Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have expressed grief and solidarity with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the devastating floods and the tragic helicopter crash that claimed several lives. Both leaders assured the KP government of full cooperation in relief and rehabilitation efforts during this national tragedy.
Maryam Nawaz Expresses Solidarity with KP
According to the official statement, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz telephoned KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to express sorrow over the loss of precious lives caused by flash floods across KP. She also extended condolences over the martyrdoms in the recent helicopter crash that took place during flood relief operations.
Maryam Nawaz assured her KP counterpart that the Punjab government was ready to extend all possible support in this hour of trial. “The people of Punjab stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers and sisters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” she said.
She also conveyed condolences on behalf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, highlighting that the entire party leadership was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
In response, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur thanked Maryam Nawaz for her phone call, her words of sympathy, and her assurance of Punjab’s support. He appreciated the gesture as a sign of unity at a time when the province is grappling with immense devastation.
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah Offers Condolences
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also reached out to KP’s leadership by telephoning both the Chief Minister and Governor. He expressed grief over the loss of hundreds of lives in the unprecedented floods and prayed for the families who lost their loved ones.
Murad Ali Shah paid tribute to the five martyred personnel who lost their lives when a KP government helicopter crashed during relief operations. He stated that these officers were engaged in the noble mission of public service and should be remembered as national heroes.
The Sindh government shares the sorrow of the victims’ families. Those who laid down their lives in service of the people will never be forgotten,” Shah remarked, emphasizing that Sindh stood united with KP in this difficult time.
Widespread Flood Devastation Across KP
The floods triggered by cloudbursts, landslides, and heavy rains have wreaked havoc in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The scale of destruction has been massive, leaving hundreds of families displaced and entire villages swept away.
According to official figures, more than 210 people have lost their lives so far, with many others injured or missing. Buner district has suffered the heaviest losses, with over 150 reported dead and dozens still unaccounted for. The floods, caused by a sudden cloudburst, washed away multiple villages, destroyed homes, swept livestock and vehicles, and forced the authorities to impose an emergency in the district.
In Bajaur, 21 people were killed as a result of flooding and landslides following another cloudburst. In Mansehra’s Dheri Haleem village, at least 16 bodies were recovered from floodwaters after being swept downstream to Battagram. Both Buner and Bajaur, along with Mansehra and Battagram, have now been declared calamity-hit areas by the provincial government.
Helicopter Crash Adds to Tragedy
As the floods wreaked havoc, another tragedy struck when a KP government helicopter crashed during relief efforts in Bajaur. The helicopter was on its way to deliver aid to flood-affected areas when it went down. Two pilots and three crew members embraced martyrdom in the crash, adding to the grief of a province already reeling from natural disaster.
Flash Floods and Torrential Rains Claim Over 330 Lives in KP, GB and AJK
Officials confirmed that the helicopter had been dispatched as part of an emergency mission to provide assistance to stranded families in remote areas cut off by floodwaters. The incident has further highlighted the risks faced by rescue workers and military personnel during humanitarian operations in hostile weather conditions.
National Solidarity in the Face of Disaster
The condolence calls from Punjab and Sindh leadership underline the message of national unity during this humanitarian crisis. With hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and infrastructure destroyed, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face one of the worst natural calamities in recent years.
Both Maryam Nawaz and Murad Ali Shah have assured KP’s leadership of their provinces’ readiness to assist in relief and rehabilitation. Their statements reflect a shared commitment to stand together against the challenges posed by the floods and to provide all possible support to the victims.
As relief efforts continue, the tragedy has once again raised urgent calls for stronger disaster management systems, climate adaptation strategies, and enhanced coordination among provinces to respond to natural calamities more effectively.
