Controversial Comments: Pakistan’s Defense Minister on Flood Relief

Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, has faced backlash for his response to the ongoing floods. Instead of offering condolences, he controversially suggested that flood victims perceive the disaster as a blessing and store the water. Asif stated the floods are a fortunate event, given the worldwide water scarcity. He believes the flood should be considered a blessing from Allah. He criticized those blocking roads in Punjab and Khyber, suggesting they focus on storing water. Asif mentioned that building a large dam for water storage is currently not possible and therefore, people should collect the water in their houses. He also put the blame on local governments for the floods, noting they lack power and pointing out issues like encroachment and changes to water channels. Approximately 2 million people in Punjab province have been directly affected by the floods, with 41 deaths recorded in the region. Across Pakistan, the flood has resulted in roughly 850 fatalities. The Pakistani government’s relief efforts have thus far been unsuccessful.