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Iranian CG briefed about relief activities

Posted on: Wed September 15, 2010

LAHORE : Iranian Consul General, Ali Nikan called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Chief Minister s Secretariat on Tuesday and discussed the relief activities being carried out for the flood-hit people. Talking to the consul general, the chief minister said the country is facing the worst floods of its history, which have caused large-scale devastation.

He said floods wiped out several villages and damaged crops worth billions of rupees. Shahbaz informed that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees and all out resources are being utilised for this purpose.

He said that affected people are returning to their homes as water has receded and Punjab government has allowed them to take tents with them so that they could be used till reconstruction of their houses. He further said distribution of first instalment of Rs 20,000 cash aid to each family has been started before Eid in a transparent manner and the process will be completed within 45 days.

The CM said Punjab government will provide 50 percent of cash assistance, while the remaining 50 percent will be given by the federal government. He added that Punjab government, in this regard, will provide Rs 10 billion from its budget. Farmers having up to 25 acres of land in the affected areas will be provided free seed and fertiliser, while maximum employment opportunities would be created for the affectees to enable them resume their normal life, he maintained.

Shahbaz observed that Iran is a brotherly Muslim country, which has always supported Pakistan in testing times. He thanked Iranian leadership, government and its people for taking active part in the relief activities. He also thanked Iranian government for increasing aid from $10 million to $100 million and said that the Iranian consul general should convey his feelings to the Iranian leadership.

Reciprocating, Iranian Consul General Ali Nikan said Iranian government and its people stand by the calamity-stricken people of Pakistan and so far, five Iranian planes carrying relief goods have arrived in Pakistan. He further said Iranian supreme leader Ayatallah Khamenei has appealed to the Iranian people and Muslim countries to help Pakistan. He informed that Iran would set up tent villages having capacity of 200 families in the flood-affected areas of Punjab.

He said mobile hospitals will also be functioning in these villages and Iranian medical teams would soon reach Pakistan. Other facilities will also be provided to affectees in the tent villages, he added. Nikan said Punjab government will identify the areas for setting up tent villages and after these are established, their management will be handed over to Punjab government.

Courtesy : Business Recorder