Govt commits to help flood affected people

MULTAN: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that federal government would fulfil its pledge of extending financial assistance to the flood-hit communities through Watan Cards at all cost.

Talking to newsmen at the local Circuit House, he said flood affected people were initially provided Rs 20,000 each to holder of the Watan Card, out of the promised amount of Rs 100,000 by the Federal and Provincial Governments.

Gilani said the provinces had now expressed their inability to contribute their share for payment of remaining Rs 80,000 to the flood-hit people.

However, he said, "the Federal Government is committed to extending the much wanted support to the affected communities and remaining Rs 80000 amount will be provided to each Watan Card recipient."

He said that infrastructure in flood ravaged areas had been rebuilt, reconstruction of damaged schools and hospitals was in progress, work for strengthening of breached embankments was underway and funds had already been allocated for the purpose.

The PM said that government was making all-out efforts to rebuild lives of the flood-hit communities and the remaining work would be completed in due course of time.

To a question about suggestions regarding deployment of Army or convening a round-table conference to restore peace in Karachi, the Prime Minister said that Federal Government respected the mandate of the provincial government and would support if they took any decision to achieve the objective.

He said, "Karachi is our own city and the PPP is in contact with all the parties including the MQM and we all are making joint efforts to restore peace in biggest city of the country."

To another question about situation in Balochistan and Karachi, the PM said that it was linked to on-going fight against militancy and the situation in the neighbouring country Afghanistan.

He said situation arose the western border had worsened the law and order in the country and all the law enforcement agencies had been instructed to exchange information with one another and convey to the provincial governments concerned so that they could take pre-emptive steps.

About local bodies election, PM Gilani said that holding these elections was the responsibility of provincial governments and Federal Government could not dictate them in this regarded.

He, however, added, he believed that local bodies could better serve people at grassroots level and future leadership emerge from this system.

Copyright Reuters, 2011

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