Lahore:
In a reprimand to a large coalition partner on how to help tens of thousands of people affected by floods in Punjab, Minister Maryam Nawaz finally explained his preference by officially announcing the launch of a special emergency card.
The PPP has always argued that the Benazir income support program (BISP) is the most effective and fastest mechanism to help the victims of the floods, while the PML-N government in Punjab insists on channel aid through its own “emergency card” initiative.
The chief minister of Punjab has promised financial compensation for destroyed houses, livestock loss and agricultural damage.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Punjab flooding campaign, Maryam officially launched the digital investigation portal and herself swore to members of the survey teams.
“People from other provinces often say:” If only we too were at Punjab “,” she said, adding: “There is no magic wand, but fortunately, the Punjab has mainly had PML-N governments”.
According to the chief minister, 2,200 investigation teams comprising 10,000 members were mobilized through Punjab. These include representatives of income, agriculture, breeding services, district administration and the Pakistani army.
Unveiling the details of the emergency card, Maryam said that families whose houses were completely destroyed would receive 1 million rupees, while those whose houses were partially damaged would have 500,000 rupees.
In the event of cattle death, compensation from RS500,000 by animal would be provided.
She also announced that farmers cultivating up to 12 acres would receive 20,000 rupees per acre as support.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the acceleration of rescue and rehabilitation operations on Saturday for people affected by the floods.
The Prime Minister chaired an examination meeting on the current flood situation and ongoing rehabilitation efforts immediately after his speech in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Wing Wing Wing Wing in a press said.
The Prime Minister asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to accelerate restoration work on the M-5 motorway section assigned by the Sutlej river floods.
The chief secretaries of the four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Cashmire, also participated in the meeting.
