ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while pledging full support of the federal government for the flood-hit communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has announced to donate one month’s salary of the federal cabinet for the flood affected people of the province. The prime minister also directed all the relevant ministers to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in person and said there is no federal or provincial government in this hour of calamity as we all are united.
The prime minister made the announcement while chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Monday to review the ongoing relief efforts by federal government in flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He said the federal government will also provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and affected individuals under the Prime Minister’s relief package.
The Prime Minister said Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam will oversee relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas.
He said the concerned federal ministers will personally monitor the restoration of electricity, water supply, roads and other facilities in the affected areas. He said we must ensure the assistance and rehabilitation of affected people as helping our distressed Pakistani brothers and sisters is our national responsibility.
The Prime Minister directed the National Highway Authority not to differentiate between provincial or national highways, and opening routes for relief must be the top priority. He also directed Ministry of Communications, National Highway Authority, and Frontier Works Organization to ensure repair and maintenance of highways and bridges in the flood-hit areas.
The Prime Minister instructed the Minister for Communications to personally oversee the rehabilitation operations.
Shehbaz Sharif also directed the Minister for Power to personally visit the affected areas, and inspect, and prioritize the restoration of the electricity system.
He further said that the National Disaster Management Authority should immediately submit a final assessment of damages.
He said the NDMA should present a comprehensive plan for the distribution of relief items to flood victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He stressed that the Ministry of Finance should provide necessary resources to the National Disaster Management Authority.
The Prime Minister further directed all the relevant federal ministers to remain in affected areas until the last person receive assistance while the basic infrastructure is restored.
On the occasion, a detailed briefing was also given to the participants in the meeting.
It was informed that the federal government, provincial governments, Pakistan Army, and other institutions have established 456 relief camps and conducted 400 rescue operations so far.
The meeting was told that relief trucks carrying essential goods are being dispatched.
The Prime Minister directed that trucks carrying relief goods should be prioritized for the hardest-hit areas.
It was informed that according to the preliminary estimates, damages to public and private property have exceeded around 126 million rupees.
The NDMA presented a report on the supply of ration, tents, medicines, medical teams, and other essentials.
The Prime Minister directed to enhance the quantity of relief items.
The meeting was briefed that the monsoon season will continue till the second week of September. It was further informed that six major spells have already passed and two more are expected, with lasting effects until the last week of September.
