Rehabilitation of flood victims govt’s top priority, says PM Shehbaz 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that the federal government will stand by provincial administrations until the complete rehabilitation of people affected by the recent floods is achieved.

Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on Friday, which discussed the destruction caused by heavy rains and floods along with the progress of relief activities, he stressed that bringing life back to normal for the victims is the foremost priority of his government.

PM Shehbaz assured that the federal government is ready to extend assistance in every possible manner and instructed concerned authorities to ensure real-time monitoring of evacuation and relief operations.

He directed that a special committee be constituted to deliver financial assistance to those who are not registered with NADRA.

The premier instructed the Ministry of Climate Change to start preparing for the next year’s monsoon season and demanded that within two weeks, a comprehensive plan should be presented to safeguard the country from the negative effects of climate change, including floods and torrential rains, in order to minimize losses.

PM Shehbaz lauded the rescue and relief efforts of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Army and federal and provincial departments.

The meeting was informed that rehabilitation will be launched once the last spell of the monsoon subsides, while at present, the entire focus of authorities remains on evacuation, rescue, and immediate relief measures.

It was briefed that the flood surge from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers has now reached central and southern Punjab and will soon pass through Panjnad. Preparations have been made to handle a flow of up to 1.2 million cusecs, though the actual water volume is expected to be around 600,000 cusecs, which is considerably lower than initial fears.

In Multan, the local administration, Pakistan Army, and rescue teams are on the ground to ensure the floodwaters pass safely without breaching protective structures.

Officials reported that nearly 80 percent of damaged electricity infrastructure in the upper and central parts of the country has been restored, while bridges and highways destroyed by the floods have also been repaired and reopened to re-establish transport links. 
More than two million people were safely relocated in advance, and over 4,100 individuals stranded in affected areas were rescued.

The federal government has so far dispatched over 6,300 tons of relief items for victims, while more than 2,400 medical camps have been set up to provide healthcare services. Financial support is being disbursed through NADRA on a priority basis to families who have lost loved ones, sustained injuries, or suffered damage to their property.

Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, presented their respective regional assessments during the meeting.

Concluding the session, the Prime Minister directed that the provinces must continue to receive complete backing from the federal government to address the crisis effectively.