Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that all members of the federal cabinet will donate their one-month salary to provide immediate assistance to the flood victims of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The decision came during a high-level meeting on flood relief operations, where the Prime Minister directed federal institutions to intensify their role in helping flood-affected communities across the country.

“No Federal or Provincial Divide in Crisis”

Addressing the cabinet, PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the ongoing natural disaster must be treated as a national humanitarian challenge rather than a provincial or political issue.

“In this hour of trial, there is no federal government or provincial government—there is only one duty: to ensure the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation of our affected citizens,” the Prime Minister declared.

He instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritize the restoration of damaged roads, regardless of whether they were federal or provincial highways. “Opening up routes to affected areas is the first priority—rescue and aid cannot reach families unless roads are cleared,” he emphasized.

Financial and Logistical Support

The Prime Minister announced that, in addition to the cabinet’s salary donation, the federal government will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and injured under the Prime Minister’s Relief Package.

He also ordered the Ministry of Finance to release immediate funds to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) so that relief operations could be expanded without bureaucratic delays. Furthermore, he directed the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to mobilize its resources and networks to reach vulnerable families, especially women and children, with cash stipends and essential supplies.

Federal Ministers Dispatched to Disaster Zones

To ensure direct oversight of relief activities, the Prime Minister ordered all relevant federal ministers to reach KP, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan within 24 hours. Their task is to supervise aid operations on the ground, identify bottlenecks, and coordinate with provincial governments.

“This is not a time for sitting in offices—it is a time for presence in the field,” Shehbaz Sharif reportedly told his ministers.

Federal Ministers Speak on Relief Commitments

Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik reassured that the federal government would work hand-in-hand with provincial administrations to support rehabilitation efforts. “There will be no discrimination; every citizen deserves help, regardless of where they live,” he said.

Malik added that the government was committed to reopening all major roads and highways within 24 hours to facilitate the flow of aid. He also appealed to provincial governments to urgently evacuate populations living along riverbanks and seasonal streams. “These are not small streams—they are raging torrents. Populations living in their path must be moved immediately to safer locations,” he warned.

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, describing flood relief as a national duty. “The Prime Minister has made it clear: rehabilitation of flood victims is not optional, it is a collective responsibility. We will overcome this disaster together,” Tarar stated.

Scale of the Disaster

The devastating monsoon rains and flash floods have already caused widespread destruction across Pakistan. Official data confirms that 660 people have died so far, with 392 deaths reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone.

Other provinces and territories have also suffered fatalities:

• Punjab: 164 deaths
• Sindh: 29 deaths
• Balochistan: 20 deaths
• Gilgit-Baltistan: 32 deaths
• Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 15 deaths
• Islamabad: 8 deaths

Beyond the loss of human lives, thousands have been displaced, homes destroyed, livestock swept away, and agricultural land submerged.

Immediate Priorities: Rescue and Shelter

Relief agencies, with the support of the Pakistan Army and NDMA, are working around the clock to rescue stranded families and provide shelter to the displaced. Camps have been established in multiple districts, equipped with food, clean drinking water, bedding, and medical support.

The government has highlighted road connectivity as the single biggest challenge. Washed-out bridges and submerged highways are preventing the smooth flow of aid to remote villages. “Our engineers and NHA teams are working continuously to restore connectivity. Each open road is a lifeline for hundreds of families,” officials said.

A Call for Unity and Responsibility

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that disasters of such scale require national unity rather than political divisions. He appealed to citizens, civil society organizations, and the private sector to step forward and contribute to relief operations.

“The floods have not only washed away homes, they have tested our resilience as a nation. We must come together—beyond party lines and provincial boundaries—to help those who have lost everything,” he urged.

Looking Ahead

While immediate relief remains the top priority, rehabilitation and reconstruction will require massive resources and months of sustained effort. From rebuilding houses to repairing highways and restoring livelihoods, the scale of the challenge is immense.

Climate experts warn that the recurring cycle of monsoon devastation is a reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. Without investment in long-term flood protection measures, drainage systems, and disaster preparedness, such tragedies will continue to repeat themselves.

For now, however, the government’s focus is on ensuring that every affected family receives timely help. The federal cabinet’s symbolic gesture of donating one month’s salary reflects a message of solidarity, but the real test lies in whether relief operations can be delivered effectively and equitably to the thousands of families in need.