AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package worth ten billion rupees for flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a gathering of flood-affected people at Kanju during his visit to flood-hit areas of Swat on Wednesday, he said the amount would be spent for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people of the province.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to utilize all available resources for rehabilitation of flood victims across the country.
He said the Federal Government, National Disaster Management Authority and the provincial administration, through close coordination, would ensure transparency and immediate disbursement of the amount in the affected areas.
Shehbaz Sharif said a survey will be launched to ascertain the damages of standing crops of cotton, rice and other agricultural products caused by the floods across the country.
The Prime Minister said the government will announce a package for the farmers whose crops and cattle are affected by the floods.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff and Air Chief for assisting civil administration and NDMA in relief and rescue activities.
The Prime Minister directed Frontier Works Organization to take immediate steps for re-opening of closed roads and its rehabilitation on urgent basis.
Shehbaz Sharif also interacted with flood victims in Kalam area and inquired about the difficulties of affectees.
He was briefed that forty-six bridges have been destroyed in Swat district by devastating flood besides greatly affecting infrastructure in Bahrain and Matta areas.
The Prime Minister was also informed that twenty-two people have lost their lives in recent floods and rains related incidents in Swat.
Meanwhile, addressing the flood affectees in Pattan area of Lower Kohistan, the Prime Minister assured the flood victims that federal coalition government would not rest till the rehabilitation of the last affected person.
He said federal government, National Disaster Management Authority, Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other relevant departments are there to serve the affectees and alleviate their sufferings.
The Prime Minister said government is providing twenty-five thousand rupees to each affected family, besides a compensation one million rupees for the deceased.
Expressing gratitude to the brotherly countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Iran and friendly countries like China, UK, and the US and others including the UN, Shehbaz Sharif said UAE is providing relief goods worth fifty million dollars whereas US had announced thirty million dollars in relief assistance.
He said the United Nations has launched one hundred and sixty million dollars flash appeal for the flood affectees.
Source: Radio Pakistan