SHAHBAZ SHARIF PRESIDES OVER MEETING OF CABINET COMMITTEE ON FLOOD RELIEF LATE AT NIGHT

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Flood Relief here today. The meeting which lasted for two and a half hours reviewed in detail rescue and relief operation in flood affected districts.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that immediate survey for assessing the losses should be carried out in those areas where water recedes. He said that maximum food hampers should be provided to the affectees through helicopters.

The Chief Minister said that blankets and quilts should be purchased in large quantity for the brothers and sisters in distress. He said that cooked meal should be provided to the affectees three times at every cost and arrangements should be made for installing mechanical tandoors in affected villages. He warned that no negligence in provision of food will be tolerated. He said that every penny of the funds provided to the districts should be spent on the help of affectees. He said that audit of the resources being provided for the affectees will be conducted.

Shahbaz Sharif directed Special Secretary Local Government to visit three districts and supervise the work of destroying carcasses properly. He said that tents should be installed for the people in those villages where water receded. The meeting was told that 13 thousand kg food has been distributed among affectees through seven flights of helicopter of the Chief Minister Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Jhang, Athara Hazari, Garh Maharajah, Shorkot, Ahmedpur Sial, Chiniot, Bhawana and other flood-hit areas for ten hours today. He inspected relief camps in Muzaffargarh and Layyah and after reviewing protective measures, met the flood affectees. He also took aerial view of flood-hit areas. The Chief Minister provided relief items, eatables and drinking water through helicopter to the affectees in flood affected areas of Jhang and Shorkot including Athara Hazari, Garh Maharajah, Ahmedpur Sial, Wasu Aastana, Mauza Aik Sau Atharah, Daal Mor and other villages and monitored relief activities. He visited Chaubara of district Layyah and tent village and relief camp set up at Angura Goat Farm for affectees of Jhang city and reviewed relief activities. More than one thousand tents have been installed in the tent village. Shahbaz Sharif mingled with the people and inquired about their problems. The affectees told the Chief Minister that they were provided best breakfast and meal is also provided.

Addressing the affectees and administration in flood-hit areas, Shahbaz Sharif said that if any negligence is found in provision of relief to the affectees, district administration will be held responsible. He said that relief activities should not be considered as a part of service but it should be performed as a national responsibility. He said that Allah Almighty has provided an opportunity to earn His blessings, therefore, the opportunity should not be lost. Shahbaz Sharif said that no one should have any misunderstanding as he is personally monitoring rescue and relief operation. He said that compensation for crops, cattle and houses, destroyed by flood, will be paid to the affectees in weeks and not in months. He said that a temporary hospital for the treatment of affectees and a school for education of the children have been set up in tent village. He said that people of Layyah should extend maximum help to the brothers and sisters of Jhang in distress.

The Chief Minister said that he will not rest content till the rehabilitation of affectees. He said that federal and Punjab government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif are working round the clock for overcoming flood devastations. He said that this is a big natural calamity and we should seek pardon from Almighty Allah. He said that devastations of flood are a challenge, however, this challenge can be overcome through collective efforts.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he will remain among the sisters and brothers in distress till the water recedes and will continue to monitor relief activities personally throughout the province. He also visited medical camp and arranged first aid to a child Hifzur Rehman and talked to him for ten minutes. The Chief Minister inspected the temporary hospital set up in tent village and reviewed medical facilities and medicines. He also reviewed protective arrangements at Head Muhammad Wala of Muzaffargarh.

On the occasion, the administration during a briefing told the Chief Minister that 95 percent evacuation work has been completed in the villages near rivers. Shahbaz Sharif directed the administration that every person should be shifted to safer place at all cost as every human life is precious. He said that the present flood is the biggest flood after 1972.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif are standing with affectees and will not rest content till the rehabilitation of affectees. He said that this is the test of the nation and Allah Almighty will help us in this hour of trial. He inspected flood relief camp and addressing the affectees said that efforts will be continued till the rehabilitation of all flood affectees. Shahbaz Sharif met affectees staying in tent village and inquired about their wellbeing. He assured them that the government is standing with them in this hour of trial and a survey will be conducted at the earliest and their losses will be compensated. He also took aerial view of Muzaffargarh and other areas of South Punjab. He distributed relief items and eatables among the affectees through helicopter.

The Chief Minister visited Tehsil Bhawana of Chiniot and directed the administration to immediately remove the shortage of vaccine and medicines for cattle. He said that medicines and vaccine should be provided to the affectees through boats. The Chief Minister asked the administration not to set up relief camps on roads but these camps should be set up for the convenience of the local people where required. He said that if anyone tried to do lip service, he will have to face consequences.

The Chief Minister visited Mauza Suleman and reviewed the medical facilities being provided in medical camp there. The Chief Minister directed to shift the medical camp to affected village so that patients should not face any problem in coming to the camp. While talking to media at Chiniot, the Chief Minister said on oath that Imran Khan has told a lie about Chinese investment whereas he had made an announcement in a public meeting that he will not tell a lie in future. He said that there is not loan of even one percent in electricity projects for which Chinese President was coming to visit Pakistan.

The Chief Minister while issuing orders for suspension of Assistant Commissioner Bhawana for showing negligence in providing food to the flood affectees and discharging duties said that those officers who will work will be encouraged but the officer not helping the people in distress should find some other job. The Chief Minister arrived at Mauza Suleman at 5 pm today but the lunch was not provided to the affectees upon which the Chief Minister expressed strong indignation and warned that those committing negligence will not escape punishment.

Addressing the flood affectees at Bhawana, Shahbaz Sharif assured that the compensation of losses will be paid in weeks. He said that we are facing the biggest flood of the history after 1972 with determination. He asked affectees not to worry as Punjab government is standing with them and his team is working round the clock. He said that Punjab government is doing no other work except helping the affectees.

He said that all his companions including public representatives and officers are in the field and no one is at home. He said that the devastations cannot be narrated in words. He said that provision of breakfast, lunch and dinner is his responsibility and this responsibility will be fulfilled at all costs.