ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s economy has sustained massive losses amounting to Rs822 billion as a result of the recent floods that wreaked havoc across the country, affecting more than 6.5 million people in 70 districts, according to official figures.
According to the official documents from the Ministry of Planning and the Economic Affairs Division, a total loss of Rs 9.3 billion was recorded in Azad Kashmir, while Punjab suffered the highest with Rs 631 billion.
Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered Rs 51.3 billion in losses, Sindh Rs 32.2 billion, Gilgit-Baltistan Rs 13 billion, and Rs 7 billion of loss was recorded in Balochistan.
Initial damage estimates stood at Rs744 billion, but updated assessments show a rise to Rs822 billion as losses continue to be calculated.
Moreover, it revealed that the agriculture and infrastructure sectors have borne the brunt of the destruction.
The document further stated that Pakistan faced one of the most severe monsoon seasons in its history, resulting in widespread devastation to infrastructure, livelihoods, and essential services.
According to the report, 229,763 houses were affected by the floods, with 59,258 completely destroyed and 170,505 partially damaged. The disaster also claimed 1,037 lives and left 1,067 people injured, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
A provincial breakdown of the human toll shows Punjab recorded 322 deaths, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 509, Sindh 90, Balochistan 38, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) 31, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 38, and Islamabad 9.
The injuries were reported as 665 in Punjab, 218 in KP, 87 in Sindh, 5 in Balochistan, 52 in GB, 37 in AJK, and 3 in Islamabad.
Authorities have stressed the urgent need for rehabilitation and long-term climate resilience measures to mitigate the economic and social impacts of recurring floods in the country.
