WAZIRABAD- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that a National Committee on Prevention of Floods is need of the time to propose measures to prevent floods and mitigate losses in future.
He was speaking at a ceremony held in Wazirabad today afternoon to distribute first installment of Rs 25000 cash assistance among flood affected people.
The Prime Minister said the Government is paying utmost attention towards rescue and relief operations and rehabilitation of the affected people would also be the priority. However, there is also need to plan for the future to prevent damages caused by recurring floods.
Mian Nawaz Sharif pointed out that resources were meager and challenges were daunting including IDPs, electricity shortages, provision of electricity on cheaper rates and hospitals and educational institutions. He said despite this the Government is allocating necessary resources to mitigate sufferings of the people.
The Prime Minister said the speed with which the Government moved to ensure rescue and relief activities was unprecedented. Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif personally supervised the entire operation and his team and Armed Forces, Police, Rescue 1122 and youth wing of PML(N) rendered great services during rescue and relied phase.
He said the rehabilitation being a bigger challenge; philanthropists should also come forward to complement efforts of the Government in this regard.
He praised Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz for his performance and alertness in taking measures to contain floods devastation. “Government appreciates the army’s soldier’s struggle that helped the flood affectees in Punjab,” the Prime Minister said. “We are giving some donation before Eid-ul-Adha and some will give after the Eid,” the PM added.
Amid the speech of the prime minister, considerable number of flood victims chanted slogans ‘Go Nawaz Go’ outside the hall for not being given financial and other assistance despite promises by the government.