Floods are a national emergency, we will not politicize it: Barrister Saif

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Saif held a conference here today on the ongoing flood emergency. He provided detailed figures and operational updates on the situation.

The disaster has caused extensive loss of life and damage, particularly in Buner district, Barrister Saif said, adding that Swat and Bajaur have also suffered damage.

Also read: Flash floods devastate Buner as KP death toll crosses 330

He said that the provincial government has fully utilised its limited resources, and the Pakistan Army has provided five helicopters for relief operations as well. He also requested cooperation from federal departments and said that this is a national tragedy.

Barrister said that the provincial government will not politicise the issue.

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Ehtesham Ali has reached the affected areas with medicines and equipment. He added that MNA Barrister Gohar, Fakhar Jahan, and other officials are also present on the ground. The chief minister’s team is also working in coordination with PDMA and Rescue 1122.

Saif acknowledged that some equipment had arrived from NDMA, but noted it had not contributed significantly on a large scale. He appealed for recognition of rescue personnel in the national medal distribution.

DG PDMA Asfandyar Khattak said that the death toll in the province has crossed 300, with 213 deaths in Buner alone. Sharing details he said 156 people are injured, of which 126 are in Buner. Moreover, 156 houses have been damaged in Buner.

He said that 54 trucks of relief goods have been sent to Buner. The government has allocated Rs 500 million to the Buner district administration for relief efforts, he said, adding that all districts remain on high alert and relief operations are ongoing.

Khattak warned that 1,500 people may still be buried under debris in Buner. A similar fear is being expressed in Shangla. A planned helicopter operation could not begin due to continuous rain, he said.

DG Rescue Tayyab Abdullah also shared statistics on the destruction caused by floods, saying 176 rescue units have been established across the province. He added that 60 emergency points have been set up along riverbanks, and 264 divers and 1,800 rescue personnel are deployed in affected areas.

So far 300 dead bodies have been recovered, Abdullah said, adding 510 people have been rescued alive from floodwaters, and 60 additional rescue personnel have been sent to Buner for tasks including debris removal.

Also read: Continuous floods bring life to a grinding halt in G-B

Abdullah cited poor mobile signals as a barrier to rescue coordination. He urged the public to stay away from rivers and streams until September 15.

KP officials confirmed joint efforts between agencies, including Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, Chief Minister’s team, Health Ministry and District administrations.