Sindh CM calls on federal govt to seek UN aid for flood victims

CM Murad visits flood-hit barrages, orders round-the-clock monitoring, relief efforts to ensure protection of lives

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah echoing the urgent appeal made days ago by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has called on the federal government to promptly seek international assistance from the United Nations to aid flood victims.

Bilawal, in a post on X on Wednesday, urged the federal government to immediately initiate an international appeal for aid to flood victims while criticising the delay in launching the process and fearing that the suffering of millions of affected people would increase without financial and other assistance, required on immediate basis.

Murad on Sunday visited the Guddu Barrage to assess the flood situation in the Indus River. Accompanied by Provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, MNA Mir Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Sardar Ali Jan Mazari, Sindh Assembly Member Abdul Rauf Khosa, and other officials, he reviewed the rising water level and threatening flood impact.

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The chief minister also inspected the Sukkur Barrage and toured embankments near Rohri, especially at Point Ali Wahan. Key provincial ministers and legislators, including Makhdoom Mehbub Zaman and Jam Ikramullah Dharejo, were also present. Officials including Chairman District Council Sukkur Syed Kamil Haider Shah and Commissioner Sukkur Division Abid Saleem Qureshi accompanied the team.

Murad inspected relief camps for flood victims and reviewed the assistance being provided. At Guddu Barrage, he was briefed by Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero, who informed him that 627,908 cusecs of water is currently flowing — a high-level flood. Measures to safely discharge floodwater in Kashmore and Shikarpur districts are underway.

The chief minister directed enhanced monitoring of vulnerable areas and instructed flood-fighting teams to remain on duty round-the-clock. He urged district administrations to accelerate relief efforts and immediately report emergencies to the provincial control room. “Our top priority is to protect the lives and property of the people,” Murad said.

He recalled that PPP Chairman Bilawal had inspected Guddu and Sukkur barrages and called on the federal government to declare an agricultural emergency. He expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for promptly imposing agricultural and climate emergencies.

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Emphasising the growing threat of climate change and frequent floods, the chief minister called for swift assistance through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and urged the prime minister to quickly appeal to the UN for relief aid.

Murad also repeated Chairman Bilawal’s call for immediate disbursement of relief funds via BISP, which remains pending. He pressed the federal government to act swiftly on the international aid appeal.

The water level at Guddu Barrage currently stands near 550,000 cusecs, with the barrage’s capacity at 650,000 cusecs. Protective embankments remain secure, with machinery deployed at key locations. The Pakistan Army, Navy, PDMA, and Rescue 1122 continue to support provincial efforts in assisting flood victims.

The chief minister expressed hope that the floodwaters would pass through Sukkur Barrage without causing major damages and said ministers and officials are actively engaged across the province, from Kashmore to Keti Bandar.

He reaffirmed Sindh government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens.