ISLAMABAD: Taking note of the problems faced by commuters due to damaged roads and infrastructure, President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday directed the government of Sindh and relevant authorities to expedite and complete on priority basis all reconstruction projects especially roads and bridges swept away in flood and rain affected areas in various parts of Sindh.
The President gave this direction when he visited various rain affected districts of Sindh to monitor relief activities and to interact with elected representatives, relief committees and district administration officials of the affected areas through satellite video conferencing from flood control room in the Presidency.
The video conference was attended among others by Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Roshan-ud-Din Junejo, MNA from Sangarh, Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Ali Arshad Hakeem, Special Secretary Maj ® Haroon Rahid, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar and other senior officials of the relevant departments.
The President monitored relief activities and the steps taken so far for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood and rain affected areas in Sindh.In Thursday’s briefing session, the President reviewed the implementation status of his instructions on de-watering of flood water, provision of seeds and fertilizer to farmers, measures for prevention of outbreak of disease and issuance of Pakistan cards to the affectees for transparent distribution of relief goods and other assistance.
The President was also briefed about the progress on his earlier directives regarding preparation of a Master Plan for drainage to handle similar natural calamities in the provinces in future and also the feasibility of diverting flood waters to the natural catchment areas.The President urged for expeditious work on both the plans as incessant rains and consequential floods may recur due to climatic change.
Chairman NADRA informed that additional staff was working with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Government of Sindh to expedite setting up of more centers for processing and distribution of Pakistan Cards.The President directed the monitors sitting in the CM house Karachi to address the issues raised during the video conferencing emphasizing the expeditious distribution of blankets in view of the onset of winter. – APP
