ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) governments to rise above politics and join the Centre’s scheme of providing wheat seeds to flood-hit farmers.
Chairing a review meeting of National Flood Response and Coordination Centre, the prime minister offered the two provinces to collaborate with the federal government under the scheme which will ensure funding for wheat seeds with 50 percent contribution from both sides.
The prime minister mentioned that Sindh and Balochistan had already agreed with the wheat scheme. However, despite the offer by the Centre, Punjab and KP refused to cooperate and instead indulged in playing politics, he regretted.
“I request you to accept the offer in view of the plight of the flood-hit farmers. And if you still reject it, then don’t twist the facts that Centre is not extending you assistance,” he said in a meeting also joined by chief secretaries of Punjab and KP through video-link.
PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that Pakistan as a federation comprised its provincial units, saying the situation demanded unity at national level.
He feared reduced produce of wheat in the coming season owing to post-flood
situation and rejected to allow any import of the commodity by the private
sector.
“In view of emergency situation, I will not allow the private sector to
import wheat,” he said, adding that the government was aiming to get better
bidding of the wheat.
PM Shehbaz Sharif further said the government was effectively carrying out
relief and rehabilitation work in post-flood scenario as the death toll
crossed 1,700 including children.
He said the federal government through National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) was ensuring disbursement of Rs 880 million compensation
money and relief goods including food, water, medicines and mosquito nets
among the flood-affected families across the country.
Also, the relief supplies received from the friendly countries is being
distributed through a very transparent channel of NDMA, the premier said.
The prime minister also said that China was sending ‘winter tents’ of good
quality in view for the flood-struck people to help them cope with the
upcoming harsh season.
The premier, who recently undertook a visit to Sohbatpur area of
Balochistan, said the land was still inundated and posed threat of breakout
of water-borne diseases.
The meeting was told that a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of
flood-affected people was in progress and a report on Post-Disaster Need
Assessment compiled in collaboration of the federal and provincial
governments and international organizations would be presented to the prime
minister.
The prime minister directed to finalize the report to be given to the
international donor agencies regarding the estimates of flood losses.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has
written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over shortage of wheat in
the province.
In the letter, CM Punjab has demanded one million tons of wheat from the
Centre including 300,000 tons on immediate basis and asked the premier to
issue relevant directions to Ministry of National Food Security and other
concerned departments.
Meanwhile, Moonis Elahi said that Punjab could face a wheat crisis but
Centre is not allowing the province to import wheat.
On the other hand, PM Shehbaz has said that federal government is not
allowing private sector to import wheat because it wants to save every penny
of the national exchequer.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government was filling the gap between wheat supply
and demand caused during last four years. He made it clear that nobody will
be allowed to misuse this calamitous situation and earn profits or do
hoardings.
