A special meeting of provincial cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa at 90-Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam on Friday to review protective arrangements against flood. Addressing the meeting, Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that government would play its fullest role for protecting the life and property of citizens at all cost.
The meeting was told that all government departments are striving hard to protect the irrigation network of the province and an effective strategy is being evolved to minimise damage due to expected flood. He said that last year's flood was unprecedented, which caused large-scale devastations but immediately after flood, government departments started rehabilitation work, which is still going on.
The meeting was told that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif had released funds of two billion rupees to Disaster Management Authority last year whereas funds of Rs 10 billion have been provided this year, which would help complete mega projects of national reconstruction. Moreover, government is also making efforts for providing additional funds.
Secretary Irrigation informed the meeting that huge funds are being spent for protecting agricultural land as well as rural and urban population from the flood. He said that completion of new projects and repair of the old projects with the co-operation of public representatives is part of this programme. He said that an SOP has been prepared under which district administration can immediately call the Army for coping with any emergency situation.
He said that 200 modern boats and latest wireless system is also being provided to the concerned departments under a phased programme. He said that a control cell has been set up under UNDP, which will provide latest information regarding flood. In addition, rice worth Rs 40 crore has been preserved as food security, which has been provided by business organisations and traders community free of cost.
Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that arrangements are being monitored at divisional and district level. He expressed the hope that due to best strategy, we would be able to protect the citizens from the possible flood. Chief Secretary and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.