President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the NWFP government to make necessary arrangements for proper drainage in the camps for the internally displaced persons before the onset of monsoon rains.
The directive was issued Sunday after apprehensions were expressed by some elected representatives that rainfall would seriously disrupt life in the camps if proper drainage arrangements were not made well in time. Nearly 200,000 displaced persons are living in the camps set up in Mardan, Swabi and other places.
The Presidential directive said that monsoon rains were expected in August, and it was important that proper drainage arrangements were put in place well in time.
Presently the tents set up in the camps are not protected by tent platforms, which could expose the inmates to rain water and other hazards. Through another directive, the President asked the provincial government to also make proper arrangements for the disposal of garbage in the camps to prevent the outbreak of malaria in monsoon.
Presidency's focal person Additional Secretary Arbab Shehzad has been asked to ensure implementation of the directives by respective government departments and report compliance to the President.