Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has categorically rejected allegations of artificial cuts in river embankments and not evacuating the people under threat to safer places, and termed it a propaganda and conspiracy against the elected government being made by opponents of PPP government on political grounds.
This he said while talking to media at Makli Thatta on Thursday where he and Chairman Senate Mr Farooque H.Naik arrived to distribute 200 'Special Watan Cards', prepared through United Bank Limited among the flood-affected people. The Chief Minister said those who have looted the nation under dictatorial rules and not protected democratic institutions, national infrastructure and flood protective bunds are making this propaganda to gain the sympathies of the innocent people who always rejected them.
He said that it was the previous dictatorial rule of 13 years in which no maintenance of River Indus and flood protective bunds was made to enable them to sustain the pressure of super flood. He said that it was the pressure and high magnitude of flood, which caused either over looping or breaches in River Indus and subsequently devastation in the province.
He said that though it was crystal clear that the flash flood water, which passed from Indus River was beyond its capacity and caused breaches but to satisfy 'some elements', his government was ready to have an inquiry into the matter. Qaim said that on the special directives of President Asif Ali Zardari, Watan Card was being provided to the flood-affected people for the distribution of Rs 20,000/- to each family. He said that further financial aid to these families would also be provided under this card.
He said that PPP government was implementing the mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, which according to him was evolved to eradicate the unemployment and poverty from the society. He said that though floods were historical, but PPP government has applied all options available to protect the lives of the people and to provide relief to them without any discrimination.
He said that he personally surprised flood-fighting activities for 40 days and had headquarter situated firstly at Sukkur, secondly at Hyderabad and now in Dadu, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar to ensure that losses of lives and properties in these areas be minimised. He said that in addition to this, Ministerial Committees appointed on July 23, 2010 were also remain on foot at the embankments to undertake flood fighting measures and supervise rescue and relief operations in their areas.
He said the government did its best wherever humanly possible. Besides, international organisation, friend countries and NGOs are also co-operating with the government and hopefully the situation would be normalised within the shortest possible time.
He said that due to timely action, Sindh has sustained minimum losses of lives but witnessed more losses in the infrastructure and economy as compared to other provinces. He further said survey work for rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructure was going-on and after completion, work for permanent rehabilitation of affected people would be started with the support of international organisations and Federal Government.
He said that after such type of devastation, PPP government decided to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with simplicity in between flood affectees in the Relief Camps. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousif Raza Gilani personally visited flood affected areas and met with the people and celebrate Eid with them.
Talking on the occasion, the Chairman Senate Mr Farooque H. Naik said PPP was a party of martyrs and many leaders and workers from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto have sacrificed their lives in the interest of common man and restoration of democracy in the country, as such PPP was the only political party having its roots in the masses and it believes in the prosperity of common man.
He thanked the international institutions and NGOs for extending their valuable help to Pakistan government in flood fighting measures, rescue and relief activities. Later, Chief Minister Sindh and Chairman Senate distributes clothes for Eid and Special Watan Cards among the flood affectees in relief camp Makli Stadium. On this occasion,. Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, Sindh Minister Ms Sassui Palijo, Advisor to CM for Information Jameel Ahmed Soomro, MNA Dr Abdul Wahid Soomor, MPAs Sadiq Ali Memon and Rukhsna Shah were also present.