Rains, floods: PTI wants protective measures in place

Mehmoodur Rasheed says he will visit vulnerable areas after Eid

LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in the Provincial Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed urged the government on Monday to pace up efforts to take preventive measures in southern districts of the province ahead of the flood season.

Speaking at his office, Rasheed announced that after Eid holidays he would visit low-lying areas across the province to review preventive measures being taken by the government to limit flood-related casualties and damage. He said the government was ignoring areas vulnerable to floods.

He said monsoon rains had begun but the government was yet to finalise arrangements to deal with potential floods.

He said that instead of visiting flooded areas wearing long boots, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should make timely interventions to prevent widespread damage. “His boots are planned to be used as a media gimmick even before a policy is formulated to counter damage caused by rains and floods.”

Rasheed said it was a shame that floods brought devastation almost every year but the government remained unable to take adequate preventive measures. He said that during his visit to low-lying areas, he would educate people about preventive measures against floods. He said party leaders and Provincial Assembly members would accompany him.

The leader of the opposition also accused the government of failing to control prices of essential commodities during Ramazan. He said high prices had exposed the poor governance.

The government has failed to provide relief to people through effective price monitoring and providing subsidies on essential items. He demanded that the government take stringent action against profiteers on the eve of Eid.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2016.