Bilawal seeks 'agri emergency' in Punjab

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday urged the federal government to play a greater role in providing relief to Punjab's flood-hit areas, while acknowledging that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was working diligently.

Speaking to flood-affected residents in Kasur, Bilawal said the scale of destruction in Punjab was far greater than what media reports had initially suggested. "I now realise the damage is far more extensive. The federal government must take the lead in relief efforts, just as assistance was extended during previous floods," he added.

The PPP chairman admitted that Maryam was putting in great effort. "We must acknowledge this. In times of natural disasters, those who work harder often face more criticism."

He said he had directed his party to step up relief work in Punjab, stressing that the provincial government alone could not handle the disaster.

Bilawal urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to channel greater assistance through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), particularly for farmers who have borne the brunt of agricultural losses.

"We will appeal for an agricultural emergency so farmers can be supported with seeds and fertilisers," he said. He also called for relief on farm loans and electricity bills, expressing hope that the prime minister would take steps to support the farming community.

Bilawal further demanded assessments of damages to homes and businesses. He pledged efforts to ensure that flood-affected areas in Punjab received priority aid through BISP.

The PPP chairman pointed out that this year's floods hit Punjab hardest, though Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan had also suffered earlier. "The federal government must support all provinces. I hope no political games will be played during the time of crisis. We must confront this natural disaster together," he said.

Regarding the cross-border water flows, Bilawal blamed India for worsening the flood crisis. "This flood came from rivers flowing out of India. The Indus Waters Treaty obliges data-sharing on river flows, but the Modi government has rejected the agreement. This time India even forgot humanity. They failed to share information with Pakistan until the last moment, when they announced they were releasing water."

He said Pakistan would raise the violation of the treaty at the international level. "Either the Indus Waters Treaty must be honoured, or our rivers must be returned. India is weaponising water … this is terrorism through floods, targeting ordinary people," Bilawal added.

During his visit, flood-affected farmers in Kasur presented their demands, seeking debt relief, exemption from electricity bills, and provision of fertilisers and agricultural loans. Bilawal also visited a government-established relief camp in Kasur.