President General Pervez Musharraf reiterated Saturday that the government would start rehabilitation work in all flood-hit areas of Balochistan without delay and assured that the affected villages would be reconstructed with better planning.
The President was addressing the flood affected people in Usta Muhammed and Gandawa during his tour of the flood-battered areas of Jaferabad and Jhal Magsi districts. He lauded the services of the army in relief operations in the province and assured the people that it would work together with the local administration in the rehabilitation process and would not rest till the process was completed.
The President further assured that the federal government would generously provide necessary funds for the rehabilitation of flood victims. He said flood devastation was a natural catastrophe but the government would turn it into a success by giving the affected areas a new look through reconstruction.
The President said the Pakistan Army does not belong to just one province and it has representation from all over the country. "It hurts my feelings if someone talks against it or carries out terrorism against it. It is your army and it will continue its services till the target of complete rehabilitation is achieved," he told the people.
President Musharraf said that the floods have damaged all roads and canal system and the government would start their rehabilitation at a quicker pace so that the marooned people could be provided relief.
He announced Rs 15,000 for each flood affected family as immediate relief. In addition he announced Rs 1.2 million for four badly affected villages of Jhal Magsi district, each getting Rs 0.3 million. The President also gave Rs 2,000 from his own pocket to each of the flood victim present there.
He said Pat Feeder canal extension work is in progress in the area at a cost of Rs 4 billion that would bring more land under cultivation and make people prosper when the work is completed. President Musharraf said feasibility study of proposed Mula dam was in progress and the construction work would start soon after the completion of the study.
He also announced to provide electricity in all villages of the area. Governor Balochistan Awais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister Jam Muhammed Yousuf, Federal Minister Sardar Muhammed Rind, former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Jan Muhammed Jamali, senior civil and military officials were present on the occasions. The President visited the residence of Sardar Yar Muhammed Rind in Sunny Shoran in Bolan district and had lunch with him.