PM Shehbaz to soon call meeting to discuss illegal constructions on water ways

Stressing to discourage the illegal constructions on the water ways, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said he would call a meeting soon to discuss the matter.

Waterway encroachments in the paths of natural or man-made water channels like rivers, canals, drains, or stormwater are often blamed for massive deaths amid torrential rains and flooding.

Recalling the devastation caused by the 2022 floods, which led to significant property damage and around 100 casualties, the prime minister highlighted the alarming toll of the recent flash floods and cloudbursts. Although the impacted area was relatively limited this time, the human loss has been far greater, with over 700 lives lost — more than 400 of them from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, he said.

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The premier further mentioned similar weather-related disasters in Karachi, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and expressed solidarity with the affected people.

Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, he reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the affected families and expediting the rehabilitation process, particularly in the flood-stricken areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

PM Shehbaz expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of heavy rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods that have caused widespread devastation across the province, especially in Swat, Swabi, Mansehra, and Shangla.

He emphasised that federal ministers, secretaries, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman, and the armed forces were fully engaged in ongoing relief efforts across the affected areas.

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The PM also noted that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had accompanied him during his recent visit to Buner and other flood-affected regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Shedding light on the ill effects of tree-cutting on climate, he rued that trees were being cut on mass scale in Galyat and other parts of the country.

As regards the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the prime minister said China Pakistan strategic friendship was being strengthened day by day. He informed that soon he will visit China to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit where he will also meet the Chinese leadership.

The cabinet also offered Fateha for those who lost their lives in the recent rains and flash floods.