Punjab

Struck by disaster : ‘Govt will build houses, provide fertilisers’

Shahbaz visits Panjnad Headworks in Bahawalpur.

Kashif Zafar September 16, 2014

BAHAWALPUR:

An unparalleled rescue and relief operation is underway in Punjab to deal with the biggest floods in the history of the province, said CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Monday.

He said this during a visit to Panjnad Headworks in Bahawalpur district.

“The Punjab government is doing all it can for the flood-hit people without any political consideration. We will not rest until all the flood-affected people have been rehabilitated,” the chief minister said. He said that he would return to the area within weeks to deliver cheques to the affected people. “The government will compensate the flood victims for their losses. We will provide pesticides, seeds and fertilisers and rebuild damaged homes,” he said.

Referring to the political situation in the country, Shahbaz said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had ignored the flood victims. “The PTI won 33 seats in the Punjab Assembly. However, at a time when the people of the province need them, PTI leaders are celebrating in Islamabad instead of touring the flood-hit areas. I appeal to Imran Khan to take part in the rescue and relief efforts. Otherwise, the people will never forgive him,” Shahbaz said.

He directed the officials to ensure the provision of food and other facilities at the relief camps. He said that evacuation of people from high-risk areas should be completed immediately.

He visited Basti Balla Jhallan Ahmadpur East.

Bahawalpur District Coordination Officer Imran Sikandar Baloch briefed the chief minister about the rescue and relief efforts. He said more than 27,000 people had been shifted to safer locations.

He said that 375,000 cusecs water was passing through Panjnad Headworks. “Areas around Panjnad Headworks have been evacuated 100 per cent. Cattle have also been shifted to the safer locations,” Baloch said. He said around 9,000 flood-affected people are provided meals by the government at relief camp set up at the Manchan Embankment.