ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday offered full relief and humanitarian assistance to Indonesia as the death toll from severe floods and landslides surged across Southeast and South Asia.
PM Sharif made the assurance during a telephone call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Sharif conveyed condolences over the large number of deaths and the extensive destruction caused by flooding and landslides in Indonesia, particularly on Sumatra.
He said Pakistan was ready to provide all possible support, including expertise in managing major flood emergencies, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
He also noted that both countries face similar climate-induced vulnerabilities and underscored the importance of stronger cooperation on disaster preparedness and resilience.
President Subianto thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s solidarity. He said Indonesian authorities had responded swiftly to the disaster.
The Prime Minister added that he looked forward to welcoming the Indonesian President to Islamabad next week for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
Spoke with President Prabowo Subianto today and conveyed my deepest condolences on the tragic loss of lives and devastation caused by the recent floods and landslides in Indonesia, especially in Sumatra.
I assured him of Pakistan’s full solidarity and our readiness to extend…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 3, 2025
Rising toll in Indonesia
Indonesia’s disaster agency said on Tuesday that 708 people had been killed on Sumatra since last week. The figure was lower than the 753 earlier listed on the agency’s website.
Almost 800 people have died in recent floods and landslides nationwide after months of severe weather across Southeast Asia, including multiple typhoons.
Experts and officials have warned that extensive deforestation on Sumatra may have worsened the destruction.
The agency said teams were repairing infrastructure, clearing blocked roads and delivering aid by land, sea and air.
Pakistan dispatches rescue team to Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying a 47-member rescue team and 6.5 tonnes of equipment arrived in Colombo on Wednesday.
The team was sent on the Prime Minister’s instructions to support relief efforts in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah triggered devastating floods and landslides.
Sri Lankan authorities say at least 465 people have been killed, with 336 still missing.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General Faheem Al-Aziz, and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Ports received the team at the airport.
Pakistan has also sent 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid by sea. Islamabad said India denied airspace clearance for a special flight carrying relief supplies for more than 60 hours.
Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are already assisting with rescue operations.
On Tuesday, PM Sharif told Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a phone call that Pakistan would continue supporting both emergency relief and later rehabilitation.
Regional disaster worsens
Across Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, more than 1,400 people have died since last week.
Indonesia has reported at least 770 deaths, Sri Lanka 465, and Thailand 185, with three fatalities in Malaysia. Over 800 people remain missing. Many villages are still buried under mud and debris.
Thailand said its recovery work in the south was progressing. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said water and power had been restored to almost all affected areas.
She said more than 120,000 households had received compensation totalling over 1 billion baht (US$31.3 million).
