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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has cancelled a visit to the United States to attend the UN General Assembly session because of floods which have hit southern Pakistan, his office said on Friday.
Pakistani leaders were widely accused of neglecting victims of last year's floods and the government is again seen as moving too slowly in the latest crisis.
“The prime minister has cancelled his visit because of the floods and now the foreign minister will represent Pakistan on the visit,” said an official in Gilani's office.
“The prime minister will visit flood-affected areas from tomorrow and supervise relief efforts.”
The latest floods, triggered by monsoon rains, have killed more than 230 people, destroyed or damaged 1.2 million houses and flooded 4.5 million acres (1.8 million hectares) since late last month, officials and aid groups say.
More than 300,000 people have been moved to shelters. Some 800,000 families hit by last year's floods are still homeless.
Aid groups have warned of a growing risk of potentially fatal diseases.
