By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered round-the-clock monitoring of flood-affected areas and a status report every 48 hours on rescue and relief efforts, including disbursement of funds to the flood victims, and rehabilitation measures being taken in Balochistan.
The premier has instructed relevant authorities to speed up the distribution of relief funds in Balochistan, especially in the areas of Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dakki, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Kech, Mastung, Harnai, Qila Saifullah and Sibbi.
He has also directed to increase the pace of relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas of Sindh, K-P and Punjab.
The prime minister said that “the affected people are looking towards the government for mitigation of their sufferings and stress, any negligence in the supply of food, medicines and accommodation would not be tolerated”. He emphasised extending a uniform level of facilitation to flood victims across the country and ordered ensuring proper cleaning, sanitation, and fumigation in the flood-hit areas to avert the spread of diseases and the provision of clean drinking water to control gastric diseases.
A report sent to the premier by the concerned authorities stated, “the arrangements of food, medical camps, and shelter have been made in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan”.
“The relief activities have been increased in collaboration with the provincial government of Balochistan, while work is in progress in other provinces with the cooperation of the respective provincial governments.”
Senate on Monday passed a unanimous resolution expressing solidarity and assuring full support to the flood affected people particularly in Balochistan. The upper house met under the chairmanship of Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday. According to the resolution presented by Senator Sana Jamali, the house showed sympathy with the bereaved families who had lost their loved ones in the recent floods across the country especially in Balochistan.
It said the torrential rains had damaged 90 per cent infrastructure of the province, affected region’s economy and badly hit the agriculture sector.
The resolution said the house was of the opinion that the compensation amount announced by the government for the bereaved families who had lost their dear ones and those who had suffered losses due to the calamity was insufficient.
The house appreciated the rescue and rehabilitation operation carried out by the Pakistan Army besides their services relating to health facilities and provision of food to the flood victims, it added.
Presenting their recommendations through the resolution, the upper house said the outstanding agriculture loans against the farmers of Balochistan should be waived off and they should be provided sufficient financial support to cultivate crops in the next season.
It urged government to announce a special package for the reconstruction of provincial infrastructure and revival of the economy.
The house also proposed to enhance the support amount to mitigate the sufferings of flood affected people on priority, the resolution maintained.
Amendment bills regarding the appointment of judges and restructuring of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) were also presented in the Senate.
Both the bills were submitted to the committee concerned. Issuing directives, the Senate chairman said that the body should submit a report on the judges’ appointment amendment bill within 15 days.
He said on the day of approval of the bill, the members should ensure their presence in the house. Earlier, the PPP presented a bill seeking amendment in Article 175 of the Constitution.
Senator Farooq Naek said currently the total number of judges in the judicial commission was nine. He said the nine members included attorney general, a representative nominated by the bar and the law minister. The senator noted that the ratio in the judicial commission was six judges to three other officials and demanded a ratio of four to three.
He said they were bringing a change in the procedure of high court judges’ appointment, suggesting that there should be a committee for the purpose. Naek said initially the body should nominate the judge and later the appointment should be made.
