• PM orders NDMA to protect against urban floods in Lahore, Sialkot and Gujrat
• The president asks Sindh to prepare for large flows; Nawaz asks legislators to help their voters
• The minister announces compensation for Danyore Nullah victims
Islamabad / Lahore: The federal and provincial leadership of the country is supervising an emergency response coordinated to the unprecedented flood crisis throughout the country.
No province or territory has escaped from the wrath of the water, whether destruction of sudden floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, devastating floods of the glacial lake in Gilgit Baltistan, crying the rains in Sindh or in the outstanding rivers in Punjab.
By chairing an emergency meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to take immediate measures to address possible urban floods in Punjab, particularly Lahore, Sialkot and Gujrat.
The prime minister was informed about the high water discharge pressure on the Ravi River in Jastar and Shahdara, and on the Sutlej River in Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki, with monitoring stations that also track conditions in Khanki, Balloki and Qadirabad.
He emphasized the need to improve the effectiveness of the flood and rain warning, emphasizing the timely exchange of information between NDMA and the Provincial Authority of Disaster Management (PDMA) of Punjab to minimize losses. He instructed the key ministers and officials to come to Lahore immediately to guarantee the uninterrupted power supply, the communication channels and the restoration of the road.
The president of the NDMA, the general, Inam Haider, Malik informed the prime minister on preventive evacuations, safe relocations and delivery of relief, while the army staff and police services have dedicated themselves to the mitigation of damages in the Punjab areas affected by floods.
Zardari directs Sindh’s preparations
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed a deep pain for the devastating floods, extending sincere condolences to families who suffered losses of life, property, cattle and farms.
While appreciating the “value and exemplary commitment” demonstrated by the armed forces and emergency rescue equipment during this crisis, he specifically directed the government of Sindh, governed by its own PPP, to immediately begin preparations to deal with the large amount of water that is expected to flow in the province in the coming days.
Expressing confidence in the nation’s resilience, President Zardari referred to Pakistan’s successful response to previous floods in 2010 and 2022, stating that the country would exceed this trial with a similar determination.
According to the reports, the head of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif, has ordered the federal and provincial ministers and legislators of the party to immediately reach their voters and actively participate in flood relief activities. The instructions arrived in a family reunion of Sharif in Murree, where Nawaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz and CM Maryam discussed the devastation caused by floods.
According to reports, Nawaz Sharif asked federal and punjab governments to effectively coordinate with each other with respect to the devastation of floods and subsequent relief work.
Meanwhile, Punjab main minister spoke with the commissioners and the attached commissioners through video link, and addressed Moblise all resources for rescue and relief operations in the areas affected by flooding throughout the province. He asked the meeting participants to guarantee tents, food and medicines for people affected by flood.
CM Maryam also visited Shahdara to review the flood situation and inspect the security dam and other measures taken by the administration. The CM ordered the administration and other relevant departments involved in rescue and relief activities to complete the population evacuation process and cattle in the river crossings as soon as possible.
Muqam visits GB
Meanwhile, Kashmira, GB and Safron Minister Amir Muqam arrived in Gilgit on a three -day visit to monitor the rehabilitation and flood help activities, highlighting the continuous threat that represents the floods of the bursts of the glaciers lake in the region.
During his visit, he met families of seven volunteers who lost their lives while trying to restore water supply at Danyore Nallah. RS2 million announced compensation for the family of each murdered volunteer and promised the establishment of a commemorative center.
GB chief secretary, Ahmed Mirza, informed the Federal Minister about the vulnerability of Lake Glacier, noting that many subsequent areas face Glof risks. The minister announced that the water supply to Danyore, Sultanabad and Mohammadabad would be restored soon while the rehabilitation work continues.
Syed Irfan Race in Islamabad, Zulqernain Tahir in Lahore and Jamil Nagri in Gilgit contributed to this report
Posted in Dawn, August 28, 2025
