Minister for water and power calls for ensuring monthly cleaning of nullahs to prevent future floods in Sialkot
Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif during a visit to his hometown, Sialkot, on Sunday said the government was standing with the flood affected people in this hour of need and would make every effort for their rehabilitation.
Asif heard the problems of the people and told them that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had evolved a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation programme for the flood-displaced people.
He said the government planned to implement an effective strategy to combat the recurring flood threats in the country.
Asif ordered immediate drainage of the flood water and relief activities through boats for the stranded people, including the provision of rations, medicines and other essential items besides the restoration of land routes to the areas.
He said financial assistance would be given to the families of those who died in the floods.
The minister said no negligence would be tolerated and stressed upon the local members of the parliament to play their due role.
Asif said special measures for the protection of livestock and crops in the flood-affected areas would also be taken.
He directed the district administration of Sialkot to speed up the relief activities to conduct a survey of losses due to rains and floods for providing compensation to the affected.
Sialkot District Coordination Officer (DCO) sIftikhar Ali Sahu briefed the minister on the flood situation and relief activities and informed him about the problems of the flood affected people.
Later, talking to reporters, Asif pledged the early removal of all encroachments along nullahs Aik, Bhed and Palkhu and ensured monthly cleaning of the nullahs to prevent future floods in Sialkot.
The minister visited the city’s Pulli Topkhana, Sialkot Cantt, ModelTown, Pakka Garha, MagTown, IqbalTown, TouheedTown, Lorry Adda, Brigadier Colony, Shahabpura, Small Industrial Estate, Rangpura, Naikapura, Imam Sahib, Hajipura, Hajipura-Ban, Kotli Behram, Shatabgarha, Uggoki, Pak Pura, MuslimTown, Muzaffarpur, Dara Arayiaan and Mubarakpura areas.
Sialkot DCO Iftikhar Ali Sahu, District Officer (Coordination) Sialkot Malik Abid Hussain Awan, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Sialkot Administrator Tajjamal Abbas Rana, all local members of the Punjab Assembly, senior officials of the Sialkot Irrigation Department and office bearers of PML-N Sialkot were also present on the occasion.
Four days ago, the nullahs Aik, Bhed and Palkhu overflowed due to the torrential rains, flooding almost all areas of the city. The areas along the banks of the nullahs still remain inundated with the flood water.
Government can certainly help the flood victims In the past PML N did manage to provide food and shelter to flood stricken people and hope they will do better job this time. Its a collective effort to help all needy people. Food and clothing is first priority not to forget medicines and health workers should be there to provide medical aid. This is a state of emergency and Ministers got to be on their toes
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