ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed all the relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive and realistic assessment of human and financial losses, including damages to crops, livestock and communication infrastructure, in the rain and flood-affected areas.
He stressed that after the completion of assessment, the government could formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy by effectively carrying out the restoration efforts in the affected areas and support the affected population.
The prime minister chaired a review meeting regarding loss of lives and properties across the country due to recent rains and floods, including estimated damages to crops and livestock, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
In the meeting, the prime minister directed all the federal and provincial authorities to work in close liaison and extend full cooperation to each other in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, chief secretaries of all provinces, NDMA chairman and other senior officials from the relevant institutions.
The prime minister observed that all the chief ministers took commendable and timely measures to address the situation triggered by the recent rains and floods.
He opined that assistance could be taken from Suparco (Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) for satellite-based assessment while immediate steps should be taken to protect crops from various diseases after flooding.
He said that special measures should be taken for the cultivation of suitable crops in the flood-affected areas.
Restoration of communication infrastructure and repair of damaged roads should be given top priority, he further directed, adding all the ministers and relevant authorities should stand shoulder to shoulder with the public, during the rehabilitation phase in these flood-affected areas.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed by the NDMA chairman and other relevant authorities on the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts arising out of the flood situation.
The prime minister was informed that damage assessment work had already begun on sugarcane, cotton and rice crops, and it would be completed in the next 10 to 15 days once the water recedes.
Meanwhile, the prime minister formally inaugurated Mashreq Digital Retail Bank in Pakistan, marking a significant step toward transforming the country’s banking landscape into a modern, paperless and digital economy.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the prime minister congratulated Mashreq Bank Chairman Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair for successfully bringing the UAE-based digital banking platform to Pakistan. He praised the Ghurair family for its instrumental role in strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“The launch of Mashreq Digital Bank is a major development that will promote a cashless, digital transaction culture in Pakistan. Our youth, which is both a challenge and an opportunity, will benefit greatly from this innovation,” the prime minister said.
He assured full government support to the venture, stating that key economic sectors including banking, agriculture and investment required digital transformation for sustainable development.
He emphasised the need for the country to adopt modern tools to overhaul its conventional economic system. “We must speed up our transition to a digital economy, which will not only enhance efficiency but also broaden financial inclusion across the country,” he said.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed the hope that Mashreq Bank will bring strength, innovation, and inclusivity to Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.
He noted that recent macroeconomic improvements were being recognised by international credit rating agencies and stressed the importance of maintaining policy consistency to ensure long-term stability.
Aurangzeb highlighted that the new digital bank would contribute significantly to documenting the informal economy by bringing millions of unbanked citizens into the formal financial sector.
The Mashreq chairman praised the prime minister’s leadership, stating, “Under his guidance, Pakistan’s economy has stabilised and is moving toward inclusive growth. His vision gave us the confidence to invest in Pakistan’s digital banking sector.”
He added that Pakistan was emerging as a digital economic powerhouse in South Asia.
The Mashreq Pakistan CEO revealed that digital transaction volumes in Pakistan had surged by 35 percent, yet a significant portion of the population remained unbanked. He announced that Mashreq’s goal was to onboard 10 million new users into the digital banking system.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar and State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz will depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on an official visit today (Wednesday).
In the context of the situation in Gaza and the Israeli attack on Qatar, this visit to Saudi Arabia holds significant importance.
The prime minister is scheduled to have an important meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman today in Riyadh. During the meeting, discussions will cover bilateral matters, as well as multilateral issues, regional and global affairs and security matters.
After completing his visit to Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz would travel to the United Kingdom where he would hold meetings with British officials. He will also address the Overseas Convention on September 20. A meeting between the prime minister and PMLN leader Nawaz Sharif in the UK is also expected.
On September 21, the prime minister would depart from the UK for the United States where he is expected to participate in a conference on the two-state solution for Palestine on September 22 in New York. The prime minister would also attend the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. His address to the General Assembly is scheduled for September 26. He would depart from the USA on September 27, and is expected to return back on September 29 via the UK.
