Flood-hit areas of Chitral: Siraj seeks comprehensive policy on rehabilitation

Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, Siraj-ul-Haq on Friday called upon the federal and provincial governments to outline a comprehensive policy for rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged areas during recent flash flood and rains in district Chitral. For this purpose, he said that a hefty amount needed to be allocated to mitigate sufferings of flood affectees of the district.
Speaking at a news conference at Al-markaz-e-Islami here, JI chief said the performance of federal and provincial disaster management authorities should be evaluated, as their response was remained sluggish during flash floods and rains in Chitral. He stressed a solid structure of disaster management should be established at district level, and all required resources and enhancement of capacity needed to be taken. Haq said the feasibility of nearly 75 small dams has been completed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed the federal and provincial governments should jointly initiate work on the proposed dams in the province, so the flood water would be stored to utilize for power generation and other purposes. He said the construction of Kalabagh dam (KBD) is controversial, as legislative assemblies of three federating units had unanimously passed resolution against it. He said there was no objection over construction of Diamer-e-Bhasha dam, despite that the work is being carrying in snail space on the project, he observed.
JI chief said his party led welfare organization Al-Khidmat Foundation had played pivotal role in relief and rescue activities in flood-hit areas of Chitral. He also lauded the role of Pak-Army for prompt response and extending support to flood affectees of the district. He expressed voice concern over deforestation, and stressed the need of work on emergency basis for protection and promotion of forests in the country. He said plantation should be made part of the curriculum.
Haq said the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had visited only one time, which is not better sign. He said they were hoped that PM will visit again to flood affected areas of Chitral. He opined the social, health, education infrastructure, bridges, and roads had badly damaged due to rains and flash floods in the district. He urged the government to make special arrangements for conduct of examination for students of Chitral, to safe their precious time.