On the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has activated a nationwide 911 emergency helpline, providing citizens with a direct lifeline during the ongoing flood crisis.
Officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication confirmed that the 911 service will remain operational even in regions where mobile towers are damaged or inactive, ensuring uninterrupted access to rescue and relief teams. Citizens have been urged to use the helpline responsibly so that lines remain available for those in urgent need.
The initiative comes as torrential rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts continue to devastate large parts of northern Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. More than 250 lives have been lost, with Buner district alone reporting over 150 fatalities. Entire villages have been washed away, homes flattened, and vehicles and livestock swept downstream.
Infrastructure has also suffered extensive damage, with road networks and communication lines severely disrupted, leaving survivors stranded without food, water, and essential supplies.
In response, Prime Minister Sharif directed the immediate delivery of relief goods to flood-hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via road convoys. The federal government has also pledged to accelerate rescue and relief operations, mobilizing civil and military resources to support displaced communities.
The launch of the 911 emergency helpline is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating rescue efforts and providing timely assistance to those most in need.
