PM Shehbaz Urges Swift Flood Damage Assessment, Orders Acceleration of Relief Efforts
By NewzNews Staff Reporter | September 27, 2025
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued urgent directives to complete flood damage assessments without delay, underscoring the need for immediate and effective planning to support the recovery of affected communities.
Chairing a high-level review meeting via video link from New York, shortly after delivering his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister called for emergency-level response and swift rehabilitation operations across flood-stricken regions.
“The damage to crops, infrastructure, and livelihoods must be assessed at the earliest so that recovery plans can be executed without delay,” PM Shehbaz said during the session.
No Rest Until Full Rehabilitation
He vowed that the government would not rest until every affected citizen is fully rehabilitated and their normal lives restored. In this regard, he instructed Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, to oversee all ongoing relief and rehabilitation initiatives and to conduct regular review meetings to ensure accountability and progress.
The Prime Minister also directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to extend full cooperation to the provinces and their respective Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) for coordinated relief activities.
Key Infrastructure Repairs Ordered
In a direct order to the National Highway Authority (NHA), the premier called for the immediate restoration of the flood-damaged section of the M-5 Motorway near the River Sutlej. He stressed that the breach near Jalalpur Pirwala must be repaired without further delay.
Preventing Disease & Promoting Recovery
Highlighting public health risks, Shehbaz emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses in flood-hit zones. He also directed relevant ministries to identify and promote crops suitable for cultivation in the water-affected areas to restore agricultural output.
The Prime Minister noted that he had voiced the concerns of Pakistan’s climate-vulnerable population at the UNGA, stating that Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, continues to suffer disproportionately from climate-induced natural disasters.
Relief Progress Update
The meeting was informed that around 350,000 displaced individuals have returned home from temporary shelters and relief camps. In Sindh, where water levels are receding gradually, efforts are ongoing to facilitate the return of the remaining affected populations.
Food distribution and emergency aid are continuing uninterrupted in the affected areas, officials said.
The Punjab government was commended for its proactive response, with the meeting noting that the province is taking exemplary steps in rehabilitating flood victims. Officials also presented initial suggestions regarding crop losses and farmer support strategies.
Comprehensive Damage Report Due in a Week
Concluding the meeting, PM Shehbaz ordered that a detailed damage assessment report be compiled and submitted within the next seven days to aid in finalizing resource allocation and policy decisions.
“We must move quickly, efficiently, and with compassion,” he stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy for every citizen impacted by the disaster.
