Table of Contents
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has released emergency funds worth millions of rupees for various flood-affected Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) across the province. However, the provincial capital Peshawar and its surrounding TMAs, which have also been hit hard by the recent floods, were notably excluded from the financial aid package.
According to an official notification issued by the KP Finance Department, a total of Rs. 124 million has been distributed among 11 TMAs. These funds were allocated by the Local Government and Rural Development Department to help areas devastated by the ongoing flood crisis.
Distribution of Emergency Flood Funds
The official breakdown of the released funds is as follows:
- TMA Dera Ismail Khan – Rs. 41 million
- TMA Paharpur – Rs. 25 million
- TMA Abbottabad – Rs. 10 million
- TMA Haripur – Rs. 10 million
- TMA Khanpur – Rs. 10 million
- TMA Poran – Rs. 7 million
- TMA Balakot – Rs. 5 million
- TMA Baffa Pakhal – Rs. 4 million
- TMA Daraband – Rs. 3 million
- TMA Kulachi – Rs. 3 million
This financial assistance is aimed at enabling local administrations to carry out emergency relief operations, repair damaged infrastructure, restore essential services, and provide immediate support to families displaced by flash floods.
Peshawar TMAs Overlooked
Despite being among the hardest-hit regions during the latest spell of torrential rains, Peshawar Metropolitan Corporation and several surrounding TMAs—including Mathra, Peshtakhara, Shah Alam, Chamkani, Badhber, and Hassan Khel—did not receive any share of the emergency package.
Residents and local representatives have expressed disappointment, saying that floodwater destroyed houses, submerged streets, and caused large-scale damage to agriculture and livelihoods in these areas. Many argue that leaving Peshawar out of the financial assistance plan reflects a serious policy gap at the provincial level.
Local Response and Criticism
Critics point out that Peshawar’s TMAs were already struggling with budgetary constraints and lacked resources to manage the scale of destruction caused by the floods. Excluding them from emergency relief funds, they say, could further worsen the humanitarian and infrastructure crisis in the region.
Civil society organizations and local community leaders have demanded that the KP government reconsider the allocation and immediately release financial assistance for Peshawar’s affected TMAs. They stress that the provincial capital serves as a hub of economic and social activity, and neglecting it in times of disaster could have a domino effect on the entire province.
Government’s Stand
Provincial officials have defended the decision, arguing that the initial allocation was made for the worst-hit rural TMAs, with the possibility of more funds being released in the coming weeks. “The government is monitoring the situation, and further allocations will be made as per ground realities,” said an official source.
However, no timeline has been announced regarding when or if Peshawar’s TMAs will be included in the next phase of funding.
Floods’ Devastating Impact
The recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have wreaked havoc across multiple districts, causing loss of lives, destruction of homes, damage to crops, and collapse of basic infrastructure. Many families are living in makeshift shelters, and local administrations are struggling to provide clean drinking water, food supplies, and medical aid.
Experts warn that the exclusion of Peshawar could lead to worsening public health risks, including outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dengue, if immediate action is not taken.
Demands for Transparency
Transparency advocates have called on the KP government to make public the criteria for fund distribution. They argue that without a clear explanation, the allocations could be seen as politically motivated rather than based on need and severity of damage.
Local political figures from Peshawar have already started voicing concerns in the provincial assembly, urging the government to prioritize fairness and equity in relief distribution.
What’s Next?
Relief experts say that the immediate release of funds to Peshawar’s TMAs is critical for disaster recovery efforts. They suggest that the government should also engage international donors and humanitarian agencies to bridge funding gaps.
In the long run, analysts believe that KP needs a comprehensive flood management policy, including investment in:
- Early warning systems
- Improved drainage networks
- Strengthened embankments
- Community-based disaster preparedness programs
While the KP government’s release of Rs. 124 million in emergency flood relief for 11 TMAs is a welcome step, the exclusion of Peshawar—one of the most flood-affected areas—has raised serious questions about the fairness of the distribution process. As flood victims in Peshawar continue to struggle without financial aid, pressure is mounting on the government to review its decision and ensure equitable support for all flood-hit communities in the province.
For now, the people of Peshawar remain uncertain about when they will receive the much-needed assistance to rebuild their lives.
