Stars speak out as Punjab battles super flood

From heartfelt prayers to sharp criticism, celebrities amplify public's grief

LAHORE:

As Punjab reels under the worst flooding in four decades, voices from Pakistan's entertainment industry have joined the national outcry — offering prayers, urging action, and raising alarm over recurring crises that have devastated lives and livelihoods across the province.

Torrential rains combined with overflowing rivers — Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab among the worst-hit — have left entire localities submerged. According to provincial disaster management authorities, millions of people have been affected, as water released from Indian dams added to the crisis unfolded by heavy torrential rains.

The disaster has not only reignited political disputes but also compelled many in Pakistan's cultural community to speak out. From heartfelt prayers to blunt criticism of government inaction, actors, singers and media personalities are using their platforms to amplify the plight of those affected.

Among the most vocal has been singer Hadiqa Kiani, who has previously spearheaded the Vaseela campaign during the Balochistan floods of 2022. She issued an emotional appeal on Instagram, urging communities along vulnerable riverbanks to evacuate.

"My request for the people living in these settlements is that they take these alerts seriously and try to move from there," she said in a video message. "Take your valuables and try to find shelter elsewhere so your life, and the lives of your loved ones, aren't at stake."

Kiani reminded followers of the seriousness of the threat: "Pakistan is going through a difficult time... water levels are constantly rising." Her warning echoed official evacuation orders as the army was deployed across several districts, including Lahore, Kasur and Faisalabad.

Actors, too, took to social media to offer support. Veteran artist Nadia Afgan urged the public to donate generously to relief funds. Adnan Siddiqui posted a simple but poignant wish: "Your homes, your families, your land. May the waters recede, and may hope rise again."

Neelam Muneer Khan shared a prayer for the protection of families stranded in flooded areas, while Ahmed Ali Butt struck a more frustrated tone. "Floods are happening all over Punjab, state of emergency has been declared in most parts. This happens every year, and God forbid we make a dam or do something to save all this water. When will we actually take matters seriously?!" he wrote.

Other celebrities used the moment to highlight systemic failures. Actress Anoushey Ashraf criticised the tendency of political leaders to prioritise optics over preparedness. "Our leadership needs to rise beyond promises and speeches. Nature waits for no one," she wrote.

Ahsan Mohsin Ikram emphasised infrastructure as the missing link. "The only solution to this is to invest in building more small and large dams. All encroachment along riverbeds should be removed as illegal settlements are one of the biggest reasons people get killed in controlled floods."

Not all messages carried criticism. Mawra Hocane appealed to compassion and perspective: "Please, please be kind to everyone around you. Life is only as beautiful and meaningful as you make it… prayers for everyone in Sialkot and other areas of Punjab."

On X, artist and activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr praised the courage of ordinary citizens. "When this flood is over, there will be many heroes who would have risked life and limb to save strangers, their loved ones and the voiceless. The Pakistani government owes them a hundred Sitara-e-Imtiaz and a decent life in a country they call home."

The devastation has inevitably revived debate about climate preparedness, water management, and India's enmity. India is aggravating the situation by releasing excess water into Pakistan's rivers without coordination, a move officials say, violates the Indus Waters Treaty.

Meanwhile, the human cost mounts. Families in Lahore, Kasur, and Narowal recount fleeing in the dead of night with little more than the clothes on their backs. Agricultural land — the backbone of Punjab's economy — lies ruined under floodwaters, livestock lost, and homes washed away.

Critics say the government must adopt long-term strategies: investment in dams, enforcement of riverbed protection, improved urban drainage, and climate resilience. Until then, the cycle of disaster and reactive relief continues. As celebrities lend their voices to the displaced, the real question lingers in the floodwaters: will Pakistan finally move from prayers to planning?