Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited the flood-affected districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla, and Swabi on Wednesday to assess the devastation and review ongoing rescue and relief operations, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
During the visit, the Prime Minister, along with federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Atta Tarar, Amir Muqam, Owais Leghari, and the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was given a comprehensive briefing on the humanitarian response efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meeting with flood victims, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured them of the federal government’s and Pakistan Army’s complete support during this critical time.
He lauded the tireless efforts of the armed forces and civil administration, expressing solidarity with the affected population and pledging all possible assistance.
The prime minister emphasised the urgent need to accelerate rehabilitation measures and restore normal life in affected regions.
بونیر: وزیر اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا متاثرین سیلاب سے خطاب https://t.co/I4Um3dlUO6
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 20, 2025
He stressed the maximum utilisation of national resources for relief efforts while highlighting the dangers of illegal encroachments, timber mafia activities, and mining and crushing operations in rivers and streams, which he said had greatly aggravated human and material losses.
“Pakistan must act as a strong state where no one is above the law, and violators are held accountable without discrimination,” the Prime Minister remarked.
During the visit, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also met with army, police, and civil administration personnel engaged in rescue operations.
He praised their selfless services for flood victims and directed field formations to carry out their responsibilities with utmost dedication, leaving no stone unturned to ease the suffering of affected families.
He reiterated that the protection of citizens’ lives and extending timely assistance remained the top priority of the Pakistan Army.
The Prime Minister, the Army Chief, ministers, and officials offered prayers for those who had lost their lives in the floods.
Earlier today in Islamabad, the Prime Minister chaired a review meeting on the flood situation. The meeting discussed losses caused by heavy rains and floods as well as the ongoing relief operations.
During the session, the PM directed uninterrupted power supply for one week in the affected areas and ordered immediate steps to complete the process of distributing financial assistance among victims.
The PM further instructed that the number of relief trucks carrying essential items be doubled without delay.
PDMA issues report on deadly KP flood and rain losses
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a detailed report on the destruction caused by recent rains and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
According to the report, 465 people have lost their lives, while 181 others sustained serious injuries in rain-related incidents. The deceased include 294 men, 41 women, and 30 children. Among the injured are 144 men, 28 women, and 10 children.
The PDMA report further revealed that 782 houses were damaged across the province. Out of these, 433 were partially damaged while 349 were completely destroyed.
One of the hardest-hit areas was the Buner district, where 225 people died in rain-related incidents alone. Other districts that faced major destruction included Swat, Bajaur, Mansehra, Shangla, Lower Dir, Battagram, and Swabi.
NDMA hands over relief supplies to Swat administration
The NDMA handed over a consignment of essential relief goods to the Swat district administration last night, aiming to support communities impacted by the recent flooding.
The aid package includes tents, blankets, generators, dewatering pumps, and medicines. The handover ceremony was attended by the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam.
Relief consignments to Bajaur, Mansehra dispatched
The NDMA on Wednesday dispatched two separate consignments of relief goods to Bajaur and Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as part of its ongoing efforts to support flood-affected communities across the province.
The consignments, dispatched early Wednesday morning, comprise essential relief items including tents, blankets, 7 KVA generators, dewatering pumps, ration bags, and medicines.
These supplies will be handed over to the local district administrations for distribution among communities impacted by the floods.
The NDMA is coordinating the dispatch of aid to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan in collaboration with the armed forces and welfare organisations.
PAF launches large-scale flood relief operation in GB
According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has launched a large-scale flood relief operation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Demonstrating unwavering resolve amidst difficult weather conditions and rugged mountainous terrain, a PAF C-130 aircraft airlifted 7 tonnes of dry rations, daily-use eatables, and life-saving medicines from PAF Base Nur Khan to Gilgit.
The consignment will be distributed in remote flood-affected valleys in coordination with NDMA, ensuring that essential supplies reach distressed families cut off due to damaged communication lines.
In a simultaneous humanitarian effort, 75 stranded individuals were also evacuated by the PAF relief team from the disaster-hit areas.
Over the coming days, PAF aircraft and ground teams will remain engaged in sustained relief operations, delivering food, medicines, shelter, and medical aid to vulnerable communities.
Reporters: Awais Kiyani and Malik Rehman