KHAIRPUR NATHAN SHAH (Dadu), Nov 19 The people of Khairpur Nathan Shah have expressed displeasure over the changing of schedule of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, who they said was expected to visit the town on Friday but, instead, visited Dadu only.

MPA Imran Zafar Laghari told PPI that it was scheduled that the premier would visit Khairpur Nathan Shah to see the flood-ravaged town and its adjoining areas. But, the DCO Dadu informed him on telephone that prime minister would not come to Khairpur Nathan Shah and only visit Dadu city, he added.

He said that he and MNA Talat Hussain Mahesar had made complete arrangements regarding the visit of the premier to KN Shah and it was hoped that he would announce a special rehabilitation package for the town and hundreds of villages which were devastated during the recent heavy floods.

Many people of the town also expressed their displeasure over omitting the town from the visit schedule of the prime minister. Nazir Mirani, a social worker, said that Prime Minister Gilani knows very well that Khairpur Nathan Shah town had been ravaged during the recent floods.

He said that the provincial government had failed to make serious efforts to save houses, properties and businesses of the people.

He said that when we heard that the prime minister was visiting the town, we expected that he would announce something special for its reconstruction.

Ali Raza Babbar, a welder at a private workshop, said that his workshop had been closed since floodwater had entered the town. “I am jobless since the day one of flood.”

He said that he had written an application regarding financial help and hoped that he will give it to prime minister. He said that when he heard that the PM was not visiting Khairpur Nathan Shah, he was shocked.

Ashiq Hussain, who used to run a motor bike showroom before the floods, said that he had opened his showroom three months before floods. He said that he had not bought new clothes or shoes for Eid for him and his family members.

Dr Javed Shaikh said that Khairpur Nathan Shah was devastated by heavy floods and the prime minister should have visited it.

Zulifkar Ali, a student of first year, said that had the prime minister come to their town, he would have told him about the closure of Government Degree College for last three months and other educational institutions due to accumulated floodwater. He added that we were hoping that Pakistan Peoples Party leadership would do something special for them but cancellation of pm's visit dashed their hopes.

Yar Mohammad, Mohammad Aslam Mallah, Qurban Solnagi, Mashooq Ali Khokhar and other citizens expressed dismay over the behaviour of the ruling party towards Khairpur Nathan Shah and asked who will rebuild their houses and businesses, and when?

Floodwater had been staying in Khairpur Nathan Shah town and its adjacent areas for last two months. These areas were inundated after the breaches in nearby Khuda Wah Canal, forcing more than 200,000 people to flee to other cities and towns.

Though about 50 per cent population of town and its adjoining villages had returned but they face immense problems as the routine life in their area is yet to fully resume.—PPI