Shahbaz Sharif reviews the arrangements for pre-monsoon season

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a three hours’ long meeting, here today which reviewed the arrangements for pre-monsoon season and protective measures against possible flood.

The Chief Minister said that arrangements should be made in advance for coping with monsoon season and protection from possible flood. He said that concerned provincial and federal institutions should perform their duties with mutual coordination. He directed that encroachments from the bed of rivers should immediately be removed.

The Chief Minister expressed indignation over lack of progress towards installation of modern warning system with regard to prior information about weather situation and said that non-implementation of decision taken last year is lamentable. He said that action will be taken under law against those responsible for delay. He directed to activate flood warning center from tomorrow and said that the work of repair and construction of embankments and spurs of rivers and canals should be completed as early as possible. He said that provincial cabinet committee on flood should have played an active role for implementation of the decisions. He said that despite meetings, delay in implementation of decisions is intolerable.

Shahbaz Sharif also expressed his displeasure over the failure of Provincial Disaster Management Authority in timely placement of order for necessary equipments and items and directed that a third party audit of existing equipments and necessary items in the warehouses of PDMA should be conducted. He also reprimanded authorities concerned for not presenting the plan of availability and supply of food items to meet any untoward situation and said that there should be abundance stock of all necessary goods in the warehouses.

Director General Meteorological Department while giving a detailed briefing on weather situation said that 10 to 20 percent more rains are expected this year. Secretaries Irrigation and Livestock, DG PDMA and DG Rescue 1122 gave briefing on preparation and arrangements for rainy season.

Provincial Ministers Yawar Zaman, Muhammad Shafique, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Spokesman Punjab government Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Member Provincial Assembly Chaudhry Shehbaz, Chief Secretary, secretaries of concerned departments and senior officials of federal institutions attended the meeting.

Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin and DG Meteorological Department participated in the meeting from Faisalabad and Rawalpindi respectively through video link.