Punjab Assembly Speaker urges immediate economic relief for flood-hit families

Lahore: Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has said that the recent floods have caused devastation across Punjab on a scale unseen for decades.

“We are no longer in a position to pay electricity bills or service bank loans. The government stands firmly alongside the flood victims,” he declared.

He was speaking to the media following the inauguration of the two-day Colour and Chem Exhibition at the Expo Centre in Lahore. The exhibition, organised by Event and Conference International, has drawn participation from more than 150 national and international companies. Among those present were former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar, the exhibition’s chief patron Abdul Rahim Chughtai, organiser Rashidul Haq, as well as Chinese and other foreign delegates.

Malik Ahmad Khan said: “Wherever one looks, there is nothing but water. For the first time, words fail me in capturing the suffering of the people. The consequences of flawed decisions are plain to see, and we must now develop projects to store water along our rivers.”

In response to a question, he remarked that the livelihoods of flood victims had been destroyed. “We will pressurise Awais Khan Leghari; we cannot pay electricity bills or bank loans — they must be waived. This catastrophe is the result of human interference and climate change. The decision-makers themselves are also accountable,” he asserted.

Dismissing as unfounded rumours of a canal overflow in Lahore, he urged the public not to be misled by fake news, but instead to rely on official government updates and credible media reports. He stressed that while most cities in Punjab remained safe, districts including Sialkot, Chiniot, and Hafizabad were facing difficulties.

Turning to India, the Speaker stated: “New Delhi cannot suspend the Indus Waters Treaty; such an act would be illegal and immoral. Both sides have suffered destruction. Even during the wars of 1965 and 1971, the Indus Waters Commission continued to function. How can India imagine playing with the lives of millions? It appears that Prime Minister Modi is perhaps intent on encouraging climate catastrophe.”

He commended the hard work of the Punjab Chief Minister, adding: “My Prime Minister and my Chief Minister are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people in this calamity, offering comfort and support.” He also voiced strong support for the construction of new dams.

On wider challenges, Malik Ahmad Khan cautioned: “If the timber mafia, stone mafia and housing society mafia continue unchecked, Punjab will cease to remain Punjab. For now, the government’s priority is relief and rehabilitation, as this is a matter of survival for the people. The nation and the government are united in standing with the victims.” He revealed that for the past eight days he had suspended all other engagements, as torrents of floodwater carrying hundreds of thousands of cusecs continued to wreak havoc across the province.

He further said: “Businessmen are the driving force of the economy. It was uplifting to attend this exhibition, as the business community is being supported and facilitated.”

Former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar, addressing the gathering, said the exhibition would play a vital role in boosting business and industry. He pointed out that the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers were in full spate, posing challenges for traders as well, but assured that the business community stood firmly alongside the flood victims.

Exhibition patron-in-chief Abdul Rahim Chughtai and Event and Conference International director and organiser Rashidul Haq also addressed the gathering. Following the inauguration, they escorted the Punjab Assembly Speaker to various stalls and briefed him on the exhibits.ty stood firmly alongside the flood victims.