ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/SUKKUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Finance to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for relief in electricity bills for flood-affected communities across the country.
According to sources, the PM instructed the ministry to initiate talks with the IMF on granting a one-month exemption from electricity bills for residents of areas devastated by recent floods. He stressed the urgency of the matter, saying that the finance ministry must now engage with the IMF to secure this relief, which is aimed at providing immediate support to the affected population.
Officials said the proposed relief would cover all flood-hit regions, whether urban or rural, ensuring broad-based assistance to households suffering from the disaster.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government requested the federal government to deploy Pakistan Army personnel for conducting post-flood damage surveys across the province.
In a letter to the Ministry of Interior, the Punjab Home Department said that floods had caused widespread loss of lives, property, crops, livestock, and infrastructure, making a comprehensive survey essential for transparent assessment and fair compensation.
To ensure public cooperation, security, and credibility of the process, the provincial government has asked for 1,710 army personnel to be deployed in 25 flood-affected districts, similar to arrangements made during the 2022 floods.
According to the request, 1,710 survey teams have been formed, each including an army representative along with civil officials. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) will bear expenses related to the army’s deployment and logistics.
The districts where personnel are being sought include Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujarat, Hafizabad, Jhang, Kasur, Khanewal, Lahore, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, and Wazirabad.
Also, the PDMA Punjab released its damage assessment report, revealing the scale of destruction caused by recent floods across the province.
According to Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed, 97 people lost their lives in various flood-related incidents, while more than 4,500 villages were inundated along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
The report detailed that 2,334 villages were affected by the Chenab River floods, 1,482 by the Ravi, and 672 by the Sutlej. In total, 4.498 million people were impacted, of whom 2.451 million were safely evacuated.
Authorities also established 396 relief camps in the worst-hit districts, while nearly 1.91 million livestock were relocated to safer areas.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the federal government’s decision to declare a climate and agricultural emergency, terming it a step aligned with his party’s demand. However, he strongly criticised the delay in launching an international appeal for assistance through United Nations mechanisms.
In a statement on social media platform ‘X’, Bilawal said the government’s hesitation was “beyond comprehension”, recalling that such appeals were standard practice in disasters of this scale — including the 2005 earthquake, the 2010 floods, and the more recent floods during his tenure as foreign minister. “Countries all over the world initiate this process within 72 hours. There is no excuse to cut off millions affected from this assistance,” he said.
The PPP chairman also voiced concern over the federal government’s failure to announce relief for flood-affected districts under the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), despite assurances given to him personally by PM Shehbaz Sharif. He particularly stressed the plight of communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab — especially south Punjab — and Sindh.
Bilawal announced that the PPP would table resolutions in all provincial assemblies, the National Assembly, and the Senate to press for immediate action on these demands.
Separately, the PPP on Friday moved separate resolutions in the Senate and National Assembly, pressing the federal government to adopt urgent humanitarian, agricultural, and climate-related measures as devastating floods continue to wreak havoc across the country.
The resolutions were submitted by Senator Sherry Rehman in the Senate and Shazia Marri in the National Assembly, following directives from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The party termed the floods a “multi-faceted climate, agricultural, and humanitarian emergency”, citing the destruction of crops, displacement of millions, and outbreak risks of waterborne diseases.
Key demands included:
Immediate waiver of electricity bills for displaced and flood-affected households.
Expedited cash transfers to affected families and farmers through the BISP, replicating the 2022 relief model.
Essential medicines and medical care to contain post-flood disease outbreaks.
Launch of a UN-led international flash appeal to mobilise swift donor support, as was done during the 2005 earthquake, 2010 and 2022 floods.
The PPP warned that delays in mobilising resources were “unacceptable” and risked escalating the crisis into a nationwide food emergency, given massive crop losses, submerged farmland, and mounting food insecurity.
The resolutions stressed that Pakistan, ranked the most climate-impacted country globally in 2022 despite being a negligible emitter, must receive support under principles of climate justice. “This is not charity but Pakistan’s right,” the PPP declared, reiterating that relief, recovery, and rehabilitation must be prioritised without delay.
Also, the PPP leaders demanded that flood relief be disbursed through the BISP to ensure transparency and that disaster management institutions be audited.
At a press conference, PPP Central Secretary Information Nadeem Afzal Chan and Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had advised the PM to use BISP’s verified database for cash transfers. They accused the Punjab government of distributing aid on the basis of favouritism despite having digital systems available.
Chan criticised PTI’s government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for worsening flood risks through encroachments and the timber mafia, calling for a commission of inquiry. Murtaza said Faisalabad Division and riverine areas were worst hit, with livestock losses crippling farmers.
Meanwhile, a second breach occurred late Thursday night in the Dhundo protective flood dyke at Gutwala, tehsil Shujabad, after high water pressure from the Shujabad branch canal emerging from the River Chenab washed away recent repair work.
Witnesses said the breach reappeared at the same location where it had been sealed just two days earlier, unleashing floodwaters that inundated nearly 4,000 acres of fertile farmland and swept away scores of houses in surrounding villages.
The district administration and machinery were immediately deployed to the site to repair the dyke, while evacuation operations were launched to move residents to safer areas. Officials said losses to crops and properties were significant, though assessments were still underway.
Also, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb rushed to Shujabad tehsil to monitor relief, rescue, and evacuation operations after a major breach in the Dhundo flood bund. She was accompanied by provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Kazim Ali Pirzada, and Rana Sikandar Hayat, as well as Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan.
Marriyum, who has been active in flood-hit areas for three days under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s instructions, assured residents that losses would be compensated once water recedes. She urged citizens to prioritise safety and evacuate vulnerable settlements.
Local residents, however, blamed negligence for the repeated breaches, recalling a similar collapse at Gutwala in 2014. Community leaders said the abolition of irrigation monitoring posts in 2011 and unchecked burrowing by mongooses and reptiles had weakened the dyke.
Assistant Commissioner Humaira Shah appealed for urgent evacuation of nearby villages and requested heavy machinery to repair the 80-foot breach.
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Bhat Zahir Pir near Liaquatpur town of Rahim Yar Khan on Friday to oversee rescue and relief efforts in flood-affected areas. She personally welcomed families arriving by boats and rafts at Manchan Bund, helping women and the elderly to safety and offering water to victims. She also carried a child in her arms, showing solidarity with displaced families.
The CM praised Rescue 1122 and PDMA teams for their efforts and ordered that life jackets and life rings be made mandatory in ongoing operations.
Officials briefed her that 35 villages, including Noorwala, Gul Muhammad Langah, Dera Faridi, and Chauhan, have been inundated, affecting 84,721 people across 43-sq-km. Relief measures include six camps, 15 medical clinics (three on boats), 52 rescue boats, and evacuation of 12,604 people and 488 cattle.
Maryam assured victims the government stands firmly with them and directed officials to accelerate rescue and rehabilitation work.
Separately, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday visited flood-affected areas of Jalalpur Pirwala, inspected a temporary crack repair on the Uch Sharif Road, and reviewed relief activities. He praised the NHA’s timely intervention, stressing that citizens’ lives and property were the top priority, and urged collective efforts to face the unexpected flood situation.
At a relief camp in Government Boys High School, the minister assessed facilities for victims and directed the NHA to stay in close coordination with provincial and district authorities. Officials briefed him that floodwaters from two rivers were reversing course, complicating the crisis.
During his visit, Aleem Khan also inspected facilities at Motorway M-5 rest areas, expressing dissatisfaction over cleanliness. He ordered construction of new executive washrooms and improvements in food quality and pricing, pledging to revisit in two weeks to review progress.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Hussain assured that all damages in flood-hit villages of PP-31, including Gujrat, will be fully compensated.
Speaking to the media, he said a comprehensive survey is underway to assess losses, after which CM Maryam Nawaz will announce a relief package. He pledged that aid would be delivered directly to victims’ doorsteps, continuing the tradition of public service set by his father, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
On the other hand, the Multan High Court Bar Association (MHCBA) on Friday urged the federal and Punjab governments to declare flood-hit areas of southern Punjab as disaster-affected and include victims’ representatives and bar officials in damage assessment committees to ensure fair compensation.
At a press conference, MHCBA President Muhammad Azhar Khan Mughal and General Secretary Safdar Sarsana Sial said the floods were among the worst in Pakistan’s history, devastating areas including Alipur, Jalalpur Pirwala, Kabirwala, Kahror Pakka, Mailsi, Shujaabad, Muzaffargarh, Khangarh, and Vehari.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Sutlej River is gradually receding, though a medium-level flood persists, officials said Friday. The Flood Forecasting Division reported flows of 95,000 cusecs at Head Ganda Singh, 102,137 at Head Sulemanki, 96,598 at Head Islam, 130,000 at Jamlera, and 111,556 at Mailsi Siphon.
Flooding has inundated 94 villages across Vehari district’s three tehsils — Vehari, Burewala, and Mailsi — affecting 78,821 people, of whom nearly 76,000 have been relocated. Crops on 65,647 acres have been destroyed, while 118,873 livestock have been shifted to safer areas.
Relief efforts include 21 camps, cooked meals for 7,000 victims, 11 medical camps treating 12,156 patients, livestock vaccinations, and drone surveillance. Rescue 1122 has deployed 29 boats and 140 rescuers, while locals are donating food, clothing, and bedding for flood-hit families.
On the other hand, residents of flood-affected areas in Burewala are facing a new ordeal as boat-riding thieves have begun looting abandoned settlements submerged by the Sutlej River.
In a major incident at Basti Dona Wali, within the jurisdiction of Fatah Shah Police Station, culprits stole solar panels, inverters, fans, and pumps worth hundreds of thousands of rupees from an empty farmhouse. The thieves fled despite police arrival, sparking strong protests from locals.
Villagers said evacuated homes have become easy targets and urged the Vehari DPO to step up security and protect properties in flood-hit areas.
Also, authorities declared a major flood at Guddu Barrage on Friday as water levels surged to 500,633 cusecs upstream and 475,970 cusecs downstream, according to the Irrigation Department. The Sukkur Barrage recorded 450,150 cusecs upstream, marking a medium flood, while Kotri Barrage faced a minor flood with 259,284 cusecs.
At Panjnad, combined flows of the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers reached 668,000 cusecs Thursday night before easing to 658,000 cusecs by Friday afternoon. Rising gauges were also reported at Mithun Kot (10.9 feet), while Trimmu and Taunsa showed slight declines.
The Federal Flood Commission warned of continued high flood at Guddu, medium flood at Sukkur, and low flood at Kotri over the next 12 hours. Meanwhile, Tarbela Dam is at full capacity and Mangla is 92pc full, raising concerns of sustained high flows downstream.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday expressed solidarity with the people of south Punjab, affected by devastating floods, assuring them of the government’s full support.
In a statement from Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said rescue and relief operations were underway in coordination with provinces, armed forces, and humanitarian agencies.
Separately, Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday met KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at Aiwan-e-Sadr to review flood relief and rehabilitation efforts in the province. Governor Kundi briefed him on widespread losses to lives, livelihoods, livestock, and agriculture.
Gilani reaffirmed the government’s decision to declare a climate and agriculture emergency, and urged expedited disbursement of aid through BISP. He called for swift damage assessment and coordinated action by federal, provincial, and private stakeholders, while also appealing to philanthropists and civil society for support.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali on Friday urged political parties, civil society, and charitable organisations to set aside politics and unite in helping flood victims.
Speaking to media in flood-hit villages, he stressed that a National Action Plan should be devised to tackle natural disasters, similar to the one against terrorism.
Gohar criticised the government’s relief efforts as inadequate but assured that PTI stands with flood-affected communities. He also visited a relief camp in Pheruki, met victims, and reiterated his trust in party founder Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Naib Emir Liaquat Baloch said on Friday that floods in Jalalpur Pirwala and adjoining areas were worsened by illegal encroachments, corruption, and institutional negligence, alongside rains, glacier melt, and Indian water aggression. He said 24 districts and eight cities face severe damage, while government agencies “failed during disaster”. Baloch demanded a Supreme Court-led commission to assess losses and a national action plan to prevent future crises. He noted Al-Khidmat Foundation had launched Rs2 billion relief operations, including food, medical aid, and tent schools.