Key points
- Army Chief Urges Swift Action on Flood Protection
- Assures continued support for victims
- Praises troops’ dedication and relief efforts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, on Saturday visited flood-hit areas in Punjab, including Kasur and a Flood Relief Camp in Jalalpur Pirwala, Multan, to assess the ongoing situation and review relief efforts.
According to ISPR, the visit focused on “enhancing synergy between the civil administration and the military to ensure effective assistance for the affected population.” Upon arrival, he was received by the Corps Commanders of Lahore and Multan Corps.
The floods, triggered by relentless monsoon rains and glacial melt, have so far killed at least 900 people across Pakistan, according to officials. Crops, livestock, and entire communities have been swept away, with Punjab, Sindh, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa among the worst-hit. More than 2.4 million people have been relocated in Punjab, while 150,000 have been evacuated in Sindh.
During the visit, the Army Chief was given a detailed briefing on the ground situation, including the scale of rescue and relief operations. Interacting with civil administration, he “underlined the importance of good governance and inclusive, people-centric progress.”
He stressed that “all necessary measures including infrastructural development required for protecting the people against the devastations caused by frequent floods should be expedited,” warning that “the state cannot afford the loss of precious lives and properties every year.”
Pakistan is already facing one of the world’s worst climate emergencies, with rising temperatures accelerating glacier melt and intensifying extreme weather. Authorities have warned of further heavy rains in central Punjab and Azad Kashmir between September 16 and 18, even as the country reels from the damages.
Agriculture has been the most devastated sector, with widespread crop losses and farming communities left in crisis.
Reaffirming the military’s role, the Army Chief highlighted “the significance of coordinated civil-military efforts in addressing the challenges faced by flood-affected communities” and pledged the Pakistan Army’s “unwavering commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at public welfare.”
While meeting flood survivors who had been evacuated, he assured them of continued support in resettlement and rehabilitation. Survivors expressed gratitude for timely military intervention during the crisis.
The Army Chief also met troops, Rescue 1122 personnel, and police engaged in relief operations, commending their morale and dedication. ISPR quoted him as lauding their “round-the-clock efforts, carried out in close coordination with civil administration, to provide timely relief and assistance to the people.”
He also undertook an aerial reconnaissance of flood-affected areas along Lahore-Kasur and Multan-Jalalpur Pirwala axes to assess the scale of damage and review ongoing operations.
