- Punjab CM accuses PPP of ‘politicising’ flood relief, saying Rs10,000 BISP aid ‘too little’ and pledging Rs1m compensation per affected family
- PPP chief insists BISP ‘sole transparent method’ for immediate relief delivery, calling for climate and agriculture emergency
KARACHI/LAHORE: A fresh war of words erupted between coalition partners PML-N and PPP on Thursday, as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif accused the PPP of “politicising” flood relief in Punjab, while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari insisted that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) remained “the only effective mechanism” to reach out to the flood-affected communities.
Speaking at the launch of the electric bus project in Dera Ghazi Khan, CM Maryam dismissed the idea of routing flood aid exclusively through BISP. “Nowadays, people are talking about distributing aid through BISP… but they only give Rs10,000. I will give flood-affected people Rs1 million,” she declared, terming the PPP’s approach a “simplistic solution.”
She argued that Rs10,000 was insufficient for families who had lost homes, livestock, and crops. “I want to rebuild damaged houses and compensate destroyed crops, but BISP does not provide enough money,” she said.
While acknowledging PPP as an ally at the Centre, Maryam said the party was politicising Punjab’s flood crisis. Without naming Bilawal, she urged him and former president Asif Ali Zardari to guide their spokespersons. “If, God forbid, a disaster hits Sindh, Punjab will stand with it. I ask them to stop politicising floods in Punjab,” she remarked.
Reacting to criticism over not seeking international aid, she reiterated: “I am Nawaz Sharif’s daughter, and I will not beg for charity. How long will Pakistan continue to extend its hand before the world? The NFC Award gives billions to provinces — where is that money being spent?”
Earlier in Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto defended his stance, calling BISP the “sole method” to deliver immediate relief. He said the programme’s national database and reach had been used successfully in the past, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. “If we do not use BISP today, what is the fault of the people of South Punjab whose homes and crops are destroyed?” he asked.
The federal government should appeal for international financial assistance and negotiate relief from IMF-imposed restrictions. This would enable more effective and efficient support for the flood victims: Chairman @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/BCbypKcMIh
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) September 25, 2025
He also called on the federal government to declare a “climate and agriculture emergency” in light of the devastation. He said farmers’ power bills in affected areas should be waived and announced that the Sindh government would assist small farmers through the Benazir Hari Card, fertiliser support, and incentives for wheat cultivation. “If provincial and federal governments act in time, we can reduce losses and avoid heavy wheat imports,” he added.
Bilawal criticised the federal government for not launching an international appeal at the outset of the floods. “By reaching out to the global community and the IMF, you could have doubled the relief effort. This opportunity was missed,” he said.
Both leaders, while agreeing on the scale of devastation — particularly in South Punjab — continued to clash over whether relief should be delivered through provincial initiatives or via BISP. The divide highlighted growing strains between the PML-N and PPP despite their partnership in the coalition government.
