: Saturday, 27 September 2025 3:31 pm
Islamabad. As per the quick requirement assessment issued by the United Nations Coordination Office (UNOCHA) on Friday, the monsoon floods in the Punjab province of Pakistan have had more than 42 million people, of which the southern districts have been the most affected. The assessment found that about 28 lakh people were displaced, about 1,61,700 houses were damaged and the health and education sector infrastructure also suffered heavy damage.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan, between 26 June and 19 September, about 3 million people were rescued or evacuated across the country. 12,559 houses were also damaged due to floods and 6,509 cattle were killed.
According to the Xinhua news agency report, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had earlier announced doubling the ex -gratia amount for the families of those who lost their lives in the flood, which was increased from ten million rupees to twenty lakh rupees (about 7,000 US $ 7,000).
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party President Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Punjab Province Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz are being strongly criticized for politicizing flood relief efforts.
According to Pakistan’s leading newspaper express tribune, the basic issue of this political conflict is not about the most effective mechanism of aid, but about taking credit and establishing dominance.
The newspaper on Saturday emphasized in its editorial that “Bilawal has told Hathdharmita that Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is the ‘only way’ to provide immediate relief, and has described it as a ‘irresponsible attitude’ towards the flood victims. But how did Maryam be properly questioned how much amount will be distributed through the BISP, while the standard payment will be done only through this system. It is Rs 10,000. “
The editorial of the Express Tribune further stated, “On the other hand, the Chief Minister’s response has been equally biased. If we also believe his words that BISP is a ‘very simple solution’, even then many statements made in his recent press conference seemed to be the sharp attacks or shrieks prepared for the evening news. In such a time, a good leader should do the best. In the relief camps, hungry and sick people do not care that Mary is raising her head or begging foreign help.
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The survey conducted jointly with the provincial government from 8 to 18 September included about 2,000 villages in 18 flood affected districts.
Web Title-Pakistan: 4.2 Million People Devastated by Floods in Punjab Province, Leaders Busy Politicizing Relief Efforts