ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to extend full support to Sri Lanka’s ongoing relief efforts as the country battles severe flooding.
He chaired a review meeting in Islamabad today to assess relief efforts in Sri Lanka’s storm-hit areas following the impact of the sea storm “Cyclone Ditwa.”
The devastating floods and landslides have killed at least 465 people and displaced more than a million people in the South Asian nation.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan would also contribute significantly to the restoration and rehabilitation of the flood-affected regions once the search and rescue phase is completed, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka during this difficult time.
The meeting was briefed that an Urban Search and Rescue team from Pakistan will depart for Sri Lanka tomorrow, while additional relief supplies will be dispatched via commercial sea vessels.
It was further told that the Pakistan Navy ship “Saif” is engaged in relief operations for flood victims during its deployment in Sri Lanka.
A helicopter on board the Pakistan Navy ship rescued a family that had been stranded for five days.
The meeting expressed its resolve to continue providing relief and rescue assistance in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting on relief activities in the areas of Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah. pic.twitter.com/kPrtboDxOx
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) December 2, 2025
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the phone and expressed solidarity with the country amid devastating floods.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office, the premier expressed his profound grief over the devastating loss of life and widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwa in Sri Lanka.
“The Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Sri Lanka, especially the bereaved families who had lost their loved ones in the catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed hundreds of precious lives and displaced thousands of people across the island,” it said.
Pakistan has already dispatched 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Pakistan also said that India continued blocking its humanitarian aid for Sri Lanka. Pakistan said a special relief aircraft had been unable to secure Indian overflight clearance for more than 60 hours, forcing the government to reroute its aid shipment by sea.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said that India had issued only a “partial and operationally impractical” clearance after a delay of 48 hours.
