Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to rise above politics and join the Centre\u2019s scheme of providing wheat seeds to farmers of inundated areas as the country grappled with the impact of the floods.
\nChairing a review meeting of the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre (NFRCC), the premier recommended that the two provinces collaborate with the federal government under the scheme which will ensure funding for wheat seeds with a 50% contribution from both sides.
\nPM Shehbaz highlighted that Sindh and Balochistan had agreed to the wheat scheme. He regretted, however, that despite the federal government\u2019s offer, Punjab and K-P refused to cooperate and instead indulged in politics on the matter.
\nBoth dissenting provinces are ruled by the PTI and their allies.
\n\u201cI request that you accept the offer in view of the plight of the flood-hit farmers. And if you still reject it, don\u2019t twist the fact that the Centre is not extending assistance to you,\u201d PM Shehbaz said during the meeting which was also joined by the chief secretaries of Punjab and K-P.
\nHe emphasised that Pakistan, as a federation, comprised provincial units and said the situation demanded unity at the national level.
\nThe prime minister feared reduced production of wheat in the upcoming season due to the post-flood situation and also barred the private sector from importing the commodity.
\n\u201cIn view of the emergency situation, I will not allow the private sector to import wheat,\u201d he said, adding that the government was trying to get better bidding on the wheat.
\nRelief efforts
\nPM Shehbaz said the government was effectively carrying out relief and rehabilitation work in flooded regions.
\nHe added that the government, through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was ensuring the distribution of Rs880 million in compensation money and relief goods \u2013 including food, water, medicines and mosquito nets \u2013 among the flood-affected families across the country.
\nThe premier further said that relief supplies received from friendly countries were being distributed through a \u201ctransparent channel\u201d.
\nThe prime minister, who recently visited the Sohbatpur area of Balochistan, said that the land was still inundated and could lead to a breakout of water-borne diseases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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