Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on a visit to this flood-hit industrial town of Gujranwala district, said on Wednesday that his government would work on a comprehensive strategy for prevention of massive floods that cause loss of precious lives and damage to property worth billions every year.
The trip of the prime minister – who was accompanied by his brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other senior officials – was marred by a scuffle between a crowd chanting ‘Go Nawaz, Go’ and activists of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by the party’s local lawmaker.
Addressing a gathering at the launch of disbursement of first installment to the flood victims under Khadim-e-Punjab Relief Package, Premier Nawaz said that Pakistan was facing the brunt of climate change and stressed the need for a national committee on prevention of floods to examine the pattern of flooding.
He said the government was cognisant of the colossal losses caused by the recent rain-induced floods across the country. The government would take into account all factors that lead to flooding and would put in place a mechanism to avert recurrence, he added.
While mentioning paucity of resources, the prime minister said that his government had to take difficult decisions as many issues were on its priority list, including health, flood management, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and flood victims, education and communication network.
The prime minister earlier interacted with the flood-affected people and inquired about their problems and whether they were satisfied or not with the relief and rehabilitation measures being provided by the government. He mentioned an elderly man, who could not even recognise him due to poor eyesight, but told him about his satisfaction over the government’s relief operation.
He lauded the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for personally supervising rescue and relief efforts and for standing by the people uprooted by the catastrophic floods. No government in the past could even match this exemplary performance, he said and also appreciated the district administration and PML-N’s youth wing for serving the masses.
The prime minister also lauded the role of the armed forces, police, Rescue 1122 service, irrigation and agriculture department and said the close coordination by the chief minister helped in quick rescue and relief efforts.
When the prime minister and the chief minister were leaving the venue of the gathering, a crowd of protesters started shouting ‘Go Nawaz, Go’ – a slogan coined by Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) in its ongoing campaign against the government, according to Daily Express.
Local activists of the ruling PML-N, led by MPA Taufiq Butt and the party’s tehsil president Imran Mani, confronted them. They kicked and punched the protesters, forcing them to flee.
The protesters were angered by alleged discrimination in distribution of compensation money. Talking to the media after the incident, they alleged that the authorities showed nepotism and gave aid to only their relatives and kin.
After dispersing the protestors, the PML-N activists shouted slogans in favour of the prime minister and their party. MPA Taufiq Butt claimed that the protesters belonged to the PTI. However, Express News footage reveals that the man who led the protesters to chant anti-government slogans was a PML-N worker, Mushtaq Cheema, who is a resident of Khagga Mittir village. Cheema is also PML-N’s nominated candidate for union council.
Cheema exhorted people to chant ‘Go Nawaz, Go’ because he was not invited to the cheques-distribution ceremony and for being denied entry into the hall. Later the police raided Cheema’s house but found it locked while his mobile phone was also switched off.
Reacting to what she called ‘vandalism of PTI’, the prime minister’s daughter warned of similar tit-for-tat response in the future. “Seems PMLN workers have had enough of PTI vandalism. A tit for tat response & PTI won’t find a place to hide. Saw trailer in Wazirabad today,” Maryam Nawaz said in a post on micro-blogging site Twitter.
In another tweet she warned that “PMLN’s policy of restraint & civility must NOT be misinterpreted as its weakness. Don’t mess with lions!”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Blithe Just like that lahore jalsa was claimed as handful? Why you, Ch. Allah daad and other N-sharif followers are so blind to see the surge in trend. But hey, i understand your leader`s situation. As per the 'charter of democracy', Nawaz Sharif waited for his turn while playing friendly opposition for 5 years despite the massive unchecked corruption and havoc during zadari era.
Now when your leader finally got his turn, something strange happened. IK launched persistent and widescale movement against NS government and thanks to NS ineptness, political immaturity and utter stupidity, NS assisted the IK to amass huge public support. You cant rule 2014 with 1998 strategy, even though that 1998 strategy couldnt even get you through 1998.
And dont take it personally, but nobody wouldnt hire NS as a bartender, much less put him on a government position if it were not for his money from corruption and pitwaris power!
The first lie "This is not a natural calamity or disaster as told by the ruling party, but a shear negligence and mismanagement". Comparing this incident with 2005 earthquake would be same as comparing a common flue with aids. Secondly, how could a person living in 29000 kanal Jati Umra understand the satisfaction level of poor people affected by floods, for inquiring from the poor by his Highness himself. And someone inform Mohtarma Maryam Bibi that PML-N supporters themselves chanted the slogans and moreover you could try out countering them but I am afraid its too late now. The message has been spread across the country like an epidemic and if you start calling everyone who chants this slogan a PTI worker, then you might end up blaming a majority of the population... PPP's silently reconciliation policy might not serve as well..... Sorry the lions are cornered now by bunch of humans... Lolz
Oh boy, another committee, that will solve all our problems for future flooding for sure. You don't need a comitee to tell you that, stop looting and invest some money on drainage system. The money wasted to see protest front of UN, could have been used to build the infrasturucture (resovior, drainage system) at home instead. How about the agency responsible for flood management, sell thier cars and buy boats instead. I never seen a drowning person get saved by car. Just read the commitee report from last flood and act on it. Fire some people whose jobs was to prepare for floods this time around.
Strategy after their four governments !!! Why did they not do any "strategy" during their First, Second, Third, Fourth governments ?
A well rehearsed photo session choreographed by Baji Perv Rashid.
nice gesture!
Moar fake promises, this quoom will remain in darkness until it wakes up to really find these leaders stabbing their own people in the back.
False promise as usual. Down with the "N". Peace.
Why did police raid house ??!
Sums up the mess the nation is in? PTI PMLN PML-Q what are you playing at? The nation is on verge of collapse meanwhile Mr.Modi is building India into a lion while our nation wastes it's time on Stupid things points scoring making ppl dirty.
Khan has done nothing for KPK Shahbaz sharif only sits up when poked by media Qaim Ali shah no comment needed Dr.baloch no comment needed
We have a CM (KPK) who's doing Bhangra while ppl drowning in his state????? Members of parliament Claiming wages and benefits even while unofficially resigned?
The republic has turned into bananA republic
Fake aid as fake mandate. Go Nawaz Go
Shariff's have enough fooled Pakistanis with these poses. People are now asking why are there not flood prevention systems in place? Why they spent billions on Metro Bus instead of saving people from floods. Time is coming when people will enter into to Raiwind palace to expel them out.
Go Nawaz Go
Good snap while making people fool.
Bad reporting! The people chanting against were just a handful and propped up by ARY.
This the heartland of pml n and the Nawaz Sharif Zindabad chants were loud and days with full conviction and passion.
The only way to reduce natural calamities like floods is make dams more dams and Kala Bagh with a different name. Another stupidity importing coal for power generation also not implementing Iran gas pipe line.