ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/SUKKUR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Finance to seek the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval for a one-month exemption from electricity bills for households devastated by recent floods across Pakistan. He stressed the urgency of immediate relief, asking the ministry to begin talks with the IMF without delay.
Officials said the relief would apply across all flood-hit regions, urban and rural, to ease the burden on disaster-stricken families. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has requested deployment of 1,710 Pakistan Army personnel to assist civil authorities in post-flood surveys across 25 districts. Each survey team will include an army representative to ensure transparency, security, and credibility in assessing losses.
According to Punjab’s damage report, 97 people have lost their lives, more than 4,500 villages have been submerged, and nearly 4.5 million people affected. Over 2.4 million were evacuated, 1.91 million livestock relocated, and 396 relief camps set up.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) welcomed the climate and agriculture emergency declaration but criticised delays in launching a UN flash appeal and in extending Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) aid. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said withholding such measures “cuts off millions from international assistance,” urging immediate action. His party has submitted resolutions in both houses of parliament calling for power bill waivers, expedited cash transfers, essential medical aid, and a UN-led appeal.
Floods continue to devastate southern Punjab and Sindh. Breaches in flood dykes have inundated thousands of acres, while major barrages report high to medium flood levels. Rescue and relief operations are underway, with federal and provincial leaders visiting affected areas. However, local communities accuse authorities of negligence in dyke maintenance and delayed aid.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed solidarity with victims, promising full government support. Opposition leaders including PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali and JI’s Liaquat Baloch urged a united, apolitical response, warning that negligence and poor planning had worsened the disaster.
