PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party has asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to declare the flood-stricken districts as calamity-hit and compensate the affected people for losses of family members and properties.

In a statement here on Tuesday, QWP provincial president Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao said the flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains caused human and material losses in various parts of the province, badly disrupting lives of the people. He said the floods badly damaged standing crops, roads, bridges, houses and other infrastructure in Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Chitral and other districts.

However, he said neither the chief minister nor the provincial ministers bothered to visit the flood-hit areas to assess the damage and provide relief to people.

Sikandar Sherpao expressed grief over the loss of precious lives during the rain-related incidents and asked the government to announce a comprehensive compensation package for the affected people. He condemned the use of teargas and batons against peaceful protesters in Dera. He added the flow of water was diverted to save certain villages from floods in Dera, which prompted the local people to protest. He said three protesters were injured during the use of force.

The QWP leader said the incidents of targeted killings were taking place in North Waziristan, Khyber, Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar and other districts. He said 50 policemen had been martyred since January this year, urging the government to take steps to prevent targeted killings or else the situation would take a turn for the worse.

Criticising the PTI government for failing to notify the rules of business for the newly-elected representatives of the local government, he said the rulers seemed not interested in ensuring the transfer of powers to the grassroots after tasting defeat in the local body elections.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2022