AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari today reiterated his call for chalking out a workable comprehensive Master Plan for dealing with the issue of drainage of stagnated water with a view of restoring, remodelling and enhancing the discharge capacity of the existing drainage system for 20 years frequency flood on one hand and to identify, activate and utilize old abandoned natural Dhoras like Naro Dhoro, Hakro Dhoro and others, on the other.
He also advised the district and PDMA officials to remove all bottlenecks and facilitate various banks to initiate their operations of distribution of Pakistan Cards even in those areas which have, so far, remained unattended due to various constraints.
During two separate briefings held at Bilawal House Karachi today, the President reviewed situation vis-à-vis drainage of stagnated water in various parts of flood affected areas of Sindh and the progress made in distribution of Pakistan Cards among the flood affectees.
Briefing the media Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar said that during briefing on drainage of stagnated water it was informed that the rain water for about 97% area has been drained out whereas in some areas of Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Badin and Umer Kot there were still some pockets with stagnated water.
The President was informed that in compliance with his earlier directives, the irrigation department has prepared a conceptual Master Plan in two months and a foreign consultant M/s Louis Berger would submit a detailed Master Planning report by February 2012.
The President, after being briefed about the salient features of 20 years irrigation revamping plan, directed to rationalize the plan, on one hand, and to generate the revenue for this plan by strengthening tax collection system.
He said that he would himself visit the rain affected areas to see progress on dewatering and also deputed Mr. Nadir Magsi to visit the areas and report to him about the prevailing situation within 48 hours.
The President expressed satisfaction that despite heavy downpour, the country had sufficient wheat stock available. He also asked for exploring market in the neighbourhood for wheat export.
Spokesperson said that Chairman NADRA while briefing the President about progress in the distribution of Pakistan Cards informed that out of approximately 13 lacs eligible beneficiaries identified by district administrations and PDMA, around 11 lacs have so far been provided with Pakistan Cards.
He informed that NADRA deployed 91 Pakistan card sites out of planned 96 outlets in various flood affected districts of Sindh out of which 53 sites have been successfully closed while 38 were still operational. He also informed that so far an amount of Rs. 9 billion has been distributed among the eligible beneficiaries of Pakistan Cards.
It may be recalled that on the directives of the President NADRA issued special ‘Pakistan Cards’ on the pattern of ‘Watan Cards’ for registering the flood victims of 2011 to receive assistance in cash, food and kind.
Chairman NADRA said that Second phase of house construction under Watan Cards that pertains to 2009 flood victims would begin in April this year with the donors’ assistance to the tune of Rs 14 billion adding that agreement with World Bank in this regard was already reached. About 350,000 houses will be rebuilt in Sindh, he informed.
The President advised NADRA and other concerned authorities for early completion of distribution process of Pakistan Cards in all the 16 affected districts of Sindh and also to facilitate various banks start their operations even in those areas which have so far remained unattended.
He also advised the Government to ensure release of necessary funding so that the process of providing direct relief to the beneficiaries remains unhindered.
He also advised the concerned district administration and PDMA officials to mobilize and facilitate the remaining beneficiaries at Pakistan card sites.
Those who were present during the briefings included among others Ms Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Provincial ministers Mr. Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Mr. Nadir Magsi, Ms. Shazia Marri, Mr. Muzaffar Ali ShujraJam, Mr. Saifullah Dharejo, Ms. Sharmila Farooqui, Mr. Kamal Majidullah, SAPM, Chairman NADRA Ali Arshad Hakeem ,Chief Secretary Sindh and other senior officials.
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