Pakistan’s major political allies, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have once again clashed publicly, this time over flood relief distribution methods. While PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari insisted that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) remains the most effective tool for providing financial relief to flood victims, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif accused the PPP of politicising a natural calamity.
Bilawal Defends BISP as the Primary Flood Relief Tool
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Pakistan’s agriculture sector was already under strain, and recent floods had intensified the crisis. He warned of risks to national food security if relief measures were not implemented swiftly.
He urged the federal government to declare both a climate emergency and an agriculture emergency. He further requested that electricity bills for farmers in affected districts be waived.
Bilawal noted that the Sindh government, under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, was preparing to support small farmers through the Benazir Hari Card. Farmers with landholdings between one and 25 acres would be eligible for direct support, including fertiliser subsidies.
“Our goal is to safeguard the wheat crop so that we reduce reliance on imports,” Bilawal said. “Timely action from both federal and provincial governments can mitigate flood damage and avoid an inflated import bill. It is better to invest in our farmers and agriculture rather than foreign wheat.”
He highlighted that while Sindh had suffered, the scale of damage in southern Punjab was historic. He also reminded that Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also impacted.
According to him, the federal government has a duty to deliver relief nationwide through BISP. He pointed out that BISP had proven effective during past disasters, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If the Centre does not act now, the people of South Punjab will be unfairly abandoned. Their homes are destroyed, their crops gone, and they deserve equal attention,” Bilawal stressed.
He further criticised the federal government for not making an international appeal for aid immediately after the floods began. He argued that earlier engagement with the global community could have brought in stronger financial support and eased restrictions linked to IMF conditions.
Maryam Nawaz Rejects BISP as Insufficient
Responding to Bilawal’s remarks, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz accused the PPP of politicising a tragedy. Speaking at an event in Dera Ghazi Khan, she said, “The PPP is our ally and I respect them. But sadly, they are politicising the floods in Punjab.”
She warned PPP leaders against creating division, reminding them that if a disaster struck Sindh, Punjab would always stand in solidarity.
Maryam rejected the idea of BISP as the main relief mechanism, describing it as a “simplistic solution.” She said, “They give only Rs10,000 under this programme. What can families who lost homes, crops, and livestock do with such a small amount?”
Instead, she announced that the Punjab government would provide Rs1 million in compensation to flood victims, along with plans to rebuild houses and restore livelihoods.
On criticism about not seeking international aid, she firmly stated, “I am Nawaz Sharif’s daughter, and I will not beg for aid. Pakistan cannot continue to rely on the world forever. Provinces receive billions through the National Finance Commission. The question is, how is that money being used?”
Coalition Strains Over Relief Strategy
The disagreement underscores growing tension within the ruling coalition as both PPP and PML-N push their own narratives on handling climate-induced disasters. While Bilawal sees BISP as the standard method for nationwide relief, Maryam advocates a more province-centric approach, offering higher compensation and infrastructure rebuilding.
This clash reflects the broader political competition between the two allies, even as Pakistan struggles with repeated climate catastrophes and an already fragile economy.
The flood relief debate has exposed differing visions within Pakistan’s coalition government. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari continues to defend BISP as the most reliable relief mechanism, while Maryam Nawaz insists on higher direct compensation and rejects reliance on international aid. As Pakistan grapples with devastating floods, the effectiveness of these approaches will shape not only relief outcomes but also future political alignments.
