Shahbaz Sharif reviews relief operation through video link

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif held a video conference with members of cabinet committee on flood and administration at Civil Secretariat Lahore, different divisions and districts today and reviewed in detail the situation arising due to flood, protective arrangements and rescue and relief operation.

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that edible items, mineral water and medicines should be made available in abundance at relief camps set up for flood affectees in flood-hit areas of South Punjab. He said that the flood affectees will not be left alone at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that he will not tolerate laxity in rescue and relief operation. He said that cabinet committee and administration should make pre-arrangements for coming days by keeping in view the situation of weather and all necessary steps should be taken in this regard. He said that concerned federal and provincial institutions should exchange information moment to moment regarding weather situation and flow of water in rivers. He ordered immediate evacuation of nearby vallies of rivers and said that people should be shifted at safe places.

He said that members of cabinet committee and secretaries should continuously review protective arrangements and relief activities in the districts assigned to them. He said that additional boats and other necessary goods should immediately be sent to the areas where there is threat of flood. He said that strict action will be taken on negligence in strengthening of under-construction bunds and spurs. He said that action will be taken against the responsible persons for starting work with delay on bunds and protective spurs.

He directed cabinet committee and administration of concerned districts to remain alert round the clock. He said that he will not tolerate any irresponsibility in protective arrangements and relief activities and political and administration team should perform its duty efficiently. He directed that relief activities be further expedited for affectees in flood-hit areas of South Punjab. He said that affectees should not face any difficulty in relief camps.

The Chief Minister said that he is personally supervising relief and rescue operation and will not tolerate any negligence in this regard. He said that protective arrangements should be completed for coming days in view of weather situation.

He directed Inspector General Police and administration to ensure ban on taking bath in rivers at every cost. He directed Secretary Communication & Works that bali bridges should be set up for rehabilitation of link roads. He also directed to prepare dash board regarding weather situation on the pattern of dengue. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed, Chief Secretary, MPA Zaeem Hussain Qadri and concerned secretaries attended video conference at Civil Secretariat, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Commissioner Faisalabad, DCO Faisalabad at Faisalabad Division, Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Federal Minister Saira Afzal Tarar, DCO Hafizabad at Hafizabad, Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mian Yawar Zaman, Secretary Irrigation at DG Khan, MPA Mansha Ullah Butt and concerned administration at Sialkot while members of flood committee and divisional and district administration from Sargodha, Gujranwala, Multan, Narowal, Rajanpur, Layyah Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan participated in the meeting through video link.