HYDERABAD: Punjab Governor Baleeghur Rehman on Sunday visited Sehwan taluka to distribute 5,000 ration bags among people affected by recent unprecedented rain and floods in Sindh.

The governor had brought ration bags for 11,000 households. Speaking to the media along with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mr Rehman promised more assistance from Punjab for the internally displaced people (IDPs).

CM Shah received the governor on his arrival at the Bholari airbase. Pakistan Peoples Party lawmakers and officials of local administration were also present. MNA Sikandar Rahupoto presented the governor traditional Sindhi topi and ajrak.

The chief minister and governor then flew into Sehwan by helicopter.

Speaking to the media along with Mr Rehman, CM Shah thanked the governor for visiting Sehwan and said that people of Sindh were facing hard times due to floods. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Punjab for offering their assistance.

He said the Sindh government was endeavouring to drain floodwaters from residential and agricultural areas of Sindh. He said that 70pc of floodwaters had been drained and government was now making effort to ensure that farmers were able to cultivate their lands, especially to grow wheat.

The CM said that federal and Sindh governments wanted to provide seeds to farmers as the sowing season had already started.

He said Sindh government was seeking a loan of $500 from world Bank for rebuilding houses of flood victims. He said that one scheme had been approved from different government forums, and promised that these houses would be built in a transparent manner.

In reply to a question, he said that Machhar Colony (Karachi) incident, in which two telecom workers had been lynched by a mob, was deplorable. He promised that the murderers would be brought to justice.

Governor Baleeghur Rehman thanked CM Shah and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for showering love and affection during his visit to Sindh.

He said that flood had spelt disaster in this province and added that philanthropists from Punjab also provided food to the flood victims.

He along with Mr Shah distributed ration bags at Manchhar Lake and also had a lunch with flood-affected people. He visited RD-62 section of Manchhar Lake and met residents of Ali Gohar Bozdar village.

Later, the governor visited the shrine of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz and laid floral wreath along with the CM.

He also visited Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical Sciences.

Meanwhile, CM Shah attended dastarbandi of MPA Khan Mohammad Dahiri in Shaheed Benazirabad district. The ceremony marks Dahiri’s installation as chief of his community.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2022