Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calls floods a 'blessing', tells people to 'store water in tubs'

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has offered a bizarre solution to the country’s worsening flood crisis, urging residents in low-lying areas to “store” floodwaters in containers instead of allowing it to flow into drains.

Not just this, he went a step ahead describing the flooding as a “blessing.”

Speaking during an interview with Pakistan’s Dunya News, Asif said, “People who are protesting against the flood-like situation should take the flood waters home.”

“People should store this water at their homes, in tubs, and containers. We should look at this water in the form of a blessing and hence should store it,” he added.

More than 2 million people have been affected by record-breaking floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to an NDTV report, citing Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari.

Data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) shows that between June 26 and August 31, at least 854 people have lost their lives due to the floods, with over 1,100 injured.

Authorities have issued fresh warnings as rising water from the River Chenab is expected to reach Punjab’s Multan district on Tuesday, merging with inflows from the River Ravi.

Water levels at the River Panjnad are projected to peak on September 5, while floodwaters from the River Sutlej continue to move toward key barrages, including Suleimanki and Head Islam, added the report.

Officials have also cautioned that two more days of monsoon rainfall forecast across Punjab could hamper relief operations and lead to further rise in water levels.

The United Nations has raised alarm over the destruction of farmland and ready-to-harvest crops, warning that the situation could trigger a food crisis and escalate inflation across Pakistan.

With inputs from agencies