Amid catastrophic floods sweeping through Pakistan’s Punjab province, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has described the calamity as a “blessing” and suggested that citizens should store floodwaters at home in buckets and tubs.

Speaking to a local news channel, Asif took aim at those protesting against the government’s handling of the crisis.

“People who have blocked roads and are protesting against the flood-like situation should take the flood waters home. They should store this water at their homes, in tubs, or in lakes. We should look at these waters in the form of a blessing,” he said.

The floods, triggered by incessant monsoon rains, have already claimed 33 lives, affected 2,200 villages, and forced the evacuation of over 700,000 residents, according to ANI, citing ARY News.

Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), warned that the province is facing one of the most severe floods in its history, with all three major rivers flowing at dangerous levels. He noted that water in the Sutlej River near Kasur has begun to recede, bringing some relief to nearby communities.

Thousands of villagers in Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur districts continue to flee to higher ground as relief teams race against time to rescue residents and livestock.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Sindh province also faces the threat of large-scale flooding. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said more than 1.6 million people across 1,657 villages could be affected, but assured that provincial machinery has been mobilised to tackle the looming disaster.