LAHORE: Frustrated over their plight, flood-affected villagers in Fazilpur area of Rajanpur district vent their anger over Punjab Finance Minister Mohsin Leghari and some government officials for visiting them without relief goods.

On a monitoring mission, Leghari visited the area along with Dera Ghazi Khan commissioner and Rajanpur deputy commissioner using a boat. Around two dozen displaced visitors who gathered around the boat were disappointed to find no food, mosquito nets and tents.

“Your are here just for a photo session. You did not bring any tent and food. Although you are a minister, you are nothing for us,” a video clip showed a villager as telling the minister. “You are providing relief goods to your supporters only.”

They complained that no one from the government had come to help them during the last 15 days or so.

The clip showed the minister and his team soon left the area with villagers in no mood to listen to them.

Another video showed Leghari, riding his car in Rajanpur, tried to speak to people wading through stagnant flood water. Finding harsh response from a young man, the minister immediately closed the windowpane and sped away.

The reports about non-availability of tents and food are emerging on a daily basis.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2022