Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for the acceleration of financial assistance to flood victims through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). He engaged in discussions with Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi concerning flood relief and rehabilitation efforts in the province.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Governor provided a detailed briefing about the extent of damage affecting life, livelihoods, livestock, and agriculture. The discussions focused on implementing effective and sustainable relief and rehabilitation strategies. Acting President Gilani emphasized that evaluating the losses should be a priority, and assessments of flood-water damage, along with impacts on livelihoods and agricultural land, need to be conducted promptly to facilitate immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Additionally, the Acting President announced plans to request a briefing from the National Disaster Management Authority and intends to personally visit the flood-affected areas in South Punjab to assess the situation and oversee relief operations.

In subsequent meetings, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani consulted with Coordinator Pakistan Peoples’ Party USA Maqsood Ali Kamboh, Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhail, and MNA Naveed Aamir Jeeva of PPP. The parliamentarians informed him of the flood conditions in their respective regions.

The Acting President stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts between federal and provincial authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation. He acknowledged the efforts of the provincial government of Punjab to mitigate flood damages but highlighted the critical and widespread nature of the disaster, indicating that collective efforts are required for relief and recovery.

He appealed to philanthropists, industrialists, businesspersons, and civil society to support the flood-affected people.