LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif affirmed on Monday that her government has not sought external assistance to address the catastrophic floods, ensuring the dignity and pride of Punjab’s people remain intact. She assured that as long as she holds office, no one would diminish the standing of Punjab’s citizens.
During a ceremony in Okara to distribute flood relief cards to affected individuals, the Chief Minister announced the initiation of the rehabilitation process for families impacted by the floods.
She highlighted that Punjab had experienced one of its worst floods in history, resulting in substantial damage to homes, livestock, and crops.
She further mentioned that distribution of the first compensation cheques had begun that day, fulfilling her commitment to ensure every affected individual receives support. Over the past three weeks of this crisis, she stated, neither she, her cabinet, nor her administration had been idle.
Highlighting the collective efforts of her government, she remarked that the unprecedented nature of the flood was met with unparalleled measures by the administration.
She revealed that cheque distribution would occur across 15 districts and cities. Moreover, she detailed that flood victims received three cooked meals daily during relief efforts, alongside medical aid for over 1.2 to 1.3 million cases involving both individuals and livestock.
Maryam Nawaz underscored that all rescue and relief operations were funded entirely by the Punjab government’s resources without seeking external financial aid.
She announced a Rs100 billion allocation for the complete rehabilitation program, describing these funds as a trust bestowed upon her by the people of Punjab.
She firmly stated that safeguards were in place to prevent corruption, with a complaint redressal system available for flood victims.
To assist affected families, 72 camp sites have been set up to facilitate compensation distribution through cheques and ATM cards. Each family will receive Rs50,000 in cash at relief counters while additional funds can be withdrawn through ATMs, with a maximum daily limit of Rs300,000.
She noted that over 71,000 bank accounts have been opened for this purpose. Free transport services are also being provided to ensure victims can easily access these camps.
The CM expressed her commitment to equitable support across all cities and prayed for greater resources for Punjab to continue serving its people. She stressed that Punjab is now recognized across the country for its developmental achievements and efficient governance.
Maryam concluded confidently, assuring that within days the impacts of the floods in Punjab would no longer be apparent. Unlike others, she said, her government didn’t plead or demand outside assistance but instead focused on delivering justice and support to its people.
