Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday declared that Punjab will manage flood crisis without external aid, asserting that her government had not sought help or complained to any quarter for flood relief. She said the province would stand on its own feet and manage the disaster through its own resources, protecting the dignity and pride of its people.
“I did not stretch my hands before anyone. I have protected the self-respect of Punjab’s people,” she stated during a ceremony in Okara to distribute flood cards among affected citizens — a clear response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s earlier calls for international assistance.
Bilawal had previously criticised the delay in seeking global aid, calling it “beyond comprehension” and noting that it was standard practice after major disasters like the 2022 floods, the 2010 deluge, and the 2005 earthquake. The remarks had sparked a heated exchange between PPP and PML-N, both coalition partners, over compensation mechanisms and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
The tensions eased after a high-level PML-N delegation — including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq — met President Asif Ali Zardari in Nawabshah to defuse the situation.
During her address, Maryam Nawaz officially launched the rehabilitation phase for flood victims, announcing that nearly 70 percent of the damage survey had been completed. She said the government would not rest until every affected household was properly assessed and compensated.
The chief minister revealed that cheque distribution has begun across 15 districts, with Rs100 billion earmarked for flood relief. She assured transparency in the process, saying, “No one other than the victims will receive a single rupee. All routes to corruption have been sealed.”
Families who lost their homes completely are being given Rs1 million, while those with partially damaged houses will receive Rs500,000. Families of deceased victims are also entitled to Rs1 million, and farmers are being compensated Rs20,000 per acre for crop losses.
Maryam Nawaz added that mobile hospitals for both humans and livestock have been deployed, and 1,700 rescue teams were mobilised even before floodwaters receded. “I personally took an oath from 10,000 workers to serve with honesty,” she noted.
The Punjab government has established 72 relief camps and opened 71,000 bank accounts for flood victims. Beneficiaries are receiving Rs50,000 in cash directly from distribution counters, with ATM withdrawals allowed up to Rs300,000 per day.
Maryam reiterated that there would be no discrimination between districts, affirming that all relief camps across Punjab would provide uniform facilities and support to ensure equal treatment for all victims.