PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir visit flood-hit K-P, assure full support to victims

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday visited flood-affected districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla and Swabi, pledging that every available national resource would be mobilised to accelerate recovery and restore normalcy.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, prime minister and field marshal received a comprehensive briefing on rescue and relief operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Federal ministers and senior officials also joined the visit.

During their interaction with survivors, PM Shehbaz assured victims of the federal government’s and Pakistan Army’s unwavering support. “We will extend maximum assistance in this critical hour,” he said, while appreciating the “tireless dedication” of the armed forces and civil administration.

He also drew attention towards illegal encroachments, timber smuggling and mining in worsening the disaster. He stressed that Pakistan “must act as a hard state where no one is above the law” and directed action against violators.

The PM said more than 350 people had been killed in K-P alone, while nationwide casualties exceeded 700. The prime minister disbursed relief cheques among victims and announced seven days of free electricity for affected households. He ordered immediate repair of damaged road infrastructure, regardless of whether it fell under provincial or federal jurisdiction.

“Hotels and houses built on waterways increase the impact of floods,” he warned, calling for stricter policies to prevent illegal construction and protect natural water channels. He also urged the preservation of forests, noting that deforestation was a factor behind destructive cloudbursts.

Recalling the 2022 floods, PM Shehbaz said hundreds of thousands of acres of crops were destroyed and homes washed away in Sindh, prompting Rs100 billion in federal aid. “Today, with the support of all stakeholders, the government is fully committed to facing this new challenge,” he said.

The PM stressed that there should be no politics in times of crisis. He praised K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the armed forces and civil administration for their relief efforts. He also lauded the support of Field Marshal Munir, “under whose cooperation the government is striving to stabilise the economy.”

Pakistan ranks among the world’s 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, he noted, adding that climate change, deforestation and unchecked development have amplified the scale of natural disasters.

COAS Munir also interacted with troops, police and civil personnel engaged in relief efforts, commending their “selfless commitment” and directing formations to “spare no effort in alleviating the hardships of flood-stricken families.”

385 dead in K-P rains, landslides

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Wednesday issued a report highlighting the human and infrastructural toll caused by ongoing heavy rains and flash floods across K-P.

According to the report, 385 people have died in rain-related incidents across the province, while 182 others have sustained injuries. Among the deceased are 299 men, 52 women, and 34 children. The injured include 145 men, 27 women, and 10 children.

The report also stated that a total of 1,398 houses have been damaged — 1,030 partially and 368 completely. Buner district remains the worst affected, with 228 confirmed deaths, followed by Swabi with 41 fatalities.

Residents watch as relief personnel search through the rubble of collapsed houses for victims during a rescue operation, a day after a cloudburst at the Dalori village in Swabi district, in Pakistan’s mountainous Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on August 19, 2025. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, the rescue operation in Swabi’s Gadoon Daluwari area, the site of a devastating landslide, has been completed after four days of continuous efforts.

According to Rescue 1122, the bodies of all 41 victims were recovered during the operation, which involved the use of heavy machinery and modern equipment.

Chief Minister’s spokesperson Faraz Ahmad Mughal commended the tireless efforts of rescue personnel, stating, “The provincial government remains steadfast in its mission to serve and protect the lives of the people at all costs.”

K-P pledges Rs2b additional aid for victims

The K-P government has approved an additional Rs2 billion for the aid and rehabilitation of citizens impacted by the recent devastating floods, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The new allocation brings the total financial commitment for flood relief to Rs5 billion. The decision was finalized during a provincial cabinet meeting presided over by CM Gandapur on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the cabinet received a comprehensive briefing detailing the extensive damage caused by the floods, the current status of relief efforts, and the planned rehabilitation activities.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the chief minister affirmed his government’s unwavering support for the victims. “We had already released three billion rupees, and now an additional two billion rupees has been approved to ensure that no affected person is left without help,” he stated.

He pledged that all victims would receive full compensation and that no one would be neglected in the recovery process.

The chief minister also issued a series of immediate directives to relevant departments to accelerate the response in the hardest-hit areas.

He ordered authorities to ensure all health centers are made operational without delay and to deploy mobile hospitals to provide critical medical care.

A special sanitation drive is to be launched to prevent the outbreak of diseases, and work on restoring tube wells for clean water must be expedited.

Furthermore, he emphasized the urgent need to speed up the repair and restoration of damaged roads and connecting routes to improve access for aid and facilitate movement.

The search for individuals still missing in the aftermath of the floods remains a top priority, with rescue teams continuing their operations around the clock.

165 dead in Punjab; new rain system due Aug 23

In Punjab, at least 165 people have died and 584 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The authority noted that 53.9% of the deaths occurred as a result of flash flooding.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that a new weather system is expected to enter Punjab on August 23, potentially causing a rise in river levels and triggering heavy rainfall in upper and southern parts of the province.

Speaking to Express, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that the seventh spell of the monsoon season is currently underway and is expected to last until August 23. He added that the new weather system may develop during this period, increasing the risk of more intense rainfall.

Also Read: NDMA puts Karachi on flood alert as heavy rains pound city again

The PDMA chief said that all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province have been placed on alert. Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed has issued directives to district administrations and WASA officials to remain vigilant and prepared for any emergency situation.

Landslides and flash floods are common during the monsoon season, which typically begins in June and lasts until the end of September.

This year, nearly 750 people have died since the season started, according to authorities.

Pakistan is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and is increasingly facing extreme weather events.

Monsoon floods submerged one-third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in approximately 1,700 deaths.