AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, September 19, 2012 (PPI-OT): President Asif Ali Zardari has directed all the federal and provincial government departments to undertake every possible effort in a concerted manner for providing relief to the flood hit people and to ensure that the outbreak of various water-borne diseases is also kept in check. He said that along with the relief activities, comprehensive plans should be chalked out immediately to provide necessary assistance in rehabilitation of the affected people and the farmers.
This he said while chairing a meeting to review Emergency Relief Readiness in Sindh here at Bilawal House today. The meeting chaired by the President was attended among others by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, MR. Sharjeel Inam Memon, Mr. Muhammed Adil Siddiqui, Mr. Haji Muzaffar H. Shujrah, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi, Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo, Chief Secretary Sindh, Provincial Secretaries of Education, Health Agriculture and Rehabilitation Departments.
Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, Minister for Climatic Change, Chairman NDMA Mr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, MD Utility Stores Corporation Maj Gen. ® Muhammad Farooq, Commissioner Sukkue Mr. Inam-ullah Dharejo and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah briefed the President about the latest floods situation and the devastation caused by the floods in various districts of Sindh including Sukkur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Shikarpur. He also informed that President about relief efforts being undertaken so far for the affectees by the provincial government and concerned district authorities.
Chairman NDMA Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir briefed the meeting about the preparations that were made by PDMA to meet any emergency situation and also about the efforts undertaken in providing basic necessities to the affected people including transporting them to safer places and providing them with tents and ration.
MD Utility Stores Corporation Maj Gen. ® Muhammad Farooq briefed the meeting about the situation vis-à-vis availability of ration and other food items.
The President while expressing grave concerns over the devastation caused by the floods directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the affected persons are provided with tents, ration and safe drinking water on priority basis in view of fast approaching winter season.
He directed that medical camps should be set up for the affected people to provide medical assistance in case of any water-borne disease. The President said that all efforts should be made to cater to the needs of women, children and the aged persons.
He said that the federal government would be providing all possible assistance to the provincial government in the relief and rehabilitation activities.
The President also directed the Chief Minister and members of Sindh Cabinet to personally monitor the relief activities and maintain close coordination with the concerned district officials. He directed that the Presidency be kept informed about the latest situation. The President further said that he would also be monitoring the situation and would be interacting with the district officials and representatives through video-conferencing.
Spokesperson said that briefing on flood situation was followed by another meeting on law and order situation in the province, especially in Karachi, and was attended by Chief Minister, provincial ministers including Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani and Mr. Sharjeel Inam Memon, Chief Secretary Sindh, Senior officials of Police department and others.
During the meeting, the President was briefed about law and order situation and various measures that have been taken for keeping the law and order situation under control.
Spokesperson said that the President reiterated that maintaining law and order in the province especially in the metropolis was top priority of the Government and no effort should be spared in this regard.
The President was also briefed about video surveillance system that has been operationalized in Karachi to monitor law and order situation. It was informed that 960 cameras at 164 locations have been installed besides 100 mobile vehicle mounted cameras and 300 data supported handheld PDAs for the surveillance purposes.
The President expressed his deep concern over the recent incidents of killings of the innocent civilians and the terrorist activities in the metropolis. He said that the terrorists and miscreants will never be able to shaken the resolve of the Government and all efforts would be undertaken to bring the culprits to justice.
The President also inquired from the Chief Minister about the well being of the people who sustained injuries as a result of yesterday’s explosions in the Haideri Market. He directed the Chief Minister to ensure that best medical assistance was being provided to the injured.
The Chief Minister also briefed the President about the details of the factory fire incident. The President while expressing sympathies with the bereaved families inquired about the well-being of the affected people.
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