Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas of Jhang, Chiniot, Wazirabad and Sargodha for ten hours today (Tuesday) and reviewed relief activities and flood situation. While addressing meetings during his visits to flood-hit areas, the Chief Minister issued necessary instructions to the administration with regard to rescue and relief operation. He also met flood affectees. Shahbaz Sharif visited Head Trimu in Jhang and reviewed the flow of water in River Chenab. During a briefing at Head Trimu, the Chief Minister directed the administration to complete all preventive measures on time for coping with the flood and all necessary steps should be taken for the protection of life and property of the people. It was told during the briefing that on the direction of Chief Minister, heavy machinery and concerned staff have reached the site.
Talking to media-men during his visit to Head Trimu, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that after 1972, Punjab is facing worst floods of its history. He stressed the need for taking steps on emergent basis in view of the extraordinary flood. He said that all possible resources are being utilized for the protection of life and property of the people. The Chief Minister said that every life is dear and its protection is responsibility of the government. He said that no effort will be spared for the protection of the people. Shahbaz Sharif disallowed political and administrative team to remain with him during the visit to flood-hit areas. He said that political and administrative team instead of remaining with him, should take part in relief activities and help the marooned people. He said that all provincial ministers, public representatives and administrative officers should discharge their duties towards helping the flood affectees. The Chief Minister said that there is no need to accompany him during his visits and all of you should remain in the field for rescue and relief activities.
He said that the performance of political and administrative teams will be judged on the basis of service to the flood affectees. He said that all arrangements have been completed for evacuation of flood affectees and shifting them at safer places. He said that steps are also complete for helping the affectees. The Chief Minister appealed to the people living along rivers to shift at safer places. He said that the people, acting upon the instructions of the administration and public representatives, should immediately vacate affected areas. Shahbaz Sharif went to flood-hit area Bhawana (Chiniot) from Head Trimu and visited Dalli Mangani and other flood-hit villages of Bhawana along with relief and eatable items by boat. On this occasion, the Chief Minister returned the protective boat going with him and directed that all boats should be used only and only for the provision of relief items and evacuation of people. He reviewed flood situation in affected areas and distributed relief and eatable items among affectees. Shahbaz Sharif visited far-flung villages of Bhawana including Birwala, Ramoke Thatha, Noshehra, Abian and Thatha Asmat by boat and reviewed relief activities and flood situation. He also distributed relief and eatable items among affectees. The Chief Minister directed to send relief items through helicopters to the marooned people at Oarh Basti. On the arrival of Shahbaz Sharif, hundreds of people gathered at Oarh Basti and raised slogans in Shahbaz Sharif’s favour. Addressing flood affectees at Oarh Basti, Shahbaz Sharif said that every need of the Basti will be met and essential items will be provided to the affectees on priority basis. Talking to the flood affectees at Bhawana, the Chief Minister said that marooned people will not be left alone and all possible resources are being utilized for their assistance. On this occasion, he warned that if any person was left in the water, DCO of the district will not be spared. He said that no excuse with regard to evacuation of the people will be accepted. Shahbaz Sharif directed that every suitable method should be adopted for evacuating the people from the dangerous areas. He appealed to the people to vacate the dangerous areas and act upon the instructions of administrative officers with regard to safe evacuation. Shahbaz Sharif also went to the house of a child who died in Sikandarpura, Wazirabad and sympathized with the bereaved family. He also gave a cheque of financial assistance to the heirs. The Chief Minister said that he is deeply grieved over the sudden death of an innocent child and equally shares the grief of affected family. He directed district administration to inspect the damaged house and arrange its repair at the earliest. Talking to the people at Mohallah Sikandarpura of Wazirabad, Shahbaz Sharif said that the loss caused to the crops and houses due to recent flood and rains will be compensated. He said that the government will repair the damaged houses while the loss caused to the crops will be compensated. Shahbaz Sharif said that he is deeply shocked over the loss of precious human lives and property during flood and rains. The Chief Minister visited flood-hit areas of Wazirabad including Kot Jaffar, Kalari, Ratowali, Farid Kot and other areas and met the affectees. He went Kot Momin, flood-hit area of Sargodha where a briefing was given to him. He was told that three thousand people have been shifted to safer places. The Chief Minister talking on the occasion said that after 1972, there was not such a big flood. He said that we are facing the situation with determination, sincerity and hard work and are thankful to all national institutions including Pak-Army. He expressed his belief that Allah Almighty will help us in this test. He assured that there will be no negligence in service to the affectees. On arrival of Shahbaz Sharif at Kot Momin, there was extraordinary rush of the people and affectees. Driver of the CM’s vehicle got stuck up in the crowd and Chief Minister went to next destination by driving the car himself. On seeing the Chief Minister, the people raised slogans enthusiastically.