PM Shehbaz directs NDMA to speed up relief operations in flood-hit areas

Published September 9, 2025
KARACHI: PDMA officials monitor water flow data from the Provincial Flood Control Room.—PPI
KARACHI: PDMA officials monitor water flow data from the Provincial Flood Control Room.—PPI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Mi­­n­i­ster Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite ongoing relief operations in flood-hit areas and ensure complete preparedness for potential flood situations due to rising water levels in rivers.

Chairing a meeting to re­­view ongoing rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas, the prime minister instructed authorities concerned to ens­u­­re early warnings and timely evacuation of people living near rivers and areas facing flood risk.

The NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the current situation of flooding in rivers, the status of rising water level in rivers, and the relief operations for flood-affected people across the country.

The PM directed the NDMA to maintain full coordination with provincial governments and provincial disaster management authorities.

He also instructed authorities concerned to intensify search for missing people in flood-hit areas.

Officials told to ensure early warnings and timely evacuation of people living near rivers and areas facing flood risk

The prime minister was also briefed on the displacement of people due to floods and the ongoing rescue operations.

The participants of the meeting were apprised of the severe flooding conditions in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers at Trimmu and Panjnad barrages and Head Balloki, Head Sidhnai, Ganda Singh Wala, Head Sulemanki, and Head Islam.

The meeting was informed that convoys of relief goods were being sent continuously to flood-affected areas.

OPF chief meets PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sha­rif on Monday also met chief of Overseas Pakistanis Found­a­t­ion, Qamar Raza, and Managing director, Afzaal Bhatti, and reaffirmed that it was among the incumbent government’s priorities to provide them with all possible facilities.

He said that overseas Paki­stanis were rendering significant services as a strong workforce in the global market.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about the events held abroad to highlight Pakistan’s victory in the recent war with India.

The OPF chairman and MD apprised the prime minister of the issues faced by overseas Pakistanis and the measures taken by the government to address them.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

Momentary relief
Updated 10 May, 2026

Momentary relief

THE IMF’s approval of the latest review of Pakistan’s ongoing Fund programme comes at a moment of growing global...
India’s global shame
10 May, 2026

India’s global shame

INDIA’s rabid streak is at an all-time high. Prejudice is now an organised movement to erase religious freedoms ...
Aurat March restrictions
Updated 10 May, 2026

Aurat March restrictions

The message could not have been clearer: women may gather, but only if they remain politically harmless.
Removing subsidies
Updated 09 May, 2026

Removing subsidies

The government no longer has the budgetary space to continue carrying hundreds of billions of rupees in untargeted subsidies while the power sector itself remains trapped in circular debt, inefficiencies, theft and under-recovery.
Scarred at home
09 May, 2026

Scarred at home

WHEN homes turn violent towards children, the psychosocial damage is lifelong. In Pakistan, parental violence is...
Zionist zealotry
09 May, 2026

Zionist zealotry

BOTH the Israeli military and far-right citizens of the Zionist state have been involved in appalling hate crimes...