MUZAFFARGARH: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on the federal government to waive electricity bills for farmers and flood-affected communities, as he toured disaster-struck regions of Punjab on Monday.
During a visit to Muzaffargarh, Bilawal emphasized the urgent need for an “agricultural emergency” to support farmers grappling with the devastation caused by recent monsoon floods.
Addressing the media, Bilawal said, “An agricultural emergency was needed to support farmers hit hard by the devastation.” He revealed that he had advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to deploy the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to distribute financial compensation to flood victims.
“He has made the suggestion to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to use the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to distribute financial compensation to flood victims.”
Bilawal also referenced previous crises, stating, “In previous such times, like the floods that took place during his tenure in the PDM government in 2022 and even during COVID, BISP was used as a means to monetarily help people.”
The PPP leader called on the Foreign Office to actively seek international aid and urged UN agencies operating in Pakistan to ramp up relief and rehabilitation efforts.
“He also urged the Foreign Office to seek international aid and called on UN agencies operating in Pakistan to contribute to relief and rehabilitation efforts.”
Amid growing public concern over the lack of essential flood relief infrastructure, Bilawal appealed for national solidarity.
“Chairperson appealed for political unity, urging all parties to set aside differences to face the crisis.”
However, when questioned about the reported shortage of boats, life jackets, and flood camps in the affected regions, Bilawal stopped short of offering specifics. “The state was trying its best in the face of an unprecedented disaster,” he said.
The ongoing floods have already claimed over 900 lives and displaced thousands across Punjab and Sindh. Crops have been devastated, sparking fears of food insecurity in the coming months.
According to the United Nations, the “catastrophic rains, floods [are] to trigger food shortages in Pakistan.” Water levels in the Indus River are expected to rise further, with high flows forecast at the Guddu Barrage in the coming days.
Authorities in Sindh are on high alert as floodwaters from Punjab move southward, raising concerns about further displacement and agricultural losses.
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