Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the communities affected by recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Stressing unity in the face of natural disaster, the premier announced that members of the federal cabinet would donate on month’s salary to aid relief operations.
Chairing a review meeting on the federal government's ongoing response, the prime minister instructed all relevant institutions to accelerate efforts to assist the people impacted by heavy monsoon rains and subsequent flooding.
He emphasized that in such times of crisis, distinctions between federal and provincial governments should dissolve, and the collective focus must be on providing relief and rehabilitating affected populations.
Calling for a shift from politics to public service, the prime minister underscored that it is a national duty to support fellow citizens in distress. As part of this commitment, financial compensation will be extended to the families of the deceased and to those who have sustained losses, under a special relief package introduced by the Prime Minister’s Office.
To ensure efficient and targeted relief efforts, the prime minister assigned the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan to supervise the overall rehabilitation efforts, while directing federal ministers to personally oversee the restoration of essential infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and water supplies in the affected areas.
He also directed the ministers to make on-ground visits to KP, AJK, and GB, emphasizing the importance of direct oversight.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) was specifically instructed to prioritize the reopening of roads and transport routes, regardless of whether they fall under federal or provincial jurisdiction.
The prime minister further called on the Ministry of Communications, NHA, and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to repair damaged highways and bridges without delay, asking the Communications Minister to personally monitor the progress.
Addressing the power situation, the prime minister instructed the Minister for Power to visit flood-affected regions, inspect damages, and expedite the restoration of electricity services.
Additionally, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was tasked with submitting a comprehensive damage assessment and a detailed relief distribution plan. The Ministry of Finance was directed to release necessary funds to facilitate these activities.
The prime minister further directed all the relevant federal ministers to remain in affected areas until every individual in need has received assistance and basic infrastructure is restored.
He also instructed the Ministry of Health to dispatch medical teams and supplies to the flood-hit areas, establishing temporary medical camps to address urgent health concerns. Furthermore, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was ordered to be fully mobilized to provide financial and logistical support to the victims.
During the meeting, participants offered prayers for those who lost their lives and for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The NDMA and federal ministers briefed the prime minister on ongoing relief operations, informing him that 456 relief camps had been established and more than 400 rescue operations carried out across the affected regions.
Relief trucks carrying essential supplies are being sent to the most severely impacted areas, and the prime minister urged that these convoys be given utmost priority.
According to preliminary estimates, the total damage to public and private property stands at over Rs 126 million. NDMA presented an initial report outlining the provision of food, tents, medicines, and medical teams.
The prime minister directed that the volume of relief items be significantly increased to meet growing needs.
It was also shared that the monsoon season will continue until the second week of September, with six major weather spells already passed and two more expected. The effects are likely to linger until the end of the month.
Ministers and officials, including the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, and Special Assistant Mubarak Zeb, provided detailed updates on the ground situation in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Bajaur, respectively.
Updates were also delivered by the NHA Chairman and the Secretary of Communications regarding Malakand and Gilgit.
Other key attendees included Ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Prime Minister’s Chief Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, and several senior officials.