A special cell was set up on Friday at the Prime Minister’s House as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate and extensive relief operations in all rain-hit areas, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the prime minister has instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to carry out robust relief efforts in flood-affected areas of AJK and KP.

According to Tarar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fully aware of the flood situation and is issuing directives for relief operations. He has instructed NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider to maintain constant coordination with the governments of KP and AJK and expedite rescue efforts.

The information minister said the special cell at the Prime Minister’s House is in 24-hour contact with the NDMA.

He added that during the ongoing spell of heavy rains and flooding, the prime minister has visited the NDMA headquarters three times to personally review rescue and relief operations.

“The government’s focus is on relief and rescue measures,” Tarar said.

All agencies are utilising their resources in KP to save lives, while NDMA’s early warning system is regularly updating provincial governments, including KP.

Tarar further said the NDMA’s command and control centre is operational round the clock, closely monitoring the situation.