Swatis go empty-handed after PM’s visit
PM visited Swat along with CM Hoti and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira to review the situation.
SWAT:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani paid a short visit to the flood devastated district of Swat along with the Chief Minister of Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haidyer Khan Hoti and Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira to review the situation after 21 days since the flood triggered by monsoon rains hit the area.
Colonel Tariq briefed the delegation about the damages caused by the flood across the country. The delegation was also briefed about the rescue measures taken by the Army and the administration.
Addressing the elite of the area at the Khwaza Khela Tehsil he said that the people of Swat rendered great sacrifices for the country during the militancy and now the flood had also devastated the area by washing away its infrastructure. “The people of Swat are not alone. The government will extend full support to them in these troubled times,” he said.
He also assured the locals that directives to all concerned authorities have already been issued for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the bridges, roads and fields.
On this occasion he offered his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of compensation.
Hoti requested the prime minister that Swat should be given more support in regard of aid and help as it has been affected twice, once by a manmade disaster and now by a natural one.
People regarded the prime minister’s visit as a failure because they said that nothing had been announced for Swat. Talking to The Express Tribune, they said that the PM had only come to offer condolences which they said he could have done from the floor of the Assembly.
Mian Rahim Shah an elder of the upper Swat valley told The Express Tribune, “We are very disappointed as we had high expectations from his visit but he announced neither any compensation for the damaged houses nor for the deaths.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2010.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani paid a short visit to the flood devastated district of Swat along with the Chief Minister of Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haidyer Khan Hoti and Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira to review the situation after 21 days since the flood triggered by monsoon rains hit the area.
Colonel Tariq briefed the delegation about the damages caused by the flood across the country. The delegation was also briefed about the rescue measures taken by the Army and the administration.
Addressing the elite of the area at the Khwaza Khela Tehsil he said that the people of Swat rendered great sacrifices for the country during the militancy and now the flood had also devastated the area by washing away its infrastructure. “The people of Swat are not alone. The government will extend full support to them in these troubled times,” he said.
He also assured the locals that directives to all concerned authorities have already been issued for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the bridges, roads and fields.
On this occasion he offered his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of compensation.
Hoti requested the prime minister that Swat should be given more support in regard of aid and help as it has been affected twice, once by a manmade disaster and now by a natural one.
People regarded the prime minister’s visit as a failure because they said that nothing had been announced for Swat. Talking to The Express Tribune, they said that the PM had only come to offer condolences which they said he could have done from the floor of the Assembly.
Mian Rahim Shah an elder of the upper Swat valley told The Express Tribune, “We are very disappointed as we had high expectations from his visit but he announced neither any compensation for the damaged houses nor for the deaths.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2010.