KASUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former former foriegn minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari slammed Indian PM Narendra Modi saying that the Indian government is not sharing data in violation of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
“This time India has forgotten humanity and is not sharing the data about river flows, we must unite, and we will continue to raise the violation of the IWT by India,” he said.
“We will force India to either follow the IWT or return the rivers allocated to it; either it has to follow the treaty or follow international law,” Bilawal added.
Speaking to flood-affected residents in Kasur, the PPP head said the scale of destruction in Punjab was far greater than what media reports had initially suggested. “I now realise the damage is far more extensive. The federal government must take the lead in relief efforts, just as assistance was extended during previous floods,” he added.
The PPP chairman praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was putting in great effort. “We must acknowledge this. In times of natural disasters, those who work harder often face more criticism.”
He said he had directed his party to step up relief work in Punjab, stressing that the provincial government alone could not handle the disaster.
Bilawal urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to channel greater assistance through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), particularly for farmers who have borne the brunt of agricultural losses.
“We will appeal for an agricultural emergency so farmers can be supported with seeds and fertilisers,” he said. He also called for relief on farm loans and electricity bills, expressing hope that the prime minister would take steps to support the farming community.
Earlier today, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of heavy rain in Islamabad and most parts of Punjab from 7 to 9 September.
In its latest alert, the NDMA said that flash flooding is possible in several areas. The authority added that there is a risk of urban flooding as well as overflow in rivers and streams.
The districts at risk include Murree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Sargodha.
The NDMA advised residents and local authorities to remain alert during the spell.
Heavy rain is set to begin today, with Karachi expecting strong monsoon showers from Monday to Wednesday. Authorities have warned of potential urban flooding and traffic disruptions across the city.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) forecasts intense rainfall across Sindh, with flooding risks in low-lying areas of Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, and Hyderabad.
Read More: Pak Army continues rescue operations in South Punjab floods
