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ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province said on Wednesday they had gathered data from tens of thousands of residents and farmers hit by the recent monsoon floods, with compensation to be distributed through special ATM cards once the information is verified.

Heavy rains and excess water released from Indian dams caused Punjab’s rivers to swell in late August, inundating more than 4,700 villages in the country’s agricultural heartland, destroying crops and homes and forcing millions to flee. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the province reported 304 deaths out of a nationwide toll of 1,006 during the monsoon season that began with downpours on June 26 and lasted until mid-September.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 1,314 survey teams were active in 27 districts, adding they had so far collected data from 41,735 residents, compiled details of crop losses from 28,632 farmers, identified 49,510 acres of flood-damaged land and recorded damages to 12,500 houses.

“After verification by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), financial assistance to the affected people will begin,” the PDMA said in its statement.

It added flood-affected residents will be issued special relief ATM cards to access compensation.

The PDMA said officials also logged information from 603 livestock farmers who lost animals and 2,459 dead cattle.

The Punjab administration announced last month it had launched the survey to assess damages caused by the devastating floods, with the provincial relief commissioner, Nabeel Javed, saying citizens’ losses would be compensated.

The Punjab government had also set up 363 relief camps and 446 medical camps in flood-hit districts, while 2.6 million people were relocated to safer areas.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s government has increased the price of petrol by Rs4.07 per liter and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.04 per liter for the next fortnight, the finance division announced late Tuesday, with the revised prices taking effect today.

Fuel prices in Pakistan are adjusted every two weeks and are influenced by global oil market trends, currency fluctuations, and changes in domestic taxation.

According to the official notification, petrol now costs Rs268.68 per liter, up from Rs264.61, while HSD has risen to Rs276.81 per liter from Rs272.77.

“The Government has revised the prices of petroleum products for the fortnight commencing October 01, 2025, based on the recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the relevant Ministries,” the Finance Division said in its statement.

Fuel price increases have a direct impact on inflation, raising production and transportation costs and driving up the prices of essential goods and services, particularly food.

The effect of the latest price hike may further be amplified as the finance ministry noted in its monthly economic outlook a day earlier that flood-related disruptions could put pressure on food supply chains and push up consumer prices.

“Inflation is expected to rise temporarily but remain contained within the 3.5-4.5 percent range in September 2025,” it said in its report.