How South Punjab’s Culture Became a Lifeline During Floods

M Atif Ismail

Multan: South Punjab, long celebrated for its fertile lands and hardworking farmers, holds another treasure that often goes unnoticed: a deeply rooted culture of hospitality. In this region, welcoming others is not confined to meals and ceremonies it is about standing beside relatives and friends during their most difficult times.

That spirit became strikingly visible during the recent floods, when thousands of families were displaced. Instead of moving into hotels or government-run shelters, many chose to seek refuge in the homes of relatives and friends.

For the people of South Punjab, this response is as natural as it is practical. Unlike other parts of the world where disaster-hit communities spend weeks or even months in temporary camps, families here prefer to remain within their kinship networks, ensuring that their social bonds remain unbroken even in adversity.

A key reason behind this choice lies in the rural lifestyle of the region. Alongside cultivating their lands, most families raise cattle cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep.

For them, floods disrupt not just human lives but also the survival of their livestock, which is central to their livelihood. Camps rarely provide adequate facilities for animals, making it nearly impossible to manage them there.

Relatives, however, willingly open their courtyards, sheds, and even fields, providing safety to both families and their animals. This practice helps disaster-struck households recover more swiftly.

During the crisis, many such examples surfaced. Master Ghulam Yaseen welcomed relatives into his home, while others like Jaam Kashif and Mushtaq Ghauri moved their cattle to the houses of friends and family. Their efforts reflected a sense of collective responsibility that defines South Punjab’s social fabric.

Hospitality in these times extends beyond food and shelter—it offers emotional resilience. “When you are not alone in your struggle and relatives stand with you, half of the burden feels lighter,” one farmer shared.

Recognizing this reality, authorities also made arrangements to safeguard livestock. Dr. Jamshaid Akhtar, Deputy Director Livestock, confirmed that special spaces were created in relief camps to accommodate animals, ensuring that affected families did not lose their main source of income.

For many observers, such practices highlight the unique strength of South Punjab’s community life. “In a modern world where individualism is on the rise, South Punjab’s collective lifestyle serves as a rare example of resilience and unity,” noted Naeem Iqbal Naeem, a social activist.

While government agencies and relief organizations continue to provide vital assistance, the shelter and support extended by relatives remain unmatched in their effectiveness. This tradition of hospitality is not merely a cultural trait it is the hidden strength of South Punjab, turning despair into endurance and adversity into a testament of unity.

The feature story was released by APPon  August, 2025.

All facts and information presented are the sole responsibility of the reporter and their organization.