Lahore, October 20, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday asserted that her government had neither sought nor required external assistance for flood rehabilitation, insisting that the province would manage relief and recovery efforts through its own resources.
“I did not stretch my hands before anyone. I have protected the self-respect of Punjab’s people,” she declared, in an apparent response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s recent call for international aid for flood victims.
Bilawal had earlier criticised the delay in seeking such assistance, calling it “beyond comprehension.” He noted that appeals for international help were standard after major disasters, citing the 2010 floods and 2005 earthquake as precedents.
The exchange had triggered a public rift between the two key allies — the PML-N and PPP — over flood relief distribution through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The dispute, however, cooled after a PML-N delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met with President Asif Ali Zardari in Nawabshah.
Speaking at a ceremony in Okara to distribute flood relief cards, Maryam announced the formal launch of the rehabilitation phase for affected families.
“Today marks the beginning of the recovery phase for flood victims,” she said, adding that 70% of the damage assessment survey has been completed. “We will not rest until every affected household is fairly compensated.”
Maryam revealed that cheque distribution had begun across 15 districts, with Rs100 billion allocated for flood relief. Families who lost their homes entirely are receiving Rs1 million, while those with partially damaged houses are being given Rs500,000. The families of deceased victims are also being compensated with Rs1 million, and farmers are receiving Rs20,000 per acre for crop losses.
The chief minister said the provincial government had deployed mobile hospitals for both people and livestock, and that 1,700 rescue teams were mobilised even before floodwaters receded. “I personally took an oath from 10,000 workers to serve with honesty,” she added.
Maryam further announced that 72 camps had been established and 71,000 bank accounts opened for victims. Beneficiaries are receiving Rs50,000 in cash at counters, while up to Rs300,000 can be withdrawn daily via ATM cards.
She stressed that there would be no discrimination among cities and that all relief camps across Punjab would operate with the same facilities.
