ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package for people affected by recent rains and floods, which have caused massive human and material losses across the country.
In a televised address, the prime minister said the government was fully aware of the hardships faced by the people. “Helping the flood victims is our duty,” he said, adding that immediate instructions had been given to electricity distribution companies to take urgent steps.
Under the package, one month’s electricity bills for residential consumers in flood-hit areas will be waived, while August bills for commercial and industrial consumers will be postponed. The federal government will bear the cost, and those who have already paid will get refunds in their next bills.
Shehbaz Sharif said damage to agriculture, trade, and industry was being assessed and vowed not to rest until every displaced person was rehabilitated and able to return home. He added that more relief measures will be introduced if losses are higher than expected.
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The PM also directed power companies to act immediately on these orders and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fully rehabilitate all affected areas.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 972 people have died in the ongoing floods. Crops, livestock, and homes have been destroyed, especially in Punjab, while rising floodwaters are now threatening Sindh, raising fears of food inflation and worsening economic challenges.
Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said more than 4,500 villages were flooded along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers in Punjab. He said 2,334 villages were affected by the Chenab, 1,482 by the Ravi, and 672 by the Sutlej.
In total, 4.49 million people have been affected, with 2.45 million safely evacuated. Authorities have set up 396 relief camps in the worst-hit districts and moved 1.91 million livestock to safer areas.
