ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Punjab’s economy has suffered losses worth Rs50 billion due to the devastating floods.
Speaking at a relief distribution ceremony in Narowal, the minister noted that millions of acres of crops have been wiped out, affecting nearly 4.3% of the province’s agricultural land and displacing around 4.5 million people.
He stressed that the government will prioritize self-reliance in recovery efforts rather than depending on foreign aid or loans, adding that Pakistan must bid farewell to dependency. The floods, he said, are a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant concern but a current crisis. “This distribution is not just about providing supplies; it is also a message of hope and solidarity,” Iqbal remarked.
Punjab Relief Commissioner reported that 4,700 villages have been inundated and 104 lives lost due to the flooding. Meanwhile, agricultural departments from all four provinces have been summoned for a meeting to assess losses and plan coordinated measures.
