KP civil officers pledge salaries for flood relief

PESHAWAR: With large swathes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa battered by floods, the province’s bureaucracy has stepped in with a rare show of solidarity. Officers of the Provincial Management Service (PMS) have volunteered a portion of their salaries to aid relief operations.

In a letter to the finance secretary, the PMS Association requested the deduction of one day’s salary from all its members to help flood-hit communities. Association chairman Noman Wazir went further, pledging his entire month’s pay to the cause.

The PMS cadre has around 1,300 officers across the province, many working at district and tehsil levels. Their contribution is being viewed not only as financial assistance but also as a boost to on-the-ground relief work.

Heavy monsoon rains and sudden cloudbursts have triggered floods that destroyed homes, roads, and crops, leaving hundreds homeless, especially in the north of the province.

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“Our officers are putting in long hours, both in the field and in offices,” the association stated. “We want to stand with the people in this difficult time.”

Relief operations remain stretched. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been mobilised, but access to remote valleys and mountain settlements is proving difficult. In this context, the officers’ contribution is seen as both practical and symbolic support.

Finance Department officials confirmed receiving the request and said it would be implemented soon.

The PMS Association has a history of contributing during crises, including the 2005 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wazir stressed the gesture was more than symbolic. “This is not just about money. Our officers are already on the ground, working side by side with local administrations and communities,” he said.

With more rain forecast in the coming days, authorities warn the situation may worsen, as relief agencies call for urgent supplies of food, tents, and medical aid.