China has provided support to Pakistan, dispatching aid to areas impacted by severe flooding. According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the initial shipment of relief supplies from the Chinese government was received on Sunday. Two Chinese relief aircraft landed in Rawalpindi, carrying a consignment of 300 tents and 9,000 blankets. The NDMA highlighted that this action demonstrated China’s consistent support for Pakistan during this difficult time. Amir Muqam, the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and its people, noting that the aid would offer essential relief to numerous families affected by the floods. This assistance follows Beijing’s announcement on Friday of a $14 million (approximately ₹117.6 crore) aid package to Pakistan following the devastation caused by monsoon rains and floods. The UN also extended its assistance through its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), with a contribution of $5 million towards Pakistan’s flood relief efforts, as stated by UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. Minister Amir Muqam explained that the floods, triggered by heavy rainfall since June, have caused significant casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops in Pakistan. The assistance provided by China will play a crucial role in the rescue operations. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, emphasized that China’s aid reflects the shared destiny of the two nations and the importance of mutual support during times of crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive report within a week to assess the damages from the recent monsoon floods. The monsoon season, which began in June, has led to over 1,000 deaths in Pakistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has witnessed the highest number of casualties, with over 500 fatalities, while floods in Punjab at the end of August resulted in more than 300 deaths. The floods submerged more than 4,700 villages in Punjab, affecting 4.7 million people. The province carried out its largest rescue operation, rescuing 2.6 million people and 2.1 million animals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the necessity of completing the damage assessment of crops and infrastructure swiftly to enable effective relief and rehabilitation planning. He instructed officials to submit the complete report within a week. Pakistan and China have enjoyed a strong friendship since establishing diplomatic relations in May 1951. The two countries share robust ties, consistently supporting each other on the international stage. China is a major arms supplier and a primary trading partner of Pakistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a major economic project between the two countries, which includes roads, railways, energy projects, and the Gwadar Port. China consistently provides assistance to Pakistan during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
