Punjab Government Moves to Regulate Private Boats, Removes AC Jalalpur Pirwala from Office

Lahore, Pakistan — The Punjab government has removed the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district following reports that a private boat was charging flood victims for evacuation to safe areas.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari told a press conference in Lahore that private boats operating in flood-hit areas will now be brought under regulation. “The government will pay the charges, and all private boats will operate under official supervision,” she said.

Bukhari emphasized that the provincial government has already relocated 2.2 million people to safer areas, with 139 boats currently engaged in rescue operations in Multan. “Punjab is facing one of the toughest natural disasters, and it is inappropriate to exploit the floods for politics,” she added.

She confirmed that AC Jalalpur Pirwala had been removed from office, with Mukarram Khan appointed as his replacement.

The minister further noted that the situation at Head Muhammad Wala and Shershah was under control, and the technical committee had decided against breaching embankments at these sites.