On the special directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Major (Retd.) Sajjad Barkwal, and Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Ambar Ali Khan, an Emergency Control Room has been activated at the Bureau of Agriculture Information, Peshawar, effective from August 15, to facilitate and guide farmers.

Recent rains and floods have caused severe damage to crops and farmlands across various districts of the province. In view of this situation, farmers can report any agricultural losses or problems to the Emergency Control Room. For this purpose, a dedicated helpline 0348-1117070 has been issued, where staff is available round-the-clock (24/7) to provide guidance and assistance.

Officials of the Agriculture Extension Department stated that in this difficult time, the department stands firmly with the farming community and will extend all possible support to resolve their issues. The control room will remain fully operational to ensure immediate redressal of farmers’ problems and to facilitate them effectively.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Science & Information Technology, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz, visited his constituency in Kot Manzray Baba today to offer condolences to the bereaved family of Irfan Khan, son of the late Syed Kaka, and to pray for the departed soul.

On this occasion, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz expressed profound grief and sorrow with the bereaved family, saying that the passing of Irfan Khan is not only a personal tragedy for his family but also a great loss for the entire community. He noted that the late Irfan Khan was a man of noble character and kind nature, who will always be remembered for his goodness, service, and exemplary conduct.

Dr. Shafqat Ayaz stated that in this hour of grief, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, have also conveyed their heartfelt sympathies and solidarity with the grieving family. He added that the PTI leadership and the provincial government stand firmly with the people and will never abandon them in times of hardship.

Dr. Shafqat Ayaz prayed for the elevation of the deceased’s ranks, eternal peace for his soul, and patience and strength for the bereaved family. He emphasized that extending compassion and support to one another in times of sorrow is both a social and religious duty. He urged the community to stand by the family in their grief and provide every possible support so they can endure this difficult period with courage and resilience.

Provincial Minister for Local Government, Arshad Ayub, paid a detailed visit to the flood-affected areas of Mingora, Swat. During the visit, he inspected Makan Bagh, Bangladesh, Mula Baba, Swat Press Club, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Office Mingora, and other affected sites.
He was accompanied by CEO Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) Swat, Tanveer-ur-Rehman, as well as all Tehsil Municipal Officers of Swat. The CEO briefed the minister on the ongoing rehabilitation and restoration efforts. He informed that WSSC Swat is actively working on the restoration of drinking water supply schemes, repair and cleaning of sewerage and drainage lines clogged by floodwater, and removal of mud and debris from roads and streets to restore smooth mobility. Emergency response teams and heavy machinery have also been deployed in the worst-hit areas to provide immediate relief to the public. Arshad Ayub appreciated the efforts of WSSC Swat and the district administration, while directing that the pace of rehabilitation works must be further accelerated. He instructed that all available field staff and machinery should be fully utilized, and if necessary, additional workers and personnel should be arranged on a daily basis from outside sources to ensure that the process is not delayed at any stage.
Later, the minister, along with Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Fazal Hakim Khan, Adviser on Housing Dr. Amjad Ali, District Chairman Akhtar Khan, Members of Provincial Assembly Muhammad Naeem and Ali Shah, Member of National Assembly Saleem-ur-Rehman, Mayor Babuzai, and Mayor Bahrain Shahid Ali, held a detailed meeting to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities. During the meeting, a joint strategy was devised to further accelerate the rehabilitation process and ensure maximum relief to the affected population.

Minister Arshad Ayub reiterated that restoring mobility and providing relief to the people is the government’s top priority. He added that funds have already been released to expedite the ongoing rehabilitation and development measures in the flood-hit areas.

Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali Visits Buner with Medicines, Ambulances, and Medical Teams – Medical Camps and Mobile Health Clinics Established

Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Health Ihtisham Ali reached Buner along with emergency medicines, ambulances, and medical teams. During the visit, he inspected DHQ Daggar, THQ Pir Baba, the medical camp set up by Insaf Doctors Forum, and Pir Baba Bazaar. He was accompanied by Secretary Health Shahidullah Khan, Regional Director Health Malakand Dr. Daud, IDF President Dr. Nabi Jan Afridi, and other officials.

The Health Advisor visited patients in hospitals, met with attendants, and handed over emergency medicines, two mobile health clinics, and medical staff to the District Health Officer (DHO) Buner. With the support of the Insaf Doctors Forum, a medical camp has been established at THQ Pir Baba, while doctors are also engaged in providing treatment through field camps.

Talking to media representatives, Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali said:

“I personally brought medicines, ambulances, and medical staff to Buner. From morning till evening, I visited every health facility and stayed on the ground. We are committed to provide maximum support to the affected population. All health facilities are operational 24/7. The resilient people of Buner have set an excellent example of government-public cooperation during this disaster.”

He added that the people are working shoulder to shoulder with the government machinery in the rescue operation, proving that resilient nations always support their governments in times of crisis.

The Health Advisor informed that emergency health operations are ongoing across Malakand Division, including Swat, Shangla, Dir, and Bajaur. Medicines and medical staff have been deployed everywhere, while the government is considering establishing a Crisis Management Cell at the divisional level to ensure timely response to any natural calamity.

Furthermore, consignments of emergency medicines have already been dispatched from the provincial warehouse to the affected districts. Coordination with donor agencies has been established to enhance support.

Ihtisham Ali also announced that the Provincial Disaster Surveillance Unit and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSR) have been activated to monitor potential outbreaks and ensure effective response.

On the special directions Advisor on Health, Ihtesham Ali and Commissioner Hazara Division, the Health Department dispatched a dedicated medical team to the flood-affected area of Neel Ban in Tehsil Baffa of Mansehra District to provide immediate relief and medical care to the community.

Led by Dr. Faisal Khanzada, District Health Officer, the team comprising doctors, paramedics, and support staff undertook a challenging four-hour journey on a dangerous 30 km road from Chatter Plain, reaching the affected area in the early hours. A medical camp was established, where 120 patients of all age groups were examined and provided essential medicines.

Most of the patients were children and elderly, suffering from flood-related medical complications. In addition, recognizing the emotional trauma faced by the community, particularly children who had lost their parents, a clinical psychologist was part of the team to provide counseling and psychological support.

The visit brought solace to the grief-stricken community, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Health Department for standing with them in this difficult time.

On the special instructions of the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has successfully completed the dispatch of relief goods to flood-affected districts including Buner, Bajaur, Swat, and Shangla. A total of 89 trucks loaded with essential relief items have been sent to cater to the immediate needs of families impacted by the recent heavy rains and flash floods. This relief initiative aims to provide urgent support for shelter, daily living, and early recovery of the affected population.
The relief consignment includes 1800 family tents, 1000 winterized tents, 3100 mattresses, 3500 pillows, 1500 hygiene kits, 3300 kitchen sets, 2100 tarpaulins, 3300 mats, 4400 mosquito nets, 3800 blankets, 1000 jerry cans, 1000 bedding sets, 1750 solar lamps, 10 dewatering pumps, 10 generators, 100 life jackets, and 500 gas cylinders. These items have been selected based on the basic needs of the affected communities and are expected to play a crucial role in providing immediate shelter and daily life support.
In addition to the physical relief items, PDMA has disbursed a total of PKR 800 million to the affected districts to facilitate financial compensation for the victims. Out of this amount, the most severely affected district, Buner, has been allocated PKR 500 million to ensure that no delays occur in the payment of compensation to the affected families. Deputy Commissioners have been given clear instructions to expedite the provision of financial assistance to the victims.
To ensure smooth and uninterrupted relief operations, PDMA has deployed focal persons from all relevant departments at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). This step has been taken to facilitate timely information exchange and effective coordination among departments. According to the Director General PDMA, the authority and all concerned departments are on high alert and fully prepared to respond to any further needs in the affected areas. Immediate assistance will continue to be provided as and when required.