SHAHBAZ SHARIF VISITS FLOOD-HIT AREAS OF HAFIZABAD, CHINIOT AND MULTAN

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited flood affected areas of Hafizabad, Chiniot and Multan today and inspected relief and medical camps set up for the calamity-hit people. He also met affectees and inquired about their problems. Shahbaz Sharif reviewed relief and rehabilitation activities during the visit to flood affected areas. He sought information regarding relief and rehabilitation activities in Jhang from Faisalabad through video link. National Highways authorities and other concerned institutions have opened Multan-Muzaffargarh Road for traffic by completing rehabilitation work in 48 hours instead of 72. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister congratulated the administration, NHA, Pak Army and concerned institutions for their efforts which resulted in rehabilitation of Multan-Muzaffargarh Road within two days and said other important roads of Punjab should also be rehabilitated with the same speed.

The Chief Minister while talking to flood affectees, presided over a meeting of administration and talking to media men said that London Plan was a conspiracy against 18 crore people of the country hatched by Imran-Qadri and Ch. Brothers which has been exposed. He said that Imran Khan had been lying about his meeting with Tahir ul Qadri but he speaking first and the last truth of his life has exposed Imran Khan.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Ch. Brothers committed a dacoity of billions of rupees at Punjab Bank and also got their loans written off. He said that Ch. Brothers played a heinous role in destroying economy of the country. He said that postponement of the visit of Chinese President was the target of London plan.  He said that Chinese President signed agreements of 20 billion dollars in India while agreements of 32 billion dollars were to be made with Pakistan. He said that foundation stone of power projects was also to be laid during this visit but these important projects have been jeopardized due to the sit-in. He said that China is a sincere friend of Pakistan and has always supported it at the time of war, flood, earthquake and other natural calamities. He said that Chinese President visited Gandhi’s memorial in India and had he come to Pakistan he would have gone to the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam or Allama Iqbal. He said that those who arrange dance shows in D-Chowk of Islamabad have no sympathy for the flood affectees.

Shahbaz Sharif said that federal and provincial governments led by Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will make every effort for the rehabilitation of flood-hit people. He said that London plan was an evil conspiracy which has been exposed and the masses have seen the real face of Imran, Qadri and Ch. Brothers. He said that postponement of the visit of Chinese President and hampering investment of 32 billion dollars in Pakistan was the real target of London plan. He said that   Imran Khan and his cronies have destroyed economy and they will never be forgiven by the masses.

The Chief Minister went to the relief camps of Vanke Tarar in Hafizabad and met flood affectees and also inquired about their problems. DCO Hafizabad gave a detailed briefing to the Chief Minister regarding relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit areas. He also went to village Behk Ahmed Yar which is at a distance of 15 kilometers from Vanke Tarar and reviewed relief and rehabilitation activities for about one hour. He also addressed flood-hit people. Talking to media at relief camp at Vanke Tarar, he said that it is not the time for politics of sit-ins but to serve the masses. He said that sit-ins at such a critical juncture will drown the politics of Imran Khan. He said that it is still time to quit the sit-in and serve the distressed people.

The Chief Minister said that he is paying surprise visits so as to gain knowledge about the real situation. He said that rehabilitation of flood hit people is the top priority of the government and all out resources are being made available for this purpose. Addressing a briefing meeting at Vanke Tarar, Shahbaz Sharif directed that all out help and assistance would be provided to the flood hit people and relief activities should be further accelerated. He further directed that provision of financial assistance to the families of those who have been killed in flood be ensured within next 24 hours and a report should be submitted to him in this regard. He said that photographs of flood losses should be taken and uploaded on website.

Expressing his indignation over the ignorance of the administration of Hafizabad about the website he warned that administration should pay due attention to relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit people otherwise stern action will be taken. He directed that mosquito nets should also be distributed among the flood affectees.

DCO Hafizabad while giving a briefing regarding relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit areas told that 155 villages and more than two lakh people have been affected by flood in Hafizabad. He told that dry ration, mineral water bottles and other essential items have been distributed among 15 thousand flood affected families while fodder has also been provided to their livestock.

Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal Tarar, former Parliamentary Secretary Afzal HusainTarar, Member Punjab Assembly Ch. Asad Ullah Arain, Malik Sajjad Awan, Commissioner Gujranwala and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister went from Hafizabad to tent village in Asim Abad, Tehsil Lalian of Chiniot and met the flood-hit people and inquired about their problems. He asked flood affectees not to worry as he is personally supervising relief activities. He said that efforts will be made for the postponement of electricity bills of the flood affected areas for a month or two and a request will be made to federal government in this regard.

Shahbaz Sharif warned administration to remain alert as he is paying surprise visits. He said that situation in flood-hit areas is improving and the first installment of compensation to the flood affectees will be paid before Eid. The Chief Minister said that he will celebrate Eid with the flood affected brethren and sisters. He also reviewed necessary facilities in relief and medical camps. He met the flood-hit people individually and inquired about their problems.

During visit to tent village, the Chief Minister asked flood-hit people about relief and rehabilitation activities who expressed their satisfaction over the efforts being made in this regard. Later the Chief Minister addressed Jhang administration from Faisalabad through video link and reviewed relief and rehabilitation activities and directed that efforts for resolving problems of flood-hit people should be accelerated and rehabilitation work should be completed on war footing. Shahbaz Sharif also went to Multan.

Addressing flood affectees at the inaugural ceremony of rehabilitation of Multan-Muzaffargarh Road, Shahbaz Sharif assured that first installment of financial assistance to the flood hit people will be paid before Eid. Shahbaz Sharif said that process of disbursement of financial assistance will be started from 27 or 28 September and will be completed before Eid. He said that he will personally supervise this process so that no deserving should remain deprived of his right.