ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to rise above politics and join the Centre’s scheme of providing wheat seeds to farmers of inundated areas as the country grappled with the impact of the floods.
Chairing 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.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that Sindh and Balochistan had agreed to the wheat scheme. He regretted, however, that despite the federal government’s offer, Punjab and K-P refused to cooperate and instead indulged in politics on the matter.
Both dissenting provinces are ruled by the PTI and their allies.
“I request that you accept the offer in view of the plight of the flood-hit farmers. And if you still reject it, don’t twist the fact that the Centre is not extending assistance to you,” PM Shehbaz said during the meeting which was also joined by the chief secretaries of Punjab and K-P.
He emphasised that Pakistan, as a federation, comprised provincial units and said the situation demanded unity at the national level.
Read Punjab snubs Centre’s wheat seeds scheme
The 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.
“In view of the emergency situation, I will not allow the private sector to import wheat,” he said, adding that the government was trying to get better bidding on the wheat.
Relief efforts
PM Shehbaz said the government was effectively carrying out relief and rehabilitation work in flooded regions.
He added that the government, through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was ensuring the distribution of Rs880 million in compensation money and relief goods – including food, water, medicines and mosquito nets – among the flood-affected families across the country.
The premier further said that relief supplies received from friendly countries were being distributed through a “transparent channel”.
The 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.
Source link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2382583/pm-shehbaz-urges-punjab-k-p-to-join-centres-wheat-seed-scheme