RAWALPINDI/LAHORE/SUKKUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced a major relief measure for flood-hit people, directing electricity distribution companies to immediately stop the collection of August 2025 electricity bills in flood-affected areas.
Chairing a meeting on the issue, he said a comprehensive relief package regarding electricity bills for the affected regions would be finalised and announced after the conclusion of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He instructed that electricity bills already paid by flood-affected consumers for August 2025 would be adjusted in the upcoming month’s bills. Highlighting the scale of devastation, PM Shehbaz Sharif said floods had displaced and affected millions of people across Pakistan. “In this difficult time, we are making every possible effort to ease the pain of our people,” he added. The PM stated that federal and provincial institutions were fully engaged in rescue and rehabilitation operations. “We will not rest until every flood victim has returned home,” he asserted.
Separately, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir visited flood-affected areas of Punjab, stressing that the state could not afford the recurring loss of lives and property every year due to floods.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief visited the Kasur sector and the flood relief camp in Jalalpur Pirwala, Multan, to review the prevailing situation and oversee ongoing relief operations. His visit focused on strengthening coordination between the civil administration and the military to ensure timely and effective assistance for the affected population.
The COAS was accompanied by the Punjab chief secretary and senior civil officials. He was briefed in detail on the ground situation, including rescue and relief activities underway in the flood-hit districts. Underscoring the importance of good governance and people-centric progress, the army chief urged expeditious implementation of infrastructural measures necessary to safeguard communities from recurring flood devastation. He reiterated the significance of coordinated civil-military efforts in addressing these challenges and reaffirmed the army’s unwavering commitment to supporting all initiatives for public welfare.
During his interaction with flood affectees — many of whom were evacuated by the army and civil administration — Field Marshal Munir assured them of continued assistance in their resettlement and rehabilitation. The affectees expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Pakistan Army’s timely help at a critical moment. The COAS also met troops, Rescue 1122 personnel, and police officials engaged in relief operations. He praised their high morale, operational readiness, and steadfast dedication to serving the nation under extremely challenging circumstances. He commended their round-the-clock efforts carried out in close coordination with the civil administration to deliver relief to those in need.
Later, the army chief undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the flood-affected areas along the Lahore-Kasur and Multan-Jalalpur Pirwala axes to personally assess the scale of destruction and review the relief response.
Meanwhile, on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb paid an emergency late-night visit to the flood-affected areas of Alipur, including Lati Mari and Saitpur. She observed that several villages had been badly hit by floods and reviewed ongoing relief operations, including evacuation efforts being carried out with the help of rafts in remote localities.
Also, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kasur to closely monitor flood relief efforts and ensure swift rehabilitation of affected communities. A district coordination committee meeting, chaired by DC Imran Ali with participation from police, military, civil defence, and other departments, reviewed ongoing measures. The administration decided to keep some relief camps functional for the time being, while ration supplies will be provided to families leaving the camps. Separately, the district emergency board assessed flood damage in 162 villages. The DC directed strict action against unauthorised silt sales and ordered closure of unregistered silt-producing units.
Meanwhile, with water levels receding in the Sutlej River, flood damage remains widespread in Vehari district. Deputy Commissioner Umrana Tauqeer said 103 villages have been inundated, affecting 88,682 people. Of these, 85,631 individuals and 124,275 livestock have been safely evacuated.
Official data shows 76,930 acres of farmland remain under water, while relief efforts continue. Authorities are providing cooked meals to 7,000 people daily, distributing milk and fruit to children, and supplying ration bags, animal feed, and fodder. Medical camps have treated 16,123 patients, vaccinated 84,623 animals, and provided treatment to over 10,700 livestock. Philanthropists are also extending support to the displaced families, supplementing government relief measures.
Also, floodwater is receding in the River Chenab at Multan, with water levels at Head Muhammadwala dropping 2.5 to 3 feet in the last 36 hours, indicating reduced pressure, officials said. However, flood pressure remains high at Panjnad, with major flows moving towards Guddu.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, normal water levels were recorded at most barrages and headworks on the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers. Despite the improvement, authorities continue strict 24-hour monitoring of dykes in Multan, Shujaabad, and Jalalpur Pirwala.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing across flood-hit areas. The district administration reported that more than 100,000 people have been shifted to safe places in the last three days. Essential supplies are also being delivered to remote areas via boats, helicopters, and drones.
United Nations (UN) delegates met RPO Multan Captain (retd) Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry, who briefed them on evacuation and relief efforts. The UN team appreciated the coordinated response and assured cooperation. Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan also visited several affected villages, inspected food quality at relief camps, and directed officials to enhance medical, sanitation, and water supply facilities.
Meanwhile, WASA imposed an emergency to ensure clean drinking water for flood victims. Large six-litre bottles and water tankers are being distributed with special instructions from the Punjab government to maintain water and sanitation systems in the camps. Authorities said cracks in protective dams at Shujaabad and Jalalpur are being repaired swiftly, while the overall threat to Multan city has been averted.
Also, on the instructions of City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali Dogar, Elite Force and police contingents have been deployed for riverine patrolling in flood-affected areas to safeguard lives and property. A 30-member unit equipped with ten boats, night vision goggles, torches, and other gear has been tasked with round-the-clock patrols. Armed personnel are ensuring the safety of evacuated citizens’ homes and valuables, while also assisting in shifting families to safer places.
Businessman and philanthropist Jahangir Khan Tareen visited flood-hit Khanwah Ghulwan, Lodhran, meeting victims, reviewing relief efforts, and conducting an aerial survey. He highlighted severe flood damage to communication, agriculture, and the economy, urging joint government-citizen rehabilitation efforts and long-term infrastructure upgrades to prevent future devastation.
Separately, Punjab Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain visited Gujrat City to distribute rations to families affected by urban flooding caused by a DC embankment breach. He noted that prior drainage cleaning helped water recede quickly and announced plans to replace disposal motors and build new embankments to prevent future flooding.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Sukkur and Sindh Government Spokesperson Barrister Arslan Islam Shaikh has warned that a major flood wave is expected to hit Guddu Barrage on Saturday night or on Sunday morning and could reach Sukkur Barrage within 48 hours. He said around 1.6 million people are at risk, though 160,000 residents and their livestock have already been shifted to safer areas.
He said the Indus River water level was rising, with flows crossing 500,000 cusecs at Guddu, 400,000 cusecs at Sukkur, and 250,000 cusecs at Kotri. A flow of 700,000 cusecs would be categorised as a “super flood”.
Shaikh announced that the Sindh government declared an agricultural emergency to protect crops and launched a 2.1 million-unit housing project, prioritizing women’s ownership. He confirmed embankment protection plans, round-the-clock relief monitoring, and prioritized public safety. The government set up 528 relief camps and 111 livestock camps with essentials like food, water, tents, and medical supplies, supported by heavy machinery, rescue teams, boats, and helicopters. However, officials noted resistance to evacuation in some areas, urging citizens to cooperate fully.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch accused the government of “criminal negligence and corruption” in managing the Punjab flood crisis, turning a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe. Speaking in Burewala, he highlighted that floodwaters submerged 90 kilometers of land in Vehari district, displacing thousands and destroying farmland. Baloch condemned NOCs for housing societies on riverbeds as a “heinous crime” and urged the Supreme Court and Lahore High Court to take suo motu notice. He noted JI and Al-Khidmat Foundation’s relief efforts, including camps, rations, and mobile hospitals, and vowed to protect victims’ rights, threatening a long march if needed.