Prime Minister visits flood-hit areas, seeks to foment disaffection against sit-ins

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday asked the nation to take notice of those elements who are staging sit-ins and creating hurdles in the path of national progress and prosperity.
Talking to people gathered during his visit to flood-affected areas of Sialkot, the Prime Minister said that the Chinese President's visit was significant one for the progress of the country. The Chinese President was bringing with him a mega project of prosperity for the people of Pakistan, including programmes to end power loadshedding within next three to four years and construction of roads, he said and regretted that unfortunately, the visit was postponed which also affected such project.
However, he resolved that they would do whatever they could for the nation's progress and prosperity. "It is your duty and the duty of nation to take notice of such elements who cannot tolerate their progress and they should not allow anyone to stage sit-ins," he added.
About the flood situation, the Prime Minister noted that River Chenab was at its peak flood level while there was similar situation in other rivers which caused enormous loss to crops and areas.
He said the government was making all out efforts in the relief activities and termed the situation 'unexpected' as the recent rainfall spell had broken the past 20-30 years record.
He said that at various flood-hit areas, the populace was successfully relocated as the government and armed forces were carrying out relief and rescue operations. He said the government should be assisted in such efforts which were most important one than staging sit-ins.
Earlier, the Prime Minister accompanied by Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif took an aerial view of the damages triggered by heavy rains and flood in the district.
The Prime Minister along with elected representatives and officials of the district administration visited the most affected areas of the city including Khawaja Safdar Road, Shahabpura Sublime Chowk, Pasrur Road and Commissioner Road etc. During his visit to Shahabpura area, he inquired the dwellers of the area about relief work. On the occasion, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif apprised the Prime Minister about the damages caused by the seasonal nullahs passing through Sialkot and its adjoining areas. He told that a vast area of agriculture land was submerged by floodwater in the district.