Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirms commitment for rehabilitation, uplift of flood-hit areas


DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Dec 26 (SABAH): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his government’s commitment for rehabilitation and reconstruction in flood-affected areas of the country, including Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.

Addressing a ceremony in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that the government has distributed ninety billion rupees among the flood-hit people and provided them relief items.

He said Pakistan has been badly affected by the climate change despite its negligible contribution in the global emissions of carbon. He said this issue will be raised effectively at donors’ conference to be held in Geneva.

The Prime Minister said that due to bad governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, recent rains and flood damaged the area on large scale which could have been controlled through proper planning.

The Prime Minister said the PTI-led previous government not only damaged country’s economy due to its wrong policies but also halted work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the reputation of the country was badly damaged due to negligence of the previous government.

He said that with the constant hard work and support of the people the present government would succeed in steering the country out of crisis. Terming the construction of Tank Zam, Draban Zam and other dams imperative for food security of the country, he directed the authorities to expedite work on projects.

About the recent terrorist attacks in the country, the Prime Minister hailed the security forces for launching successful operations and paid rich tribute to those who laid their lives in the line of duty. The Prime Minister said a special meeting will be held to formulate a strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism on permanent basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mahmood said the journey of development which was stopped after ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been resumed in the country.

On the occasion, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman said that Dera Ismail Khan has strategic and geographic importance and it is the need of the hour that this region must be given its due importance. He said that this region has become hub of the trade activities.