Flood ‘14 :PM vows not to abandon people in hour of need
Promises that the govt will construct damaged houses
HAFIZABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured flood victims on Tuesday that the government is determined to rehabilitate them and will not leave them in this hour of trial.
“It is our duty and we are not doing any favour. Despite shortage of resources, the government is doing its level best to reach out to the affected people,” he said on Tuesday while talking to flood victims during his visit to the district.
He said the situation pained him greatly and he had himself arrived for showing solidarity with the affected people.
The PM said a survey was being conducted to evaluate the property damage and loss to livestock and crops. He promised that the government would construct damaged houses and compensate for the livestock losses.
He said nobody was expecting such high flood; still the local administration was endeavouring to overcome the challenge. “I also assure you that the government will spend maximum on the rehabilitation and relief efforts,” he added.
Nawaz said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was personally supervising the rescue and relief activities in all the flood-hit areas. “Shahbaz is working day and night and shuffling between the areas daily,” he added.
To cope with such catastrophes, he said, there should be ample availability of resources. ”There should be progress, besides a boost in the agriculture and industrial activities so that people could reap financial benefits,” he said. He said there should be progress in the country so that people get job opportunities. “Pakistan should increase its export,” he opined.
Earlier, the premier was briefed about the relief and rescue operations. He was also apprised by the officials that so far 11,000 stranded people had been evacuated from the flood-hit areas of Hafizabad. A total of 10 medical centres were set up, and food items and water were distributed, the PM was told.
The PM directed the officials to speed up their relief and rescue activities with all the available resources. He also directed evacuation of livestock to safer places.
Addressing the flood-affected people in Jalalpur Bhattian, the PM said sit-ins – staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were disrupting business activities in Pakistan.
“It is an attempt to impede the course of development, but we will continue the journey of development and serve the people,” he said.
“Let them continue with the sit-ins and we will continue to serve the masses,” he remarked.
The PM said the sit-ins were no service to the masses. He invited protesters to come forward and help look after the people affected by the floods.
Nawaz Sharif lauded the armed forces for their relief and rescue work in the flood-affected areas and paid tribute to Rescue 1122.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2014.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured flood victims on Tuesday that the government is determined to rehabilitate them and will not leave them in this hour of trial.
“It is our duty and we are not doing any favour. Despite shortage of resources, the government is doing its level best to reach out to the affected people,” he said on Tuesday while talking to flood victims during his visit to the district.
He said the situation pained him greatly and he had himself arrived for showing solidarity with the affected people.
The PM said a survey was being conducted to evaluate the property damage and loss to livestock and crops. He promised that the government would construct damaged houses and compensate for the livestock losses.
He said nobody was expecting such high flood; still the local administration was endeavouring to overcome the challenge. “I also assure you that the government will spend maximum on the rehabilitation and relief efforts,” he added.
Nawaz said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was personally supervising the rescue and relief activities in all the flood-hit areas. “Shahbaz is working day and night and shuffling between the areas daily,” he added.
To cope with such catastrophes, he said, there should be ample availability of resources. ”There should be progress, besides a boost in the agriculture and industrial activities so that people could reap financial benefits,” he said. He said there should be progress in the country so that people get job opportunities. “Pakistan should increase its export,” he opined.
Earlier, the premier was briefed about the relief and rescue operations. He was also apprised by the officials that so far 11,000 stranded people had been evacuated from the flood-hit areas of Hafizabad. A total of 10 medical centres were set up, and food items and water were distributed, the PM was told.
The PM directed the officials to speed up their relief and rescue activities with all the available resources. He also directed evacuation of livestock to safer places.
Addressing the flood-affected people in Jalalpur Bhattian, the PM said sit-ins – staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were disrupting business activities in Pakistan.
“It is an attempt to impede the course of development, but we will continue the journey of development and serve the people,” he said.
“Let them continue with the sit-ins and we will continue to serve the masses,” he remarked.
The PM said the sit-ins were no service to the masses. He invited protesters to come forward and help look after the people affected by the floods.
Nawaz Sharif lauded the armed forces for their relief and rescue work in the flood-affected areas and paid tribute to Rescue 1122.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2014.