Politicising floods can be political suicide: Firdous

Information minister calls for political maturity to tackle the calamity.


September 15, 2011

NAWABSHAH: Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday said that political maturity demands joint efforts for relief and rehabilitation of the rain and flood-affected instead of points scoring.

Speaking to the media at the Zardari House in Nawabshah, she underlined the need for joint efforts to mitigate the sufferings of the survivors.

Responding to questions about the criticism of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on the government’s appeal to international community for assistance, Firdous said politics on the issue could be a political suicide as “it is the time to share the grief of the people of Sindh.

Pointing to the invitation of experts from Sri Lanka for control of dengue virus by the Punjab government, the minister said, “They are also looking forward to foreign assistance in this regard, which is an evidence of good governance.”

Separately, the information minister said that the National Trust for Population Welfare (NATPOW) with the support of UNFPA has agreed to provide basic medical treatment to 135,000 pregnant women and their expected babies under the Mobile Service Unit Project.

The NATPOW has established 25 MSU (Mobile Service Units) with the help of UNFPA, the World Health Organisation, provincial departments of population and health. The NATPOW will reach seven districts, 25 tehsils and 25 MSUs in Khairpur, Nawabshah (Benazirabad), Badin, Mirpur Khas, Umar Kot , Tandu Muhammad Jam and Tandu Ala Yar.

Firdous also underlined the need for close liaison among all departments concerned for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the rain-hit people.

While establishing a media coordination cell at the Nawabshah press club, she said the purpose of establishing media coordination cells in the press clubs was to enhance the working mechanism with proper coordination.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th,  2011.

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