On August 4, 2025, PM Shehbaz visits GB on a one-day visit to assess monsoon flood damages and distribute federal relief funds to affected communities.
PM Shehbaz Visits GB for Flood Victims
Welcomed by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, and other officials at Gilgit Airport, the premier chaired a high-level review meeting to evaluate flood impacts and coordinate ongoing recovery efforts.
GB has suffered severe destruction since late June, with the worst flooding hitting the Babusar area on July 21, where landslides and flash floods claimed at least 10 lives, most of them tourists. Another 10 to 15 people remain missing. Damages across GB are estimated to exceed Rs20 billion, according to local authorities.
The Flood Relief Efforts
PM Shehbaz praised the response efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and federal ministries handling climate change, communication, and coordination. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to climate resilience, stressing that while the country contributes little to global emissions, it remains among the top 10 nations most vulnerable to climate disasters.
Directions of PM
Referencing the 2022 floods, the PM noted that climate-linked destruction is now an annual threat. He directed Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik and his team to intensify efforts and continue securing global support for resilient infrastructure projects.
Ongoing disasters further highlight the urgency: just days before the visit, a glacier burst in Bagrot Valley claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, while recent cloudbursts in Ghizer and Hunza triggered new rescue operations. On the same day, five people stranded in Ghizer were rescued by local teams.
PMD Warning for New Floods
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a new alert warning of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslides in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, forecasting heavy rain and thunderstorms through early August.
Activities of PM in GB
Local leaders have called federal cooperation “oxygen” for GB, as hundreds remain displaced and entire settlements struggle with damage. PM Shehbaz met with victims and assured immediate disbursement of relief funds — as well as long-term rehabilitation plans, including potential educational projects like a Daanish School in the region.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 4th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
