KSrelief delivers aid for flood-hit communities in Pakistan’s Punjab

The screengrab taken from a video shows Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz meets Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki (left) in Lahore, Pakistan, on September 8, 2025. (Facebook/Maryam Nawaz Sharif)
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Updated 08 September 2025
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KSrelief delivers aid for flood-hit communities in Pakistan’s Punjab

  • Humanitarian consignment includes 10,000 food packages, 10,000 shelter kits, says Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
  • Flood relief items to be distributed in Kasur, Jhang, Khanewal, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Multan and Toba Tek Singh districts 

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has delivered five trucks of humanitarian assistance for the victims of deadly floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, the province’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said on Monday. 

Floods in Pakistan’s breadbasket province of Punjab, exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian rivers, have killed 60 and affected over 4.1 million people since late August. More than 4,330 areas have been affected by the deluges, as authorities evacuate thousands from high-risk areas in Punjab close to the swelling rivers. 

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Monday, during which the Saudi envoy expressed condolences over the loss of lives due to the floods, the PML-N said in a statement. 

“Five trucks carrying relief goods for flood victims in seven districts of Punjab from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have arrived,” the PML-N said, adding that Malki handed over the trucks to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab. 

The statement said that the relief items included 10,000 shelter kits and 10,000 food packages. It said the KSrelief shelter kits contain tents, solar panels, LED lights, thermal blankets, plastic mats, durable kitchen sets, water coolers, and antibacterial soaps. 

Meanwhile, each 95kg food package contains flour, sugar, chickpea lentils and cooking oil, the PML-N said. 

The party said the relief items will be distributed among flood victims in Punjab’s Kasur, Jhang, Khanewal, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Multan and Toba Tek Singh areas. The distribution will be carried out through the joint efforts of the PDMA, KSrelief and Hayat Foundation. 

“The relief assistance for flood victims reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued solidarity and brotherhood with Pakistan,” the PML-N said. 

Nawaz paid tribute to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

“We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for providing 10,000 food baskets and 10,000 shelter/camp kits,” Nawaz was quoted as saying by her party.


Kazakhstan president to explore trade, connectivity cooperation in first state visit to Pakistan tomorrow

Updated 12 min 19 sec ago
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Kazakhstan president to explore trade, connectivity cooperation in first state visit to Pakistan tomorrow

  • Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Pakistan from Feb. 3-4 with high-level delegation, says Pakistan’s foreign office
  • Kazakh president to meet Pakistani counterpart, hold talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif and address Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum

ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will explore bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in trade, regional connectivity, logistics and other sectors when he undertakes his first state visit to the country this week, Pakistan’s foreign office said on Monday. 

Tokayev will arrive in Pakistan leading a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials from Feb. 3-4, the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement. 

Tokayev is expected to meet his Pakistani counterpart President Asif Ali Zardari, hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum during the visit, the foreign office said. 

“The visit will provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums,” the statement said. 

The foreign office said Tokayev’s visit reflects the strengthening bonds between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their mutual commitment to transforming historic and cultural affinities into robust cooperation, as well as their common desire for peace and progress in the region. 

Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are rooted in shared Islamic heritage and a growing strategic partnership, with Pakistan offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to southern seaports for global trade. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan when it gained independence in December 1991 and formally established diplomatic relations with it on Feb. 24, 1992. 

The two countries have held regular interactions over the past couple of years on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings and other international events. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu visited

Pakistan in September 2025 to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Islamabad. 

Islamabad and Astana engage with each other to promote business and political ties via three forums mainly, which are: Bilateral Political Consultations, the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, and the Joint Business Council. 

According to the government of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $53.7 million in 2024. Pakistan’s main exports to Kazakhstan include citrus fruits, pharmaceutical products, garments, soap, sports equipment and gear and others.

Kazakhstan’s exports to Pakistan primarily include onions and garlic, dried leguminous vegetables, oats, buckwheat and other cereal grains, seeds and fruits of other oil-bearing crops, among others.