China has responded to the devastating floods in Pakistan by providing humanitarian aid. Two special Chinese aircraft arrived in Pakistan, carrying relief supplies. The initial consignment, sent by the Chinese government, was received on Sunday, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan. The aircraft landed in Rawalpindi, bringing with them 300 tents and 9,000 blankets. The NDMA acknowledged this as a symbol of China’s continuous support for Pakistan during these challenging times. Amir Muqam, the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and its people for their assistance, noting that this aid would provide critical relief to the flood-affected population. This aid comes after China’s prior commitment of $14 million (approximately ₹117.6 crore) to support Pakistan in recovering from the destruction caused by monsoon rains and floods. The UN also joined the relief efforts, with its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocating $5 million to aid Pakistan’s flood relief operations, according to UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. Minister Amir Muqam stated that the flooding, caused by heavy rains since June, has resulted in numerous fatalities and widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and crops in Pakistan. The Chinese assistance is expected to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, remarked that China’s assistance signifies their shared future and mutual support during difficult times. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive report on the damages resulting from the recent monsoon floods within a week. Since June, the monsoon season has resulted in over 1,000 deaths across Pakistan. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has seen the highest number of casualties, with over 500 fatalities. In August, floods in Punjab claimed the lives of over 300 people. The floods submerged over 4,700 villages in Punjab, impacting 4.7 million people. Punjab also organized its largest rescue operation, saving 2.6 million people and 2.1 million animals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to quickly assess the damage to crops and infrastructure to allow for efficient relief and rehabilitation planning and instructed officials to submit the complete report within a week. Pakistan and China have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship since establishing formal ties in May 1951. China is Pakistan’s largest supplier of arms and its largest trading partner, and the two countries have a long history of supporting each other on various international platforms. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), represents a major economic venture that involves infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, energy initiatives, and the Gwadar Port. During natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, China has consistently provided assistance to Pakistan.
