- By: Shafi Muhammad
- Sukkur IBA University
The recent floods in August 2025 once again exposed how unprepared Pakistan is when faced with natural disasters. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, more than 210 people lost their
lives, and Buner District, especially Pir Baba, suffered unimaginable destruction. Families lost their loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods in just a few hours.
This was not only a natural calamity it was also a failure of our system. Videos on social media showed children crying for rescue and families stranded on rooftops. Experts
say there was a crucial “45-minute window” when helicopters could have saved many lives. Sadly, delays and poor coordination turned this into one of KP’s worst tragedies.
The government announced compensation and suspended some officials. But money cannot replace the lives lost. President Asif Ali Zardari even appealed to the international
community for help, reminding us that Pakistan contributes little to global pollution yet suffers some of its worst consequences.
What makes the situation worse is our own negligence. Illegal riverbed mining, unplanned hotels near rivers, and weak construction practices all increased the damage. Even
now, actions against these practices may not last long.
This flood should be a wake-up call. Pakistan must:
- Strengthen disaster response with helicopters, boats, and trained teams.
- Strictly enforce laws against illegal construction and mining.
- Invest in safer housing, early warning systems, and flood defenses.
- Seek climate justice from developed countries who created this crisis.
- Educate local communities to act quickly during emergencies.
we cannot afford to let this tragedy be forgotten. Every life lost is a reminder that delays, negligence, and weak systems cost us dearly. Unless we act now, the same
scenes will repeat again and again each time with more destruction.