Pakistan cancelled Independence Day celebrations Saturday as government and aid agencies struggled to provide relief to 14 million people affected by the worst floods in memory.
In the north-western district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, already reeling from insurgency, 24 out of 25 districts were affected.
The swollen Indus River also caused widespread devastation in the central province of Punjab and southern province of Sindh.
The 63rd anniversary of independence Saturday came as estimates of the death toll reached 1,384, with thousands of hectares of crops destroyed by the floods.
Pakistan was declared an independent state on August 14, 1947 after united India was partitioned by the ruling British.
The government cancelled all official celebrations, and President Asif Ali Zardari - criticized for touring Europe during the crisis - called off a ceremony in the presidential palace to spend the day with flood victims.
Officials and aid workers were struggling to provide relief to the victims, including 6 million children, amidst growing outrage at the slow response.
Around 400,000 people had been rescued so far and relief was being provided by 57 helicopters and 912 boats, officials said.
Aid workers expressed concern about epidemics as clean water, sanitation and food are in short supply.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani pleaded for foreign aid.
"I appeal to the international community to extend a helping hand to fight the effects of this calamity. It is a reasonable expectation that the world would stand by us in word and deed," Gilani said.
The UN has launched a formal appeal for 460 million dollars, saying the floods affected more people than the 2004 Asian tsunami.
President Barrack Obama said the US "will remain committed to helping Pakistan" and would work "toward a recovery that brings back the dynamic vitality of your nation."
Pakistan cancels Independence Day celebrations due to floods
