The president of the Pakistani peoples (PPP) Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for a united national response to devastating floods in Punjab, urging federal and provincial governments to go beyond political differences and to prioritize help and recovery efforts.
Friday, during a visit to areas affected by the floods in Kasur, Bilawal stressed that the extent of the disaster requires joint action, saying that no provincial government could attack the crisis alone.
“It is not a moment for the political score.
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Recognizing the efforts of the chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal praised his dedication during the emergency and called on the federal government to play a main role in the provision of support for aid and infrastructure.
“CM Maryam works hard in difficult circumstances, and this must be recognized. But the federal government must play its share, as in previous floods,” he said.
Bilawal called for the declaration of an agricultural emergency in Punjab, stressing in -depth harvest losses and generalized damage to the rural economy of the province. He also urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to extend subsidies through the Benazir income support program (BISP) and relieve farmers in the form of support for seeds, fertilizers and electricity bills.
“The Punjab agricultural sector is in crisis. Farmers need immediate help for inputs and alleviations. We cannot let the backbone of our economy collapse,” he added.
The President of the PPP also criticized the Indian government for omitting to maintain the Industry Water Treaty, accusing the sudden release of river water on the other side of the border to exacerbate the floods.
“India’s refusal to share water in terms of water is a violation of international law and a threat to millions of lives. It is not only a violation of the Industry Water Treaty-it is an attack on the Industry River system itself. It is water terrorism,” he said.
He added that Pakistan would raised the issue during international forums and would express the confidence that India would ultimately be forced to honor the treaty or return the legitimate part of Pakistan of the rivers.
Bilawal said his party was ready to help the rescue and rehabilitation phases, and asked the PPP members to fully support the efforts of the Punjab government.
“We have built two million houses in the Sindh with federal support after the floods. With unity and commitment, we can do the same for Punjab,” he concluded.
