Heavy Rains in KP Claim 17 Lives, Dozens Injured

News Desk

Peshawar: At least 17 people have been killed and 56 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as intermittent downpours continue to batter the province since March 25.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), multiple incidents of roof and wall collapses were reported in different districts, causing significant loss of life and property.

Official data shows that at least 11 houses were partially damaged due to the heavy rains, while casualties were reported from Bannu, Abbottabad, Kohat, Upper Dir, Bajaur, Battagram and North Waziristan.

The PDMA has directed district administrations in the affected areas to immediately provide relief assistance to the victims and ensure timely support for those impacted.

The authority further warned that intermittent rainfall is expected to continue until Tuesday, urging citizens to adopt precautionary measures to avoid further losses.

KP Govt Freezes Over Rs25bn in Funds

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has halted more than Rs25 billion in funds allocated for development and operational expenses as the province grapples with mounting financial challenges.

According to official sources, the suspension includes funds under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) as well as ongoing expenditures of various departments. However, allocations for key sectors such as the Sehat Card, hospitals, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Rescue services, and police have not been affected.

Sources said the province has so far suffered losses of around Rs9 billion due to border closures, further straining its financial position.

They added that the federal government was expected to release between Rs55 billion to Rs60 billion to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as part of the March installment, but only Rs17 billion has been received so far.

Additionally, the federal government has yet to clear Rs66 billion in dues related to Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs), forcing the provincial government to cover Rs15 billion from its own resources.

Speaking to media, KP Finance Minister Muzammil Aslam said the provincial government is reviewing the economic situation in light of the ongoing war-like conditions.

He added that further measures would be taken in the coming weeks after assessing the evolving financial challenges.

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