Flood relief: Shahbaz directs institutions to work round-the-clock

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed that concerned provincial and federal institutions should work round the clock for the relief of flood victims. He said that cabinet committee on flood should remain in flood affected areas and all members should form groups and monitor the situation and relief activities in flood affected areas.
He said that it is not time to sit in offices but to serve the flood affected people. He said that except Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police, no member of cabinet committee will stay in Lahore. He said that the breach in Jhakar Imam Shah Area in DG Khan should be filled by working round the clock.
He issued these instructions while addressing a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Flood through video link in Civil Secretariat, here Friday. The meeting reviewed flood situation, protective arrangements and relief activities. Shahbaz Sharif directed that food items, mineral water and other necessary items should be available in relief camps in abundance.
He said that in view of the weather situation in the coming days all arrangements should be completed in advance. He said that cabinet committee on flood should remain in contact with WAPDA and other concerned federal institutions moment to moment. He said that additional boats should be sent to the areas where there is flood water. He said that proper arrangements should be made for vaccination of cattle of flood affectees. The Chief Minister directed Commissioner DG Khan to go to Layyah for reviewing the situation. The Chief Minister asked why the work of identifying weak bunds and spurs of rivers was not completed before monsoon. He said that stern action will be taken against those showing negligence in this regard and they will be held accountable for not strengthening bunds and spurs timely. He said that no negligence will be tolerated in the work of construction and repair of bunds and spurs and administration and concerned departments will have to perform their duties efficiently. He said that he will not tolerate shortage of medicines in the medical camps set up in flood affected areas and necessary items should immediately be sent to flood affected areas.
The Chief Minister directed Secretary Communication & Works that in those areas where flood water has receded construction and rehabilitation work of roads should be started. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over camps in affected areas by police and provision of boats and appreciated the performance of Inspector General Police. He also appreciated rescue and relief operation by Pak-Army.
Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Colonel Shuja Khanzada (Retd), Dr Farrukh Javed, Bilal Yasin, Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Inspector General Police, concerned secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting through video link from Civil Secretariat. Provincial Minister for Irrigation Yawar Zaman, Secretary Irrigation and Commissioner DG Khan attended the meeting from the office of Commissioner DG Khan Division through video link while commissioners and concerned authorities attended the meeting from the office of Commissioner Office Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Rawalpindi through video link. DCO Rahim Yar Khan attended the meeting from Rahim Yar Khan through video link.