ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORTER
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has pledged that the government will not rest until all flood-affected victims are fully rehabilitated. Speaking shortly after addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he highlighted the adverse impacts of climate change on Pakistan, the Prime Minister chaired a review meeting on the ongoing flood situation and rehabilitation efforts in the country.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing on Saturday, Shehbaz Sharif directed accelerated relief and rehabilitation operations in flood-hit areas. He instructed Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to closely monitor relief operations and hold regular review meetings.
The Prime Minister also directed the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to provide full support to the provinces and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and to urgently complete damage assessments in affected areas.
Emphasizing the need for swift evaluation, Shehbaz Sharif called for the rapid completion of damage estimates to crops and infrastructure to facilitate comprehensive planning for relief and recovery. He also instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite repair work on the M-5 motorway section affected by flooding in the Sutlej River area, particularly addressing the crack near Jalalpur Pirwala. The Secretary of Communications and Chairman NHA were ordered to immediately assess the damage on-site.
The Prime Minister further directed that all necessary measures be taken to prevent waterborne diseases and encouraged the cultivation of suitable crops in flood-affected regions.
Chairing the review meeting via video link from New York, Shehbaz Sharif was joined by Chief Secretaries of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
During the meeting, the NDMA Chairman briefed the Prime Minister on the current situation and the recovery plan. It was reported that approximately 350,000 affected individuals have returned from relief camps and tent settlements to their homes. Some camps in Sindh still house displaced people, but as floodwaters recede rapidly, their return is imminent.
The meeting was informed that distribution of ration and aid continues, with Punjab government’s rehabilitation efforts being described as exemplary. Suggestions regarding crop damage and farmer rehabilitation were also discussed.
The Prime Minister ordered the preparation and submission of a comprehensive damage assessment report within one week to guide further recovery efforts.
