KARACHI: In response to the severe flood damage following water releases from India, Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), called for the urgent establishment of an autonomous National Flood Management Authority. Highlighting the impact of climate change, Shakoor emphasized that Pakistan faces significant challenges from floods, with predictions of a 22 percent increase in rainfall next year.

Shakoor proposed the construction of new water infrastructure, including at least a dozen dams and hundreds of artificial lakes, to manage floodwaters effectively. He also advocated for an extensive canal network to redirect excess water safely to barren areas, minimizing damage to populated and agricultural regions.

The PDP Chairman stressed the need to halt political disputes over water management projects, urging a focus on rainwater harvesting and better water regulation to break the cycle of floods and droughts. He suggested re-engineering river routes at the Pakistan-India border and removing encroachments on waterways, offering alternative accommodations for displaced populations.

Shakoor proposed the creation of desert canals in Sindh and Balochistan to utilize arid zones like Thal, Cholistan, and Thar for floodwater diversion. He urged the military to expedite the formation of the flood management authority, modeled on the Special Investment Facilitating Council (SIFC). Additionally, he called on provincial governments to develop their own flood management systems to enhance emergency response capabilities.