KARACHI, Sept 19: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday directed all the federal and provincial government departments to undertake every possible effort in a concerted manner for providing relief to the flood-hit people and to ensure that the outbreak of various water-borne diseases was also kept in check.

He said that comprehensive plans should be chalked out immediately to provide necessary assistance for the rehabilitation of the affected people and farmers.

He said this while chairing a meeting held to review emergency relief readiness in Sindh at the Bilawal House.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Sharjeel Memon, Adil Siddiqui, Muzaffar Shujrah, Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Federal Minister for Climatic Change Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, National Disaster Management Authority chairman Zafar Iqbal Qadir, the chief secretary and others.

President’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the CM briefed the president about the latest flood situation and devastation caused by the floods in various districts of Sindh including Sukkur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Shikarpur.

He also informed the president about relief efforts being undertaken so far for the flood-hit people by the provincial government and district authorities.

The NDMA chairman briefed the meeting about the preparations that were made by the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) to meet any emergency situation and also about efforts undertaken in providing basic necessities to the affected people including transporting them to safer places and providing them with tents and ration.

Expressing grave concerns over the devastation caused by the floods, the president directed the authorities to ensure that the affected persons were provided with tents, ration and safe drinking water on a priority basis in view of the fast approaching winter season.

He directed the authorities that medical camps should be set up for the affected people to provide medical assistance in case of any water-borne disease.

The president said that all efforts should be made to cater to the needs of women, children and the elderly.

He said that the federal government would be providing all possible assistance to the provincial government in the relief and rehabilitation activities.

He also directed the CM and his cabinet members to personally monitor the relief activities and maintain close coordination with the district officials concerned.

The president further said that he would also be monitoring the situation and would be interacting with the district officials and representatives through video-conferencing.

Meeting on law and order

The president’s spokesperson said that the briefing on the flood situation was followed by another meeting on law and order situation in the province, especially in Karachi.

During the meeting, the president was briefed about law and order situation and various measures that had been taken for keeping the law and order situation under control.

The spokesperson said that the president reiterated that maintaining law and order in the province especially in the metropolis was the top priority of the government and no effort should be spared in this regard.

He was also briefed about a video surveillance system that had been operational in Karachi.

Participants of the meeting were informed that 960 cameras at 164 locations had been installed besides 100 mobile vehicle mounted cameras and 300 data supported hand-held PDAs for the surveillance purposes.

The president expressed his concern over the recent incidents of killing of innocent people and terrorist activities in the metropolis.

He said that the terrorists and miscreants would never be able to shake the resolve of the government and all efforts would be undertaken to bring the culprits to justice.

The president also inquired from the CM about the well-being of the people who sustained injuries as a result of Tuesday's explosions in the Hyderi Market.

He directed the CM to ensure that best medical assistance would be provided to the injured.

The CM also briefed the president about the details of the Baldia Town garment factory fire incident.

The president while expressing sympathies with the bereaved families inquired about the well-being of the affected people.—APP