Punjab Study

LAHORE:PROVINCIAL Minister for Education Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman on Sunday claimed that the Punjab government has completed rehabilitation work in the flood affected areas in record time.
Talking to a delegation led by special envoy of UN Ms Margareta at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, as per a handout, he said development budget had been cut by 30 per cent for generating funds for the rehabilitation of all devastated areas; however, huge resources were required for complete rehabilitation and provision of infrastructure in these areas.

The delegation included Neva Khan, Madhavi, Seaward Clair, Javeria, Wajiha, Margareta and Alexander. MNA Malik Pervaiz, Senior Member Board of Revenue Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar and Director General Provincial Disaster Authority Khalid Sherdil represented the Punjab government. The UN delegation was also appraised of the problems and the successes achieved in the process of rehabilitation of flood-hit areas. The minister further said Punjab government wanted to develop a system of information in advance about natural calamities but it had insufficient resources for this purpose. He said had UN not extended timely help and persuaded the other countries to contribute in relief efforts for the flood affectees; it would have been difficult for Pakistani government alone to tackle this challenge alone. He said that Punjab government was grateful to UN, World Food Programme, UNESCO, WHO, different agencies and countries for their help and rehabilitation of flood victims. The delegation also informed that relief work for the flood affectees had been completed but there was still a lot to be done. The UN envoy was informed that Punjab government wanted to set up Disaster Management Institutions at provincial and district levels but facing shortage of resources. The delegation was informed that although United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) was extending cooperation in this regard yet more resources were required. Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khalid Sherdil informed that model villages were being set up at safe places in the devastated areas with the cooperation of Turkish organizations. He said that recent flood was the worst of the century. He said that PDMA was initiating a comprehensive survey of rivers, barrages and canals from next month for taking precautionary measures before the start of rainy season next year.The news