Shahbaz Sharif reaches to help the flood affected people

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, in view of flood situation, has cut down his foreign visit and postponed his medical checkup and returned to Pakistan. Immediately after his return, without taking any rest, he undertook whirlwind tour of flood affected areas of south Punjab.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif without taking rest after his long journey visited flood affected areas of district Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhakkar Imam Shah, district Rajanpur and Mithan Kot of south Punjab and his visit was spread over many hours.

The Chief Minister during his visit to flood affected areas of south Punjab met flood affectees and listened to their problems. He also reviewed relief activities in flood affected areas.

Addressing flood affectees in Jhakkar Imam Shah, Shahbaz Sharif said that no problem or disease can make him stay away from his people. He said that he has come to serve his brethren, leaving his treatment, and as long as the people are in difficulty, he will continue to come to them will not rest content until complete rehabilitation of flood affectees.

He said that the flood affected people will not be left alone in this hour of distress and will be provided maximum relief. He said that on the pattern of 2010, flood affected people will be rehabilitated and he will continue to come to the area till complete rehabilitation of every affected person. Shahbaz Sharif said that he went to London for his treatment during Eid holidays but during this period, he got moment to moment report about the flood situation in the province through video conference and telephone but upon receiving information about breach in Jhakkar Imam Shah, he left his treatment incomplete and has come to help his flood affected brethren and sisters. He said that he will continue to personally monitor relief activities till the floodwater goes to the sea.

The Chief Minister while talking to media after reviewing relief activities in Kot Mithan said that the nation should be congratulated over the decision of Judicial Commission. He said that the decision of Judicial Commission has proved that elections were transparent. He said that the nation is facing the consequences of the loss caused to national economy under the garb of so-called rigging.

He said that those who staged sit-ins wasted the time of the nation and now time has come for everyone to work for the progress of Pakistan and prosperity of the people. He said that Judicial Commission has given report that elections of 2013 were transparent and the elements who staged sit-ins should now show mercy to the nation.

In reply to a question, he said that responsibilities are being discharged collectively in the flood affected areas and the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has started work speedily on the projects of construction of big dams in the country and funds have also been provided for this purpose. He said that no attention was paid in the past to the construction of dams but now credit goes to the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that it has started work on Dasu and Dya Mir Basha Dams which will be completed in the next few years and help in controlling floods. Shahbaz Sharif said that not only Rajanpur but whole south Punjab is my home and he deeply loves all its residents. The Chief Minister also inspected the breach in the bund in Jhakkar Imam Shah and strongly reprimanded the concerned officers as well as expressed his extreme indignation over delay in starting reconstruction work of the bund.

Shahbaz Sharif while reviewing relief activities in Jhakkar Imam Shah said that upon hearing about the breach in Jhakkar Imam Shah area of district Dera Ghazi Khan with such a low floodwater, he postponed his treatment in London and has come here. He said that he personally inspected this site during last year and issued instructions for the reconstruction of the bund. He said that the government did not allocate 30 crore rupees for this purpose so that the hard earned money of the people is wasted due to red-tapism. He said that those showing negligence will be given stern punishment under the law. He said that it is a big crime to hide facts. He said that the persons responsible will not be forgiven and the officers causing delay in public welfare project should be ashamed.

The Chief Minister directed that provincial minister, secretary and concerned authorities should stay at the site till the breach in the bund is filled and utilize all out resources for this purpose under their supervision. He also inspected the work to fill the breach in the bund and issued necessary instructions. The Chief Minister was also given a briefing regarding flood situation and relief activities during his visit to Jhakkar Imam Shah.

The Chief Minister directed concerned administrative officers to work round the clock with regard to relief activities for flood affcetees. He said that he is personally monitoring flood situation and relief activities. The Chief Minister also visited Kot Mithan area of Rajanpur affected by flood and was given a briefing regarding relief activities for flood affectees. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements for flood affectees and the speed of relief activities.

Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, Chief Secretary Punjab Khizer Hayat Gondal and concerned officers accompanied the Chief Minister.