BEIJING, Sept 3 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a review meeting on the flood situation and ongoing relief operations from Beijing, directing authorities to speed up rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Punjab and Sindh.
The prime minister briefly paused his engagements in Beijing to receive detailed briefings from the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chief secretaries of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and senior officials of relevant institutions.
Shehbaz Sharif ordered the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Energy to urgently restore damaged road networks and power transmission systems.
He stressed close coordination among the federal and provincial governments, NDMA, and all concerned departments to ensure timely relief for affected families and restoration of infrastructure.
Special focus, he said, must be given to flood-hit areas of Punjab and Sindh, where many families remain displaced. The prime minister also directed swift search and rescue operations for those reported missing.
Officials briefed the meeting that authorities were closely monitoring rising water levels in the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej rivers. High flood risks remain at Trimmu, Balloki, Sidhnai, G.S. Wala, and Sulemanki.
A severe flood wave is expected to reach Panjnad and flow towards Guddu Barrage in Sindh by September 6. NDMA assured the Sindh government of full support in preparing for the inflows.
The meeting was told that rescue teams from Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, Rangers, NGOs and PDMAs were actively working in flood-hit areas, while relief convoys continue to reach affected districts.
Power supply restoration and repair of damaged electricity infrastructure are also being expedited.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar joined the meeting in Beijing, while NDMA officials participated via video link from Pakistan.
