Sindh cabinet briefs Zardari, Gilani on floods

KARACHI: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Sunday that the special meeting of Sindh Cabinet has decided to improve coordination among various agencies and departments of the federal and provincial governments engaged in flood relief activities.

He was responding to the queries of the media on the outcome of the meeting which was jointly presided over by the President Asif Ali Zardari and himself at the CM House here.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister A. Rehman Malik, provincial ministers and advisors were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister said that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) which also included the chief ministers of all four provinces will help in improving the coordination among all the concerned agencies and departments.
He said that Sindh Chief Minister will have interaction with the officials of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other relief agencies in CCI meeting.
Gilani said that the government is committed to help out flood affectees as much as possible and will use all its resources for this purpose. We have frozen our development budget to last year’s level to create  resources for helping flood victims, he added.
Responding to a question about the payment of Rs 20,000 each to the flood affectees, he said that CCI will take a decision whether to disburse this money before Eid or on Eid.
Gilani said the special meeting has briefed him and the President on the devastation caused by the unprecedented floods in Sindh.
“I had also received briefing during my visit to Sukkur and Kotri barrages. I will also meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Party leaders this evening to get more information on floods”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that Sindh was prepared to handle the flood and therefore the loss of life was minimum here.
Sindh government was ready for rescue operation in flood hit areas, but the unwillingness of people to leave their homes and land had created some problems in some areas.
He said the federal government and its institutions including Pakistan Navy and Air Forces have done a wonderful job in rescue and relief work.
However, he said that the flood was of such a magnitude that none of the country alone is able to handle the destruction.
Gilani said that Sindh was getting maximum medical facilities as one field hospital donated by Saudi government is also established in Thatta. “I have also handed over Railways Hospital to Sindh Health Department. Besides, I have also offered the services of PIMS to Sindh Health Department”, he added.
He pointed out that he has issued orders for an aerial spray in flood hit areas of Sindh and immunisation of all affectees to minimise the chances of any epidemic in the province.
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said that he had already mentioned on the Floor of the House that he does not have any objection  to  the formation of a judicial commission.
He said people of Pakistan have come forward in a big way to help their affected brethren in time of need and he appreciates this spirit. They have been generously raising funds for flood victims, he noted.
To a question, he said that the date of holding an all party conference will be announced after consultation with all the political parties.
Prime Minister Gilani condemned the suicide attack in Lahore and Quetta at a time when the country was passing through a critical time they are the enemies of Islam and the country.
“I have asked the Interior Minister to immediately visit Balochistan to discuss and sort out strategy to combat terrorism there.”