Amid devastating floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif courted controversy by calling the calamity a “blessing” and urging people to collect floodwater in buckets and tubs at home.
In an interview with a local news channel, Asif said protesters angry at the government’s handling of the floods should “take the water home” instead of blocking roads. His comments drew sharp reactions, even as the monsoon fury claimed 33 lives, affected 2,200 villages, and forced the evacuation of over 700,000 people.
Officials warned that the province is witnessing one of the worst floods in its history, with the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers running dangerously high. Relief teams continue to move villagers and livestock to safer areas in Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and other districts.
In Sindh, authorities estimate that 1.6 million people across 1,657 villages could be impacted. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the government has mobilised emergency measures to mitigate the looming crisis.