Punjab suffers loss of Rs80 billion

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in a Press briefing on Monday has stated that as per initial assessment of the damages caused by the raging floods, Punjab had suffered a loss of Rs 80 billion, while 15 million people had been affected directly by these devastating floods across Pakistan.
He was giving a briefing to the media about flood devastation in Punjab, relief activities and the efforts for the rehabilitation of the affectees after a 4-hour long meeting of the Punjab Cabinet at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. In an unusual way, the Chief Minister deemed it better to brief the media himself about the decisions taken by the Cabinet regarding rehabilitation of the affectees. In ordinary circumstances, such briefings are usually given by the Law Minister or by one of Chief Minister’s advisers.
He said that additional funds would be generated through adopting austerity measures, reducing non-developmental expenditure and curtailing annual development programme for the relief and assistance to the calamity-stricken people.
He said that no reception or Iftar party would be arranged at the official level in the province. He said that foreign visitors would be served only one dish and the funds thus saved will be utilised for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.
The Chief Minister welcomed the setting up of National Flood Commission for the rehabilitation of flood affectees on the proposal of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif and described it as a step towards promotion of national solidarity.
He said that Punjab government will extend all out cooperation to the National Flood Commission. He said that the Commission will comprise those honest individuals who enjoy deep respect in the society. He said that Flood Commission will assess losses in the provinces due to the floods.
He hoped that commission would make a rational assessment of the requirements of the four provinces and ensure fair allocation of funds as per needs of the each province.
He disagreed with a questioner that establishment of commission was an expression of no-confidence over the political leadership.
He also rejected reports that PPP Ministers in the provincial Cabinet expressed their reservations in the meeting for not being taken into confidence over the relief activities.
‘I was the first one who called Senior Minister Raja Riaz to join him at the Jinnah Barrage when it was facing threat from flood water’, he clarified.
Shahbaz said that survey had been started for the assessment of losses and forms have been distributed for this purpose.