ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed grave concern over illegal constructions along rivers and large-scale tree-cutting in Galiyat, warning that Pakistan could no longer afford “man-made disasters”.
He said a high-level meeting would soon be convened to address these issues.
Chairing a federal cabinet meeting, the PM vowed to accelerate relief and rehabilitation efforts, particularly in the flood-hit districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He reaffirmed that the federal government was extending full cooperation to provinces in tackling the devastation caused by heavy rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods.
Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Shehbaz Sharif said more than 700 people — including over 400 in KP — had lost their lives in recent floods, with Swat, Swabi, Mansehra, Shangla, and Buner among the worst-affected areas. He stressed that the responsibility of the Ministry of Climate Change had increased manifold in addressing the growing threat.
The PM lauded the role of the armed forces in rescue and relief operations, noting that the Army, with the use of helicopters, had reached remote and difficult terrains to evacuate stranded families. He recalled that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir accompanied him during his recent visit to flood-hit areas of KP, underscoring the spirit of collective responsibility.
The cabinet also offered Fateha for those who lost their lives in the recent floods.
On foreign relations, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s deep partnership with China, calling it an “all-weather friendship”. He said China had always stood by Pakistan and that bilateral ties were strengthening further. He confirmed his upcoming visit to China for bilateral meetings as well as participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet approved a summary presented by the Ministry of Industries and Production for the abolition of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). The meeting was informed that operations of all USC outlets across the country had already ceased from July 31.
PM Shehbaz directed the relevant ministry to ensure a transparent process for safeguarding the rights of affected USC employees in accordance with law and regulations. The cabinet also approved amendments to the law governing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to make them more investor-friendly and conducive to industrial growth. The PM noted that Pakistan was on the right track toward economic stability and progress, stressing that industrial expansion would not only boost exports but also create employment opportunities.
Additionally, Shehbaz Sharif constituted a special committee to work on increasing per-acre crop yield and reducing production costs for farmers. The committee will include Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Minister for Petroleum Ali Parvaiz Malik, Minister for Food Security Rana Tanvir Hussain, Advisor to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar.
The PM stressed that agricultural productivity needed urgent attention, while the Ministry for Food Security presented recommendations to balance Urea fertilizer prices.
Separately, PM Shehbaz Sharif Friday ordered immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims and announced the launch of a nationwide anti-encroachment campaign along rivers and waterways to avert future disasters.
Chairing a meeting on flood response, the PM termed assistance to victims a “national duty” and directed federal ministers and secretaries to oversee relief operations in affected areas. He instructed the Ministry of Water Resources to support the KP government in restoring water supply systems and stressed that rehabilitation should begin without delay.
Shehbaz expressed concern over fresh weather spells expected in the coming days and called for advance warnings and strict monitoring of vulnerable zones.
Special focus was placed on Gilgit-Baltistan, where a glacier outburst has formed a dangerous lake. The PM directed the NDMA and the Pakistan Army to ensure its safe drainage and pre-emptive evacuation of communities at risk.
The meeting also reviewed the river situation, glacial risks, and upcoming weather patterns, while Information Minister briefed on the establishment of a Central Coordination Committee to streamline rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that investing in modern, technology-based solutions for agriculture is key to Pakistan’s economic revival, as the sector remains the backbone of the national economy.
He was addressing a ceremony marking the departure of another batch of 300 students to China for specialised agricultural training under the Pakistan-China youth development programme. The initiative, launched after the prime minister’s visit to an agriculture university in China’s Shaanxi province, aims to equip Pakistani youth with advanced skills in modern farming, livestock, and cotton production.
Lauding the success of the first 300 students who have already returned, the PM urged the new batch — selected on merit from across the country with a special 10pc quota for Balochistan — to act as ambassadors of discipline, learning, and national pride.
“We must revive our cotton sector, which once produced 14 million bales but now yields only four million. Livestock also holds massive untapped potential. With honesty, hard work, and merit, Pakistan can achieve the vision of Quaid-e-Azam,” he said, stressing that youth are the custodians of Pakistan’s future.
The PM expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Ambassador Xian Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi for their roles in the program. Ambassador Zaidong reaffirmed China’s support for Pakistan’s development, presented a cheque for flood relief assistance, and praised the government’s progress in stabilising the economy and achieving 3.5pc GDP growth.
The departing students, drawn from Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, will leave for China on August 24 to receive training in modern agricultural practices.
