SUKKUR: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on the federal government to immediately extend financial assistance to the flood-affected families through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and to urgently seek support from the international community. He pointed out that the Sindh government has already completed its preparations to effectively respond to the flood situation in the province.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, while speaking to the media during his visit to review the flood situation in the Indus River and the Sindh government’s preparedness, said that the provincial government has completed all necessary arrangements to tackle the potential floods in Sindh. He lauded Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, the designated focal persons, and the entire provincial team for their dedicated efforts to address the challenge.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the recent rains and floods have inflicted widespread devastation across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. He expressed concern that the situation in Punjab is particularly grave, with Multan, Kasur, and Jalalpur Pirwala among the worst-affected areas. Urging residents of riverine and katcha belts to fully cooperate with the administration, he appealed to them to relocate to safer areas to safeguard their lives and the lives of their families.

Chairman  PPP said that for the past two weeks, flood victims in Punjab have been waiting for assistance. He urged Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to ensure immediate financial aid to the flood-affected districts across the country, including Punjab and Sindh, through the BISP. He said that BISP is the only immediate source of relief for the victims, but he could not understand why the funds have not yet been released. “I will take up this matter with the Prime Minister,” he added.

He also expressed concern over the damage caused to the agricultural sector by the floods, stating that both the sector and farmers have suffered immense losses. “Farmers were already facing hardships, and now their challenges have multiplied. If we support them today, we can prevent future food security crises and strengthen our economy. For this, we must declare an agricultural emergency across the country,” he added.

In response to a journalist’s question, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PPP has always supported the construction of non-controversial dams in the country. “He further said that PPP supports those dams which are politically and technically feasible. "However, on dams that lack consensus, the PPP has raised its voice and will continue to do so. Talking about constructing controversial dams only weakens Pakistan’s case at the international level,” he said. He continued, “Modi has launched a historic assault on the Indus River, and we want all provinces to stand together as brothers to counter India’s aggression. Pakistan’s strong stance on the Indus Waters Treaty has been recognized globally, and we will continue to raise our voice for the Indus both at home and abroad.”
 
Chairman PPP urged that future infrastructure in the country must be developed with climate change in view, and all governments need to review their policies in this regard. He once again urged the federal government to appeal to the international community for assistance in dealing with the devastation caused by floods, adding that such an appeal should have been made from the very first day.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the floodwaters are now moving from Punjab towards Sindh, with 45 vulnerable points identified along the Indus River. However, he expressed confidence that the provincial government has the capacity to confront the situation, and that the administration is fully prepared for any eventuality. He said that the Sindh government has already undertaken measures to strengthen the Sukkur Barrage and will continue to do so. He further emphasized that the construction of a new barrage is beyond the capacity of a single provincial government and such projects must be carried out collectively.

Meanwhile, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages, where he was briefed on the situation by the Irrigation Department. On this occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, and members of the assembly also accompanied the Party Chairman.