APP
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to begin immediate preparations for the 2026 monsoon season and present a comprehensive climate resilience action plan within two weeks. The plan must address Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate change, including increasingly intense rainfall and flooding.
Rehabilitation Declared a Top National Priority
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Prime Minister assessed damages caused by recent heavy rains and floods, alongside ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations. He declared the rehabilitation of flood-affected citizens as a top national priority and directed authorities to ensure preparedness in river-adjacent areas of southern Pakistan, which remain highly vulnerable to flooding.
Federal Support and Monitoring Mechanisms
PM Shehbaz emphasized that the federal government will fully support provincial governments in relief and rehabilitation. He stressed real-time monitoring of evacuation and relief operations to ensure timely assistance and directed the creation of a special committee to facilitate financial aid for flood victims not registered with NADRA.
Updates on Flood Situation and Response
Officials briefed the Prime Minister that floodwaters from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers have reached central and southern Punjab, with expected flow through Panjnad at around 600,000 cusecs, significantly lower than earlier projections of over one million cusecs.
In Multan, district administrations, rescue teams, and the Pakistan Army are working to manage floodwaters and protect embankments. Restoration efforts are underway with 80% of electricity infrastructure in northern and central Pakistan already restored, and damaged roads and bridges reopened to ensure mobility and supply delivery.
Scale of Relief Operations
So far, over two million people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas nationwide, while 4,100 stranded individuals have been rescued. The federal government has dispatched 6,300 tons of relief goods, established 2,400 medical camps, and is processing compensation for deceased persons, the injured, and property damages through NADRA.
Coordination with Provinces
Chief secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir presented reports via video link. PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that the federal government will continue working with provincial administrations until complete rehabilitation of flood victims is achieved.
Meeting Participants
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, along with the chairmen of NDMA and NADRA and other senior officials.
