August 06, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 3, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 5: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has issued instructions for waiving of 'Abiana' and 'Malia' as well as postponement of recovery of loans in the areas affected by flood in Rajanpur district.

Moreover, 16 relief camps have been set up in Rajanpur district while health department has also established 25 camps. The relief department has provided 500 tents for calamity-stricken people.

This was stated by Senior Adviser to Chief Minister Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa during his visit to flood-hit areas of Rojhan and Rajanpur on Tuesday.

He said the CM had issued instructions to the respective authorities and departments to utilise all available resources for the relief of affectees.

He said helicopter would be used for relief activities in those areas where provision of succor was not possible through roads.

He said 500,000 acre land in Rajanpur district had been inundated by flood and cotton and rice crops were affected over 40,000 acres in different villages.

Sardar Khosa said MPA Shaukat Khan Mazari had been appointed as incharge of relief operation in the flood affected areas of Rajanpur while MPAs Sardar Amanullah Khan Dreshak, Sardar Sher Ali Khan Gorchani and Sardar Athar Hassan Khan Gorchani would be members of the operation.

The Rajanpur DCO apprised Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa of the details of flood devastation.

The chief engineer (irrigation) informed the adviser that 94 miles long canals of Dajal branch system had been affected by flood.

MPA Sardar Shaukat Husain Khan Mazari demanded that former Gandaha scheme be revived for controlling hill torrents and local people should also be consulted in this regard.

Directive: The chief minister has ordered secretaries of health and livestock, Director-General Relief Operation and Dera Ghazi Khan regional police officer to immediately set up their camp offices at Rajanpur and directed them to remain present there till the improvement of situation and keep him posted about the relief activities.

He said that six teams should be sent to flood-hit areas of Rajanpur which should meet every person and visit every house to ensure that they had received assistance. He also directed that financial assistance should reach before Wednesday evening to the heirs of those who lost their lives due to flood in Rajanpur.Meanwhile, an emergency cell for the flood affected had been established at Chief Minister's Secretariat which would monitor the latest situation. Shahbaz Sharif said that he would visit flood-affected areas on Thursday. — APP