ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered round-the-clock monitoring of rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in flood-affected areas of Balochistan.

He also ordered an update regarding the relief and disbursement of funds among flood victims through the submission of a report every 48 hours, a government spokesperson said.

The prime minister instructed relevant authorities to speed up the distribution of relief funds in Balochistan, especially in areas of Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dakki, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Kech, Mastung, Harnai, Qila Saifullah and Sibbi.

Mr Sharif directed the authorities to speed up relief and rehabilitation work in flood-affected areas of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

He said that the affected people were looking towards the government for mitigation of their sufferings and warned that negligence in the supply of food, medicines and accommodation would not be tolerated.

Shehbaz vows to deepen Pak-Japan partnership in all aspects

He emphasised extending a uniform level of facilitation to flood victims across the country. The prime minister also ordered authorities concerned to ensure proper cleaning, sanitation and fumigation of the flood-hit areas to avert spread of diseases, including dengue.

He said provision of clean drinking water be ensured to flood victims to control diseases.

A report by the authorities concerned informed the prime minister that the arrangement of food, medical camps, and shelter had been made in flood-hit areas of Balochistan. The report said that relief activities had been increased in collaboration with the provincial government, while work was in progress in other provinces with the cooperation of the respective provincial governments.

Meeting with Japanese minister

PM Sharif underlined the importance Pakistan attached to its longstanding ties with Japan and reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen this valuable partnership in all aspects.

He stressed that bilateral cooperation must be expanded in trade, investment, IT, renewable energy and other related fields.

The prime minister was talking to Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro, who called on him, the PM Office said in a press release.

Highlighting the cordial and cooperative bilateral relations, the prime minister appreciated the support provided by the Japan government for infrastructure and socio-economic development in Pakistan.

Appreciating investments by Japanese enterprises in Pakistan over the past many years, the prime minister assured that the government would make all possible efforts to help further scale up such investments.

He also stressed the need for high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The prime minister highlighted the dire situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and underscored the need for peaceful resolution of the dispute for durable peace, security and prosperity in South Asia.

The Japanese parliamentary vice-minister expressed sympathy and condolence over the human and material losses caused by floods in Pakistan.

Reaffirming Japan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan, he thanked the prime minister for his personal efforts in deepening Pakistan-Japan cooperation.

He conveyed Japan’s continued commitment to Pakistan in terms of enhanced trade, investment and socio-economic development.

Mr Honda also briefed the prime minister on the contribution of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in Pakistan, especially in areas of health, water, sanitation and disaster relief.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2022