Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif during a visit to Sujawal district of Sindh on Saturday expressed the resolve to overcome flood related issues with collective efforts.
He made the remarks during a visit to Sujawal district of Sindh on Saturday where representatives of concerned departments briefed him about the devastation caused by the calamity.
The Prime Minister said the entire country is badly affected with flash floods due to incessant monsoon rains.
He said the heavy downpours in the season has caused human losses, damaged road and infrastructure across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
He said a collective policy will be framed in collaboration with the provinces for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affected people.
On the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated the efforts of the Chief Minister Sindh, administration and the armed forces for their rescue and relief operations in these areas.
Later, talking to the affected people, the Prime Minister said the federal government has allocated a grant of 38 billion rupees to support each flood affected family with disbursement of 25,000 rupees.
He said a grant of 15 billion rupees has already provided to Sindh province while the distribution of flood relief amount among each family has also commenced in Sindh province under Benazir Income Support Programme.
Shehbaz Sharif said with the support of National Disaster Management Authority and other relevant departments, the federal government will continue to support the provincial governments in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.
He said that a combined survey would be completed soon which would enable them to get an estimate of the damages and losses caused by floods across the country.
The Prime Minister said politics over the agreement with International Monetary Fund could cause irreparable damage to Pakistan as an IMF board is scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Qatari investors to invest in Pakistan’s energy, aviation, agriculture and livestock, maritime, tourism and hospitality sectors.
He was talking to a delegation of the Qatar Investment Authority in Doha today (Tuesday).
The Prime Minister underlined Pakistan’s unique geographic and demographic advantages, which combine its strategic location with a huge middle-class market and a large skilled workforce.
Highlighting Pakistan’s liberal and business-friendly investment policies,, he also urged Qatari investors to explore the opportunities presented by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to promote regional connectivity and mutual prosperity.
Lauding Qatar’s rapid economic development under the visionary leadership of His Highness the Amir, the Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Qatar and wanted to upgrade the traditionally warm political ties between the two countries into a comprehensive economic partnership.
He stressed the need to further enhance bilateral economic and investment engagement, particularly in the renewable energy including solar and wind power generation, aviation, maritime, industrial and infrastructure development, and hospitality sectors.
The Prime Minister assured full facilitation to QIA through transparent and expeditious processes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the nation in Islamabad, on August 13, 2022. — Prime Minister's Office
ISLAMABAD: In his address to the nation ahead of Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a nation cannot be independent without economic self-reliance.
"There is no concept of a nation's independence without economic independence," the prime minister told the nation in a televised on Saturday.
"Most importantly, we will need to revive the passion that led to the creation of Pakistan," he said, noting that this passion will lead to the establishment of a great nation.
The prime minister's call for economic stability comes as the cash-strapped nation desperately seeks financial assistance from friendly countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The country's foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan were recorded at $7,830.3 million, down $555 million compared with $8,385.4 on July 29, data released by the SBP on Thursday showed, which can cover fewer than 1.12 months of imports.
Shehbaz Sharif-led government came into power in April after the ouster of PTI Chairman Imran Khan — and since then, the incumbent rulers have been trying to stabilise the economy.
In his televised address, PM Shehbaz said that the nation has fought with terrorism and dealt with several challenges but today, it is facing hatred and anarchy.
“Attempts are being made to divide the nation and unity is being disturbed,” he said, adding the country’s economic crisis worsened following the previous government’s wrongdoings.
The PM added that the nation must look toward finding ways to take the country’s forward.
“Our government has been working day and night to save Pakistan from the economic crisis and default,” he said, criticising the previous government which led country to seek loans.
“The previous government left 48 billion in deficit — the worst in the history of Pakistan,” the PM said.
The PM added that his government has decided to start solar projects to deal with power shortage in the country.
“We have decided to take Pakistan toward economic progress, as there is no concept of Pakistan’s freedom without economic freedom,” the PM said.
While slamming the previous government, PM Shahbaz said that in 2017 and 2018 Pakistan was self-sufficient in wheat production, but the country is now forced to import wheat. He also criticised the PTI-led administration for not purchasing cheap LNG.
“Difficulties can be dealt with through economic stability and consistent policies,” PM Shahbaz remarked, adding that the nation can only progress if it overcomes challenges with passion.
He said that economic dependence has become the country’s identity, which our elders would've never thought about.
"As a prime minister, this has been my harshest experience," the PM added, questioning the PTI’s government whether on whose behest they halted the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), damaging the country's economy.
"Our [PML-N] government left the country self-sufficient in wheat, but the previous government's negligence led to the import of wheat," the premier highlighted.
At the outset of his address, the PM congratulated the nation on completing 75 years as an independent nation.
He said that the people celebrate Independence Day, Pakistan Day, Quaid-e-Azam Day, and Iqbal Day but the "truth" is, in the last 75 years, the nation has only only celebrated these days but not acknowledged the founding father's purpose.
The PM noted that the country failed to provide the young generation what they deserved.
"Why this nation is still lost even when God has blessed it?" he questioned.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has setup a flood relief fund for those affected from heavy rainfall and floods in the country and asked philanthropists and general public to donate for the cause, ARY NEWS reported.
The prime minister said that above normal rainfall has led to a disaster in Balochistan while losses were witnessed in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces.
“Despite tough economic conditions, the government has released Rs5 billion for the flood affectees,” he said and asked philanthropists to come forward and help government in rebuilding the structures of those affected in the disaster.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed the provincial governments to declare the affected areas as calamity-hit so that relief work could be expedited in those areas.
The funds for the flood affectees could be transferred to account number G-12164 of Prime Minister Relief Fund 2022.
It is pertinent to mention here that the prime minister has already announced to impose emergency in areas hit by severe monsoon rains and floods, and ordered the finance ministry to issue Rs 5 billion to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)for rescue and relief programs.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House, a state of emergency has been imposed in areas severely hit by floods and rains.
Additionally, the PM has ordered to form a joint committee of NDMA and PDMA to commence rescue and rehabilitation programs for the flood-affected people.
The PM said ordered the Finance Ministry to issue Rs 5 billion for the rescue and relief programs, saying the programs are their utmost priority. We will have to think about the people in distress over our political conflicts, the PM added.
The committee formed by PM includes Ahsan Iqbal, Asad Mehmood, Abdul Wasay, Murtaza Javed, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chairman NDMA and Secretary communications. The committee would hold its inaugural session today and formulate a coordination policy.
The PM added that they need to formulate a short-term and a long-term strategy to overcome the situation. The provincial government have been ordered to submit reports to the federal government by the PM.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with flood victims in Balochistan. — Twitter/@GovtofPakistan
QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday visited Balochistan to monitor the on-going relief work in the province, as it grapples with torrential rains claiming lives of over 120 people.
Heavy downpour in Balochistan have wreaked havoc, damaging property and claiming lives. Over 6,000 homes have been torn down completely, while more than 10,000 are said to be partially damaged.
In the wake of the destructive rains, PM Shehbaz on Thursday formed a committee comprised of federal ministers. The committee was directed to visit the areas affected by flooding and was also asked submit a report in the four days.
Speaking with journalists during the visit, PM Shehbaz announced a relief package. He said that RS1 million will be given to families who have lost their members to the flood’s devastations; Rs50,000 were announced for people whose homes were destroyed, while owners of houses that suffered partial damaged will be given Rs200,000.
The PM, however, did not share a timeline for disbursement of these funds.
“We have formed a committee to assess the losses of livestock and damage to the crops,” he said, adding that the committee will conduct surveys in liaison with the provinces and will stay in touch with the administration of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The premier also stated that the committee's meeting has been called in Islamabad on August 3. PM Shehbaz lamented that the rains have killed 124 in Balochistan, while Geo News has reported the loss of at least 125 lives.
The PM added that over 300 people have been lost their lives in rain-related incidents across the country.
PM's activities during visit
During the visit, the prime minister took an aerial view of flood-affected areas of Balochistan, while Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Aqaili briefed him about damages caused by heavy rains and floods.
PM Shehbaz was also briefed on ongoing relief activities in the affected areas. Later, the prime minister also visited Jhal Magsi and met flood-affected people in Shambani.
He directed the provision of medicines and the establishment of a relief camp beside the deployment of a veterinary doctor for the treatment of cattle in affected areas.
The prime minister also directed officials to expedite relief operations in all areas and provision of rations to people.
Earlier, the prime minister had also visited Jacobabad where he was briefed about relief activities in flood-affected areas.
Rescue operation by Navy underway
The Pakistan Navy is providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to the people stranded in flash floods affected areas of Urki, Uthal, Lakhra, and other small isolated hutments of Lasbela District.
In a statement, the navy said that Commander Coast Rear Admiral Javed Iqbal, along with officials of the district administration, undertook an aerial visit of the flood-hit areas to review relief activities.
Pakistan Navy helicopters undertook multiple hops from Uthal to the affected areas to airdrop rations near people trapped in their homes.
"Airdrop of relief goods by helicopters has emerged as the most effective way of providing relief to people who could not be reached as road infrastructure has been wiped away by floods," the statement said.
During the operation by Pakistan Navy helicopters, a critically ill woman and five other people trapped in floods were rescued and evacuated to Uthal for medical treatment.
Apart from the navy, the provincial government, district administration, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan Army, and Frontier Corps are also engaged in rescue and relief operations.
Sindh, KP announce support for victims of flooding
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah a day earlier telephoned Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Qudus Bizenjo and expressed solidarity with him in these distressing times, offering complete support.
During the call, CM Sindh offered every kind of support to his counterpart for the rehabilitation of the rain-affected people.
“We had sent 500 tents to Lasbela on Wednesday and dispatched 100 more tents to Uthal on Friday,” he said, adding that the Relief Department Sindh would coordinate with the concerned divisional commissioners in Balochistan for the dispatch of other relief items.
Seperately, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan Saturday announced a relief package for the flood affectees of Balochistan and directed the relevant authorities to ensure the provision of the announced package to flood-hit people within the next 24 hours.
As per special directives of the chief minister, 32 trucks of relief packages from the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be dispatched to the flood-hit people of Balochistan.
The relief package includes, 1,000 tents, 1,000 mattresses, 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 blankets, 1,000 quilts, 1,000 tarpaulin sheets, 1,000 mosquito nets, and 20 number of dewatering pumps.
Similarly, essential medicines and 1,000 food packages are also part of the relief package.
More rainfall predicted
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rains across the country, including Balochistan — which means that the people's misery will prolong and rescue works will be hampered.
The meteorological department forecast more rains in Khuzdar, Zhob, Barkhan, Kohlu, Musa Khel, Sherani, Sibbi and Bolan for the next 24 hours.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. — AFP/Reuters/File
PM Shehbaz and Bill Gates exchange views on issues in the health and social sector of Pakistan.
The government is committed to eradicating polio from the country, says PM Shehbaz.
Bill Gates expresses concerns over increasing polio cases in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Bill Gates held talks on the phone and discussed the anti-polio campaign, Geo News reported.
In a telephonic conversation, PM Shehbaz and Bill Gates exchanged views on issues in the health and social sector of Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz appreciated BMGF's support in eradicating polio and said that the government of Pakistan was committed to eradicating the crippling disease across the country.
On the occasion, Bill Gates expressed concerns over the increasing number of polio cases and assured to continue support in eradicating the polio virus from the country.
