Flood losses: Pakistan govt decides to approach world donor agencies

ISLAMABAD: The Government has decided to approach international donor agencies for financial assistance to overcome the infrastructural and economic losses the country suffered during floods.

This was stated by Additional Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Sabina Qureshi during the meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division held under the chairmanship of Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig.

She said that this decision was taken by the committee formed on the directives of the Prime Minister under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning & Special Initiative Ahsan Iqbal in its last meeting.

She said the Government has decided to approach the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the UNDP, and the European Union for financial assistance. “We have a long working relationship with these donor agencies, and we would ask them to incorporate the element of flood losses as well in future funding to Pakistan,” she remarked.

She said during the 2022 floods, the Government approached the donor agencies after calculating losses in two months, but this time it decided to approach now so that there would be no delay in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in the affected areas.

On this occasion, the Planning Commission said that the losses and damages from the floods forecasted are Rs 3856 billion. The EAD official said that the data collected by them till 10 September shows that the total losses from the floods and torrid rainfalls are estimated at Rs 1596 billion, which is equivalent to $5.6 billion. However, he clarified that in this amount, losses from Sindh are not included.

The representatives of the Ministry of Planning and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed the committee on the scale of losses and damages caused by the 2025 floods.

From 26th June to 19th September 2025, the floods resulted in 1,006 deaths and 1,063 injuries nationwide. The highest casualties were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (504 deaths, 218 injuries) and Punjab (304 deaths, 661 injuries), while significant losses were also recorded in Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory.

Infrastructure and livelihood damage was also extensive, with 1,981 kilometres of roads, 239 bridges, and 12,569 houses either partially or completely damaged. Additionally, 6,509 livestock were reported perished.

In response to the crisis, 949 relief camps were established, accommodating 152,252 persons, while 741 medical camps provided health services to 662,098 people across all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

The committee was also briefed that the Lyari Expressway Corridor starts from ICI Chowk and extends to Sohrab Goth, approximately 16 kilometres from the existing toll plaza on the M-9 Motorway. In comparison, the newly constructed M-10 Motorway also originates from ICI Chowk, passing through Gulbai Flyover, Shershah Flyover, Hub Chowk, and Madinat-ul-Hikmat, before continuing along a new alignment and ultimately connecting with the M-6 Motorway near Hyderabad.

The committee inquired about including the project in the PSDP, as it is not being considered under the PPP mode. In response, it was informed that the Karachi Port Trust, in collaboration with Korean EXIM Bank, is undertaking various studies related to the Lyari Elevated Freight Corridor (LEFC). The representatives from Ministry of Communication and NHA suggested that KPT may complete the required studies and subsequently initiate the project for inclusion in the PSDP in next year.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025