücadeleye yönelik soruşturmalar yapılması ve daha iyi bir hapishane ortamı sağlanması yönünde çağrıda bulunmuş oldu. Teklifi reddedildikten sonrasında korumak için çaba sarfeden JI'dan Mushtaq, senatörlerin "temel sorun" hakkında konuşmadıklarını ve milletvekillerinin kamuya açık infazlar sebebiyle "vahşetin" yaygınlaştığından bahsettiklerini sadece bunun esasen yaygın bulunduğunu belirtti.“Kamuya açık idamlar yöntemiyle vahşeti durdurmak isterim. Otoyoldaki saldırı vakasındaki hanım ve Zainab'ın saygısı yok muydu? [How] bir tecavüzcünün saygısı olur mu?” bu tür suçluların açıkca asılmasının bir "caydırıcılık" görevi göreceğini iddia ederek merak etti.Mushtaq'ı destekleyen Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl'ın (JUI-F) Faiz Muhammed'i, bu tür iğrenç suçları işleyen suçluların her insanın önünde asılması icap ettiğini söylemiş oldu.Endişelerini dile getiren Pakistan Halk Partisi (PPP) Senatörü Sherry Rehman, öneriye şiddetle karşı çıktı, bunun cinsel suçları caydırmak açısından karşı etkili bir tedbir bulunduğunu söylemiş oldu ve mevzuyu ele almak için daha iyi kovuşturma ve soruşturmalar yapılması yönünde çağrıda bulunmuş oldu.Senato'nun oturumu esnasında konuşan şunları söylemiş oldu: “Halk Partisi, ister kamu yada hususi olsun, ölüm cezasına karşı devamlı ilkeli bir duruşa sahipti.” Dedi.“PPP tecavüzü iğrenç ve ağır bir kabahat olarak şiddetle kınasa da, çeşitli ülkelerde görüldüğü benzer biçimde ölüm cezası yada kamuya açık infaz çağrılarının cinsel suçları caydırmada etkili olduğu kanıtlanmadı. Toplumda barbarlığa ve şiddete başvurmak yerine soruşturma ve soruşturmaların artırılmasına öncelik vermeliyiz.”Ziaul Haq döneminde halka açık infazlara yönelik zamanı girişimlerde bulunulduğunu ve bunların suçu azaltmada başarısız bulunduğunu ekledi.“Bir kabahat için kamuda idam savunulursa, öteki suçlar için de bu talep edilecektir. PPP, polise daha iyi finansman sağlanması, cezai soruşturmaların geliştirilmesi ve saldırı vakalarıyla ilgilenen memurların daha iyi eğitilmesi de dahil olmak suretiyle kapsamlı önlemler yöntemiyle şiddete ve cinsel suçlara yönelik hakim öfkeyi ele almanın önemine odaklanıyor.” Pakistan Müslüman Birliği-Navaz'ın (PML-N) Senatörü Sadia Abbasi, toplumu daha şiddetli hale getireceği için tasarıya karşı çıktığını söylemiş oldu. “Bu ülkede insanoğlu her insanın önünde kırbaçlandı [...] Yurt içinde ve yurt haricinde oluşan tepkiyi gördük.”PML-N Senatörü Ishaq Dar da yasada ölüm cezasının mevcut bulunduğunu belirterek tasarıya karşı çıkan seslere destek verdi. Ek olarak tasarıyı "uygunsuz" buldu ve suçluların halka açık bir halde idam edilmemesi icap ettiğini söylemiş oldu.

[badedramay]

i feel like sherry and bilal have different issues. sherry's not outright terrible but he doesn't bring anything particularly unique to the table, so he ends up appearing lackluster against the male leads he co-stars with, be it fawad, adeel, bilal abbas. bilal in comparison reminds me of yoona. someone who's so content to allow themselves to be typecasted when it comes to roles bc then at least the roles are coming in, that they never really allow themselves to grow. yoona's been acting for a long time but i wasn't really compelled by one of her performances until 2018 bc the role demanded something different of her. bilal needs to actively go out of the box and push to do something where it isn't simply his job to be the obedient first born and then maybe he'll develop (and i say this while admitting his performance in yunhi was sweet! but i think that credit is largely owed to the production on the drama and ehteshamuddin's direction more than anything else)

yeah, when you put Sherry next to better actors it's hard for him to particularly shine. but that doesn't mean when he has the center stage in projects he's solo leading that he doesn't try to bring something to the table. both PHL and PSM, two projects that favored his characters the most, had him deliver various shades of his characters and to his credit he tried his BEST to bring variation to them. could he have done a better job (or could a better actor performed the characters better)? heck yeah. but i personally at least wasn't put off by his performances because of how monotonous he was where I couldn't different his one emotion from the other.

which isn't something I can say of Topi. the man doesn't even TRY! he literally just stands there 🙍🏼‍♂️. I remember how fucking awful he was in Janaan especially next to Ali Rehman who brought such life to the screen. Topi thinks a slight tilt up of the lips is romance and the furrowing of the brow shows intensity and baqi full range of human emotion ka kyaaa hi karna hai woh toh 😐 hi dikha sakte hain cuz serious character. like??? any sweetness that Dawood had was solely because the character was written so wonderfully and written particularly to match what 1 strength that Topi has that is his seriously blank face. this very same character in the hands of someone capable of bringing even 10% nuance to the screen with their character would've made both the character and the story of Kim&Dawood much more engaging and memorable. the fact that Topi himself wasn't interested in exploring the character more (Maya admitted to him being so lazy with remembering his dialogues that he shortened monologues to just a few lines and had to be forced to spend time on them because the dialogues were where the magic was happening) just makes me loathe him that much more as an actor. like what even are you doing here?! who brought you here?! HOW DO YOU KEEP GETTING PROJECTS????? i really really REALLY do not want to see any more of him and it's my tragedy that i will be, yet again, subjected to his blank face in the future!!

funny you should bring up Yoona because she has never managed to impress me either. i wouldn't call her awful, there are far worse idol-turned-actors than her in the market, but she has never made mark as well. but i admit i haven't seen her movies and just a few roles she's done in dramas. maybe she is better on the big screen but on TV Yoona's presence or absence makes no difference.

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] This letter refers to the article ‘Financing climate action’ (August 19, 2023) by Sherry Rehman. The article’s claim that countries like Pakistan are especially prone to this problem is true. That being said, this is a problem that impacts every region in the world. In Canada, the province of Alberta faced catastrophic wildfires in March and now the province of British Columbia is facing the same situation. Meanwhile California might soon be facing its first tropical storm in 80 years and flash flood warnings have been put in place as a result. It turns out that the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference events (COPs) are not enough to deal with the quickly changing climate and its devastating impacts. The world needs more wide-reaching and meaningful measures to deal with the situation.Anas A KhanEdmontonCanada [ad_2]

[warningsine]

A third of Pakistan is under water as a result of flooding caused by record monsoon rains, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said Monday, calling it a "crisis of unimaginable proportions".

Officials say at least 33 million people -- one in every seven Pakistanis -- have been affected by the floods, which have killed 1,136 people since the monsoon began in June.

Vast parts of farmland in southern Sindh and western Balochistan provinces are now just landscapes of water, while in the north, roads and bridges have been washed away by raging mountain rivers.

"To see the devastation on the ground is really mind-boggling," Rehman told AFP in an interview.

"When we send in water pumps, they say 'Where do we pump the water?' It's all one big ocean, there's no dry land to pump the water out."

Rehman said "literally a third" of Pakistan was under water, describing it as akin to a dystopian movie.

Appeal for help

She also expected the death toll to rise as many areas in the north of the country, where dozens of rivers are still in full flood, remain cut off.

Rehman renewed the government's appeal for international assistance, while also blaming major industrialised countries for their role in global warming.

Pakistan is responsible for less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but is eighth on a list compiled by the NGO Germanwatch of countries deemed most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change.#photo1

"It's time for the big emitters to review their policies. We have crossed what is clearly a threshold," she said.

"The multilateral forum pledges or ambitions voiced by other countries -- the rich countries, that have gotten rich on the back of fossil fuels -- they don't really come through."

Rehman said Pakistan's economy, already in crisis, would be badly hit by the flooding.

"Sindh is half of Pakistan's breadbasket and will not be able to grow anything at all next season," she predicted.

"Not only will our exports be impacted, but our food security will take a hit."

Rehman said a proper assessment of the damage caused by the flooding would take time.

"Right now, after everyone is actually rescued, we will be feeding and providing cooked meals and shelter," she said.

"We need to also look for the spread of medical camps, because disease is always the next predator in such an environment."

The International Monetary Fund board was meeting later Monday to decide whether to green-light the resumption of a $6 billion loan programme, but it is already clear it will take much more to repair and rebuild after this monsoon.

"We are in touch with our big donors... let's hope they can come up with something that can really assist one of the most climate-impacted countries of the world in its time of need," Rehman said.

[globalcourant]

Balochistan received 605 pct more rain this year: Sherry Rehman

Balochistan received 605 pct more rain this year: Sherry Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman has said that Pakistan has been on the frontline of the climate change, ARY News reported on Wednesday. “Balochistan and Sindh are facing the brunt of devastating floods, while the monsoon rains have also wreaked havoc in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”, addressing a gathering the minister said. Balochistan has received 605 percent more…

[msaqibjaved]

Sherry Rehman says the PML-N should refrain from making remarks that encourage the chosen government

Sherry Rehman says the PML-N should refrain from making remarks that encourage the chosen government

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said Sunday that PML-N “should not make any comments that would authorize the elected government”. Sherry Rehman spoke at a press conference in Karachi along with two other senior PPP leaders, Maula Bux Chandio and Shazia Marie. Sherry Rehman’s comments came in response to Maryam Nawaz’s speech the day before in which she outlined the PPP to gather 30 senators and…

[qaumisafeer]

سی پیک کا کام کبھی کسی جگہ بھی نہیں رکا: عاصم باجوہ اسلام آباد: چیئرمین سی پیک اتھارٹی لیفٹیننٹ جنرل (ر) عاصم باجوہ کا کہنا ہےکہ  سی پیک کا کسی بھی جگہ کام رکا نہیں ہے اور ہمیں احکامات تھے کہ سی پیک ہمارے لیے بہت اہم ہے اس کا کوئی پراجیکٹ رکنا نہیں چاہیے۔

[lahore-division-updates]

With compliments from, The Directorate General Public Relations,

Government of the Punjab, Lahore Ph. 99201390.

No.1103

HANDOUT (A)

CM MARYAM NAWAZ SHARIF CONGRATULATES PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF & ALL STAKEHOLDERS ON PASSAGE OF 26TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Lahore, 21 October 2024:

“This is not an amendment, but a protective wall so that no 'damn fool' can arbitrarily violate dignity of the Constitution, Parliament, elected governments and institutions,” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while congratulating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all leaders, democratic forces, coalition parties and people on the approval of the 26th constitutional amendment. She added,”President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, including all leaders, gave priority to the interests of the state and the people instead of politics, and gave parliament its due right to supremacy and sovereignty.”

Madam Chief Minister said,”The 26th amendment is a historic symbol of the unity of the friends of democracy and the constitution.” She added,”The parties who created the constitution of 1973 have once again played a historic role of making it more effective, better and stronger.” She highlighted,”The amendment with the opposition also includes public opinion, which will improve the dignity, reputation and character of the democracy.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”In the light of the Charter of Democracy, People-Specific Amendment was made, relief will be given to Pakistan and its people.” She added,”As a result of the constitutional amendment, only those judges will come who will uphold constitution and the rights of the people.” She underscored,”Getting rid of a handful of mischievous characters is the life of the nation.”

Madam Chief Minister said,”The Judiciary will be free from the characters who kill mandate and position of the elected Prime Ministers with the sword of the theory of convenience and the theory of necessity.” She added,”For the first time, the judiciary itself will be strengthened as an institution against those who kill democracy and elected governments in the darkness of night, which will improve the reputation of the judiciary and will wash away stains in our history.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”The transparent appointment of competent judges on merit will guarantee independence of judiciary and protection of the Constitution.” She added,”The welfare of the people, the real objectives of delivering justice without delay will be achieved.” She flagged,”Salute to the political vision of martyr Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.” She underscored,”The efforts of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Syed Khurshid Shah, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Kamran Murtaza and all members of the constitutional amendment team are commendable.”

*****

[piyasahaberleri]

PML-N lideri Ata ullah Tarar (Solda) ve Bilawal Butto Zardari. — APP/PPI/DosyaPakistan Halk Partisi (PPP), parti başkanı Bilawal Butto Zardari ile Pakistan Müslüman Birliği Navaz (PML-N) lideri Ataullah Tarar arasındaki seçim yarışmasında hile ve usulsüzlükler bulunduğunu iddia etti. PPP'nin kıdemli lideri Sherry Rehman, parti şefi Bilawal'ın anketleri Tarar'a açık farkla kaybetmiş olduğu Lahor seçim bölgesi sonuçlarının manipüle edildiğini iddia etti. Resmi olmayan ve doğrulanmamış sonuçlara gore Tarar, NA-127'de 15.005 oyla üçüncü olan PPP'li Bilawal'a karşı 98.210 oy aldı.Cuma günü Lahor'da düzenlemiş olduğu basın toplantısında konuşan Rehman, anketlerde Bilawal'ın önde olduğu sırada sonuçların ansızın değiştiğini söylemiş oldu. Seçimlere hile karıştırılması amacıyla sonuçların ertelendiğini söylemiş oldu.Rehman ek olarak seçim gününde mobil ve web hizmetlerinin askıya alınmasının seçmenler ve adaylar için seçimler esnasında güçlük yaratmasından da yakındı."Mobil hizmetleri kapatmanın ardındaki gerçek niyetin ne işe yaradığını oldukca iyi biliyoruz" diye ekledi.Bu izahat, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf'ın (PTI) seçim sonuçlarında aşırı gecikme yaşanması ve seçimlerin şeffaflığı mevzusunda şüphelerin artması üstüne geldi.Resmi olmayan ve doğrulanmamış sonuçlara gore PTI destekli bağımsız adaylar şu anda seçimlerde önde gidiyor, peşinden PML-N ve PPP geliyor.PML-N başkanı Navaz Şerif'in Mansehra seçim bölgesinde PTI destekli bir adaya karşı seçimi kaybetmesi de dahil olmak suretiyle pek oldukca siyasal kodaman 2024 seçimlerinde aksiliklerle karşılaştı.Sadece Navaz, Lahor NA seçim bölgesinde PTI'dan Yasmin Rashid'i yenik etti.Bugün erken saatlerde PML-N lideri Ishaq Dar, 2024 genel seçimlerinden zaferle çıkan bağımsız adayların partiyle temas halinde bulunduğunu iddia etti.Seçim neticeleri gelmeye devam ederken Cuma günü Geo News'e konuşan eski maliye bakanı, "Bağımsızlar bizimle iletişime geçti ve Anayasa uyarınca önümüzdeki 72 saat içinde herhangi bir partiye katılacaklardır" dedi.

[siddysays]

FASHION ICONS IN PAKISTANI POLITICS

FASHION ICONS IN PAKISTANI POLITICS

[tps_header]Being a female politician already puts you under unprecedented scrutiny the world over and Pakistan is certainly no exception. Everything ranging from your social circle, to your holiday destinations and what you wear is discussed extensively. What you wear can have a huge impact on your public image and finding the right balance in how to present yourself favourably, whilst being…

[risingpakistan]

Sherry Rehman

Shehrbano "Sherry" Rehman, is a Pakistani politician, political journalist and diplomat.

Rehman was appointed the Pakistan's Ambassador to the US on November 23, 2011 succeeding Husain Haqqani. Previously, she was the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting from March 2008 until March 2009.

Biography

Born in Karachi, to a prominent Sindhi family, Rehman's father, was a lawyer and educator. Her mother served as vice president of the State Bank of Pakistan—the first woman to hold the post.

She attended Karachi Grammar School, Smith College and the University of Sussex where she studied art history and political science. Rehman worked as a professional journalist for twenty years, writing for national and international newspapers and news magazines. She was editor-in-chief of Pakistan's leading news magazine, The Herald, for ten years and served as a member of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) from 1988 to 1998. She also anchored a television show on current affairs in 1999. 

Rehman was the first Pakistani to be recognised with an award for independent journalism by the British House of Lords in its Muslim World Awards Ceremony 2002.

She is married to banker Nadeem Hussain, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tameer Microfinance Bank. She was previously married to Ehsan Malik, who is currently the Chief Executive Office of Unilever Pakistan.

Political career

Rehman is a member of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP). 

She served as an Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from 2002 to 2007, where she acted as Central Information Secretary. During this time, she was also President of Policy Planning for the PPPP and served on the party's Foreign Relations Committee. 

In March 2008, Rehman was re-appointed by declaration as MNA for Sindh province to the reserved MNA seat for women. Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani appointed her Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and on 31 March 2008 she was sworn in by President Pervez Musharraf. 

During her tenure in parliament, Rehman authored all five PPP bills tabled in the National Assembly: the Women Empowerment Bill, Anti-Honor Killings Bill, Domestic Violence Prevention Bill, Affirmative Action Bill and Hudood Repeal Bill. She also moved two bills concerning the media: the Freedom of Information Bill and the Press Act, which prevents working journalists from being arrested under the 1999 Press Ordinance. 

In civil society, Rehman is the Chair of the Lady Dufferin Foundation Trust, reportedly the largest non-profit provider of women and children's subsidised healthcare in the province of Sindh. 

In January 2009, a report of the International Republican Institute referred to her as "Democracy's Hero" as a result of her close association with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's campaign for democratic rule in Pakistan.  The reference, picked up by several Pakistani media outlets, received mixed coverage. In the same month, Rehman was named among the "100 Most Influential Asians" by UAE magazine Ahlan. 

Rehman resigned her post as Information Minister on 14 March 2009, due to differences of opinion with the President Asif Ali Zardari on imposing restrictions on the media. 

In 2013, Rehman was accused of commiting "blasphemy, a crime that carries the death penalty" in Pakistan, "in connection with a 2010 TV talk show." She was accused by Muhammad Faheem Gill, who went to the Pakistan "Supreme Court with his complaint after police refused to register it. The court ordered police in the central Pakistani city of Multan to investigate." 

Diplomatic work

On 23 November 2011, she was named Pakistan's ambassador to United States following the resignation of Hussain Haqqani, who was asked to resign by Prime Minister Gilani in the wake of the "Memogate" scandal. 

Published work

Rehman's latest book The Kashmiri Shawl: From Jamawar to Paisley, co-authored with Naheed Jafri, was published in 2006 by Mapin Publishing India and Antique Collectors Club UK. The book was nominated for The R.L Shep Ethnic Textiles Book Award for 2006 in the US. 

Awards 

2002: First Pakistani to be recognised with an award for independent journalism by the UK House of Lords in its Muslim World Awards Ceremony in the year 2002 

2006: R.L Shep Ethnic Textiles Book Award, for The Kashmiri Shawl 

2008: Presented the International Peace Award for Democrats by the Human Rights Commission 

2009: The title of "Democracy's Hero" by the International Republican Institute for her services to the restoration of democracy 

2009: 'The Freedom Award' Pakistan by the Association of Television Journalists for her work for media independence in Pakistan 

2011: Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award by The Women’s Democracy Network (WDN), Washington 

[meret118]

Pakistan is racing to prevent further loss of life as it reels from one of its worst climate disasters with floodwater threatening to cover up to a third of the country of 220 million people by the end of the monsoon season.

Climate change minister Sherry Rehman said Sunday the unprecedented rain had created a "climate catastrophe" with floodwaters submerging homes, destroying farmland and displacing millions of people.

-----

Over 1000 people are known to have died, and that number is expected to go much higher.

Between droughts, floods, and Ukraine, I fear there's going to be mass famine in many countries in a few months.

[beardedmrbean]

One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding, its climate minister says.

Devastating flash floods have washed away roads, homes and crops - leaving a trail of deadly havoc across Pakistan.

"It's all one big ocean, there's no dry land to pump the water out," Sherry Rehman told AFP, adding it had created a "crisis of unimaginable proportions."

At least 1,136 people have died since the monsoon season began in June, according to officials.

The summer rain is the heaviest recorded in a decade and is blamed by the government on climate change.

Of those who are known to have died, 75 were in the past 24 hours alone, officials said on Monday, adding that the death toll is expected to rise.

Speaking to the BBC, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said one-third of those killed are believed to be children.

"We're still coming to grips with the extent of the damage," he added.

Officials estimate that more than 33-million Pakistanis - one in seven people - have been affected by the historic flooding.

Heavy waters in the country's northern Swat Valley have swept away bridges and roads, cutting off entire villages.

Thousands of people living in the mountainous area have been ordered to evacuate - but even with the help of helicopters, authorities are still struggling to reach those who are trapped.

"Village after village has been wiped out. Millions of houses have been destroyed," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday after flying over the area in a helicopter.

Those who managed to escape have been crowded into one of many makeshift camps across the country.

"Living here is miserable. Our self-respect is at stake," flood victim Fazal Malik told AFP from a school that was being used to home some 2,500 evacuees in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Provinces like Sindh and Balochistan are the worst affected but mountainous regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also been badly hit.

This year's record monsoon is comparable to the devastating floods of 2010 - the deadliest in Pakistan's history - which left more than 2,000 people dead.

There is also growing concern about the looming cost of building back from this disaster, and Pakistan's government has appealed for financial help from aid agencies, friendly countries and international donors.

"A very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10bn (£8.5bn)," Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters.

Almost half of the country's cotton crop has been washed away and vegetable, fruit, and rice fields have sustained significant damage, he added.

On Saturday the UK government announced it had allocated up to £1.5m ($1.8m) for the flood relief efforts.

In a message to Pakistan's leader, Queen Elizabeth II said "I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and destruction."

"The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Pakistan as it embarks on its recovery," she added.

A rice farmer near the south-eastern city of Sukkur in the Sindh province, told AFP news agency that his fields had been devastated by the flooding.

"Our crop spanned over 5,000 acres on which the best quality rice was sown and is eaten by you and us," 70-year-old Khalil Ahmed said. "All that is finished."

Sindh is so inundated with water that emergency workers are struggling to reach those in need of help.

"There are no landing strips or approaches available... our pilots find it difficult to land," a Pakistani military official told AFP.