PM’s visit to flood-hit areas: Survivors promised full rehabilitation

Nawaz says he won’t rest till victims are compensated

FAISALABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday renewed his pledge to ‘willfully and indiscriminately’ compensate flood victims for their losses. He promised that he would not rest until all flood survivors and victims were rehabilitated.

“The government’s efforts will continue and I will not rest until the rehabilitation of all the flood-stricken people,” he told villagers at Basti Jundiana Khannuanabad in Jhang at Chiniot Road.

The PM said federal and provincial governments had started estimating the damage caused by the recent floods and a comprehensive survey was being conducted at the flood-hit areas.

“The flood victims will be compensated to the maximum extent. Each family will be provided according to their loss of properties, crops, livestock, houses and other valuable items,” he assured.

The first installment of the relief money amounting to Rs25,000 per family has been distributed while the second installment of the payout will be started from October 20.

Nawaz said there was a plan for fortification the river bank near Mauza Jugera, as well as full reconstruction of homes there. The premier also assured that all measures would be taken to avert flood-related damage in future.

‘He said the government had utilised all its available resources for the rescue and relief of flood-hit people. “For this purpose, all available helicopters were sent in the flooded area to rescue and relocate people to safer places,” he said.

He extolled the virtues of prompt distribution of relief items. Where relief items could not be distributed through boat or other means, they were carried and distributed there through helicopters.

“Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team took prompt steps for the earliest relief of the flood victims and I congratulate Shahbaz Sharif and his team for their admirable efforts,” the PM said.

Unveiling plans to upgrade Khewa Girls High School up to college level, he said no nation could make progress without education.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government will provide all opportunities for the quality education at the doorstep of the masses, especially females, so that they also play their dynamic role in the national progress and prosperity,” he added.

Earlier, the PM also went to Basti Juniana and laid the foundation stone for the construction of a house, which was destroyed by the flood.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2014.