Pakistan underscored the need to devise a comprehensive strategy by the federal and provincial governments to restore infrastructure in the flood-affected areas.

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was time that no one should do politicking but serve the masses. He said the flood-hit areas faced numerous issues related to water drainage, infrastructure breakdown and connectivity. Besides public departments, he said, several private entities including chambers of commerce and industries had expressed their desire to contribute to the relief and rehabilitation process.

PM Sharif said the government had increased the financial assistance for flood-affected people under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from Rs28 billion to Rs70 billion. He said the government had provided Rs5 billion to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for dispensation of compensation money in the first phase, while an additional Rs3 billion would also be provided.

He said the floods had resulted in loss of lives, infrastructure, livestock and crops. Work was in full swing in the flood-affected areas for relief and rehabilitation, he added.

Mr. Sharif said several friendly countries were sending relief goods to Pakistan. He thanked the cabinet members, ministries, public departments and national media for highlighting the issue of floods at the international level and lending help in mitigating the sufferings of flood victims.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk