Reviews rehabilitation work; Announces prize money for workers repairing infrastructure
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that during the current situation which arose after the monsoon rains and floods, the entire nation was working in unison and inspiration to overcome the problems which was very important.
The Premier visited Balochistan to review the restoration work of flood-affected road and railway infrastructure on Sunday.
The Chairman National Highway Authority Khurram Agha gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister during an aerial view of the damaged railway bridge in Bibi Nani and the restoration work on Panjara bridge which was completely swept away by the floods.
Furthermore, Shehbaz also visited the Kachhi district of the province, where he was briefed about the work underway for the restoration of the damage caused by the unprecedented floods.
On the occasion, while expressing his view after getting a briefing from the relevant authorities over the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of road, rail and bridges infrastructure in the area, the prime minister said that it was a matter of satisfaction that all the people had been involved to overcome the enormous issues after the natural calamity hit the country.
Appreciating the efforts of the district administration authorities and others, the prime minister said their commitment and devotion had been a source of inspiration for the general public.
He said that he saluted all those who had been involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. The chief minister and the chief secretary had been coordinating and working with all the relevant authorities, he added.
It was your commitment to the nation, he said, adding that their efforts would serve as a beacon of light for the people. It was the teamwork that could yield results in trying times, he opined.
The prime minister announced Rs5 million relief grant for the labourers who were working there in the difficult situation and another amount of Rs1 million for the staff that was working for the restoration of gas pipelines. A committee would be set up to dispense the amount on merit.
The prime minister said the floods had caused large-scale damages across the country, affecting all the provinces. About 1300 lives were lost, livestock swept away, while the economic and infrastructure damages were enormous.
In this district, the prime minister said, the floods had swept away Bibi Nani bridge, disrupting traffic from Quetta to Sukkur and leaving about 6000 people stranded on both ends.
He appreciated the NHA, law enforcement jawans and other authorities who restored the damaged bridge within 8 hours, adding that they did a great national service.
The prime minister said that when a catastrophe hit, the whole nation stood up and march in unison by working hard to overcome the challenges. The prime minister announced Rs3 million for those labourers working on the restoration of Bibi Nani bridge.
About 106 kms road around Bibi Nani and Panjara Bridges were largely affected. The chief minister thanked the prime minister for his visits and continuous support to the flood-affected areas of the province. He said the FC personnel had played a major role in the restoration of connectivity bridge.
During his address, he directed Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and the secretary of the National Highway Authority to give the prize money to deserving workers.
He said: “A total prize money of Rs5 million will be distributed among hardworking relief workers who worked day and night to restore the bridge.”
The province is almost cut off from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh due to the collapse of bridges on Quetta-Zhob-Dana Sar-Dera Ismail Khan Road, Quetta-Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan, Quetta-Khuzdar-Karachi, and Quetta-Sibi-Jacaboad Roads.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo thanked the prime minister for his visits and continuous support to the province’s flood-affected areas. He also announced Rs2m for labourers and workers.
