ISLAMABAD: Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has called on the federal government to urgently launch an international appeal for aid to help deal with the devastating floods causing destruction across the South Asian country.
The Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took to X (Twitter) to criticize the government’s delay, calling it “beyond comprehension.” He said that such appeals are standard after disasters of such magnitude.
Bilawal said that international aid requests are typically submitted within the first 72 hours following natural disasters. "It was done for the last floods when I was foreign minister, before that, the 2010 floods, and the 2005 earthquake. Countries all over the world do the same within the first 72 hours of such disasters. There is no excuse to cut off the millions affected from this assistance," he wrote.
The former foreign minister welcomed the government’s announcement of a climate and agricultural emergency but said relief through local initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Program for flood-affected areas has yet to be announced.
He added that his party will push resolutions in provincial assemblies, the National Assembly, and the Senate to ensure “urgent action.” After visiting flood-affected areas in central and southern Punjab and Sindh, Bilawal discussed with local leaders ways to support the agricultural sector, which he described as the most devastated by the floods.
Over 4 million affected by floods
Over 4.28 million people in Punjab have been affected by severe flooding. In comparison, over two million people have been evacuated from areas inundated by the rising Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
Floodwaters have overwhelmed over 4,500 villages, destroying nearly 1.8 million acres of crops. Rescue teams have moved about 1.69 million livestock to safer areas.
Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bukhari described the situation in Jalalpur Pirwala, a city in central Pakistan, as “serious” but credited the city's rescue efforts to improved arrangements. In the past three days alone, at least 13,600 people have been moved to safety, with a total of around 2.3 million rescues.
Relief camps, medical facilities, and veterinary centers have been established to assist those impacted. The province has reported 76 deaths caused by the floods.
Dam levels
One of the country’s major rivers, the Chenab, reached a record 394 feet, prompting evacuations and road closures due to unsafe conditions.
Dam levels remained critically high, with the Mangla Dam at 90% capacity and Tarbela full. While monsoon rains have eased, officials expect water levels to stabilize soon.
Flooding continues to be a major issue in southern Punjab, even as northern areas experience some relief.
Food security threatened
While the information minister warned against artificial flour price hikes and assured the government would take action against wheat hoarding, extensive agricultural damage from the mid-August floods has worsened food security concerns.
It has caused losses exceeding $1 billion in the farming sector alone.
Pressure on water infrastructure
Heavy inflows from the Chenab, Sutlej, and Jhelum rivers converged at the Panjnad headworks in southern Punjab, causing dangerous pressure downstream.
Mass evacuations had to be conducted in Alipur district due to imminent flooding in low-lying villages. Local authorities, supported by rescue agencies, relocated families to safe shelters and set up emergency relief camps.
Authorities warn that the ongoing rise in water levels will increase the risk of further flooding and damage to infrastructure and nearby farmland. Residents along the riverbanks have been advised to evacuate immediately.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report
The country’s disaster management agency reported significant losses affecting the predominantly rural population. As of September 11, 1,542 livestock have died, which is a primary source of income. Homes damaged include 18,765 partially destroyed and 4,120 completely destroyed.
The death toll is 412, with 1,086 injured. Roads and bridges in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces have also been damaged.
River and Dam Status (Data as of Sept. 11, 2025)
River/Barrage | Discharge (Cusecs) | Status |
Indus at Tarbela | 192,000 | Normal |
Indus at Kalabagh | 401,000 | High Flow |
Indus at Guddu | 512,000 | Very High |
Indus at Sukkur | 477,000 | Very High |
Jhelum at Mangla | 28,000 | Normal |
Chenab at Marala | 61,000 | Normal |
Reservoir | Level (Feet) | Status |
Tarbela | 1,550 | Near full capacity |
Chashma | 647 | Rising |
