Rain, snowfall catastrophe: government to take immediate relief measures, says Shujaat

PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Friday, the government will take immediate relief measures for the rehabilitation of the affected people, by recent heavy rains and snowfall across the country including Balochistan and NWFP. "PML was starting a special "country-wide relief campaign for the rehabilitation of the affected people," he said addressing a press conference here at his residence.
The PML President also announced the constitution of three special teams who will visit the affected areas by a helicopter on Saturday and assess the damages caused by rains in Makran, Khichi, Zob and Awaran areas of Balochistan.
Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Mohammad Yousaf, PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed, Federal Ministers Zobaida Jalal and Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Deputy Chairman Senate Khalil-ur-Rehman and a number of parliament members were also present on the occasion.
Shujaat said there was an urgent need of immediate relief measures in some of the rain affected areas in Balochistan and NWFP provinces, particularly the Pasni area of Balochistan, which has been severely hit by breach of Shadi Kor Dam, causing a great deal of difficulties for local residents.
The PML President said, he along with the Balochistan CM have talked to the Prime Minister on this issue in detail and he (PM) has assured of taking all out measures in this respect.
He said all arrangements have been made to provide immediate relief to the affected areas, adding, the teams constituted to visit the affected areas will also submit a detailed report after assessment of the damages caused by the heavy rains.
Chaudhry Shujaat while referring to his meeting with the Prime Minister said, he has been told that the federal government has dispatched relief goods including tents, blankets, medicines and food items to the affected areas.
He said, the federal government will carry out a large scale relief operation in the affected areas and will construct 5000 houses for the affected people.
Similarly, he said," we will also raise funds and donations for the rehabilitation of affected people through other aid agencies "
The PML President said, two task forces have also been constituted for the rehabilitation of affected people in Balochistan and NWFP through short and long-term projects.
The Task force on NWFP was being headed by Deputy Chairman Senate Khalil-ur-Rehman while the task force on Balochistan is being headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, he added.