July 31, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1424

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KARACHI, July 30: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Wednesday declared that his government firmly stood by people affected by heavy rains and floods in Sindh and would spare no effort in mitigating their miseries.

He was talking to newsmen after a briefing on the situation caused by rains and flood in Karachi and the interior of Sindh.

The briefing was held at the airport soon after the prime minister’s arrival here on tour of Karachi and rain-affected districts of Sindh.

Sindh Chief Secretary, Dr. Mutawakkal Kazi and City Nazim Naimatullah Khan briefed the prime minister.

The prime minister said a cheque for Rs 50 million from the federal government has already been delivered to the Sindh government while another cheque for Rs 50 million would be issued on behalf of President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday.

He pointed out that aside from the funds given so far, the Centre would provide more money if required. He said the Punjab chief minister, too, had announced Rs 50 million for carrying out relief in Sindh.

Replying to a question about compensation for the damages caused to standing crops, Mr Jamali said a survey in this regard should be first completed and the extent of damages assessed.

Earlier in the briefing, the chief secretary informed the prime minister that the districts of Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, THatta, Tharparkar and Larkana were most affected by rains.—APP