Livelihoods on hold

EDITORIAL: An estimated 3. 3 million jobs disrupted by the 2025 floods is not simply a post-disaster statistic; it is a measure of how deeply climate shocks are now cutting into Pakistan’s economic base. The International Labour Organisation’s assessment across 14 of the worst-affected districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa points to a pattern that has become all too familiar: rural livelihoods bearing the brunt, agriculture absorbing the heaviest blow and recovery lagging behind immediate relief. Nearly 78 percent of employment losses have occurred in rural areas, with agriculture at the centre of the damage. This is hardly surprising. Floods do not just wash away crops; they disrupt entire cycles of income, credit, and labour. Small farmers, daily wage earners and self-employed workers find themselves without both assets and earning opportunities. The result is not a temporary dip in income but a prolonged period of economic vulnerability that can push households further into poverty. The response so far has addressed immediate needs, and that deserves acknowledgment. Compensation and relief measures have helped stabilise affected communities in the short term. Yet the ILO’s findings make clear that stabilisation is only the first step. The more difficult phase lies in restoring livelihoods at scale, and that process remains uneven and incomplete. This is where the gap between planning and execution becomes critical. The proposed recovery measures, including cash-for-work programmes, skills training and subsidised credit, are well-established tools in post-disaster settings. They have the potential to restart economic activity, rebuild income streams and create a pathway out of vulnerability. However, their effectiveness depends entirely on the speed and reach of implementation. Delays in rolling out such programmes translate directly into prolonged hardship for those already affected. The broader context makes this urgency even more pronounced. Climate patterns are shifting, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Floods that were once described as exceptional are now part of a recurring cycle. This changes the nature of the challenge. Recovery cannot be treated as a one-off exercise that follows each disaster. It must be integrated into a longer-term framework that builds resilience into the economy, particularly in rural areas where exposure to climate risks is the highest. The concentration of job losses in agriculture also highlights the need for structural adjustments. Dependence on traditional farming methods, limited access to climate-resilient inputs and weak integration with markets leave rural economies particularly exposed. Recovery efforts that focus solely on restoring pre-flood conditions risk recreating the same vulnerabilities. A more effective approach would combine immediate support with measures that strengthen resilience, whether through improved irrigation, diversification of income sources or better access to financial services. Institutional coordination will play a decisive role. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including international organisations and development partners, provides both resources and technical expertise. What is required now is a coherent framework that ensures these efforts are aligned and delivered efficiently. Fragmented interventions, even when well-intentioned, dilute impact and slow recovery. There is also a human dimension that cannot be overlooked. Behind the aggregate figure of 3. 3 million affected jobs are households adjusting to reduced incomes, disrupted routines and uncertain prospects. Prolonged economic stress carries social consequences, from increased indebtedness to reduced access to education and healthcare. The longer recovery takes, the deeper these effects become. The lesson from successive flood events is clear. Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate shocks is no longer hypothetical, and the economic costs are rising. Each delayed response compounds the impact of the next disaster. The emphasis must therefore shift from reactive measures to proactive systems that can respond quickly and effectively. The ILO’s assessment provides a clear indication of where attention is needed. The challenge now lies in translating these findings into action on the ground. Plans, however well-designed, do not restore livelihoods. Timely execution does. Without it, the cycle of disruption and delayed recovery will continue, leaving millions of workers exposed to the next shock before they have recovered from the last. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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