Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has proposed for a separate committee for the assessment of the damages in the villages caused by River Chanab. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of Provincial Disaster Management Authority here on Monday, disclosed an official. Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.
Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Members National Assembly Anousha Rehman, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Kh Saad Rafiq, Mian Marghoob Ahmad, PML-N leader Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, Kh Ahmad Hasaan, Chief Secretary Punjab, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning and Development and secretaries of various provincial departments were present. The meeting reviewed in detail various proposals for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected people.
The Chief Minister said a transparent system should be evolved for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims and safeguarding the interests of every deserving person. He also said Nadra should immediately be provided data regarding the villages devastated by the River Indus while the data regarding villages affected by River Chanab should also be acquired as soon as possible and provided to Nadra. "Due attention should be given to the provision of health facilities in the areas where water is subsiding and a comprehensive plan should be evolved for this purpose. Secretaries of different departments should assist Secretary Health in this regard," he added.
Earlier, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khalid Sherdil gave a detailed briefing regarding the system evolved with the co-operation of Nadra for the distribution of financial assistance among the flood affected victims. He said 1585 villages in seven districts of Punjab have been affected by flood in the River Indus.
The participants of the meeting gave their proposals for maintaining transparency in the distribution of relief assistance among the calamity-stricken people. Meanwhile, Member Provincial Assembly Sheikh Mumtaz Ahmed called on the Chief Minister and presented a cheque for Rs 500,000 for the assistance of flood affectees. The Chief Minister lauded the humanitarian spirit of the persons helping the flood victims. He said relief and rehabilitation of the calamity-stricken people is a national responsibility and the philanthropists should donate generously for this purpose.