The relief plan, spearheaded by the PML-N-led Punjab government, targets millions of residents displaced or impacted by the flooding along the banks of three major rivers. The initiative includes direct financial compensation, crop and livestock support, and large-scale reconstruction efforts across flood-hit regions.
Under the scheme, families whose homes were completely destroyed will receive Rs1 million in aid, while those with partially damaged houses will be granted Rs500,000. Assistance will be disbursed through specially issued government relief cards to ensure transparency and accessibility.
Preliminary assessments indicate that at least 63,200 brick homes and over 309,000 mud dwellings were damaged or destroyed. Livestock owners will also be compensated for the loss of cattle, including cows and buffaloes—vital assets for rural livelihoods.
Farmers, meanwhile, are reeling from catastrophic crop losses. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, nearly 1.8 million acres of farmland have been submerged. Compensation for crop damage has been fixed at Rs20,000 per acre.
The floods triggered by record-breaking monsoon rains compounded by dam discharges from across the Indian border—have devastated both rural and industrial regions of the province. Experts warn that the impact may surpass the historic 2022 floods, which submerged nearly a third of the country.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent decades,” said Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, former vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. “The dual blow to agriculture and manufacturing could cripple the economy and severely strain food systems.”
Khalid Bath, chairman of the Pakistan Farmers Association, estimated that crop damage could exceed 2.5 million acres, with losses approaching Rs1 trillion (approximately $3.53 billion). He noted that about 50% of rice and up to 60% of cotton and maize fields have been ruined particularly alarming in Punjab, which serves as the agricultural backbone of the country.
The timing of the disaster could not be worse, as Pakistan prepares to sow its wheat crop, which supplies nearly half of the nation s daily caloric intake. Experts warn that large tracts of land remain waterlogged or choked with silt, putting the upcoming sowing season at serious risk.
“Food insecurity is looming, not just food inflation,” Khan cautioned. “The next wheat crop could be significantly compromised unless urgent rehabilitation work is completed.”
The government s relief plan also earmarks funds for the restoration of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. Officials remain hopeful that rapid disbursement of aid will help stabilise rural economies and prevent a broader humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this year, Pakistan had projected a modest economic recovery, targeting 4.2% GDP growth by 2026, buoyed by expected rebounds in agriculture and manufacturing under a $7 billion IMF bailout. The floods, however, have thrown those forecasts into uncertainty, leaving policymakers scrambling to revise economic outlooks.
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As water levels remain high in several districts, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Analysts warn that unless swift action is taken, the floods could inflict long-term damage on Pakistan’s already fragile economy and food supply chain.
