Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Wednesday visited flood-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where relentless monsoon rains since mid-August have claimed at least 380 lives.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority, the nationwide death toll has reached 750 since the last week of June. In just the past 24 hours, 43 more deaths were reported, underscoring the scale of the disaster and the urgency of relief measures.
Relief Efforts Underway
Districts such as Swat, Buner, and Shangla remain among the hardest hit, with communities facing washed-out roads, damaged infrastructure, and widespread displacement. The Prime Minister, accompanied by federal ministers, assured residents of immediate assistance, saying that no family would be left without support.
Compensation has begun with Rs 2 million cheques distributed to victims’ families, while provincial authorities, backed by the military, are scaling up rescue and relief operations. A Rs 5 billion emergency budget has been allocated to rebuild homes, roads, and other critical infrastructure.
Army chief Asim Munir reiterated the military’s commitment, pledging that resources would remain deployed “until the last stranded citizen is safe.”
National Challenge
Pakistan continues to battle the destructive force of this year’s monsoon, with climate-linked extreme weather once again exposing the country’s vulnerability. Leaders have urged unity and resilience as rescue teams work around the clock to reach those trapped in flood-hit zones.