Monsoon season: Shahbaz orders preparations to deal with floods

CM directs police to evolve plan to check one-wheeling before Aug 14

LAHORE: Arrangements should be made to protect the life and property of citizens from possible floods, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was talking to officials during a visit to Sulemanki Barrage. He reviewed pace of work on the Rs3.64 billion project for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the barrage.

The CM directed Irrigation Department to take effective measures for the protection and monitoring of dams, barrages and embankments during the monsoon season. He warned officials that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.

“Work is being carried out speedily on the project of rehabilitation and reconstruction of Sulemanki Barrage. It will be completed soon,” he said.



The chief minister took serious notice of damage to a wall of the barrage. He directed that an inquiry committee be set up to determine responsibility for the damage. He said that the cost of repair work would be recovered from those responsible.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that audit of all projects of the Irrigation Department should be ensured.

“Stern action will be taken against any official found guilty of negligence or of dereliction of duty. Arrangements should be made ahead of the floods,” the CM said.

The chief minister said that all government departments should work speedily and with proper coordination. He said that immediate measures should be taken for improvement of irrigation installations. The irrigation secretary briefed the chief minister on the barrage rehabilitation project.

Crime

The CM also presided over a meeting on Monday to review the law and order situation. The chief minister said that protection of life and property of citizens was the top priority of the government. “The gang involved in kidnapping of children from Badami Bagh should be traced and given exemplary punishment. Kidnapping cases should be analysed and special teams should be constituted for arresting the criminals involved,” he said. The CM directed the officials concerned to submit a report within a week on the case.

Parents of the kidnapped children were also present in the meeting. The CM assured them that all efforts would be made to recover their children.

He directed the police officials to develop a strategy for curbing kidnapping cases. The CM also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in traffic accidents during Eid holidays. “Effective steps should be taken to check one-wheeling,” he said.

He expressed displeasure over the failure of authorities to stop one-wheeling. “The Cabinet Committee should review the report of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team and identify the officials responsible for the failure,” he said.



The CM warned that stern action would be taken against police officers if one-wheeling was reported in their areas. He said that an effective mechanism should be in place to control one-wheeling before August 14.

Shahbaz Sharif said that steps should be taken to provide security to bus stands, railway stations and other public places.

The inspector general of police and the home secretary briefed the meeting on the law and order situation. The IGP said that street crimes had decreased. “Special teams have been set up for controlling kidnapping incidents,” the IGP said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2016.