News
Friday, October 01, 2010
Nawaz vows to rebuild all flood devastated houses* Says idea of model villages introduced for flood victims
* Shahbaz Sharif highlights important role of NGO’s, business communities, philanthropists in relief funding
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday expressed the resolve to rebuild all the houses damaged or washed away by the worst floods of the country’s history.
“No doubt the damage is colossal as compared to our indigenous resources but our commitment stands firm to construct every damaged house,” he said.
The PML-N chief was addressing a donors’ conference titled “Rebuilding Pakistan, Brick by Brick” organised by the Punjab government and attended by ambassadors, counsellors, high ranking and senior representatives of international financial institutions and donor agencies.
Senior leadership of the party including Pervez Rasheed, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sartaj Aziz, Raja Zafarul Haq, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Ishaq Dar and Dr Tariq Fazl Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.
He said an idea of model village has been introduced to mitigate sufferings of the flood victims who have become shelterless due to the devastating floods. He apprised the participants of the conference about the massive destruction caused by the floods as well as the after-affects of the calamity, adding that the disaster not only claimed precious lives but also posed great threats to the national economy, he remarked.
Commenting on the financial assistance to the flood victims, he said a Watan Cards scheme has been launched under which each victim family would get Rs 20,000 as compensation.
He said the Punjab government had demanded of the federal government to pay Rs 100,000 to each affected family.
“Millions of people are unable to restart normal life as they are lacking resources but we by the grace of Allah Almighty will enable them to lead a respectable life,” Nawaz Sharif said. Nawaz Sharif thanked the participants of the conference for making sure their presence and the international community’s vital support to steer the country out of crisis.
He also highlighted the important role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), business community and philanthropists in carrying out the relief activities.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in his welcome address said that the country was facing a big challenge. He said the floods have damaged around 1.8 million houses and affected 20 million people in the country.
“500,000 houses were partially or completely damaged in Punjab,” he added.
Shahbaz Sharif highlighted the problems of the flood victims and said the winter season was fast approaching and there would be a dire need of quilts, tents and shelters to protect them from harsh weather conditions.
He said the Punjab government was making utmost efforts to protect people from the outbreak of viral diseases, adding, “We are totally resolved and committed to providing relief to the affected people.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk