Rs12b allocated for flood victims

CM slates federal govt over ‘apathy’ towards affected people

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has approved Rs12 billion for the rehabilitation and settlement of the flood victims.

The chief minister accorded the approval while presiding over a high-level meeting at the CMO in which the Head of Punjab Ehsas Programme Dr Sania Nishtar, Provincial Minister Mohsin Leghari and former federal minister Moonis Elahi were also present.

The CM revealed that the Punjab government would provide Rs9 billion for the rehabilitation and settlement of the flood victims, adding that Rs3.2 billion have been collected in the telethon on the appeal of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

He pointed out that Rs10 billion have been allocated to redress the losses of houses and the livestock while Rs2 billion have been allocated to provide financial assistance to the farmers whose fields were ruined due to the flood.

He apprised that the farmers having less than 12.5 acres of land will be disbursed Rs5,000 per acre while Rs200,000 to Rs400,000 financial assistance to rebuild their houses destroyed by floods.

He said livestock farmers will also be given financial aid in the flood-hit areas. “The Punjab government is carrying out flood rehabilitation work from its own resources and from the CM Flood Relief Fund,” he remarked.

Slating the federal government over what he called apathy towards the flood victims in Punjab, the CM said the federal government did not give even a single penny for the flood victims.

Meanwhile, the chief minister felicitated the people and the government of Turkey on its Republic Day on behalf of the people of Punjab and the government.

“We equally share joy of our brothers on the Republic Day of Turkey. The CM stated that under the dynamic leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his country made unprecedented progress.

“The far-sighted leadership of President Erdogan and the expeditious progress of Turkey in every sector is an example for the nations of the globe.”

The chief minister also acknowledged that Turkey fully supported Pakistan in its difficult times and the people of Punjab were grateful to the country for extending its all-out support during the recent floods.

The CM maintained that diplomatic support of Turkey on the viewpoint of Pakistan on Kashmir was unforgettable. “A strong contact between the people of Turkey and Pakistan is the fundamental strength of the cordial relationship between the two countries,” he remarked.

The CM also lauded the people of Turkey for their moral and financial support to Pakistan during crises.

“The heritage of this mutual relationship between the two countries depicts the determined friendship tied in history, faith and deep cultural relationship.”

Pervaiz Elahi said that the exemplary friendship of Pakistan and Turkey was getting stronger with each passing day, adding that the relations of friendship and love between Pakistan and Turkey were from time immemorial and will continue till infinity.

Earlier, the chief minister met with an eminent businessman and an industrial tycoon of Pakistan Sir Anwar Pervaiz at the CMO on Saturday.

Sir Anwar Pervaiz appreciated the conducive steps being taken by the CM for the promotion of business and investment in the province.

He lauded the chief minister's exemplary steps for the investment opportunities in a short span of time.

He said that the steps being taken by the CM for the facilitation of the investors were praiseworthy, adding that the CM was also performing invaluable work to resolve the problems of the overseas Pakistanis.

The CM, while talking with Sir Anwar Pervaiz stated that the investors are busy eradicating poverty and making endeavours for economic prosperity worthy benefactors of the country.

“Our government provided a conducive environment for making a real investment for the first time in the province. Punjab is a fertile land for doing investment,” he concluded.