TEHRAN – President Masuud Pezeshkian has expressed Iranian solidarity with Pakistan following a catastrophic monsoon flood that killed at least 320 people.
In his official message to Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif on Saturday, Pezeshkian conveyed “honest sympathy of the Iranian government and its people” and highlighted Tehran’s preparations to provide “any cooperation and humanitarian and relief support” to alleviate the suffering of the country that was hit by the flood.
The disaster has devastated northwest Pakistan, bringing the state of Kybar Paktanwa to the brunt. 107 deaths occurred in the Banner area alone.
Nine more people died in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and five in Gilgit-Baltistan. Survivors explained the “end of the day” conditions as rapids collapsed homes, cut access roads, and prevented rescue operations for thousands of residents.
Officials fear that tolls could rise as Pakistani troops have been deployed for emergency operations and are being deployed for rain forecasts until August 21.
Iran’s message continues its legacy of support. During Pakistan’s 2022 ultra-flood (sinking a third of the country), Iran provided 100 tons of assistance via the IRC, earning praise from Islamabad for “historical and brotherhood”.