Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning to builders, declaring, “No more man-made disasters.” Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, he announced plans for a special meeting to tackle illegal constructions along Pakistan’s rivers.

Flood Crisis and Relief Efforts

Since August 15, torrential rains and flash floods have swept through districts like Swat, Buner, Shangla, and Mansehra, destroying homes, collapsing infrastructure, and displacing thousands. Sharif, who recently visited flood-hit areas, expressed solidarity with affected communities and highlighted the federal government’s commitment to relief efforts. He noted that federal ministers, secretaries, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the armed forces actively support rescue and rehabilitation operations. The prime minister also praised the Pakistan Army and provincial governments for their tireless work in aiding victims.

Sharif pinpointed illegal encroachments, deforestation, and unregulated construction as key culprits behind the floods’ severity. “Hotels and houses built on natural waterways worsen the impact of floods,” he said during a visit to Buner, Swat, and other affected regions. He urged the development of strict policies and laws to prevent building on riverbeds and stressed the need to preserve forests to mitigate future disasters.

Flood Crisis and Relief Efforts

The floods, which have claimed over 350 lives and injured many more, serve as a grim reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-driven disasters. Sharif referenced the 2022 floods, which caused $40 billion in damages, to highlight the recurring challenge. He questioned the sustainability of compensating for losses tied to illegal structures and called for a “hard state” approach, where no one escapes accountability for violating laws. The government, armed forces, and civil society must unite to prevent such crises, he stressed, urging that politics take a backseat during national emergencies.

In Karachi, recent rains submerged roads and disrupted daily life, prompting Sharif to coordinate with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to ensure relief.

The NDMA has warned of further flooding risks in Sindh’s rural areas, including Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro, and Dadu, due to rising water levels in the Indus River. Authorities are urging residents to relocate livestock, secure emergency supplies, and avoid submerged roads.