COAS underlines importance of good governance during visit to flood-hit areas

Field marshal urges civil-military coordination to combat floods, saying state cannot afford yearly loss of lives

RAWALPINDI:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir has stressed the importance of good governance and closer civil-military coordination to combat flood challenges and support affected communities, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief visited flood-hit areas in the Kasur Sector and the Flood Relief Camp in Jalalpur Pirwala, Multan, to review the situation and assess ongoing rescue operations.

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The visit focused on “enhancing synergy between the civil administration and the military to ensure effective assistance for the affected population,” the ISPR said. Punjab’s chief secretary and other senior civil officials were also present.

During the visit, Munir received a detailed briefing on the ground situation, including ongoing rescue and relief operations. Interacting with civil administration officials, he underlined the importance of “good governance and inclusive, people-centric progress.”

He said all necessary measures, including infrastructure development, should be expedited to protect people from recurring flood damage. “The state cannot afford the loss of precious lives and property every year,” he remarked.

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Asim Munir also reaffirmed the Pakistan Army’s “unwavering commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at public welfare,” stressing that coordinated civil-military efforts were crucial to meeting the challenges faced by flood-hit communities, the ISPR added.

During his interaction with evacuees, the army chief assured them of continued support for resettlement and rehabilitation. The displaced residents expressed gratitude to the army for what they described as timely assistance during a critical time.

The ISPR further stated that the army chief also met troops, Rescue 1122 workers, and police personnel engaged in relief operations. He commended their morale, operational readiness, and “round-the-clock efforts, carried out in close coordination with civil administration, to provide timely relief and assistance to the people.”

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The army chief later conducted an aerial reconnaissance of flood-affected areas along the Lahore-Kasur and Multan-Jalalpur Pirwala axes to assess damage and monitor relief work. He was received on arrival by the corps commanders of Lahore and Multan.