Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has appealed to the international community, journalists, human rights organisations and overseas Pakistanis to generously support journalists affected by the floods. In a press release, the PFUJ said that the people of Pakistan, including a large number of journalists, have been hit by the worst ever floods in the country's history.
Devastating floods, accompanied by torrential rains, have claimed lives of more than 1683 people and injured 8487 persons while 6374 villages have been destroyed, 81187 cattle have perished, and more than 9,893,817 acres of cultivated land has been affected across the country.
Not only this, the entire population of Pakistan sustaining unbelievable and unbearable economic consequences, shortage of fruits, vegetables and other eatables has been swept by a flood of high prices. Non-availability of various commodities is also affecting livestock besides economically crippling a large population living in the flood affected areas. Initial reports reveal that more than 20 million people have become homeless and economically ruined by floods. More than 6 million victims need aid for survival.
The PFUJ pointed out that a female journalist Asma Anwar of Nowshera died due to floods. Likewise, houses of more than 213 journalists were completely damaged in Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Makran, Sakardu, Gilgit, Baltistan, Khaplu, Mehdiabad, Kalam, Swat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bajaur, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Malakand, Chitral, Karak, Tank, Dir, Takhtbai, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Liyyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, Jang, Sargodha, Lodhran, Sargodha, Ghotki, Sukkur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Nawabshah, Thatta, Jampur, Karpur, and Sanghar.