Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to complete the repair of flood-affected roads on an emergency basis.
According to a statement, construction teams have been mobilised for the purpose and the repair of a crack on the Khangarh-Doma road in the Liaquatpur area has been completed, whereas reconstruction of a flood-damaged road from Nazro Wali Hatti to Mukhan Bela near Head Panjnad is under way.
Repair of a crack on Saitpur to Marhari road in Alipur has been completed, whereas reconstruction and repair of Chanigoth Road in Ahmedpur is ongoing.
Reconstruction and repair of Kanwal Road in Basti Azeem Shah area of Alipur is set to be completed on Thursday, while the construction of Shindar Bhan to Bar Wali road in Ahmedpur East has been completed.
Work is also under way on Shahi Wala Road near Sultanpur.
Heavy machinery has been dispatched for construction of the Sultanpur to Saitpur road where the work has begun.
Emergency construction and repair of the Sultanpur Road near Basti Desi in Alipur tehsil is under way, whereas work for the construction and repair of the flood-affected Khangarh-Doma-Sarki road is nearing completion.
In another development. Pak Suzuki Managing Director Hiroshi Kawamura presented a cheque worth Rs30 million to the chief minister for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
The CM said on the occasion that Punjab had bravely faced the worst flood in the history of the province. She said timely evacuation, rescue and relief operations had made it possible to save millions of lives. She highlighted that 2.2 million livestock had also been saved in Punjab.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the use of thermal cameras and other modern technologies had made it possible to reach and evacuate flood victims.
She vowed to ensure safety arrangements before the next flood.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also approved a special relief package for students hailing from flood-affected regions.
Under this package, semester fee for all students from the affected areas has been waived off.
Additionally, admission fee for the first-year BS (Bachelor of Studies) students from the affected regions has also been exempted. The package will benefit students from Muzaffargarh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Chiniot, and Kasur, who will be granted full fee waiver for their first academic year.
In a further facilitative step, registration deadline in all universities located in the flood-affected districts has been extended by 20 days, whereas the deadline for applying for the 'Honhaar' scholarship has been extended by one month.
The chief minister said the Punjab government's initiative is aimed at easing financial burden on the parents of affected students along with ensuring their uninterrupted access to education.
She added, "We will not allow education of our sons and daughters to be disrupted due to the recent flood devastation."
The chief minister said the government was making every possible effort to provide full support to the flood victims, ensure their rapid rehabilitation and compensate them for all their losses.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also attended the passing out ceremony of enforcement and investigation officers of PERA Force at Police Training College.
She inspected a parade and administered oath to the officials.
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