Pakistan dispatch: latest floods push judiciary and legislature to press for disaster management improvements – JURIST

Syeda Aamna Hasan is a recent Pakistani law graduate currently working as a legal researcher. 

Torrential monsoon rains have triggered devastating floods across Pakistan in recent days, leaving at least 18 people dead and dozens missing, as the country scrambles to contain the humanitarian fallout of yet another climate-induced disaster. The worst-hit regions include the picturesque Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), parts of Punjab, and Sindh regions still recovering from the catastrophic floods of 2022.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), flash floods in the Swat Valley swept away vehicles and tourists last weekend, killing eight people and leaving more than 13 missing from the same family. Rescue teams saved 58 individuals, but operations remain ongoing. Monsoon rains, which began intensifying in late June, are forecast to continue through September, raising fears of further destruction in flood-prone districts.

The floods have disrupted major highways, inundated rural villages, and destroyed hundreds of homes. Casualties were also reported in Southern Punjab and Sindh, where rapid urbanization and fragile infrastructure have amplified the damage.

The Punjab PDMA issued urgent flood directives this week, activating 24/7 emergency operation centers in vulnerable districts including Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. Local administrations were ordered to ban swimming in rivers, enforce the use of life jackets for tourists, install warning signboards, and maintain mobile rescue patrols.

At the federal level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released its 2025 Monsoon Infrastructure Guidelines, instructing all provinces to inspect dams, drainage systems, and urban flood barriers. The guidelines emphasize pre-disaster planning and post-flood reconstruction standards.

In the Senate, the Committee on Economic Affairs convened a key session in February to review ongoing flood rehabilitation efforts. Lawmakers scrutinized fund allocations and called for expedited disbursement to rebuild housing, roads, and livelihoods in affected provinces.

Pakistan’s institutional responses to disasters is governed by the National Disaster Management Act of 2010, which outlines the roles of the NDMA, PDMAs, and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). However, a recent policy analysis published in Water Policy revealed that many DDMAs remain inactive or under-resourced until emergencies strike, operating without sustainable budgets, trained personnel, or effective forecasting tools.

Pakistan’s judiciary has stepped in to push for accountability. Supreme Court of Pakistan Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in a landmark speech, declared that government delays in implementing climate and disaster reforms amount to a violation of citizens fundamentals rights. He called for a dedicated Climate Change Commission, improved hazard zoning laws, and district-level emergency preparedness teams.

Adding to the momentum, Parliament recently passed an amendment introducing Article 9A to the Constitution, establishing the right to a “clean, healthy, and sustainable environment” as a fundamental right.

In response to back-to-back climate disasters, Pakistan has pivoted toward ecosystem-based and climate-resilient infrastructure. At COP29 in Dubai last year, Pakistan launched its flagship Recharge Pakistan initiative, aimed at restoring wetlands, hill torrents, and forest landscapes to act as natural buffers against monsoon flooding. Supported by $ 4.4 million in international funding, the program is expected to benefit over 62 million people by enhancing groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and water quality.

In urban centers like Karachi, architects and city planners are piloting “sponge city concepts” including permeable pavements, stormwater gardens, and rainwater harvesting wells. The movement, spearheaded by architect Yasmeen Lari, promotes low-tech, climate-smart infrastructure that reduces runoff and enhances soil absorption.

Also, at the macroeconomic level, Pakistan secured $400 million in funding from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for flood reconstruction in Baluchistan. The Executive Committee of National Economic Council also approved Rupees 296 billion in flood relief for Sindh and Rupees 11.2 billion for Balochistan under the 2024-25 development plan.

Moreover, In 2023, Pakistan unveiled the 4RF (Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction) at the Geneva Conference, securing over $ 9 billion in pledges from global partners. The framework has guided post disaster efforts ever since, though disbursement has been uneven.

Environmental experts stress that adaptation needs are still underfunded. Pakistan is finalizing its National Adaption Plan, aligning with its National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to access global climate finance and emerging loss and damage funds.

Despite the legislative progress and improved planning, significant hurdles remain, local authorities lack funding, trained staff and autonomy especially at the district level. Hazard zoning laws are poorly enforced, allowing illegal construction in flood-prone zones. Early warning systems remain outdated and ineffective often failing to reach vulnerable populations in time, and especially in local languages. Corruption and political disputes, such as the controversial Cholistan Canal Project, continue to fuel distrust. Critics claim it violates the 1991 Indus Water Accord and threatens downstream ecosystems.

The way forward for dealing with the floods in monsoon, as stated by the experts with whom civil society agrees, is that the road to resilience lies in strengthening and decentralizing institutions like DDMAs. enforcing climate zoning and land use regulations, improving impact-based forecasting and early warnings and enhancing transparency and judicial oversight over climate funds. Pakistan’s 2025 flood crisis is yet another warning from nature. With the climate clock ticking, the country stands at a critical crossroads between catastrophe and climate resilience.

Opinions expressed in JURIST Dispatches are solely those of our correspondents in the field and do not necessarily reflect the views of JURIST’s editors, staff, donors or the University of Pittsburgh.