Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday pledged the federal government's complete support for flood-hit communities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, announcing the donation of one month's salary from the federal cabinet to aid relief efforts.
Chairing a meeting to review ongoing relief efforts by federal government in flood affected areas of K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the premier directed the federal institutions to intensify efforts to assist rain and flood-affected people in various districts of K-P.
"In this hour of calamity, there is no federal or provincial government. We must ensure assistance and rehabilitation for the affected people. Helping our distressed Pakistani brothers and sisters is a national responsibility," the prime minister said.
He said this was a time not for politics but for service and healing the people's wounds.
The prime minister stressed that the federal government will also provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and affected individuals under the prime minister's relief package.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and G-B will oversee relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas while the relevant federal ministers will personally monitor the restoration of electricity, water, roads, and other facilities, the prime minister added.
Furthermore, he also directed all relevant federal ministers to visit K-P, AK, and G-B in person.
The prime minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to differentiate between provincial or national highways; and opening routes for relief must be the top priority.
He also ordered Ministry of Communications, NHA, and FWO to ensure repair of highways and bridges in affected areas. "Minister for Communications should personally oversee rehabilitation operations."
The prime minister also directed Minister for Power to visit affected areas, inspect, and prioritize restoration of the electricity system, adding that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should immediately submit a final assessment of damages.
"NDMA should present a comprehensive plan for the distribution of relief items to flood victims in K-P," the prime minister said stressing the Ministry of Finance to provide necessary resources to NDMA.
He instructed that all the relevant federal ministers to remain in affected areas until the last person received assistance and basic infrastructure was restored.
Ministry of Health should send medicines and medical teams to K-P and establish medical camps while Benazir Income Support Programme should be mobilized to assist the affected, the prime minister directed.
During the meeting, the prime minister and other participants prayed for the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured.
The meeting was briefed on the ongoing relief activities by NDMA and federal ministers designated by the prime minister.
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