Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that damage assessments in the flood-affected areas be completed on an emergency basis so that effective planning for relief and rehabilitation should be carried out. PM Shehbaz Sharif was chairing a review meeting via video link from New York on the recent flood situation and ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts immediately after his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that estimates of damage to crops and infrastructure should be completed as soon as possible to enable effective planning for relief and rehabilitation. The Prime Minister directed acceleration of relief and rehabilitation operations for flood-affected people. He said they will not rest until the people in flood-affected areas are fully rehabilitated. He instructed Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to closely monitor relief and rehabilitation operations and to hold regular review meetings.

The Prime Minister directed the Chairman NDMA to provide full cooperation to the provinces and PDMAs, directing the the National Highway Authority to expedite restoration work on the flood-affected portion of M-5 near River Sutlej. The breach on the motorway at Jalalpur Pirwala should be repaired immediately. The Prime Minister instructed to take all necessary steps to prevent waterborne diseases. He said special measures should be taken to cultivate suitable crops in flood-affected areas.

Shehbaz Sharif said that he raised the voice of Pakistanis affected by the adverse impacts of climate change at the UN General Assembly. He said a developing country like Pakistan is continuously affected by natural disasters caused by climate change. The meeting was informed that around 350,000 affected people have returned to their homes from relief camps and tent settlements. People in Sindh are still residing in some camps, but floodwaters are receding rapidly and they are expected to return home soon.

The meeting was further informed that the distribution of food and aid to the affected people is continuing. The meeting was informed that the Punjab government is taking exemplary measures for the rehabilitation of the victims. Suggestions were also presented regarding crop damage and farmer rehabilitation. The Prime Minister directed that a comprehensive report on damage assessment be prepared and submitted within a week.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)