Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik stated on Sunday that nearly two million people have been displaced across Pakistan due to devastating floods, emphasising that the hardest hit are the country’s poorest families.
“Our first, second, and third priority is the poorest 40 per cent—around 800,000 individuals—who lack wealthy relatives to rely on and are in urgent need of aid,” Malik told the media.
Accompanied by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, the Climate Minister urged the nation to assist those in need. “If there is any NGO in your area, or if you can personally help a displaced family, please do so,” he stressed.
The government is prioritising urgent relief measures, which include the distribution of food, medicines, mosquito nets, clean drinking water, water tanks, and temporary electricity supplies to communities affected by the floods.
Authorities are also on high alert for potential epidemics in crowded makeshift camps.
Malik emphasised that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, despite being abroad, is receiving daily briefings and providing guidance on relief operations. He mentioned that these reports are also shared with the military leadership, with Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir personally overseeing the situation on the ground.
“The federal government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the provinces, and the Army, Rangers, NDMA, PDMA, and Rescue 1122 are all collaborating closely,” Malik said. “While no one can prevent a natural disaster, we are making every effort to mitigate its impact.”
The minister noted that early simulations and community evacuation drills conducted over the past six months have helped to reduce loss of life compared to previous disasters, even though property, crops, and livelihoods have been destroyed.
Floodwaters remain a significant threat at Head Trimmu, Head Panjnad, and Kot Mithan, where several rivers converge. Authorities are working to keep water flows below one million cusecs, but they are preparing for higher surges. Controlled breaches in uninhabited areas are planned to protect larger populations from disaster.
Malik pointed out the challenges posed by Punjab’s geography—where five rivers converge—and warned that the Panjnad system could face flows as high as three million cusecs if conditions worsen.
Beyond the immediate disaster, Malik stressed that Pakistan’s situation underscores the global climate crisis. “What we refer to as climate change is a reality. Rising temperatures are melting glaciers, leading to disasters such as flash floods and blockages,” he stated.
Read also: India releases water from Salal dam, Punjab braces for flood threat
He noted that Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global carbon emissions but still bears the consequences. “The top eight to ten countries in the world are responsible for 70 percent of these emissions,” he highlighted.
In addition to commending the efforts of provincial governments and security forces in Narowal, Sialkot, and flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Malik called for national unity and solidarity.
“Let me emphasize: no single institution can take credit for this. This responsibility belongs to the entire nation, and any relief being provided is for Pakistan,” he said. “Above all, the government stands with the poor.”
