PESHAWAR/SWAT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced Rs10 billion grant for the flood-hit people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a gathering of flood victims during a visit to the province, the prime minister said the funding would be spent for the rescue and rehabilitation of the victims across the province.
The federal government, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), through close coordination, would ensure transparency and immediate disbursement in the affected areas.
The prime minister observed his government has already announced Rs15 billion for Sindh and Rs10 billion for Balochistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to German tourists during his trip to Swat. Prime Minister has assured stranded individuals will be provided all amenities on priority basis. #HelpThemRise pic.twitter.com/XajPKbTGGq
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 31, 2022
Sharif opined that it was a collective responsibility of all the governments to work for the provision of relief to the flood-hit public and ensure that the allocated grants should be spent in a transparent manner and upon the deserving people.
“I will continue visiting the affected areas till the last affected person is rehabilitated,” he added.
LIVE #APPNews : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits the flood-hit aeras of #Kanju, District Swat to review the ongoing rescue and relief activities #FloodsInPakistan #FloodReliefOperations https://t.co/7SshPpDKy3
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He said the government had allocated an amount of Rs28 billion which was being disbursed among the affectees through NDMA and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
He said every affected family was given a cash amount of Rs25,000 whereas per family was entitled to Rs1 million that had lost a member.
The prime minister while expressing his grief and pain over the large-scale tragedy said that more than1,000 lives had been lost, including 300 children.
LIVE #APPNews : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif talks to media after visiting flood-hit aeras of Pattan, Lower Kohistan #FloodsInPakistan #FloodReliefOperations https://t.co/aOWv4Llnde
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He said the cash support extended by the federal government was no substitute for the loss of lives as the bereaved families would continue to mourn the death of their relatives for a long, but it was the responsibility of the government to provide maximum comfort in this hour of grief.
The prime minister said the latest reports were showing further damages caused by widespread flash floods across the country, adding about 5,000 kilometers of roads were damaged.
He also appreciated the relevant authorities, provincial governments, NDMA, PDMA and armed forces for their rescue and relief activities.
All authorities concerned had been doing whatever was possible, in a coordinated manner, to alleviate the sufferings of the flood-affected people, he added.
The prime minister thanked the army and the air chiefs for the provision of air helicopters and assistance in the ongoing operations.
He assured them that by Thursday, all the trapped tourists would be evacuated from these areas.
In Sindh, KP, Balochistan and Punjab provinces, colossal damages were reported, he said, adding that over a thousand lives were lost, and standing crops were completely destroyed. About 700,000 animals have been swept away while millions had been living under the open skies.
Large-scale damage was caused to the houses and other connectivity infrastructure.
The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to friendly countries like Turkiye, UAE, and others for providing relief goods. The UAE was continuously sending relief goods worth $50 million through different flight operations.
A train had left from Istanbul whereas the United States had pledged humanitarian assistance for the flood affectees. The UN had issued a $160 million flash appeal, he added.
The prime minister referring to the International Monetary Fund load facility said that it ensured that Pakistan was out of the woods, and expressed optimism that it should be the last IMF programme.
He stressed they would have to work hard and tap the natural resources and the immense talent possessed by the people, besides boosting the industrial and agriculture sectors.
“With collective efforts, we will stand on our feet and realize the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Together, we will have to face all the challenges with full preparedness and restore the bygone glory of Pakistan among the comity of nations,” he said, adding the people tasked with serving of masses should strive to discharge their responsibilities with devotion and sincerity.
About his visit to the areas, the prime minister said that today, he met with different people and tourists and witnessed the damages caused to hotels and other infrastructure.
Different hotels and buildings were constructed along the river course which caused the disaster, he said, adding that he would also undertake visits to other flood-affected areas of KP.
Earlier, the relevant authorities, apprised the prime minister of the losses and rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.
