Government to fulfil pledge to flood-hit people through Watan Cards: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that the federal government would fulfil its pledge of extending financial assistance to the flood-hit communities through Watan Cards at all costs. Talking to newsmen at the local Circuit House, he said that the flood affected holders of the Watan Card were initially provided Rs 20,000 each, out of the promised amount of Rs 100,000 by the federal and provincial governments.
Gilani said the provinces had now expressed their inability to contribute their share for payment of remaining Rs 80,000 to the flood-hit people. However, he said, "the Federal Government is committed to extending the much wanted support to the affected communities and remaining Rs 80000 amount will be provided to each Watan Card recipient." He said that infrastructure in flood ravaged areas had been rebuilt; reconstruction of damaged schools and hospitals is in progress; and work for strengthening of breached embankments was underway and funds had already been allocated for the purpose.
The PM said that the government was making all-out efforts to rebuild lives of the flood-hit communities and the remaining work would be completed in due course of time. Regarding deployment of Army or convening a roundtable conference to restore peace in Karachi, the Prime Minister said that Federal Government respected the mandate of the provincial government and would support if they took any decision to achieve the objective.
He said, "Karachi is our own city, and the PPP is in contact with all parties including the MQM and we all are making joint efforts to restore peace in biggest city of the country." About the situation in Balochistan and Karachi, the PM said that it was linked to on-going fight against militancy and the situation in the neighbouring country Afghanistan.
He said the situation aross the western border had worsened the law and order in the country and all the law enforcement agencies had been instructed to exchange information with one another and convey to the provincial governments concerned so that they could take pre-emptive steps. About local bodies elections, Gilani said that holding these elections was the responsibility of provincial governments and Federal Government could not dictate them in this regard. He, however, added that he believed that local bodies could better serve people at grassroots level and future leadership emerge from this system.
Gilani said that Pakistan would never compromise on its strategic national interests. On a question about nuclear assets, he said, "We have our own national interests and Pakistan will continue to work to protect them". He assured people that no step would be taken against the national interests. About Saraiki province, he recalled that he had announced it making a part of the PPP manifesto for the next general election at a public meeting in Jalalpur Pirwala.
He said that a manifesto committee had already been formed besides preparing a roadmap. About legislation in this connection, he said it was mere speculation, and added that the process of consultation with all stakeholders was in progress and a decision would be taken after completion of the process.
About Kala Bagh dam, he said that he had been listening about it since his childhood and added that even dictators who did not need public support were unable to build it. Mega projects need consensus among all stakeholders , he added. He said the PPP-led government, after evolving consensus on the Diamer Bhasha dam at the forum of Council of Common Interests (CCI) in accordance with the 18th Constitutional Amendment, decided to lay the foundation stone of the Bhasha Dam.
He said that former President Pervez Musharraf had laid the foundation of the project even before start of the land acquisition process. The PPP-led government took the decision after completion of the land acquisition process worth billions of rupees besides concluding talks with the World Bank and other institutions and building national consensus.
About the worsening situation of Railways, he said that it did not happen overnight and added that the federal government had decided to restructure eight organisations which were eating up resources. He said board of governor had been formed to recommend how to move ahead with restructuring of Railways. Gilani said that despite opposition's propaganda, people generously donated to the PM's relief fund and Rs 7.5 billion were raised.
He thanked the people and countries which extended support including China, USA, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, besides the Friends of Democratic Pakistan for extending support to the government to provide relief to flood-hit people and rebuild infrastructure. He said that according to the need assessment survey, conducted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, last year's floods caused damage worth $10 billion to agriculture, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, electricity network, roads and bridges in the country.
He said that country's economic indicators were at an all-time high level and added that according to the SBP, record foreign exchange reserves were of over $18 billion, exports were recorded at $26 billion, remittances $12 billion while the stock market surged to 12500 points.
He said the Benazir Income Support Programme was a revolutionary step to provide assistance to poor segments of society and added that it would continue to benefit the poor. Gilani inaugurated a modern labour ward, consisting of four labour rooms and two operation theatres at Nishtar hospital on Friday. The newly-constructed state-of-the-art ward was initiated by MNA Dr Qudsia Chaudhary, which also got funds from USAID and the Federal Government. With the completion of the project at a cost of Rs 17.5 million, the overall strength of the ward has now increased to 60 beds from previous 20 beds.
Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, MPA Amir Dogar, brother of PM Gilani MPA Mujtaba Gilani, PM'son MPA Abdul Qadir Gilani,Chairman Nishtar hospital board of management, Jilal-ud-din Roomi, Principal Liaq Hussain Sadiqqui, President PMA Shahid Rao and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, head of department of gynae ward, Professor Dr Sameeh Ahktar, talking to APP, expressed satisfaction on provision of modern facilities in the ward. He said, no other labour ward in the region could provide such extensive facilities. He said some of development projects like centralised air condition were still underway and added the Prime Minister had also instructed for its earliest completion. On request by nursing staff regarding their service structure, the Prime Minister ordered Chairman of the Board of Management of Nishtar Hospital to resolve the issues and prepare report in this regard.