Hadiqa Kiani steps up flood relief efforts

Singer and philanthropist Hadiqa Kiani has once again placed herself at the centre of humanitarian relief, this time for the millions affected by the worst floods to hit Punjab in recent history.

Known for her active role in welfare work, the celebrated artist has been on the ground in flood-stricken districts for days, combining direct action with calls for wider public support.

Earlier this week, Kiani shared a video on social media that went viral, showing her buying supplies for flood victims. In a strikingly modest gesture, she wore a burqa while visiting the marketplace, where she purchased essential items including quilts and blankets.

Even as rain began to pour, she carried on with her umbrella in hand, negotiating prices with shopkeepers like any ordinary shopper. The moment resonated with fans, who praised her hands-on commitment rather than mere symbolic support.

But Kiani's efforts go beyond personal involvement in shopping trips. On Sunday, during a visit to a relief camp in Kasur, she posted a heartfelt appeal on Instagram for donations and volunteers.

"People here need food, clothes, bedding and medicine right now," she said, adding that warmer gear such as jackets and blankets would become essential as winter approaches. She also urged doctors to set up temporary medical camps in flood-hit areas, where diseases like malaria are spreading fast.

Highlighting the devastation inflicted on rural communities, Kiani noted that much of the region's livestock — the backbone of many households — had been swept away. "The cattle that remain desperately need fodder, medicine, and veterinary care," she stressed.

To facilitate donations, her team has established collection points at prominent locations including Lahore's Dolmen Mall, Fortress Stadium, Sheikhupura's Circuit House, Kasur's District Public School, and Government Guru Nanak College in Nankana Sahib. For those unable to contribute in person, she has directed support to the Army Relief Fund for Flood Affectees.

Kiani's flood relief work is not new. In 2022, her Vaseela-e-Raah campaign adopted entire villages in Balochistan, building 300 homes, a school, a maternity clinic and a mosque after devastating floods ravaged the province.

Her current efforts carry the same spirit, though the scale of the disaster is vast. This year's monsoon floods have already killed more than 900 people across Pakistan and destroyed or damaged nearly 7,850 homes, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Over 6,000 animals have perished. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has borne much of the destruction, but Punjab — where 4.1 million people have been affected — is now reeling from what officials call the worst flooding in its history.

Floodwaters are expected to surge southwards into Sindh, which is simultaneously grappling with torrential rains that have displaced more than 128,000 people.

As she continues to rally support, Kiani has made clear that relief is not just about temporary aid but about sustaining lives, livelihoods and dignity in communities left broken by the floods. For many affected families in Punjab, her efforts represent more than charity - they symbolise hope in the darkest of times.