PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged the federal government to ensure full cooperation with the provinces in their rescue and relief efforts after the devastating rains in Karachi, Lahore and other regions of the country.

In a statement, Shehbaz also called for taking steps through complete coordination among the federal provincial organisations to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

He expressed his sorrow over the loss of precious human lives and material, and offered his condolences to the victims’ families.

The PML-N president also directed the party leaders and workers, elected members and office bearers to assist the relevant departments and district administration in providing relief to the affected people.

Shehbaz issued this statement as the latest monsoon rains played havoc in different parts of the country, especially Karachi and other areas of lower Sindh.

The Sindh government declared Karachi a disaster-hit area as at least 18 people were killed and many others injured in rain-related incidents after Thursday’s heavy downpour.

Similarly, flash flooding and landslides killed 15 people – mostly women and children in Kohistan, Swat and Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On the other hand, seven people lost their lives in separate incidents in Lahore and Wazirabad after heavy rains lashed the province.