Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Friday expressed his resolve not to let the viral ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan get in the way of the government’s efforts to serve the masses, as hundreds of flood-affected villagers in Chiniot’s Bhawana area chanted the slogan during a protest against non-provision of compensation money to them despite the passage of several months of the devastating floods that brought massive destruction to several villages in Punjab.
Flood survivors besieged the chief minister’s vehicle when he finished his speech in order to make him hear their plight but the administration facilitated Sharif’s departure by forcibly clearing the way.
The protesters alleged that cronies of local Patwaris were being doled out compensation money while genuine victims had been kept from entering the premises. They said that the administration had asked them to get registered at the Commissioner’s Office for getting compensation funds but despite registration they were not being given the money.
A senior government official later assured the protesters that the administration had taken notice of the issue and would form a committee to resolve the matter.
Earlier, addressing the flood affectees, Shahbaz said that sit-in leaders were busy with their musical gatherings instead of addressing the plight of flood affectees.
“Sit-ins caused the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan that adversely affected economy of the country,” he said, adding that Imran Khan had afflicted 180 million people and “utters lies the whole day”.
He informed the gathering that the second instalment of aid has begun since November 10 and that flood affectees must not worry; solution to their trouble shall soon be derived.
He announced distribution of Rs 160 million for Chiniot flood victims as Chiniot suffered the worst flood, adding that Rs 16 billion would be distributed across Punjab.
He assured the affectees that he’ll keep visiting the flood-hit areas until all the affected people were rehabilitated.
