PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced compensation packages of up to Rs2 million for those killed by torrential rains and heavy snowfall in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Wednesday, vowing to provide relief to the disaster-affected people.
At least 40 people were killed and 62 injured last week as heavy rains and snowfall battered several areas of the northwestern province, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). A report published by the authority on Mar. 3 stated that 345 houses were damaged while 46 had been destroyed due to heavy rains and snowfall.
PM Sharif visited KP’s capital Peshawar on Wednesday, a day after he inspected relief efforts in the southwestern port city of Gwadar, where torrential rains had flooded many parts of the city and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Sharif met relatives of those who were killed due to rain and snow-related incidents in the province at the Governor’s House in Peshawar. The premier announced Rs2 million ($7,159) for relatives of the deceased and Rs500,000 ($1,790) for the family members of people who had been injured. He distributed some of the cheques to the people at the Governor’s House, vowing to provide compensation to every affected person.
“Today is the 6th of (March) and by the 11th (March) you will get compensation packages at home for the repairs of your homes destroyed,” Sharif said.
He said the government would provide Rs700,000 ($2,506) to people whose houses had been destroyed and Rs350,000 for those whose homes were partially damaged.
Sharif assured the disaster-struck people that the government would provide them immediate relief, adding that he would take strict action against any official found neglecting his duty.
Meanwhile, KP’s newly elected Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur refused to meet Sharif while he was in the provincial capital due to political differences.
Gandapur vowed to stand by the disaster-affected people of his province on Tuesday as he announced a compensation package for families of the dead.
“Under the special directives of Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, Rs39 million ($139,619) have been allocated for the families of the deceased due to incidents resulting from rains,” PDMA spokesperson Taimur Ali told Arab News.
Large swathes of Pakistan were submerged in 2022 due to extremely heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers, a phenomenon linked to climate change that damaged crops and infrastructure and killed at least 1,700 people and affected over 30 million.
The South Asian country consistently ranks among one of the most adversely affected countries from the effects of climate change.
PM Sharif announces up to Rs2 million compensation for rain and snowfall-hit Pakistan northwest
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PM Sharif announces up to Rs2 million compensation for rain and snowfall-hit Pakistan northwest
- PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Peshawar to meet victims of torrential rains, heavy snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- At least 40 people were killed, 62 injured as rains and snowfall battered several areas of Pakistan’s northwest
Pakistan’s seafood exports to China hit nearly $255 million in 2025 as market reach widens
- Frozen fish and cephalopods lead exports as shipments expand beyond China’s coastal hubs
- Growth reflects Pakistan’s push to diversify exports and tap China’s inland consumer markets
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s seafood exports to China rose to nearly $255 million in 2025, underscoring Beijing’s growing importance as a destination for Pakistani marine products, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) published by state-run APP on Monday.
The figures point to a broader geographic and product diversification of Pakistan’s seafood trade with China at a time when Islamabad is seeking to boost foreign exchange earnings and reduce reliance on a narrow set of export sectors.
“The gains were driven by sustained demand for frozen fish, cephalopods, and a growing range of processed seafood products in both coastal and inland markets,” APP said in a report, citing China Customs data.
Frozen fish remained the single largest export category, contributing about $64.6 million to Pakistan’s seafood shipments to China. Imports were concentrated in major coastal and metropolitan entry points, with Guangdong province emerging as the largest destination by value and volume, importing 8.48 million kilograms worth $15.7 million. Shandong and Beijing followed, each exceeding 7 million kilograms, while Shanghai, Tianjin and Zhejiang also recorded substantial volumes.
At the same time, smaller but notable shipments were recorded in inland provinces including Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Chongqing, suggesting a widening distribution footprint supported by expanding cold-chain logistics and growing demand away from China’s traditional port cities.
Cephalopods emerged as another key growth pillar. Exports of frozen cuttlefish and squid reached nearly $31 million, while frozen octopus rose to almost $12 million, reflecting demand from catering chains and seafood processors supplying China’s foodservice and ready-to-cook segments.
Affordable pelagic fish also performed strongly. Frozen sardines, sardinella, brisling and sprats recorded imports of around $14.9 million, supported by household consumption and mass-market food manufacturers.
In addition to core frozen categories, Pakistan exported roughly $14.4 million each in two higher-value segments classified by China Customs as “fish” and “fish products,” indicating a gradual shift toward processed and value-added seafood lines.
Analysts cited in the APP report attributed the overall growth to improved compliance with Chinese food safety standards, expanded approvals for Pakistani processing facilities and competitive pricing backed by Pakistan’s marine resource base. Investments in cold-chain logistics and streamlined customs procedures were also seen as supporting higher volumes and broader market access.
