President calls for workable comprehensive master plan for stagnated water drainage from flood affected areas

Karachi : President Asif Ali Zardari Monday called for workable comprehensive master plan to deal with stagnated water drainage from flood affected areas. It should aim at restoring, remodelling, enhancing discharge capacity of existing drainage system for 20 years frequency floods, identify, activate, utilize old abandoned natural Dhoras in Sindh province.

He advised District & Provincial Disaster Management Authority PDMA officials to remove all bottlenecks, facilitate banks to initiate operations for distributing Pakistan Cards even in those areas which have remained unattended due to constraints.

In two separate briefings at Bilawal House, he reviewed situation vis- -vis drainage of stagnated water in flood affected areas of Sindh province and progress made in distributing Pakistan Cards among affectees. President spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said briefing on stagnated water drainage was told rain water from about 97% area was drained out. In some areas of Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Badin & Umerkot there were still some pockets. In compliance with President’s earlier directive, Irrigation Department prepared conceptual master plan in two months and foreign consultant M/s Louis Berger submit detailed master planning report by next month.

On 20 years irrigation revamping plan, President directed to rationalize and generate revenue for it by strengthening tax collection system. He said he will visit rain affected areas to see progress on de-watering and deputed Sindh Minister Nadir Magsi to visit and report prevailing situation within 48 hours. President said despite heavy downpour, sufficient wheat stock was available and asked to explore market for its export.

NADRA Chairman said of approx. 1.3 million eligible beneficiaries identified by district administrations, PDMA, around 1.1 million had so far been provided with Pakistan Card. NADRA set up 91 Pakistan Card outlets out of planned 96 in flood affected districts of Sindh. Of them 53 sites were closed on completion of task and 38 still operational. So far Rs 9 billion distributed among eligible beneficiaries. Second phase of house construction under Watan Cards for 2009 flood victims will begin in April next with donors assistance of Rs 14 billion. Agreement with World Bank already reached under which about 350,000 houses will be rebuilt.

President advised early completion of Pakistan Cards distribution in all 16 affected districts, facilitate banks to start operations even in those areas so far unattended, government ensure release of funding so that process of providing direct relief to beneficiaries continues unhindered.

Briefings were attended by Ms Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Provincial Ministers Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Nadir Magsi, Ms Shazia Marri, Muzaffar Ali Shujra, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Chief Secretary, senior officials.