ID :
208381
Tue, 09/20/2011 - 18:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/208381
The shortlink copeid
Govt alone can't tackle post-rains crisis, Raja Pervaiz
Karachi, September 20, 2011 (PPI): Secretary General Pakistan Peoples’ Party Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Tuesday that government was facing serious challenges in taking sufficient emergency relief measures for rain-hit people and it was inappropriate to claim ‘hundred percent’ efforts were done in this regard.
“The intensity of destruction caused by heavy rains in Sindh was so massive that government can’t tackle it alone. Hence, foreign donor agencies have now stepped in for financial help realizing the gravity of calamity,”
Addressing a press briefing here at Sindh Secretariat, he said government had mobilized all its resources to assist rain affected people. He said that 1,60,000 tents had so far been provided to marooned people, adding its further production had also been reserved for those living under the open sky. While, 0.7 to 0.8 million ration bags have been distributed among all affected, he said.
Flanked by Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Former Federal Minister for Agriculture and Food Nazar Muhammad Gondal and Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Ashraf said Prime Minister and President had issued clear directives to assist affected people by all means.
PPP Secretary General maintained that government’s swift response to calamity prevented further loss of human lives and infrastructure. “Had the government gone through a normal channel in taking emergency relief measures, it could have taken much time for carrying out successful relief operation,” he added.
He said ground reality was entirely different as four to five feet accumulated rainwater was still standing in majority of the affected areas, adding government had utilized all its machinery to fight the natural catastrophe.
Referring to Pakistan Muslim League - N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, he said it was not a right juncture to get indulged in political point scoring when such a natural calamity had caused massive devastation in the entire province. "What I have deduced from his press briefing that he had demanded general elections instead of extending a helping hand towards rain victims of Sindh."
In a corresponding manner, he asked whether it was right to get political mileage of prevailing dengue menace in Punjab, adding holding general elections in such a serious time was not the solution. “We are elected representatives of people and not scared of any election,” he maintained.
Former Minister referred to PML-N Chief, saying if he could accompany escort comprising 500 security personnel with him then he should have brought at least 2,000 volunteers along, for participating in relief operations in rain-hit areas.
He appealed to all political parties to cast aside differences and get unite for sake of humanity and noble cause. To a question, he said situation in Badin was in hand, along with other districts as no deaths were reported due to drowning in rain water.
Apprising of sympathy of elected representatives for rain affected people, Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial ministers had donated their one-month salary for rain victims, while MPAs had also given some chunk of their salaries in this regard.
He criticized Nawaz Sharif for indulging in political point scoring in emergency circumstances. He said PML-N Chief was endeavouring to assume power by adopting lame measures as he had also been doing such things in the past.
Memon also criticized nationalist parties for abusing government falsely. He heaped scorn on them, saying none of the nationalist leaders had set up a relief camp in any rain affected district. Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro also cast similar barbs on nationalist parties.
“The intensity of destruction caused by heavy rains in Sindh was so massive that government can’t tackle it alone. Hence, foreign donor agencies have now stepped in for financial help realizing the gravity of calamity,”
Addressing a press briefing here at Sindh Secretariat, he said government had mobilized all its resources to assist rain affected people. He said that 1,60,000 tents had so far been provided to marooned people, adding its further production had also been reserved for those living under the open sky. While, 0.7 to 0.8 million ration bags have been distributed among all affected, he said.
Flanked by Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Former Federal Minister for Agriculture and Food Nazar Muhammad Gondal and Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Ashraf said Prime Minister and President had issued clear directives to assist affected people by all means.
PPP Secretary General maintained that government’s swift response to calamity prevented further loss of human lives and infrastructure. “Had the government gone through a normal channel in taking emergency relief measures, it could have taken much time for carrying out successful relief operation,” he added.
He said ground reality was entirely different as four to five feet accumulated rainwater was still standing in majority of the affected areas, adding government had utilized all its machinery to fight the natural catastrophe.
Referring to Pakistan Muslim League - N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, he said it was not a right juncture to get indulged in political point scoring when such a natural calamity had caused massive devastation in the entire province. "What I have deduced from his press briefing that he had demanded general elections instead of extending a helping hand towards rain victims of Sindh."
In a corresponding manner, he asked whether it was right to get political mileage of prevailing dengue menace in Punjab, adding holding general elections in such a serious time was not the solution. “We are elected representatives of people and not scared of any election,” he maintained.
Former Minister referred to PML-N Chief, saying if he could accompany escort comprising 500 security personnel with him then he should have brought at least 2,000 volunteers along, for participating in relief operations in rain-hit areas.
He appealed to all political parties to cast aside differences and get unite for sake of humanity and noble cause. To a question, he said situation in Badin was in hand, along with other districts as no deaths were reported due to drowning in rain water.
Apprising of sympathy of elected representatives for rain affected people, Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial ministers had donated their one-month salary for rain victims, while MPAs had also given some chunk of their salaries in this regard.
He criticized Nawaz Sharif for indulging in political point scoring in emergency circumstances. He said PML-N Chief was endeavouring to assume power by adopting lame measures as he had also been doing such things in the past.
Memon also criticized nationalist parties for abusing government falsely. He heaped scorn on them, saying none of the nationalist leaders had set up a relief camp in any rain affected district. Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro also cast similar barbs on nationalist parties.
