LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said that a “Chief Minister’s Relief Card” will be introduced to assist flood victims so that no one has to stand in long queues.
She said that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was set up under a law, but flood victims will be assisted through the CM’s relief card. She suggested that everything should be politicised.
Addressing a press conference at the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR), she said the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her team were constantly seen serving people in flood-hit areas.
“You would not have seen such commitment before. There is no area of Punjab affected by floods where the chief minister has not visited. The chief minister and her team worked like labourers in floodwaters. Our PDMA officer, Abdul Rehman, suffered a heart attack and passed away, while Patoki’s Assistant Commissioner Farhan Ahmed also died in the line of duty,” she said.
Bukhari said the chief minister personally talks to people. “I have not seen any other chief minister being so emotional, sitting on the ground to listen to people’s grief. A new style of governance is emerging in Punjab, but our critics only know how to spread negativity,” she added.
CM Maryam Nawaz orders comprehensive relief package for Punjab flood victims
She said that 7,794 villages in Punjab were affected, with 2.6 million people and 2.1 million livestock hit by floods.
“The floods struck around August 25–26 and are still ongoing. Initial surveys have been completed. Around 5.9 million people were affected by inside flooding, while 1.6 million were hit by outside flooding. Three rivers hit various districts of Punjab, impacting nearly 27 cities. Some 2,213 teams are working in the field,” she said.
The minister said farmers had suffered heavy losses. “Each farmer will be given Rs20,000 per acre. Those whose houses were completely destroyed will get Rs1 million, while partially damaged homes will receive Rs500,000. Compensation of Rs500,000 will also be given for losses of cattle and buffaloes. All of this is being funded by the Punjab government itself without external aid,” she explained.
She said no development work across Punjab had stopped. “Under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme, 80,000 houses are under construction, which will reach 100,000 by December. On the other hand, some are doing politics over floods. Throughout the flood crisis, the federal government and NDMA stood with us. If the Centre wishes to extend further support, it will be welcomed,” she added.
Up to 100,000 people moved due to Punjab floods
Bukhari noted that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto praised the Punjab chief minister, while Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani personally observed relief operations in south Punjab. “We could also raise questions, like why you were not prepared when floods came last time?” she said.
She said that new buses have arrived to serve the people of Punjab.
She further said that if Punjab needs to build dams to save its water, they must be built. “There is no on-and-off switch for smog. Our environment teams are ensuring compliance with SOPs. In Indian Punjab, crop residues are being burnt, which worsens their air index, and ours is affected too,” she added.
Azma Bukhari said the entire country should learn from those “who have turned Sindh into an archaeological site.” She concluded: “They say they will act when rains lessen — but we do not wait for that.”