MULTAN/LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the Multan division administration to conduct a comprehensive survey of flood damages in 2025 across the four districts of Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, and Vehari and complete the process in one month.
On her instructions, Commissioner Multan Division Amir Karim Khan on Monday ordered all deputy commissioners to carry out the survey at the village level. He instructed that joint teams — comprising representatives from the army and civil institutions — be formed to assess losses.
The survey teams will collect data on human casualties, injuries, damage to houses, standing crops, and livestock. For accuracy, the Urban Unit’s Android application will be used, while Nadra, PLRA, and other institutions will verify the data.
Compensation for eligible victims will be disbursed through the Bank of Punjab, with biometric verification and instant payment facilities at special disbursement centres. The commissioner directed that the survey be completed within a month, with additional deputy commissioners (Revenue) in districts and assistant commissioners in tehsils serving as focal persons. He also ordered daily reporting, strict monitoring, and transparency, adding that a complaint redress committee has been formed to resolve issues within seven days.
Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner and Director General Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Multan Karim Bakhsh visited flood-affected areas in Jalalpur Pirwala and reviewed relief efforts. He inspected camps for victims and stressed provision of clean water, medicines, and food supplies.
The DG PHA said that over 100 officers and employees are actively engaged in relief activities, including setting up tent settlements and providing drinking water in areas such as Qasim Bela, Khairpur Bhatta, Muzaffarabad, and Jalalabad. Swings have also been installed for children at the Pul Langrial camp.
He added that employees are working in three shifts to ensure uninterrupted services, while finance and security staff are assisting in relief operations. “All institutions are fully engaged in serving the flood victims with dedication. We will not leave our people alone in this difficult time. All available resources are being utilised,” Karim Bakhsh assured.
Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Sahiwal’s first-ever modern and environmentally friendly electric bus service by herself travelling on the bus on Monday. Excitement gripped the city as large crowds gathered on both sides of the road to welcome the chief minister. Thousands of youth walked alongside the bus, which moved slowly due to the heavy rush of people. Citizens showered flower petals on the vehicle and chanted slogans including “The light of success, the pride of people, Maryam Nawaz Sharif” and “Our hero Maryam Nawaz Sharif.” Many carried posters of Nawaz Sharif and the CM Maryam.
The CM reached the venue of the inauguration by riding an e-bus. She was briefed on the project by Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, who informed her that 16 electric buses would operate in Sahiwal in the first phase. The service will run initially on four routes: Arifwala Bypass to Sarwar Chowk, Noor Shah to KFC Bypass, Farid Town to Yousafwala, and General Bus Stand to Kamir.
According to the minister, the buses are expected to serve more than 25,000 passengers daily, with fares fixed at Rs20 per stop. Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz on Monday visited the Technical Training Institute Flood Relief Camp in Bahawalnagar to review arrangements for flood-affected families.
During the visit, she met parents of newborns at the camp, congratulated them, and offered prayers. In a touching gesture, a baby boy born at the camp was named Nawaz Sharif while a baby girl was named Maryam.
The CM also inspected the Sanat Zar centre, where women were engaged in sewing and embroidery work. She interacted warmly with them, even stitching fabric on a sewing machine and embroidering a cloth frame herself, praising their skills. She sat with women in the camp, showed affection to children, and mingled with students in temporary classrooms. The children expressed joy at meeting her and presented pencil sketches as gifts. Maryam Nawaz reciprocated by distributing presents among women and children, visiting patients in the temporary hospital, and sharing a meal with families in the camp’s dining hall.
Director General PDMA and the Deputy Commissioner Bahawalnagar briefed the CM about the ongoing relief operations. They informed her that 26 union councils and over 100,000 people had been severely affected by the floods. Timely evacuation had been ensured, and 20 relief camps were established.
Health counters, mobile clinics, and medical units had treated more than 40,000 people, while livestock was shifted to safer areas. Relief efforts included the distribution of 15,795 ration bags, 1,198 silage units, and 399 tonnes of fodder. They further reported that 3.77 million animals had been vaccinated to prevent foot-and-mouth disease, with buffer zones established in five adjoining districts.
On the occasion, CM Maryam announced Rs10 million financial assistance for the family of PDMA Officer Abdur Rehman, who lost his life while performing duty. She paid glowing tribute to his services, saying the nation salutes its heroes who sacrifice in the line of duty.
