Compensation in weeks, not months, says Shahbaz

CM monitors rescue operation in flood-hit areas of Multan, Jhang and Muzaffargarh.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday flood victims would be compensated for their damaged houses, crops and lost cattle in weeks and not in months.

The chief minister visited flood-hit areas of Multan, Jhang and Muzaffargarh to assess the flood situation and rescue and relief activities. He visited a tent village of 210 tents in Muhammad Pur Ghota, Multan.

Sharif told the flood-affected people the government would help them stand on their own feet. He said a school had been set up in the tent village.

The chief minister ordered that relief camps be set up in nearby villages and flood victims provided meals three times a day.

Sharif also visited Head Muhammadwala. He told the media the flood was the worst since 1972.

Sharif said a committee had been formed to give its recommendation with regard to making a breach at Head Muhammadwala. The committee had been asked to take a decision in the public interest.

The chief minister said evacuation of people from flood-hit areas had been completed. He said relief camps were providing food, water and medicines to the displaced people. He said fodder was also being provided for their cattle. He said the civil administration, police, the army and elected representatives were working together in the calamity-hit areas.

He said some elements had been trying to use Justice Mansoor Ali Shah commission report on 2010 floods to undermine the government’s and the army’s efforts to deal with the current floods.

He said those staging sit-ins in Islamabad should call off their protest and help the flood-stricken people.

He said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan should withdraw his call for celebrations on September 13. “Is Imran Khan celebrating the drowning of people?”

Sharif also visited two relief and medical camps in villages near Muzaffargarh. He directed ministers to take part in relief and rehabilitation activities.

The chief minister said Rs100 million each had been reserved for the districts hit by floods. The amount would be spent on relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.

Sharif also visited Head Trimmu in Jhang and distributed relief items among flood-affected people of Atharah Hazari, Garh Mor, Garhi Balochan and Basur.

He told them the government would continue to help them until they were rehabilitated.

The chief minister was informed that a focal camp had been set up at Head Trimmu. Sharif said the victims should be given both dry and cooked food.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2014.