Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday visited flood-affected districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla, and Swabi, pledging full national support for victims of the devastating monsoon floods.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier and the army chief were briefed on ongoing rescue and relief operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Federal ministers and senior officials also joined the visit.
Speaking to survivors, PM Shehbaz assured that the federal government and the Pakistan Army would extend “maximum assistance in this critical hour.” He praised the tireless efforts of civil administration and the armed forces but warned that illegal encroachments, deforestation, and unregulated mining had worsened the scale of the disaster. “We must act as a hard state where no one is above the law,” he said, directing action against violators.
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The prime minister revealed that more than 350 people had died in K-P, while nationwide casualties from rains and floods had surpassed 700. He distributed relief cheques among victims, announced seven days of free electricity for affected households, and ordered urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure regardless of jurisdiction.
“Hotels and houses built on waterways increase the impact of floods,” he cautioned, urging strict enforcement against illegal construction and stronger forest protection.
Recalling the 2022 floods that submerged one-third of Pakistan, Shehbaz said the government was determined to confront the current challenge with the support of all stakeholders. He stressed that “there should be no politics in times of crisis,” lauding the cooperation of K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the Pakistan Army under Field Marshal Munir’s leadership.
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COAS Munir also interacted with troops, police, and rescue teams, commending their “selfless commitment” and instructing formations to leave no effort in easing the suffering of flood-hit families.
A fresh report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed 385 deaths in K-P due to floods and landslides, with Buner district recording the highest toll of 228. Nearly 1,400 houses were damaged across the province.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 concluded operations in Swabi’s Gadoon Daluwari area, recovering the bodies of all 41 victims buried in a landslide after four days of efforts.
In Punjab, at least 165 people have died and 584 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents. The PDMA has warned of another weather system expected on August 23, likely to trigger fresh flooding in the upper and southern parts of the province.
Authorities have placed commissioners, deputy commissioners, and WASA officials on high alert. Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed directed district administrations to prepare for emergencies as the seventh spell of the monsoon continues.
Pakistan, ranked among the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, has been facing increasingly destructive weather events. The 2022 monsoon floods submerged large parts of the country and killed nearly 1,700 people.
