Islamabad Dharnas: ‘Give up protest sit-ins, help mitigate flood misery’

On visit to flood-hit Sialkot, Nawaz calls for an end to politics of agitation.

SIALKOT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called upon the participants of Islamabad Dharnas to give up their protests and instead supplement the government efforts in dealing with the devastation caused by rain-induced flash floods in different parts of the country.

“While the country is facing a hard time, the nation needs full support of politicians and political parties,” the prime minister said while speaking to locals during a visit to the flood-hit areas of Sialkot on Sunday.

“It is the duty of the nation to take notice of such elements who cannot see the country progressing. The nation should not allow anyone to stage sit-ins,” he said referring to the sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek in the federal capital. He added that the sit-ins would not shake his government’s resolve to lead the country on the road to progress and prosperity.

“It’s not time for politics of agitation and politics of personal gains. All politicians should shun their political differences and unite to support their flood-affected countrymen,” he said and held out an assurance that his government would do whatever it could to help the affected population.

The prime minister also regretted that the Chinese president has postponed his trip due to the security situation caused by the Islamabad dharnas. “President Xi Jinping was bringing $35 billion worth of investment, including projects to end power crisis in Pakistan within next three to four years,” he said. “But unfortunately the visit was postponed which also affected such project.”

About the flood situation, the prime minister noted that the Chenab River was at its peak flood level while there was a similar situation in other rivers which caused colossal losses. He added that the flooding was ‘unexpected’ as the monsoon rains broke records of 20-30 years.

Having said that, the premier assured that a synchronized relief and rescue operation was under way in the affected regions where local populations have been successfully relocated to safe areas. He said that he was getting updates on the situation round-the-clock.

Earlier, the prime minister accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took an aerial view of the damages caused by heavy rains and flood in Sialkot district. He also visited the worst affected areas of the city including Khawaja Safdar Road, Shahabpura Sublime Chowk, Pasrur Road and Commissioner Road.

The defence minister apprised the prime minister of the damages caused by overflowing seasonal nalas passing through Sialkot and its adjoining areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2014.