BADIN, Aug 1: The Punjab chief minister, Chaudhary Pervaiz Illahi, on Friday assured all support and help to mitigate the suffering of the people of Sindh passing through a crisis due to the recent torrential rains and floods.

He said this while addressing a meeting of Nazims and officials here.

Chaudhary Pervaiz Illahi, who was accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar, said that the people of Sindh should not feel alone as the people of Punjab fully stand by them. “Punjab is fully behind the people of Sindh who are facing a crisis so courageously during the recent rains and flood”.

He said, “Punjab has always helped their brothers in Sindh during a testing period. We are all members of the same family. If any one of us is in a problem, it is the responsibility of all of us to share the sorrow and extend a helping hand.”

He said he has come here to express solidarity with his Sindhi brethren, who were having a difficult time.

He said that he had been in constant touch with Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar and MPA Syed Ali Bukhsh alias Papoo Shah, a PML(Q) leader, and assured them that he would personally visit here to share the grief of the rain-hit people of Sindh.

The Punjab chief minister said the relief amount of Rs50 million announced by him was token money and he would announce another package for the stranded people of Sindh soon. “We will not leave them alone and extend all help,” he announced.

He said that President PML(Q) Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain would himself come with the relief goods.

Earlier, he had been informed by the local officials concerned that 366,000 people had been affected by the rains and floods, while 40 had lost their lives.

DEATH TOLL: Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 145 as the on-going rains and flood took 12 more lives in Karachi and Badin, an official spokesman said late on Friday night.—APP