CHARSADDA: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said here on Tuesday that most of the illegal structures along the riverbanks were built before formation of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in the province.

He said that the recent flood caused heavy losses in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Swat owing to encroachments near rivers and waterways. He said that most of the illegal structures were set up before formation of PTI government.

He said that his government launched a massive anti-encroachment drive across the province and banned construction on riverbanks and natural waterways.

The chief minister visited Charsadda and Nowshera to inspect the relief activities and damage caused by the flood.

Mahmood says Rs1bn released for rehabilitation of flood-hit areas

He also met with the flood victims residing at relief camps.

He said that repatriation of displaced people was the first priority of the government. He added that repatriation of displaced people would be started after receding of the floodwater.

He directed the quarters concerned to immediately arrange generators at the relief camps to provide uninterrupted power supply to the flood victims.

He said that all available resources were being utilised as part of the rehabilitation efforts. “An amount of Rs1 billion has already been released and summary for the provision of additional Rs2.5 billion has also been approved by the provincial cabinet,” said Mahmood Khan.

The chief minister was informed on the occasion that no loss of life was reported in Nowshehra as people were shifted to safe places timely. He was told food and other necessary items were provided to the people affected by flood.

The officials told the chief minister that assessment of damage to houses, crops and other infrastructure was under way that would be completed soon.

He was informed that doctors along with relevant staff were present round the clock in Amangarh relief camp to look after the displaced people.

Talking to journalists in Charsadda sports complex relief camp, the chief minister said that the recent flood was more severe in nature than that of 2010.

However, he said that destruction was considerably less owing to the good governance of provincial government, establishment of Rescue 1122, construction of flood protection walls at sensitive points and other timely arrangements.

The chief minister was informed that compensation amount was paid to the families of the deceased and injured in all the affected districts.

To a question, he said that federal government was meting out stepmother’s treatment to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said that the federal government announced packages for other flood-hit provinces. “It is a good initiative because the people of other provinces are our brothers and sisters. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should also be given its due share,” he added.

The chief minister said that federal government filed baseless cases against PTI chief Imran Khan.

He said that people of Pakistan showed their trust in Imran Khan time and again which was evident from the fact that an estimated amount of Rs5 billion was raised as donations in just a couple of hours through the telethon held by him.

Provincial Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Adviser to Chief Minister Khaliquer Rehman, MPAs Idris Khattak and Ibrahim Khattak and relevant officials were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2022