Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for a united national response to the devastating floods of Punjab. He called on the federal and provincial governments to rise above political differences and prioritize relief efforts.
During a visit to flood -affected areas of Kasur on Friday, Bilawal emphasized that the extent of the disaster requires joint action and said that no single provincial government can tackle the crisis alone.
“This is not a time of political point scoring. Natural disasters require national unity. We all have to come together to help our people rebuild their lives,” he said.
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Recognizes the PPP chairman’s efforts by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and praised his dedication during the emergency and called on the federal government to play a starring role in providing support and infrastructure support.
“CM Maryam works hard in difficult circumstances and it has to be recognized. But the federal government must also play its role, just as it did during previous floods,” he said.
Bilawal appealed to a declaration of an agricultural emergency in Punjab, pointing to extensive crop loss and widespread damage to the province’s rural areas.
He also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to expand subsidies through Benazir Income Support Program (Bisp) and give farmers relief in the form of seeds, fertilizers and electricity bill support.
“Punjab’s agricultural sector is in crisis. Farmers need immediate help with input and loan relief. We can’t afford to damage the backbone of our economy,” he added.
The PPP chairman criticized the Indian government for not maintaining the Indus Waters Treaty, in addition to releasing excessive water exacerbating the flood in Pakistan.
“India’s rejection of sharing timely water data is a violation of international law and a threat to millions of lives. This is not just a breach of the Indus Waters Treaty -it is an attack on the Indus River system itself. This is water terrorism,” he said.
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He added that Pakistan would raise the case on international forums and expressed confidence that India would eventually be forced to either honor the treaty or return Pakistan’s rightful share of the rivers.
Bilawal said his party is ready to help with both relief and rehabilitation phases and has instructed PPP members to fully support the efforts of the Punjab government.
“We built two million houses in Sindh with federal support after the floods. With unity and commitment we can do the same for Punjab,” he concluded.
