The flood assessment drive has been placed at the top of the national agenda as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all provinces and institutions to conduct a thorough evaluation of damages caused by recent rains and floods. He emphasized that this assessment will form the backbone of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to restore lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the country.
Call for Comprehensive Evaluation
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister stressed that the evaluation must be inclusive. He urged officials to account for human casualties, property losses, crop destruction, and livestock damages. According to him, a partial assessment would not allow policymakers to design an effective recovery strategy.
Shehbaz Sharif praised the swift response by provincial governments, acknowledging the timely steps taken by chief ministers to minimize losses during the extreme weather events. He maintained, however, that the next challenge lies in gathering accurate data and preparing a forward-looking strategy for rehabilitation.
Collaboration Between Provinces and Federal Institutions
The Prime Minister urged close coordination between federal and provincial institutions. He highlighted the role of interprovincial cooperation in ensuring that the damages are properly quantified, avoiding duplication or underestimation. The directive called for a unified framework so that recovery efforts can be planned systematically rather than in isolated pockets.
He also stressed the importance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial disaster management authorities working hand-in-hand with agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure departments. According to him, recovery cannot succeed without joint ownership of the process.
Use of Technology in Damage Mapping
Shehbaz Sharif advised officials to seek technical support from SUPARCO, Pakistan’s space and upper atmosphere research organization, to conduct satellite-based surveys. These surveys would provide a clear and precise picture of the affected areas, including flood extent, crop damage, and infrastructure breakdowns.
The use of space technology, he argued, will not only enhance accuracy but also speed up the process, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions without delays. This step reflects the government’s intent to use modern tools for disaster response instead of relying only on traditional field surveys.
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Safeguarding Agriculture
The Prime Minister gave special importance to agriculture in the post-flood context. He pointed out that beyond immediate crop destruction, the floods pose a risk of post-flood diseases that could wipe out fresh yields. He called for urgent protective measures to shield crops from these threats.
Additionally, he directed that efforts be made to cultivate crops suited to the changed soil and water conditions in flood-affected areas. According to him, targeted planning in agriculture will not only help restore food security but also prevent farmers from falling deeper into debt.
Protecting Livestock and Rural Livelihoods
Alongside crops, livestock was identified as a critical area of focus. Shehbaz Sharif noted that many families in rural Pakistan depend entirely on livestock for survival. He instructed departments to document livestock losses in detail and ensure that recovery packages include measures for restocking, veterinary support, and vaccination drives.
He stated that the recovery of rural livelihoods must be treated as a priority equal to rebuilding urban centers. Without supporting farmers and herders, he warned, the economic cycle in rural Pakistan could take years to recover.
Restoring Infrastructure
The Prime Minister underlined that damaged infrastructure poses one of the biggest obstacles to recovery. He stressed that restoring roads should be treated as a top priority since mobility is essential for relief distribution, medical aid, and market access.
He advised officials to develop a timeline for urgent repairs of critical highways and bridges while simultaneously planning for long-term maintenance. According to him, rehabilitation must focus on resilience, ensuring that future rains or floods do not cripple the infrastructure in the same way.
Active Engagement with Affected Communities
Shehbaz Sharif directed ministers and institutions to remain engaged with affected communities throughout the recovery process. He stated that government visibility in these regions is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring that people receive assistance without delay.
The Prime Minister emphasized that officials must avoid a top-down approach. Instead, he encouraged community participation in identifying needs and setting priorities for rehabilitation projects. By involving locals, he argued, the government can ensure that interventions are relevant and impactful.
Progress on Current Assessments
During the meeting, NDMA Chairman and other officials briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing assessments. They reported that evaluations of sugarcane, cotton, and rice crop losses are already in progress. These reports are expected to be finalized within the next 15 days as water levels recede, giving a clearer view of the damage.
The Prime Minister noted the progress but reminded officials that timely completion is crucial. Without accurate and speedy assessments, he said, recovery plans would lack credibility and could fail to meet ground realities.
Shaping the Path Ahead
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to place flood recovery at the center of government efforts. Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the ultimate goal is not only to repair what has been lost but to build stronger systems for the future. He stressed that rehabilitation must go hand in hand with resilience-building to reduce vulnerability in the years to come.
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