Flood-affected areas: 'rehabilitation work completed in record period of time'

Provincial Education Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that Punjab government headed by theChief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has completed rehabilitation work in the flood affected areas in record period of time.
He said that development budget has been cut by 30 per cent for generating funds for the rehabilitation of all devastated areas, however, huge resources are required for complete rehabilitation and provision of infrastructure in these areas.
He was talking to a delegation led by special envoy of UN Ms Margareta here on Sunday. The delegation included Neva Khan, Madhavi, Seaward Clair, Javeria, Wajiha, Margareta and Alexander. Member National Assembly Malik Pervaiz, Senior Member Board of Revenue Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar and Director General Provincial Disaster Authority Khalid Sherdil represented the Punjab government. The UN delegation was also apprised of the problems and the successes achieved in the process of rehabilitation of flood-hit areas. He said that Punjab government wants to develop a system of information in advance about natural calamities but it has insufficient resources for this purpose. He said had UN not extended timely help and persuaded the other countries to contribute in relief efforts for the flood affected, it would have been difficult for Pakistani government alone to tackle this challenge alone.
He said that Punjab government is grateful to UN, World Food Programme, UNESCO, WHO, different agencies and countries for their help and rehabilitation of flood victims. The delegation also informed that relief work for the flood victims has been completed but there is still a lot to be done. The UN envoy was informed that Punjab government wants to set up Disaster Management Institutions at provincial and district levels but facing shortage of resources.