Climate change has wracked country: CM

Pledges to construct, repair roads in deluged areas

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said climate change has wreaked havoc in Pakistan on a massive scale and unusual rains and floods have destroyed the livelihood of thousands of families. He also vowed to launch construction and repair work of roads on a priority basis in the flood-hit areas.

The CM expressed these views during a meeting with the Provincial Minister Munib Sultan Cheema and Parliamentarian Amir Sultan Cheema at the CMO in which Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti was also present at the occasion.

Munib Sultan Cheema and Amir Sultan Cheema lauded the vision of the CM for taking prompt measures for the rehabilitation of the flood victims and remarked that the CM reached the flood victims first of all.

They praised CM Pervaiz Elahi for working day and night for the rehabilitation of the flood victims, adding under his leadership the Punjab government gave a comprehensive and excellent package for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

The CM said Pakistan has been hit by climate change and the deluge wreaked havoc at a massive scale across the country.

He highlighted that unusual steps would have to be taken to cope with the unexpected climatic conditions. He also pointed out that all possible efforts were made to carry out relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit areas.

The CM said the financial aid amount for the heirs of the deceased has been increased from Rs800,000 to Rs1 million, adding that financial aid will also be given to the people whose houses had been destroyed due to heavy rains and floods. He also resolved to ensure early settlement of the flood victims from the amount being collected in the CM Relief Fund.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also met with a delegation headed by a Pakistani national American businessman and a leader of the Democratic Party Tahir Javed in which a plan for the rehabilitation of the flood victims and their settlement came under discussion.

The CM apprised the delegation of the steps being taken by the Punjab government for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

The Pakistani national American businessman and a leader of the Democratic Party Tahir Javed announced to the provision of free solar pumps to the flood-hit farmers and said the Pakistani people residing in the USA will provide all possible assistance for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

Tahir Javed said, “we are all standing with the flood victims in their hour of distress and difficulty.”

He appreciated that the Punjab government under the leadership of CM Pervaiz Elahi took prompt measures for the flood victims, adding that an effective strategy being adopted by the CM for the settlement of the flood victims is highly commendable.

He said undertaking such mega steps despite having scarce resources manifests clear proof of the wise and prudent strategy of CM Pervaiz Elahi.

Javed extended an invitation to the CM to visit the USA.

The CM while talking with the delegation headed by Tahir Javed said the spirit of the Pakistani people residing in America to help their brothers and sisters who are stuck in a calamity is praise-worthy.

The CM said the pleasant memories of meeting with the American President were still fresh, adding that the meeting with Joe Biden and his delegation at the Zahoor Elahi House with regard to promoting bilateral relations between the two countries was productive and held a beneficial discussion.

CM said he welcomes the US aid being sent for the flood victims in the recent flood.

He stated that a flood has not wreaked such havoc ever before in the history of Pakistan and informed that he has set up a CM Flood Relief Fund in which the philanthropists are generously contributing their donations.

Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti and former principal secretary to CM GM Sikander were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2022.