Pakistan would increase the flood relief assistance under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from Rs28 billion to Rs70billion, WealthPK has learned.

The increase in the volume of the assistance has been made in view of the losses of infrastructure and crops in the wake of flash floods.

Speaking during his visit to a relief camp at Qambar Shahdadkot, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country witnessed unprecedented losses due to floods. He said the compensatory amount of Rs 25,000 was being given to each flood-affected family. He expressed concern that the cotton crop in the flood-hit areas of Sindh, which was means of livelihood for locals, had been damaged by floods.

He said concerted efforts at the national level were the need of the hour to mitigate the suffering of the people. Provision of shelter to the displaced was direly needed, he said, adding that the government had placed the order for the purchase of seven million tents. Medical camps, he said, had also been set up.

The prime minister expressed his gratitude to the friendly countries for extending assistance to Pakistan. He urged the nation, especially the media, to focus on the flood situation and set aside politics for later times. PM Sharif interacted with the affected people at the relief camp and distributed cheques among them.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk