Bilawal demands agricultural emergency, urges relief for flood-hit farmers

SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called upon the federal government to declare a national agricultural emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have ravaged Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

During his visit to the Sukkur Barrage in Sindh, as well as the flood-hit districts of Muzaffargarh and Multan, Bilawal expressed grave concern over the worsening flood situation, describing the destruction as “heartbreaking.” He pointed out that many families had lost their homes and livelihoods, while farmers remain the hardest hit by the disaster.

“Flood conditions are more dangerous in Punjab, especially in areas like Multan, Kasur, and Jalalpur Pirwala, where many people have been severely affected,” he told reporters.

He added that the federal government’s response had been slow, noting that victims in Punjab had been waiting for assistance for more than two weeks. In contrast, he claimed Sindh was better prepared to manage the crisis.

The PPP chairman appealed to the government to disburse financial aid through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), both in Punjab and Sindh, calling it the most effective mechanism for reaching affected communities.

“The immediate help we are requesting from the federal government, and which I have discussed with the prime minister, is to provide financial aid to the flood-hit areas through BISP,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assured him of support.

Bilawal urged residents of flood-prone riverine areas to evacuate, warning of the risk of sudden disasters. He also demanded that electricity bills be waived for flood-affected families, and pressed for a review of the government’s support price policy for farmers.

Highlighting the economic impact of the floods, he said: “Farmers are already struggling, and the floods have made their situation even worse. Declaring an agricultural emergency would help the country avoid significant economic losses.”

The PPP leader emphasized that natural disasters and climate change demand a complete rethink of policies and future planning. While voicing support for the construction of new dams to manage water resources, he rejected “rumours” about controversial projects on the Indus River, making clear that the PPP would not back initiatives that could harm Sindh’s interests.

Bilawal also appealed to the foreign minister to formally request international assistance, noting that no single country can deal with such disasters alone. “We must seek help from our friends at the global level,” he said.

He urged all political parties to put aside differences in the face of the national crisis. “This is not a time for political point-scoring but for unity and collective efforts to support the victims,” he remarked.

Acknowledging the role of provincial governments, Bilawal said that coordination with Punjab was ongoing, but stressed that controversial debates could wait until after relief and rehabilitation were complete. “There are three phases in overcoming any calamity: first rescue, second relief, and third—and most important—reconstruction and rehabilitation,” he explained.

He also called on the federal government to rebuild destroyed homes in south Punjab, citing examples from Sindh and Balochistan, where houses were constructed for the victims of the 2022 floods.

Praising the media’s positive coverage, he expressed hope that similar reporting would be carried out in Sindh as well. He lauded PPP representatives in Muzaffargarh and Multan for supporting affected communities and instructed party workers to provide maximum assistance to those in need.

Punjab Governor Saleem Haider, MNAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Ali Qasim Gilani, Irshad Sial, and other PPP leaders accompanied Bilawal during his visits to the flood-hit areas.