Govt will never let alone the flood affectees: PM Shehbaz
SWAT, August 31 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his commitment to utilize all available resources for rehabilitation of flood victims across the country.
He was talking to media in Kanju area of Swat on Wednesday during his visit to flood-hit area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to review relief activities in the province. He said the government will never let alone the flood affectees and will provide all possible assistance to them.
The Prime Minister announced ten billion rupees relief package for the flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Shehbaz Sharif thanked the friendly countries for providing their donations and relief goods to the people of Pakistan in this critical hour.
He regretted the wrong planning which greatly caused the destruction of hotels, highways, houses and other infrastructure in scenic areas of Swat.
He said a survey will be launched to ascertain the damages of the standing crops of cotton, rice and other agricultural products caused by the floods across the country.
The Prime Minister said the government will announce a package for the farmers whose crops and cattle are affected by the floods.
The Prime Minister thanked the Chief of Army Staff and Air Chief for assisting civil administration and NDMA in relief and rescue activities.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the relief activities in the area.
He directed Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to take immediate steps for re-opening of closed roads and its rehabilitation on urgent basis.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to immediately evacuate tourists from the area who were trapped there after the link roads were damaged by recent flash floods.
Upon the direction of the prime minister, a helicopter arrived there to airlift the tourists on emergency basis. The prime minister directed for expediting the operation of shifting of the people to the safe areas.
Shehbaz Sharif also interacted with flood victims in Kanju and Kalam area and inquired about the difficulties of affectees.
He was briefed that forty-six bridges have been destroyed in Swat district by devastating flood besides greatly affecting infrastructure in Bahrain and Matta areas.
He was also informed that twenty-two people have lost their lives in recent floods and rains related incidents in Swat.
Later addressing the flood affectees in Pattan area of Lower Kohistan, the Prime Minister said the government will compensate all those whose houses and crops have been damaged by the destructive floods.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pak-Army, Rescue 1122, NDMA and PDMAs are actively participating in rescue and relief operations.