August 7, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) has earmarked an amount of Rs0.8 million for the flood-affected districts in Sindh and Balochistan.

An official statement said a sum of Rs2 million each, which included financial assistance under the food support programme (FSP), had been transferred to the district governments of Badin, Sanghar and Hyderabad.

Similarly, Rs1 million each have been allocated for the districts of Jaffarabad and Naseerabad in Balochistan.

In addition, the disbursement of Rs1,000 each to the beneficiaries under the FSP was in process, which amounted to Rs4.85 million in Balochistan.

There are as many as 2,910 beneficiaries in district Jaffarabad and 1,940 in Naseerabad. Similarly, an amount of Rs56.26 million is being disbursed to 15,520 beneficiaries in Badin, 17,460 in Sanghar and 23,280 in Hyderabad.

It added that an unspent amount of Rs19.32 million under the FSP of the first five instalments of the said districts would also be disbursed among the beneficiaries along with the 6th instalment.

The PBM, said the statement, had also earmarked a sum of Rs1 million for those injured in an explosion in village Gayal, district Diamer.

Meanwhile, PBM managing director Brig Mohammad Sarfraz told Dawn that the organization would continue its special focus on these areas.

In reply to a question, he said though the PBM had come under pressure of the political government, it was, however, taking all possible steps to remain impartial in its dispensation.

As the PBM had terminated the services of 129 corrupt officials ranging from grade IV to 19 over the last a couple of years, they have been trying to influence the PBM through the government for restoration of their services. “But due to a simple scrutiny process, I have not reinstated even a single person,” he added.