Flood losses may exceed two trillion rupees: Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt

ISLAMABAD, August 27 (SABAH): Former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt on Saturday said the flood losses are increasing continuously, which may exceed two trillion rupees.

There is a fear of a food crisis in the country because of the disruption of the transport network and the destruction of crops on tens of millions of acres, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that most of the attention of the concerned authorities is focused on saving people, while the survivors need shelter, food, clean drinking water and medicines, which need attention.

In a statement issued here, the business leader said that apart from the destruction of crops, millions of livestock have been carried away by water, roads and bridges have been washed away and deaths are increasing continuously.

This means that the areas that delivery of food in areas spared by floods will be a formidable challenge, he said, adding that many people in the affected areas are facing severe food shortages and if clean drinking water is not provided to them, they will be forced to drink contaminated water which will cause them diseases, he observed.

He feared that the powerful profiteering mafia will take full advantage of the food shortage situation across the country and if they are not controlled, they will make Pakistan the most expensive country in the world for their gains.

Shahid Rashid Butt said that central and provincial governments should put aside political tricks and take joint measures to ensure food security in the country because the state of the country’s treasury is not such that large quantities of grains and other food items can be imported.

He said that government can consider banning export of food items to improve situation at home. At this critical juncture, helping flood victims is equivalent to saving humanity and the country.