ISLAMABAD: Following severe damage across Pakistan by torrential rains and floods, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to give one-month waiver on electricity bills in flood-hit areas.
According to private news channel citing sources, the prime minister directed finance ministry to discuss the proposed relief plan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Sources revealed that prime minister said the waiver would help provide immediate relief to flood hit communities and directed the concerned ministry to kick off negotiationa with the monetary fund authorities to seek approval for the relief.
Floods have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, as several area including major cities facing severe damage across the country.
In latest development, Jallapur Pirwala tehsil has been cut off by rising floodwaters, forcing authorities to launch a large scale evacuation to protect residents from further danger.
Rescue operations began early Thursday morning at 6am near the 86-M embankment. Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, along with cabinet members, joined the effort and urged residents of low-lying areas through loudspeakers to evacuate without delay.
To save the town, a deliberate breach was created on Uch Sharif Road late Wednesday night to divert floodwater. But Multan CPO Sadiq Ali Dogar warned that the makeshift embankments remain under extreme pressure. “Ninety percent of the surrounding villages are already submerged, and the town itself is under threat,” he said. Evacuation is being carried out quickly.
Markets and shops in the town are closed as water has entered Basti Lang, Basti Kanhon, and Bahadurpur through the breach.
Meanwhile, the Sutlej River continues to swell, with flood levels rising near Empress Bridge. River water has entered settlements including Towali, Khanowali, and Basti Jamwala. Operations are also ongoing in Papli Rajan Shah and nearby areas of Ahmedpur East.
The Chenab River has reached extremely high flood levels at Head Panjnad, submerging further parts of Alipur tehsil.
According to the Muzaffargarh district administration, most of Seetpur town is now underwater. Severe shortages of food and medicines have been reported. Floodwaters have also swept through Bet Chinnah, Sheikhani, Kotla Aghar, Masan Kot Bhoa, and Shah Wasawa in Alipur, as well as parts of Khairpur Sadat.
Thousands of people remain stranded in affected areas as rescue and relief operations continue.
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